Current Events
Fundraiser
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A concert to benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. today at Journey Community Church on Hardy McManus Road. Simple as Surgery, Brandon Reeves, Tyler Ghele and Falling for 3 will perform. Office supplies, clothing, personal hygiene products or other items that could benefit the homeless assistance network are good for admission. For information, call (706) 726-7024.
Lunch program
The Alzheimer's Association and the MCG Memory Disorder Clinic will present a free lunch program, Clinical Trials and Research: TrialMatch, at noon Tuesday at the MCG Alumni Center, 919 15th St. Reservations must be made by noon Monday by calling (706) 731-9060.
Writers meet
CSRA Writers will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Borders Books, 257 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway. Writers are invited to bring eight copies of a manuscript to be critiqued. For information, call Steve Fox at (706) 836-7315.
Sierra Club
Speakers will present information on area recycling opportunities at the meeting of the Sierra Club at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3501 Walton Way Extension. For information, e-mail Fred Hoogland at fredhoogland@yahoo.com.
Democrats meet
Political and educational consultant Denise Freeman will speak at the Columbia County Democrats' January Breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday at Earth Fare, 368 Furys Ferry Road, Martinez. Breakfast tickets cost $10 and may be purchased at www.columbiacnty democrats.com or at the breakfast. For information, call Floyd Everett at (706) 825-8314.
GOP breakfast
Tax Commissioner Kay Allen will speak at the Columbia County Republican Party breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday at Fatz Cafe. Breakfast costs $6.
Parent's night
The Marshall Family Y will hold a free Parent's Night Out for children of deployed military ages 2-12 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Advance registration is suggested. Call (706) 364-3269.
MCG marathon
Teams and individuals are being sought for the MCG Miracle Marathon, a fundraiser for the MCG Children's Medical Center, to be held from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Julian Smith Barbecue Pit. For information, go to www. helpmakemiracles.org.
Zumba event
CSRA Zumba will perform at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 during the Augusta Riverhawks game at the James Brown Civic Center to raise funds for Cole Wooten's medical expenses. Tickets cost $10 and are available by calling (706) 836-4032.
Yard sale
The Columbia County 4-H Horse Club will hold its annual yard sale to benefit equine rescue from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5 in the gym at Marvin United Methodist Church, Wheeler Road at South Belair Road.
Beekeeper class
The Clarks Hill Beekeepers Association will hold an all-day beginner beekeepers class on Feb. 5 for anyone interested in keeping bees or anyone who has just started keeping bees. For information, go to www.clarkshillbeekeepers.org or call (706) 541-2152.
Democrats meet
Columbia County Democrats will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Government Complex Auditorium, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans. Those attending are encouraged to bring nonperishable donations for Columbia County Cares. For information, call (706) 825-8314 or go to www.columbiacntydemocrats.com.
Shooting club
Returning members of the 4-H and Project S.A.F.E. clay pigeon target-shooting program, for students in seventh to 12th grades, will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 8 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. For information, call (706) 868-3413, or go to www.cc4hsafe.info.
Choral Society
The Columbia County Choral Society is open to all singers in the area. Rehearsals are held at First Baptist Church of Evans. For information and a rehearsal schedule, call (706) 650-2311 or go to www.ccchoralsociety.org.
Scholarships
Nominations are being accepted for the Westminster Honors Scholarship. This scholarship opportunity at Westminster Schools of Augusta is open to rising ninth-grade students and ranges from half to full tuition. It is renewable each year. For information, e-mail admissions@wsa.net or go to www.wsa.net/news/honors.
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.
Heart expo
University Hospital will hold its Smart Heart Expo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 19 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Admission is free. For information, go to www.universityhealth.org.
Harlem drama
Harlem High School Drama will present three upcoming events:
God's Favorite will be performed at 7 p.m. Feb. 24-25. Tickets cost $5.
Jared and Lyndsey Bradshaw will perform in concert at 7 p.m. April 18. The concert will feature En Voce and a concert from Jared and Lyndsey. Jared is currently touring with the Jersey Boys, and Lyndsey is a member of the Broadway cast of Wicked .
Cotton Patch Gospel will be presented at 7 p.m. April 27-30 and at 3 p.m. April 30.
For information on all performances, call (706) 556-5980, or go to www.harlemdrama.com.
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 for volunteers to prepare income tax returns for low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special focus on those 60 and older. For information, call Lee Lane at (706) 736-6934 or go to www.aarp.org/taxaide.
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 mult-year reunion at 7 p.m. March 12 at the Partridge Inn. Tickets cost $55 each. For information, call Yvonne Gossage Partain, (706) 592-0814.
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.
Seat inspection
Safe Kids East Central Georgia conducts 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. For an appointment, call (706) 541-3970 or go to www.mcghealth.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.
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 MCG Health 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 from 7:15 to 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 from 6 to 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 meet at the Ballroom Dance Center, 525 Grand Slam Drive, off Evans to Locks Road, from 7 to 11 p.m. each Saturday. Cost is $8 for members, $10 for guests. For information, call Barbara Nash at (803) 640-2075.
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 the Columbia County Foundation for Children at 6347 Columbia Road, is open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Saturday of 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 preK4. 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.
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 in 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.
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.
Women vets
The Women's Veterans Club meets at 11 a.m. the first Saturday of each month. Dues cost $24 a year. For information, call April Starks at (706) 868-5601.
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 to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday at Tractor Supply, 596 Bobby Jones Expressway. For information, call (706) 955-0438.
Seniors sought
Senior citizens 60 and older are being sought to work 20 hours a week to help children read. Positions receive an hourly stipend and mileage reimbursement. For information, call Jackie Kennedy at the Senior Citizens Council, (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.
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-size 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 businesspeople who are starting up or expanding businesses. There is no charge for services. For information, call between 9 a.m. and 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, 13 and older, for Saturday help in sorting donated products. For information or to reserve a time, call (706) 736-1199.