Civic news

AARP Tax-Aide will prepare tax returns free of charge through April 15. This service is for moderate to low income taxpayers of any age, with special consideration given to those age 60 and over. Times and locations are as follows:
n Waynesboro Senior Center: Mondays, 1-4 p.m.; Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon; appointments are recommended and will be given priority; call Joanne Swanda, 942-9518; for tax information call Dick Eller, 943-6214.
n Augusta County Government Center, Verona: Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon and 2-5 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon; walk-ins only, no appointments; call Rob Saylor, 337-7067.
n Nelson County Library, 8521 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston: Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m.; call Marlene Howard, 434-361-0283.

Mental Health of Augusta and the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, United Way agencies, are sponsoring the following parenting classes:
n “For Kids Sake:” A program for parents, step-parents and grandparents who share custody or visitation of a child, whether or not there was ever a marriage. The class is appropriate for adults who are currently going through the courts, as well as those who have been separated for years. Charmi Neely, from Kuley, Ryan, and Associates, teaches this one-time, 4-hour seminar. The next two classes will be today and April 4 at the Mary Switzer building on the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center campus.
n “Guiding Good Choices:” This class meets once a week for five weeks and focuses on helping parents lower the likelihood that their middle school children will participate in risky behaviors, especially drug use. Topics include risk and protective factors, family bonding, managing anger and conflict and refusal skills that go well beyond “Just say ‘No’ ”. Children 9 years old and over are invited to participate in the third session to practice refusal skills. The next class will be held at Waynesboro Free Methodist Church on Monday evenings from March 23 through April 20. Child care and a meal will be provided.
n “Love and Logic:” This is a 7-week class appropriate for parents and caregivers of preschoolers, teenagers and all ages in between. Parents learn to replace anger with empathy and allow natural and logical consequences do the teaching. Instruction covers a wide variety of topics, including tantrums at Wal-Mart, truancy, bedtime battles and shoplifting. The next class will be held at Memorial Baptist Church in Staunton on Thursday mornings through March 19. Child care and snack provided.

Verona Fire Department; today: 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 – Verona.

Waynesboro Players Warehouse auditions, 722 E. Main St.; today, 3 p.m. and Sunday, 7 p.m.: for spring musical,“Shenandoah Moon;” all roles require some singing; singers do not need to bring a prepared piece; info.: http://www.waynesboroplayers.org or 256-1677.

Relay for Life of Augusta County will be at the Staunton Colonial Mall today, 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 Monday; 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; Thursday ,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.
“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.”
DuPont Community Credit Union’s nine offices will be closed Feb. 14 and Feb. 16 in observance of President’s Day. The Credit Union will reopen on Feb. 17.

The American Red Cross will sponsor the following local blood drives:
n Feb. 18, 2-6 p.m. at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton
n Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Waynesboro Moose Lodge 1309
n Feb. 25, noon to 6 p.m. at Gypsy Hill Park’s gymnasium in Staunton
n Feb. 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona

Knights of Columbus Council 10760 blood drive; Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: in the cafeteria of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 344 Maple Ave.; to be held in association with the Virginia Blood Services.

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

SAW 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.

The Upper Valley Regional Park Authority Board of Directors Finance Committee has been scheduled to meet at Grand Caverns Regional Park, on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. The inclement weather date is Feb. 13 at 9:30 a.m. Items on the agenda include a budget work session. If unable to attend, notify Central Office at 249-5729 prior to 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Black History Events
n Mount Woodland Baptist Church, Greenfield; a Black History service and celebration will be held Sunday at 11 a.m. with a sermon by the Rev. L.W. Wyant; the celebration will include poetry readings and musical entertainment.
n 8th Annual Combined Black Heritage Program; theme: Education is the key to freedom; from Feb. 28-March 1; on Feb. 28 at William Perry Elementary, Waynesboro: program begins at 3 p.m. with refreshments served during events, which will include a semi-dinner theater with skits performed by Tommy Crawford and Claramae Sheffey, plus a selection of songs by The Crawford Brothers; on March 1 at Mount Marine Baptist Church: program begins at 3 p.m.; message to be provided by Dr. Edward Scott, with music by the Black Heritage Combined Gospel Choir and the Christian Women’s Fellowship Choir.
n Union Baptist Church of Avon will host its annual Black History Program Sunday at 3 p.m. The guests will be the Youth Choir from Gordonsville along with others.

Play On! in Charlottesville announces auditions for their upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim’s hit revue, “Side by Side by Sondheim.”  Director Kay Bethea seeks three singer-actors (one male, two female) and one non-singing narrator (male or female).  Prepare one song from a musical that shows both vocal and acting abilities.  Also prepare 16 bars of a contrasting song to show versatility.  Bring sheet music for both selections (accompanist will be provided.)  If auditioning for the non-singing role only, bring a one-minute prepared monologue. All auditioners may be asked to do cold readings. Make an appointment by calling the Director Kay Bethea, at 434 293-7903 (home) or 434 242-4573 (cell).
Auditions will be held at the Theatre at IX, 983 Second St. SE (minutes from I64).  Performances are April 9-19. Visit PlayOnTheatre.org for directions.  For more information, call 872-0184.