'Hunger for Hope' dance concert

Tip Toes and Taps dance companies will present Hunger for Hope: A Dance Concert to benefit "Thy Neighbor's Closet" on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. in the North Augusta High School auditorium.

There will be guest dancers from the USC Aiken dance team.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $4 for children 10 and under.

Belvedere Fire District to meet

The Belvedere Fire District will hold a public meeting to discuss delinquent fire fee charges on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the station located at 204 Hampton Ave.

For more information, call 279-5505.

BI Historical Society to hear Strickland

The Beech Island Historical Society will meet Tuesday night, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Society's Meeting House and Museum located at 144 Old Jackson Highway in Beech Island. Featured speaker will be Society member and author Virginia "Jean" Bowe Strickland who will speak to the society on her latest book, "Four Builders of Augusta, Georgia." Her new book traces her immigrant ancestors, the Bowes and Markwalters who ended up in Augusta, Ga., and built many of Augusta's buildings and monuments. Her talk will include many photographs of family members and buildings and monuments that they built.

Copies of her book will be for sale following her talk. Cost of the 180-page book with 170 photographs is $20. To order a copy of her book, email her at jeanealogy@gmail.com ($5 shipping fee).

Admission is free and the public is cordially invited. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 867-3600 or 827-0184.

Drop off toys at NA Chamber

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce is a drop-off location for Toys for Tots this year. Bring a new, unwrapped toy by the Chamber office at 406 West Ave.

For more information, call the Chamber at 279-2323.

Do you have a radiation-related illness?

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program offers compensation and medical benefits to cover illnesses related to exposure to radiation, beryllium, silica and toxic substances.

Over $300 million has been paid to eligible Savannah River Site employees or their survivors through the program.

Anyone with questions and/or potential claims is asked to contact the Savannah River Resource Center, 1708 Bunting Drive, North Augusta, SC or call 279-2728 or (866) 666-4606.

Reunion of NASH classes of 82-85

The North Augusta Senior High Classes of 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985 will hold a joint reunion during Thanksgiving weekend.

Since the high school was frequently known as "NASH" in those days, the event is the NASH Bash 2009," set for Friday, Nov. 27, at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Martinez from 7 p.m. to midnight.

There will be hors d'oeuvres, music, dancing and a cash bar.

Detailed information, including access to ticket sales are available on the event website, www.nashbash09.com. Tickets are $50 per person and are available through Nov. 14.

Questions may be directed to, Lynn Purcell Wright (Class of 1984) by e-mail at LPW250@bellsouth.net or by phone at (864) 313-6826.

Preparations for Christmas Parade

Plans are well under way for the annual North Augusta Lions Christmas Parade to be held Sunday, Dec 6, at 3 p.m. The theme for this years Parade is, "Christmas Past & Present."

Applications are available at the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, 406 West Ave. (Phone 279-2323).

The Lions Club of North Augusta sponsors this annual event as a community service to North Augusta in appreciation for the support rendered by this community over the years to the Lions.

Proceeds from the Parade are used for projects in the local community and to prevent blindness locally and world wide and to train seeing eye dogs.

Volunteers to help with the parade or those interested in joining the Lions Club should contact Verlon McDowell at 279-7288 or Bill Roose at 279-6049.

Museum director to speak at breakfast

The next A.M. Connection, breakfast meeting of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, is set for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7:15 a.m. at the North Augusta Community Center.

Guest speaker will be Elliott Levy of the Aiken County Historical Museum.

(Note this is a week earlier than usual because of the Thanksgiving holiday).

Following A.M. Connection, Michelle Bennett with Serotta Maddocks Evans & Co. will present a workshop on payroll reporting requirements.

The breakfast is $10 with reservations and $12 without for members and $15 for nonmembers.

The workshop is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.

To reserve a spot or for more information, call 279-2323 or e-mail roni@northaugustachamber.org.

Special holiday treats at Hammond's Ferry

Hammond's Ferry has several upcoming special events.

Shaggin By the Savannah is Friday, Nov. 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. DJ George Perkins of the Shag Shack will be leading the festivities. Rodney and Laura Williams will give a free Shag lesson at 7 p.m.

The Head of the South Regatta is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will also be a "Ribs on the River" rib cook-off, sponsored by Manuel's Bread Cafe, along with the usual Brick Yard Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday "Music on the River" will be a chance for folks to enjoy favorite tunes while cozied up to the fire in Boeckh Park. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner.

Hammond's Ferry will also feature horse drawn carriage rides from Aiken Horse and Carriage Company each weekend on Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning Nov. 27 and 28 and running through Jan, 2, 2010. Tickets are available for $10 per person at Manuel's Cafe and Edge Salon.

Call 613-1641 for more information.

Cookie tins on sale

Heritage Council of North Augusta is selling the third in a series of commemorative cookie tins.

This year's tin features the North Augusta Municipal Center and is filled with Benne Wafers.

The cost is $10.

Tins are available at the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce and The Star.

Holiday market in Hammond's Ferry

The Holiday Brick Yard Market in Hammond's Ferry is set for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be craft and food vendors, street performers, carriage rides, dancers, a visit from Santa and more.

Christmas bows will be on sale to benefit the Hammond's Ferry Foundation.

For more information, call 613-1641 or visit www.hammondsferry.com.

Free child care for job seekers

Are you looking for a job? Do you need free child care while interviewing for a job?

The North Augusta Family Y and the Aiken Family Y are offering free childcare to unemployed parents while they interview for a job. The times are 8 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call the North Augusta Family Y for more information at 278-0882.

Charity receives 501(c)(3)

SmartKids. SC has been officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations that help local schools get the supplies they need are also tax-deductible.

Local teachers can submit their school supply requests to smartkids.sc/helper/addnew.php.

This year's focus is on elementary and middle schools in and around North Augusta and the southern part of Edgefield County.

This is the organization's second year of supporting teachers and students in the CSRA., according to Ed Elser, SmartKids, SC executive director. The effort is to match donors with schools in need and run academic contests with prizes donated by local businesses.

For more information or to offer assistance, call 613-1387.

Looking for memorabilia

The Arts and Heritage Center is looking for memorabilia from the 1960-1969 era for a display in October.

Folks are asked to bring anything from North Augusta High School athletic items, school jackets, a prom dress, vintage cars, football trophies, etc.

Items may be dropped off at the Arts and Heritage Center Tuesday through Saturday anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All items will be returned.

For more information, call the Center at 441-4380.

Arts and Heritage Center needs volunteers

The Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta is seeking volunteers who would be interested in working for three hours anywhere from once a week to once a month.

Contact Lauren Virgo at 441-4380 or at director@artsandheritagecenter.com.

North Augusta items for sale at Chamber

The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce now offers caps, T-shirts and bags for $15 and sweatshirts for $25 with the North Augusta logo. Some items come in a variety of colors.

For more information, call the Chamber at 279-2323.

Buy poinsettias at Fox Creek

The Fox Creek High School PTCA annual poinsettia sale has begun.

The school is selling 6-1/2- and 8-inch red poinsettias for $12 and $20, respectively.

Orders will be taken through Nov. 13.

Contact Jennifer Henry at jenhenry32@yahoo.com or 221-2317 or Kathy Howard at mehowardjr@bellsouth.net or 645-1661.

Payment is due at the time of the order. Make checks payable to FCHS PTCA. Orders by mail should include the size of poinsettia needed and a check. Those should be mailed to Fox Creek High School 165 Shortcut Rd. North Augusta, SC 29860