Current Events
Current Events
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Youth Leadership
Today at 5 p.m. is the deadline for applying for the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership program for 2010-2011. A participant must be a member of the sophomore or junior class of an educational institution in Columbia County or a resident of Columbia County. Applications are available at Columbia County schools or on the Chamber's Web site, www.columbiacounty chamber.com. Call Lauren Smith at (706) 651-0018.
Purse party
Evans High School FCCLA will hold a purse and accessories party fundraiser from 2:45-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the school commons area. Go to www. serendipity2004.com.
Easter hunt
Mosaic United Methodist Church will hold its inaugural community Easter egg hunt from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Evans Town Center Park behind Kroger.
Bag sale
The Columbia County Foundation for Children's Helping Hands Thrift Store, 6347 Columbia Road, will hold $3 bag sales on family winter clothing through April 8. The store is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call (706) 541-2849 or e-mail at ccffc@comcast.net.
Poets sought
Today is the deadline for entries in the 10th annual Poetry Matters Poetry Contest. Middle- and high-school age poets and college-age and adult poets are invited to enter. For information, go to www.poetrymatterscelebration.com.
Leadership
April 15 is the deadline for applications for the next class of Leadership Columbia County. Call Tammy Shepherd at (706) 364-0425, e-mail tammy@columbiacountychamber.com, or go to www.columbia countychamber.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.
Sunrise services
Mosaic United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Evans will hold an Easter sunrise service at 7 a.m. Sunday at the Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans.
Easter sunrise services will be held from 6:30-8 a.m. Sunday at Fort Gordon's Freedom Park on Rice Road, with Chaplain (Col) Craig Wiley, the senior installation chaplain at Fort Gordon, and music by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Band and the Fort Gordon Navy Choir. In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in Alexander Hall, at Chamberlain Avenue and 28th Street.
Alzheimer's talk
Coach Frank Broyles, author of Coach Broyles Playbook for Alzheimer's Caregivers, will speak 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center at the Columbia County Library in Evans. Admission is free, but reservations are requested. For information, call (706) 731-9060, or e-mail kathy.tuckey@alz.org.
Democrats meet
The Columbia County Democratic Party will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the Columbia County Government Complex Auditorium, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans. Those attending are asked to bring donations for Columbia County Cares. For information, call (706) 513-3400.
Teacher award
April 9 is the deadline for nominations for the CSRA Environmental Science Education Cooperative's CSRA Environmental Teacher of the Year Award, which carries a $500 prize. The contest is open to all grades for public or private schools. For information, go to www.csraesec.org.
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.
Church series
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church will hold a seven-week series, "Awakening Faith," starting at 10 a.m. April 10. For information, call Joe or Mary Soparas (706) 364-9289.
Hosts needed
World Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking local host families for high school boys and girls for the 2010-2011 school year. For information, call Kim Hines at (706) 228-4112, or go to www.world-heritage.org.
Alzheimer's groups
Three Alzheimer's caregiver support groups meet in Columbia County.
Morningside of Evans, 353 N. Belair Road: 11 a.m., second Saturday each month. For information, call (706) 228-4709.
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.
Brandon Wilde, 4275 Owens Road: 7 p.m., third Tuesday each month. For information, call (706) 854-3519.
Mistletoe friends
Friends of Mistletoe State Park, a non-profit volunteer group, will meet at 7 p.m. April 13 at the park's Beach House. For information, call Jack Burke, at (706) 361-0500.
Gardening tips
The Columbia County Extension Service Gardening at Lunch series will be held at 12:10 p.m. April 14 with a program on insect and disease control in vegetable gardens. Future programs include maintaining irrigation systems, May 5, and gardening for kids, June 2. For information, call county Extension Agent Charles Phillips at (706) 868-3413.
Teacher grants
Savannah River Remediation is accepting applications for grants to help elementary teachers improve math and science programs. Interested teachers should contact their school principals for more information. The deadline for applications is April 15. For more information, call Rick Kelley at (803) 208-1707.
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.
Art in the Park
Columbia County Arts Inc. will hold its annual Art in the Park event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 17 at the Columbia County Amphitheater and Memorial Gardens. For information, go to www.columbiacountyarts.org, or e-mail info@columbiacountyarts.org.
Camp meeting
White Oak Methodist Campground will hold its spring camp meeting with services at 7:30 pm April 16, 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 17 and at 11 a.m. April 18. The campground is on White Oak Road, five miles West of Pumpkin Center. For information, call (706) 651-6139.
Relay ride
The Euchee Creek Elementary School Relay for Life team is sponsoring a motorcycle ride fundraiser with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. April 17 at Powell Baptist Church. Cost is $20 for riders, $5 for passengers, with proceeds supporting the Harlem Relay for Life. For information, call (706) 951-3323.
Yard sale
The Youth Woodmen of the World will hold a yard sale and blood drive 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17 at the Rudy Ward Lodge, 4299 Wheeler Road. Seller tables are available for $10. For information, call (706) 833-5320.
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. April 17. For information, go to www.harlemga.org or call (706) 556-0043.
Rescue benefit
A dinner and trivia contest to benefit Heartsong Animal Rescue and Augusta Area Rescue Friends will be held at 4 p.m. April 17 at the Bessie Thomas Community Center, behind the Euchee Creek Library in Grovetown. Tickets cost $15, or two for $25 and are available at Heartsong Spay Neuter Clinic, at PetSmart on Saturdays, or by calling (706) 860-9300 or e-mailing heartsongent@hotmail.com.
Vendors sought
First Baptist Church of Evans is seeking vendors for its annual community yard and craft sale, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17, with proceeds supporting youth mission projects. For information, (706)863-1228 or e-mail fbcecommunityyardsale@yahoo.com.
Grovetown Elementary School is seeking vendors for its spring carnival on May 1. Spaces cost $20 and need to be paid by April 23. For information, e-mail Janet Wood at cclgwood@charter.net or call (706) 447-5015.
Vendorssought
for the eighth annual Grovetown Heritage Festival, set for April 24. For information, go to www.grovetownheritagefestival.com, or call Dick Wiebe at (706) 868-5904.
Memorial service
The annual Confederate Memorial Day service and Southern Heritage March will begin at 11 a.m. April 17 at the Confederate monument on Broad Street, and continue to Magnolia Cemetery for the 11 a.m. service, with guest speaker Col. Jack M. Travis. For information, call (706) 831-6600.
River trip
Savannah Riverkeeper will offer a two-day trip on the Savannah River 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.
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.
Open House
Evans Christian Academy will hold open house for the 2010-11 school year in its new location at the former Berea Baptist Church, 213 S. Old Belair Road, at 3 p.m. April 18 for grades 6-12. For information, go to www.evanschristianacademy.org or call (706) 364-3565.
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 continues at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the Augusta Jewish Community Center in Evans with Dr. Robert Foster, and with Geraldine Eisenberg on May 13. Tickets cost $10 per show. For information, go to www.columbiacountyjazz.com.
Rock dig
Graves Mountain, off U.S. Highway 378 between Lincolnton and Washington, will be open to the public for the semiannual "Rock, Swap and Dig" 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 23-25. Admission is free, and mineral and rock collectors from across the Southeast will have booths for buying, selling and trading, and vendors will provide food and drinks. For information, call (706) 359-3862.
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.
ArtsFest
The annual Augusta Prep ArtsFest will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24 on the Augusta Prep campus, with children's activities, a silent auction and visual and performing arts displays. The event is free. For information, go to www.augustaprep.org.
Spring fling
The Columbia County Foundation for Children will hold a scholarship fundraiser 4-7:30 p.m. at the Springlakes Clubhouse, 104 Springlakes Drive, Martinez. Tickets cost $9. For information, call (706) 294-9594.
Adopt-A-Stream
Columbia County Adopt-a-Stream will hold biological certification training for those interested in monitoring local streams for health and cleanliness. The hands-on class will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 1 Reed Creek Park, behind the Zaxby's on Furys Ferry Road in Martinez. For information, e-mail Mike Reardon at gaccaas@hotmailcom, or call (706) 421-8639.
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.
Pops Under Stars
Symphony Orchestra Augusta's annual Pops! Under the Stars will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 8 at University Health Care System's Evans Campus, 447 N. Belair Road, Evans. Bring blankets or chairs. For information, go to www.universityhealth.org or www.soaugusta.org. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at West Acres Baptist Church, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans.
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/p>
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/p>
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/p>
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.
Crafters of all kinds wanted
for our Spring Craft Show to be held April 24 at
Marvin Methodist Church in Martinez.
Please contact Carol at: 706-863-1970