Get up and go

Halloween event offered

The Columbia County Recreation Department will offer a ''trick-or-treating'' event Oct. 30.

A costume contest and a haunted trail attraction also will be offered. Businesses interested in purchasing a booth for $15 to pass out candy and publicize their business should call Stacie Adkins at 868-3458.

Holiday tour and dinner

The annual Historic Holiday Tour and Dinner in Washington, Ga., will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. Tickets are now available at $12 each. For more information, call Suzanne Norman at 706-678-1922.

Health care seminars

The Church of the Good Shepherd and Georgia Health Decisions will offer free seminars educating people on how to plan for end-of-life health care from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday and Oct. 10.

For more information, call Richard Martin at 736-7119.

Preschool openings

The Vineyard Preschool and Mother's Day Out program currently has additional openings in classes for those age 2, 3 and 4 due to the hiring of more staff.

Both programs as open from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3126 Parish Road.

For more information, call Linda Shervette at 863-7414 or the church office at 863-9766.

Mule day offered

A Mule Day festival will take place Oct. 13 at Callaway Plantation four miles west of Washington County. The event will include an arts and crafts fair, exhibitions of old-time crafts, antique and class vehicles, children's games including a greased pig contest, wildlife exhibits and tours of Callaway Plantation. For more information, call 706-678-2013.

Art museum volunteers needed

The Morris Museum of Art is in need of volunteers to guide tours and to teach educational program. Training will begin in early October. For more information, call Patricia Moore Shaffer at 828-3813.

Pageant applications

Applications for the 2002 Miss Classic South Pageant are now being accepted. The event will be for girls ages 12 to 19 living within 50 miles of Lincolnton and will award more than $3,000 in prizes. The deadline for a final application is Monday. For more information, call 706-359-7970.

Fencing classes offered

The Augusta Fencers Club is now accepting registration for two new classes in beginning foil fencing. One of the classes will be for those age 14 and younger. It will meet from 6-7 p.m. on Fridays. The second will be an adult class from 6-7 p.m. on Thursdays. Both classes will last three months and cost $40 per month. For more information, call 722-8878.

Farmer candidates sought

The Farm Service Agency in Thomson is looking for candidates for a farmer-elected county committee election to take place in the fall.

The committee will be a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nomination forms can be obtained from all FSA county offices and should be returned by Oct. 29.

For more information, call 706-595-1339.

Cooling opportunity

The Cooling Assistance Program will begin accepting applications through today for those of low-income households needing help with their cooling costs.

Eligible households must have a least one member who is 60 years or older, a child 6 years old or younger in the home or a disabled resident and an active electric account.

Richmond County residents living in the 30901 area should call 722-7877 for an appointment. Those in Columbia County or in the 30904, 30907 or 30909 area should call 738-4145. Those in the 30906 or 30815 area, call 790-0722.

Senior citizens service

Those looking for information about services for senior citizens and care givers can call the CSRA Area Agency on Aging at 210-2018 or 1-888-922-4464.

Volunteer opportunities

Several volunteer opportunities for those ages 13-18 will be available through the American Red Cross of Augusta.

The program offers teen-agers a change to gain work experience and to serve others. Those interested should call Lynn Reese at 724-8484.

Help offered

The Columbia County Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, offers grief support for families suffering the loss of a child. They meet every second Monday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at Philadelphia United Methodist Church, 780 Old Louisville Road, Harlem.

Contact: 706-556-6966, or 706-855-7906.

Volunteers needed

The local Court Appointed Special Advocate Program is looking for volunteers, ages 21 and older, to help advocate for abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system.

Volunteers work alongside the Department of Family and Children Services and other community agencies to protect children who have been placed in foster care.

Volunteers need no experience and will be provided specialized training. For more information, call 737-4631.

Vehicle donation

The National Kidney Foundation of Georgia's is seeking donations of old vehicles to be sold as a fund-raiser.

The program offers free vehicle pickup. Cars, trucks, boats or motor homes donated might be tax deductible. To receive an informational packet to fill out and return, call 1-(800-) 488-CARS.

Foster parents needed

The Columbia County Department of Family and Children Services is looking for potential foster parents.

All those interested in becoming foster parents or with questions are asked to call Cindy Taylor at 541-1640.