Wednesday, May 23

COMMUNITY · The Walker County Republican Party will hold candidate qualifying Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 9 a.m. through Friday, May 25, at noon at the Walker County Republican Party headquarters at 8566 N. Highway 27, Suite E Rock Spring, GA 30739. Qualifying will run during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednes-day and Thursday. On Friday, qualifying will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Although an appointment is not required for these times, it is highly recommended. Republican candidates with additional questions can contact Nathan Smith, chair of the Walker County Republican Party, at 423-364-2964 or natsmith9@gmail.com for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Thursday, May 24

COMMUNITY · The Walker County Republican Party will hold a candidate qualifying event Thursday, May 24, at Lee and Gordon Mills at 71 Red Belt Road in Chickamauga. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Although the county party encourages all interested candidates to attend the qualifying event, it is not required that candidates qualify at that time. All interested persons can qualify between May 23 at 9 a.m. and May 25 at noon. Republican candidates with additional questions can contact Nathan Smith, chair of the Walker County Republican Party, at 423-364-2964 or natsmith9@gmail.com for more information or to schedule an appointment.

COMMUNITY · U.S. Rep. Tom Graves’ (R-GA-09) Dalton district office will hold an outreach event for senior citizens Thursday, May 24. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dalton Community Center, 218 N. Frederick Street in Dalton. This event will focus on the needs and concerns of the senior community in the 9th District. Among the groups who will be represented at the event: Social Security Administration, Dalton Police Department, United Way, Meals on Wheels, Hamilton Health, Parkinson’s Support Group, Family and Children Services, Alzheimer’s Association, diabetes educators, and hospice representatives. Those who attend will be able to get hearing and vision screenings, bone density scans, skin checks, foot checks, and their glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked. This event is free for all 9th District citizens.

COMMUNITY · The first annual Northwest Georgia Spring Festival will be held May 24 to June 3 at Cherokee Farms in LaFayette. The festival promises 11 days of family fun, including live bands, clowns, contests, and a kids’ area. Admission is $5; all shows are free with admission. The address for Cherokee Farms is 2035 Old Mineral Springs Road, LaFayette. For more information, call 706-638-3401 or visit northwestgeorgiaspringfestival.com.

Friday, May 25

COMMUNITY · The Ridgeway Baptist youth group will cook your barbecue for your Memorial Day cookout. A Boston butt roast (approximately 5 pounds cooked) is $25, and pulled meat is $8 a pound. The Chill and Grill BBQ Team (Wayne and Travis Howell) will cook the meat, which will be available for pickup Friday, May 25, between noon and 3 p.m. at the church, 1594 Ridgeway Road in LaFayette. To place an order, call Travis Howell at 706-331-9757, Wayne Howell at 706-734-2063, Tony Hughes at 423-503-0858, and Andy or Pat Tudor at 706-734-3842.

COMMUNITY · Registration ends May 25 for Walker County Schools’ camp for gifted children, “A Whole New World Summer Enrichment Camp 2012,” sponsored by Gateway Bank, LaFayette Woman’s Club, McDonald’s of LaFayette, tax commissioner Carolyn Walker and Dr. George D. Mason. The camp will take place June 12-14 at the main campus of LaFayette Middle School. Current first through fifth graders who have been accepted into the gifted program are invited to attend. The cost is $35 per child. Space is limited. For more information and for registration forms, contact chastitysteadman@walkerschoolso.org or call 706-638-6440.