<b><center>Quick Reads</center></b>

Spring Festival in Tuba City

Plan to attend the To’Nanees’Dizi Chapter’s second annual Spring Festival scheduled for April 15, 16 and 17 in Tuba City. All of the events will be held adjacent to the chapter house and Tuba City Community Center. The Spring Festival raises funds to help community youth that are continuing or pursuing higher education. To’Nanees’Dizi Chapter is seeking organizations to serve as sponsors. For more information, visit the website: www.westernnavajofair.com.

Benefit Social Song & Dance

Everyone is welcome to attend a Benefit Social Song and Dance held Friday, April 1 at Tuba City Community Center. Registration is at noon with the grand entry at 2 p.m. There will also be concessions, door prizes and a cakewalk. Derrick Sloan is the emcee. To’Nanees’Dizi Midnighters serve as hosts. The Foster Grandparent Program (Navajo Area Agency on Aging in Tuba City) is sponsoring this event.

Sanders co-ed B-ball tourney

An 11 and under co-ed Class of 2005 basketball tournament will be held April 1-2 at Valley High School gym in Sanders. This 10-player roster tournament has a $125 entry fee. Birth certificates are required. For more information, call D. Mitchell at 928-688-4211 (8 a.m-3 p.m.) or 928-688-3329 (after 5 p.m.).

Softball in TC

There will be a coaches meeting for the upcoming Tuba City Summer Softball League 6 p.m., Thursday, March 31 in the Eubanks Conference Room in the TC Hospital Building 167 (located near the Mental Health Department). Topics on the agenda include fees, uniforms, required equipment, league rules and umpires. All interested are welcome. For more information, call Tuba City Health Promotions at 928-283-2186.

Native parenting

The Native Parenting Series is a series of scheduled parent education workshops that include speakers, videos and talking circles. Events are scheduled the first Thursday of each month from 10 a.m.-noon at the Library Conference Room at Phoenix Indian Medical Center, 4212 E. 16th St., Phoenix. Special events are also scheduled. On April 7, the topic will be Keeping the Culture Alive: Weaving Native Beliefs and Practices into the Parenting Role. Certificates are given for attendance. Please contact Connie at Behavioral Health at 602-263-1200, ext. 1014 to sign up.

Planning meeting

The St. Michaels Chapter Planning meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, April 3. For more information, call 928-871-7842.

Navajo taco sale

A Navajo Taco Sale will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at Kinlani Bordertown Dormitory, 901 N. Kinlani Road in Flagstaff. The cost is $5 per plate and dining is available in the Kinlani Dining Room. The Kinlani Dorm Unity Club will travel to San Diego in July to participate in the UNITY (United Indian Tribal Youth Conference). Proceeds will help defray expenses and registration fee. To place an order or for additional information, call 774-5279 or 774-2386.

Powwow in Farmington

The Native American Program and the United Tribes Club at San Juan College in will host the 26th annual Apple Blossom Powwow Saturday, April 2. It takes place at McGee Park Memorial Coliseum on the San Juan County Fairgrounds in Farmington, N.M., and doors open to the public at 9 a.m. All drums, dancers, royalty and the public are welcome. For more information see the website: www.sanjuancollege.edu/pages/2240.asp.

Healing Circle

Attend a Faith Based Healing Circle, held 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Tuba City Department of Behavioral Health Services. This is open to the community. For more information, call 928-283-3346.

Stars in the Desert event

The 16th annual Stars in the Desert Children’s Walk/Parade will take place 10 a.m.-noon April 24 in Tuba City. For entries or for more information, call 928-283-3346

Alcohol screening

National Alcohol Screening Day is April 7, with screenings in Tuba City from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Tuba City Department of Behavioral Health Services and Basha’s front lobby. Come learn more about what is available offer and to receive free substance abuse education.

Tonalea Chapter

Anyone interested in joining the Tonalea Chapter Community Land Use Committee should submit a Navajo Nation application, a letter of interest and resume to chapter administration by 5 p.m. April 7. Bring items of concern and suggestions to the next public planning session is set for 10 a.m. April 8. All are welcome to get involved in the chapter. For more information, call 926-283-2432.

Kayenta soccer

The nonprofit American Youth Soccer Organization is starting a youth league for children ages 4-18. Playing schedules will be Monday and Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. in April and May. First-time registration is $25, which includes a uniform to keep. Subsequent registration is $15. Call David Hawley at 697-8199 or 2075 for registration.

Job Corps

The New Mexico Job Corps Office will be recruiting young men and women between the ages of 16-24 to continue and complete their education, receive vocational training, and other opportunities at the following locations:

• Thursday, March 31- Tuba City Workforce Development, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

• Friday, April 1-Kayenta Workforce Development, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Interested individuals need to bring the following documents: Social Security card, picture ID or driver’s license, birth certificate, Certificate of Indian Blood, immunizations records, official high school transcript/diploma and household income. Individuals under 18 will need a parent present. Call 1-877-564-3468 for more information.

Junior Rodeo

The Western Junior Rodeo Association will have its Membership Drive Jr. Rodeo on April 9 at the Tuba City Fairgrounds, Tuba City. Sign-up begins at 8 a.m. and the rodeo begins at 10 a.m. WJRA is open to all youth between the ages of 4-18 years. “Spring Fest Jr. Rodeo” is scheduled for April 16 at Tuba City Fairgrounds, and WJRA will host “Stars in the Desert Jr. Rodeo” on April 23 at TC Fairgrounds. For info, contact Tammy Tso at 928- 698-3382 after 6 p.m. or Jay Tallsalt, WJRA president, at 928-283-6115 or by e-mail to wjra@hotmail.com.

Wool/mohair payment

The US Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency is announcing the 2005 Wool and Mohair Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) program signup. This program authorizes additional payment(s) due to low market prices. An application must be on file with FSA before shearing. The producer then shears and sells the Wool and/or Mohair at the market. The sales receipt is then submitted to FSA for payment. The required forms to be eligible are CCC-709 or CCC-633 and must be on file with FSA before shearing. The LDP rate is paid on the date of commodity sold (recommended). CCC-633 is also available for those who shear but have not sold the commodity. Those who shear or sell wool/mohair before filing the required forms with FSA, are not eligible. A FSA representative will be taking applications at the following local chapters weather permitting: Tonalea, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 5; Coppermine, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., April 6. Applications can also be filed at the FSA office in Flagstaff, the USDA-Service Center, 1585 S. Plaza Way, Suite 120, Flagstaff, AZ 86001; Phone: 928-774-2401,Ext. 2.