Don't forget to set clocks ahead an hour before going to bed Saturday night. Daylight saving time officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday.
'CINDERELLA'
WHERE: Thomson High School
WHEN: 7 p.m. March 17-19
MORE INFO: Tickets are general admission $7 and reserved seats $10. Call (706) 986-4200.
'THE SOUND OF MUSIC'
WHERE: Briarwood Academy
WHEN: March 24-25
MORE INFO: Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. To buy tickets or get more information, call (706) 595-5641.
I HOOPs BASKETBALL LEAGUE
WHERE: Boys and Girls Clubs of Augusta
WHEN: Register now
MORE INFO: Open to ages 10-13 and 14-18. League play will begin Monday, and there will be a $15 registration cost. Call Corey Warren at (706) 312-2200, (706) 504-4071 or David Green at the Thomson Club, (706) 595-7477.
JEWELRY FAIR
WHERE: McDuffie Regional Medical Center Main Lobby
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
MORE INFO: 10K and 14K gold jewelry, sterling silver rings in sizes 5-12, charms, chains, earrings, fine fashion jewelry, handbags, wallets, totes and gifts, books for everyone. Bring broken and unwanted gold and silver jewelry and old U.S. coins to sell for cash or trade.
BLOOD DRIVE
WHERE: Walmart, Thomson
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
MORE INFO: One in seven hospital patients need blood. Shepeard Community Blood Center is the only local provider to 17 hospitals in the area and the burn center.
PROJECT M-PACT KICK-OFF
WHERE: One Stop (Beside Tractor Supply)
WHEN: 5:30-7:45 p.m. Tuesday
FOR MORE INFO: Cost: Free. Tickets needed for admittance as seating is limited. Donations will be accepted to sponsor additional community and youth events just like this one. Dinner will be provided. Featured speakers will be Devon Harris, gang prevention specialist with Full Circle Refuge, and Chuck Wade, president of The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Inc. Call (706) 595-8941, Carrie Edwards or Leon Fields.
TRASH AMNESTY DAY
WHERE: McDuffie County Solid Waste
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. to noon March 26
FOR MORE INFO: Everything but tires, hazardous wastes, mobile homes and automobiles accepted. Management reserves the right to reject any loads. Call (706) 595-2374. Commercial loads will be charged the regular Saturday rate. All loads must be covered and secured. No scavenging aloud; what is dropped off stays. Violators will be cited.
SECOND ANNUAL SPRING BREAK FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, SOCCER, CHEER CAMP
WHERE: 1962 Rowland York Drive, Lincolnton (recreation complex)
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 4-8
FOR MORE INFO: Open to ages 5-14. Discount of $50 if you sign up before Friday. Cost $65, half-price discount for the second child in the same household. Group rates for 10 or more kids. Lunch provided. Special guest on Friday. Call Kathy at (706) 359-2236 or camp hot line at (706) 220-3020 or go to www.leaguelineup.com/yesnoles.
TRAIL RIDE
WHERE: Doodle Hill Hunting Club
WHEN: April 15-17
FOR MORE INFO: Approximate five-hour ride through wooded areas. Friday night: bring your own steak and cook on our grill. Enjoy music and fellowship around the large fire pit. Evening meal and dance Saturday night with DJ Dewayne Holliman. Hamburger and hot dog lunch will be available for Saturday. Free primitive camping available -- no electric or water hookups. Water is available for horses. Cost: $30 includes ride, lunch, evening meal and dance; $20 ride and lunch; $10 evening meal and dance; $w5 dance only; children 6-12 $5 off all prices -- under 6 free. Call Jerry Brinkley, (706) 595-7345 or (706) 825-8465. Doodle Hill is located at 2924 Sterling Gibson Road S.W., Thomson.
COMMUNITY WIDE SPRING FLING
WHERE: Thomson Elementary, 409 Guill St., Thomson
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16
FOR MORE INFO: All vendors welcome; arts and crafts, yard sales, food and fun, businesses, etc. Call Judy Giles, (706) 986-9212 or the school, (706) 986-4700.
FIRST RESPONDERS TRAINING
WHAT: Training for emergency responders on working with media outlets during emergency situations.
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 26
WHERE: McDuffie County Fire/Rescue Service, 1061 Salem Road, Thomson
MORE INFO: Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium and Institute for Preventive Strategies offer a free Department of Homeland Security-certified course on media awareness. Register online at http://www.ruraltraining.org
CLASSIC CAR SHOW
WHERE: Downtown Thomson
WHEN: April 30
FOR MORE INFO: Looking for participants, vendors and craft exhibitors. Call Teleen at the Chamber office, (706) 597-1000.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
WHERE: Mitchell Depot
WHEN: Every first Saturday April through October
FOR MORE INFO: Bluegrass, country and gospel music, hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks. Donations accepted. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. There is a playground for the kids. Free parking available.
DEARING MAYFEST FESTIVAL
WHERE: Dearing CSRA RESA office, Augusta Highway
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7
FOR MORE INFO: There will be a parade, crafts, prize giveaways, a burger battle and rides for the kids. Go to dearingmayfest.org for more information.
DROP AND SHOP
WHERE: Thomson Family Y
WHEN: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday
FOR MORE INFO: Take the morning to go shopping, hang out with friends or just relax alone. Open to ages 6 months to 12 years. Cost is $15 per child. Discount for additional siblings. To register, visit any Family Y location or online at www.thefamilyy.org. Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs.
ONE STOP MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU
WHERE: East Central Georgia Consortium One Stop
WHEN: Ongoing
FOR MORE INFO: If you are unemployed, willing to travel and Georgia Work Ready Certified, contact the local One Stop for more information at (706) 595-8941. The One Stop has placed more than 45 people in jobs related to the heavy construction industry after training.
AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING FOR THS STUDENTS
WHERE: Thomson High
WHEN: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
FOR MORE INFO: For math, students may see Mrs. Costello in Room 209; for English, Mrs. Flanders in Room 111; for social studies, Mrs. Hubert in Room 405; and for science, Mrs. Pereda in Room 304. There is no charge to the student for this supplemental educational service. Call THS guidance department at (706) 986-4222.
McDUFFIE COUNTY EVENING SCHOOL CREDIT RECOVERY
WHERE: Thomson High
WHEN: 3:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
FOR MORE INFO: This option is for Thomson High School students who have failed a required course for graduation. All courses are computer-based, self-paced and aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards. The cost for each course is $50 per half-unit attempted, and students may register in the guidance office. A student is not permitted to leave early unless a parent or guardian comes to sign him/her out. Call the guidance department at (706) 986-4222.
THS BULLDOG DIAMOND CLUB MEMBERSHIPS
WHERE: Thomson High School
WHEN: Ongoing
FOR MORE INFO: The Thomson High School Bulldog Diamond Club memberships are now available along with season passes. For memberships and tickets, call Bubba Grimaud, (706) 595-1720, or Judy Wood, (706) 595-0179.
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS
FOR MORE INFO: The Sons of Confederate Veterans, a heritage, history and honor society and the nation's largest Southern heritage organization, is seeking to organize a chapter in Thomson/McDuffie County. Those interested in such an endeavor should contact Georgia Division 5th Brigade Commander Michael Mull at fifthbrigade2004@yahoo.com or at (912) 618-3613.
BASEBALL, T-BALL, SOFTBALL REGISTRATION
WHERE: Thomson-McDuffie Recreation Department
WHEN: Ongoing
FOR MORE INFO: Participants can also register online at www.thomsonmcduffierecreation.com. Applications are also being accepted for umpires and volunteer coaches for baseball and softball.
GET A BURN PERMIT
WHERE: By Calling (877) 652-2876
WHEN: Always get a burn permit; it's the law.
FOR MORE INFO: Breezy, warm, spring days are perfect for enjoying the outdoors, but they're perfect, too, for wildfires. To prevent the spread of wildfires, the Georgia Forestry Commission is urging residents to take extra precautions when burning yard debris, using an outdoor grill or enjoying campfires. If you're not sure when to get a permit just call (877) OK2-burn or log ontoGaTrees.org.
