Thursday, Aug. 23

ENTERTAINMENT · The LaFayette Presbyterian Church, at 107 N. Main Street, will hold a free concert for youth “of all ages.” Teenager and pianist Patrick Rice, and teen violinist Emilie Rice will perform religious and classical selections at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 23. They are a brother and sister team with years of training and experience. This is a family friendly event sponsored by the church as an outreach activity of the congregation. There will be a reception with light refreshments in the fellowship hall following the concert.

COMMUNITY · A meet-the-artists reception for the exhibit “Tranquil Space” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at the Jewish Cultural Center gallery, 5461 North Terrace Road, Chattanooga. Admission is free. The exhibit includes photographs, drawings, and sculptures of sacred buildings, gardens and commercial and private properties by artists Steven Wade Brown, Irv Ginsburg, Dana Shavin, Jenny Shugart, Rose Taylor, and Dana Waxler. For more information, visit jewishchattanooga.com.

COMMUNITY · Moments to Share (grief) support group will meet at 7 p.m. at the Ronald McDonald House in Chattanooga. This group is for parents who have lost a baby during pregnancy or in intensive care. Call (423) 778-5149 for more information.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer a soul line dance class from 7-8 p.m. Thursdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street. For more information, call Greta Vinson at 423-504-8778.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer zumba classes from 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 6:35-7:35 p.m. Wednesdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street. For more information, call Gabriel Dudley at 423-508-4402.

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 · Blood Assurance asks residents to consider donating blood to help save a life. 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 · 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 at noon Sept. 28.

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 · Chattooga Academy ( 304 N. Main Street, between Joe Stock Memorial Park and the Marsh House) in LaFayette will display photographs of some former service stations and car dealerships that operated in LaFayette, including information on LaFayette’s former Hupmobile dealership. The Hupmobile car was produced from 1909 -1940 by the Hupp Motor Company of Detroit, Mich. The exhibit also features a model train and the former LaFayette depot ticket booth. A volunteer will be on hand to assist visitors from 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Chattooga Academy hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Call ahead to confirm a volunteer will be available.

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 · 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.

Friday, Aug. 24

ENTERTAINMENT · “The Never-Ending Story” will be performed live on stage at The Colonnade in Ringgold. Performances are Aug. 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on 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 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 Chief John Ross house is open for the summer from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday 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.

Saturday, Aug. 25

ENTERTAINMENT · “The Never-Ending Story” will be performed live on stage at The Colonnade in Ringgold. Performances are at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. 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 · North Georgia Community YMCA will offer Girls Volleyball for ages 7-15. Expect weekday practices and Saturday games from Aug. 27-Nov. 3. Practices will be held in Fort Oglethorpe with games at local YMCAs and a tournament at UTC Maclellan Gym. Registration deadline is Aug. 25. Cost is $75 for everyone. For more information, call 706-935-2226.

COMMUNITY · The Randy Roberts Band will perform from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Center Post Community Center, 8125 Highway 337 in Walker County. Admission is free. Hotdogs will be served.

COMMUNITY · Lyerly United Methodist will hold a free movie night at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, featuring "Facing the Giants.” Free refreshments will be served halfway through the movie. Call Michelle Floyd at 706-676-5645 for more information.

COMMUNITY · Cub Scout Pack #3099 will hold a Back-to-School Blowout from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Rock Spring United Methodist Chruch. Cost is $5 per person, children age 2 and younger are free. Enjoy face painting, a crazy hair saloon, pie throw, dunking booth, inflatables, water gun shoot-out and food. For more information, call Kace Sanchez at 423-504-0988.

COMMUNITY · The Way of the Cross Baptist Church youth will hold a car wash from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the pavilion in front of Pigeon Mountain Country Store (south Highway 341 and Hog Jowl Road and Highway 193). Proceeds will go to Shoes for Orphan Souls (new shoes, socks and shoe laces).