Current Events
Early voting
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Early and absentee voting in the July 20 primary is available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through July 9 at the Columbia County Board of Elections office, Building E, 500 Faircloth Drive, Evans. Advance voting will be held July 12-16.
Writers meet
CSRA Writers will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Borders Books, 257 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. Writers needing a support group are invited to attend and bring eight copies of a manuscript to be critiqued. For information, call Steve Fox at (706) 836-7315.
Bible school
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 402 Aumond Road, will hold vacation Bible school 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday for ages 3 years through eighth grade. To register, call (706) 733-6076.
Women's lunch
Rhoda Byrd, from Lancaster, S.C., will discuss "Perfect Organization for Life" at the luncheon of Augusta Christian Women's Connection, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at its new location at Jensen's Wymberly Clubhouse, 4600 Columbia Road, Martinez. Reservations are required by calling Sandi at (706) 364-6935.
Outdoor movies
MCGHealth Children's Medical Center's Movies Under the Stars concludes Friday with Monsters vs. Aliens at the Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans. Gates open at 7 p.m., and tickets cost $2 for adults, $1 for children 13-younger. Lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and coolers are welcome, and concessions are also available. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Call (706) 721-4598, or visit mcghealth.org/movies.
Music festival
The third annual Eryn Eubanks and The Family Fold Music Festival benefiting Lynndale School will be held noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at Lake Olmstead. Tickets cost $10, and include Sconyer's Barbecue. Call Patrick Eubanks at (706) 736-0043 or go to www.eryneubanks.com.
Radio field day
The Columbia County Amateur Radio Club will hold its annual ARRL Field Day on Saturday at Points West Army Resort, Cabin 7, at Clarks Hill Lake. Call Pete LaPierre, K1OYQ, at (706) 854-7870.
GOP breakfast
Maria Sheffield, candidate for state insurance commissioner, and Joey Brush, candidate for public service commissioner, will be the guest speakers at the monthly breakfast of the Columbia County Republican Party, 8:45-10:15 a.m. Saturday at Fatz Caf in Evans. Breakfast costs $6.
Art camp
The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art Summer Art Camp for ages 5-11 will be held 10 a.m. to noon weekdays through June 30 at The Quest Church, 4020 Washington Road, Martinez. For information, call (706) 722-5495, or go to www.ghia.org.
Hearing loss
The Hearing Loss Association of Augusta meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Monday of 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.
Ushers anniversary
Friendship Baptist Church, 5212 N. Tubman Road, Appling, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Usher's Ministry at 2 p.m. June 27, with the Rev. Esaias Merritt and Macedonia Church of Grovetown.
Youth service program
A volunteer/community service program for rising ninth- through 12th-grade students is available this summer at the Helping Hands Thrift Store, 6347 Columbia Road, operated by the Columbia County Foundation for Children, through July 29 for three days per week. For information, e-mail ccffc@comcast.net or call Michel Young 9:30-2 p.m. Thursdays at (706) 541-2849.
Bike night for MCG
U.S. Marine Harley Riders and Riverfront Marine Corps League Detachment 1132 will hold a motorcycle night from 6-9 p.m. June 29 at the Sno Cap Drive-in, North Augusta, to collect money and toys to donate to the MCG Children's Hospital.
Addiction help
Mosaic United Methodist Church's Celebrate Recovery program will hold information sessions from 7-8 p.m. each Friday in August at Bean Baskette in the Columbia County Library. Weekly group sessions will begin in September at the church, 678 Columbia Industrial Blvd., Evans, at 7 p.m. each Friday. Call (706) 877-6468, or go to www.mosaicumc.org.
TOPS groups meet
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support group, meets at 6 p.m. each Thursday at Grovetown United Methodist Church, 206 E. Robinson Ave. Call (706) 863-0726. A TOPS group also meets at 4:45 p.m. each Tuesday at Pine View Baptist Church, 119 Pleasant Home Road. For information, call (706) 863-6525.
Youth library programs
Columbia County libraries are holding young adult programs in July, including jewelry-making parties at 4 p.m. July 1 at the Evans library, July 8 at the Euchee Creek library and July 15 at the Harlem library, and Shiva yoga classes for beginners at 2 p.m. July 2 and 9 at the Evans library. Registration is required by calling (706) 863-1946.
Women vets
The Women's Veterans Club meets at 11 a.m. the first Saturday of each month. Dues cost $24 per year. For information, call April Starks at (706) 868-5601.
Gardening series
The Columbia County Cooperative Extension Service's Gardening at Lunch series with Extension Agent Charles Phillips at the Columbia County Library in Evans continues at 12:10 p.m. July 7 at with a program on controlling insects in lawns and shrubs. Future programs include caring for hydrangeas, Aug. 4; fall vegetable gardening, Sept. 1; composting, Oct. 6, plants for shade gardens, Nov. 3; and garden jobs by the month, Dec. 1. For information, call (706) 868-3413.
Rescue benefit
Best Western Evans Hotel will sponsor a breakfast benefit for CSRA Happy Tails Rescue 7-10 a.m. July 10 at Fatz Caf, 464 N. Belair Road, Evans. Tickets cost $8 and are available at Best Western Evans Hotel or during any CSRA Happy Tails Rescue's adoption events at Tractor Supply (next to Sam's Club) on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. For information, go to www.kibbleforkritters.com, or e-mail kim@stayaugusta.com.
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.
Advocates sought/p>
Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services is seeking volunteers to serve as victim advocates in the Augusta area. Volunteer training will be held July 15-19 at University Hospital. For information, contact Dinah Gunn at (706) 774-2746 or volunteerrcsas@uh.org.
Kids in kitchen
Kim Beavers, diabetes educator and co-host of Eating Well with Kim on News 12's Midday program, will present a cooking demonstration for parents and their children from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 15 at the Belair Conference Center. Lunch will be served, and reservations are required at www.universityhealth.org/calendar or by calling (706) 828-2502.
Mammograms
University Hospital's Mobile Mammography Unit will be at the hospital's Columbia County campus on Flowing Wells at Columbia Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 21. To schedule an appointment, call (706) 774-4149.
Class reunions
Classmates are being sought for the Harlem High School Class of 1980 30th reunion, to be held July 24 at Red Oak Manor in Harlem. for information, e-mail billjones904@hotmail.com.
The Evans High School class of 1970 is seeking classmates from the classes of 1969-1972 for a reunion on Oct. 23. Send contact information to jeanroper@gmail.com or call (706) 495-8088, or join the group EHS Class of 70 Alumni & Classmates on Facebook.
The Burke County High School Class of 1994 will hold its reunion Oct. 23. Go to bcchsclassof1994reunion.myevent.com.
CASA training
Training for Child Enrichment's Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers will be held July 26-Aug. 3. For information, go to www.childenrichment.org or call (706) 737-4631.
School clinics
The Columbia County Health Department will hold back-to-school immunization walk-in-clinics 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 27-Aug. 9 at all three health department locations. For information, call (706) 868-3330.
School festival
University Hospital's annual Columbia County Back-to-School Festival will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 31 at Evans Middle School, 4785 Hereford Farm Road.
Beagle day
The CSRA Beagle Club will hold its 11th annual barbecue and trade day starting at 9 a.m. July 31 at the Winfield Community Center on Cobbham Road. For information, call Dalton Rivers at (706) 595-4853, or e-mail Chuck Terry at kj4ikz@comcast.net.
Preschool signup
Trinity Baptist Preschool, 4594 Columbia Road, Martinez, is accepting registration for the 2010-11 school year for ages 2, 3 and 4. For information, call Shannon Story at (706) 799-0637.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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 on Mental Illness 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.