Current events
Empty Bowl
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The ninth Empty Bowl fundraiser for Golden Harvest Food Bank will be from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Jewish Community Center, off Furys Ferry Road in Evans. Advance tickets cost $15 for adults, $5 for ages 2-10; tickets at door cost $20 and $7.50. The first 200 guests receive a gift. Go to www.emptybowlcsra.org.
Vendors sought
- Vendors are needed for Martinez Elementary School carnival, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20. Call Tiffany at (706) 869-9474.
- Cedar Ridge Elemen-tary School is seeking vendors for its spring carnival March 27. Spaces cost $20. E-mail Wendy Smith at wseese@yahoo.com or call (706) 631-9696.
Gardening tips
Columbia County Exten-sion Service's Gardening at Lunch series begins at 12:10 p.m. today with a program on lawn care. Future programs will include insect and disease control in vegetable gardens, April 14; maintaining irrigation systems, May 5; and gardening for kids, June 2. Call Extension Agent Charles Phillips at (706) 868-3413.
Free wills
Georgia Legal Services Program will offer a free wills clinic for low-income residents from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 13 at the program office, 209 Seventh St., Suite 400, Augusta. Registration is required by Friday. Go to www.glsp.org.
Pancake benefit
Martinez-Evans Optimist Club's annual Old-Fashioned Pancake Breakfast from 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday at Warren Baptist Church. All-you-can-eat tickets cost $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Optimist Childhood Cancer Campaign. There will be prize drawings every 30 minutes.
Wild game
The Augusta West Rotary Club will hold the ninth annual A Taste of Something Wild at the Julian Smith Barbecue Pit on Milledge Road in Augusta, 5-8 p.m. Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Augusta Alzheimer's Association. For tickets and information, call Russ Stullken at (706) 631-8781 or e-mail rstullken@knology.net.
Poets sought
The 10th Annual Poetry Contest is seeking entries from middle- and high-school age poets and college-age and adult poets. The deadline is March 31. For information, go to www.poetrymatterscelebration.com.
Women vets
The Women's Veterans Club 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.
Survivor speaks
Rev. Lora Pavlenko from Kiev, Ukraine, will speak Sunday at North Columbia Church in Appling at 10 a.m., and at Harlem Baptist Church at 5:30 p.m. Pavlenko's grandfather and his brother were the only members of their family to survive Josef Stalin's forced famine that killed 17 million Ukrainians from 1932-33. For information, call Rev. Dan White at (706) 832-0986).
Pre-K hotline
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.
Scholarships
The Fort Gordon Service Club is accepting applications for merit-based scholarships for graduating seniors and adults continuing their education. Applicants must be the dependent or spouse of a service member, active or retired, with valid military ID, or the dependent of a Fort Gordon Service Club Member. The deadline for entry is March 15. For information, go to www.fortgordonserviceclub.org, or call (706) 910-0213.
Open rehearsal
The Augusta Children's Chorale will hold an open rehearsal at 7 p.m. Monday at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center .
Wine tasting
A wine tasting to benefit The Jud C. Hickey Center for Alzheimer's Care will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at The Snug Steak and Grill, 240 Davis Rd, Augusta. Cost is $10 at the door.
Book signing
Author Michael Waddell will hold a book signing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Barnes and Noble Booksellers at Augusta Mall.
Alzheimer's conference
Geriatric psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Larry Tune of Emory University and dementia care specialist Teepa Snow will be the speakers for the Alzheimer's Association's 11th annual education conference 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 13 at the Gordon Club at Fort Gordon. Registration is required by Monday. A limited number of seats are available free for immediate family caregivers; the fee for direct care workers, students and other family caregivers is $25; the fee for professionals is $45. Exhibitor spaces also are available. For information, call (706) 731-9060.
Clothes closet
The clothes closet in the family life center at Marvin United Methodist Church, Belair at Wheeler Road, is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clothing is free, but donations are welcome.
Tax prep at fort
The Tax Center at Fort Gordon at the Courtyard, on Brainard Avenue, is 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.
Alzheimer's groups
Three 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.
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.
Turkey shoot
A turkey shoot to support the building fund at Riverview United Methodist Church, 1244 Furys Ferry Road, Evans, will be held 5-9 p.m. March 12-13 and March 19-20. The cost is $5 per shot, shells provided. For information, go to www.riverviewumc.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.
St. Patrick's dance
Ga-Lina Christian Singles will hold an early St. Patrick's Day celebration and dance from 7-11 p.m. March 13 at Social Inc., in Village West Shopping Plaza, 3157 Washington Road. Admission costs $10 for non-members. For information, call (706) 863-1214 or go to www.ga-linasingles.com.
River trips
Savannah Riverkeeper will offer two-day trips on the Savannah River March 13-14 and April 17-18 as an educational opportunity for local middle school students. The cost of the trip is $75 per person and will be limited to the first 40 students who sign up. At the end of the trip, the student who writes the best report will win a new laptop. For information, call (706) 826-8991, e-mail info@savannahriverkeeper.org or visit www.savannahriverkeeper.org.
Homecoming
Damascus Baptist Church, on Ridge Road in Leah, will celebrate its 190th anniversary with homecoming services at 11 a.m. March 14, followed by dinner on the grounds. Revival services will continue at 7 p.m. March 14-17, with Dr. David Sapp from Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Newcomers
The Augusta Area Newcomers Organization will hold a luncheon and auction at 10 a.m. March 18, and a welcome coffee at 11 a.m. March 30. For information, e-mail hospitality@augustanewcomers.com or call Laura Dobbins at (706) 364-6824.
Canal cleanup
Volunteers are needed for the semi-annual Augusta Canal clean-up, 9 a.m. March 20, starting at Lake Olmstead Park near the boat ramp. Volunteers will be served a picnic lunch after the cleanup. For information, call (706) 925-1130 or e-mail mejacobson@comcast.net.
Symposium
The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Youth Symposium will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20 at the Olde Town Community Outreach Center, 304 Walker St., Augusta. Reservations are due by March 15 by calling Alice Simpkins at (706) 821-8283, or e-mailing ams-sgr70@comcast.net.
Turkey banquet
The National Wild Turkey Federation's CSRA Chapter will hold its 23rd annual Hunting Heritage Banquet at 6 p.m. March 16 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Tickets cost $65 in advance, $75 at the door. For information, call Jeff McGahee at (706) 533-4034.
Golf tourney
Augusta Christian Schools will hold its annual golf tournament with lunch at noon March 19 at Bartram Trail Golf Club followed by a 1:15 p.m. shotgun start. Proceeds will benefit the school's athletic program. Corporate and individual participants are welcome, and corporate hole sponsors are needed. For information, call Cary Rivers at (706) 863-2905, ext. 106, or Buzzy Banks at (706) 855-1998.
Navy band
The United States Navy Band from Washington, D.C., will perform at 7 p.m. March 22 at West Acres Baptist Church, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans. Free tickets are available by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to The U. S. Navy Band Concert, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans, GA, 30809. or at West Acres' office. For information, call (706) 860-7673, ext. 114.
Kindergarten preview
Stevens Creek Elementary will hold a kindergarten preview and registration night 6-7 p.m. March 23. Parents of students entering kindergarten at the school for 2010-11 are invited to attend. For information, call Susan Hadden at (706) 868-3705.
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.
Jazz series
The Colors of Jazz series begins March 18 with Karen Gordon and Garden City Jazz at 7:30 p.m. at the Augusta Jewish Community Center in Evans. Future performances include Dr. Robert Foster, April 22, and Geraldine Eisenberg, May 13. Tickets cost $10 per show, or $25 for the series. For information, go to www.columbiacountyjazz.com.
Yard sale
The Harlem Middle School Athletic Booster Club will hold a yard sale 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20 in the school's parking lot, or in the gym in case of rain. For information, call Trent McDaniel at (706) 825-5700.
Pesticide training
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and the Georgia Crop Production Alliance will hold an Internet recertification training for pesticide applicators from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. For reservations, call (706) 868-3413.
Navy program
Applications are being accepted for the United States Naval Academy summer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Program 2010, to be held June 7-12, June 14-19 and June 21-26. The program is an overnight academic camp designed for rising eighth-11th grade students in good academic standing who have an interest in math and science. For information, call (410)293-1858 or go to www.usna.edu/admissions. The deadline for applications is April 1.
Alzheimer's event
The Augusta Alzheimer's Association will hold its annual spring fundraiser, "Hope Uncorked! A Night to Remember," from 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 16 at St. Paul's River Room, 605 Reynolds St., Augusta. Tickets cost $50. For information, call (706) 731-9060.
Harlem barbecue
The city of Harlem barbecue cookoff and annual spring trash to treasures sale will be held 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, go to www.harlemga.org or call (706) 556-0043.
Ringers perform
The Wesley United Methodist Church Ringers will perform in concert at 7 p.m. April 18 at the church, 825 North Belair Road, Evans.
Spring fling
Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church will hold a spring fling and chicken barbecue from 6-10 p.m. April 24. Cost is $5.
Derby Day
The Augusta Training Shop's annual fundraiser, Derby Day, will be held 4-8 p.m. May 1 at St. Paul's River Room, 605 Reynolds St., Augusta. Tickets cost $50 in advance, $60 at the gate, and are available at www.augustatrainingshop.com through PayPal; at all Georgia Bank and Trust branches; or at The Augusta Training Shop.
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.
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.
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.