Monday, Sept. 3

COMMUNITY · Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3679 in Rossville will host a barbecue on Labor Day, Sept. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hamburgers and hotdogs will also be served. Proceeds will help veterans in need. Contact (706) 861-0061 for more information.

COMMUNITY · A Labor Day barbecue will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Hinkle Park, 148 Hinkle Community Road in Lookout Mountain (Four miles south of Covenant College or seven miles south of Fairyland, just off Highway 157). Barbecue plats cost $7, and includes pork or beef, bread, slaw, baked beans and a pickle. Sandwich plates cost $4, pork or beef by the pound cost $8.50, soft drinks and tea are 75 cents and desserts are 50 cents. For more information call 706-820-1177.

COMMUNITY · The 2012 annual Labor Day car and motorcycle show to benefit the Al Millard Memorial Stocking Full of Love of Walker County will be held Monday, Sept. 3, at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring. Registration is from 8-11:30 a.m. Enjoy barbecue, an antique tractor display, a 1946 Willy jeep raffle, NASCAR display and door prizes. For more information, call 706-638-1909, ext. 276.

COMMUNITY · Harbor Lights Baptist Church will hold a Labor Day block party from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at 600 Crane Street, LaFayette. Enjoy barbecue, hot dogs, games, music and an auction. Free food is served from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Christian rapper Nate Dizzy performs at 11 a.m. The auction begins at 1 p.m. Proceeds go to the church building fund.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer line dance lessons Monday and Tuesdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street Learn basic ballroom steps including the two-step, cha cha, waltz, mambo and salsa. No partner is needed. For more information, call Vicky Jones at 706-639-5401.

Tuesday, Sept. 4

EDUCATION · First day of school for Walker County Public Schools students is Tuesday, Sept. 4.

EDUCATION · According to Talisyn Ridley, family service specialist at Cloud Springs Head Start, Head Start is off to a great start for the 2012-13 school year. Lakeview Head Start and Battlewood Head Start had a great first day on Aug. 20, and staff are looking forward to Cloud Springs Head Start’s first day of class on Sept. 4.

COMMUNITY · Boynton United Methodist Church is starting a two-day a week childcare program for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years. The program begins Sept. 4, and the hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuition is $130 a month. Space is limited and enrollment is underway. Details at boyntonumc.org/b-kidz-day-out or email bkidz@boyntonumc.org or call 706-866-2626.

COMMUNITY · The LaFayette-Walker County Public Library will hold a preschool Ready-to-Read class at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer line dance lessons Monday and Tuesdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street Learn basic ballroom steps including the two-step, cha cha, waltz, mambo and salsa. No partner is needed. For more information, call Vicky Jones at 706-639-5401.

COMMUNITY · Dalton Science Café will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Dalton Depot restaurant. Dr. Micheal Hoff of Dalton State College will speak about gorilla behavior in captivity.

COMMUNITY · A breastfeeding class will be held from 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road, Chattanooga). This class is designed to help participants make an informed choice about breastfeeding. Learn breastfeeding basics, what to expect the first few weeks and special tips for success. Concerns about returning to work/school will also be discussed. This course is coordinated by a board-certified lactation consultant. Registration fee is $30. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

Wednesday, Sept. 5

COMMUNITY · Beginning on Wednesday Sept. 5, 11-11:30 a.m., the City of LaFayette will conduct a short, audible test of the outdoor warning siren to ensure the siren is operating properly. Regular tests are scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month, and would only be conducted under clear sky conditions. Testing would be rescheduled for the following Wednesday if weather conditions prevent testing on the first Wednesday of the month.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

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 · 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.

EDUCATION · Registration for The Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education's seventh annual conference and check presentation on Sept. 25, is officially open. To register, go to gachegrants.org/conference. Agenda, directions, parking and sponsorship information will be available on the registration page.

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.

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 · An art exhibit titled “Tranquil Space” will be displayed Aug. 20-Sept. 14 at the Jewish Cultural Center gallery, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. (Closed Sept. 3 – Labor Day) Admission is free. The center is at 5461 North Terrace Road in Chattanooga. For more information, visit jewishchattanooga.com.

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 · Lookout Mountain CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) needs volunteers to advocate for the best interest of the abused and neglected children of Catoosa, Dade, and Walker Counties who are in foster care. CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the Juvenile Court Judges. For more information, contact Kristie Taylor at lmcasa.ktaylor@yahoo.com or 423-362-1834.