Civic news

Valley Music Academy in Waynesboro is now holding registration for spring classes. VMA has Musikgarten classes for children age 4 months to 8 years old, a children’s choir, Valley Voices (for children 6-12 years old) and a jazz ensemble for youth and adults. Valley Music Academy also offers affordable private music lessons for all ages in all brass instruments, clarinet, drums, flute, guitar, saxophone, viola, violin, cello, piano and voice. For more information, contact 942-8648, e-mail or visit http://www.valleymusicacademy.org.

22nd Annual Sweetheart Baby Photo Contest, Big K-Mart; last day of registration is today; free registration; two categories: infant to 2 years old and 3-6 years old; votes are one penny each to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; each child will receive a gift and winners in each category will receive a trophy, savings bond and additional gifts; sponsors: Alpha Chi and Beta Omicron Chapters of ESA and K-Mart; info: 337-2325.

Waynesboro Choral Society will hold auditions for its upcoming spring concert scheduled April 6 and 7 at the Main Street United Methodist Church on Monday, 7 p.m. New members are welcomed. Further information, call Director Don Coffey at 943-2075 or visit http://www.waynesborochoralsociety.homestead.com.

185th Anniversary of the birth of Confederate General, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson; Stonewall Jackson House, 8 E. Washington St., Lexington; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free tours; last tour begins at 4:30 p.m.; birthday cake and hot spiced cider served next door at the Davidson-Tucker House, located at 10 East Washington St.; info: 463-2552 or http://www.stonewalljackson.org.

Spaghetti dinner, Riverheads High School cafeteria; Thursday, 5-7:30 p.m. (before basketball game); cost: donation to the March of Dimes; sponsored by Riverheads FCCLA.

The Bridgewater Home Auxiliary’s 2009 Anniversary dinner and celebration fundraiser; Friday, Bridgewater College, Kline Campus Center; dinner, 6 p.m. and entertainment, 7 p.m.; featuring Rhythm Road (Celtic and American heartland with an Afro-Latin pulse); cost: $43 per person, optional $35 per person; paid reservations sent to: Bridgewater Home Auxiliary, 302 N. Second St., Bridgewater; info: 828-2682.

Woodworth Animal Hospital; Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Jan. 24, 1-4 p.m.: rabies clinic; cost: $10 per animal; no appointment necessary; info: 942-5163.

Fifth Annual Wounded Warriors Weekend, Wintergreen Resort; Friday- Jan. 25; almost 60 people will return to Wintergreen Resort; for more information, 434-325-2007 or visit http://www.skiwas.org.

NARFE Chapter 178 lunch and program meeting; Jan. 28, at noon at Mrs. Rowe’s Country Buffet in Mount Crawford; Marta Grove, of the Waynesboro Public Library, will talk about library programs for seniors; reservations needed by Jan. 25; pay for your lunch at entrance; info: Anne Smith, 943-2815.

Benefit bingo for Kayla Abshire; Stuarts Draft VFW, 3251 Stuarts Draft Highway; Jan. 25: doors open, 1:30 p.m.; games, 3 p.m.; all-cash prizes, food available, 50/50 raffle, door prizes; advance ticket sales prize is a 6-piece casserole set; contact Janet at 337-3027 or Kitty at 337-1387 for advance ticket sales or information. Kayla is the daughter of John and Lori Abshire. She is 10 years old and a cheerleader at Riverheads Elementary. She was born with congenital nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disease and will soon need a kidney transplant; proceeds benefit Kayla’s medical treatment.

SMILE art therapy class (Seek Mindfulness Imagination Laughter Everyday) for individuals dealing with mental health issues; Second Presbyterian, 133 N. Delphine Ave.; beginning Jan. 26, 4-6 p.m.: SMILE meet and greet; class meets in church social hall bi-weekly on Mondays, late arrivals are ok; donations of art supplies are accepted; for information: 241-5401.

The American Red Cross will sponsor the following local blood drives: at Staunton Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium, Staunton on Jan. 28 from noon to 6 p.m. and at the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, Stuarts Draft on Jan. 30 from noon to 6 p.m.

The Greater Augusta Association of Realtors, Community Service Auction Committee; applications are being accepted until Jan. 31, for the 9th Annual GAAR Live and Silent Auction; benefits local non-profit organizations that provide human services; 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 co-chairs Minnie Stevenson at 480-0648 or Lynn Wagner at 476-1957.

Potato bar dinner; Riverheads High School cafeteria; Feb. 3, 5-7:30 p.m. (before basketball game); cost: donation to the Feed the Children Organization; sponsored by Riverheads FCCLA.

Relay for Life of Augusta County organization will be at the Staunton Colonial Mall on Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; survivors and their families are invited to attend this free event; registration will be taken for the Survivors’ Reception, as well as survivors’ t-shirt orders for the 2009 Relay for Life of Augusta County on May 15-16 at Beverley Manor Middle School; luminary orders will also be taken to be lit at the event in honor of survivors or in memory of those lost to the disease; information will be available in the form of free literature and information on businesses that give cancer care; teams may sign-up for the Relay at this event; info: Meg Hodges, community manager, 1-800-416-8847 or .

The 2009 Business Showcase will be held from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Best Western Waynesboro Inn and Suites Conference Center. Visit and meet with more than 30 area businesses who will be showcasing their products and services. “Tactics for Economic Turmoil” seminars will also be presented from 1-4:30 p.m. by a variety of speakers. This event is open to the public.