Current Events
Singers sought
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The Columbia County Choral Society is seeking new members for its 14th season. Rehearsals are held at First Baptist Church of Evans on Belair Road at Washington Road. Call (706) 650-2311 or go to www.ccchoralsociety.org.
Retirement party
The city of Harlem will hold a drop-in retirement reception for former city manager Jean Dove from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at City Hall.
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. today with a program on fall vegetable gardening. Call (706) 868-3413.
VFW yard sale
VFW Post 6445, at 6423 Wrightsboro Road, near Pumpkin Center, will hold a fundraiser yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Swingin' Medallions
The Swingin' Medallions will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $7 at the gate. For information, call (706) 312-7192, or go to www. columbiacountyga.gov.
Elvis fundraiser
The Cliff Tilton Foundation will hold a fundraiser featuring Elvis tribute artists at 6 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 63 on Milledge Road in Augusta. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and are available by calling (706) 863-6586.
Prostate program
Urologist Dr. James Benjamin Kay will present a free dinner program on prostate cancer and PSA testing from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Reservations are required at www.universityhealth.org/calendar or by calling (706) 828-2502.
Catholic class
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church will hold a six-week series, "Awakening Faith," for inactive or marginally active Catholics to reconnect to their faith. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in Room 3 of the Parish Life Building. For information, go to www.st-teresa.com, call (706) 364-9289, or e-mail cleanetta@knology.net.
Spaghetti dinner
The Grovetown Senior Center will hold a fundraiser spaghetti dinner from 5-7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, with dine-in or take-out plates available for $6 for adults, $3 for children 10-younger. For information, call (706) 210-8699.
Ballet performs
Columbia County Ballet will perform Swan Lake and The Velveteen Rabbit at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and are available by calling (706) 860-1852 or at www.columbia countyballet.com.
Barbecue event
A barbecue fundraiser for the UGA Arch Foundation Hendrickson Fund will be held noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Marvin United Methodist Church gym, Wheeler Road at South Belair Road, with plates available for $8.
9-11 Mass
The Knights of Columbus will hold a commemorative mass to honor first responders and military personnel at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 4921 Columbia Road, Grovetown. All first responders to service members are asked to attend in uniform with their families.
Fundraiser run
MCG Children's Miracle Network will hold a Miracle Miles 10K and two-mile fun run to benefit the MCGHealth Children's Medical Center, with registration starting at 7 a.m. Sept. 11 at Lake Olmstead. Go to www.runsignup and search for the Miracle Miles 10K.
Diabetes info
Robin Petry, RN, CDE, will present a free diabetes information dinner program from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Belair Conference Center, 4083 Singh Lane. Reservations are required at www.universityhealth.org/calendar or by calling (706) 828-2502.
Junior Board
The Watson-Brown Foundation is accepting applications for its 2010-2011 Junior Board program for students from Columbia and surrounding counties. Deadline for applications is Sept. 13. Call Michelle Zupan at (706) 595-7777 or e-mail to mzupan@hickory-hill.org.
Law academy
Applications are being accepted for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Citizen's Law Enforcement Academy, which begins Sept. 16. Download applications from www.columbiacountyso.org, or call (706) 541-2856.
Turkey shoot
The Grovetown Lions Club will hold its annual fundraiser turkey shoot every Friday and Saturday night Oct. 1 through Dec. 11 at 1200 Old Louisville Road, off Harlem Grovetown Road.
Vendors wanted
Crafters and vendors are being sought for the fall craft show at Marvin United Methodist Church. Call (706) 863-1970 or e-mail marvinwomen21@gmail.com.
Rotary exchange
Applications are available for Rotary Club group study exchange team members to travel to New Zealand April 1-May 10, 2011. Interviews will be held in September. Team members must be between the ages of 25-40, and not be a Rotarian. Call Pam Lightsey at (706) 840-2087, or e-mail plightsey@aug.edu.
Soldier packages
VFW Post 6445, on Wrightsboro Road in Harlem is collecting donations of toiletries, snacks and writing materials for service members in Afghanistan. Donations may be brought to the post from 3-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, or noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 15. Call (706) 556-9194. Monetary donations also will be accepted.
Addiction help
Mosaic United Methodist Church's Celebrate Recovery program holds weekly group sessions at 7 p.m. each Friday at the church at 678 Columbia Industrial Blvd., Evans. For information, call (706) 877-6468, or go to www.mosaicumc.org.
Fishing rodeo
To celebrate Georgia's Free Day in the Parks, Mistletoe State Park will hold a kids fishing rodeo 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 25 for ages 15-younger, with parking fees waived. The park will provide hot dogs and drinks after the rodeo. For information, call (706) 541-0321.
Hardy Hundred
The annual Hardy Hundred bicycle ride, sponsored by the Columbia County West Rotary Club, will be held Oct. 10. To register, go to www.active.com or call David Titus at (706) 836-8821.
Warren preschool
Warren Baptist Church holds weekday preschool and mother's day out classes for ages 1 through preK 4. For information, call (706) 860-6878 or go to warrenbaptist.org.
Rape counseling
Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services is seeking volunteer advocates from area counties. Advocates must be able to respond to area hospitals within 30 minutes of being called. For information, call Dinah at (706) 724-2746 or e-mail volunteerrcsas@uh.org.
Preschool
Trinity Baptist Preschool, 4594 Columbia Road, Martinez, is accepting registration for the 2010-11 school year for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. For information, call Shannon Story at (706) 799-0637.
Marine League
The Marine Corps League Riverfront Marines Detachment 1132, meets the second Thursday of every month at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1002 Carolina Ave., North Augusta, with dinner at 6 p.m. and the meeting at 7 p.m. For information, contact Paul Brewer at (706) 306-6667 or usmc1008@bellsouth.net.
Phones for soldiers
Starling Funeral Home, on Highway 78 in Harlem, is accepting donations of cell phones from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday for the Cell Phones for Soldiers drive, which raises funds to provided prepaid calling cards to deployed troops. For information, call (706) 556-6524.
Cancer group
The MCG Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the first-floor community room at the MCGHealth Cancer Center, 1411 Laney-Walker Blvd. For information, call (706) 721-4109 or go to mcghealth.org.
Art reception
Twisted Fence Art Gallery, 214 N. Louisville St., Harlem, holds Twisted Tuesday on the first Tuesday every month, and in August will feature Columbia County artist Cyndy Epps.
Help group
Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday evening at The Sanctuary Church, 302 Byrd Road, Evans. For information, call Matt Lever at (706) 421-0089.
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. For information, call (706) 731-9060, or go to www.georgiamemorywalk.org.
Survivors
Fort Gordon's Survivor Outreach Services, for families of deceased soldiers, is available at (706) 787-4767 or at myarmyonesource.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Orchestras
The Columbia County Civic Orchestra holds weekly rehearsals 7:15-9:15 p.m. Mondays in the music suite at West Acres Baptist Church, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans. Returning and new musicians are welcome. The Youth Orchestra holds rehearsals 7-9 p.m. Thursdays in the Augusta Christian band room, 313 Baston Road. For information, call Rob Nordan at (706) 860-6573, ext. 114, or go to www.columbiacco.org.
Singers sought
The Augusta Choral Society (ACS) is seeking new members for its 2010-2011 season. For information, go to www.augustachoralsociety.org or call (706) 826-4713.
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.
Fencing class
Registration is now open for a 10-week class in beginning foil fencing at the Augusta Fencers Club. The class is designed for adults, but mature students as young as 13 may apply. The class meets on Thursdays from 6-6:50 p.m. at 134 Ninth St., Augusta, starting Sept. 9. Cost is $150, with equipment provided. For information, call (706) 722-8878.
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.
Regency Hospice is seeking volunteers. Training is provided. For information, call Nancy Browning at (706) 868-4422.
Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking volunteers to help sort donations in the warehouse. For information, call (706) 736-1199.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.