Current Events
Adult programs
Today at 6:45 p.m. will be the first of a series of adult programs at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. Today's program will be "Getting to Know Our Muslim Neighbors." Later programs will be held on the second and fourth Sundays each month in the church's social hall on Pleasant Home Road.
Retired educators
The Columbia County Retired Educators Association will meet at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Buffet Bar on Washington Road in Evans, behind Dunkin' Donuts. Dr. Beverly Roberts, GREA District Director, will be the speaker.
Parkinsons group
The CSRA Parkinson Disease Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at St. John Tower's dining room, 724 Greene St. Lanelle Lovette, RN, will present a program on home health care. For information, call 855-7690.
Change of command
A change of command for the garrison commander will be at 9 a.m. at the Signal Towers flagpole at Fort Gordon Thursday Col. Robert F. Henderson relinquishes the position to Col. Karen S. Adams. For information, call 791-5139.
Dog training
The Augusta Humane Society will hold a registration for dog obedience and puppy socialization courses at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Julian Smith Casino. The cost is $50 for 12 weeks and $40 for 8 weeks. Owners should not bring their dogs, but are advised to bring proof of their pets' vaccinations. For more information, call 736-0186.
Women's equality day
Fort Gordon will observe Women's Equality Day with a breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. Wednesday at the Gordon Club's Victoria Room. The speaker will be Georgia Supreme Court Judge Yvette Miller. For information, call 791-4551 by Monday .
India Day
The Indo-American Cultural Association will hold its annual India Day celebration 4-8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theater at Augusta State University. For information, call Geeta Talukdar at 868-7933.
Cat show
The Masters Cat Club will sponsor a cat show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Riverview Park in North Augusta. More than 200 purebred cats are expected to compete in this year's show. For more information, call 650-2215.
Babysitter's training
The American Red Cross of Augusta will offer a babysitter's training course from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Fort Gordon Child Development Center for individuals ages 11 to 15. For further information, call 724-8481.
Military appreciation day
First Mt. Carmel Baptist Church of Appling will host Military Appreciation Day for all branches of Armed Forces 10 a.m. Aug. 29. All active and non-active military are invited; active duty should wear BDUs or DCUs. Dinner will be served. For information, call 541-0711.
Church anniversary
The Bible Cathedral, 1116 Furys Ferry Road, will hold its 20th anniversary 10:30 a.m. Aug. 29. A celebration dinner in the new Christian Life Center and a gospel concert will follow after the service. For information, call 863-7090.
Child safety seminar
A seminar on child passenger safety for child-care providers will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Advent Lutheran Church, 3232 Washington Road. Cost is $5, and the class offers two hours of continuing education credit. For information, call 721-5437.
GOP women to meet
Greater Columbia County Republican Women will celebrate "Convention Night" 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 with televised coverage of President Bush from the Republican National Convention. The event will be at the GOP Campaign Headquarters, 3475 Old Petersburg Road in Martinez. For information, call 854-8470.
Volunteer training
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park will hold volunteer educator training 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 2. The training will teach volunteers how to lead nature hikes for weekday school field trips at the park. The cost if free and lunch will be provided. RSVP by Aug. 31. For information, call 828-2109.
Bus trip
The Augusta Chapter of Savannah State University National Alumni is sponsoring a bus trip to the 51st Gateway Classic, Savannah State vs. Bethune-Cookman in Jacksonsville, Fla., Sept. 4-5. For information, call 737-3481, 792-2502, or 651-9140.
Labor day
North Augusta's annual Labor Day celebration, Rest Fest, will be 3-9:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Riverview Park. The event is free. For information, call 441-4300.
Grants available
Sept. 10 is the deadline for community enabling grants from the Junior League of Augusta. Grants are awarded in November, and are available to CSRA non-profit agencies. For information, call 736-0033.
Women's conference
Trinity-on-the-Hill United Methodist Church will hold a community-wide women's event, Journey of a Godly Woman, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11. Tickets are $10, and the registration deadline is Aug. 27. For information, call 738-8822.
Photo workshop
A nature photography workshop will be held at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park 9 a.m. Sept. 11 with Ed Belinski. Register by Sept. 8. For information, call 828-2109.
USDA seeks names
Farmers and other agricultural producers are urged to nominate local producers to serve on USDA's Farm Service Agency County Committees. Producers can submit nomination forms to FSA through Sept. 3. This year elections will take place in Local Administrative Areas 2 and 3. For more information, visit http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/mainser vlet.
Law enforcement academy
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office will offer a Citizens Law Enforcement Academy course for anyone 18 or older who is interested in learning about the Sheriff's Office. The free nine weeks course will be held every Thursday beginning Sept. 9. Participants will be given an insight to the everyday operations of the Sheriff's Office as well as firearms training, which includes live fire on the Sheriff's Office Shooting Range. For information, call Community Services at 541-2856.
Monthly meeting
The Augusta Chapter of Embroider's Guild of America will hold its monthly meeting 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at First Alliance Church, 2801 Ingleside Drive, Augusta. This month's program, Counted Band Sampler on Linen. Guests are welcomed. For more information, call 863-5159 or 855-7916.
Bird walk
A fall migration bird walk will 8 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Register by Sept. 9. For information call 828-2109.
Walk for autism
Walk for Autism-Augusta and Kids Care Connections will hold a Walk for Autism 10 a.m. Sept. 25 at Riverwalk Augusta, to raise money for autistic families. For information, call 863-8443.
Pageant
The eighth annual Ms. Senior Georgia-Carolina Pageant will be 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Augusta State University Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are $10 and are available from the Senior Citizen Council, 535 15th St. For information, call 826-4480 ext. 300, or 825-7624.
Historical presentation
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park will present "Phinizy Through the Ages" at 6 p.m. Sept. 16, with historical interpreter Bob Perry as a long-rifle backwoodsman and trapper from the mid-1700s. For information, call 828-2109.
Church observance
The St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church on Pleasant Home Road in Augusta will play host to "Time and Talent Weekend" a the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Sept. 18 and the 8 a.m., 9:30 p.m. 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Masses on Sept. 19 in the Parish Social Hall. Refreshments will be served. For information, call 863-2363.
Fall bazaar
The Clifford Presbyterian Church will hold a Fall Bazaar, White Elephant and bake sale 8 a.m. Oct. 2 at 2525 Lumpkin Road in the parking lot.
Girls sought
Girl Scout troops are organizing for girls 5-11, and Studio 2B groups are organizing for girls 11-17. For information, call 774-0505.
Ballet taught
The Augusta School of Ballet Evans branch, located at the Ballroom Dance Center on Evans-to-Locks Road, will offer an adult class and a Grade 1 class for 8-year-olds, and classes for children ages 3-7. All classes are taught by former Augusta Ballet principal dancer Julia Morgan. For information, call 733-5511.
Ringers needed
Augusta Children's Ringers rehearse 3:45-4:30 p.m. each Wednesday at the Westside Baptist Church Educational Building, 261 Flowing Wells Road. The community bell and chime choir is seeking children in grades 4-7 to participate. For information, call 306-5247.
Crafters sought
Spaces are available for crafters at the Oct. 2 Oliver Hardy Festival in
Class reunions
Glenn Hills High School class of 1972 will hold its 50th reunion Sept. 4. For information, call 863-3703.
The T.W. Josey High School class of 1985 is holding monthly reunion planning meetings at 6 p.m. each third Saturday at the Naval Marine Reserve Center, 2869 Central Avenue. For information, call 733-5810.
Hephzibah High School's class of 1984 is seeking class members for a 20-year reunion this fall. For information, contact Thomas Self at 592-4634, or Kim Edgar Stripling at 278-1001.
The Butler High School class of 1974 is seeking classmates for its 30-year reunion, to be held Nov. 26 at the Julian Smith Barbecue Pit and Nov. 27 at the Augusta Towers Hotel and Convention Center on Perimeter Parkway. For information, call (803) 819-9205.
Hospital alumni
Piedmont Hospital next year will celebrate 100 years and hold a nursing school graduate reunion. Reunion activities for nursing school alunmi are scheduled for June 10-12 at the Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel at Colony Square. For information, call (404) 605-3404.
Peace Officer's Course
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office will sponsor a Basic Peace Officer's course through the East Georgia Regional Police Academy for anyone interested in becoming a certified law enforcement officer. The cost of the training is $2,850, and the HOPE Grant may be available.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have no criminal record.
Classes are set to begin in the fall and will be held at the East Georgia Regional Police Academy in Blythe.
For more information, call 541-2856 or 592-1518.
Newspaper recycling
Bins are available for newspaper recycling at the following locations in Columbia County: South Columbia, Grovetown, Bel Air, Evans, Riverside, Brookwood, North Columbia, North Harlem, Stevens Creek and Greenbrier elementary schools; Evans High School; St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church; Marvin and Wesley United Methodist churches; and Church of the Holy Comforter at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. For information and other recycling locations, call Metro Augusta and Columbia County Clean and Beautiful at 261-4390.
Diabetic network
The JDFR Family Network is available to families of children with Type 1 diabetes. For information, call 733-2034.
Toastmasters
Georgia-Carolina Toastmasters meets at noon Wednesdays at The Clubhouse, 2527 Washington Road, Augusta. For information, call 854-0090.
Seedlings available
The Columbia County Unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission is accepting orders for tree seedlings for the 2004-05 planting season. For a list of prices and availability, call 556-3962.
SCORE advice
The Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE, provides counseling and mentoring to business people who are starting up or expanding a business. There is no charge for services. For information, call 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, 793-9998.
Foster homes sought
Georgia SAFE Therapeutic Foster Care is seeking foster homes for at-risk children and teens. For information, call 210-3435.
Dance club
A social dance group meets each week at A World of Dance studio, 3497 Wheeler Road, Augusta, for dance lessons and practice. For information, call 650-2396.
Lighthouse club
The newly formed CSRA Harbour Lights lighthouse collectors club is seeking members. For information, call 863-1970.
Harvest help
Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking volunteer groups of 10-20 people, ages 13-up, for Saturday help in sorting donated products. For information or to reserve a time, call Laurie Harmon at 736-1199, extension 208.
Rape counseling
Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services offers group counseling to victims of rape, sexual assault and childhood abuse. All services are free. For information, call 724-5200.
Six Flags tickets
Half-price Six Flags coupons are available from the Columbia County 4-H office in the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 B Evans to Locks Road, Martinez. For information, call 868-3413.
Advocate training
The Court Appointed Special Advocate program of Child Enrichment Inc. is seeking volunteers at least 21 years old to advocate for abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system.
Volunteers need no experience, and will be provided with specialized training. For more information, call 737-4631.
Parents sought
Foster and adoptive parents are being sought for Columbia and Richmond County children. For more information on the program, call Christina Ruetz in Columbia County at 541-1640, or Rosalyn Boyd in Richmond County, 721-7171.
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 Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., at Superpetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. For more information, call 863-5310.