From staff reports

Etcetera

The McIntosh Trail Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Addictive Diseases Community Service Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the McIntosh Trail Administrative Office, 1501-A Kalamazoo Drive,  Griffin. All interested parties are welcome.

Free Joint Pain Seminar. Join Bruce Reid, MD, orthopedic surgeon, as he discusses causes of joint pain and treatment options. This free event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Spalding Regional Medical Center at noon. To sign up or for more information, please call (770) 467-6136.

FreshStart. The American Cancer Society’s free four-session smoking cessation program will be held at Spalding Regional Medical Center. To register call 770- 467-6136. Space is limited.

Pike County High Class of 1968. Holding 40th reunion this summer with date and details to be announced. The most recent contact information for class members is needed. Send names, addresses and e-mail information to hubbardpryor@bellsouth.net or call 770-227-3930.

Faith Christian Academy Annual Golf Tournament. May 15 at Heron Bay Golf Club, Locust Grove. Tournament will benefit the school building fund. Cost is $400 for team of four; $125 per person. For more information contact Misty Mays at Faith Christian Academy at 770-227-7383 or rmays31@bellsouth.net.

The Griffin Moose Family Center 1503 will hold a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Feb. 28. All donors will be eligible to win a gift certificate to Manhattan’s restaurant. Call 770-228-1173 or 770-228-6705 for more information.

The Kiwanianne Club of Griffin is offering scholarships to non-traditional college students. This is in addition to the high school scholarships being awarded at Griffin High School and Spalding High School. Applicants in two categories will be considered: (1) those who are out of high school and have now decided to start or return to college and have special financial needs (2) those who have completed grade 12 in a private or home-school. Any person interested in applying for a financial scholarship may call 770-227-9187 to receive an application. Applications must be completed and submitted by March 15, 2008 to be eligible for consideration. Winners will be notified in late April.

The Kiwanis Club of Griffin is proud to announce that the William Gregory and Rip Savage Scholarships will be made available for graduating seniors seeking post high-school educational opportunities in 2008. For thirty years, the Kiwanis Club of Griffin has been furthering the educational efforts of young people in our community through financial aid that has amounted to nearly $270,000. This year, the club will be offering twelve scholarships for graduating seniors in Spalding County. Applications will be available from the guidance office of local high schools and must be returned to the school by March 15th, 2008. Recipients will be announced in May and will be awarded at one of the regular meetings of the Kiwanis Club of Griffin.

Spalding County Health Department Vital Records Department will be closed Feb. 29, 2008. Administrative staff will be attending a mandatory meeting in Newnan, Ga.

The First Steps Program at Spalding Regional Hospital us looking for dedicated volunteers. First Steps is a program that serves families of newborns by providing them with parenting education, telephone contact and referrals to community resources. A mandatory training is required for all volunteers. For more information, contact Bernell Merritt or Michelle Dalton at (770) 885-6038.

Spalding County Senior Center will host AARP Free Tax Help for Seniors (50 years or older). The AARP tax Aid Program Volunteers will be at the Spalding County Senior Center every Tuesday from 12 to 4 from Feb. 5 through April 15 to provide assistance with all tax returns including the Low Income Tax Credit. The first 50 people will be served each Tuesday. Individuals will be issued numbers for service starting at 8 a.m. Please note the Senior Center has limited waiting areas.  For more information call the Spalding County Senior Center at 770-467-4384.

Promise Place, the council on domestic violence that serves Fayette, Pike, Spalding and Upson Counties invites you to join them for a live and silent art auction to be held at the Tyrone Depot located at 847 Senoia Road, Tyrone, on Saturday, March 15th, 2008.  Admission is a donation of $15 per person or $25 per couple which includes hors d’oeuvres,  refreshments and hourly door prizes. Art work provided by ARTcetra will include lithographs, oil and watercolor paintings, celebrity and sports collectibles and works by local artist Tracy Hartley. The auction will also include a new golf cart and a seven-day stay at a Fabulous Tuscan villa.  RSVP appreciated by March 7 at 404-702-4490.

The Utility  Club of Griffin is offering the Memorial Scholarship to graduating seniors seeking a college degree. Applications will be available from the guidance offices at Griffin High School and Spalding High School and at Flint River Regional Library. Applications must be returned by March 31, 2008.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Senior Scene. 9 a.m. Hand and Foot and Walkaerobics; 10 a.m. Brunch Bingo; 11:30 a.m. Total Wellness Workout; 1 p.m. Bridge.

The Spalding County Senior Center will be hosting a Diabetes Support Group organizational meeting at 1 p.m. The group will meet twice a month on the second and fourth Mondays. Please call Jo Ellis at the Senior Center 770-467-4384 to sign up.

Clogging classes. Classes for beginners to advanced levels from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at City Park Community Center. 770-229-9382.

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center will offer “Starting Your Own Business” from 6- 8 p.m. at Gordon College.