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Church event
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The Pastor's Support Ministry of Oakey Grove Baptist Church, 911 N. Belair Road, Evans, will celebrate its 21st anniversary at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Melvin Adams of New Holt Baptist Church will be the guest speaker. For information, call (706) 863-4215.
Red Cross course
The American Red Cross of Augusta will offer the Lay Responder First Aid and CPR/AED course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6, 7 and 8 at the Red Cross office, 1322 Ellis St. Cost is $165. Call (706) 724-8481.
Sunrise service
A n Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. April 12 at the Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans. The event is free, with an offering taken to benefit Augusta Care Pregnancy Center. Visitors should bring blankets and chairs. Call (706) 877-6468 or (706) 863-1228.
Alzheimer's event
The Augusta Alzheimer's Association's fifth annual Night to Remember fundraiser will be 6:30-10 p.m. April 17 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Reynolds St., Augusta. For tickets, call (706) 731-9060.
Musical theater
Musical Theater Workshops will perform Romeo and Harriett at 3 and 7 p.m. April 18 at the Greenbrier High School auditorium. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call (706) 869-0089.
Yard sale
First Baptist Church of Evans, Belair at Washington Road, will hold its community yard and craft sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18, with proceeds benefiting youth missions. For information and space reservations, call (706) 863-1228, or e-mail Michelle Rogers at michelle.fbcevans@knology.net.
Grovetown fest
Vendor spaces are available for the annual Grovetown Heritage Festival, to be held May 9. Spaces cost $20.00. For information, call Rosa Lee Owens at (706) 863-1867.
Essay contest
The Augusta Jewish Federation is holding an essay contest for middle- and high-school students on the topic, "What Israel Means to Me." The contest is open to children of all faiths, with first-place winners receiving a cash prize of $200. Entried are due by noon April 24 and will be announced May 3. E-mail entries to augustafed1@knology.net. For information, call (706) 228-3636.
RV and boat show
The inaugural CSRA RV and Boat Show will be held noon to 5 p.m. May 2 at Wildwood Park in Appling, with boat and recreational vehicle displays and other outdoor recreation vendors, crafts and food. For information, including vendor spaces, call Jeb Bell at (706) 541-3761, or e-mail jbell@columbiacountyga.gov.
Church market
Damascus Baptist Church, on Ridge Road in Leah, will hold a flea market, arts and crafts sale and bake sale, with carryout lunch plates available, starting at 8 a.m. May 2. To rent booth space, call (706) 541-1064, or e-mail rhesterdbc@hotmail.com.
Tax assistance
The Fort Gordon Tax Center, which provides free tax preparation services for active duty military, retirees and their families, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through April 15. The center is located at the Courtyard on Kilbourne Ave.
Starting in February, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will provide free income tax assistance to low- and middle-income taxpayers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Columbia County Library in Evans, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays at the Euchee Creek Library. For information, call Jim Roberts at (706) 860-6430.
Child seat check
Safe Kids East Central holds a child safety seat inspection on the second Wednesday of each month at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office substation on Ronald Reagan Drive. For information, call (706) 541-3970, or go to www.mcghealth.org.
Seniors sought
Senior citizens ages 60-older are being sought to work 20 hours per week to help children read. Positions receive an hourly stipend and mileage reimbursement. For information, call Jackie Kennedy at the Senior Citizens Council at (706) 868-0120.
Churches moving
Covenant United Methodist Church will soon move its services to Eagle Point Plaza on Washington Road in Evans. For information, call (706) 399-6081.
The Church at Greenbrier will move its services starting April 12 (Easter Sunday) to the Evans 14 Cinemas, with services at 9 and 10:15 a.m. For information, call (706) 922-8224, or go to www.tcag.cc.
Scholarships
Applications for the 2009-10 Columbia County Foundation for Children Scholarships are now available from high school counselors and from the Foundation Resource Center, 6347 Columbia Road, Appling, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or submitted electronically. The applications area available by e-mail at ccfcscholarship@gmailcom.
Wildflower walk
Mistletoe State Park, in Winfield, will hold a two-mile spring wildflower walk from 10 a.m. to noon April 18 for adults and children ages 8-older with parents. Visitors should bring water and a lunch. Cost is $3 for parking. For information, call (706) 541-0321.
Spring fling
Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church, Hereford Farm Road at Columbia Road, will hold a spring fling and barbecue chicken dinner from 5-9 p.m. April 25.
Safety fair
MCGHealth Children's Medical Center will present "Kohl's: Keep Our Health Little Ones Safe," from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 in the parking lot of Kohl's in Mullins Crossing, with health and safety exhibits. For information, call (706) 721-4598, or go to www.mcghealth.org/kids.
Alzheimer's group
An Alzheimer's support group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday each month at Brandon Wilde. For information, call (706) 854-3519.
Signing class
University Hospital's Speech and Hearing Center will hold an advanced eight-week sign-language class from 7-8 p.m. Thursday evenings April 16-June 4. Cost is $80 and space is limited. For information, call (706) 774-8559.
YART session
Young Artists Repertory Theater Company is holding winter sessions through May 7 for students age 8-15, and ages 15-old. Classes are held at Day Spring Baptist Church. For information, call (706) 210-8915, or e-mail yart@comcast.net.
Donations sought
Dropped Stitches, a group at Washington Commons that knits blankets for hospitals and soldiers, is seeking donations of yarn from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at the retirement community on Washington Commons Drive off Washington Road across from Club Car. For information, call Holley Howard at (706) 860-0402.
Christian dances
The Christian Social Organization for Single Adults sponsors dances from 7-11 p.m. Saturdays at the Ballroom Dance Center, 525 Grand Slam Drive, Evans, off Evans-to-Locks Road. For information, call Theresa Thigpen at (706) 863-9262.
Freethought Society
The Augusta Freethought Society is seeking members for social gatherings and informal discussion. For information, e-mail augustafreethoughtsociety@gmail.com.
WWII vets sought
The Augusta-Richmond County Historical Society is seeking veterans of World War II for videotape interviews as part of the veterans history project. Volunteers to conduct the interviews also are needed. For information, call (706) 738-8242.
TOPS group
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-profit weight-loss support group, meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Grovetown United Methodist Church, 206 E. Robinson Ave. For information, call (706) 863-0726.
Recycling
Drop-off containers for plastics recycling, newspapers, office paper and cardboard are now available at the Columbia County Government Complex.
TOPS meeting
Chapter 439 of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets 5 p.m. each Tuesday at Pine View Baptist Church, 117 Pleasant Home Road, Martinez.
Rotary meets
The Columbia County West Rotary Club meets at 12:15 p.m. each Tuesday at Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church on Columbia Road at Lewiston Road. For information, call Richard Swann at (706) 868-3559.
Hope Soap
Hope Soap, a private, non-profit 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.
Help needed
Volunteers are needed to help staff the gift shop and book sales area at the Columbia County Library in Evans. For information, call Barbara Williams at (706) 863-8760.
Books wanted
Friends of Columbia County Libraries are seeking donations of used books. The books are sold in the library book store, with funds used to buy new books and fund library programs. Donations are accepted at the Evans and Euchee Creek libraries. For information, call Elige Hickman at (706) 863-2880.
Pilot Club
Pilot Club International is organizing a new club in the area. For information, call Elizabeth Copeland at (706) 955-7205.
Seat inspection
Safe Kids of East Central Georgia will provide a child safety seat inspection by appointment at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Substation, Ronald Reagan Drive at Town Center Drive, Evans, on the second Wednesday of each month. For an appointment, call (706) 541-3970.
Leah High search
The Columbia County Historical Society is seeking photos, information and artifacts related to the former Leah High School for inclusion in a possible historical display. For information, call Gary or Nancy Blanchard at (706) 541-0043.
Nature clubs
Reed Creek Park's Young Naturalist after-school clubs for grades K-2 and 3-5 meet once each month. For information, call (706) 210-4027.
Marine group
A new Marine Corps Motorcycle Association is forming in the Augusta area and is seeking members. The organization will support Marine Corps efforts in the Aiken-Augusta area, including Toys for Tots, the Wounded Warrior program and the Fisher House. For information, call Paul Brewer at (706) 854-1036, or e-mail usmc1008@bellsouth.net.
Coast Guard Auxiliary meets
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at El Valle Mexican Restaurant in the West Town shopping center in Martinez. For information, call John VanOsdol at (864) 391-2170.
Outreach shop
Harlem's Hands Up Outreach Ministries thrift shop, at 110 S. Hicks St., is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday-Friday each week, with free bread available. Donations of clothing, housewares, school supplies and other items also are welcome. For information, call (706) 556-2259.
Bible study
The Rosemount Association holds a Bible study each Wednesday at noon at the Rosemount Association Building on Burks Mountain Road in Appling. For information, call Rev. Alice Dunn at (706) 863-0413.
Optimists meet
The Martinez-Evans Optimist Club meets at noon each Thursday at the Jones Creek Clubhouse. For information, call (706) 830-5730.
Volunteers needed
Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking volunteers to help sort donations in the warehouse. For information, call (706) 736-1199.
Volunteers sought
Safe Kids East Central Georgia is seeking volunteers to help with events, such as car seat and bicycle checks, and to lead ongoing programs that teach safety to children and teens. Training is provided. For information, call (706) 721-7606.
Volunteers needed
Volunteer opportunities are available at the Columbia County Library in Evans. For information, call Jessica Thompson at (706) 863-1946, or e-mail jthompson@columbiacountyga.gov.
Literacy sessions
The Columbia County Library holds tutoring sessions for adults interested in improving their reading skills. For information, call (706) 863-1946.
Safety project
The Grovetown Department of Public Safety has implemented Project Safe House to help provide safe havens for children and the elderly. For information on becoming a block parent, call the department at (706) 863-1212.
Clothes closet
The Marvin United Methodist Church Clothes Closet, at the church at Wheeler and Belair Roads, is open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Donations are accepted on the first day of each month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Members wanted
New members are being sought for the MCG Children's Medical Center Red Wagon Society to plan fund-raisers, 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.
Hospital classes
Doctors Hospital offers a variety of classes each month. For information on all classes, call (706) 651-2450, or go to www.doctors-hospital.net.
Grief support
Portsbridge Hospice holds a free grief support group at 6 p.m. every other Tuesday at the hospice, located at 1365 Interstate Parkway in Augusta. For information, call Chaplain Paul Richardson, (706) 860-7374.
Drivers needed
The American Cancer Society's Augusta chapter is seeking volunteer drivers for its Road to Recovery program, which provides transportation to cancer patients. For information, call (706) 731-9900.
Fire information
The Georgia Forestry Commission, Columbia County Unit, offers advice to all Columbia County residents on whether their home is in line of fire from brush or wild land fires. For information, call (706) 556-3962.
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 (706) 724-5200.
Rotary meets
The Rotary Club of Columbia County meets at 7 a.m. Wednesdays at the Brandon Wilde Clubhouse. For information, call president Lee Clark, (706) 863-2000.
Augusta striders
Augusta Striders is seeking members. Members enjoy group runs, newsletters, monthly meetings and more. For information, visit www.augustastriders.com.
Cancer support group
The MCG Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the mammography area, MCG Breast Health Services, first floor, MCG Medical Center. For information, call (706) 721-0246 or (706) 721-1466.
NAMI meeting
The Augusta Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church on Walton Way. For information, call (706) 432-0021.
Diabetic network
The JDFR Family Network is available to families of children with Type 1 diabetes. For information, call (706) 733-2034.
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. to noon Monday-Friday, (706) 793-9998.
Foster homes sought
Georgia SAFE Therapeutic Foster Care is seeking foster homes for at-risk children and teens. For information, call (706) 210-3435.
Harvest help
Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking volunteer groups of 10-20 people, ages 13 and up, for Saturday help in sorting donated products. For information or to reserve a time, call Laurie Harmon at (706) 736-1199, ext. 208.
Parents sought
Foster and adoptive parents are being sought for children living in Columbia and Richmond counties. For more information on the program, call Christina Ruetz in Columbia County at (706) 541-1640 or Rosalyn Boyd in Richmond County at (706) 721-7171.
Happy Tails adoption
Happy Tails Rescue holds pet adoptions each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., and 4-6 p.m., and Sundays 1-4 p.m., at Superpetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. For more information, call (706) 863-5310.