Get up and go

Parade participants needed

The Columbia County Merchants Association's annual Christmas Parade will be Dec. 1. Participants are being sought, and may contact Ruby Lane at 863-0785 for applications. The deadline for entries is Nov. 20.

County choral society honoring God and country

The Columbia County Choral Society will present God and Country, a musical tribute to America's Heroes and First Responders at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, at Stevens Creek Community Church, 600 Stevens Creek Road, Martinez.

The performance will feature a guest performance by the Brass Ensemble of First Baptist Church of North Augusta.

Tickets cost $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Admission is free for first responders, fire, police, military, EMS, Red Cross and other emergency service personnel with badge or identification. Tickets are available from members of the choral society, by visiting www.ccchoralsociety.org or by calling 364-5920.

Boy scout troop meeting changed

Boy Scout Troop 16 will now meet at 7:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. on Mondays at the Church of Our Savior on Columbia Road.

Brookwood Elementary council meeting dates

The Brookwood Elementary School council will meet at 4:15 p.m. in the school's media center on the following dates: Nov. 19, Dec. 10, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 22, May 27 and June 24.

Children's chorale holding dessert concert

The Augusta Children's Chorale will hold its 12th annual Just Desserts Concert at 7 p.m.Thursday, at Sacred Heart Cultural Center.

The chorale is made up of 78 children ages 8-14 from five counties and 35 schools throughout the CSRA.

Tickets for the concert, directed by Linda Leslie Bradberry, cost is $10 and includes the concert and dessert. Tickets will be available at the door or by calling the chorale office at 826-4718.

Newcomers welcome newcomers

The Augusta Newcomers Club helps new residents acclimate and make friends by offering a variety of activities including lunch and dinner groups, social activities, bowling, golf, book clubs and more.

Monthly coffees for prospective new members are on the first Tuesday of each month with the next Wednesday.

To attend or for further information on the club,, contact Bethany Greer at 210-8049 or Carol Holder at 651-0587.

Salvation Army accepting Christmas assistance applications

The Salvation Army will be taking applications for Christmas assistance beginning Monday and lasting through Friday. Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each of the designated day.

Homeless and low-income families will be provided with toys, gifts and food for their children.

Families needing Christmas assistance must apply in person at the Salvation Army's social service center, 1384 Greene St. Applicants must provide photo identification, Social Security cards for all family members and proof of income and expenses to qualify.

For more information, call 826-7933.

Computer classes

Evans High School will hold Introduction to Computers classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

For more information, call the school at 868-3663, Ext. 220.

Kiwanis Club meeting

The Kiwanis Club of Columbia County meets at 11:45 a.m. every Wednesday at the Meeting Centre inside the Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 671 N. Belair Road, Evans.

For more information, call Debbi Powell-Brown at 863-7548.

Learn communication skills

Learn the art of speaking and communication at weekly meetings of Toastmasters International Club 5920.

The club meets at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Doctors Hospital.

For more information, call Joey Brush at 860-3952.

Tree seedlings

The Georgia Forestry Commission is now accepting seedling applications at the Columbia County office at 5887 Wrightsboro Road, Harlem. For more information, call Chief Ranger Steve Abbott at 556-3962.

Forestry advice

The Georgia Forestry Commission is advising residents whether their homes are at risk of woods or brush fires. The free service is particularly aimed at rural residents.

For more information, call Chief Ranger Steve Abbott at 556-3962.

Foster and adoptive families needed

The Department of Family and Children Services is looking for dedicated and committed families to be foster or adoptive families for abused and neglected children.

The need is great and the work is challenging.

If you want to supply the tools, materials, time and devotion it takes to be a foster or adoptive parents or just want more information, contact your local department.

House numbers

The Columbia County Planning and Development office is encouraging residents to ensure that their homes have their street address numbers plainly visible from the street so that emergency personnel can find the correct address.

House numbers should be at least 3 inches tall, mounted on a mailbox, be visible from both directions of the road and should not be hidden by weeds or flowers.

For more information, call the Columbia County Planning and Development office at 868-3400.

Grant applications

The CSRA Community Foundation is accepting applications for 2002 Unrestricted Funding for area 501(c)(3) organizations for Columbia, Burke, Richmond and McDuffie Counties in Georgia, and Aiken and Edgefield Counties in South Carolina. Information, grant guidelines and grant applications may be obtained by sending an e-mail to info@csracf.com or by calling the foundation at 724-1314.

Head Start

CSRA EOA Inc. Head Start has openings for children who will be age 4 by Dec. 31, 2002. Head Start is a comprehensive child development program that provides quality services for the whole family. All services are provided in an educational environment and are free to qualified applicants. Applications can be obtained at Columbia County Head Start, 120 East Trippe St., Harlem, on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

For more information call 556-0085.

Neighborhood Action Team

The Neighborhood Action Team - a McDuffie County nonprofit organization - is seeking new members. For more information, call (706) 595-4914 and membership costs $10.

Club members sought

The Harlem Woman's Club is accepting new members. The club supports local communities and Columbia County's schools. It is a sponsor of the Star Student Award, the Citizen of the Year Award and the arts program. Meetings are at 4 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Woman's Club in Harlem. For more information, call Brenda Starling at 556-6811.

Free tutoring

Tutors are now available to work one-on-one with adults who want to improve their minimal reading skills. There is no charge for tutorial services and workbook materials. Tutoring sessions are arranged at times convenient to both student and tutor. For more information, please call Nancy Lightsey, program coordinator, at Gibbs Library, 863-1946.

Volunteers sought

United Hospice of Augusta is looking for volunteers to help the area's terminally ill patients. Training will be conducted to fit volunteers' schedules. Office volunteers also are needed. For more information, call Kathy Gerstein at 481-9930.

Senior programs offered

The CSRA Agency on Aging offers several programs for seniors throughout the Augusta area, including those detailing adult day care, home modifications, personal care aids, care in the home and others. For more information, call 210-2018 or toll free at (888) 922-4464.

Vehicle donation

The National Kidney Foundation of Georgia 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.

Volunteers needed

The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program is looking for volunteers age 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 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.

Historical donations needed

The Grovetown Museum Board of Directors is 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 casesthat 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.

Gold prospectors' meeting

The Augusta Chapter of the Gold Prospector's Association of America will be having its monthly meetings at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the studio of Tim Conway Photography on Kings Way. For more information, call 729-9900 or 284-6705.

Newcomers meeting

The Augusta Newcomers Club of the CSRA meets on the third Thursday of each month. For more information, call Debbie Negua at 860-6752.

school meetings

Evans Elementary announces meeting dates

Evans Elementary School Councilwill hold meetings at 3:30 p.m. Mondays in the school's media centeron the following dates: Monday; Dec. 2; Jan. 6; Feb. 3; March 10; April 7; May 5; June 2; and July 28.

Martinez Elementary School

The Martinez Elementary School Council will hold meetings at 4:30 p.m. at the school on the following dates: Oct. 31; Nov. 21; Dec. 12; Jan. 30; Feb. 27; March 27; April 24; May 24; and June 26 (9 a.m.).

Westmont school council sets schedule

The Westmont Elementary School Council will hold meetings at 7:30 a.m. at the school, 4558 Oakley Pirkle Road, on the following dates: Friday; Nov. 15; Dec. 13; Jan. 17; Feb. 21; March 21; April 18; May 9; and June 20.

Blue Ridge school council sets meeting schedule

The Blue Ridge Elementary School Council will hold meetings at 7:30 a.m. in the conference room of the school's media center, 550 Blue Ridge Drive, Evans, on the following dates: Nov. 19; Dec. 17; Jan. 14; Feb. 18; March 18; April 15; and May 20.

Belair Elementary announces meetings

Belair Elementary School will hold meetings at 7:15 a.m. in the media center on the following dates: Tuesday ; Dec. 3; Jan. 7; Feb. 4; March 4; April 1; May 6; June 3;and July 31.

South Columbia Elementary announces meetings

South Columbia Elementary School will hold meetings beginning at 7:15 a.m. in the media center on the following dates: Nov. 17; Dec. 17; Jan. 21; Feb. 18; March 18; April 15; May 20; June 17; and July 15.

Oakey Grove recognizing deaconess anniversary

Oakey Grove Baptist Church will recognize its deaconess anniversary at 2 p.m. Nov. 17, with special guest James Hogan, pastor of New Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Augusta.

The church is located at 911 North Belair Road, Evans. For more information, call the church at 863-4215.

Day school

Martinez Baptist Hearts and Hands Christian Day School is now enrolling for the 2002-2003 school year for K-2 through eighth grade. They use the A Beka Curriculum in a home school type setting with small class sizes. They offer daily Bible classes and art, music, PE, computers and a library. We also participate in community mission projects. The classes are at Martinez Baptist Church, 3632 Lynnwood Drive. For more information contact at 364-2859 or 294-0977.

New church

Calvary Tabernacle meets every Sunday at Wingate Inn on Belair Road. The service starts at 3 p.m.

For more information, call Pastor Russell R. Fogler at 737-2166 or 294-9122.

Compassionate Friends meeting site changed

The Columbia County Chapter of the Compassionate Friends meeting place has moved to Marvin United Methodist Church, 4400 Wheeler Road, Martinez.

Meetings are the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Compassionate Friends is a support group for those who have suffered the death of a child, grandchild, sister or brother.

For more information, call Ruth Williams at 556-0360 or Priscilla Bence at 650-8355.