Wednesday, Dec. 19

COMMUNITY · Christmas Tree Rock with Santa and the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce (Ringgold) will be held from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. For more information, email jtaylor@catoosachamberofcommerce.com.

CHURCH · “Blue Christmas: A Service of Hope and Healing" will be held at Boynton United Methodist Church in Ringgold on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 6:45 p.m. Christmas can be a painful time. The strong emphasis on family and togetherness can emphasize the loneliness of those who are separated from loved ones by death, divorce, or distance. The anguish of a broken relationship, the insecurity of employment, the weariness of health, the pain of isolation, or the pressure of holiday preparations and activity - all these can make us feel alone in the midst of celebrations of the season. A space and time is needed to acknowledge the sadness and concern that may be present. This service of hope and healing features music, reflection, prayer, candle lighting and Holy Communion. Boynton United Methodist is located at 4246 Boynton Drive, two miles west of I-75, south of Battlefield Parkway at Pine Grove and Boynton. Visit www.BoyntonUMC.org or call 706-866-2626 for more information.

COMMUNITY · The City of LaFayette’s annual “Amazing Christmas” light show will continue through Jan. 2, 2013, at Joe Stock Memorial park. The synchronized musical light show is held from 6-10 p.m. nightly through most of December. Tune to FM 89.5 to hear the music played in the light show. For more information, call the city parks and recreation department at 706-639-1590.

COMMUNITY · The City of LaFayette will host a traditional and large-scale Lionel model train and village display inside a decorated Chattooga Academy/Gordon Hall. The display coinincides with the “Amazing Christmas” light show daily from 6-10 p.m., through Jan. 2, 2013.

COMMUNITY · Calhoun Composite Squadron #134 of the Civil Air Patrol-U.S. Air Force Auxiliary currently has openings available for a safety officer, communications officer, and emergency services officer, among others. Cadet slots (ages 12-17) are also open. The Calhoun Composite Squadron meets at Calhoun Airport on Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. For more information, contact Capt. Hayden Collins at htcollins@earthlink.net.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline is Jan. 8, 2013, for North Georgia Community YMCA Homeschool P.E. The course is for ages 5-15. Classes are held daily from Jan. 15-Feb. 21, 2013, at Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. Cost is $15 per session for YMCA members and $40 per session for non-members. For more information, call 706-935-2226 or visit ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

COMMUNITY · Registration deadline for the North Georgia Community YMCA Father/Daughter Dance (Friday, Feb. 8, 2013) is Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. for girls ages 5-11. Cost is $75 per couple, $35 for each additional daughter. The dance will be held at the Colonnade in Ringgold. To register, call 706-935-2226 or go to ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org.

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.

COMMUNITY · Seniors and Friends of Fort Oglethorpe meet from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, at Constitution Hall on Forrest Road in Fort Oglethorpe, for games, crafts, refreshments and blood pressure and blood sugar checks. For information or transportation, call Peggy Stanfield at 706-866-1369.

COMMUNITY · The American Cancer Society Relay For Life® of Catoosa-Walker Counties gives everyone in the community a chance to help the organization save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Register your team today by visiting Catoosa-WalkerRelay.org or call 1-800-227-2345. Former and current cancer patients, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, families, businesses, faith-based and civic organizations, and anyone wanting to make a difference in the fight against cancer are invited to take part in this exciting team event. Relay For Life of Catoosa-Walker Counties takes place from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2013, until midnight, at Lakeview-Fort Ogelthorpe High School off Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe.

Thursday, Dec. 20

COMMUNITY · Lafayette Physical Therapy will hold a lunch-n-learn from noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at 120 West Villanow Street in LaFayette.

ENTERTAINMENT · The Chattanooga Zoo will grant free admission to children ages 12 and younger Thursday, Dec. 20, and Friday, Dec. 21, during the zoo’s Holiday Lights event. The zoo also will accept donations for the Newtown (Conn.) Memorial Fund to be used to assist families in mourning following the tragic shooting there on Dec. 14. For more information, call 423-697-1319 or visit chattzoo.org.

COMMUNITY · The Obedience Club of Chattanooga, 4 miles south of Chattanooga on Highway 193 in Flintstone, will hold registration for obedience, rally, and agility classes for puppies and dogs on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, from 1-3 p.m. Agility I and II Fundamentals will be held indoors. Bring a copy of shot records to registration. During registration, various OCC dog/handler teams will present training demonstrations. Classes begin on Monday night, Jan. 7, 2013. Visit chattanoogaobedienceclub.org or call 423 517-1448 for more information.

COMMUNITY · Coosa Valley Regional Services board will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at the home office, 3 Riverside Industrial Parkway N.E., in Rome.

COMMUNITY · The Chickamauga Public Library will hold a “Ready to R.E.A.D.” story time program on Thursdays, Dec. 20 and 27.

COMMUNITY · Express Oil Change & Service Center will be hosing a Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Dec. 18, at 10 a.m. Express Oil Change is located at 2572 Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe between Logans and O'Charleys. For more information, email jtaylor@catoosachamberofcommerce.com.

COMMUNITY · The Rossville Public Library will host a Family Movie Night on Thursday, Dec. 20, from 5-7 p.m. Join us for a funny animated movie that reveals the answer to every child’s question: “So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?” The answer: Santa’s ultra-high tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. This movie also has a funny dysfunctional family, an unlikely hero and an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning. Rated: PG Running time: 97 Minutes.

ENTERTAINMENT · James Rogers will present a “Home for the Holidays” concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, in Ringgold. All tickets are reserved: $20.50 for adult admission, $18.50 for seniors (age 55 and older), $11.50 for children 12 and younger. Call 706-935-9000, for more information or visit the website colonnadecenter.org.

Friday, Dec. 21

ENTERTAINMENT · The Chattanooga Zoo will grant free admission to children ages 12 and younger on Friday, Dec. 21, during the zoo’s Holiday Lights event. The zoo also will accept donations for the Newtown (Conn.) Memorial Fund to be used to assist families in mourning following the tragic shooting there on Dec. 14. For more information, call 423-697-1319 or visit chattzoo.org.

ENTERTAINMENT · Ruby Red Christmas returns to Ruby Falls at Lookout Mountain from 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in December. The last tour goes at 8 p.m., shops and carriage rides are open until 9 p.m. Tickets cost $17.95 for adults and $15.95 for children (child’s ticket includes a photo with Santa and foam craft-gingerbread house or photo frame at the North Pole workshop). Carriage rides (capacity six people) with tour cost $14.95 flat rate per carriage ride; without tour, $19.95 flat rate per ride. Enjoy snow at Cavern Castle, costumed characters and holiday music. For more information, visit rubyfalls.com/christmas.

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will close the following monuments for the winter season: Wilder Brigade Monument, the Highway 27 picnic area, the Sanders picnic area and the Signal Point restrooms. These areas will reopen in mid-March, pending weather conditions. For more information, call 706-866-9241 or 423-821-7786 or visit nps.gov/chch.

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.