Open Auditions

Sandhills Has Talent, a fundraiser for MIRA, is holding open auditions Saturday, Jan. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 20, beginning at 1 p.m. and ending around 5.

Auditions are at Taylor Dance Studio, 262 Pinehurst Ave., Southern Pines. Call (910) 639-2504 to schedule an audition time.

"Any and all talents are welcome," says a spokesman.

There will be cash prizes of first, second and third places as well as a prize for "Best Emerging Talent."

The show will be Friday, Feb. 15.

Lecture

The Sandhills Area Land Trust 2013 Winter Lecture Series presents Bruce Sorrie, author of "A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Sandhills Region," Monday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m.

Sorrie, an inventory botanist with the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, will discuss "Flowering Jewels of the Sandhills.

The lecture will be held at the Southern Pines Civic Center, 105 S. Ashe St.

A $5 donation at the door will be appreciated, according to a spokesman.

For information, call (910) 695-4323 or visit www.sand hillsland trust.org.

Tag Sale

An indoor tag sale benefiting The Haven-Friends for Life will be held Saturday, Jan. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 230 SW Broad St., Southern Pines (next to The Little Toy Shop).

"We will have small furniture, Hummel figurines and many other interesting treasures," says a spokesman. "We will also be accepting donations for the Haven such as towels, newspapers and pet food, etc.

An animal adoption will be held, weather permitting.

Concert

For their its chamber music performance of 2013, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, in the Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College, Maestro David Michael Wolff and some members of the Carolina Philharmonic will present "The Late Romantics."

Accompanied by cellist Nate Leyland and violinist Megan Kenny, Wolff will offer a diverse program of chamber pieces by composers from Johannes Brahms to Dmitri Shostakovich. In addition, soprano Young Mee Jun will perform two lieder of Richard Strauss.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $40 for reserved seats and $10 for students, and are available at www. carolinaphil.org or (910) 687-4746.

Tutor Training

The Moore County Literacy Council has a waiting list of adult students who want to improve their lives by improving their literacy skills.

"You do not have to be an educator to be a volunteer tutor, and an hour-and-a-half a week can make an amazing difference in a person's life," says a spokesman for the MCLC. "We will be offering volunteer orientation on Jan. 16 at the Read Moore Center, 575 SE Broad St. in Southern Pines, as a prerequisite to tutor training on Jan. 22, 23, 29 and 30 from 1 to 4 p.m."

Those interested in attending should call Pam at (910) 692-5954, or email her at pammclc@nc.rr.com.

Senior Center

The Senior Center, located on U.S. 15-501, north of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle, offers seminars and classes. Call (910) 215-0900 to reserve a spot.

Navigating Health Care

The start of the new year brings with it the prospect of resolutions and their accompanying plans.

"This year, consider including building a plan for your health care in your senior years, and gaining an understanding of the interrelationship of law, finance and health care," says a spokesman. "To assist you in building your plans, three local professional organizations have developed a free seminar that addresses the financial, legal and available long-term health services.

Mark Hollingsworth and Brianna Dillon, financial advisers from Raymond James, will present how to measure the costs of long-term insurance compared with the anticipated costs of long-term care.

Jennifer Garner, elder law attorney, will help to simplify the legal documents necessary to carry out your medical care decisions. She will explain how each document works and how to obtain them.

Mike Ianucilli, with Homechoice Network, will explain the different types and levels of long-term care. He will also explain how you can access the different levels.

This free seminar is scheduled at the Senior Enrichment Center for Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Civil War Stories

Join Civil War enthusiast Dr. Matt Farina at the Senior Enrichment Center on Thursday, Jan. 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a fascinating talk about the story of Gettysburg's famous unknown soldier, based on author Mark Dunkelman's research of the 154th New York Volunteer Regiment and the Brickyard Fight on July 1, 1863.

Pruning Workshop

On Saturday, Jan. 19, Moore County Extension Agent Taylor Williams will conduct a workshop and demonstration on how to correctly prune and shape broadleaf evergreens; prune flowering trees and shrubs such as crape myrtles and crabapples to enhance their appearance; and prune fruit trees for maximum yield and life.

Learn the basics, then go outside for a hands-on demonstration. This free workshop will be held at the Sandhills Community College Horticultural Gardens, Ball Visitors Center at 10 a.m.

Contact Tricia Mabe at (910) 695-3882 to make a reservation. Space is limited.

MLK Observance

The Rev. Harry S. Wright will speak at Sandhills Community College for a Martin Luther King, Jr. observance on Friday, Jan. 18, at 11 am in Owens Auditorium. The public is invited to attend this free event.