Thursday, Aug. 30

EDUCATION · Walker County Schools will have pre-kindergarten registration for students that have received pre-k placement at Gilbert, Naomi, North LaFayette and Rock Spring Elementary schools from 8:30 a.m-4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29 and Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Walker County Board of Education, 201 S. Duke Street, LaFayette. Parents must bring the student’s birth certificate and proof of Georgia residency for registration. Students will be registered at the Board of Education office and NOT at the individual school. For more information, call Will Davis at 706-638-7958.

COMMUNITY · North Georgia Community YMCA offers Sunshine Softball for boys and girls ages 7-21 with exceptional needs. Children will practice and play games on weekdays Sept. 10-Oct. 22, at Park Properties Field (3585 Cloud Springs Road). Registration deadline is Aug. 30. Cost is $40 for everyone. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or visit ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · North Georgia Community YMCA offers Youth Instructional Tennis for boys and girls ages 7-15. Expect Saturday instruction and scrimmage play from Sept. 15-Nov. 3, at Gilbert Stephenson Park Tennis Courts in Fort Oglethorpe. Registration deadline is Aug. 30. Cost is $75 for everyone. For more information, call 706-935-2226.

COMMUNITY · “Christmas in August” will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at One-Eleven restaurant on the square in LaFayette to benefit the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library. Enjoy a wine and cheese tasting, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit from 5-7 p.m. for photo taking. There is no charge for photos, but donations would be welcome. Tickets cost $15 per person, $25 for couples. Admission is free for children younger than 12. The Cherokee Regional Library System has suffered drastic funding cuts this year. Help keep your local library open. For more information, visit chrl.org.

COMMUNITY · The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will present a workshop on “Starting a Business” from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Georgia Power Auditorium, 800 Broad Street, Rome. Cost is $69. Pre-register at georgiasbdc.org/ce/rome. For more information, call 706-622-2006 or e-mail stuck@georgiasbdc.org.

COMMUNITY · Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce will hold its next Breakfast Connection from 8:30-9:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 30, at O'Charleys on Battlefield Parkway. Space is limited. R.S.V.P. to info@catoosachamberofcommerce.com.

COMMUNITY · Southern politics will be the topic of two upcoming programs to be presented by Dalton State President Emeritus Dr. Jim Burran. Burran will speak at a Coffee & Conversation program from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Little Rome Italian Restaurant Thursday, Aug. 30. Coffee and dessert will be served. Burran will also speak at noon, Friday, Sept. 7, at the James E. Brown Center at Dalton State University in Dalton. Cost is $10. Reservations and advance payment are required two days prior to the event. Call 706-272-4473 to RSVP.

COMMUNITY · The 2012 United Way Campaign Kickoff in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties will be held from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring. A buffet breakfast will be served.

Find out how United Way is helping friends and neighbors in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties by focusing on education, financial stability and support for the community’s most vulnerable. Register online at LiveUnitedWCD.org or call 423-752-0300 to RSVP by Monday, Aug. 27.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer a soul line dance class from 7-8 p.m. Thursdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street. For more information, call Greta Vinson at 423-504-8778. COMMUNITY · The Chattanooga Bach Choir will hold auditions for qualified singers Thursday, Aug. 30 through Friday, Aug. 31, at Brainerd United Methodist Church. Contact Dabney Carden at (423) 240-2123 or dabcarden@aol.com to schedule an audition time.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

COMMUNITY · The Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club along with sponsor Northwest Georgia Bank will host the first Richard Arp Memorial Golf Tournament on Thursday, Aug.t 30, at the Champions Club at Hampton Creek with lunch to be served at noon and tee time at 1 p.m. The course is at 7502 Snow Hill Road, in Ooltewah, Tenn. For more information, call 423-238-6812. Proceeds from the tournament will be used exclusively for sponsorship of Service Leadership Programs of the Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club.

EDUCATION · Registration for The Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education's seventh annual conference and check presentation on Sept. 25, is officially open. To register, go to gachegrants.org/conference. Agenda, directions, parking and sponsorship information will be available on the registration page. COMMUNITY · North Georgia Community YMCA will offer After School Programs for students in pre-K through fifth grades throughout the school year at Cherokee Ridge, Fairyland, Rock Spring, Tiger Creek and West Side Elementary schools. Cost is $40 per week for YMCA members, $60 per week for non-members. There is a one-time (per year) $50 registration fee per family. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or visit ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · First Baptist Church of Chickamauga has a few spots open in the 3- and 4-year old preschool classes. Registration packets may be printed from the children's ministry page at fbcchickamauga.com. For more information, call Susan Veazey or Donna Christol at 706-375-2829 or 706-375-2733. COMMUNITY · Artist Ginger L. Lowry will exhibit artwork throughout August at the Chattooga County Library, 360 Farrar Drive, in Summerville. Lowry is known for painting equestrian (horse riding) scenes. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 706-857-2553.

COMMUNITY · Voting has begun in the 2012 Best of Walker contest, sponsored by the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and the Walker County Messenger. This is the fifth annual contest in which residents are encouraged to vote for the favorites in local services in 55 categories. This contest is completely electronic and all votes must be made online. To vote go to walkercochamber.com/bestofwalker2012.htm or catwalkchat.com. Voters are encouraged to fill out as many categories as they wish; however when voting for a specific person please list their business name and/or geographic location. Only one submission will be allowed per computer. The deadline for submitting votes is at noon Sept. 28.

COMMUNITY · An art exhibit titled “Tranquil Space” will be displayed Aug. 20-Sept. 14 at the Jewish Cultural Center gallery, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. (Closed Sept. 3 – Labor Day) Admission is free. The center is at 5461 North Terrace Road in Chattanooga. For more information, visit jewishchattanooga.com.

COMMUNITY · Need to take weight off? Come join TOPS (weight-loss support group) on Monday's at 7 p.m. at Center Post Community Center, 8125 Highway 337, LaFayette. For more information, call Beverly Byrd at 706-638- 1045.

COMMUNITY · Chattooga Academy ( 304 N. Main Street, between Joe Stock Memorial Park and the Marsh House) in LaFayette will display photographs of some former service stations and car dealerships that operated in LaFayette, including information on LaFayette’s former Hupmobile dealership. The Hupmobile car was produced from 1909 -1940 by the Hupp Motor Company of Detroit, Mich. The exhibit also features a model train and the former LaFayette depot ticket booth. A volunteer will be on hand to assist visitors from 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Chattooga Academy hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Call ahead to confirm a volunteer will be available.

Friday, Aug. 31

COMMUNITY · The Blunt House at 506 South Thornton Avenue in Dalton will show a historical bridal collection from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every Friday through the end of August. Admission is $5. For more information, call the Dalton Convention and Visitors Bureau at 706-270-9960 or the Whitfield Murray Historical Society at 706-278-0217. COMMUNITY · The Chattanooga Bach Choir will hold auditions for qualified singers Friday, Aug. 31, at Brainerd United Methodist Church. Contact Dabney Carden at (423) 240-2123 or dabcarden@aol.com to schedule an audition time.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

COMMUNITY · Lookout Mountain CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) needs volunteers to advocate for the best interest of the abused and neglected children of Catoosa, Dade, and Walker Counties who are in foster care. CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the Juvenile Court Judges. For more information, contact Kristie Taylor at lmcasa.ktaylor@yahoo.com or 423-362-1834.

Saturday, Sept. 1

COMMUNITY · A cruise-in and car show will be held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, on the east side of the square in downtown LaFayette. Participants may enter their cars into a competition for no charge. Judges will select Best Restoration, Best Resto-Mod and Best Original. LaFayette Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring the free event. For more information or to rent a booth, call Catherine Edgemon at 706-639-1519.

COMMUNITY · Second Baptist Church of LaFayette (500 W. Main Street) will host a yard sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. All proceeds will benefit the youth group. In the event of rain, the yard sale will be moved into the gym. For more information, call 706-638-2732.

COMMUNITY · The Celts are coming to Ringgold Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-2. The Scots, Irish and Appalachian folk will gather in Ringgold for live entertainment, food and games. Vendors will sell Celtic jewelry, Celtic ironwork, medieval clothing, Appalachian pottery and woodcarving. Hours for the festival are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, and from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12 and children younger than 6 will be admitted free. A portion of the net proceeds will be donated to a local charitable organization. For more information, visit the festival’s website at appalaciancelticconnection.org or email rball0351@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY · The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors will hold their annual Mid-South Regional Meet on Friday, Aug. 31, and Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Hamilton County Convention & Trade Center, 1150 Carter Street, Chattanooga, Tenn. More than 50 antique clocks from the 1800s, may be viewed on Saturday, Sept. 1, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be a guided walking tour of the exhibit at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1. The public can browse the Mart area on Saturday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There is a $10 charge to enter the Mart area (under 18 free) to view and purchase clocks, watches and other horological items.

RELIGIOUS · The film, “October Baby,” will be shown free of charge at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, at Ceder Hill Baptist Church, 60 Dyer Bridge Place, one mile east of Fort Oglethorpe’s Wal-Mart. For more information, call 706-858-0976 or visit cedarhillbaptist.com.

COMMUNITY · The Cove Arena presents Kensington Rodeo 2012, on Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2, at S. 193 and 341, off Hog Jowl Road. Admission is $12 for adults, $1 for children age 11 and younger.

COMMUNITY · The City of LaFayette is offering a free natural gas water heater to qualifying citizens during the months of September and October. LaFayette has joined other Georgia cities in the “Great Water Heater Round Up.” The city is also offering a $200 rebate towards the installation of a natural gas tank water heater. Other incentives include $300 towards the purchase and installation of a natural gas tankless water heater, and half off the gas tap fee for new natural gas customers. For more information, call the LaFayette gas department at 706-639-1511 or visit greatwaterheaterroundup.com.

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will hold a military timeline of Chickamauga Battlefield on Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2. Historians will represent historical military units associated with the battlefield. After a brief introduction, visitors can take a self-guided walk behind the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. These walks begin at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and conclude with a weapons-firing demonstration. For more information, call the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786 or visit nps.gov/chch.

ENTERTAINMENT · The Riverfront Nights Summer Music Series continues Saturday, Sept. 1, with a performance by Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds at 8 p.m. at the 21st Century Waterfront in Chattanooga. Visit riverfrontnights.com for more information.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.