Thursday, Nov. 22

CHURCH · Free community-wide Thanksgiving Day lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church on Thursday, Nov. 22. This is sponsored by area churches for the LaFayette community. If you are homebound and can't get to the church, call 706-638-2732 for deliveries within city limits.

COMMUNITY · Starting Jan. 1, 2013, Georgia Farmers will need to apply and obtain a GATE (Georgia Agriculture Exemption Card) from the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. This is the result of HB 386 which was passed this year by the legislature which allows Georgia farmers to take advantage of additional sales tax exemptions. If you are a farm producer with $ 2,500 in Ag income, you need to prepare to obtain a GATE card. Contact the Walker County Farm Bureau Office at 706-638-3237 if you have questions concerning the Georgia Agricultural Exemption Card.

Friday, Nov. 23

ENTERTAINMENT · “Miracle on 34th Street” will be performed live on stage at The Colonnade in Ringgold. Performances are Nov. 23, 24 and 30, and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $11 adult admission, $9 seniors (age 55 and older), $9 students, and $8 for groups of 15 or more. Call 706-935-9000, ext. 103, for more information or visit the website colonnadecenter.org.

ENTERTAINMENT · “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 25, 29 and 30, at the Walker County Civic Center, 10052 N. Highway 27, in Rock Spring. Tickets cost $5 in advance or $7 at the door. During intermission, there will be a Christmas Bazaar with baked goods, Chirstmas crafts, a cupcake walk and raffle. On Nov. 29 and 30, there will be shows at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. for senior citizens and area schools. Tickets for seniors and students cost $3 for these shows. For details call 706-218-4757. The civic center phone is 706-375-7705.

ENTERTAINMENT · Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music” at Memorial Auditorium (399 McCallie Avenue) in Chattanooga, from Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 25. Tickets cost $15 and $20. A limited number of $28 Gold Circle seats and $50 Sunny Seats are also available. On opening night, all seats excluding Gold Circle and Sunny Seats are $12. A facility fee of 50 cents- $1.50 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and special offers may apply. For more information or to charge tickets by phone, call 423-642-8497. Tickets may also be purchased online at chattagnoogaonstage.com.

ENTERTAINMENT · The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings, two holiday pieces by popular humorist David Sedaris, kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 23, on the CircleStage at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Nov. 23 through Dec. 8. The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is located at 400 River Street, Chattanooga, on the NorthShore. Parking is available for $2 in the lot next to the Theatre Centre. Tickets are available by calling (423) 267-8534 or they may be purchased online at tickets.theatrecentre.com.

COMMUNITY · Blood Assurance is preparing for a shortfall of approximately 300 units of type O negative blood over the next two weeks, according to historical data and scheduled deliveries. To help local hospitals avoid a critical shortage, Blood Assurance is encouraging residents to get in the giving spirit this holiday season. The first five donors at each location on Friday, Nov. 23 will receive a bundle of gift-wrapping supplies. Bundles include a roll of wrapping paper, 25 name tags, tape and ribbon. For more information about donating blood, call 1-800-962-0628 or visit www.bloodassurance.org.

COMMUNITY · The new Chattanooga Street Tavern in LaFayette will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 23.

COMMUNITY · Mizz Kim's Creations on 29 Maple Street, Ringgold, is hosting a Christmas Open House Nov. 23–24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas coupon tree available with purchase. Refreshments served.

COMMUNITY · A Christmas Market will be hosted by the Ringgold Wedding Chapel at 7683 Nashville Street Ringgold GA on Friday November 23, 2012 from 9a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 24

COMMUNITY · The Mars Theatre Historic District in downtown Lafayette will host a Christmas celebration on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. A real 25-foot Christmas tree stands atop the Mars Theatre and groups will perform Christmas music. Santa and Ms. Claus will ride into town at 6 p.m., with the Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m. Heirlooms: Vintage Boutique also will celebrate its grand opening.

RELIGIOUS · Lyerly United Methodist Church will have a free movie night on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m. The inspirational movie, “Letters To God,” will be shown. The hero, Tyler Doherty, is an extraordinary 8-year old boy who faces the daily battle of cancer. To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher and an ultimate pen pal. The letters Tyler sends to God find their way into the hands of Brady McDaniels, a postman standing at the crossroads of his life. Moved by Tyler's courage, Brady realizes what he must do with the letters, a surprise decision that will transform his heart and uplift his newfound friends and community. Free refreshments will be served halfway through the movie. All ages are invited. Call Michelle Floyd at 706-676-5645 for more information.

Sunday, Nov. 25

COMMUNITY · Photographs with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, at the historic Marsh House off Main Street in LaFayette. No appointment is necessary. No appointment necessary. Sitting fee is $15 which includes two 5 x 7 photos. Each additional photo is $5 each. For more information contact Mary Smitherman (423-718-9918) or visit www.marshhouseoflafayette.com or on Facebook at The Marsh House of LaFayette. Proceeds for this event go to the Marsh House Cabin Fund.

COMMUNITY · The Walker County Historical Society will hold its annual business meeting on Sunday, Nov. 25, at 2:30 p.m., at the Marsh House on North Main Street in La Fayette. Officers for 2013 will be elected. The program will be a discussion by Richard Gillis, who collects old irons, titled: “My favorite dozen old irons and their stories.” The public is invited.

Monday, Nov. 26

COMMUNITY · A bariatric support group will meet from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 26, at Erlanger Chattanooga Lifestyle Center in Chattanooga. Bariatric support group meetings are for individuals scheduled to have bariatric surgery or who have already had weight loss surgery. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) for more information.

COMMUNITY · Childbirth Education will be offered from 6-10 p.m. at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road) in Chattanooga. This childbirth education class/series is designed for expectant parents and taught by experienced OB nurses. These classes include stages of labor, relaxation and labor support techniques, hospital procedures, pain management options, after birth and home care for moms and in-hospital care for newborns. There will also be time for questions and answers. Registration fee is $75. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.