AMERICUS — Americus

Today

Head Start Registration: Sumter County Head Start/Early Head Start are accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year. Must have birth certificate, proof of income and Medicard card (if applicable) to register. There is also a prenatal program for mothers in their first trimester. For more information call 924-7666.



Public Hearing: The Sumter County Board of Education will hold another public hearing regarding the closure of Cherokee Elementary School at 6 p.m. today at the Sumter County Board of Education Board Room, 100 Learning Lane. The public is welcome to attend.



Board Meeting: Junior Service League Board meets at 6 p.m. today at the home of Mandy Latta, Pecan Drive.



Board Meeting: The Sumter County Department of Family and Children Services meets at 5 p.m today at Sumter County DFCS, 1601 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.



This Week

Americus

Pecan Meeting: A Pecan Production Meeting is at noon Wednesday at the Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe. UGA Specialists Lenny Wells, Jason Brock and Will Hudson will present the program. Earn private and commercial pesticide credit. Call 924-4476 if you plan to attend.



General Meeting: Junior Service League General Meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday at Americus First United Methodist Church, Lee Street.

 

Yard Sale: The Americus-Sumter High Singers are collecting items for their Saturday Yard Sale. Donate your unwanted items to their biggest fundraiser of the year. Pick-up at your home is available. Contact Director Brad Bunce 400-3777 or bbunce@sumterschools.org



Free Computer Classes: Lake Blackshear Regional Library offers Personal Computer Maintenance & Security 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. in Americus, call 924-8091 or visit lbrls.org for more information.



This Week

Andersonville

African-American History: Andersonville National Historic Site hosts its second annual African-American History Month program at 2 p.m. Saturday in the National Prisoner of War Museum auditorium. Visiting park ranger Jason Boyd of Lincoln Home National Historic Site will portray Jameson Jenkins, an important figure in the history of the Underground Railroad. No admission charge.



Looking Ahead

Americus

GOP Meeting: The Sumter County Republican Party holds a County Convention/Mass Meeting March 10 at Granny's Kitchen Restaurant, U.S. HIghways 280 and 19. The Mass Meeting starts at 9 a.m. for the purpose of electing delegates to the County Convention, which will be held immediately following at 10 a.m. at the same location. The purpose of the County Convention is to elect delegates to the District Convention which will be held April 14 in Americus, and to elect delegates to the State Convention to be held May 18-19 in Columbus. The GOP National Convention will be held in Aug. 27-30 in Tampa, Fla. All citizens who believe in the principles of the Republican Party of limited Constitutional government are invited to attend.  For moreinformation contact Gerald E. Smith, chairman of Sumter GOP and first vice chairman of the 2nd District GOP.



Countdown: The Sumter Humane Society has "Countdown to Puppy/Kitten" Season from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 10 at Wal-Mart. Volunteers will be there with some very special animals and to answer questions. While there, take a shopping list and help out with supplies needed.



Walk Georgia: Registration is open for Walk Georgia, an annual 12-week physical fitness program that encourages participants to track their physical activity through May 5. The program goals are to develop regular activity habits, get healthier and more physically fit — all while having fun! Participants and teams of four can log activity onto the online system where they are converted into miles. The miles allow participants to virtually travel through Georgia.The more miles a participant has, the more they can travel, see interesting sights, learn fascinating facts and get healthy! Participants can also choose to receive a weekly email newsletter that includes healthy lifestyle tips, recipes, recognition of leading participants, success stories, and announcements. Walk Georgia is sponsored by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and its partners as an effort to encourage Georgians to develop regular exercise habits in a fun, community oriented program. If interested visit www.walkgeorgia.org to register or call -924-4476 for more information. Registration ends March 17.



Servsafe® Training: Servsafe® Training for Food Service Employees is offered by the Georgia Cooperative Extension March 19. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $15. Call 924-4476 for more information or stop by the Sumter County Extension Office.



Window Gallery Art Walk: Area artists who would like to exhibit their work in a Downtown Americus storefront from April 1-30 may pick up a copy of the guidelines and application form from Angie Singletary, 101 W. Lamar St. Call 924-4411 or e-mail angie.sigletary@cityofamericus.net



Andersonville

Living History: Andersonville National Historic Site hosts a Civil War Living History weekend March 10 and 11. A variety of interpretive programs will be offered on both days, including guard drills and artillery demonstrations. Living historians will be present in the area of the prison site from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 10 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 11. There is no admission fee and this event is open to the public.



Albany

Benefit Golf Tourney: The Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, Southwest Region, presents its 15th Annual “Forget-Me-Not” Golf Tournament and Silent Auction March 12 at Doublegate Country Club, 3800 Old Dawson Road. Lunch/registration is at  noon with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Lunch and refreshments are provided by Outback Steakhouse and MillerCoors. Registration is $500 for a four-person team. Hole sponsor is $125, and combo of team and hole sponsor is $600. For registration form, call 229-388-8219. Putting contest included. Sponsors are Sandefur & Associates, LLC and Vansant & Corriere, Attorneys at Law. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter. For more info on Alzheimer’s disease, visit www.alz.org, or call the 24-Hour Helpline, 1-800-272-3900.

 

Ongoing

Americus

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, 1p.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.



No Burning: The City of Americus has an ordinance that forbids outside burning within the City limits. The Fire Marshal and police will be issuing tickets, which result in fines, to anyone who violates this ordinance. There will be no warnings issued.



Drug Problems: Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursday at First Presbyterian Church or call 591-1134.



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 Joyner 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.

 

Safety Address Signs: Sumter County Cooperative Extension Service offers a blue safety address sign to resident property owners. The blue sign is made of 12” by 6” engine grade sign material with 4” #M reflective numbers and or letters. It is attached to a 36” metal post. The sign is highly visible at night and easily spotted during the day time. Signs are $20. A portion of the proceeds go to the local 4-H Club youth program. Stop by the Sumter County Extension Office, 127 William Bowen Pointe, and complete a Safety Sign Form today or print an order form off line at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/sumter/4H/documents/BLUESAFETYADDRESSSIGNORDERFORM.pdf. For more information call 924-4476.



Narcotics Anonymous: “Just For Today,” Narcotics Anonymous meets at 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday, 8 p.m. every Wednesday and 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Williams Road Church of Christ, 110 Williams Road. Call George C. 942-3752 or Charlie S. 938-0218 for more information.



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 229-322-9621.



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.



Georgia REACH: Are you taking care of a loved one with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s? Do you wonder if there is anyone one out there who understands what you and your loved one are going through? The Georgia REACH team is here to help. Georgia REACH provides information on Alzheimer’s and related dementias, teaches how to manage troubling behaviors and provides tools to manage stress. This free program is offered in eight counties including Macon, Marion, Schley, Sumter and Webster. For more information call the Middle Flint Council on Aging at 928-2126 or Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at 928-1234.



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 Aven. 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.



After School Classes: The 4-E Learning and Prevention Center Inc. offers after school and tutoring services in math/reading/language arts/science/social studies/CRCT/EOCT test preparation, and a new program, Girls ROCK (Respecting Ourselves with Charisma and Klass), etiquette skills/music/dance/community projects and field trips. Call 928-5605.



Leslie

Free Tutoring: Free tutoring sessions are offered from 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Leslie Civic Center. Volunteers are needed. Call Loretta Raines 938-1166 for more information.

 

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.



Leesburg

Tea Party: Albany Area Tea Party Patriots meet from 7-8 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month at Century Fire Station, U.S. 19 (just north of Publix). For information call Mike Sabot at 229-869-6802.