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East Texas Chapter of Master Naturalists to begin 2018 classes

The East Texas Chapter of Master Naturalists will began its 2018 classes from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Tyler Nature Center, 11942 FM 848.

The Master Naturalists program will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Group members build and maintain trails, act as docents at parks and other venues, place injured and orphaned wildlife with local rehabilitators, plant wildscape gardens, test water quality in area lakes and rivers, and act as sources of reliable information about environmental issues in East Texas.

Classes will meet on most Tuesday evenings from Jan. 30 through April 17. There will be one Saturday class and three Saturday field trips. The 40-plus hours of classroom and in-the-field instruction aim to educate and prepare participants for service and volunteerism in the field of natural resources and will include topics such as archaeology, mammalogy, aquatic systems, native plants and forests, and more.

All-inclusive class fees are $150. Space is limited. Go to the website at http://txmn.org/etwd for an application and more information, or contact the curriculum manager at finwren@sbcglobal.net. Classes are CTE eligible for teachers in most school districts.

Tickets on sale now for annual Valentine’s Day dances

The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host the ninth annual Mother/Son Dance and the 12th annual Daddy/Daughter Dance.

The Mother/Son dance will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 9 for boys 4-13 years old. The Daddy/Daughter dances will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 for girls 4-8 and from 8 to 9:30 p.m. for girls 9-13 years old.

Both dances will be at the Glass Recreation Center, 501 W. 32nd St.

Each evening will feature a DJ, refreshments and dancing. To help commemorate this special event, professional photography packages will be available for purchase. The attire for the dance is semiformal.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Glass Recreation Center for $9 per attendee or $10 per attendee at the door on the day of the dance. There are 300 tickets available for each dance.

For more details, visit the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department’s website at www.TylerParksandRec.com or call the Glass Recreation Center at 903-595-7271.

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary to hold annual event 

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary annual fundraiser, “Hearts Behind the Red Shield,” will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St.

This year’s theme is “Soup, Soap and Salvation” and will feature a canned food drive. The event also includes a fajita dinner, live entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

A canned food donation is also encouraged and appreciated. All proceeds from this event benefit the Tyler Salvation Army.

For more details or to purchase a ticket in advance, call 903-328-7444. 

Luncheon to benefit adults with special needs 

The East Texas Center for Independent Living will hold its first “Make It Matter” luncheon and silent auction from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 27 at Green Acres Baptist Church, 1607 Troup Highway.

The luncheon will be an opportunity for the organization to explain its mission to the community and raise money for its cause. The organization has served people with disabilities for more than 10 years. Sponsors are needed.

For more details, go to www.etcil.org or call 903-581-7542.

Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge holds autism Puzzle Project

The Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge has launched its 2018 Puzzle Project to bring awareness to autism.

Tiger Creek is a nonprofit organization that focuses on big-cat rescue, rehabilitation, conservation and public education.

The Puzzle Project was launched in 2017.

The project will fund an Autism Awareness Day at the refuge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21. On the day of the event, all admissions will be waived for anyone on the autism spectrum and their immediate family.

Puzzle pieces can be purchased with a $1 donation; the pieces will be displayed in the gift shop until the day of the event.

For more information about the Puzzle Project, call Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge at 903-858-1008, or visit in person.

Tiger Creek is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The refuge is 3 miles north of Tyler State Park at 17552 FM 14. 

Send event information to augustarobinson@tylerpaper.com.