Current events
Hanukah dinner
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The annual Augusta Jewish Community Center Hanukah Latke and Turkey Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. today at the center, 898 Weinberger Way, off Furys Ferry Road in Evans. Cost is $10 for adult members, $6 for children with a $30 family maximum, or $12 adult non-members, $8 children. Call (706) 228-3636.
Singing Tree
The annual performances of Abilene Baptist Church's Singing Christmas Tree will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Dec. 12. Tickets are free but are required and can be picked up on the second floor of the church's education building during office hours.
Santa breakfast
Lewiston Elementary School, 5426 Hereford Farm Road, will hold Breakfast With Santa at Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday. The event includes pictures with Santa, a holiday shop and silent auctions. Breakfast orders must be prepaid by Friday. Call (706) 650-6064 extension 350, or e-mail lewistonpto@ymail.com.
Vendors needed
Cedar Ridge Elementary School is seeking vendors for its Breakfast with Santa to be held Saturday. E-mail Wendy Smith at wseese@yahoo.com, or call (706) 631-9696.
Car wash benefit
During December, Sparkle Express Car Wash on Washington Road in Evans will donate a portion of the $9.99 car wash to the Columbia County Foundation for Children. Customers should enter code 3016.
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.
Driver class
The AARP Driver Safety Course, a refresher course for motorists aged 50 and older, will be held 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Patriots Park, 5445 Columbia Road. Cost is $14, and AARP membership is not required. Participants should bring lunch. To register, call (706) 863-2865.
Newcomers meet
The Augusta Area Newcomers Club will hold a coffee for new members at 11 a.m. Tuesday, and a holiday tea at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 16. For information, e-mail hospitality@augustanewcomers.net or call Susan Salisbury at (706) 814-6297.
Seat inspection
Safe Kids East Central Georgia conducts free child safety child safety seat inspections on the second Wednesday of each month at the Columbia County Sheriff's Office Substation, 650 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans. For an appointment, call (706) 541-3970 or go to www.mcghealth.org.
Pet donations
CSRA Happy Tails Rescue's "Kibble for Kritters" campaign is being held during December, with donations of pet food and accessories accepted at the Best Western Evans Hotel in Grovetown, the Baymont Inn and Suites in Augusta and Americas Best Value Inn on Washington Road. For information, go to www.kibbleforkritters.com.
Nurturing Nature Walk for Young Children
Reed Creek Park, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez, will hold a nature walk for children 10-11 a.m. Thursday. Participation is free for members, $2 per child for non members. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For information, call (706) 210-4027, or go to www.reedcreekpark.com.
Jazz series
The Fall Colors of Jazz series at the Augusta Jewish Community Center, 898 Weinberger Way, Evans, concludes at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets cost $15, and are available at www.columbiacountyjazz.com or by calling (706) 228-3636.
Items wanted
Letters, photos and memorabilia are being sought for a keepsake book to be presented to retiring Columbia County Recreation Department Director Charlie Beale. Items should be sent before Friday to Community and Leisure Services, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Building B, Evans, GA 30809. For information, call (706) 312-7191.
Harlem play
Harlem High Drama will present Tales from Beatrix Potter at 3 p.m. Saturday, and after the play children can participate in activities and meet characters from the show. For information, go to www.harlemdrama.com.
Safe sitters
Safe Kids East Central Georgia will hold its Safe Sitter program for 11- to 13-year-olds from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 825 N. Belair Road, Evans. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. To register, call (706) 721-7606.
Aladdin Jr.
Musical Theatre Workshops will perform Disney's Aladdin Jr. at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 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.
Turkey shoots
The Grovetown Lions Club is holding its annual fundraiser turkey shoot every Friday and Saturday night through Saturday at 1200 Old Louisville Road, off Harlem Grovetown Road.
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.
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.
Chorale concert
The Augusta Chorale will present its Festival of Carols at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Gilbert Lambuth Memorial Chapel of Paine College. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $5 for students. For information, call (706) 830-0991.
Pet food drive
The Pawprints Foundation will hold a pet food drive through Dec. 31 to benefit local animal rescues. Pet food may be brought to Boots Bridles and Britches in Grovetown and Animal House off Riverwatch Parkway. For information, call (706) 863-2067.
CERT training
The Columbia County Emergency Management Agency is accepting applications for the next class of Community Emergency Response Team training, which starts Feb. 22. For information, call (706) 868-3303 or e-mail emergencymanagement@columbiacountyga.gov.
Mammograms
The University Hospital Mobile Mammography Unit will be in the parking lot of the Evans Government Center behind the Emergency Operations Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15. To schedule an appointment, call (706) 774-4149.
Red Cross gifts
The American Red Cross of Augusta is holding a holiday campaign, "Gifts that Save the Day" through Dec. 31, featuring a catalog with more that 20 gift ideas including phone cards for military personnel and disaster clean-up kits for families. The purchase of each gift is a tax-deductible contribution to the Red Cross. To view the catalog, go to www.arcaug.org. For information, call (706) 724-8481.
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.
Christmas service
Columbia County's Community Candlelight Christmas Service, hosted by Mosaic United Methodist Church, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Columbia County amphitheater. Those attending should bring blankets, hats, gloves or scarves to donate to those in need. For information, go to www.mosaicumc.org, or call (706) 650-9187.
Ornament for sale
Lakeside High School's swim/dive team is selling the school's first Christmas ornament. The ornaments cost $10. For information, e-mail panthersplash@gmail.com.
Shoe donations
Augusta-area podiatrists are conducting a collection drive of new and used shoes to be distributed to those in need in the local community. Donations may be delivered to any area podiatrist's office through Jan. 7.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pageant entries
Columbia County girls age 2 to 24 are eligible to compete in the Miss Madison/Elbert Forestry Scholarship Pageant, to be held Feb. 26 in Danielsville, Ga. Winners will be eligible to compete in the Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant. For information, call Linda Thompson at (706) 789-3716, or e-mail lthompson61@windstream.net.
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 offers 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.
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.