Civic news

The North Pole Postal Service is assisting Waynesboro children in getting their letters to Santa as fast as possible with North Pole Express. Special Santa mail barrels are in each of the elementary schools and at the Waynesboro Post Office through 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.

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 will be selected in early 2009 for the October 2009 auction; 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through Dec. 31; one overdue book fine will be excused for each can of food brought to the library; please no dented, outdated or perishable items; food collected for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

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 through 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.

Surviving the Holidays Support Meeting, Grottoes Church of the Brethren, 7 p.m. on Dec. 18. For Valley families who have experienced the death of a child or pregnancy loss. A brief service will include a candlelight ceremony and readings. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by Dec. 12. For more information or directions, visit the Web site at http://www.sadierosefoundation.org. To RSVP, call 810-4351.

The Stonewall Jackson Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, Valley District has three Explorer posts available. They are career oriented. Posts revolve around interests, needs, concerns and most important, the curiosity of youth that are interested in a particular field.  The three posts are:
n Explorer Post 309 - Waynesboro Police Department; Youths will learn about how and why the laws are maintained.  They will also learn what service to the public is.
n Explorer Post 390 - Augusta Medical Center; Youths will be introduced to the wide range of medical fields, such as nursing, laboratory specialist and the many different career opportunities in the medical profession. There is also volunteer service time at the hospital.
n Explorer Post 382 - Weyers Cave Aviation; The youth will learn how to operate an airplane, the mechanics of the planes and also the engineering of a plane and all sort of other kinds of aircrafts.
The youths must be at the ages of 14-20. It is for both boys and girls that are interested in learning more about a particular career.  The goals are to gain practical experience in a career.
If anyone is interested in any of these Explorer Posts, call the office at 943-6675 or e-mail Dee Shartinger at . Feel free to check out our website for more details at http://www.bsa-sjac.org.

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.