Current Events
Fair pageant
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Contestants are being sought for the Miss Columbia County Fair Pageant, Oct. 23 at Greenbrier High School. Single women ages 17-23 are eligible. Call Pat Becton at (706) 863-7645, or e-mail pbecton@knology.net.
Booster car wash
Sparkle Express Car Wash on Belair Road will donate $4 to the Evans High School Band Booster Club for every $9.99 car wash in September. Enter code 4008.
Vendors wanted
Craft exhibitors and vendors are being sought for the fall craft show at Marvin United Methodist Church. For information, call (706) 863-1970 or e-mail marvinwomen21 @gmail.com.
Bag sale
Attic Treasures, a nonprofit thrift store at 195 N. Louisville St., Harlem, is holding a $4 bag sale on summer clothes and shoes until Monday. The store is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Quail banquet
The Augusta Chapter of Quail Unlimited will hold a banquet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. For tickets and corporate tables, call Keith Moore at (706) 414-8857.
Art show
Mascaro's Studio and Gallery, 3127 Washington Road, will hold an art show and reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. For information, call (516) 650-6885.
Voter drive
The Columbia County Board of Elections will hold a voter registration drive 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Oliver Hardy Festival.
Silent auction
A silent auction and barbecue to benefit When Help Can't Wait, which provides services for nursing home residents, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Tickets cost $15. For information, call (706) 855-0715.
Turkey shoot
The Grovetown Lions Club is holding its annual fundraiser turkey shoot every Friday and Saturday night from Friday through Dec. 11 at 1200 Old Louisville Road, off Harlem Grovetown Road.
Rock swap
Graves Mountain will be open to the public 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday for the semiannual Rock, Swap and Dig. Graves Mountain is on U.S. Highway 378 between Lincolnton and Washington. For information, call (706) 401-3173.
Fall festival
Westminster Schools of Augusta, 3067 Wheeler Road, will hold a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For information, go to www.wsa.net.
Church sale
Riverview United Methodist Church, 1244 Furys Ferry Road, will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to raise funds for building expansion. For information, call (706) 564-4800.
Animal blessings
Church of the Holy Comforter, 473 Furys Ferry Road, will hold its annual Blessing of the Animals, rain or shine, at 10 a.m. Saturday, with free treats for animals and owners and free bandanas for dogs. There will also be a special remembrance for pets that have died. All animals should be restrained. For information, call (706) 210-1133.
Church of Our Savior Episcopal, 4227 Columbia Road, will hold its Blessing of the Animals at 4 p.m. Sunday in the courtyard. All animals should be restrained or caged.
Stream class
Columbia County Adopt-A-Stream will hold a class for those interested in chemical monitoring of local streams from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Reed Creek Interpretive Center Park, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez. For information, contact Mike Reardon at gaccaas@hotmail.com, or (706) 421-8639.
Democrats meet
Columbia County Democrats will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday Government Complex Auditorium, Building A, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans. Those attending are encouraged to bring non-perishable donations for Columbia County Cares. For information, call (706) 513-3400, or go to www.columbiacntydemocrats.com.
Brody night
Papa-n-Sons on Washington Road in Evans will donate 10 percent of all sales from 4:30 p.m. until closing Monday and Tuesday and on Nov. 1-2 to the Brody Johnson Fund.
Art and wine
The Augusta Jewish Community Center, 898 Weinberger Way, off Furys Ferry Road in Evans, will hold an art auction and wine tasting at 6 p.m. Oct. 9. Tickets cost $25. For information, call (706) 228-3636.
ECA open house
Evans Christian Academy, 213 S. Old Belair Road, will hold an open house at 7 p.m. Oct. 14. For information, go to www.evanschristianacademy.org, or call (706) 364-3565.
School carnival
South Columbia Elementary's pumpkin patch carnival will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 16. For information, call the school at (706) 863-3220.
Church trip
Oakey Grove Baptist Church is sponsoring a bus trip Oct. 22-24 to Ocean City, Md., for fellowship with Williams A.M.E. Church. For information, call (706) 863-4215 before Oct. 17.
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 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays 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.
Thrift clearance
All summer clothing at the Helping Hands Thrift Store, operated by Columbia County Foundation for Children at 6347 Columbia Road, will be on sale at 50 cents per item through Oct. 7, and fall/winter clothing will be in stock starting Oct. 12. The store is open 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday each month. For information, call (706) 541-2849.
Christian singles
Augusta Christian Singles meets at the Ballroom Dance Center, 525 Grand Slam Drive, off Evans-to-Locks Road, from 7-11 p.m. each Saturday. Cost is $8 for members, $10 for guests. For information, call Barbara Nash at (803) 640-2075.
Holiday bazaar
Vendors are being sought for the Evans Middle School Holiday Bazaar, to be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at the school, 4785 Hereford Farm Road in Evans. For information, go to www.evansmiddle.net or e-mail terri.gibbs@ccboe.net, or call (706) 863-2275.
Newcomers
The Augusta Area Newcomers Club will have a coffee for new members at 11 a.m. Tuesday at a member's home, and a luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at Be My Guest Catering. For information, e-mail hospitality@augustanewcomers.net or call Susan Salisbury at (706) 814-6297.
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. For information, 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.
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. Oct. 6 with a program on composting. Future programs includes plants for shade gardens, Nov. 3, and garden jobs by the month, Dec. 1. For information, call (706) 868-3413.
Greek festival
The annual Augusta Greek Festival will be held 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 953 Telfair St., Augusta. Admission is free. For information, go to www.holytrinityaugusta.org.
Candidate forum
Columbia and Richmond County Democratic parties will hold a Democratic Candidate Forum 6-9 p.m. Oct. 9, in Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans. Candidates for statewide offices and 10th and 12th Congressional District candidates will speak, and refreshments will be served. Admission is free. For information, call Floyd Everett at (706) 868-8314, or go to columbiacntydemocrats.com.
Sale and wash
Harlem Middle School's Athletic Booster Club will hold a yard sale and car wash from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 in the school parking lot.
Obesity walk
The Walk From Obesity fundraiser will begin with 7:30 a.m. registration Oct. 9 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Registration costs $25. For information, go to www.walkfromobesity.com or call (706) 832-3460.
Anniversary
The Byrd Family gospel singers will celebrate their 52nd anniversary at 10 a.m. Oct. 10 at Bible Fellowship Church, 3701 Old Petersburg Road, Martinez, with guest speaker Gerald Smith and music by The Dixie Echoes, Jimmy & Lucille Page and the Bible Fellowship Church singers. The service will be followed by a barbecue dinner and an afternoon gospel sing. For information, call (706) 922-5314 or go to www.biblefellowshipministry.org.
String quartet
The Magellan String Quartet will perform at 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at Augusta Christian Schools Auditorium, 470 Furys Ferry Road, Martinez. General admission costs $10; free to students, music educators and military.
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.
Alumni meet
The CSRA Chapter of the Tennessee Alumni Association will hold its fall banquet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Enterprise Mill, 1450 Greene St., Augusta. Tickets cost $20. For information, call Sandi Taylor at (706) 829-7840, or e-mail dubosetaylor@aol.com.
Farm Bureau
The Columbia County Farm Bureau will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Woodman of the World building in Harlem. For information, call (706) 556-6258.
Pumpkin Patch
Marvin United Methodist Church, on Wheeler Road at South Belair Road, will hold its annual Corner Pumpkin Patch Oct. 14-31. The patch will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. For information, call (706) 863-0510.
Harlem bazaar
Vendor spaces are available for the fall bazaar at Harlem United Methodist Church, to be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16. For information, call Karen at (706) 309-9522.
Crafters wanted
Advent Lutheran Church, 3232 Washington Road, Martinez, will hold a craft fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 16, with spaces available for $40. For information, call (706) 447-5069.
Cut for a Cause
Jon Ric Medical Spa and Salon, 229 Furys Ferry Road, will hold Cut for a Cause noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 to benefit the University Hospital Breast Health Center. For information, call (706) 869-7755.
Driver course
The AARP Driver Safety Course, a six-hour classroom refresher for motorists age 50 and older, will be held 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Patriots Park, 5445 Columbia Road. Cost is $14, and membership in AARP is not required. Participants should bring lunch. Registration is required by calling (706) 863-2865.
Medicare info
The Senior Citizens Council of Greater Augusta will hold a free seminar on Medicare Part A and B from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19, and on Part C and D from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26, at the Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union, 205 Davis Road, Martinez. For reservations, call (706) 868-0120.
Octoberfest
The Greenbrier High School girls basketball team will hold an Octoberfest fundraiser 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 23 with a car and bike show, chili cook-off, silent auction, basketball camp for third-fifth graders, entertainment and concessions. Spaces also are available for a yard sale. For information, call Julie Howard at (706) 831-0091.
Cut for a Cure
Retreat Spa & Salon, 4246 Washington Road, Evans, will hold Cut for a Cure 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 with proceeds benefiting the University Hospital Breast Health Center. For information, call (706) 364-8292.
Farm listings
The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation is accepting applications from farmers for listings in the 2011 Georgia Farm Bureau Quality Hay and Poultry Litter Directory and Georgia Farm Bureau Pollination Directory. Application forms for both directories are available at the Columbia County Farm Bureau office; the deadline for submission is Oct. 29. For information, call (706) 556-6258.
Stream training
Columbia County Adopt-A-Stream will hold macro biological certification training from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 6 at Reed Creek Interpretive Center Park, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez. For information, contact Mike Reardon at gaccaas@hotmail.com, or (706) 421-8639.
Diabetes walk
The Walk to Cure Diabetes will be held Nov. 6 at Savannah Rapids Park. For information, contact Gretchen Daly at gvandaly@yahoo.com or (706) 955-8232, or Stephanie Fuller at s.j.fuller@comcast.net or (706) 541-0146.
Holiday House
Arts and crafts vendors will be available at Child Enrichment's Holiday House, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Riverwood Plantation barn. Admission is a monetary donation or a new toy for foster children. For information, go to www.childenrichment.org, or call Mandy Fox at (706) 737-4631.
Choral Society
The Columbia County Choral Society will perform Handel's Messiah with the Davidson Fine Arts Chamber Orchestra. at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at First Baptist Church of Augusta. Tickets cost $15, or $10 for seniors, students, active duty military and dependents and groups. For information, call (706) 650-2311 or go to www.ccchoralsociety.org.
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.
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.
Art reception
Twisted Fence Art Gallery, 214 N. Louisville St., Harlem, holds its Twisted Tuesday art reception from 7-9 p.m. on the first Tuesday each month.
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.
Preschool
Spaces are available at the Grace Baptist Preschool, 4945 Hardy McManus Road, Evans. For information, call (706) 868-9729.
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.
TOPS groups
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), nonprofit weight-loss support groups, meeting on the following dates:
Harlem Baptist Church, 9 a.m. each Thursday; (706) 556-3309.
Grovetown United Methodist Church, 206 E. Robinson Ave., 6 p.m. each Thursday; (706) 863-0726.
Pine View Baptist Church, 119 Pleasant Home Road, 4:45 p.m. each Tuesday; (706) 863-6525.
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.
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.