From staff reports

Kaleidoscope, Hinds Community College’s celebration of the South’s cultural diversity, is set for Oct. 28-29.

This year’s theme is China: An Emerging World Power. All lectures are free and will be on the Raymond campus.

For information, call 601-857-3360.

On Oct. 28:

• 8:15 a.m. — Barbarians at the Gate: A Very Brief History of China’s Contact with the West; Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall.

• 9:30 a.m. — Reflections of China; Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall.

• 11 a.m. — Ancient Chinese Martial Arts; Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall.

On Oct. 29:

• 8 a.m. — Impressions of China; Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall.

• 9 a.m. — Pandas, Tigers, and Turtles, Oh My!; Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall.

• 10 a.m. — The Awakened Dragon: China’s Global Economy 2.0; Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall.

• 11 a.m. — China Through the Eyes of JSU Students; Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall.

• 12:30 p.m. — Terra-Cotta Army of the Qin Dynasty — Fact or Fiction?; Reeves Hall, room 165.

Bats flying into town for children’s program

Bats is the theme this month for Historic Jefferson College’s EXPLORE! program.

Children ages 6 to 8 are invited to meet from 1o to 11:30 a.m. Saturday and 9- to 12-year-olds from 2 to 3:30 p.m. A maximum of eight students per class will be taken, and pre-registration and payment is required. Cost per class is $10. To receive a refund, cancellations must be received 24 hours in advance.

Other EXPLORE! programs:

• Nov. 22 — Native American Crafts

• Dec. 6 — Feeder Ornaments for Wildlife

Historic Jefferson College is located off U.S. 61 South, four miles north of Natchez, and is operated by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. For information call 601-442-2901 or e-mail hjc@mdah.state.ms.us.

Biedenharn tells plans for London garden trip

The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens in Monroe is taking reservations for a 2009 trip to the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

The trip will be May 15-22 and will be the second since 2005.

Sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society, the Chelsea Flower Show is held each May and is world-famous. It features the latest gardening trends and products. The trip will also feature tours of three public and private English gardens.

For prices and information, call Biedenharn Executive Director Ralph Calhoun at 318-387-5281.

The Biedenharn is located at 2006 Riverside Drive in the Monroe Garden District. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays. The Web site is www.bmuseum.org.

New book about park available at bookstores

A new book about the Vicksburg National Military Park is available for purchase.

“Vicksburg: A Photographic Journey with Voices from the Past,” published in April, is by photographer/publisher Helen S. Schwartz. Her photos are accompanied by descriptive text by Katharine A. Sloan.

Locally, the book is available at the Vicksburg national Military Park Visitors Center, 3201 Clay St., and Lorelei Books, 1103 Washington St.

Schwartz is a historical landscape photographer. Her Web site is www.artistryinphotography.com.