Civic news

Woodworth Animal Hospital; Saturday, 1-4 p.m.: rabies clinic; cost: $10 per animal; no appointment necessary; info: 942-5163.

Fifth Annual Wounded Warriors Weekend, Wintergreen Resort; Friday-Sunday; the weekend has grown from its first year when six injured warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center came to Wintergreen to enjoy adaptive snow sports as part of the rehabilitation from their injuries; this year, about 25 warriors, their guests and health care professionals, almost 60 people in all, will return to Wintergreen Resort; for more information, 434-325-2007 or visit http://www.skiwas.org.

ShenanArts Youth Company auditions: Tuesday, 5 p.m. at Stage 4 Theatre, Verona; limited number of spots open this semester; middle and high school students welcome, but preference given to high school students; cost: $50 if selected; prepare one monologue, not to exceed 2 minutes and a resume including previous theater experience; other materials and exercises provided, as well as a short interview; members must commit to weekly acting classes (Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m.) and participation in ShenanArts mainstage production scheduled for late June; rehearsals begin in April, to be held three times a week; info: 248-1868.

NARFE Chapter 178 lunch and program meeting; Wednesday, at noon at Mrs. Rowe’s County Buffet in Mount Crawford; Marta Grove, of the Waynesboro Public Library, will talk about library programs for seniors; reservations needed by Sunday; pay for your lunch as you enter the restaurant; info: Anne Smith, 943-2815.

Benefit bingo for Kayla Abshire; Stuarts Draft VFW, 3251 Stuarts Draft Highway; Sunday: 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. She will soon need a kidney transplant; proceeds benefit Kayla for help with her 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 Monday, 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:
n Staunton Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium, Staunton; Wednesday, noon to 6 p.m.
n Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, Stuarts Draft; Friday, noon to 6 p.m.
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.

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

Relay for Life of Augusta County 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.