Briefs for July 29

Forlana Consort to perform

St. Mary Help of Christians Church will host a concert of vocal music next week by Forlana Consort, an a capella group from Belgium.

The concert is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A reception in Smith Hall will immediately follow the concert.

The 10-member group will perform vocal music from the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Forlana Consort last performed in the U.S. in 2005.

That trip included performances at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Concept, the Corcoran Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Va. The tour ended with a performance at the memorial site of Ground Zero in New York City.

To hear a sample of the group's music, visit www.forlanaconcert.com.

Education, career expo to be held

Friendship Baptist Church will host a career and education showcase at the church's activity building on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Nearly 25 display booths will be available for middle and high school students and their parents. They can obtain information related to various careers, educational requirements and salary ranges. Students also can attend two presentations focusing on career cluster occupations.

Four sessions are also planned for parents, conducted by school district educators and staffers. The topics include parental involvement, mental health resources, understanding how discipline affects a child's education and "Graduation 101."

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Donna Moore Wesby at 507-6793.

'Stuff the Bus' event to be held

United Way of Aiken County is seeking school supplies for county students through a "Stuff the Bus" event at Walmart on Whiskey Road Saturday.

The agency will be at Walmart from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Next month, United Way will provide all Aiken County schools with items the schools can give to students in need.

Suggested school supplies include markers, 24-count crayons, erasers, glue sticks, safety scissors, rulers, colored pencils, blue or black ink pens, dividers, one-inch 3-ring binders, loose-leaf lined paper and spiral notebooks.

For more information, call Candis Moyer at 648-8331.

Dinner, dance benefit to be held

Hitchcock Healthcare will hold its annual dinner and dance benefit at Houndslake Country Club on Friday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Proceeds will support the agency's rehabilitative services.

Palmetto Groove will provide the music for the event, which will have a "Taste of the Tropics" theme.

Tickets are $50 per person or a table of 10 for $450. To reserve seats, call Tasha Savage at 293-4375 or e-mail tsavage@hitchcockhealthcare.org.

Newcomers' Club to meet in Aug.

The Aiken Newcomers' Club, a club for women, will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at Newberry Hall. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 11:15 a.m. Lunch will be at 11:30 a.m. The cost of the luncheon is $14.

Reservations and cancellations may be made no later than noon on Thursday, Aug. 5 by calling 827-1135 for names (A-M) and 502-0569 for names (N-Z).