• Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department wants to hear from concerned citizens.  Please come and share you thoughts and desires for recreation facilities in your area with the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Board.  

The board will be in your area on Wednesday, January 21, at Northwood High School Cafeterial.  Help them make plans for your area’s future  recreation. For more information call the Parks and Recreation Department at 542-8252. 

• The Chatham County Public Health Department (CCPHD) will hold its Board of Health Meeting on Tuesday, January 27 at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of CCCC, Pittsboro. CCPHD will release its annual county health report, which shares vital information and statistics in a variety of health-related areas. Board of Health 2003 Annual Awards will be presented and other topics will be considered. The public is invited. For more information, contact Mary Ann Perkins (919) 542-8214.

• Preschool art classes for 2-5 year olds will be held at the Pittsboro Memorial Library. Classes run  Tuesdays,  January 20 through March 9,  from  10 a.m. to 11 a.m. To register, call Cathy Markatos at 542-2139.

• The Pastel Society of North Carolina meeting will take place on January 17, from 2 to 4, at Carol Woods, 750 Weaver Dairy Rd., Chapel Hill. Interested parties may call 968-8842, 942-4942, 408-0613. Please bring a painting for Critiques.

• There will be a health and nutrition workshop presented by the Women Ministers Coalition. It will be held January 17 at Camp Royal on Ash Road in Moncure. The speaker will be Rev. Maude Hall McLaughlin. Nurses will be on site to check blood pressures. Workbooks will be available. For additional information or to register, contact Minister Nettles at (919) 454-7917. 

• The Dance Ensemble of Northwood High School under the direction of Amy Salter will present a program Sunday, January 25 at 3 pm at Carrboro Branch Library. Carrboro Parks and Recreation and the library  are co-sponsors. The library is located in the McDougle Middle School media center, 900 Old Fayetteville Road.  For more information call 969-3006.

• Burrito Bash & Silent Auction to benefit the animals of Chatham Animal Rescue and Education will be held Monday (01-19-04) from 6 – 9 p.m. at The General Store.  Silent auction bidding is from 6-8 pm.  Music will be provided by The Pinkslips starting at 7 pm.  All proceeds will go to help pay for veterinary expenses for animals in foster care while awaiting a permanent home. A General Store dinner of burrito and tortilla chips included for a $10 donation.

• The Chatham Community NAACP #5377 will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial banquet on Satur-day, January 24 at 5 pm at White Oak Missionary Baptist Church in Apex. The speaker will be  Rev. Charles R. Tyner, Sr.  Tickets are $15.  For more information, contact Vickie Ferguson at 919-933-9610.