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Families with children ages two to eight are invited to Rhythm & Roots: Make a Shaker at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center on this Saturday from 10 to 11:30 AM. There’ll be music, storytelling, and hands-on creativity as children decorate their own shaker instruments. The program is free, and donations are welcome. Space is limited so registration is encouraged. For more information, contact the Heritage Center at 434-688-6854 or info@jeffschoolheritagecenter DOT org

PVCC and Nettle Shirts Puppet Works present "The Nettle Shirts", a one hour shadow puppet show this Sunday at 3pm at the Maxwell Theatre in the Dickinson building. This free performance is part of "Community Connections: Creative Pathways to Understanding", currently on view in the PVCC gallery. More information is available at pvcc DOT edu under “Fine Arts”.

“Telling the Truth: Stories of Courage, Conflict and Connection” is coming to UVA’s Old Cabell Hall this Sunday at 3:30pm. Best selling author Nancy French and New York Times columnist David French will address the personal and political costs of speaking inconvenient truths, even as they testify to the promise of courageous honesty. Hosted by Theological Horizons, the Scoper Lecture Series brings eminent speakers to the University to deliver public lectures exploring the breadth of Christian expression in the arenas of scholarship, science and medicine, the arts, and culture. Visit artsboxoffice DOT virginia DOT edu for details and tickets.

For the third year in a row, photographers Karolina and Alisa from Pura Photo are hosting a Women’s Day portrait experience. Celebrate and uplift the women in our community at the women-owned Eastwood Farm and Winery, 2531 Scottsville Road, Sunday March 29th, from 12 to 4 PM. These donation-based portrait sessions include 5 professionally edited images, with all the proceeds going to Shelter for Help in Emergency, a local organization dedicated to assisting women in need. The winery will also generously donate 10% of all flight sales to S - H - E. You can learn more about their incredible work at shelterforhelpinemergency DOT org.

Monticello welcomes retired four-star general and 26th U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and philanthropist, author, and civic leader David M. Rubenstein on Saturday, April 11th at 4:00 p.m. on Monticello’s West Lawn. This special presentation, "Character, Service, and the American Experiment", will be a wide-ranging discussion about the responsibilities of leadership, the role of the military in a democratic society, and the values upholding American institutions. The event is part of Monticello’s annual Founders Day Celebration, commemorating Thomas Jefferson’s birthday with programming that examines the founding principles of the United States and their relevance in the 21st century. Visit monticello DOT org for more details.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up Saturday, April 25th. From 10:00 a.m. 'til 2:00 p.m., you can drop off expired or unused drugs at Martha Jefferson Hospital, Forest Lakes Family Medicine, Crozet Family Medicine, and Wegman’s. This free, anonymous event is the safest way to dispose of expired or unused medications – no questions asked. Medical sharps will also be accepted at Sentara locations only. For details, please visit Albemarle DOT org SLASH Police.

The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority announces the return of its FREE mulch program. Nearly 2,700 tons of double-ground mulch are available Monday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Ivy Solid Waste & Recycling Center, 4576 Dick Woods Road. Visitors wanting small quantities should bring their own shovels and carriers for loading. Those planning to fill pickup truck beds or trailers can receive assistance from the Center staff. Visit rivannasolidwaste DOT org under “news” for details.

The Charlottesville High School urban farming class is hosting their 3rd annual plant sale and farm tour on Saturday, May 2nd at the high school. They will be selling over 35 varieties of plants, from tomatoes to herbs to flowers. The sale will help them support future projects, like their upcoming “garden to cafeteria” initiative. To learn more, visit chsfarming DOT com SLASH plantsale.

The Inaugural Charlottesville Filipino Spring Festival is coming to the IX Art Park on Saturday, May 2nd. from 3-8 pm. This free, family-friendly event celebrates Filipino culture through cuisine, music, and dance, with performances by local and regional artists, including traditional and contemporary Filipino dance and musical groups. There’ll be a marketplace showcasing food vendors, retail businesses, artists, crafters, and nonprofits. The celebration aims to promote greater understanding of the Filipino American community in Central Virginia. Check them out on Instagram @cfca UNDERSCORE charlottesville

The Virginia Folklife Program at Virginia Humanities is reviving the Virginia Folklore Society, a forum where people interested in regional folkways can connect and learn from one another. Anyone interested is invited to get involved. Sign up for the newsletter for more info, or join the monthly steering committee meetings online by visiting Virginia Folklife dot ORG.

Three nationally-recognized design firms' proposals to transform the material and meaning of the former Robert E. Lee statue into a new expression of public memory can be seen at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. The project, "Swords Into Plowshares: Recast, Reclaim”, is on view now through May 30th for visitors to explore the designs and help shape the future of this important community project. Visit sipcville DOT com or call the Center at (434)688-6854 for more details.