Current Events
Church concert
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The Ball Brothers will perform at 11 a.m. today at Jones Creek Baptist Church, 4289 Southern Pines Drive, Evans. A cookout will follow the morning service. For information, call (706) 863-5131 or go to www. jonescreekbaptist.org.
Early voting
Early and absentee voting in the July 20 primary is available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday at the Columbia County Board of Elections office, Building E, 500 Faircloth Drive, Evans. Advance voting will be held July 12-16.
Y day camp
Family Y Camp Marshall for ages 5-12 will be held Monday-July 30 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Evans. Cost is $85 per week for members, $110 per week for nonmembers. To register, go to www.thefamilyy.org.
Creek events
Reed Creek Park in Martinez will hold a nature walk for 3- to 5-year-olds 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, and pond exploration for ages 5-older 4:40-5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Cost for each program is $2 per child. It is free for members. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For information, call (706) 210-4027 or go to www.reedcreekpark.com.
Library programs
Columbia County libraries are holding young adult programs in July, including jewelry-making parties at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Euchee Creek library and July 15 at the Harlem library, and a Shiva yoga class for beginners at 2 p.m. Friday at the Evans library. Registration is required by calling (706) 863-1946.
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. Wednesday at with a program on controlling insects in lawns and shrubs. For information, call (706) 868-3413.
Teams sought
The Augusta Alzheimer's Association is recruiting teams and individuals to participate in the 20th Annual Memory Walk, to be held Nov. 6 at the Augusta Commons. The first 50 team captains or individual walkers to register are invited to a free kick-off luncheon at The Partridge Inn on July 12. Reservations are due by noon Friday by calling (706) 731-9060, or at www. georgiamemorywalk.org.
Church barbecue
Church of Our Savior, 4227 Columbia Road, Martinez, will hold a barbecue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to raise money for the church's Human Needs Ministry. Plates will be available dine-in or takeout for $8.50, with whole barbecue pork butts available for $22 each with orders due by July 3. For information, call (706) 863-1718.
Rescue benefit
Best Western Evans Hotel will sponsor a breakfast benefit for CSRA Happy Tails Rescue 7-10 a.m. Saturday 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.
Anniversary
Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church, 703 Furys Ferry Road, Evans, will celebrate its 130th anniversary at 2:30 p.m. July 11 with the Rev. Paul Bush, pastor of Laura Grove Baptist Church in Clarks Hill, S.C.
Bible school
Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church, on Columbia Road at Hereford Farm Road, will hold vacation Bible school 6-8:15 p.m. July 11-15. For information, go to www.lewismemorial.com, or call Holly Sweat at (706) 513-9428.
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. For information, call (706) 228-4709.
Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church, 5555 Hereford Farm Road: 7 p.m., second Tuesday. For information, call (706) 541-0085 or (706) 541-0185.
Brandon Wilde, 4275 Owens Road: 7 p.m., third Tuesday. For information, call (706) 854-3519.
Seat inspection
Safe Kids East Central Georgia holds free child safety seat inspections on the second Wednesday of each month at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office substation, 650 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans. To make an appointment, call (706) 541-3970 or go to mcghealth.org.
Advocates sought
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.
Nutrition class
A "Smoothie Central" nutrition seminar will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 17 at the Marshall Family Y. The seminar is free to members, $10 for nonmembers. For information, go to www.thefamilyy.org.
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.
Blood drive
Columbia County Emergency Management and Shepeard Community Blood Center will hold a "Save Our Summer" blood drive July 21, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Government Center Auditorium in Evans and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roads and Bridges Department in Appling.
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
The Evans High School Class of 1985 will hold its 25-year reunion July 16-17. For information, call Kelley Cross Sleeper at (706) 860.6151.
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 2000 will hold its 10th reunion 7-11 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Doubletree Hotel. Tickets cost $45 per person or $80 per couple before Aug. 1. Send contact information to evanshigh2000@gmail.com, or go to evanshigh2000.blogspot.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.
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.
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.
Shred day
Keep Columbia County Beautiful will hold Community Shred Day with free on-site shredding of residential papers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 24 at the Columbia County Recycling Center, 424 Chamblin Road, Grovetown. There is a five-box maximum per person. For information, call (706) 312-7195.
Fire meeting
The annual meeting of the Martinez Volunteer Fire Department Inc., dba Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue, will be held at Fire Department Headquarters, 3910 Desoto Drive, Martinez, at 7 p.m. July 26. Residents in the Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue District are encouraged to attend.
CERT class/p>
Registration is available for the next class of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), starting Aug. 16. The deadline for applications is July 25. For information, e-mail emergencymanagement@columbiacountyga.gov.
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.
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.
Health event
Melissa Anderson, M.D., will present a free dinner program on understanding and controlling blood pressure at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at Be My Guest Catering & Events, 4216 Washington Road, Evans, next to Academy Sports. Reservations are required at www.universityhealth.org/calendar or by calling (706) 828-2502.
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.
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. For an appointment, call (706) 541-3970.
Coast Guard Auxiliary meets
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary meets the second Tuesday 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.