Tuesday, Nov. 6

ELECTION · Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Walker County. Call the Walker County Board of Elections at 706-638-4349 for more information.

COMMUNITY · Boynton United Methodist in Ringgold will offer communion and prayer on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6. The church's sanctuary will be open for people to drop-in from noon-1 p.m., and a 30-minute service will be held at 7 p.m. Boynton United Methodist is at 4246 Boynton Drive in Ringgold at the intersection of Pine Grove Road, two miles west of 1-75. For more information, visit BoyntonUMC.org or call 706-866-2626.

COMMUNITY · A breastfeeding class will be offered from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road) in Chattanooga. This class is designed to help participants make an informed choice about breastfeeding. Learn breastfeeding basics, what to expect the first few weeks and special tips for success. Concerns about returning to work/school will also be discussed. This course is coordinated by a board-certified lactation consultant. Registration fee is $30. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

COMMUNITY · The Civic Arts League, Inc. of Chattanooga will hold an art exhibit titled “Heritage” to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the “Battle of Ringgold” now through Friday, Nov. 9, at Ringgold Art & Frame Gallery, 7825 Nashville Street, in Ringgold. For more information call 706-935-2844.

COMMUNITY · A memory screening will be offered from 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Erlanger North (Morrison Springs Road). Concerned about your memory or the memory of a loved one? Jennifer Hindmon, R.N., of Erlanger North Senior’s Unit, will administer the Mini Mental Status Exam to determine if there are problems that should be discussed further with your family physician. Appointments are limited and pre-registration is required. Register at (423) 778-LINK (5465).

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for North Georgia Community YMCA adult, children and youth athletic programs (includes basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, swim lessons, water aerobics and karate) is Dec. 8. Most seasons begin January 2013. Cost varies for members and non-members. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for the North Georgia Community YMCA Christmas Break Camp (Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4, 2013) is Tuesday, Dec. 18. The camp is for children ages 5-12. Cost is $25 per day for members, $30 per day for non-members. The camp will be held at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Walker County Farm Bureau is collecting monetary donations until Friday, Nov. 16, for the Georgia Food Bank Association and its seven food bank affiliates to help Georgians in need. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the WCFB office, 101 South Cherokee Street in LaFayette. For more information, call 706-638-3237.

COMMUNITY · The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring bells, sort toys, and deliver meals this holiday season. For more information, visit csarmy.org.

COMMUNITY · The deadline to nominate the Walker County Chamber of Commerce "2012 Small Business of the Year" is at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. The winner will be recognized at the Chamber's Annual Dinner on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. The honor is given to a company that demonstrates best practices in business sustainability and growth, commitment to employees and a track record of community involvement. To be eligible, nominees must be a small business (less than 200 employees) and members of the Chamber in good standing as of Oct. 30, with a minimum of one complete full year in business. Chamber members may nominate a business, including their own. Judging will be conducted by the Chamber's Board of Directors.

Wednesday, Nov. 7

COMMUNITY · Catoosa Retired Educators will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Boynton Baptist Family Life Center. A program will be presented concerning retirement benefits offered through AMBA for Georgia Retired Educators. Lunch reservations may be made at crealunch@aol.com or call 706-861-4492. Bring an unwrapped toy for Stocking Full of Love and canned goods for holiday projects. All those retired from the school system in any capacity are encouraged to attend.

COMMUNITY · "Rogue Elephants, Honorable Men, and the Mystique of the CIA" will be presented by Dr. David McCarthy, Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the UTC University Center Signal Mountain Room. The UTC History Club invites the public to attend this free lecture and question and answer session. Attendees are welcome to bring a brown bag dinner while they listen. For more information, contact Michael-D-Thompson@utc.edu.

COMMUNITY · A metabolic and bariatric surgery seminar will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Erlanger Baroness (Oncology Conference Room). Area residents who are overweight and /or with health problems related to obesity are invited to learn more about the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center at Erlanger. It is a free seminar and registration is required. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

COMMUNITY · Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga needs volunteers, especially Big Brothers to mentor children ages 6-12 from single parent homes. Volunteers are only required to spend 4-6 hours a month or two outings a month with their match in the Community-Based program for at least one year. For more information, call 423-698-8016 or bbbschatt.org.

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 · AARP Tax-Aide, a free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service, is seeking volunteers in Walker County to help taxpayers who are seeking assistance preparing and filing their 2012 tax returns. Volunteers do not need to be an AARP member or a retiree to participate. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers should have some computer experience, such as e-mail and internet browsing. Also needed are volunteers who have management experience. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers receive free IRS-certified tax training and are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses. For more information, visit aarp.org/tavolunteer8 or call 1-888-OUR-AARP. Deadline for application is Dec. 15.

COMMUNITY · Seniors and Friends of Fort Oglethorpe meet from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, at Constitution Hall on Forrest Road in Fort Oglethorpe, for games, crafts, refreshments and blood pressure and blood sugar checks. For information or transportation, call Peggy Stanfield at 706-866-1369.

Thursday, Nov. 8

COMMUNITY · Ridgeland High School will host a Veteran's Recognition Ceremony Thursday, Nov. 8. This event is open to all veterans in the local communities. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Anthony W. "Bud" Bell, Jr., will speak. Veterans are encouraged to complete a short form, which they can get from students or the office at Ridgeland, or to call Junior ROTC at 706-820-7131, to have their name added to the veteran list. On the morning of the ceremony veterans should arrive at the school by 8:45 a.m. and go to the gym to sign-in.

COMMUNITY · The 4-H Chicken Show and Sale will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, behind the Civic Center in Rock Spring. Bring a cage, pen or box if planning to purchase chickens. For more information, call the Walker County Extension Office at 706-638-2548.

COMMUNITY · Baby Care & Safety will be offered from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Erlanger at Hutcheson (Women’s Center). With times changing and discharge occurring earlier, “Baby Care” provides you with helpful items on caring for your baby at home. This class will help you plan and prepare for a safe home environment. Registration is free if mother is delivering at Hutcheson or $5 if delivering at another location. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 788-LINK (5465) to register.

COMMUNITY · Friends of the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8. The library doors close at 6:45 p.m., so arrive early. Members will vote on officers for the 2012-2013 year and plan upcoming fundraisers.

COMMUNITY · Jackson Realty will host an educational seminar, “Own Your Own Home,” at 5:30 p.m. Nov.8. This seminar is free and open to the public. Are you tired of paying rent and want to buy a house, but unsure if you can get a loan? Then, this seminar is for you. Learn how to own your own home and pay the same monthly fee or less. A lender will be available to pull credit scores, provide loan pre-approvals, if eligible, and offer credit recovery coun-seling. Real estate agent Freddy Caheely will lead the seminar.

COMMUNITY · The Catoosa Chamber of Commerce Networking at Lunch will begin at 11:50 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, in Ringgold. Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler will speak. Cost is $30 for non-members, $15 for members. To pay on-line go to catoosachamberofcommerce.com/payonline. RSVP to info@catoosachamberofcommerce.com. Deadline for reservations is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.

COMMUNITY · The Walker Talkers Toastmasters Speaking Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in the community hall behind Woodstation Baptist Chruch, 42 Round Pond Road, in LaFayette. Contact Glenn Roberts at vglennroberts@gmail.com or 706-264-6525.

ENTERTAINMENT · Bright Night: An Evening of Inspiration, Music & Comedy will be held at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling (423) 642-TIXS or visiting chattanoogaonstage.com.

COMMUNITY · The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 20th annual Symposium on the 19th Century Press, the Civil War, and Free Expression will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Nov. 8-10. The conference will begin Thursday afternoon at the Sheraton Read House Hotel and continue Friday and Saturday at the UTC University Center. All paper sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact David B. Sachsman at 423-425-4219 or david-sachsman@utc.edu.