Family fun on tap this weekend

From geraniums to petunias to steel magnolias, this is a weekend filled with flowers, good causes, and even an opportunity to think about a trip to Israel.

The Eastern New Mexico University College of Fine Arts, in conjunction with the Department of Theater and Digital Filmmaking, kicks things off at 7 p.m. today with the first of four performances of “Steel Magnolias,” a comedy/drama that remains an audience favorite more than 30 years after it first debuted off Broadway.

Show times are 7 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the black box in the ENMU Theater. The $7 tickets will be sold at the door, but seating is limited, so consider calling 575-562-2711 during normal business hours for reservations.

Two ribbon cuttings and open houses are on tap Friday for organizations setting up shop to do good work in Portales.

Arise Sexual Assault Services at 801 W. 18th St. is showing off its new facility from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, with food, door prizes, and a noon ribbon cutting.

United Way of Eastern New Mexico will cut its ribbon at 1:15 p.m. Friday for its new Portales-based home located in the community building behind First Presbyterian Church, 108 S. Ave. F. After the ribbon cutting, count on refreshments there, too, or drop in anytime until 4 p.m. to see the new digs.

Leadership Portales is hosting a family fun night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at the Portales Rec Center, 1001 W. 18th St., with two purposes.

The first, obviously, is to provide an evening of fun and games for all ages; the second is to raise money for a number of items needed by the Rec Center, which serves an average of 70 kids a day throughout the year, and many more during the summer.

Leadership Portales hopes to raise at least $3,500 in its efforts, and welcomes donations that evening.

Brighten up your garden Saturday morning with petunias and geraniums from the annual flower sale by the Kiwanis Club of Portales. The Kiwanians will be in the parking lot of C&S Auto, 300 W. First St., starting at 8 a.m. for this colorful fundraiser.

Red, white, and pink geraniums will be available for $5 apiece, while the petunias — in red, white, pink, and purple — are $8 a dozen.

Finally, if you’ve ever considered a trip to Israel, Central Christian Church pastor Don Thomas has got some good news: He’s hoping to accompany a study tour there for any interested eastern New Mexico travelers during the summer of 2019.

Thomas is hosting an informational meeting from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday in the auditorium at Central Christian Church, 1528 S. Main, Portales, for the journey he calls, “The Bible in 3-D,” scheduled for July 1-11, 2019.

“If you have ever thought about going to the Holy Land, if this was ever on your bucket list, if you love to travel and want to learn an incredible culture, then you should come to this meeting,” Thomas said.

For those unable to attend, visit http://www.centralwired.org, click on the tab that says “Israel information meeting” and watch live, or send Thomas an email at: [email protected]

Betty Williamson needs more hours in each day. Reach her at: [email protected]