Denver Pan African Film Festival Seeking Volunteers
The Pan African Arts Society (PAAS), the award-winning 501c3 organization that is coordinating the Seventh Starz Denver Pan African Film Festival is looking for volunteers for the upcoming event slated for April 24 to May 1. Professional opportunities can be custom-designed and allow for creative freedom in developing artistic projects that enhance the community.  Some available volunteer positions include; Office Assistant, Communications Assistant, Youth Project Assistant, Art Assistant, Theatre Staff, and Public Relations Assistant. Positions begin in March and go through the end of April. 
For more information, call Adrean Rivers or Terrie Brinkley 303-298-8188 or visit www.panafricanarts.org.

Free Health Disparities Conference
The School of Human Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado is sponsoring a one-day Health Disparities Conference on Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in workshops that will help Colorado and local agencies to create a more coordinated and well-planned approach to removing disparities. Guest speakers from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, including the Director of the Office of Health Disparities and the great-grandson of W.E.B. Du Bois will be featured. Workshops will address such topics as recruiting and retaining students of color in health fields, community empowerment, creating greater patient advocacy, how to better assess needs, plan interventions, and coordinate efforts to address disparities, and the use of alternative medicine in preventing illness.
For more information, RSVP by e-mailing stuzisman@unco.edu or call 970-351-2390.

Colorado Association For Gifted And Talented To Host Legislative Day At The State Capitol
The Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented, Members of the Colorado General Assembly; and students in grades 8 through 12 will conduct a Legislative Day on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Deadline for Student Shadow Registration is Feb. 15) at the Colorado History Museum, and Colorado State Capitol. Students shadow legislators, parents, educators, administrators, school board members, and other interested parties while learning about the critical issues facing Gifted Education and advocacy at all levels of government. A  White Paper will be released detailing strategies on how to deal with the gaps in math and science education that hinders our students’ abilities to prepare for jobs in the high end of the nation’s workforce and debunk the myths surrounding Gifted and Talented students.
For More Information, call Julie Gonzales at 720-554-4943.

Colorado Theatre Guild Award Named To Honor Henry Lowenstein
Henry Lowenstein was artistic director of The Bonfils Theatre for 30 years, during which time it was the premiere theater in the Denver area. In the late 1980s, Lowenstein founded the Denver Civic Theater. He is widely known and admired as a fervent theatre supporter and dedicated arts advocate, particularly the performing arts. Artists and craftspeople are encouraged to submit their ideas in drawings or mock-up for the Henry award design. Design criteria are: must be freestanding; able to be manufactured or reproduced for less than $50; have a space to fit a 1" x 3" placard/engraving. Entry design becomes property of the Colorado Theatre Guild.
 Designer of the winning entry will receive $200 and tickets to the 2006 Theatre Awards Gala on June 19, at the New Denver Civic Theatre.
For details and more information, call Dana Miller at 303-300-3547. The design submission deadline is March 15.

A.M.E. Church Hosting Symposium
Fifth District Women In Ministry of the A.M.E. Church will be hosting a symposium  Women of God...Take Thou Authority on Monday, March 13 at 7p.m. (Worship Service Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight, Preaching) and Tuesday, March 14 - A Full Day of Workshops. 
For more information, call Rev. Regina C. Groff at 303-839-5058 or visit CampbellChapel@aol.com. 

Children's Grief Support Group Starting
The Dragonfly Program of Exempla Lutheran Hospice offers a free, facilitated seven-week support group for children six to12, and their parents or guardians, who have experienced loss from the death of a significant loved one. Each week’s session addresses different aspects of grief and features hands-on activities and games. Classes run from Feb.16 to Mar. 30.
For registration and information call 303-467-4989 or visit kamletb@exempla.org.

Stories On Stage Presents Love Stories
Stories on Stage (SOS) concludes the second season of its Celebrating the Holidays series on Feb. 12 with Love Stories, a Valentine’s offering of wake-ups, break-ups, and make-ups as described in short fiction stories read by popular local and national actors. Love Stories plays Sunday, Feb. 12 at 1 and 3:30 p.m. at the Mercury Café (2199 California St. in Denver). Tickets are $15.  Groups of 10 or more receive a $2 discount per ticket, a bottle of wine, and a gift CD. "Scholarships" are available on request.
For more information or to rsvp, call 303-494-0523 or visit www.storiesonstage.org.

Mystery And A Movie: MS Treatments Revealed
Are you overwhelmed by all of the information on treatments for MS? The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Colorado Chapter is presenting a program to acquaint you with your treatment options. Ronald S. Murray, a nationally recognized expert in the field of MS, will discuss and answer your questions about disease modifying drugs and other treatments for relapsing, remitting and secondary progressive forms of MS. Following the presentation the IMAX film Mystic India will be shown. The event will be held at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard in Denver on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. Family and friends are welcome. A $5 optional donation is appreciated.
For more information or to register call 1-800-344-4867.

High School Students Learn Aspects Of  Designing For TV & Film In DCPA’s FreeFuture Artist Forum
High School students who are interested in a career in either theatre or film are invited to attend The Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ (DCPA) next free “Future Artist Forum,” which will address costume, light, sound, and set design.
Future Artist Forums, coordinated by the DCPA’s Education Department, allow high school students the opportunity to learn about careers in stage and film from some of Denver’s top actors, directors, and designers.
The Costume, Light, Sound and Set Design session will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the historic Tramway Building at 1101-13th St. on the third floor.
For more information, call Anne Penner at 303-893-6073 or e-mail apenner@dcpa.org.
 
Valentine Sweeetheart’s Annual Gala Slated
The Owl Club Of Denver will host its annual Valentine’s sweethearts party and dance at the Renaissance Hotel at Stapleton on Saturday, Feb 11, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Music will be provided by “D.J. Reggie”. This fun-filled evening includes hors d’oeuvres, door prizes and a cash bar. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased from any Owl Club member.
For information call 720-444-4444.

Spring Spin--One Good Turn To Benefit Another
Non-profits looking for additional sources of funds now have a unique fundraising opportunity that also includes $1,200 in prize money--Spring Spin: One Good Turn to Benefit Another.  Spring Spin is a program designed to help non-profits raise additional funds for their organizations while offering ticket purchasers the best value of the Six Flags Elitch Gardens 2006 Season. Participating organizations may sell tickets to the public for only $20.99, whereas regular general admission is $38.99. Each charity keeps $5 from each ticket sold. Additionally, the three top-selling organizations at Spring Spin will each receive a bonus check for $750, $300, and $150.
To register or for more information, visit www.SpringSpin.com or call 303-726-7653. Interested organizations must sign-up no later than Feb. 15.

Fine Ethiopian Fare And Ghanaian Music And Dance
Regis University, The Africa Centre & Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. will sponsor an Ethiopian dinner and silent auction at Montview Presbyterian Church on Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.pm. All profits will benefit the creation of the Wesley Girl's K-8 school library in Ghana by Denver and Ghanaian student volunteers in May 2006. Ticket prices are $25 for adults,and $5 for youth ages five to 12.  Children aged four and under are free.
For information or tickets, call Melissa Nix at 303-458-4217.

Valentine Dinner Dance Fundraiser Planned
100 Black Men will host a Valentine Dinner Dance Fundraiser. The dinner and dance will be held at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club on Saturday, Feb.11. Cocktails are from 6 to7 p.m. Dinner is at 7 p.m. followed by dancing. Tickets for the four course dinner and flowers for your sweetheart are $75 per couple.
For more information contact Sam Williams at ????

Creative Writing and Arts Project Contest
The Second Family Extravaganza Creative Writing and Art Projects Contest will be held Jan. 17 through Feb. 28 for elementary students, kindergarten through sixth grade. The theme for the contest is “Family.” The categories are writing, art, and photography. Entries must be mounted, legibly printed (cursive or typed), neat, original, relevant to the thyme, and appropriate to age and grade level. Entries must be received by Feb. 28. They may be mailed to the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver, Inc., 5900 E. 39th Ave., Denver, CO 80207, or dropped off at that location between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information call 303-321-3995.