Week of May 12-18, 2008:


14th Annual Deaconess Classic
May 12. Evansville Country Club, 3810 Stringtown Road. Since its inception, the Deaconess Classic has raised more than $1.4 million to offset the cost of health care services for local residents in need. This year, join LPGA pro Suzy Whaley in this all-women scramble for fun and a fundraiser. Plus, gain a few tips during Whaley’s clinic conducted for participants. Registration, 9 a.m.; Shotgun start, noon; Dinner, 6:30 p.m. $300-$1,200. (812) 450-3359 or www.deaconess.org.

YWCA Tribute to Achievement
May 15. Executive Inn, 600 Walnut St. Every year, the YWCA salutes the contributions of local organizations and individuals who are making a lasting difference in the lives of young women. Recent recipients include the women of CYPRESS (The Committee to Promote Respect in Schools), who have created a nationally acclaimed Holocaust education program. The Young Women of Promise scholarships are also awarded at this event, the proceeds of which provide critical operating support to the YWCA. 6 p.m. (812) 422-1191 or www.ywcaevansville.org.

Images from the Willard Library Archives
May 15. Willard Library, 21 First Ave. Join archivist Patricia Sides in celebrating Historic Preservation Week in Evansville as she presents images from the Willard Library archives, known for its vast array of outstanding local historical information. The Joan Marchand, Karl Kae Knecht, and Meyer-Schlamp collections will be featured showcasing some of Evansville’s best architectural gems. 7 p.m. Free. (812) 425-4309.

Mystery Author Kit Ehrman
May 15. Browning Events Room, Central Library, 200 S.E. Martin Luther King Blvd. Mystery author Kit Ehrman reveals the effort and inspiration that go into her popular books. Ehrman worked for many years in the horse racing world, the setting of many of her novels, including her latest, Triple Cross, which takes place in Louisville during the Kentucky Derby. Free. (812) 428-2800.

Personally Speaking Series: New Harmony Theatre
May 16. YWCA, 118 Vine St. Spice up your lunch time a bit with the creative genius of Lenny Leibowitz, artistic director for the New Harmony Theatre and assistant professor of theater at the University of Southern Indiana. Proceeds benefit the YWCA’s services to victims of domestic violence. Noon. $6. (812) 422-1191 or www.ywcaevansville.org.

YMCA Golf Outing 2008
May 16. Eagle Valley Golf Course, 10350 Petersburg Road. Initiated in 1994 and dubbed the Play-a-Round for the Y golf outing, this annual four-man scramble event attracts avid golfers and supporters of the YMCA’s youth sporting and fitness programs – all in the name of fun. 11:45 a.m. Foursome, $600; hole sponsorship or individual, $150. (812) 426-6210.

Professional Boxing
May 16. Metro Sports Arena. 5820 Metro Centre Drive. Childers Promotions and Billy Reese present a seven-bout professional boxing card. The main event will feature an eight-round World Boxing Federation title fight pitting Brandon Buae of St. Louis against Keon Johnson of Indianapolis. Other bouts include middleweight Jimmy “The British Assassin” Campbell, former IBA World Featherweight Champion Daniel Maldonado, and father and son duo David and Danny Thomas. Tickets go on sale April 5. $40 VIP ringside table seats; $30 ringside seats, and $25 general admission. First bout begins at 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. (812) 479-5425.

3rd Annual Evansville Living Newburgh Wine & Art Festival
May 16-18. Old Lock and Dam Park, Newburgh. The weekend kicks off with “Grapes on the Grass,” a wine-tasting soiree featuring some of the best offerings from Indiana wineries. The next two days feature regional specialty foods and wines, seminars on wine production and selection, music, and wares by local artisans and craftsmen – all with the beautiful Ohio River as the backdrop. Reservations are limited for the May 16 soiree, which begins at 7 p.m. Events on May 17 run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; noon-5 p.m. on May 18. Soiree is $40; $5 for May 17-18 events. (812) 853-2815.

Home Grown Bluegrass Festival
May 16-17. John James Audubon State Park, 3100 U.S. Hwy. 41 N., Henderson, Ky. Enjoy two days of pickin’ and jammin’ by a beautiful lakeside setting. Local bluegrass bands will host this annual festival and encourage patrons to bring their own instruments. And, in conjunction, artists and craft vendors will fill the gardens of the museum with booths for the Creative Arts and Crafts Festival. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $3 per car. (270) 826-2247.

River City Senior Games Opening Day
May 17. SWIRCA, 16 W. Virginia St. Catch the opening day for a weeklong competition among some of the city’s best senior athletes competing in events ranging from cycling to basketball to darts. This event is sponsored by the Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging. $12 unlimited entry fee. (812) 464-7800 or www.swirca.org.

Relay For Life of Knox County
May 17-18. Gregg Park, 2204 Washington Ave., Vincennes, Ind. Remember those all-nighters you used to pull in college? Grab your friends and family and spend all night supporting Relay for Life, a nationwide program of the American Cancer Society. If you’re ahead of the game, you can contact a local office for information on how to participate. Many Relay For Lifes throughout area counties will be occurring in May and June. For Knox County, contact Martha Dinning at (812) 475-9244. For a complete listing of upcoming events, visit www.relayforlife.org.