Places to go

Hope Soap

//

Hope Soap, a private, nonprofit agency that collects toiletries and packages and distributes them to area shelters, has collection sites in the community. Donations, particularly of personal-sized items from hotels, may be brought to The Columbia County News-Times in the Publix shopping center on Washington Road, Evans, and Wild Birds Unlimited, West Town Shopping Center, Martinez. For information and other drop-off locations, call (706) 863-5863.

Tree chipping

The annual Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Home Depot on Bobby Jones Expressway. Trees will be chipped into mulch, which is available free. Participants receive a free dogwood seedling, while supplies last. For information, call Keep Columbia County Beautiful at (706) 312-7191.

Symphony youth

The Augusta Symphony Guild and Augusta Symphony will hold its annual youth competition at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theater at Augusta State University. For information, call Jennifer Witcher at (706) 826-4706.

Easter Seals event

The Easter Seals fundraising event, Gifts from the Vine, featuring wines from the Supery Vineyard of Napa Valley, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26. For information, call (706) 667-9695.

Red Cross training

The American Red Cross of Augusta will hold multiple training opportunities in January.

Babysitter training course, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 13, in Columbia County Library's Young Adult room. Course is for children ages 11-15.

Adult CPR, first aid and AED training, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 13, Columbia County Government Complex Building A.

Adult CPR and AED, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 8 and 22, Red Cross Chapter office, 1322 Ellis St., Augusta.

Infant and child CPR, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 10 and 24, chapter office.

First aid, 6-9 p.m. Jan. 9 and 23, chapter office.

For information on all courses, call (706) 724-8481.

Stage III musical

Columbia County's community theater group, Stage III, will present the musical tribute, Always ... Patsy Cline, at 8 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10, and at 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans. Tickets are available at www.tixonline.com, or by calling (803) 278-4849. For information, call (706) 868-9663.

Members wanted

New members are being sought for the MCG Children's Medical Center Red Wagon Society, to plan fundraisers, volunteer at special events and play with children who are patients at the center. Membership costs $50 per year. For information, call (706) 721-4004.

Phone book recycling

Recycling bins for telephone books are available at the Columbia County Government Complex, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, and at the Water Works Department, 4325 Evans to Locks Road. A collection box for old cell phones also is available in the Community and Leisure Services office, in Building B at the Government Complex. For information, call (706) 312-7191.