Get up and go
Smokeout event
The 25th annual Great American Smokeout event will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Columbia County Health Department's Evans clinic. The event, which encourage people to commit to quit smoking for life, is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Columbia County Health and radio station Y-105. There also will be food, complimentary passes to local health facilities, free health screenings and flue and pneumonia vaccinations as available. For more information, call 731-9900.
Writers meeting
The CSRA Writers group will meet next at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Barnes & Noble Booksellers on Augusta West Parkway. Writers needing a support group are invited to attend and bring copies of manuscripts to be critiqued. For more information, call Lela Turnbull at 738-4114 or Elizabeth Estes at 359-3444.
Committee election meetings
An informational meeting discussing the FSA Committee election procedures will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 20 in the conference room of the Thomson, McDuffie County Library. A second meeting also will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 21 in the conference room of the USDA Service Center on Bob Kirk Road in Thomson. For more information, call the Farm Service Agency in Thomson at 706-595-1339.
Holiday open house
A holiday open house event will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Sacred Heart Gift Shop. Unique gifts will be available for holiday shopping. There also will be a Women on Paper art exhibit and a book signing by regional author Caroline Garrett. For more information, call 826-4700.
Holiday auction
Girls Inc. of the CSRA will be having their 20th annual holiday auction at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. For more information, call 733-2512.
Meeting date changed
The date for the next Harlem City Council meeting has been changed to 6 p.m. Nov. 15 due to a rescheduling in observance of Veterans Day. A town meeting also will take place following the city council meeting at 7 p.m. at Harlem Middle School.
Newcomers meeting
The Augusta Newcomers Club of the CSRA meets the third Thursday of each month. For more information, call Debbie Negua at 860-6752.
Festival of trees
The Junior League of Augusta will be presenting the annual Festival of Trees event beginning Nov. 14 at the Augusta Museum of History. Events, which include a fantasyland of trees, an auction, a dollhouse village and entertainment, crafts and children's games, will continue through Nov. 18. Cost will be $6 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Children younger than 12 will be admitted for free. For more information, call 736-0033.
Driver safety program
A 55 Alive Drive Safety Program will be offered from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Patriot's Park Gym. The cost will be $10. To preregister, call 868-3458.
Book discussion group
The Gibbs Library book discussion group will meet next at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the library. They will be reading Red, White and Blue, by Susan Isaacs.
Children's story times
A story times event for all ages is offered at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Euchee Creek Library.
Holiday closings
All Columbia County libraries will be closed Nov. 12 in recognition of Veteran's Day. They also will be closed Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving. The book return at Gibbs Library will be locked to prevent over filling. Fines are not charged for the holidays.
High school class reunion
The Evans High School Class of 1986 will be having its 15 year reunion Nov. 24 at Radisson Riverfront Hotel. For more information, write EHS Class of 1986, P.O. Box 14, Evans, Ga. 30809.
Free mulch offered
The City of Thomson is currently offering free mulch to all interested farmers, businesses and private citizens. The city grinds all of its yard trimmings and collects the mulch on a quarterly basis. Loading assistance will be provided at a mulch pickup site upon request. For more information, call 706-595-1781.
Human resources seminar
The Augusta-Aiken Society for Human Resources Management will be having a seminar for human resource specialists from 7:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Nov. 13 at Radisson Riverfront Hotel. The seminar, titled "On The Border," will cost $75 for non members and $65 for members. That includes breakfast and lunch. For more information, call Carolyn Parker at 796-4277.
Historical donations needed
The City of Grovetown Museum Board of Directors is currently seeking donations of military memorabilia with ties to Fort (Camp) Gordon for a special display depicting the historical relationship between the fort and Grovetown. Photographs, documents, uniforms, personal military equipment, medals and copies of news article are needed. Donated items will be displayed in two glass cases, which were purchased through a grant from the Fort Gordon Officers Wives Club. For more information or to donate, call Rosa Lee Owens at 863-1867 or Charles Lord at 863-3138.
School musical presented
The Paul Knox Middle School Chorus will be presenting a desert tasting and musical play called "Tis The Season" at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 in the school's cafeteria. Tickets are $5. For reservations, call 442-6300.
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. Tour tickets are now available at $12 each. Tour tickets plus dinner are $45. For more information, call Suzanne Norman at 706-678-1922.
Harlem Christmas parade
The Harlem Lions Club Christmas Parade will take place at 2 p.m. Dec. 15. Entry forms are now available at Harlem City Hall or by calling 556-3448 or Scott Dean at 556-0083.
Sacred Heart festival
A music festival of nine lessons and carols will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center on Greene Street. The service will include the King's College Chapel, Cambridge University from England, The Augusta Collegium Musicum, Augusta State University Choir and the Columbia County Choral Society. Cost will be $10. For ticket information, call 826-4700.
Community volunteers needed
Augusta Child Advocates is now recruiting community volunteers to work with and on behalf of abused children in Richmond County. Training begins Jan. 3. Those interested should call 737-3006.
High school reunion
The Harlem High School Class of 1976 is planning a reunion.
For more information, call Pam Tankersley at pamtankersley@georgiabankandtrust.com, 860-1037 or 650-0409 or Jim Price at jprice@thermalceramics.com.
Organizers are seeking names, addresses and e-mail addresses.
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.
Free admission to museum
The Augusta Museum of History will offer free admission to its facility Sundays.
The museum is located on Reynolds Street in downtown Augusta and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 722-8454.
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 (888) 922-4464.
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 (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.
Holiday open house
A holiday open house event will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Sacred Heart Gift Shop. Unique gifts will be available for holiday shopping. There also will be a women on paper art exhibit and a book signing by regional author Caroline Garrett. For more information, call 826-4700.
Veteran's Day parade
The annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Augusta will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 12 beginning at the corner of 13th and Ellis streets. For more information, call 733-7066.