Current events

Correction

A story in the Sunday, Nov. 9 edition of The Columbia County News-Times gave the incorrect location for Columbia County Health Department flu shot clinic this week. The flu shots will be given Thursday at Riverside Middle School from 2 to 6 p.m.

The News-Times regrets the error.

Trail clean-up

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The Columbia County Recreation and Leisure Services Department and the Georgia Horse Council are sponsoring a clean-up day at 9 a.m. Saturday at the new horse trails at Wildwood Park. Volunteers should wear work clothes and bring lunch. The trails officially open Monday.

Christmas parade

The Merchants Association of Columbia County is sponsoring the annual Christmas Parade in Martinez on Dec. 7. For information on participating in the parade, call Billy Becton, 863-7645, or Key Kernaghan, 650-5700.

Christmas tree lighting

Columbia County's Christmas tree-lighting ceremony will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Columbia County Justice Center in Evans. Spaces for craft vendors are available. A fun run will precede the event, with prizes for children and adults. For more information, call Beth Roberson, 868-3458.

Winter festival

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 192 in Evans will hold a Winter Festival 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event, at the post off Owens Road, will feature craft vendors, a "moonwalk," games, and crafts for kids. Spaces for crafters are available by calling 860-1031 or 863-7249.

Thanksgiving donations

United We Care in Grovetown is seeking donations of turkeys, non-perishable food items and money for the agency's annual Thanksgiving dinners for those in need. Donations may be mailed or delivered to the United We Care office at 101 Newmantown Road, Grovetown, GA 30813. For more information, call Bill Campbell, 854-8852.

Basket auction

North Harlem Elementary School will hold its second annual basket auction and dinner theater 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 17 in the school cafeteria. More than 30 theme baskets will be available for sale by silent auction. Dinner tickets are $5. For more information, call PTA President Roger Vest, 556-3116, or Staci Kitchens, 556-5997.

Fashion show

Greenbrier High School will hold a holiday fashion show at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 in the school auditorium. Admission is $4, with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta. The event also includes a holiday bake sale and door prizes. For more information, call 650-6040.

Massing of colors

The Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars will sponsor a patriotic celebration at 4 p.m. Friday at Fort Gordon's Alexander Hall. The event will include interludes by the U.S. Army Signal Center Band, selected readings and a guest speaker with a Veterans Day message. Admission is free. For more information, call 736-9581.

Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month. For more information about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, Columbia County residents should call Christina Ruetz at the Columbia County Department of Family and Children Services, 541-1640; those residing in Richmond County should call Rosalyn Boyd, 721-7171.

Purple Hearts

The CSRA chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart meets on the third Saturday of each month at 3856 Leigh St., Martinez. For more information, call 731-7210.

Craft bazaar

Windermere Nursing Home's residents council and craft class will hold a craft bazaar 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday in the lobby of the facility, 3618 J. Dewey Gray Circle. Proceeds from the sale of craft items help beautify the Memory Garden and purchase craft supplies for residents. For more information, call 863-4816.

Crafters needed

Crafters are being sought for Christmas in the Heart of Downtown Harlem, an event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 in conjunction with the Harlem Christmas parade. Space rentals are available for $10. For more information, call 556-0401.

Birthday gala

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta is celebrating its 19th birthday with "A Night at the Fair," 6:30-10 p.m. Friday at the Marion Hatcher Center. Admission is $40 per couple, or $25 per person. For more information, call 724-5901.

Santa and Elf Run

A Santa Run for runners 14-up, and an Elf Run for those 13-under, will precede Columbia County's Dec. 6 Christmas tree lighting at the Justice Center in Evans. Sign-ups begin at 3 p.m. The first 25 to register receive a commemorative T-shirt; winners in the Santa and Elf categories will receive trophies and prizes. Registration fee is $10, or $5 with a new, unwrapped toy valued at least $5. All toys will be donated to the Columbia County Foundation for Children. For more information, call Beth Roberson, 868-3458.

Mining scholarship

Applications are being accepted for the Georgia Mining Federation's $500 scholarship, which will be awarded to a student at Evans High School. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28, 2004. For more information, call Jenny Maas, (478) 757-1211.

The Nutcracker

Brookwood Elementary School will perform its 14th annual production of The Nutcracker 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. Dec. 3 at the school. Performances are free. For more information, call 855-7596.

Choral society

The Columbia County Choral Society has two upcoming performances. The first is the O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at First Baptist Church of Evans, at Washington and Belair roads. Tickets are $8, $6 for seniors and students, and are available at the door. The society also will perform at the Columbia County Christmas tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6 at the Justice Center in Evans.

Happy Tails adoption

Happy Tails Rescue will hold pet adoptions each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 4-6 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m., at Superpetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. Also, two Feline Fiestas will be 6-8 p.m. Nov. 21, featuring cats and kittens available for adoption. For more information, call 863-5310.

Fall bazaar

The women of Harlem United Methodist Church are sponsoring a Fall Bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the church, featuring a soup kitchen, baked goods, a flea market, arts and crafts, children's activities and more. For more information, call 556-6885.

Customer appreciation

Customer appreciation nights continue through Friday this week 6-8 p.m. at Putt-Putt Golf and Games, 3763 Martinez Blvd., Martinez, with free unlimited golf for CallingPost customers and users.

Peep and Eat

Historic Augusta's Greene Street Peep and Eat tour of homes will begin at noon Thursday 11/13 at 834 Greene St. Participants should bring a sack lunch; drinks and desserts will be provided. Admission is free for Historic Augusta members; non-members pay $5. For more information, call 724-0436.

Lutheran drama

The Fine Arts Ministry of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church presents Luther by John Osborne at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall of the church, 402 Aumond Road, Augusta. For more information, call 733-6076.

Museum holiday

The Augusta Museum of History's Holiday at the Museum will be noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 7, featuring artisans and crafters selling holiday items, children's activities and guided tours of the museum. For more information, call 722-8454.

Holiday help

Agape Outreach Ministries of Thomson is seeking donations of money, food and toys to help needy families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, call (706) 597-8800.

Scholarship fundraiser

Master Events Planning will collect tips at CiCi's Pizza on Peach Orchard Road noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 22 to raise funds for its scholarship program for CSRA high school seniors. The deadline for applications for the scholarships is Jan. 2. For more information about the fundraiser or scholarship applications, call 798-2059.

Six Flags tickets

Half-price Six Flags coupons are available from the Columbia County 4H office in the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 B Evans to Locks Road, Martinez. For more information, call 868-3413.

Children's ringers

The Augusta Children's Ringers, a handbell and choirchime for children in grades 3-6, meets 4-6 p.m. Thursdays at the Westside Baptist Church Educational Building, 261 Flowing Wells Road. For more information, call 306-5247.

Retired educators

The Columbia County Retired Educators will meet Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. at Sconyer's Barbecue Restaurant for a dutch-treat lunch. Guest speaker will be Douglas O. Allen, area manager for TEI and transportation consultant for Columbia County. Retired educators and retired staff are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Columbia County Cares Pantry. For more information, call Helen Morris, 863-7949, or Margaretha Lotz, 863-0895.

Turkey Trot

WJBF-TV's 10k Turkey Trot and 1-mile Fun Run will be Nov. 23. All category first-place winners and turkey-costume winners will receive a 19-inch television. For more information, contact Melissa Canady, 828-7211.

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.

Veterans sought

The Veterans History Project is compiling stories from World War II veterans. For more information, call 1-888-5848, or go to www.loc.gov/vets.

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.

Fire safety review

The Columbia County Unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission is offering free advice to county residents on whether their home is danger from brush or woods fire. Call 556-3962 for more information.

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.

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.

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 Friday. For more information, call 828-0180.

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.

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.

Scholarships available

Applications are being sought for 2004 graduates seeking scholarships to attend Georgia's military colleges. Students are nominated from each of Georgia's U.S. congressional districts, and are nominated by state senators in those districts. For more information, call the state Senate office at 1 (800) 282-5803.

Recycling available

The following Columbia County elementary schools have newspaper and magazine recycling bins for public use: South Columbia, Grovetown, Bel Air, Evans, Riverside, Brookwood, North Columbia, North Harlem and Stevens Creek elementary schools, and Evans High School.

Recycling bins also are at Marvin United Methodist Church on Wheeler Road and St. Teresa Catholic Church on Pleasant Home Road.

Aluminum can recycling centers, to benefit the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, are located at Martinez Fire Department station 2 on Gibbs Road, Station 3 on Furys Ferry Road and Station 4 on Oakley-Pirkle Road.

For more recycling information, contact Metro Augusta Clean and Beautiful, 261-4390.