AMERICAN CIRCUS SUBJECT OF TALK

LaVahn Hoh, a professor of drama at the University of Virginia and an expert on the American circus, will give a free lecture on the subject on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. at The Louisa Arts Center.

The program is co-sponsored by The Louisa County Historical Society.

The center is located at 214 Fredericksburg Ave. in Louisa.

SISTER CITY GROUP HAVING MARDI GRAS

The annual Mardi Gras Party, sponsored by the board of directors of the Fredericksburg Sister City Association, will be held 6:30-10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at a private home in Spotsylvania.

The event will include jamba-laya, music, masks, beads and door prizes.

The cost is $20, and people attending must be members of the group. Forms for the party and membership are available at www.fredericksburgfrejus.org

Email herndoncathy@gmail .com for information.

SPOTSY LIONS SET BLAND MUSIC EVENT

The Spotsylvania Lions Club's James A. Bland Memorial Music Scholarship Competition will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, at Chancellor Baptist Church on Gordon Road.

Students through the 12th grade are eligible to enter either instrumental or vocal competition. Entry deadline is Monday.

Contestants will have a maximum of eight minutes to perform a memorized piece. Winners will advance to regional competition in March.

The number of entries is limited. Application forms are available from Tom Gorsuch at 540/891-9406.

MASTER GARDENERS SCHEDULE MEETING

Emmett Snead, farmer and owner of Snead's Farm, will be the guest speaker at the Master Gardener general membership meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Theater Room of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline St., in Fredericksburg.

Snead will discuss how to become a locavore this year. He will talk about various fruits and vegetables, and the workings of a Community Supported Agriculture group.

IZAAK WALTON SPONSORS 'REFUSE TO BE VICTIM' CLASS

The Izaak Walton League, 2400 Herndon Road in Spotsylvania County, will host a class called "Refuse to be a Victim" on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 9 a.m.

Instructor Kelly Rollins will teach the class, which will include information on the psychology of the criminal mind, home and phone security, auto and travel security, personal and technological security, self-defense tools and training options.