Tuesday, Nov. 27

COMMUNITY · Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library Tuesday, Nov. 27. Children can get their photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus following a holiday story time. Sign-in for pictures will start at 4:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 5 p.m. The library will close at 8 p.m.

COMMUNITY · The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission’s Area Agency on Aging advisory council will meet at noon, Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Thornton Recreation Center, 102 North Floyd Park Road, in Rome (across from Armuchee High School on Highway 27 North).

COMMUNITY · Walker County Schools’ Smith Planetarium will be open to the public Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2:30 p.m. The planetarium is at 409 Pond Springs Road south of Chickamauga. No admission is charged for public programs. Total time in the planetarium is about 55 minutes. For more information, call 706-375-3493.

Wednesday, Nov. 28

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.

COMMUNITY · Calhoun Composite Squadron #134 of the Civil Air Patrol-U.S. Air Force Auxiliary currently has openings available for a safety officer, communications officer, and emergency services officer, among others. Cadet slots (ages 12-17) are also open. The Calhoun Composite Squadron meets at Calhoun Airport on Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. For more information, contact Capt. Hayden Collins at htcollins@earthlink.net.

COMMUNITY · Open House for the Alzheimer's Association, North Georgia Regional Office, will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 922 East Morris Street in Dalton. Light refreshments provided.

COMMUNITY · A metabolic and bariatric surgery seminar will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road in Chattanooga). 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 · 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 · The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring bells, sort toys, and deliver meals this holiday season. For more information, visit csarmy.org.

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 · Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care, Inc. is selling Adventures in Dining Coupon Books for $35. The books contain 87 buy-one-get-one free coupons for dining and entertainment in Chattanooga, north Georgia and Cleveland. The total value of the book is over $1,100. The group receives a $10 commission for each book sold. Books are available at the following locations: Ringgold Telephone Company and Tille Town in Ringgold; and The Animal Medical Center in Ft. Oglethorpe. CCAC is a non-profit volunteer organization formed to improve animal care awareness in Catoosa County. Its mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through responsible pet ownership by: 1) reducing animal over-population through a spay/neuter program; 2) educate the community about the humane treatment of animals; and 3) help connect animals in need of homes with families. Call 24-hour Help Line (706-937-2287) or visit www.catoosacitizensforanimalcare.org.

COMMUNITY · The Cherokee Regional Library System's 2012 Food for Fines Campaign will continue until the end of the business day on Friday, Nov. 30. Library patrons may “pay” library overdue fines with a canned food item. This will help re-stock food banks in Dade and Walker County. One food can donation removes up to $1 in overdue fines. For more information, call Darla Chambliss, assistant director and community services librarian at 706-638-8311.

COMMUNITY · Antique Irons are on display now through Nov. 30 at the Chickamauga Public Library; irons are from the private collection of Richard Gillis of Rossville.

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.

Thursday, Nov. 29

ENTERTAINMENT · The “wandering choir” of Chorus Peregrinus returns to Dalton State College for a program of holiday and sacred choral music. The chorus will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, in Goodroe Auditorium. For more information, call 706-272-2985.

COMMUNITY · Lafayette Physical Therapy will offer free flexibility screening/balance screens/joint pain and immobility screens from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at 120 West Villanow Street in LaFayette. For more information, call Vicki at 706-638-5983.

COMMUNITY · The Brown Bag Book Club will meet at the LaFayette-Walker County Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 29, at noon. They will be discussing the book “Riding the Bus with my Sister” by Rachel Simon.

COMMUNITY · The Chickamauga Public Library will hold a “Ready to R.E.A.D.” story time program on Thursdays, Nov. 29, and Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27.