MINERAL WELLS — • Gr8fotos Camera Club, a group of local photographers, is exhibiting their images at Boyce Ditto Library in the display case along the west wall. Photos on exhibit are for sale. Anyone interested in joining this group, which meets at Downtown Video at 5:45 p.m. each first and third Wednesdays, invites area photographers, both beginners and season artists, to join their casual meetings. Find the club online at www.gr8fotos.com, call (940) 682-5239, or Twitter at gr8fotosClub.

• Tax time help – if you are not filing your income taxes electronically, IRS instructions, publications and the most-requested tax forms are available in the Boyce Ditto Public Library lobby free of charge. The library is located at 2300 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. St. The phone number is (940) 328-7880.

• Applications are now available for Mineral Wells Rotary Club college scholarships for high school seniors. All prospective students are encouraged to apply whether planning to attend a technical, two-year or four-year college. The club will award five $1,000 scholarships this year. Applications are available at all school counselor offices or by e-mailing Beth Watson at beth@mineralwellstx.com. Application deadline is March 19.

• STRAWN THIRD SATURDAY JAMBOREE – Third Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, 301 E. Housley St., downtown Strawn two blocks east of State Highway 16. Music begins at 6 p.m., concessions open at 5:30 p.m. Come hear a good lineup of country, gospel and bluegrass music. Alcohol- and smoke-free environment. Free admission, everyone welcome. For more information, call Finis Butler at (254) 672-5622 or 672-5816.

• Night Sounds is Saturday, March 20, at 8 p.m. at Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway. Listen to the sounds of a Texas summer night. Actual and recorded sounds of insects, birds, frogs and mammals will be heard and identified with slides of the animals. Bring a lawn chair. Event is free with a paid admission to the park. Entrance fees to the park are $5 per person, children 12 and under are free.

• Calvary Karate Club classes: Shito-Ryu classes are on Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m., and Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. Scibukah classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. If you would like more information call David Montoya at (940) 328-1128.

• Karate – Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday. For more information call Juan Vargas at (940) 468-8053.

• City of Mineral Wells Parks and Recreation Fall/Winter 2009 Aerobics classes offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7 p.m. $30 for 10 visits or $4 for a daily pass.

• Mineral Wells ISD welcomes parents, friends and community to Texas Public Schools Week Open House during the month of March. Each campus will hold its open house at different times so everyone can attend. All Open House Events are 5:30-7 p.m. Make plans to attend. Mineral Wells High School Open House is March 22. Junior High Open House is March 23. Travis Elementary Open House is March 29.

• AARP Tax-Aide free tax help at the Mineral Wells Senior Center, 102 N.W. 6th Ave., every Wednesday through April 14, 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. For a faster return, e-file and direct deposit. Bring your bank’s routing number and your account number. Remember to bring all W-2s and 1099s showing income you received this year.

If you want to claim the energy credit, a qualifying car or a first-time homebuyer credit you need the paperwork. Don’t forget to bring your property tax receipt.

• District Gospel Singing Convention is Friday, March 26, at 6 p.m., and Saturday, March 27, at 10 a.m., at Central United Methodist Church, 1005 S.W. 4th Ave., in Mineral Wells (snack lunch provided). Shaped note, Stamps-Baxter type music at its best. All invited no matter if you sing or listen. Come join us in praising God thru music.

• Clark Gardens Botanical Park’s Spring Festival is March 27-28. Model train show, classic car show, gardening demonstrations, children’s activities, Texas wine teasing and artisanal cheeses. Admission $7/Adult;  $5/Senior (65 and over). Additional fees for wine tasting (includes souvenir glass), pony rides and train rides. $5/Children (5-12 years old) No charge for children 4 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the garden entry or by phone: (940) 682-4856. For more information, visit www.clarkgardens.org.

• Kid’s Wilderness Survival is Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m. Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway. This two and-a-half hour course is a fun way for kids to learn what to do if they become lost. The course includes interactive games, demonstrations and a hike on the nature trail. The course requires kids accompanied by a parent, guardian or youth group leader. Reservations required, call (940) 328-1171. Maximum number of participants accepted 25. Event is free with a paid admission to the park. Entrance fees to the park are $5 per person, children 12 and under are free.

• The next meeting of the Mineral Wells/Weatherford Human Resources Professionals is March 29 at the Black Horse Deli in downtown Mineral Wells beginning at 11:30 a.m. Lon Williams will be speaking regarding legislative updates. For information contact Connie L. Fellers at (940) 325-7887.

• The Pythian Sisters are selling tickets for a “Your Ticket to Paradise” drawing and have extended sales to March 31. The prize is a ticket worth $700 for travel anywhere, good for a year. You must book through First Travel in Brazos Mall. You can buy tickets from any Pythian sister or at the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce. If you need tickets call April McCommas at (940) 458-0920, Melanie Briggs at (940) 325-6689, Linda Choate at (940) 452-3283 or Lynn Walker at (940) 468-2067. Tickets sell for $5.

• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 235 and DAV Chapter 235 Auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Expo Center at the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association grounds on FM Road 1821 North.

• PTSD COUNSELING on the first Thursday of each month – VFW Post 2399, 1400 S.E. Veterans of Foreign Wars St., (940) 325-1470. Group sessions 2-3 p.m., individual sessions (by appt. only) 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Provided by Fort Worth VA’s Readjustment Counseling Service. Call Mike Coulter for appointments: (817) 921-9095.

• FOLKS AT MINERAL WELLS HERITAGE invite one and all to attend monthly meetings at Little Rock School House (behind old Mineral Wells High School on West Hubbard Street). We gather on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Of course, visitors are welcome.

• Adell-Whitt VFD Fish Fry is April 10, 5-7 p.m. Tickets $7.50 for adults, children 12-3 years $3.50, and under 3 years free. Live auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. Silent auction ending at 7 p.m. Drawing for Troy-built riding lawn mower, $1 each ticket. Need not be present to win.

• The Brazos River Authority will offer Boater Safety Courses at Lakes Granbury and Possum Kingdom again this spring and summer. Boaters younger than 18 are required by the Texas Water Safety Act to obtain certification to operate a vessel with a motor exceeding 10 horse power, a wind blown vessel longer than 14 feet and all personal watercraft. The courses provide useful information for boaters of all ages and experience levels including all types of water conditions, from ponds to offshore and ideal situations to worst case scenarios. The Boater Safety Courses are available for ages 12 and older, though children will have to wait until they are 13 to be certified. The program cost is $10. Cash payment only. Participants must provide a social security number and a picture identification card (driver’s license, student ID or library card accepted). Children younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Possum Kingdom Lake, with a one-hour break for lunch. Lunch is not provided. For more information about class location, or to register, call (940) 779-2321, extensions 222 or 229. Class dates are: April 10, May 15, June 5, June 12, July 10, July 31, Aug. 14 and Sept. 18.

• THE PALO PINTO COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce. We need participation from all interested members of the community. All are welcome! For more information, call Debbie at 445-0144 or Crystal at 664-5149.

• MINERAL WELLS MASONIC LODGE NO. 611 – located at 601 N. Oak Ave., meets the second Tuesday of every month. Meal at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 7:30 p.m.

• Electra/Mepco/Philips Reunion Picnic is April 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Joyce Taylor and Patty Clark will be hosting a 15-year reunion of the EMP Group at the Meals on Wheels location, 1410 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. St., in Mineral Wells. If you have a past affiliation with this group, please contact Patty at (940) 859-6299. If you plan on attending please send in a $10 donation per adult, or $5 per child under 13, to EMP Reunion, P.O. Box 484, Millsap, TX 76066, by March 31. After that the price is $15 per adult $7.50 per child under 13.

• Texas Outdoor Family Workshop at Lake Mineral Wells State Park is May 1-2. Texas Outdoor Family (TOF) workshops are hosted at state parks and at various partner sites (such as city and county parks) where your family receives hands-on experience learning basic outdoor skills. You will learn everything you need to create great memories enjoying the outdoors with your family, including: How to set up and break down camp (including your tent); fire starting; outdoor cooking; guided walks; nature activities; how to use a GPS; geocaching; introductions to a wide range of outdoor activities (such as fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching) depending on the site location, facilities and the season of the year. Best of all, no experience is necessary and you get all the help and advice you need from highly skilled outdoor specialists and trained volunteers. Cost is $55 per family (up to six individuals) and includes all entry and camping fees. You will be asked to bring your family’s food for the two-day event and a suggested list of items will be provided. To register call (512) 389-8903 and ask to speak to one of our “Texas Outdoor Family” customer service representatives Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Online visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/bof/lake-mineral-wells-sp.phtml.

• The annual Friends of the National Vietnam War Museum spring fundraiser this year will be a fall fundraiser. The group was forced to reschedule the event that was planned for Rahr Brewery in downtown Fort Worth. However, the establishment saw its roof cave in after the recent record 12-inch snowfall. The fundraiser is now set for Sept. 18. You can make reservations now. Tickets are $45 in advance, $55 at the door. You can purchase tickets at the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce or order them by writing Friends of the Museum, P.O. Box 146, Mineral Wells, TX 76068.

• Mineral Wells Class of 1965 is planning its 45th class reunion in October. Please call Cinny (Dalton) Montana at (817) 263-0355 to help complete name and address list or e-mail her at p_montana@charter.net.