Tuesday, Oct. 16

COMMUNITY · A breastfeeding class will be offered from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Erlanger Baroness in downtown 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.

COMMUNITY · The Rossville Library will host a preschool Ready to R.E.A.D. Time class at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16. The class consists of books, games and crafts. The theme is “Star Wars.”

COMMUNITY · The Rossville Library will host a homeschool program at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16. The class consists of books, games, experiments and crafts. The theme is “Star Wars.”

CHURCH · Noble Baptist Fellowship at 2994 Highway 27 north of LaFayette, holds a food drive to give away free food from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (or until food is gone) the first and third Tuesday of each month. Recipients should bring proof of address and their social security card. For more information, call 706-764-2917.

Wednesday, Oct. 17

COMMUNITY · The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) will help a private staffing company, Omnisource, fill more than 50 jobs for workers in LaFayette and metro Chattanooga. The recruitment will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the Community Room at the LaFayette Housing Authority, 300 South Oak Street in LaFayette.

The company will be recruiting forklift operators and SAP inventory clerks with at least a year’s experience and parts pullers with at least six months experience, along with entry-level packers and laborers. Salaries will depend on positions and experience. For more information, contact Cathy Toles at the LaFayette Career Center at (706) 638-5525, or e-mail cathy.toles@gdol.ga.gov.

COMMUNITY · First and second place winners in the 2012 Best of Walker contest, sponsored by the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and the Walker County Messenger, will be notified via letter on or before Oct. 20. Winners will be recognized during the Best of Walker dinner on Nov. 15 at the Walker County Civic Center. All winners will be required to register online for the event, and the public is invited. To register, visit walkercochamber.com/bestofwalker2012.htm. For more information, call the chamber at 706-375-7702.

COMMUNITY · Walker County Farm Bureau is collecting monetary donations until Friday, Nov. 16, for the Georgia Food Bank Association and its seven food bank affiliates to help Georgians in need. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the WCFB office, 101 South Cherokee Street in LaFayette. For more information, call 706-638-3237.

COMMUNITY · The Blood Assurance Bloodmobile will be at LaFayette First Baptist Church from 3-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. Call 706-638-3727 to sign up to donate blood. Donors will receive a T-shirt and may be eligible to register for a monthly drawing of a $500 grocery gift card.

GOVERNMENT · The Planning Commission for the City of LaFayette will meet at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, at LaFayette City Hall, 207 South Duke Street.

COMMUNITY · A sleep disorders screening will be offered from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road in Chattanooga). Registration is required. Call (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

COMMUNITY · A metabolic and bariatric surgery seminar will be held from 6-8 p.m. 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 · 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.

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 · The Catoosa County Republican Party has opened a Romney/Ryan 2012 Headquarters in Ringgold, at 20 Legion Street on the corner next to Richards Restaurant behind the Catoosa County Courthouse. Hours are from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Yard signs and bumper stickers for the candidates, including Tom Graves for Congress, are available. Visit catoosacountygop.com for more information.

COMMUNITY · The Walker County Health Department offers flu vaccinations to children and adults on a walk-in basis. The department is at 603 Villanow Street in LaFayette. The cost is $20. Cash, check, credit and debit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, PeachCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and state employee United Healthcare and CIGNA insurance are accepted. Walk-in hours are 7:30 a.m.-11 a.m. and 12:30-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and 12:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

COMMUNITY · The Georgia Winery is inviting its customers to help support the fight against Breast Cancer. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), Georgia Winery will donate $1 per bottle for each “Pretty in Pink” sparkling wine sold to the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at Memorial Hospital.

Thursday, Oct. 18

COMMUNITY · The Mid-South Band will perform a benefit concert to help save the Rossville Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Walker County Civic Center in Rock Spring. Tickets cost $10 per person. Tickets are available at all branches of the Cherokee Regional Library System (LaFayette, Rossville, Chickamauga and Trenton), the Walker County Commissioner’s Office, Community Natinal Bank branches or at the door the night of the concert. For more information, call Darla Chambliss at 706-638-8311 or email dchambliss@chrl.org.

COMMUNITY · The LaFayette High School Homecoming Parade will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, beginning and ending in the Sixth Grade Academy parking lot. Any organization, school, church or civic group that is interested in participating should come by the LHS office and pick up an entry form. No four-wheelers, horses, go-carts or political advertisements allowed. Only entries that are registered at the high school will be allowed in the parade.

COMMUNITY · Dalton State College, in conjunction with the Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center, Hamilton Medical Center, and Georgia Mountain Health Services, will host a one-day conference for health educators Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Holiday Inn and Suites Conference Center in Dalton. Cost is $99 and includes lunch and Continuing Medical Education credits and Continuing Education Units for physicians and other healthcare professionals. To register, go to http://excellenceinhealthcareeducation.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 706-272-4410 or email ngwalker@daltonstate.edu.

COMMUNITY · The Friends of the Chickamauga Public Library will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18. Plans will be finalized for the Enchanted Evening event.

COMMUNITY · A diabetes education class will be offered from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Erlanger Chattanooga Lifestyle Center in Chattanooga. This class will explore ways to manage diabetes. Call 778-9400 for more information on physician referral and insurance reimbursement.

COMMUNITY · The Chickamauga Public Library will hold a “Ready to R.E.A.D.” storytime program at 10 a.m. Thursdays, Oct. 18 and 25.

COMMUNITY · The Civic Arts League, Inc. of Chattanooga will hold an art exhibit titled “Heritage” to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the “Battle of Ringgold” from Thursday, Oct. 18, through Friday, Nov. 9, at Ringgold Art & Frame Gallery, 7825 Nashville Street, in Ringgold. For more information call 706-935-2844.