Current events
Help for Haiti
//
- Covenant United Methodist Church will hold a "Hearts for Haiti" concert at 6 p.m. Saturday at the church, 4536 Washington Road, in Evans. A local high school artist also will be selling original paintings. All proceeds will go to Haiti through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. For information, call (706) 496-3623.
- Foot Solutions of Evans, in Mullins Crossing, is collecting lightly used shoes for the Soles 4 Souls charity, to be sent to Haitian refugees. For information, e-mail augusta@footsolutions.com or call (706) 228-3663.
Alzheimer's Day
The Alzheimer's Association of Augusta will be taking buses to the state Capitol Feb. 8. for Alzheimer's Day. Buses will leave the New Hope Worship Center on Old Belair Road at 6:30 a.m. Participants will receive the bus ride, lunch and a T-shirt at no charge. To reserve a space, call Kathy Tuckey at (706) 731-9060.
CERT sign-ups
Registration is now open for Columbia County Community Emergency Response Team training, with classes starting Feb. 23 and Aug. 10. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 11. For information, e-mail emergency management@columbia countyga.gov or call (706) 868-3303.
Pre-K hot line
The Columbia County school system has set up a pre-kindergarten registration hotline with information on the new drawing process for pre-K classes at (706) 541-1829.
Volleyball clinic
A volleyball basics clinic to benefit the Lakeside Volleyball program will be held 2-4 p.m. today in the Lakeside High School gym. Cost is $30. For information, call (706) 650-8083.
Clark award
Monday is the deadline for applications for the Ryan Clark Community Service Award, with a scholarship of at least $1,000. For information, e-mail connectcolumbia@yahoo.com, or call (706) 556-0609.
Tax prep at fort
The Tax Center at Fort Gordon will open at 9 a.m. Monday at the Courtyard, on Brainard Avenue, and will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. For information, call (706) 787-1040.
Democrats meet
The Columbia County Democratic Party will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the Columbia County Government Complex in Evans. Participants should bring non-perishable foods, recyclables, and other items for Columbia County Cares. For information, call (706) 513-3400.
Mideast talk
Roee Elisha and Ghadeer Khoury will discuss waters-sharing issues across borders in the Holy Land at 7 p.m. Monday at the Augusta Jewish Community Center, off Furys Ferry Road, in Evans. Admission is free. For information, call (706) 228-3636.
Auditions
Enopion Theater Company will hold auditions for parts for four women and four men from 6-8 p.m. Monday and Thursday for the musical, "Noah." Material for the audition is available at www.enopion.com. For information, call (706) 771-7777.
Newcomers/p>
The Augusta Newcomers Organization will hold a coffee at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the home of a member, and a luncheon will be held at the Pinnacle Club at 10 a.m. Feb. 18. For information, e-mail hospitality@augustanewcomers.com, or call Laura Dobbins at (706) 364-6824.
Clothes closet
The clothes closet in the family life center at Marvin United Methodist Church, Belair at Wheeler Road, will reopen 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Clothing is free, but donations are welcome.
Gardening tips
The Columbia County Extension Service Gardening at Lunch series will be held at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday with a program on pruning fruit trees and muscadines. Future programs include lawn care, March 3; insect and disease control in vegetable gardens, April 14; maintaining irrigation systems, May 5; and gardening for kids, June 2. For information, call county Extension Agent Charles Phillips at (706) 868-3413.
Gospel concert
The Dixie Echoes Quartet form Pensacola, Fla., will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bethesda Bapstist Church, 5793 Old Augusta Highway, in Harlem. For information, call (706) 556-6818.
CASA training
Training for Child Enrichment's Court Appointed Special Advocate Program will be held Thursday through Feb. 9. For information, call (706) 737-4631 or go to www.ChildEnrichment.org.
Spaghetti dinner
The Augusta South Rotary Club's annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser, with author and motivational speaker Cassandra King, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Augusta State University Ballroom. Cost is $12. For information, call (706) 284-8904.
MOMS Club
The Evans chapter of MOMS Club International will hold its second annual Preschool and Mom's Morning Out Fair from 2-4 p.m. Friday at the Patriots Park Gym. Representatives from area preschools and mother's morning out programs will be on hand to answer questions and distribute information to parents. Admission is free. Area preschools and Mom's Morning Out programs wishing to participate should e-mail Evans_moms@yahoo.com by Jan. 25.
Art concert
The Stephanie Forbes Free Art Show Concert will be held from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at West Town Community Church, 779 North Belair Road, Evans. For information, e-mail blondi7854@yahoo.com.
5K walk, run
A 5K walk and run to benefit the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at West Acres Baptist Church, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans. For information, go to www.chasingacureforeb.com.
Prom dresses
Formally Yours, a high school student's program to collect prom gowns for students in need, will have donated dresses available for girls to choose from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Crossbridge Baptist Church. For information, e-mail formallyyours10@yahoo.com.
Aquinas test
Aquinas High School will hold its placement test for 2010-11 admission from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday. A $20 fee is payable at the time of the test. Parents are invited to attend a forum during the first hour of the testing session. For information, call (706) 736-5516.
Women vets
The Women's Veterans Club is seeking new members. The group meets at 11 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at Ryan's Family Steakhouse, 208 Bobby Jones Expressway, Martinez. Dues cost $24 per year. For information, call Garnet Brickey at (706) 210-7331, or April Starks at (706) 868-5601.
Night of White
The second annual Night of White benefit dinner and silent auction, with proceeds going to pediatric patients at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital, will be held 7-10 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Pinnacle Club in Augusta. Tickets cost $50. For information, call (706) 650-6551.
Alumni tea
The Augusta Area Alumni Chapter of Fort Valley State University will hold a recruitment tea at 3 p.m. Feb. 7 at Glenn Hills High School, with information on scholarships, applications and admissions for area seniors. For information, contact Paul Thompkins at (706) 495-7405, or e-mail ppaullt@aol.com.
Driver class
The AARP Driver Safety classes for motorists age 50 and older will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 8-9 at Patriots Park. Cost is $14, and AARP membership is not required. To register, call (706) 863-2865.
Eyeglass help
The Grovetown Lions Club offers financial assistance for qualifying Grovetown individuals in the purchase of eyeglasses. For information, write to Grovetown Lions Club Eyeglass Program, P.O. Box 248, Grovetown, Ga., 30813.
Alzheimer's groups
Three An Alzheimer's caregiver support groups meet in Columbia County.
Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church: 5555 Hereford Farm Road: 7 p.m., second Tuesday each month. For information, call (706) 541-0085, or (706) 541-0185.
Morningside of Evans, 353 N. Belair Road: 11 a.m., second Saturday each month. For information, call (706) 228-4709.
Brandon Wilde, 4275 Owens Road: 7 p.m., third Tuesday each month. For information, call (706) 854-3519.
Survivor dinner
Zonya Foco will be the guest speaker at University Hospital's heart attack and stroke survivor dinner at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Belair Conference Center. Space is limited to survivors and one guest each. Reservations are required by calling (706) 828-2502, or online at www.universityhealth.org/calendar.
Self-defense class
A free self-defense class for women ages 13-older will be held 3-5 p.m. Feb. 13 at Martial Arts America, 4107 Colben Blvd., in Evans. Participants should wear T-shirts and sweatpants (no shorts). Those under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a release form. For information, call (706) 364-6742.
Black history
The Zack Pollard Club of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, on Washington Road in Evans, will hold its 11th annual Black History Program at 4 p.m. Feb. 14. The guest speaker will be attorney Angelyn M. Wright of Atlanta, with music from the Deacons of Praise and the Male Chorus of Mt. Olive. For information, call Dr. Leslie J. Pollard at (706) 860-3387.
Woodturners meet
Machinist Joey Vann of Columbia will demonstrate techniques for making tools useful in woodturning at the next meeting ot the Savannah River Woodturners, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 at 144 N. Bel Air Road. For information, go to www.savannahriverwoodturners.org or call Lee Carey at (706) 627-8373 or Richard Preston at (803) 643-0012.
Alzheimer's class
The Morningside of Evans Alzheimer's Support Group and the Alzheimer's Association of Augusta will hold a free workshop on early detection at 11 a.m. Feb. 13 at Morningside, 353 N. Belair Road, Evans. For reservations, call Kandra Sheehan at (706) 228-4709.
Hearing loss
The Hearing Loss Association of Augusta meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Monday each month at Room 100 of the Adult Building of First Baptist Church of Augusta. For information, call Debbie Rish at (706) 650-2496, or e-mail hlaag.rish@yahoo.com.
Chocolate fest
Reed Creek Park, off Furys Ferry Road in Martinez, will hold a chocolate festival from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 20. Cost is $5, and reservations are required. For information, call (706) 210-4027.
Pet clinic
Heartsong will hold a vaccination clinic with rabies shots available for $5, cash only, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at Petco in Mullins Crossing. Other vaccinations and tests will be available. For information, call (706) 860-9300.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to family members of Georgia Farm Bureau members who intend to attend a school in the University System of Georgia or Berry College and study in agricultural or related fields. The deadline for applications is Feb. 26. For information, call the Columbia County office at (706) 556-6258, or go to www.gfb.org.
Charity gala
The Columbia County Charity Gala, a black-tie-optional Las Vegas-style event to benefit the Columbia County Arts Endowment Fund and the Columbia County Cares food pantry will be held at 7 p.m Feb. 27 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Tickets cost $75 and are available by calling (706) 312-7191.
Choral concert
The Columbia County Choral Society will present The Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois at 7:30 p.m. March 12 at First Baptist Church of Evans, Belair Road at Washington Road. Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $7 for seniors, students and groups. For information, call (706) 650-2311 or go to www.ccchoralsociety.org.
Bowl-a-thon
Teams and sponsors are being sought for Junior Achievement's annual "Strikes for Success bowl-a-thon March 12 and 13 at Brunswick National Lanes. For information, call (706) 736-3070 or e-mail lcook@georgia.ja.org.
Craft classes
Craft and art classes, including quilting, sewing, crocheting and pottery, are being offered at Etc, 212 N. Louisville St., Harlem. Payment in advance is required to reserve space. For information, call (706) 556-8000, or e-mail etc212@att.net.
Scholarships
Applications for annual math, science and engineering scholarships from the EnergySolutions Foundation are available for 10th-grade students. For information, go to www.energysolutionsfoundation.org.
Green school
North Harlem Elementary is seeking donations of empty printer cartridges and used cell phones for a recycling project. Items may be dropped off at the school on Fairview Drive or at Etc. of Harlem on Louisville Road. For information, call the school at (706) 556-5995.
Volunteers sought
The Grovetown Senior Center is seeking volunteer, licensed drivers with their own vehicles to deliver meals to shut-ins in the Grovetown area. For information, call (706) 210-8699.
Volunteers wanted
Regency Hospice is seeking volunteers. Training is provided. For information, call Nancy Browning at (706) 868-4422.
Dulcimer lessons
The Garden City Dulcimer Club is offering free dulcimer lessons. For information, call (706) 868-0120.
Pet adoptions
Happy Tails Rescue holds pet adoptions from 1-4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday at Tractor Supply, 596 Bobby Jones Expressway. For information, call (706) 955-0438.
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 historical display. For information, call Gary or Nancy Blanchard at (706) 541-0043.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seat inspection
Safe Kids of East Central Georgia provides 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.
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.
Coast Guard Auxiliary meets
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant, 4534 Washington Road, Evans. For information, call John VanOsdol at (864) 391-2170.
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.
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.
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.
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 (706) 736-1199.