Tuesday, Nov. 20

COMMUNITY · The Chickamauga Community Thanksgiving Service will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Fellowship Baptist Church. The Rev. Frank Kelly from Oakwood Baptist, will bring the message.

COMMUNITY · AARP Tax-Aide, a free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service, is seeking volunteers in Walker County to help taxpayers who are seeking assistance preparing and filing their 2012 tax returns. Volunteers do not need to be an AARP member or a retiree to participate. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers should have some computer experience, such as e-mail and internet browsing. Also needed are volunteers who have management experience. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers receive free IRS-certified tax training and are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses. For more information, visit aarp.org/tavolunteer8 or call 1-888-OUR-AARP. Deadline for application is Dec. 15.

Wednesday, Nov. 21

COMMUNITY · Due to the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, Nov. 22, the City of LaFayette’s sanitation department will pick up garbage today, Wednesday, Nov. 21, for the scheduled Thursday, Nov. 22, pick-up. This is the only change; Tuesday pick-up will NOT change.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for North Georgia Community YMCA adult, children and youth athletic programs (includes basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, swim lessons, water aerobics and karate) is Dec. 8. Most seasons begin January 2013. Cost varies for members and non-members. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for the North Georgia Community YMCA Christmas Break Camp (Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4, 2013) is Tuesday, Dec. 18. The camp is for children ages 5-12. Cost is $25 per day for members, $30 per day for non-members. The camp will be held at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · The Salvation Army needs volunteers to ring bells, sort toys, and deliver meals this holiday season. For more information, visit csarmy.org.

COMMUNITY · Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care, Inc. is selling Adventures in Dining Coupon Books for $35. The books contain 87 buy-one-get-one free coupons for dining and entertainment in Chattanooga, north Georgia and Cleveland. The total value of the book is over $1,100. The group receives a $10 commission for each book sold. Books are available at the following locations: Ringgold Telephone Company and Tille Town in Ringgold; and The Animal Medical Center in Ft. Oglethorpe. CCAC is a non-profit volunteer organization formed to improve animal care awareness in Catoosa County. Its mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through responsible pet ownership by: 1) reducing animal over-population through a spay/neuter program; 2) educate the community about the humane treatment of animals; and 3) help connect animals in need of homes with families. Call 24-hour Help Line (706-937-2287) or visit www.catoosacitizensforanimalcare.org.

COMMUNITY · The Cherokee Regional Library System's 2012 Food for Fines Campaign will continue until the end of the business day on Friday, Nov. 30. Library patrons may “pay” library overdue fines with a canned food item. This will help re-stock food banks in Dade and Walker County. One food can donation removes up to $1 in overdue fines. For more information, call Darla Chambliss, assistant director and community services librarian at 706-638-8311.

COMMUNITY · Antique Irons are on display now through Nov. 30 at the Chickamauga Public Library; irons are from the private collection of Richard Gillis of Rossville.

Thursday, Nov. 22

CHURCH · Free community-wide Thanksgiving Day lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Second Baptist Church on Thursday, Nov. 22. This is sponsored by area churches for the LaFayette community. If you are homebound and can't get to the church, call 706-638-2732 for deliveries within city limits.

COMMUNITY · Starting Jan. 1, 2013, Georgia Farmers will need to apply and obtain a GATE (Georgia Agriculture Exemption Card) from the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture. This is the result of HB 386 which was passed this year by the legislature which allows Georgia farmers to take advantage of additional sales tax exemptions. If you are a farm producer with $ 2,500 in Ag income, you need to prepare to obtain a GATE card. Contact the Walker County Farm Bureau Office at 706-638-3237 if you have questions concerning the Georgia Agricultural Exemption Card.

Friday, Nov. 23

ENTERTAINMENT · “Miracle on 34th Street” will be performed live on stage at The Colonnade in Ringgold. Performances are Nov. 23, 24 and 30, and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $11 adult admission, $9 seniors (age 55 and older), $9 students, and $8 for groups of 15 or more. Call 706-935-9000, ext. 103, for more information or visit the website colonnadecenter.org.

ENTERTAINMENT · Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music” at Memorial Auditorium (399 McCallie Avenue) in Chattanooga, from Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 25. Tickets cost $15 and $20. A limited number of $28 Gold Circle seats and $50 Sunny Seats are also available. On opening night, all seats excluding Gold Circle and Sunny Seats are $12. A facility fee of 50 cents- $1.50 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and special offers may apply. For more information or to charge tickets by phone, call 423-642-8497. Tickets may also be purchased online at chattagnoogaonstage.com.

ENTERTAINMENT · The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings, two holiday pieces by popular humorist David Sedaris, kick off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 23, on the CircleStage at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Nov. 23 through Dec. 8. The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is located at 400 River Street, Chattanooga, on the NorthShore. Parking is available for $2 in the lot next to the Theatre Centre. Tickets are available by calling (423) 267-8534 or they may be purchased online at tickets.theatrecentre.com.

COMMUNITY · Blood Assurance is preparing for a shortfall of approximately 300 units of type O negative blood over the next two weeks, according to historical data and scheduled deliveries. To help local hospitals avoid a critical shortage, Blood Assurance is encouraging residents to get in the giving spirit this holiday season. The first five donors at each location on Friday, Nov. 23 will receive a bundle of gift-wrapping supplies. Bundles include a roll of wrapping paper, 25 name tags, tape and ribbon. For more information about donating blood, call 1-800-962-0628 or visit www.bloodassurance.org.

COMMUNITY · Mizz Kim's Creations on 29 Maple Street, Ringgold, is hosting a Christmas Open House Nov. 23—24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas coupon tree available with purchase. Refreshments served.

COMMUNITY · A Christmas Market will be hosted by the Ringgold Wedding Chapel at 7683 Nashville Street Ringgold GA on Friday November 23, 2012 from 9a.m. – 2 p.m.