By Rita Howell
It’s Valentine’s weekend, and there’s plenty to do around here, with or without your sweetheart.
Friday
The Panola County Soil and Water Conservation District will observe Arbor Day today by giving away tree seedlings at  the USDA Service Center, 175 Broom Ridge Road, in Batesville, beginning at 8 a.m. For more information call 578-8045 ext. 3.
Families can take advantage of movie showings tonight.
Batesville Public Library will host a free screening of “Remember the Titans” at 6:30 p.m.
Family Movie Night will be presented at the Batesville VFW Post, 365 Highway 51 South, with a screening of “Max” at 7 p.m.  Admission is $4 or three for $10. Pizza and other concessions will be available. The event will benefit the Batesville Safe Shelter, a proposed local facility for victims of domestic violence. Call 654-9419 for information.
Saturday
The Garden Brothers Circus will be in town for performances Saturday at 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 p.m. at the Batesville Civic Center.
On Saturday Democrat Precinct Caucuses begin at 10 a.m. at Panola voting precincts. For more information call 934-1847.
Cub Scouts of Pack 78 will hold their annual Pinewood Derby Saturday morning at Batesville Presbyterian Church. Scouts need to be there at 9. Racing starts at 11. Spectators are welcome.
Junior Auxiliary of Batesville will present its annual charity ball Saturday at the National Guard Armory at 6:30 p.m. The Mardi Gras Masquerade will include auctions, door prizes and music by The Players. Call 609-1769 for information.
The Batesville Lions will host a Valentine Party and Dance  Saturday with music by Mike Rodgers and Shane Johnson  at 7 p.m. The cover charge is $5. Call 934-3356 for information.
Black Jack School Community Center will have family karaoke 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. celebrating Valentine’s Day. Hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, french fries and desserts and Valentine’s candy will be on the menu. For more information call 578-0223.
This weekend is also the Great Backyard Bird Count. Get out your binoculars and identify the birds in your yard, and report how many of each species you see. Cornell University conducts this nationwide bird survey every February. See gbbc.birdcount.org for information and bird checklists.