A special concert to benefit the &uot;Doc&uot; Evans Jazz Festival will kick off area events this weekend.

Thursday, April 11, 2002

Here is a roundup of area events going on this weekend.

Friday, April 12

– Skyline Mall will host a spring craft sale during mall hours.

– The junior/senior high art exhibit continues at the Albert Lea Art Center. Gallery hours are from noon-4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to help defray Art Center Expenses.

– Freshmen and sophomores at Albert Lea High School will present “Fairy Tale Courtroom” at 7 p.m. The family show is suited for all ages. Proceeds from the play will benefit non-athletic/ fine arts activities at Albert Lea High School next year. Admission is $3, or a freewill offering. Children 5 and under will be admitted free. Tickets are available at the door.

– A planned benefit concert for the “Doc” Evans Jazz Festival has been canceled.

Saturday, April 13

– The Albert Lea High School Marching Band Boosters will hold a rummage sale at Northbridge Mall from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

– Skyline Mall will host a spring craft sale during mall hours.

– The junior/senior high art exhibit continues at the Albert Lea Art Center. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to help defray Art Center expenses.

– The Humane Society of Freeborn County will hold a pet adoption event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Gayle’s Grooming and Pet Supplies, 917 S. Broadway. Dogs and cats are available for loving, caring homes. Call 377-8501 for more information.

– Boost America Car Seat Safety Clinic will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at Dave Syverson Ford, 2310 E. Main St. The free car seat inspection is sponsored by United Way of Freeborn County, in conjunction with Albert Lea Medical Center, Dave Syverson Ford, Albert Lea Community Child Care Center, Freeborn County Public Health and EvenStart. Certified Child Passenger Safety technicians will be on hand to check, install or reinstall car seats and booster seats. A special play area will be available for children and refreshments will be served. Appointments for the free car seat inspections may be made by calling the United Way at 373-8670. Each car seat check takes about 20 minutes.

– The Albert Lea Family Y will hold Healthy Kids Day from 1-3 p.m. The event features healthy activities and games for kids and families. Admission is free.

– “Brent Mielke, a.k.a. the “Zoo Man,” will visit the Albert Lea Public Library for shows at 1 and 2 p.m. The Zoo Man’s appearance kicks off National Library Week, which is April 14-20. It is a free performance and is open to all who are interested. The appearance is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

– Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood are sponsoring a benefit for Sylvia Panzer from 4-7:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea American Legion Club. There will be a sloppy joe supper with beans, potato salad and bars and a silent auction. A freewill offering will be received for the supper. AAL Branches 2300, 6334, 4608, 4824, 10022 and 11184 will be matching funds, and Lutheran Brotherhood Freeborn Branch 8482 will match up to $500 two for one for a total of $1,000 toward medical expenses. Panzer suffered strokes while undergoing heart surgery last August. Since then, she has had lengthy hospital stays, nursing home stays and physical therapy. Donations may also be sent to the Sylvia Panzer Trust at U.S. Bank.

Sunday, April 14

– A pancake breakfast benefit for Tom Gordon will be held from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Albert Lea Moose Club. Pancakes, eggs, sausages, coffee and juice will be served, and a freewill donation will be received. Aid Association for Lutherans branches 6334 and 1965 will provide matching funds. In addition, there will be a bake sale and an auction from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Col. Greg Jensen will auction donated items. Medical trust account donations, in care of the Tom Gordon Benefit, may be sent to Security Bank, 437 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea. Gordon suffered a stroke on Dec. 21, was hospitalized for five weeks and has been receiving intensive physical and occupational therapy since.

– Skyline Mall will hold a spring craft sale during mall hours.