Saturday, Aug. 11

COMMUNITY · Lyerly United Methodist will have its 4th annual "Youth for Christ" Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug.11, at the Summerville Scout Hut/Tennis Courts on the corner of Highways 100 and 114. Categories include: Top 20, Best of Show, People's Choice, Pastor's Choice, Youth Choice, Top Truck, Top Motorcycle, Rat Rod, Best Paint Job, and Best Engine. There will be vendors, food for sale, music, a 50/50 drawing and door prizes. For more information, call Judy Motes at 706-506-1334.

COMMUNITY · The Coosa River Basin Initiative will host a 12-mile paddle on the Oostanaula River Saturday, Aug. 11. The 5-6 hour trip will provide participants with an opportunity to see many of the Coosa River Basin’s freshwater mussel species. The trip begins at Ga. 156 near Calhoun and ends at Ga. 140 in Armuchee. The trip is free to CRBI members. Non-members are asked to join CRBI. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. To register for the trip, visit coosa.org. For more information, call 706-232-2724 or CRBI volunteer paddle trip coordinator, Alan Crawford at 706-346-3509. A small shuttle fee is charged for each vehicle. CRBI staff will note points of interest along the route and discuss issues associated with the river. CRBI is a 501c3 non-profit organization and member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance with the mission of informing and empowering citizens to protect, reserve and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.

COMMUNITY · Author, Jerry Ellis will have a book signing from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at The Chief John Ross House. Ellis was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his book, "Walking The Trail, One Man's Journey Along The Trail of Tears." He also wrote "Marching Through Georgia, My Walk With Sherman.". For more information, call 423-400-7400. The Chief John Ross Hoss is behind Bi Lo supermarket in Rossville.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Downtown Development Authority will host free “Movie in the Park Night” on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Joe Stock Memorial Park. The movie, “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax,” will begin at about 9 p.m. The park is at the intersection of Wardlaw Street and North Main Street in LaFayette. Bring a blanket or chair.

ENTERTAINMENT · Dalton Shrine Club will hold its 15th annual gospel singing featuring Weston and Christy Hinson, Kevin Spencer, and The Trailblazers, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Ryman Hall, 2203 S. Dixie Highway, in Dalton. Admission is $5 for adults. Children younger than 10 admitted free. Proceeds benefit the 22 Shriners’ hospitals and burn centers. Refreshments will be available.

CHURCH · “Living in the Glory Realm” with Kathie Walters will be presented from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Briarwood Church, 26 Ellis Springs Road, Ringgold. Registration costs $30. Childcare will not be provided. Kathie Walters is an international speaker who brings freedom to those who feel they have to "qualify." She also ministers in the supernatural and believes that the supernatural realm is for everyone. Visit her website at kathiewaltersministry.com. For more information, contact Jim or Deborah Boyd at AstoHim@windstream.net.

COMMUNITY · Community Baptist Church in Rock Spring will hold it’s 4th Annual Back-to-School Closet Swap and School Supplies from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, rain or shine. There will be free clothing for all members of the family and free school supplies (a parent or legal guardian is required to be present to receive school supplies). The church is next to the Driver and Motor Vehicle office.

ENTERTAINMENT · Paul Belcher presents an evening of gospel music at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga. The show features The Triumphant Quartet, The Collingsworth Family and Testimony Quartet. Tickets cost $16 general admission to upper balcony, $21 for reserved main floor, loges and lower balcony. Tickets on sale at Sonshine Christian Book Store at 1841 Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe, at the Tivoli box office and by calling 423-757-5050 or 423-2537900.

COMMUNITY · The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians is hosting the first ever North Georgia Girl Scout Recruitment Fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at Joe Stock Memorial Park, 208-B N. Main Street in LaFayette. Enjoy food concessions, inflatables, games, demonstrations and music. The local Girl Scouts will be collecting donations to help Austin Whitten’s family with much needed home renovations. For more information, call 1-800-474-1912 or visit girlscoutcsa.org.

COMMUNITY · Super Saturday Market is every Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Dalton Green Park next to the Whitfield County Courthouse in Dalton. For more information or to become a vendor, visit DowntownDalton.com or call the Downtown Dalton Development Authority at 706-278-3332.

COMMUNITY · Artist Ginger L. Lowry will exhibit artwork throughout August at the Chattooga County Library, 360 Farrar Drive, in Summerville. Lowry is known for painting equestrian (horse riding) scenes. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 706-857-2553.

COMMUNITY · The Chief John Ross house is open for the summer from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday now through August. Admission is free. The house is at the intersection of East Lake Avenue and Spring Street (behind the Bi-Lo) in Rossville. For more information or to schedule a private tour, call 423-400-7400.

Sunday, Aug. 12

COMMUNITY · Perseid Meteor Shower Watch and Star Party at Cloudland Canyon State Park will be held at 2 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at the tennis courts. Members of the Barnard Astronomical Society will be on hand, with telescopes, to answer questions about what we see when we look up into the night sky. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and insect repellent. Flashlights are optional, but if brought must have red cellophane over the lens to protect night vision. The program is free but the regular $5 parking fee per vehicle or annual park pass is required. Gates will open at 1 a.m. to allow park access for this program. For more information, call Ranger April Sakowski at 706-657-4050.

CHURCH · Smith Chapel United Methodist Church , 1721 Smith Chapel Road in Tunnel Hill, will hold Homecoming services on Sunday Aug. 12. Music by Scott Fowler will begin at 10 a.m. and worship begins at 11 a.m. with District Superintendent Herzon Andone bringing the message. Worship will conclude with the re-dedication of Rollins Memorial Hall in honor of its 50th anniversary and a covered dish dinner.

CHURCH · Woodstation Baptist Church in Catlett will hold its homecoming at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12. The Jeff Hullander Family will sing. Former pastor the Rev. John Eldridge will speak. Lunch will be served in the fellowship hall.

COMMUNITY · Consider donating blood to help save a life. Blood Assurance, the only provider of blood products for more than 50 hospitals and health care communities, is operating on less than a two-day supply of type O-negative blood. This universal type can be given to patients with any blood type in emergency situations. There is also a community shortage of type O-positive blood, the most common blood type. Summer shortages are a frequent occurrence at blood centers across the country. The average donor gives blood just twice each year. According to America's Blood Centers, if eligible donors gave blood just one additional time each year, blood shortages would be rare. Donors must be at least 17-years-old (16-years-old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days. Donors who do not know their blood type can call Blood Assurance at 1-800-962-0628 or present a photo ID at any area blood drive. A list of area blood drives can be found at bloodassurance.org/blooddrives.

COMMUNITY · The 2012 Lake Winnie Youth Talent Search is the chance for guests younger than 18 to take the Jukebox Junction stage and showcase their performing arts talent. The contest consists of three preliminary rounds on Sunday, Aug. 12 and 19, at 5 p.m., and a triumphant final round on Sunday, Aug. 26, at 5 p.m. The top acts from the two preliminary rounds will compete in the finals for a grand prize, which includes $500 and the opportunity to open for Confederate Railroad on Sept. 2. The runner-up at the final show will receive $250. Winners of each round will be judged by audience response. Lake Winnipesauke Amusement Park is at 1730 Lakeview Drive in Rossville. For more information, or to download a sign-up form, visit lakewinnie.com/winnistar.

Monday, Aug. 13

COMMUNITY · Voting will begin in the 2012 Best of Walker contest, sponsored by the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and the Walker County Messenger, on Monday, Aug. 13. This is the fifth annual contest in which residents are encouraged to vote for the favorites in local services in 55 categories. This contest is completely electronic and all votes must be made online. To vote go to walkercochamber.com/bestofwalker2012.htm or catwalkchat.com. Voters are encouraged to fill out as many categories as they wish, however when voting for a specific person please list their business name and/or geographic location. Only one submission will be allowed per computer. The deadline for submitting votes is Sept. 28 at noon.

ENTERTAINMENT · The Chattanooga Film Society (CFS) and the Mise En Scenesters (MES) are pleased to announce their collaboration in presenting the POV Summer Film Series from June through September. “Reel Old School” will screen at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13. at the downtown Chattanooga YMCA on 301 West 6th Street. Made by local Chattanooga college students John Cotton and Brady Effler, the film explores the correlation between the democratization of recording technology and the fall of the music industry.

COMMUNITY · The Dayton (Tenn.) Chamber of Commerce/Tennessee Strawberry Festival is accepting designs for the 2013 Tennessee Strawberry Festival. The deadline is no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3. The theme is “Strawberries In Space.” Requirements are as follows: shirt design must incorporate the Strawberries In Space theme, strawberries, the words “Tennessee Strawberry Festival”, “Dayton, TN”, “2013” and/or “66th Annual.” This design will be on the front of the shirt as sponsors will take up the back. A stipend of $200 will be awarded to the winning design and all designs submitted will become the sole property of the Dayton (Tenn.) Chamber of Commerce/Tennessee Strawberry Festival. For more information, call 423-775-0361.

COMMUNITY · Auditions for Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at The Colonnade at the Benton Place Campus off Battlefield Parkway in Ringgold. The play tells the story of messy, divorced Oscar Madison and recently separated, fastidious and fussy Felix Unger. The two become roommates. Those auditioning should bring a one-minute monologue to read and a headshot or photograph of themselves. Show dates are in October.

GOVERNMENT · On Monday, Aug. 13, the Georgia Public Service Commission will conduct two public hearings in northwest Georgia. The first will begin at 4 p.m. at the Chickamauga Civic Center, 1817 Lee Clarkson Road in Chickamauga, on a proposed rate increase for Chickamauga Telephone Corporation. The next hearing will be begin at 7 p.m. at the Catoosa County Courthouse, 7694 Nashville Street in Ringgold, on a proposed rate increase for Ringgold Telephone Company. The audio web cast of all meetings is available by going to the Commission website, psc.state.ga.us and clicking on the Audio Broadcast link.

COMMUNITY · The Catoosa County Republican Party will host a forum of the Catoosa County candidates who remain in the run-off after the July 31 election. The meeting will be Monday, Aug. 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Boynton Precinct, 4053 Boynton Drive in Ringgold. For more information, visit catoosacountygop.com or email: Catoosagop@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY · A Bariatric Support Group will meet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at Erlanger Chattanooga Lifestyle Center. Bariatric Support Group meetings are for individuals scheduled to have Bariatric surgery or who have already had weight loss surgery. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) for more information.

COMMUNITY · A Baby Care and Safety class will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road, Chattanooga). With times changing and discharge occurring earlier, “Baby Care” provides you with helpful items on caring for your baby at home. This class will help you plan and prepare for a safe home environment. Registration fee is $25. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 788-LINK (5465) to register.

CHURCH · Memorial Baptist Tabernacle will hold a revival with Bro. Johnny Nix, Jr. at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, and Tuesday, Aug. 14. Bro. Nix is pastor for Way of the Cross Baptist Church in Cleveland, Tenn. The church is at 905 Hogan Road in Rossville. For more information, call Pastor Sam Riggs at 706-861-1495 or visit mbtga.org.

COMMUNITY · Auditions for two shows — one Youth Theatre and one Spotlight Series — will be held Monday, Aug. 13, and Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Youth Theatre: “Bunnicula,” a play about a vampire bunny that sucks the juice from vegetables, calls for seven actors: one girl, three boys, and three characters who can be played by either boys or girls. Maria Chattin-Carter directs. This is not a musical. Actors in grades fourth through 12th are encouraged to audition. Auditions are at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug, 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the Circle Lobby. Production dates are Sept. 28-Oct. 7. Spotlight Series: “God of Carnage” is a dark comedy about two sets of parents who meet to resolve an altercation between their 11-year-old sons. Director Chuck Tuttle is looking for two men and two women in their 30s to 40s to play the parents. Auditions are at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 13, and Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the Circle Lobby. Production dates are Oct. 12-28. For more information, call the box office at 267-8534 or visit TheatreCentre.com.

COMMUNITY · The YMCA Summer Food Program has started up in a new location at LaFayette Municipal Park, at LaFayette Recreation (Department), 638 South Main Street in LaFayette. Children will be served free lunches from noon-1 p.m. at the picnic tables and pavilion next to the gym entrance. The program will continue now through August. There is no cost to attend or receive a meal. For more information, visit ymcachattanooga.org/usda-summer-food-program. Each year the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like North Georgia Community YMCA to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. Any child under age 18 may come and eat. For more information about the national Summer Food Program, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/.

COMMUNITY · North Georgia Community YMCA will offer After School Programs for students in pre-K through fifth grades throughout the school year at Cherokee Ridge, Fairyland, Rock Spring, Tiger Creek and West Side Elementary schools. Cost is $40 per week for YMCA members, $60 per week for non-members. There is a one-time (per year) $50 registration fee per family. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or visit ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · North Georgia Community YMCA will offer Zumba year-round for those age 10 and older (boys, girls, men and women) at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. Cost is $20 per month for YMCA members, $28 per month for non-members. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or visit ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · North Georgia Community YMCA will offer Family Fitness Karate for families and individuals age 6 and older, year-round, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Fort Oglethorpe. Cost is $20 per month for YMCA members, $50 per month for non-members, and $5 each additional family member. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or visit ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.COMMUNITY · Need to take weight off? Come join TOPS (weight-loss support group) on Monday's at 7 p.m. at Center Post Community Center, 8125 Highway 337, LaFayette. For more information, call Beverly Byrd at 706-638- 1045.

COMMUNITY · First Baptist Church of Chickamauga has a few spots open in the 3- and 4-year old preschool classes. Registration packets may be printed from the children's ministry page at fbcchickamauga.com. For more information, call Susan Veazey or Donna Christol at 706-375-2829 or 706-375-2733.