Civic news

Fishersville Gun Show and sale; today, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Augusta Expoland, 277 Expo Road, Fishersville; admission: $6, children under 12 are free with a paying adult.

The Upper Valley Regional Park Authority Board of Directors meeting will take place today at 1:30 p.m. at Grand Caverns Regional Park; info.: Central Office, 249-5729.

Fort Defiance High School FFA Chapter Community Dinner and Auction; today, 5-9 p.m. at the Weyers Cave Community Center; dinner, auction and cake walk; menu: pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, green beans, salad, dessert, rolls and drink; cost: adults, $10; children (4-12), $5; children 3 and under, free; info.: Karen and/or Ashley Rubush, 234-9744, or call the school at 245-5050.

The Greater Augusta Association of Realtors Community Service Auction Committee; today is the last day to submit applications 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.

First Saturday Community Market, Rockfish Valley Community Center, Rockfish School Lane, Nelson County; Monday, 9 a.m. to noon; local vegetables, cheese, eggs, meat, fresh baked bread and pastries, arts and crafts, live music and a pancake breakfast; info.: 434-361-1725.

Riverheads High School FCCLA potato bar dinner; in the cafeteria; Tuesday, 5-7:30 p.m. (before the basketball game); cost: donation to the Feed the Children Organization.

Verona Fire Department; Feb. 7: basket bingo; doors open at 5 p.m., games start at 6 p.m.; pre-sale tickets are 5 for $25 or 3 for $25 at the door; info: Kim at 885-3867 or 280-7385 or Mark at 478-4801; sponsored by the parents of BSA Troop 121 in Verona.

Auditions for the spring musical, “Shenandoah Moon;” at Waynesboro Players Warehouse, 722 E. Main St.; Feb. 7, 3 p.m. and Feb. 8, 7 p.m.; all roles require some singing; singers do not need to bring a prepared piece and will be creating the characters from scratch; info: http://www.waynesboroplayers.org or 256-1677.

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 .

Registration for Monticello Summer Adventures Camp begins Feb. 9; weekday sessions with half-day schedules feature hands-on crafts, activities, tours and behind-the-scenes visits; sessions for students entering grades 4 and 5 will be held June 22-26, July 6-10, July 13-17 and July 20-24; sessions for students entering grades 6 and 7 will be held June 15-19; cost: $125 per session; registration required; info.: 343-984-9853 or http://www.monticello.org.
The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business Showcase; Feb. 12 ,1-5 p.m. at Best Western Waynesboro Inn and Suites Conference Center; visit and meet with more than 30 area businesses showcasing products and services. This event is open to the public; info.: 949-7740 or 324-1136.
Seminars include:
n “Tactics for Economic Turmoil” seminars will be presented from 1:15-4:30 p.m. by a variety of speakers. The following is a schedule of events:
n 1:15-2 p.m., Room 1: Connie DeShong, Bookkeeping and Management Services “Outsourcing – What Is it and How Can It Help You?”
n 1:15-2 p.m., Room 2: John Finney, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society “Planning for a Change.”
n 2:15-3 p.m., Room 1: Doug Rose, The Transition Companies “Exit Strategy and Transition Plan for Your Business.”
n 2:15-3 p.m., Room 2: Rusty Ashby, AXA Advisors, LLC “Unretirement, It’s Not Your Parents’ Retirement.”
n 3:15-4 p.m., Room 1: Dick Halterman, Murphy Business and Financial “I’ve Considered Selling My Business… So What’s It Worth?”
n 3:15-4 p.m., Room2: Susan Moorhead, Merrill Lynch “Navigating Through Market Volatility”
n 4:15-5 p.m., Room 1: Bill Gilliland, action coach “11 Things Business Owners Should Be Doing Right Now In Tough Times.”
n 4:15-5 p.m., Room 2: Christian Pechuekonis, Edward Jones Investment “Rules of the Road.”

Knights of Columbus Council 10760 blood drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; in the cafeteria of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 344 Maple Ave.; in association with the Virginia Blood Services.

Waynesboro Walk MS; May 9, 9 a.m. at Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville; to participate, visit http://www.walkMSva.org to register; Bike MS 2009: Tour de Vine, summer bike event, will be held in Charlottesville June 13-14; start and finish line at The Miller School of Albemarle; visit http://www.bikeMSva.org.

Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity is hosting an open application period through March 31. Community members who wish to be considered for H4H housing should review program qualifications and income limits by contacting the organization for an application packet or stop by 434 Richmond Road (east entrance), Staunton or call 886-1944 extension 100 or visit the Web site at http://www.habitatsaw.org.