The Littleton Symphony, under the direction of Jurgen de Lemos, is making a special point of featuring its musicians and closes this season with “Music from Far Eastern Europe.” Returning to guest-direct is Guenther Stegmueller from Heidelberg, Germany. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. on May 17 at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton. Violinist Isaac Allen will perform Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs).” Also programmed: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and “The Swan of Tuonela,” featuring Sarah Thompson on the French horn. Information and tickets: littletonsymphony.org, 303-933-6824.

Author event

Douglas County Libraries will host author Gretchen Rubin (“Happiness Project,” “Better Than Before”) as she introduces her new title, “Outer Order, Inner Calm” at 7 p.m. on May 7 at the Denver Marriott South, at Park Meadows. Tickets: $25. Contact your Douglas County Libraries branch, dcl.org.

Spring plants and more…

The annual Denver Botanic Gardens Spring Plant Sale is scheduled May 10 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) May 11 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).Free admission. (Bring your little red wagon!) 1007 York St., Denver. Also at Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street, is “Human|Nature,” sculptures that explore the human form, from the collection of Craig Ponzio, through Sept. 15. And at DBG at Chatfield Farms, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, “Stickwork” by Patrick Dougherty, newly created from “sustainably harvested” saplings. Will remain until it naturally falls apart. Botanicgardens.org.

Trucks!

“Touch-a-Truck” is a free event hosted by South Suburban Parks and Recreation from 9 a.m. to noon on May 4 at the Sports Dome, 6959 S. Peoria St. Trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and more … Also, for fans of roses: SSPR is offering a pruning workshop on May 4 at the War Memorial Rose Garden, 5804 S. Bemis St., Littleton. Bring sharp shears and leather gloves. vgreenhouse@ssprd, 303-721-8478.

Marquez photos

Photographer Andy Marquez will have an exhibit of his work at REMAX/Edge, 8351 Rampart Range Road, Littleton on May 3 (4:30 to 7:30 p.m.); May 4 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.); May 5 (noon to 4 p.m.). andymarquezgallery@icloud.com.

Preservation Month

May is Preservation Month across the U.S., and the 2019 Preservation Awards in Littleton will be presented starting at 6:30 p.m. on May 9 at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton, presented by Historic Littleton Inc. and the city-appointed Historical Preservation Board. Awards will be given for Outstanding Achievement; Stewardship; Merit; Advocacy. Following the awards, there will be a performance of “The Seedy Side of Denver,” a peek into the early Denver area, looking at the impacts and transformations of Denver’s formative years. Admission is free. The public is invited.

Lone Tree brunch

Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet will emcee the “Tribute to Women” Mother’s Day Brunch, hosted by the Lone Tree Arts Center Guild on May 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tribute to women from 6 to 106 will feature music by Lone Tree Symphony members, brunch and presentations on spring accessories, soothing interior design, makeup and stress relief. Tickets: $35/$20, lonetreeartscenterguild.org.

Pastels

The Annual Mile High National Pastel Exhibition will be held May 11 to June 29 at Curtis Center for the Arts, 2349 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village. Open: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Book Awards

Winners of the 2019 Colorado Book Awards will be announced and will read briefly on May 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Ticket, $25, includes reception. Outskirts Press, a longtime supporter, will help recognize outstanding contributions by Colorado authors, editors and illustrators in 13 categories. It’s the 45th year for Colorado Humanities, which is located in Greenwood Village, and the 15th year as host for the Colorado Center for the Book. Colorado Humanities works with 150 program partners throughout Colorado. (The recent program on Maya Angelou at Bemis Library in Littleton is an example of programming.) Coloradohumanities.org, 303-894-7951

SoHa happenings

Local artist Pam Roth O’Mara announces that she will resume posting notices about art and culture south of Hampden Ave. on the site sohappens.com, with associated Facebook page. It will include nature notes.