Civic news

Wheelin’ Sportsmen accessible deer hunt, shotgun-only hunt for people with disabilities at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center during holiday break; held in the wooded areas of the campus, allowing people with disabilities a safe and secure outdoor sporting event; conducted under the direction and control of the WWRC Police Department; campus boundaries will be clearly posted and patrolled; public access to campus prohibited on Jan. 2 and 3; campus will reopen on regular schedule Jan. 5; info: Keith Burt, 332-7158 or .

The Waynesboro Women’s Club Clothes Closet, located at the Church of the Brethren, will be closed on Tuesday and Dec. 30. The store will reopen on Jan. 6.

The North Pole Postal Service has offered to help the children of Waynesboro to get their letters to Santa as fast as possible with North Pole Express; special Santa mail barrels will be in each of the elementary schools and at the Waynesboro Post Office until Friday; be sure that all letters have a return address on them so that Santa may send a reply; sponsored by Waynesboro Parks and Recreation, 413 Port Republic Road.

Waynesboro Downtown Development is seeking volunteers for Friday’s Christmas in the River City event. If you can volunteer 1-2 hours, contact Rick at 942-6705 or .

The Greater Augusta Association of Realtors, Community Service Auction Committee; applications are being accepted until Jan. 31, 2009, for the 9th Annual GAAR Live and Silent Auction; raises money for local non-profit organizations that provide human services to the area; non-profits located in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta are welcome to apply; three local charities selected in early 2009, auction held in October 2009; for applications and rules, contact Community Service co-chairs Minnie Stevenson at 480-0648 or Lynn Wagner at 476-1957.

Annual HUBS Peanut Sale; The Kiwanis Club of Waynesboro; benefits children’s organizations and programs in the Waynesboro and East Augusta County region; large, forty ounce tins are $15; discounts available on large quantity orders; info: 476-1400 or 946-1871.

Food For Fines; Waynesboro Public Library, Augusta County Library and Staunton Public Library; through Dec. 31; one overdue book fine will be excused for each can of food brought to the library; please no dented, outdated or perishable items; food collected for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

The Celebration of Holiday Lights Committee is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 light displays in Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton; organizations, businesses, families and individuals an reserve a space for $25; City of Staunton provides electricity; info: Angel Cooper, 886-8660 or or Doug Carter, 337-3404; Web site: http://www.celebrationoflights.org.

Food Pantry, from 10 a.m. to noon; Second Presbyterian Church, 133 N. Delphine Ave.; info.: 943-3211 or 943-3213.

Aluminum recycling; Bethany Lutheran Church; aluminum only.

Augusta County Railroad Museum and Model Railroad Club open houses; Kroger Mall, Arch Avenue; up to 15 trains run continuously; every Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 28; Saturday hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday hours: 1-4:30 p.m.; Dec. 28 drawing for model train set and two gift certificates from local hobby shop; free admission.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, John Paul Jones Arena; tonight’s 7 p.m. performance has been cancelled; ticket holders should contact the John Paul Jones Arena box office to exchange tickets for another performance; remaining performances will continue as scheduled: today, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m.; further info: 888-JPJ-TIXS or http://www.johnpauljonesarena.com.

39th Annual WTON/Staunton Rotary Children’s Christmas Party; today, 10 a.m. to noon; Thomas D. Howie Memorial Armory, Staunton; in addition to presents, invited children also receive a drink and snack; 550 lunches provided for families to take home; children will sing Christmas carols and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Benefit concert for the Blue Ridge Area Foodbank Network; today, 8 p.m. at Uncle Charlie’s Smokehouse on the Square, Crozet; Catfish Jones, Charlottesville-area musicians, to perform “free range rock;” donations collected for the Thomas Jefferson Area Food Bank; bring $3 or five non-perishable food items as admittance; info: Becky Vigon, ; Lee Felton, ; or Ruth Jones, 248-3663 or .

Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild; today: business meeting at Bridgewater Town Hall, 9:30 a.m.; 201 Green St., Bridgewater; following meeting, annual holiday celebration with potluck luncheon; no fee for meeting; members and non-members welcome.

“Breakfast with Santa;” today, Weyers Cave Community Center; 7:30-10:30 a.m.; Cat-in-the-Hat will make an appearance; free gift from Santa for all the kids; bring your camera for a picture; donations benefit Verona Food Pantry.

Moose Senior Bingo, Moose Lodge, Hopeman Parkway; Tuesday, 11 a.m.; bring a covered dish to share; free event; info: Rosalie Lafferty, 942-2229.

The American Red Cross will sponsor the following local blood drives:
n Thursday, Waynesboro Moose Lodge 1309, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
n Friday, Augusta County Government Center, Verona, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
n Dec. 24, Staunton Gypsy Hill Park gym, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Shenandoah Valley Head Start Policy Council meeting; Friday, 10 a.m.; Rowe’s Family Restaurant, Staunton; public invited.

Knights of Columbus blood drive; St. John the Evangelist Catholic, corner of Maple Avenue and 11th Street; Dec. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; in assistance to Virginia Blood Services for the holidays.

Freeze Out 2009 by Free Bird Vanners of Virginia, 1428 Outpost Road, Lanexa, Rockahock Campgrounds; Jan. 9-11; full hookups, private showers, restrooms; bring 30 and 50 amp adaptors (no 110 plugs); bar onsite, open Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at noon; restaurant, lounge and convenience store onsite; bands Friday and Saturday night by The Campgrounds ($5 cover); bring fishing license and poles to fish in the Chickahominy River; Show and Shine on Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m.; games; first 50 vans receive a goodie bag; cost: $35 for van and 2 people, $10 for each additional person; early arrivals on Thursday pay $15 fee; info: Roach at 804-339-1976; Paintbrush at 804-288-6634; or Wizard at 337-2069; visit http://www.rockahock.com for more information.