Civic news

Blood Drive In Honor of 11-month-old Finn Simmons: American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Tuesday from 1-7 p.m. at Basic United Methodist Church, 5th and Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro, in honor of little Finn Simmons who is waiting for a kidney transplant.  Finn is the son of Tara and John Simmons, of Waynesboro, and the grandson of Don and Carolyn Burnett, of Waynesboro, and Peter and Mae Swartz, of Afton.

Free senior exercise class at Waynesboro Mennonite Church, Hopeman Parkway, Waynesboro; Tuesday and Thursdays from 10-11 a.m.; emphasis on stretching and balance; personal 2-pound weights required.

Pancake Supper, Tuesday, at Lyndhurst United Methodist church, 2835 Lyndhurst Road, from 5 p.m. until ?; menu is sausage and pancakes or biscuits and sausage gravy and beverage, for the price of a donation to benefit the church’s food pantry.

Chrysalis will host Audrey Irvine, Ph.D., on March 1 from 3-5 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 565 Pine Ave. and 14th St., Waynesboro, in a discussion about infinite possibility, by donation. Irvine will explore the world of extraordinary abilities, visit some of the spiritual traditions that provide maps of the world beyond the veils and explore the abilities of animals: where they fit into the continuum of consciousness and why humans don’t commonly have access to the abilities that animals have. For more information, visit http://www.infinite-potentials.com.

The Augusta County Republican Womens Club will meet at Mossy Creek Cafe in Fishersville on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. Jean Ann Bolling, wife of Lieutenant Governor William T. Bolling, will be the guest speaker. Her topic will be “Womens Heart Health”. Interested women are invited to attend. For questions you may call Kim Miller at 943-0805.

Free tax preparation with AARP Tax-Aide 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.

Parenting classes, Mental Health of Augusta and the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, United Way agencies:
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.

Habitat for Humanity open application period, Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity; 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.

Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild meeting; Sunnyside Retirement Center, Sunnyside Room, 3935 Sunnyside Drive, Harrisonburg; today, 9:30 a.m.; following the business meeting is the annual guild auction; members and non-members welcome; there is no fee for non-members to attend one meeting per year; membership dues are $20 per year with membership running April 1 to March 31.

51st Annual Chitterling Dinner, Piney River Firehouse; today, noon; menu: ham, roast beef, fried chicken, vegetables, bread, dessert and a beverage; donation of $12 is requested for adults, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for an all chitterling plate; main fundraiser for Piney River Volunteer Fire Department; info.: Wilson Kidd, 434-277-5578.

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

Blood drive, Knights of Columbus Council 10760; today, 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.

Blood drives, The American Red Cross:
n Wednesday, noon to 6 p.m. at Gypsy Hill Park’s gymnasium in Staunton
n Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona

Monthly dance; Shenandoah Valley Chapter of USA Dance, Feb. 28 at the Dayton Learning Center, 290 Mill St., Dayton; theme for the month is “Mardi Gras;” free beginner quickstep lesson at 7 p.m.; dance starts at 8 p.m. and features ballroom, latin and swing music in a smoke- and alcohol-free environment; casual dress; open to the public; information: 879-9126; Bachata workshop with Karen Thomas on Feb. 28, from 4-5 p.m. at the Dayton Learning Center; workshop is free to USA Dance members, $10 for non-members, $7 for seniors and $5 for students.

Camp Summer Fun registration begins March 2, Waynesboro Parks and Recreation; state-licensed program provides elementary-aged children with days filled with games, crafts, sports, small and large group activities, dance, drama, guest speakers, swimming and more; current LATCH participants may begin registration on Feb. 26; early registration is recommended; call or stop by the Parks and Recreation office, 942-6735; cost: $70 per week or $15 per day; info.: 942-6735, http://www.waynesboro.va.us/pr or e-mail .
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.

Fun Nutrition for Preschoolers, Augusta County Parks and Recreation; March 10, from 4-5 p.m. at Wilson Middle School in Fishersville; instructor: Pat Caulkins, RN, BSN, MS (Augusta Medical Center WOW Children/Youth Coordinator); with the rising obesity rate, it is important to teach your child healthy eating habits early in life; this nutrition course is designed for parents and caregivers of preschoolers and will offer advice on healthy options for your child; all ages welcome; cost: $10; payment must be received by March 3; info.: 245-5727 or http://www.co.augusta.va.us.

Mountain Heritage Cloggers, ARC, Fairfax Avenue; March 13, from 4-6 p.m.; deadline to register is March 10; sponsored by Waynesboro Parks and Recreation; info.: 942-6735, http://www.waynesboro.va.us/pr or e-mail .

Lil’ Leprechauns, Rosenwald Community Center; celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (for ages 2-5) on March 16, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.; festivities include making potato prints, icing shamrock cookies and making some fancy green creations; minimum class size if 5, so invite a friend to sign up; deadline to register is March 12; cost: $4; info.: info.: 942-6735, http://www.waynesboro.va.us/pr or e-mail .

National Wild Turkey Federation J.A.K.E.S. event; Shenandale Gun Club property, Route 42, Swoope; March 21, events: shotgun, archery, air rifle, skeet shooting and hands-on demonstration of turkey calls, target shooting and more; Shenandoah Valley “BuckMasters” will provide a Remington 870 in choice of 20- or 12-gauge to give away to a youngster attending the event; registration and check-in from 8-8:30 a.m., lunch from noon-1 p.m., with event ending at 4 p.m.; limited space is available, so register early; increased registration fee of $7-10 to join the J.A.K.E.S. program this year and is the only cost associated with this event ($7 for ages 1-12; $10 for youth 13-17 and $10 for youth over 18); registration fees should be received before March 10; please bring a few cans of nonperishable canned food to be donated to a local food pantry; info.: Jan or Eddy Pitsenbarger, 337-6902, Chuck or Tina Hite, 886-3141, Scott Robertson, 885-7880, Lennie or Bonita Tolley, 248-4564, Blaine Short, 997-5806 or Jeremiah Major, 943-8773.

The Ruffed Grouse Society will man a booth at the Western Va. Sport show Friday through March 1 at ExpoLand near Fishersville. The chapter will raffle off a framed sponsor print titled “Stonewall Strut” by artist P. Clayton Wiers and a Tristar Hunter 28-gauge shotgun. Stop a visit and pick up some of the chapter’s informational handouts.

Camp Spring Break, Waynesboro Parks and Recreation, 413 Port Republic Road; childcare offered at Rosenwald Community Center; games, seasonal crafts, gym time, special cooking projects and more; cost: $15 per day, hours: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 6-10; payment is due upon registration; deadline to register is March 30; info.: 942-6735, http://www.waynesboro.va.us/pr or e-mail .

Better Portraits, Waynesboro Galleries, 112 S. Wayne Ave.; March 31, from 6-8 p.m.; learn ways to improve your portraits; will discuss posing, lighting, lenses and composition; intended for owners of digital SLR cameras that have basic knowledge of camera and flash use; cost: $15; sponsored by Waynesboro Parks and Recreation; info.: 942-6735, http://www.waynesboro.va.us/pr or e-mail .

11th annual yard sale; Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Council of Organizations; April 4; held indoors in the WWRC gym; ample parking; area is accessible with restrooms onsite; food for sale; doors open to the public from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; oak pie safe, made by WWRC students, will be raffled; to purchase a ticket, call 332-7939; all proceeds benefit students at WWRC.

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, professional organization of kite flyers; some performances done to music; noon: unfurling of 1,200 square foot flag by children in attendance while Star Spangled Banner plays; 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: free dual line group lasting half-hour; stunt kites flown, instructions given and kites available for purchase from 2 Guys Flying; children’s activities: free kites and assembly to first 100 children and basket races with parachutes; bring a picnic; food vendor, Botali’s, of Staunton; no rain date; free and open to the public; sponsors: Rockfish Valley Foundation, http://www.rockfishvalley.org, 434-361-2251 or ; and Richmond Air Force, http://www.richmondairforce.com and 2 Guys Flying.

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 June 13-14, summer bike event to be held in Charlottesville; start and finish line at The Miller School of Albemarle; visit http://www.bikeMSva.org.

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative annual meeting; June 11, 4 p.m.; meeting will feature a barbecue chicken dinner, live entertainment and a special Kids’ Zone area; scheduled speakers: SVEC President and CEO Myron D. Rummel, SVED Board of Directors Chairman Larry E. Garber and CFC’s CEO Sheldon Peterson; other speakers to be confirmed at later date.