The Kurimoto Japanese Garden Spring Festival will take place in the Kurimoto Japanese Garden at the Devonian Botanic Garden on June 3 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission to the Devonian Botanic Garden is $13, $8.50 for seniors, $5 for youth and students of the University of Alberta, $3 for children from age 7-12 and free for those 6 and under; a family pass is also available for $26.

The Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Annual Conference “Connecting to Success” will take place at the Matrix Hotel from May 2-4. Tickets are $600 for the full conference or $300 for one day; the price includes breakfast and lunch. The opening reception will take place on May 2 from 6-8:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served and tickets are $25.

The Alberta Literary Awards shortlist has been announced and out of twenty-three finalists, nine are from the Edmonton area. Those writers nominated are Lynn Coady, Tim Bowling, Michael Penny, Alice Major, Nicole Moeller, Mieko Ouchi, Lisa Martin-DeMoor, Dolly Dennis and Janine Edwards. The winners in nine categories will be announced on June 9. Winners receive cash prizes of $1500 or $700, depending on the specific award.

The exhibit, Alberta Mistresses of the Modern: 1935-1975, will be showing at the Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton until June 3. Admission to the gallery is $12.50, and $8.50 for seniors; the gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday.

The 4th annual Weestock, Spring Edition will take place at the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Centre on April 21 from 10am - 4pm. Tickets are $5, or $3 after 1 pm, with children under 12 admitted free. The first 100 admitted will receive a gift bag. All proceeds go to Alexander’s Quest, a charity that grants wishes to children with cancer.

The Edmonton Women’s Show will be held at the Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands from April 21-22. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.

The Mother Earth’s Expo will take place at the Edmonton Aviation Museum on April 14 from 11 am-5 pm. Admission is free with the donation of gently worn shoes, school supplies, back packs, children’s books and toys; donations will go to Tools for Hope Africa.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2012 Good Neighbour Awards until March 15; the winners will be announced at Edmonton City Hall on May 15. Citizens of Edmonton are encouraged to nominate their neighbours, friends, favourite couples, organizations, groups and companies for