Tuesday, Sept. 4

EDUCATION · First day of school for Walker County Public Schools students is Tuesday, Sept. 4.

EDUCATION · According to Talisyn Ridley, family service specialist at Cloud Springs Head Start, Head Start is off to a great start for the 2012-13 school year. Lakeview Head Start and Battlewood Head Start had a great first day on Aug. 20, and staff are looking forward to Cloud Springs Head Start’s first day of class on Sept. 4.

COMMUNITY · Boynton United Methodist Church is starting a two-day a week childcare program for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years. The program begins Sept. 4, and the hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuition is $130 a month. Space is limited and enrollment is underway. Details at boyntonumc.org/b-kidz-day-out or email bkidz@boyntonumc.org or call 706-866-2626.

COMMUNITY · The LaFayette-Walker County Public Library will hold a preschool Ready-to-Read class at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer line dance lessons Monday and Tuesdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street Learn basic ballroom steps including the two-step, cha cha, waltz, mambo and salsa. No partner is needed. For more information, call Vicky Jones at 706-639-5401.

COMMUNITY · Dalton Science Café will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Dalton Depot restaurant. Dr. Micheal Hoff of Dalton State College will speak about gorilla behavior in captivity.

COMMUNITY · A breastfeeding class will be held from 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road, Chattanooga). This class is designed to help participants make an informed choice about breastfeeding. Learn breastfeeding basics, what to expect the first few weeks and special tips for success. Concerns about returning to work/school will also be discussed. This course is coordinated by a board-certified lactation consultant. Registration fee is $30. Call Erlanger’s HealthLink at (423) 778-LINK (5465) to register.

CHURCH · Noble Baptist Fellowship at 2994 Highway 27 north of LaFayette, holds a food drive to give away free food from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (or until food is gone) the first and third Tuesday of each month. Recipients should bring proof of address and their social security card. For more information, call 706-764-2917.

Wednesday, Sept. 5

COMMUNITY · Beginning on Wednesday Sept. 5, 11-11:30 a.m., the City of LaFayette will conduct a short, audible test of the outdoor warning siren to ensure the siren is operating properly. Regular tests are scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month, and would only be conducted under clear sky conditions. Testing would be rescheduled for the following Wednesday if weather conditions prevent testing on the first Wednesday of the month.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer zumba classes from 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 6:35-7:35 p.m. Wednesdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street. For more information, call Gabriel Dudley at 423-508-4402.

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.

EDUCATION · Registration for The Georgia Appalachian Center for Higher Education's seventh annual conference and check presentation on Sept. 25, is officially open. To register, go to gachegrants.org/conference. Agenda, directions, parking and sponsorship information will be available on the registration page.

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 · 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.

COMMUNITY · Voting has begun in the 2012 Best of Walker contest, sponsored by the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and the Walker County Messenger. 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 at noon Sept. 28.

COMMUNITY · An art exhibit titled “Tranquil Space” will be displayed now through Sept. 14 at the Jewish Cultural Center gallery, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. Admission is free. The center is at 5461 North Terrace Road in Chattanooga. For more information, visit jewishchattanooga.com.

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 · Chattooga Academy ( 304 N. Main Street, between Joe Stock Memorial Park and the Marsh House) in LaFayette will display photographs of some former service stations and car dealerships that operated in LaFayette, including information on LaFayette’s former Hupmobile dealership. The Hupmobile car was produced from 1909 -1940 by the Hupp Motor Company of Detroit, Mich. The exhibit also features a model train and the former LaFayette depot ticket booth. A volunteer will be on hand to assist visitors from 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Chattooga Academy hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Call ahead to confirm a volunteer will be available.

COMMUNITY · Lookout Mountain CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) needs volunteers to advocate for the best interest of the abused and neglected children of Catoosa, Dade, and Walker Counties who are in foster care. CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the Juvenile Court Judges. For more information, contact Kristie Taylor at lmcasa.ktaylor@yahoo.com or 423-362-1834.

Thursday, Sept. 6

COMMUNITY · Walker County Emergency Services will offer a free class, “In the woods – safety and survival techniques part 1,” for hunters, hikers and horseback riders, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 6. The class will be held at Fire Station #1 in Rock Spring, in front of Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Pre-registration is required to ensure adequate course materials. Call 706-539-1255 or email Captain Traci Reece at t.reece@walkerga.us for more information or to register.

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park invites the public to participate in a free program on Sept. 6. Participants will meet at Outdoor Chattanooga (200 River Street) in Chattanooga at 6 p.m. for a 90-minute, 1.8-mile walking tour that will discuss the importance of Ross’ Landing before and during Indian Removal. Comfortable, supportive footwear, appropriate clothing for the weather and water are recommended for this program. For more information, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786 or visit the park’s website at nps.gov/chch.

COMMUNITY · The Health Ministries Committee of the Dalton Seventh-day Adventist Church is spearheading a “Better Health Initiative,” Sept. 6-21, emphasizing good nutrition and exercise. The movie “Forks Over Knives” will be shown at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton. There is no charge for the movie. The film will have Spanish subtitles.

CHURCH · Hannah House is a benevolence service free to the community and is sponsored by Rock Spring Baptist Church. New and gently used clothing and shoes of all sizes, kitchen items and linens are available as well as small and large appliances and furniture when available. For more information, Linda or Mike Hill at 706-764-2079 or 423-718-0868.

COMMUNITY · A life after loss support group begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Erlanger Baroness (oncology conference room) in Chattanooga. This support group is for those who have lost a loved one due to cancer. For more information, call (423) 778-3253.

COMMUNITY · A diabetes education class will be held from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Erlanger Chattanooga Lifestyle Center. This class will explore ways to manage diabetes. Call 778-9400 for more information on physician referral and insurance reimbursement.

COMMUNITY · A man-to-man support group begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Erlanger Baroness (POB dining room) in Chattanooga. This support group is for spouses, friends and patients who have prostate cancer. For more information, call (423) 778-3253.

COMMUNITY · LaFayette Park and Recreation will offer a soul line dance class from 7-8 p.m. Thursdays at the Max Stoker Center, 700 Glenn Street. For more information, call Greta Vinson at 423-504-8778.

COMMUNITY · The City of LaFayette is offering a free natural gas water heater to qualifying citizens during the months of September and October. LaFayette has joined other Georgia cities in the “Great Water Heater Round Up.” The city is also offering a $200 rebate towards the installation of a natural gas tank water heater. Other incentives include $300 towards the purchase and installation of a natural gas tankless water heater, and half off the gas tap fee for new natural gas customers. For more information, call the LaFayette gas department at 706-639-1511 or visit greatwaterheaterroundup.com.

COMMUNITY · Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will hold a free historical walking tour starting at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, at Ross’ Landing. Participants will meet at Outdoor Chattanooga (200 River Street) in North Shore Chattanooga for a 90 minute, 1.8 mile walking tour that will discuss the importance of Ross’ Landing before and during Indian Removal (The Trail of Tears). Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring drinking water. For more information, call 706-866-9241 or 423-821-7786 or visit nps.gov/chch.