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 class will be 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.

DuPont Community Credit Union’s nine offices will be closed today and Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day. The Credit Union will reopen on Feb. 17.

The American Red Cross will sponsor the following local blood drives:
n Wednesday, 2-6 p.m. at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton
n Thursday, 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

“Grant Writing: Hands-On Development of the Common Elements,” Virginia Foundation for the Humanities; Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to noon; there are a number of common elements required by most grants. Learn what these elements are and then writer the answers for your organization. Suzanne Miller of Skill Set Partners LLC will lead the event; register by calling the Center for Non-profit Excellence at 233-4440 or e-mailing ; cost: $25 for members and $50 for non-members.

Cassell Elementary School, 1301 Rockfish Road; school’s Relay for Life team will host a fundraiser on Feb. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; food will be available, all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

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

Linden Heights Baptist, 371 Linden Drive, Staunton; Feb. 28, 5-8 p.m.: spaghetti dinner to benefit America’s Birthday Celebration; cost: $5 per person; for tickets: 255-4222, Kimberly Zelena.

Alpha Chi’s Second Annual Blood Drive, Smyrna Presbyterian Church, 174 Dooms Crossing Road; March 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; appointments are set 15 minutes apart, with several giving at once.

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.

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.

Rockfish Valley Kite Flying Festival, Spruce Creek Park (in big field off Glenthorne Loop, Route 627); April 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; kite demonstrations and competitions courtesy of members of Richmond Air Force; some performances done to music; noon: unfurling of 1,200 square foot flag by chidlren in attendance while Star Spangled Banner plays; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.;  children’s activities; free kites and assembly to first 100 children; bring a picnic or purchase from vendor; no rain date; free to the public; info: 434-361-2251 or .
org; and Richmond Air Force, http://www.richmondairforce.com.

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; 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.