Current events
Gardening at lunch
Columbia County Extension Agent Charles Phillips will present a seminar on composting at the Extension Service's Gardening at Lunch program, 12:10 p.m. today at the Columbia County Government Complex Auditorium in Evans. For information, call 868-3413.
GOP women to meet
Greater Columbia County Republican Women will celebrate "Convention Night" 7:30 p.m. Thursday 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. Thursday . 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.
Membership social
The Augusta Junior Woman's Club will be hosting a membership social at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Woman's Club, 1005 Milledge Road. For information, call 854-9877.
Landfill closed
The Columbia County landfill on Baker Place Road will be closed Saturday in recognition of Labor Day and reopen 6 a.m. Monday . The department will also be closed Nov. 13 in recognition of Veteran's Day. For information, call 868-3366.
Ice cream social
The Warren County Chamber of Commerce will hold an ice cream social from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the courthouse in downtown Warrenton. Cash prizes will be given for the best homemade ice cream. For information, call 465-9604.
Newcomers coffee
The Augusta Area Newcomers Club will hold a coffee Sept. 7. For information, call 650-2981.
Classes available
The Art Factory is holding a series of fine-art classes in the next 10 weeks. For information, call 731-0008.
Adult programs
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church will hold a series of adult education programs on the second and fourth Sundays each month in the church's social hall on Pleasant Home Road. For information, call 863-4956.
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., Friday and Saturday . For information, call 737-3481, 792-2502, or 651-9140.
Prayer vigil for 9-11
The deacons and youth of First Baptist Church of Evans will hold a prayer vigil starting at 8 a.m. Sept. 11, and the sanctuary will be open starting at 9 a.m.
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. For information, call 738-8822.
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.
Labor day
North Augusta's annual Labor Day celebration, Rest Fest, will be 3-9:30 p.m. Monday 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.
Spouse club
Spaces will be available starting Sept. 10 for the Fort Gordon semi-annual Officers' Spouse Club flea market, to be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 2 on Barton Field. For information, call 481-8065 or 791-2707.
Fort rodeo
Fort Gordon's rodeo will be held 8 p.m. Sept. 10-11 on Barton Field, featuring bareback riding, saddle-bronco riding, calf-roping, steer-wrestling and more. Tickets can be purchased at all CSRA Papa John's locations, the Fort Gordon Federal Gordon Credit Union and Gordon Lanes Bowling Center. For information, call 791-6001.
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.
Church observance
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church on Pleasant Home Road will hold a "Time and Talent Weekend" at 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.
Anniversary
Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church in Evans will celebrate the 22nd anniversary of its pastor, Rev. Robert L. Ramsey, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Rev. Herman Bing, pastor of Carpentersville Baptist Church in North Augusta, will be the guest speaker. For information call 860-7091.
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 Friday . 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.
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.
POW/MIA recognition day
Fort Gordon will observe Prisoner of War/Missing in Action recognition day 10 a.m. at the monument at the intersection of Chamberlin Avenue and Kilbourne Street on Sept. 17. The ceremony is free and open to the public. For more information, call 791-5139 or 791-6001.
Sierra Club
Augusta State University professor Dr. Cathy Tugman will discuss her recent trip to Kenya at the Sept. 21 meeting of the Augusta Chapter of the Sierra Club, 6:30 p.m. at the Universalist Church on Walton Way.
Fall bazaar
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.
ACT registration
College-bound high school students can take the ACT Assessment on Oct. 23, the next national test date. The deadline for postmark registration is Sept. 17 and the late registration deadline is Oct. 1 with an additional $15 late fee. Students can get registration materials from their guidance counselors or they can register online at www.actstudent.org. For more information, call 337-1028.
Practice test
The ASU Continuing Education Division and KAPLAN will give a free practice test for the LSAT, GMAT, GRE, MCAT and SAT at 2 p.m. Sept 18 in Galloway Hall. For information call 1-800-KAP-TEST or visit www.kaptest.com.
Plant exchange
The Cherokee Rose Garden Club will hold a plant exchange and sale from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Savannah Rapids Pavillion parking lot on Sept. 18. Bring plants and gardening items to trade and sale. All participants need to provide their own tables or display equipment. Admission is free. For more information, call 860-3696 or 854-8215.
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.
Crafters sought
Spaces are available for crafters at the Oct. 2 Oliver Hardy Festival in Harlem. For information, call 556-0401.
Colonial Times
The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce will hold the 13th annual "A Day to Remember-Colonial Times" Oct. 16-17 at the Living History Park in North Augusta. The event will feature trades such as blacksmith, gold and silversmith, colonial baking, woodworker, 18th century and more. For information, call (803) 279-7560.
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.
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.
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.