Wednesday, Aug. 15

COMMUNITY · Registered nurses interested in providing a health ministry in their churches or synagogues are invited to join the Fall 2012 Faith Community Nurse/Parish Nurse Class offered by Memorial. The 22nd Faith Community Nurse/Parish Nurse Class will begin on Aug. 15, and end with a commissioning service on Oct. 9. Three 8-hour day sessions are scheduled for Aug. 15, 22, and 29; three 3-hour evening sessions will be held on Sept. 6 and 20 and Oct. 4. All six sessions must be completed to meet course requirements. The application process including tuition deposit is due by Aug. 1. Contact Connie Blake, FCN Coordinator at (423) 495-6163 or email connie_blake@memorial.org for additional information including the tuition cost.

GOVERNMENT · The Planning Commission for the City of LaFayette will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at city hall on S. Duke Street to consider two rezoning requests.

COMMUNITY · Seniors and Friends of Fort Oglethorpe meet from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Constitution Hall on Forrest Road. The all-volunteer group offers games, crafts, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, bingo and refreshments. For information or transportation, call Peggy Stanfield at 706-866-1369.

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 · Consider donating blood to help save a life. Blood Assurance, the only provider of blood products for more than 50 hospitals and health care communities, is operating on less than a two-day supply of type O-negative blood. This universal type can be given to patients with any blood type in emergency situations. There is also a community shortage of type O-positive blood, the most common blood type. Summer shortages are a frequent occurrence at blood centers across the country. The average donor gives blood just twice each year. According to America's Blood Centers, if eligible donors gave blood just one additional time each year, blood shortages would be rare. Donors must be at least 17-years-old (16-years-old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days. Donors who do not know their blood type can call Blood Assurance at 1-800-962-0628 or present a photo ID at any area blood drive. A list of area blood drives can be found at bloodassurance.org/blooddrives.

COMMUNITY · Junior golfers up to age 18 are invited to attend summer golf camps at the LaFayette Golf Course. The camps will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9-11 a.m. each day at a cost of $60 per camp. Tuesdays will include work on the driving range, Wednesdays will be spent on the practice greens, and Thursdays will be reserved for on course work. The camps will be directed and taught by Eddie Jackson, a former PGA Tour player who has spent the past 27 years as a teaching professional. For more information, call the LaFayette Golf Course at 706-639-1580.

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 Sept. 28 at noon.

COMMUNITY · The YMCA Summer Food Program has started up in a new location at LaFayette Municipal Park, at LaFayette Recreation (Department), 638 South Main Street in LaFayette. Children will be served free lunches from noon-1 p.m. at the picnic tables and pavilion next to the gym entrance. The program will continue now through August. There is no cost to attend or receive a meal. For more information, visit ymcachattanooga.org/usda-summer-food-program. Each year the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like North Georgia Community YMCA to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. Any child under age 18 may come and eat. For more information about the national Summer Food Program, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/.

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 · 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 · 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.

Thursday, Aug. 16

ENTERTAINMENT · Four Scenic City Songwriters will perform at 7 p.m. (Central Standard Time) Thursday, Aug.16, at Kamama Gallery in Mentone, Ala. Earl Brackin, August Bruce, Robert Thatcher, and Tom Brown will share original Americana music. Kamama Gallery is at 5951 Alabama Highway 117, Mentone, Ala. The doors will open at 6 p.m. (Central Standard Time) Admission $10. Seating is limited, reservations are encouraged. For more information or to make reservations, call 256-634-3001.

COMMUNITY · First Step Dance Studio will hold an open house from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at 5125 North Highway 27 between LaFayette and Noble. For more information, call 423-667-6913 or visit firststepdancestudio.com.

COMMUNITY · A Diabetes Education Class will be held from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Erlanger Chattanooga Lifestyle Center. This class will explore ways to manage diabetes. Call 778-9400 for more information on physician referral and insurance reimbursement.

COMMUNITY · “Get Fit!,” an interactive presentation for seniors will be presented by Erlanger at Hutcheson at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Alexian Grove, 100 Asbury Oak Lane, Chattanooga (Across from Black Creek Golf Course). Dr. Lori Emerson will discuss healthy eating and knowing your health numbers. Hutcheson's rehab department will also be on hand to discuss physician therapy, balance, and heart health issues. Seniors can also have their blood pressure checked. The program is free and open to the public. RSVP to Brenda Crane at 423-825-5557.

COMMUNITY · Carrie Streets with Crest Financial Services will present a program about preventing identity theft Thursday, Aug. 16, at noon at Alexian Village on Signal Mountain. Lunch is provided and seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call Barbara Nausley at 423-886-0542.

COMMUNITY · Film Chattanooga will hold a quarterly meeting and “Art of casting” seminar for film and television professionals and those aspiring to work in the industry at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the downtown YMCA in Chattanooga. Admission is free for Chattanooga Film Society members and $5 for non-members. Film Chattanooga is an initiative of the Chattanooga Film Society, a non-profit organization that supports independent filmmaking locally and promotes professional film and television production across the region. It is currently working on the launch of a major film festival in downtown Chattanooga. For more information on becoming a member or sponsor of CFS, visit chattanoogafilmsociety.org.

COMMUNITY · Coosa Valley Regional Services will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the main office, 3 Riverside Industrial Parkway NE, Rome.

COMMUNITY · The Chief John Ross house is open for the summer from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday now through August. Admission is free. The house is at the intersection of East Lake Avenue and Spring Street (behind the Bi-Lo) in Rossville. For more information or to schedule a private tour, call 423-400-7400.

Friday, Aug. 17

ENTERTAINMENT · “The Never-Ending Story” will be performed at The Colonnade in Ringgold. Performances are Aug. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 25 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.

COMMUNITY · The Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting from noon-1-.m. Friday, Aug. 17, to celebrate the grand opening of The Plantation at Pigeon Mountain in LaFayette. The Plantation at Pigeon Mountain is an upscale and premier events venue. The event location is at 235 Glenn Acres Drive in LaFayette. For more information, visit http://business.walkercochamber.com.

COMMUNITY · A yard sale will be held from 1-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the LaFayette Senior Center, 636 South Main Street in LaFayette (near the city recreation center).

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 Center Post Community Center at 8125 Highway 337 in Walker County will hold a family movie night featuring “The Lorax” at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17. Admission is free.