Get up and go
Sales-tax meetings
Suggestions are being sought for projects to be funded in the next round of Columbia County's one-cent sales tax. A series of hearings continues at 7 p.m. today at Eubank Blanchard Community Center and 7 p.m. Thursday at Bessie Thomas Community Center.
New church forming
An informational meeting for Mosaic United Methodist Church, a new congregation forming in the Evans area, will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Evans Middle School. For more information, call 877-6468, or go to mosaicumc.org.
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Church rally
A Rally 'Round the Cross revival service will be Sunday to Wednesday at Grovetown United Methodist Church. The series will begin with an 11 a.m. kickoff service and covered-dish luncheon Sunday, and continue nightly at 7 p.m. A 6 p.m. supper precedes the closing-night event.
Evangelist Pierce Norman, former pastor of Lewis Memorial Church and a previous evangelism director for the North Georgia Methodist Conference, will lead the revival services. For more information, contact Mary Ann Navarro at 863-6355, or pastor Brandon Fulmer at 863-6668.
Scholarship pageant
The Merchants Association of Columbia County is sponsoring its annual Fair Scholarship Pageant Oct. 11 at Greenbrier High School. Scholarships totaling $1,000 will be awarded in addition to gifts and trophies. Contestants must be residents of Georgia ages 17-24. Competition will be in swimsuit, evening gown and talent categories. The winner will represent Columbia County at the Georgia State Pageant in Atlanta in January 2004.
For applications or additional information, call Pat Becton at 863-7645, or Debbie Zapata, 863-3754.
Cancer walk
The Lakeside High School chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America will hold a 5-kilometer and 3-kilometer walk/run in memory of Kathy Ferko, a Spanish teacher who passed away last year from breast cancer. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at Stevens Creek Elementary School on Evans-to-Locks Road. Registration costs $8. For more information, call Ashley Baum at 855-6083.
Spaghetti supper
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a Founders Day spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the church gym. Everyone is invited. Tickets cost $6 for adults and $3 for children 10 or younger. The deadline for buying tickets is today. For more information, call 863-4956.
Accountants meet
The Institute of Management Accountants holds educational luncheons Thursday and every fourth Thursday of each month. For more information, call 284-6887, or visit augustaima.org.
Book fair
Greenbrier Elementary School will hold a book fair Friday through Oct. 3. The fair is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and from 4 to 4:30 p.m. A family night event will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29.
School carnival
North Columbia Elementary School's fall carnival will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the school on Ray Owens Road in Appling. The theme is Dragon Fair of the Medieval Times, and the event will include rides, a silent auction, a Medieval costume contest, games, food and fun. The event is a fund-raiser for the school. For more information, contact Kathy Harrell at 541-1158.
Baby-sitting class
The American Red Cross will hold a baby-sitter training course 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at its 1322 Ellis St. office. For more information, call 724-8481.
Financial programs
Wesley United Methodist Church will present Dave Ramsey's 13-week Financial Peace University beginning Oct. 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Orientation is 6:30 p.m. today at the church.
For more information, call Associate Pastor Adam Robert at 869-0888 or Andy Hauger at 667-4516.
Family reunion
The 77th annual Pittman family reunion will be at 11 a.m. Sunday in the family life center at Bethany Methodist Church, on Highway 335 between Nicholson and Jefferson. For more information, contact Jan Williams at janwms5350@earthlink.net.
Book sale
Friends of Columbia County Libraries will hold a book sale at Gibbs Memorial Library, 326 North Belair Road, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4. Proceeds from the sale support library programs and projects.
Wine tasting
The Augusta Jewish Community Center and La Maison restaurant will hold a wine tasting and dinner party 6-9 p.m. Oct. 1 at Law Maison, 404 Telfair St. in Augusta. Cost is $60 per person, with proceeds benefiting youth and adult programs at the AJCC. For more information, call Alberta Goldberg at 228-3636.
Support group
The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Parent Support Group meets 7 p.m. Thursday at Martinez Elementary School. Speech-language pathologist Rhonda Lane will discuss listening therapy. For more information, contact Mary Snyder at 860-9385.
Georgia Boys concert
The Georgia Boys will appear in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church of Evans, at Washington and Belair Roads. Admission is free. For more information, call 863-1228.
Children's ringers
The Augusta Children's Ringers, a handbell and choirchime for children in grades 3-6, will meet 4-6 p.m. Thursdays at the Westside Baptist Church Educational Building, 261 Flowing Wells Road. For more information, call 306-5247.
Award nominations
Atlanta Gas Light Co. is seeking nominations for the 38th annual Shining Light Award, recognizing outstanding Georgians who have inspired the lives of others through community service. Nominations may be made by submitting a letter of no more than two pages by Sept. 29 to Nick Gold, AGL Resources, P.O. Box 4569, Atlanta, Ga., 30302, or by e-mail at ngold@aglresources.com.
Brookwood 'Bugz'
Brookwood Elementary School will present the musical Bugz at 2:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the school.
The play is about a picnic where everyone is pitching in. Ladybugs are in charge of proper etiquette, the Army Ants handle security, the Fireflies provide the lighting and the Bumblebees handle the entertainment. Just when everything is perfectly set up, the Stinky Bugs want to come, too.
The school is located at 455 South Old Belair Road.
Bicycle tour
The Rotary Club of Columbia County West will present the annual Tour of Columbia County on Oct. 4 and 5 in Harlem, with proceeds to benefit the Johns Citizenship Award to Columbia County students. For more information or to sign up to ride, go to www.rotaryccw.org, or call David Titus at 860-2205.
Mother's Day Out
Th Church of the Most Holy Trinity is offering a free trial of its Mother's Day Out and preschool programs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 29 for walking children through age four. The program includes crafts, stories, songs and dancing. For reservations or more information, call the PRE office at 722-4944, ext. 315, or Cheryl Weinand at 228-4887.
Sturgis-Shields reunion
Descendants of Andrew Sturgis and Nancy Shields are invited to attend the 16th annual meeting of the Sturgis-Shields Family Association at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Winfield Community Center. For more information, call Richard Sturgis, 860-3828.
Pumpkin Patch
The Family Y Pumpkin Patch program will be Oct. 6-24 at Camp Lakeside on Lake Thurmond. The program is designed for pre-K through fifth-grade children, and includes a hayride, a fall craft, an educational, entertaining presentation, a take-home pumpkin and a picnic lunch. The fee is $5 per person.
For more information, e-mail Scott Rouse at srouse@thefamilyy.org, or call (706) 359-3153.
Octoberfest
The Knights of Columbus and St. Teresa of Avila Church will hold a community Octoberfest celebration at 4921 Columbia Road, the former golf course, from 2-8 p.m. Oct. 11. Events include traditional beer and bratwurst, a bicycle rodeo and a motorcycle show. For more information, call 863-4956.
Animal adoptions
Columbia County Care and Control, in conjunction with its Animal Control Advisory Board, the Columbia County Humane Society and Kanine Kids, Inc., will hold a special pet adoption 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17, and 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 18 at Animal Care and Control, 6337 Columbia Road. Dogs and puppies will be available for $10, and cats and kittens for $5, with a limit of one pet per family. Light refreshments will be served.
School's Out program
The Family Y at 3532 Wheeler Road will offer a School's Out program for children ages 5-12, with limited space for 4-year-olds, on Oct. 17 for children from Richmond and Columbia counties during the student holiday. Additional days for Columbia County children will be Oct. 20-22. The program includes games, sports, swimming and more. Advance registration is $14, or $20 the day of the programs.
For more information, call 738-7006.
Library meeting
Friends of Columbia County Libraries will hold its fall quarter business meeting at Gibbs Library's annex, 326 North Belair Road in Evans, at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
Halloween dive-in
The Family Y's Spooky Splash dive-in movie will be 7-8:45 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Wheeler Branch's heated pool, 3532 Wheeler Road. Fees cost $3 for metro or branch members, $5 for bronze members and $7 for nonmembers. For more information, call 738-6678.
Howl-oween woods
Children ages 5-17 can enjoy an evening of spooky fun at the Family Y's Howl-oween Woods Adventure on Oct. 30 at Camp Lakeside on Lake Thurmond. Children will be dropped off at the Wheeler Branch, 3532 Wheeler Road, and bused to Camp Lakeside for activities that include a hayride, Halloween craft and marshmallow roast. The fee is $8 per person, and signups are available at any Family Y branch. For more information, e-mail Scott Rouse at srouse@thefamilyy.org, or call (706) 359-3153.
Golf tournament
The fifth Annual Rudy Goldman Memorial Friends of Youth Golf Tournament will be Oct. 25 at North Augusta Country Club. The event is sponsored by the Martinez-Evans Optimist Club, Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart. The fee is $60 per golfer. For more information, call Scott Godefroy at 722-1588.
Aloha Augusta
The Junior League of Augusta will hold Aloha Augusta, a dinner with celebrity waiters, at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Old Richmond Hotel, 725 Greene Street. Sponsorships begin at $300 per couple and $600 per table.
All funds raised at the event benefit Junior League community projects, including the day shelter for homeless children, Habitat for Humanity, ACE Awards, and Service Weekends and Weeknights. For more information, call 736-0033.
Family Fall Fest
Mistletoe State Park's Family Fall Fest will be 5-10 p.m. Oct. 18 at the park, located at 3723 Mistletoe Road in Winfield. The event includes dulcimer music, a hayride, pumpkin scavenger hunt, roasting marshmallows, a storyteller and a night hike. The winner of a campsite-decorating contest will receive a two-night camping stay at the park. Activities are free to registered guests, and $5 per carload for park visitors. For more information, call 541-0321.
Foster volunteers
Community volunteers are needed to become advocates for children who are found by the court to be abused and/or neglected, and to assist at the Kids Restart visitation center, 508 Broad St. Training will begin Oct. 14. For more information, call 828-0180.
Hazard meeting
A meeting for public review of Columbia County's draft Hazard Mitigation Plan will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Emergency Services Conference Room, Building E, in the Columbia County Government Complex in Evans. For more information, call 868-3303.
Greek festival
Augusta's annual Greek Festival will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4, and noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 5, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 953 Telfair St. The event features entertainment, authentic Greek cuisine and a bazaar with unique gifts. Admission is free. For more information, call 724-1087.
Memory Walk
The Alzheimer's Association Augusta Regional Office will hold Memory Walk 2003 8:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at Augusta Mall, and 9 a.m. Oct. 18 at Riverwalk Amphitheater. For more information or to volunteer, call 731-9060.
Hardy crafters sought
Organizers of Harlem's Oliver Hardy Festival, scheduled for Oct. 4, is accepting applications for crafters and vendors. For information, contact Harlem City Hall at 556-3448, or e-mail harlemcityhall@charter.net, or go to harlemga.org.
Fall carnival
South Columbia Elementary School will hold its Pumpkin Patch Carnival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at the school on McCormick Road between Old Evans and Old Petersburg roads in Martinez. Games, entertainment and refreshments will be available, along with a silent auction to help raise funds for the South Columbia PTO.
Bailey at Fire Fest
Miss Georgia Andrea Bailey, a semifinalist in the 2003 Miss America pageant and an Evans High School graduate, will appear from noon to 2 p.m. at Fire Fest 2003 Oct. 11 at the Evans field behind Kroger. Bailey will perform her song from the Miss America competition and sign autographs, with donations from her appearance benefiting the American Red Cross.
Fire Fest is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Columbia County and the Columbia County Fire Chiefs Association, and benefits more than 20 charities.
Golf tournament
The Greater Augusta Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers will sponsor its 11th annual charity golf tournament Oct. 9 at Goshen Golf and Country Club. Cost is $60 per person, and proceeds benefit underprivileged people of all ages at Christmas. For more information, call Pat Campbell at 860-4136.
Dog show
The Augusta Kennel Club's All-Breed Dog Show will be Oct. 4 at the North Augusta Riverview Park Community Center in North Augusta. The event is free. For more information, call Sara Martin at 738-9288.
Recycling available
Metro Augusta and Columbia County Clean and Beautiful has placed a container for recycling newspapers and magazines at Stevens Creek Elementary School on Evans-to-Locks Road. The container is available for public recycling.
Newcomers Club
The Augusta Newcomers Club helps new residents acclimate and make friends by offering a variety of activities, including lunch and a movie, dinner groups, bowling, golf and games. Monthly coffees for prospective members are the first Tuesday of each month. To attend or for further information, call Rickie Reinhardt at 650-3941, or Ruth Pearl at 650-1400.
Tree orders
The Georgia Forestry Commission is taking orders for seedlings for the upcoming planting season. Buyers are urged to order early, as many species will be sold out later in the season. For information, call the Columbia County Forestry Unit at 556-3962.
Girl Scouts
Girl Scout troops are forming throughout the CSRA for girls ages 5-17, and the Studio 2B program also is available to girls ages 11-17. Girl Scout leaders also are being sought. For more information, call 774-0505.
Harlem day care
The Harlem Neighborhood Development Daycare Academy, a nonprofit organization helping low-income families get financial assistance for day care, is accepting new pupils.
The program is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the center at 280 West Forrest St., Harlem. Children age 6 weeks to 12 years are eligible. Activities include field trips, computer classes, games, movies and more.
For more information, call the Rev. Melvin Adams at 556-0209.
Tailgate anniversary
The Harlem High School Class of 1979 is planning a homecoming tailgate party in celebration of the 25th anniversary football season for the class. The homecoming game will be Oct. 17 vs. Richmond Academy. For more information, contact Class of '79 president Vic Johnson at radioactive@comcast.net.
Preschool registration
Columbia County Christian Academy, 4004 Prescott Drive in Martinez, is accepting pupils for its Mother's Day Out program, and pre-K through sixth grade classes. A-Beka curriculum is taught in small classes. For more information, call 863-0535, or 863-6973.
Preschool registration
Registration for preschool and the Mother's Morning Out program at the Vineyard Church of Augusta is open. The preschool accepts children ages 2-5. The Mother's Morning Out program is open to 1- and 2-year-olds. Both offer classes weekday mornings. For more information or to register, call the church office at 863-9766 or Linda Shervette at 863-7414.
SCORE advice
The Service Corps of Retired Executives provides counseling and mentoring to business people who are starting up a new business or expanding an ongoing business. Volunteer counselors are retired executives. Affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE is a nonprofit, public-service organization. There is never a charge for services. To contact SCORE's Augusta office, call 793-9998, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.
McDuffie Friends
McDuffie County Friends of Animals' Adopt-A-Pet Days are each Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at SuperPetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. To see pets that are available, call 556-9090 or go to petfinder.com, and go to the Dearing, Ga., section
Senior activities
The Bessie Thomas Community Center, 5913 Euchee Creek Drive, Grovetown, offers daily events for 55 and over residents of Columbia County including Bingo on Tuesday and Thursday, ceramics and other arts and crafts, trivia, devotionals and field trips. Transportation to and from the center is provided by the county's Rural Transportation Department. Call in advance to schedule the ride. All rides and center activities, not including trips, are free. For more information or to request transportation, call 556-0308.
School councils
Brookwood Elementary: The council will meet in the media center at 4:15 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 28; Nov. 18; Dec. 9; Jan. 27, 2004; Feb. 24; March 23; April 27; and May 25. The council will meet at 10 a.m. June 22, 2004.
Riverside Elementary: The council will meet in the media center at 8 a.m. on the following dates: Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 24, April 28 and May 26.
South Columbia Elementary: The council will meet Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 16, April 27, May 18, June 15 and July 20. The meetings will be in the school media center beginning at 7:15 a.m. The meetings in June and July will be at 8:30 a.m.
Blue Ridge Elementary: The council will meet t 7:30 a.m. in the media center Oct. 14, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 16, April 20 and May 18. For more information, call principal Joyce G. Long at 868-0894.
Greenbrier Middle: The council will meet Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 16, April 20, May 18 and June 15.
Grovetown Middle: The council will meet at 3:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, 2004, Feb. 19, March 18, April 22, May 20 and June 3. The meetings will be in the school conference room. For more information, call principal Carolyn Fries at 855-2514.
Westmont Elementary: The council will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the school's media center on the following dates: Oct. 24; Nov. 21; Dec. 12; Jan. 9, 2004; Feb. 20; March 19; April 16; May 14; June 18; July 16.
Evans Middle: The council will meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the conference room of the school's media center. For more information, call principal Myrel Seigler at 863-2275.
North Columbia Elementary: The council will meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month that school is in session.
Greenbrier Elementary: The council will meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:15 a.m. All meetings will be in the school's media center.
Evans High: The council will meet at 10:45 a.m. on the first Monday of each month, except when holidays conflict.
Bel Air Elementary: The council will meet at 7:15 a.m. on the following dates: Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2, April 13 and May 4. It will meet at 7:30 a.m. June 1 and July 29. All meetings will be in the media center.
Columbia Middle: The council will meet at 8 a.m. at the school on Columbia Road on the following Mondays: Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 1, April 12 and May 3.
Euchee Creek Elementary: The council will meet in the school conference room at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May 12 and June 9.
Lakeside Middle School: The council will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the school's staff lounge on the following Tuesdays: Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2, April 13, May 4, June 1 and Jul 6. For more information, call Chairwoman Felicia Dumas at 855-6900.
Lakeside High School: The council will meet at 7 p.m. in the front-office conference room of the school on Mondays during the school year on the following dates: Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, 2004, Feb. 9, March 8, April 19, May 10 and June 14.