Jacksonville State University's Visual Arts Society cordially invites you to the18th annual Spring Gala and Art Auction, on Friday, May 7, at the Anniston Museum of Natural History.

The event will benefit JSU's art department and students by providing funds for scholarships and art supplies. The evening will begin with a gourmet buffet and silent auction from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by a live auction.

This will be an excellent opportunity to purchase fine art and unusual fine items donated by regional artists, JSU art department artists, and sponsors for the event. Art will include framed watercolors, oils, photography and ceramics, with more items arriving daily.

The week before the gala, you'll be able to peruse an online catalog, with photographs of all the auction items, by going to art.jsu.edu/vas.htm.

Included in the ticket cost is a buffet dinner, which will include brie with caramel sauce and pecans; beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, marinated vegetables, pasta salad, spring green salad with vinaigrette dressing, and a selection of desserts. Red and white wines, beer and sodas will also be available.

Suggested donation to attend is $25 for Visual Arts Society members, or $30 for nonmembers. Space is limited, so RSVP by April 30 by calling 256-782-5626.

A blooming breakfast

The Anniston Museum League presents a new event, the Blooming Breakfast and Annual Plant Pre-Sale, on Friday, May 14, from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the Anniston Museum. Participants will start the day at 8:30 a.m. with a light breakfast reception with urban regional extension agent Hayes Jackson.

Afterward, attendees will spend a beautiful day in the garden. There will be a preview visit to the plant sale, where experts will be available to answer questions about the many varieties of plants that will be offered for sale after the program.

There will be an informative program on ginger lilies, as well as several small group garden strolls led by botanical experts.

Plants in the Blooming Breakfast plant pre-sale will include many propagated from the museum gardens, as well as plants from the Northeast Alabama Orchid Society and the Calhoun County Master Gardeners. The Museum League will also offer beautiful hand-painted flowerpots for sale.

Participants in the Blooming Breakfast event get first crack at all plants before the annual plant sale opens to the public on Saturday.

This is a ticketed event: payment confirms registration. Deadline for registration is April 30. Register by calling 256-237-6766, ext. 114 or 116, or e-mail gmorey@annistonmuseum.org.

Cost is $10 for museum members, or $12 for non-members. Groups of 10 or more are $8 per person. Plants purchased in the sale are extra and are not included in the ticket price. Only ticketed attendees will be able to purchase plants in the pre-sale. All others must wait until the opening of the public sale, Saturday, May 15, at 9 a.m.

To share your news with Small Talk, contact Annette Maddox at starsmalltalk@yahoo.com.

Save the date

The City of Oxford will hold a 2010 Homecoming Celebration on May 31-June 5. Festivities include a Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Park; tours of historic homes, churches, the train depot and a 100-year-old school campus; a concert by the Glenn Miller Orchestra; special displays of Oxford's history; and an exhibit of Indian artifacts. Contact June Land Reaves at 256-835-0714 or email oxfordlibrary2@cableone.net for more information.