Rah Booty to cheer at holiday soiree

Kansas City Art Institute’s Rah Booty cheerleaders will perform at Olive Gallery and Art Supply’s Holiday Soiree.

The party is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at the gallery, 15 E. Eighth St. The cheerleaders will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Sweets and drinks will be provided, and party-goers can browse the Holiday Art Show, featuring 25 local and regional artists, on view through December.

For more information, call the gallery at 331-4114.

Dart tournament for Toys For Tots today

Douglas County’s annual dart tournament to benefit Toys For Tots has been set for today at Rick’s Place, Ninth and Illinois streets.

Participants must bring a new, unwrapped toy with a value of $10 or more or the equivalent cash donation for Toys For Tots. The tournament begins at 1 p.m.

The Lawrence Dart Assn. is sponsoring the event, and novices are welcome to attend.

“Our association with the Lawrence Dart Association has been wonderful,” said Mary Jones, Toys For Tots coordinator. “We are really happy to have this event to help the program.”

To register, or for more information, call Jones at (785) 766-3023.

Entertainment

Midland Railway offers Christmas train rides

Baldwin — Midland Railway of Baldwin will offer Christmas train rides for the first time today from both Baldwin and Ottawa. The trains will depart from Baldwin at 9:30 a.m. and noon, and from Ottawa at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Each ride is a round trip to the former site of Norwood halfway between Ottawa and Baldwin.

Santa Claus will be aboard each train, and passengers will have a chance to have pictures taken with him. Tickets will be available at the Santa Fe Depot in Baldwin and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Ottawa. Fares will be $8 for adults and $4 for children.

For more information, call toll free (800) 751-0388, or visit www.midland-ry.org.

Holiday fun

Pets can have photos taken with Santa Claus

Lawrence pets can have their pictures taken with Santa during the Lawrence Humane Society’s annual Santa Paws.

Pet owners can bring their pets from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday to the shelter, 1805 E. 19th St.

A $10 donation is suggested for two 4-by-6-inch photos, with two poses, taken by local photographer Homer Frank.

All proceeds will benefit the Lawrence Humane Society. For more information, call 843-6835.

Holiday vespers planned at Washburn University

The public is invited to participate in the Washburn University holiday vespers celebration at 4 p.m. Sunday at White Concert Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The WU choir, singers, orchestra, percussion ensemble and women’s chorus will perform at the event. For more information, call (785) 231-1010, ext. 1511.

Lecompton museum plans holiday vespers

The Territorial Capital Museum in Lecompton will stage its annual Christmas vespers and open house at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The Lecompton United Methodist Church Choir will provide music for the event. The program will feature music performed on a melodeon used in Lecompton in 1857.

The museum contains three floors of artifacts and holiday decorations, including a 12-foot native cedar Christmas tree. The decorations will be in place through Jan. 2, 2005.

The museum is open from 11 a.m. for 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.