AMERICUS — This Week

Americus



PTO program: Sarah Cobb Elementary School will host PTO at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday February 26. A program involving many Sarah Cobb students will be held in recognition of Black History Month. There will also be a session designed to help parents prepare their children for the CRCT, which is just around the corner. Please come support your school for this important event.



Airport Authority: The Americus-Sumter County Airport Authority meets at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the board room of the airport terminal building at Jimmy Carter Regional Airport. The meeting is open to the public.



Americus Idol: The Boys & Girls Club of Americus-Sumter County Inc. presents Americus Idol Saturday at GSW’s Fine Arts Theatre on campus. If you can sing, plan to come out and compete. The first round of competition will be at noon. All contestants will sing one song. The top 20 contestants will move on to the final round of competition at 6 p.m., in which they will sing another song. Entry fee is $25 per person and the winner will be crowned “Americus Idol” and receive $100. Admission to the first and final competitions is $5 person, children 10 and under $3 for each per show. All proceeds benefit the local Boys and Girls Club. Deadline for entry is Feb. 28. For information or application call Susan Ruckman 942-6618 or Deloris O’Neal 886-8130.



Miss Jabberwock: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Americus Alumnae Chapter presents Miss Jabberwock Scholarships and Chapter Projects Fundraising Program — A Century of Elegance and Excellence at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Sumter County Primary School Auditorium. For tickets and more information call Dorothy Patterson at  938-3955 or any member of the chapter.



Free Classes: Lake Blackshear Regional Library offers Personal

Computer Basics at 11 a.m. Saturday. Class lasts an hour. Free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Stop by the library at 307 E. Lamar St., call 924-8091 or visit lbrls.org for more information.



Looking Ahead

Americus

Neighborhood Watch: A Neighborhood Watch meeting for Districts 1 and 5 residents is at 6 p.m. March 4 at the Americus Police Department.



Pecan Farmers: A Sumter County Pecan Production meeting is at noon March 7 at the Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe. UGA specialists present the program and lunch is provided by local County Agent Bill Starr. Prodcuers may earn one hour credit towards private and commercial pesticide license. Call 924-4476 if you plan to attend.



Tree Sale: The annual Americus Kiwanis Club Tree Sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 9 at Lenny’s Market in Americus. Dogwoods and crape myrtles — 1,000 of each — will be available for $1 per tree from 8-11 a.m. Secondary sale locations include parking lots at Clinic Drug Store, Accelerated Physical Therapy and the old Manhattan Shirt factory. Pre-sales of up to 500 of each tree are available for reservation at 229-924-2783.



GOP Convention: The Sumter County Republican Party holds its County Convention March 9, at the Rylander Theatre in George’s Soda Shop. The Mass Meeting convenes at 9 a.m. to elect delegates to the County Convention, to be held immediately following at 10 a.m. in the same location. The County Convention delegates will elect officers for the coming two years and elect delegates to the District and State Conventions. The District Convention will be held iApril 20 in Byron and the State Convention will be held May 17-18 in Athens. All registered voters of Sumter County who aspire to the principles of the Republican Party, of limited government of and by The Constitution are invited to attend and participate. For more information call Gerald E. Smith, chairman, Sumter GOP,  229-924-6252.



Golf Tournament: The Americus Fire and Emergency Services hosts its 18th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament on March 22 at Griffin Bell Golf Links. All proceeds will be used for local community safety and prevention programs. Call Harriett Williams at 924-3213 for more information.



Chamber Concert Series: Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) has announced its 2012-2013 Chamber Concert Series —  April 8 – Sima Trio. All performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. in GSW’s Jackson Performance Hall, unless otherwise noted. Tickets available and can be purchased at the door. For information or tickets, call 931-2204.



Servsafe® Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Managers is April 10-11. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $140. Call 924-4476 or stop by the Sumter County Extension Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe.



Charity Golf Tournament: Knights of Columbus Council No. 7113 of St. Mary’s Catholic Church sponsors the 16th annual Charity Golf Tournament at 8:30 a.m. April 13 at Brickyard Plantation Golf Course. All proceeds to be donated to charity. Cost to play is $50 per player. The format is four-player scramble without handicap. There are opportunities for hole sponsorship and prize donations. One lucky golfer will receive an invitation to golf in the Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Classic in Albany along with members of the NFL Hall of Fame. For information contact Ron Akerman 942-1653, Duane Broxterman 938-6903 or  Wayne Exley 924-2417.



Pre-K Vacancies: The Georgia Southwestern State University lottery funded Pre-K program has current openings for the 2012-2013 school year. To be eligible for this free program, a child must have turned four years old by Sept. 1, 2012 and be a resident of Georgia. For more information, email yevette.mcwhorter@gsw.edu or call  931-2742 or 931-2142.



Ellaville

Elite Fashion Show: New Beginnings nonprofit organization of Ellaville hosts a fashion show at 4 p.m. March 9 next to Planter’s Hardware (west wing) which was occupied by the Old Pawn Shop. There is a $5 entry fee to participate in the fashion show, and $1 cover charge for admission to the show. Men, women and children model prizes will be given for each age group. A special guest will be on site, April Smith, owner of Butterfly Cosmetic of Atlanta. Concessions will available for purchase. Deadline for entry forms is March 2. To enter call 229-937-5793, email info@enewbeginnings.org, or visit the website www.enewbeginnings.org to download an entry form.



Montezuma

Pancake Supper: The Mennonite School Benefit Pancake Supper is from 5-8:30 p.m. March 7 in the Clearview Mennonite gym featuring pancakes, sausage, gravy, grits and homemade biscuits. All you can is $4 per person and free for ages one-four.



Albany

Farm to Fork Fundraiser: The Fourth Annual Farm to Fork benefit for The Lily Pad Center, a nonprofit organization for victims of sexual abuse, is at 7 p.m. April 27 at the Historic Cypress Pond Plantation.The food, sourced within 60 miles of Dougherty County, will feature grass fed beef and chicken, organic greens and southern libations. Preparation will take place in the kitchens of Phoebe prepared by a host of chefs.Tickets for the event are $75 per person. For sponsorship, or volunteer enquiries contact Trey@lilypadcenter.com



Ongoing

Americus

Program Moves: Easter Seals iannounces the new home of Americus Day Solutions Program is 102 International Blvd., Building E. It provides services for adults with developmental disabilities from9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Staff at Easter Seals ensure that adults with developmental disabilities experience valued roles in the community by providing services and training that supports individual choices and opportunities.



New GED Testing Hours: New hours, starting in January for GED testing at the Stein Center are 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and the first Saturday of each month.

 

Recycling Project: 4-E Learning & Prevention Center Inc. is sponsoring a recycling project. Call 928-5605 to make arrangements for delivery or pick-up of large items. Bring other items to the 4-E Center, 1405 First Montgomery St. All types of metals are needed such as old vehicles, bikes, electronics, microwave ovens, file cabinets, appliances, etc; aluminum items; paper items such as old books, magazines, etc.; plastics such as water and drink bottles and other items; and ink cartridges of all sizes, brands and kinds.

 

4-E Learning & Prevention Center: After School program for k-8th grade students is 2:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Registration fee is $25 or $60 for pickup from school. You might be eligible for free or reduced child care. Contact DFCS. To register, call 928-5605 or e-mail fourecenter@yahoo.com or apply online at www.compass.ga.gov



Flu Vaccine: The Sumter County Health Department, 1601 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is offering the flu vaccine from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays. The regular Fluzone and intranasal flu mist if $23, and the Fluzone high dose, formulated for ages 65 and over is $40. Medicaid, Medicare, cash and debit cards accepted.



Youth Mentoring: Love & Mercy Outreach Programs Inc. presents the S.O.L.A.C.E. Youth Mentoring Program from 7-8 p.m. every Saturday at 1243 Faith St. Annex Building; LMOP Inc. Activities Center. All teens ages 12-18 are welcome. For more information or for a ride, contact Tanya Reese 229-591-2565 or Qaijuan Willis 229-942-7220. Also e-mail us at solaceyouthprogram@gmail.com



Americus Volunteers Needed: The Flint River Chapter of the American Red Cross needs local volunteers. If you are interested in working as a volunteer in our office or helping with local disasters such as single-family fires, call 924-2026 and speak with Wanda, volunteer coordinator.



Anonymous Crime Tipline: The Americus Police Department has an anonymous crime tip line 924-4102. Citizens can leave information for police about crime in their neighborhood or other areas. The calls are completely anonymous.



Faith Clinic: Sumter Faith Clinic is a non-profit organization directed at meeting the spiritual and health care needs of residents of Sumter County who do not have health insurance or an affordable means to health care. Services include basic, non-emergent medical care of acute conditions as well as treatment of some chronic conditions. Services are delivered by volunteers. The clinic is located at 127 S. Jackson St. next to First Presbyterian Church. Hours of operation are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.



CPR Classes: Americus Fire and Emergency Services will offer American Heart Association CPR certification classes. Call Harriett Williams at 924-3213 for more information.



Water Restrictions: The City of Americus has implemented the following water restrictions, established by the state Environmental Protection Division as Level II drought restrictions. Outdoor watering is allowed on the following days: North of Lamar Street on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and South of Lamar Street on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. No watering is allowed on Fridays. Outdoor water use is allowed only between midnight and 10 a.m. on scheduled days. Restrictions affect all residential, commercial, government and institutional outdoor irrigation and other nonessential water uses. These include watering lawns and landscapes, gardens, washing cars at residential sites and hosing streets and sidewalks. These restrictions will be strictly enforced. For information call Charlotte Cotton, Chief Administrative Officer at 924-4411.



Drug Problems: Narcotics Anonymous meets  7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays for a members only. A meeting open to the public is held on Thursday 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All meetings are held at Williams Road Church of Christ. Call George C. 942-3752 or Charlie S. 938-0218 for more information.



Volunteers Needed: Phoebe Sumter Hospice is looking for volunteers to help with the needs of the terminally ill and their loved ones. This includes house-sitting, doing light chores or just providing spiritual or emotional support during this difficult time. Call Wendy Peacock 928-4000 if interested in becoming a volunteer.



Needs Volunteers: The Mattie Marshall Center is looking for volunteers to help do activities. Do you play an instrument, sing, dance or have a club or group that would like to come visit? We need volunteers of all ages and types for parties, Bingo, exercise, church services, snacks, etc. For information call Nikki Jones 924-9352, ext. 3089.

 

Ambassadors Needed: The Ambassadors of the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce are looking for new members. Chamber member businesses are invited to nominate someone to join this elite group of business minded individuals who perform volunteer work on behalf of the Chamber. Call 924-2646 for information.



Free Classes: Free GED classes are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays in Sumter, Schley, Marion, Macon, Webster and Crisp counties. For information call 931-7323.



Share Group: The Grief Share Group meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month at First Baptist Church, South Lee Street. Meetings are open to anyone grieving the death of a loved one. For information, call the church office at 924-9035 or Ann Creel Beaver at 924-7652.



Support Group: The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group meets from noon-1:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the Magnolia Room at Magnolia Manor Retirement Center. A light lunch will be served.



AA Meeting: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 332 S. Lee St. Friends of Bill W. Club meets at 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 702 Adderton St. (Ga. Highway 30 West). For more meetings, visit www.aageorgia.org



Substance Abuse: Love and Mercy Outreach programs presents Alpha and Omega Substance Abuse and Awareness Program from 6-7 p.m. every Saturday at 511-D W. Forsyth St. All people with alcohol and drug addiction issues and their friends and family are welcome. For more information or for a ride, call James Ross 229-331-4746 or William Wallace 229-331-8160.



American Legion: American Legion Post 2 meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month.



Lodge Meeting: M.B. Council Lodge No. 13, F&AM meets at 7 p.m. first and third Tuesday of very month at the Masonic Temple, 1209 Crawford St.



Pilot Club: The Americus Pilot Club meets (focuses on brain-related injuries and disorders) meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Magnolia Room, Magnolia Manor Retirement Center, South Lee Street.



Soup Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen, at 437 S. Hampton St., is open at 6 p.m. every Wednesday to all in need.



Volunteers Needed: SOWEGA Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), office serving a six-county area, needs volunteers to work with abused and neglected children who are involved in the court system. A CASA volunteer advocates for the child’s best interest before the court. Training classes are available soon. For more information, call 931-4488.



Family Workshop: Who would make your final health care decisions if you couldn’t make them for yourself? The Critical Conditions Family Workshop can help you and your loved ones talk about these issues before decisions might have to be made. The CRITICAL Conditions Family Workshop is free! If you are aware of a group who would be interested in participating in a workshop presented by United Hospice of Cordele, call contact Jana Dew at 1-800-288-8466.



Adult Reading Skills: Adult Literacy Action Inc. has several openings for adult individuals interested in improving their reading skills. The organization is affiliated with the Lake Blackshear Regional Library. Volunteer tutors are available to work with individuals on a one-on-one basis. Generally sessions are held one or two times a week for about an hour. Training materials are furnished at no charge. If interested, call 924-9010.



Recovery Program: Doing things the same never brings change. Got problems? Drugs, divorce, alcohol, porn; it doesn’t matter. Join us at 7 p.m. every Monday at 245 Southland Road for Celebrate Recovery. Contact us at 924-7409 or 937-2966 for more information or visit www.cornerstoneamericus.com and click on Celebrate Recovery.



Al-Anon: You do not have to be an alcoholic to suffer from the affects of alcoholism. We offer a safe place to recover from the effects of another person's drinking. Meetings are 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Carswell House, Calvary Episcopal Church, 133 Brannen Ave.. All meetings are confidential and open to interested persons.



Girls Rock: 4-E Learning & Prevention Center Inc., 802 Ashby St., sponsors Girls R.O.C.K. (Respecting Ourselves with Charisma & Klass) from 4-6 p.m. every Friday for girls ages 8-16. Learn etiquette skills, music and dance, participate in community projects and enjoy field trips. Membership is $40 per month. E-mail fourecenter@yahoo.com or call 928-8001 for information.



Make A Difference: Become a volunteer at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center where there are several opportunities for you to make a difference in someone’s life. Contact Activity Director Sherry Beck, 924-9352, ext. 3079.



Plains

Lions Club: The Plains Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Call President Doug McKinney  at 924-1433 or information.



Free Classes: GED prep classes are offered from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Boys & Girls Club. Classes and books are free. Participants can study independently. Practice GED tests are given. Call 824-5388 or South Georgia Technical College Adult Literacy for more information.