Current Events
Book fair
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Barnes &Noble Booksellers at Augusta Mall will hold a book fair for Greenbrier High School today. A percentage of every sale with a book fair voucher will go to the school.
Vouchers are available on the school's Web site and at the school. Greenbrier students will perform from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Page applications
Thursday is the deadline for applications for the Spring 2011 Congressional Page Program for one student to be sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul C. Broun.
Pages are students who in their junior year of high school are hired to serve as support staff for the U.S. House of Representatives. They will live, work and study in Washington, D.C., for the session, Jan. 24-May 27.
Applications are available at www.broun.house.gov under "Quick Links." For information, call Jessica Morris at (706) 447-3857.
Jazz series
The Fall Colors of Jazz series at the Augusta Jewish Community Center, 898 Weinberger Way, Evans, continues at 7 p.m. Thursday and on Dec. 9.
Tickets cost $15 per concert and are available at www.columbiacountyjazz. com or by calling (706) 228-3636.
School musical
The third-graders of Brookwood Elementary School, 455 S. Old Belair Road, will present the annual musical Brookwood Sings America at 2 and 7 p.m. Thursday. Admission is free.
Lung program
Pulmonologist A. Lynne Brannen will present "The Facts on Lung Cancer and Common Lung Conditions" from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. The event is free, and dinner will be served. Reservations are required at www.universityhealth. org/calendar or by calling (706) 828-2502.
Veterans parade
Augusta's Veterans Day parade will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday in downtown Augusta.
Coin show
The Augusta Coin Club's fall coin show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Patriots Park Gym. Admission is free.
For information, go to www.augustacoinclub.com.
Library meeting
There will be a "meet and greet" for current and prospective members of Friends of the Columbia County Libraries at 10:15 a.m. Friday in the meeting room at the Evans library. Call Barbara Williams at (706) 863-8760.
Belly dance
The second annual Belly Dance Gala, featuring a variety of dance performances, will begin at 630 p.m. Friday at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $15 at the door or $10 with donation of an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Go to bellydancegala2010.eventbrite.com, or call (706) 364-0011.
Movie night
A family movie night and silent auction to benefit the Augusta Walk for Autism will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Martinez Elementary School, featuring the movie Up! Admission costs $2.
School carnival
The Greenbrier Elementary fall carnival will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with a silent auction, hayrides and inflatables.
Craft show
Marvin United Methodist Church, on Wheeler Road at South Belair Road, will hold a Christmas craft show 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the church gym. Call (706) 863-1970.
Recycling event
Keep Columbia County Beautiful will offer printer cartridge recycling and free on-site shredding of residential papers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Columbia County Recycling Center, 1930 William Few Parkway, Grovetown. Call (706) 312-7195.
Parent's night out
Marshall Family Y will hold Parent's Night Out for ages 2-12 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $10 per child for members, $15 for nonmembers, with a discount for additional siblings. For information, go to www.thefamilyy.org.
Demo day
Blue Ribbon Riders, 987 Reynolds Farm Road, Grovetown, will hold a hippotherapy demonstration day from 12:45 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Visitors should bring chairs. For information, call (706) 854-0644.
Car show
The fifth annual Car, Truck and Bike Show at Trinity Baptist Church, 4594 Columbia Road, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free, and concessions will be available. For information, call (706) 863-1222.
Diabetes expo
University Health will present a diabetes expo noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Road. For information, go to www.universityhealth.org/calendar.
Lecture
Dr. James O'Toole, from Boston College, will present a free lecture, "Passing for White: Race, Religion and the Healy Family, 1820-1920," at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Hall of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Eighth at Telfair streets, Augusta.
Norway scholars
Applications are being sought for students to study abroad next summer in Norway under a Rotary Club program. Students must be single, ages 20-24, and all expenses are paid. For an application, contact Pam Lightsey at (706) 729-2484 or plightsey@aug.edu.
Remembrance Day
The Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars will hold the annual "Massing of the Colors and Remembrance Day" ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday at Fort Gordon's Alexander Hall. For information, call Charles Schuman at (706) 294-0677 or e-mail schumancl@aol.com.
Chanukah Bazaar
The Augusta Jewish Community Center, 898 Weinberger Way, off Furys Ferry Road in Evans, will hold its annual Book Fair and Chanukah Bazaar noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, including a simulcast of "With Earth and Each Other: A Virtual Rally for a Better Middle East" at 1 p.m. For information, call (706) 228-3636.
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.
Grants available
Applications for 2011 grants from Women in Philanthropy, for tax-exempt organizations located and providing services in Columbia or surrounding counties, are available through Monday at www.wipcsra.org.
Farm week
In recognition of National Farm-City Week, Nov. 19-25, the Columbia County Farm Bureau will hold a member appreciation drop-in luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. For reservations, call Patty Odom at (706) 556-6258 or e-mail paodom@gfb.org.
Leah donations
Donations of archival and historical material are being sought for the Leah High School display at the new Leah fire station. For information, call Gary or Nancy Blanchard at (706) 541-0043.
Hospice volunteers
Hospice Care of America is seeking volunteers. For information, call Rick Boland at (706) 447-2626.
Blood drive
Columbia County EMA and Shepeard Community Blood Center will hold a blood drive Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Government Complex Auditorium in Evans, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roads and Bridges Department in Appling.
Nutrition seminar
A nutrition seminar, "Recipe Make-Overs," will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Marshall Family Y. Cost is free to members, $10 to non-members. For information, go to www.thefamilyy.org.
Dessert concert
The Augusta Children's Chorale's annual "Just Desserts" concert will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Tickets cost $10 at the door, or in advance by calling (706) 826-4718.
Newcomers
The Augusta Area Newcomers Club will hold a luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at West Lake Country Club. For reservations, e-mail hospitality@augustanewcomers.net, or call Susan Salisbury at (706) 814-6297.
Fall festival
Trinity Baptist Church, 4594 Columbia Road, will hold a fall festival 4-10 p.m. Nov. 19. For information, call (706) 863-1222.
Toy run
The 11th Annual Augusta Toy Run motorcycle ride to benefit Fort Gordon's Christmas House, serving the children of military personnel, will begin at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Augusta Museum of History. Cost to ride is at least one new, unwrapped toy for boys and girls ages 2-early teens per person. For information, call (803) 634-0785.
Parent's night out
Marshall Family Y will hold a free Parent's Night Out for children of deployed service members, ages 2-12, from 6-9:30 p.m. Nov. 27. For information, go to www.thefamilyy.org.
Turkey shoots
The Grovetown Lions Club is holding its annual fundraiser turkey shoot every Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 11 at 1200 Old Louisville Road, off Harlem Grovetown Road.
Turkey shoot
VFW Post 6445, at 6423 Wrightsboro Road, near Pumpkin Center, is holding a turkey shoot starting at 1 p.m. each Saturday through December. For information, call (706) 556-9194.
Christmas parade
Applications for participants in the Grovetown Christmas Parade, to be held at noon Dec. 4, are available at city hall, the city annex, Liberty Park, Grovetown Department of Public Safety or from www.cityofgrovetown.com. For information, call Laura McManus at (706) 868-9541.
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. Dec. 1 with a program on garden jobs by the month. For information, call (706) 868-3413.
Scholarships
Ten scholarships to graduating seniors are available from the Georgia Farm Bureau for students planning to pursue a college degree in agriculture, family and consumer sciences or a related field. Download an application at www.gfb.org under GFB Programs, then FB Women, or call (706) 556-6258. Deadline for entry is Feb. 25.
Volunteers sought
The Augusta area AARP Tax-Aide Program is accepting applications to prepare income tax returns for low and middle income taxpayers, with special focus on those ages 60 and over. for information, call Lee Lane at (706) 736-6934 or go to www.aarp.org/taxaide.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Christmas festival
The Annual Alleluia Community Christmas Festival will be held 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Alleluia Community School on Peach Orchard at Lumpkin Road. For information, call (706) 798-1882.
Aladdin Jr.
Musical Theatre Workshops will perform Disney's Aladdin Jr. at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 3 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Greenbrier High School Auditorium. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for students. For information, call (706) 231-1759, or go to www.onwiththeshow.biz.
Nativity play
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 4921 Columbia Road, will present "Memories of the Innkeeper's Wife," a Nativity story, at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 in the sanctuary. Admission is free; an offering will be accepted for a local family in need. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served after the pageant. For information, call Meledy Kise at (706) 294-7913.
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.
Church concert
Mark Schultz will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at West Acres Baptist Church on Gibbs Road in Evans. Tickets cost $30, $20 and $15. for information, call (706) 860-6573.
Contests
The Georgia Farm Bureau is holding an essay contest for middle school students and an art contest for high school students, with cash prizes. Deadline for entry is Feb. 25. For information, call the Columbia County Farm Bureau at (706) 556-6258.
Class reunion
The Hephzibah High School classes of 1979-83 will hold a multi-year reunion at 7 p.m. March 12 at Partridge Inn. Tickets cost $55 each. For information, call Yvonne Gossage Partain, (706) 592-0814.
Choral Society
Membership in the Columbia County Choral Society, whose season opens soon, is open to all area singers. Rehearsals are held at First Baptist Church of Evans on Belair Road at Washington Road. For information and rehearsal schedules, call (706) 650-2311 or go to www.ccchoralsociety.
Thrift store
The Helping Hands Thrift Store, operated by Columbia County Foundation for Children at 6347 Columbia Road, 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.
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.
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.
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.