Garner Deadlines Thursday by 12 p.m. (the week prior to publication date) is the deadline for submission of typed, faxed and handwritten items to be submitted for the following week's paper. They can be faxed to 552-7564. The deadline for e-mailed submissions is Friday by 5 p.m. Send emails to kgriffith@raleighsouthonline.com. Submissions should be no longer than 100 words.

Step Ahead Dance Studio Open Auditions Step Ahead Dance Studio will hold open auditions for its SASSI Dance Company on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. Dancers must be between the ages of 8 and 18 with a minimum of two years of dance training. SASSI Dance Company is a performance-oriented group, which will appear at local and regional events including festivals and competitions. SASSI Dancers are expected to be dedicated to the art of dance and performance and have the ability to participate in at least three classes per week in addition to extra rehearsals and performances as needed. They are also expected to adhere to high academic standards as well as demonstrate positive character traits. SASSI is an acrostic for Step Ahead Studios Inc. Please contact the studio for more information at 919-662-1143 or visit www.stepaheaddance.com. Step Ahead is located at 78 Technology Drive in the Cleveland community.

Mothers Unlimited of Johnston County Are you new to the area? Are you a mother or father looking for support from fellow parents? We’d love to meet you! We offer a wide range of activities for women, men, children and their families during daytime and evening hours — and we also hold charitable events! Why not come to our next meeting and find out what Mothers Unlimited of Johnston County can offer you? We have daytime and evening meetings scheduled — join us for whichever fits your busy schedule! We meet Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Screamin’ Mimi’s: 813 Town Centre Blvd. in Clayton. Children are welcome! We also meet Aug. 11, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at Lonestar Steakhouse: 13049 US 70 Business Highway W in Clayton. Join us for dinner, and stay for Bunco afterwards! For more information about Mothers Unlimited, call Barbie Tew at 919-320-5099 or email BARBIE@mothersunlimited.com.

Community Health Fair A community health fair will be held Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Harnett County and the surrounding areas at the Harnett County Government Complex (Hwy 401 N. in Lillington). Offered will be free health screenings for blood glucose, blood pressure, osteoporosis, HIV and vision along with health education from more than 50 exhibitors. There will also be doctors, dentists and pharmacists to answer questions. Food and door prizes will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.

American Legion Post 116 The American Legion Post 116 at 2600 Johnson Pond Road in Fuquay-Varina is having a Patio Party open to the public Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 from 1 p.m. to closing. There will be a live band playing from 3 to 6 p.m., plus frozen tropical drinks and hot dogs for sale. Bring your swimsuits, blowup pools and squirt guns for some fun in the sun! See you at the Legion! P.S. Don’t forget every Friday and Saturday night from 7 to 11 p.m. there is karaoke in the recreation room for a good time singing and dancing.

Outback Steakhouse of Johnston County Outback Steakhouse and The Partnership for Children invite you to a very special steak luncheon to benefit the young children of Johnston County. The date is Wednesday Aug. 19 with two available seatings, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes Steak, Caesar Salad, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cheesecake, Tea and Soft Drinks all for only $10. Outback Steakhouse will be donating all proceeds to The Partnership for Children. Tickets are pre-sold only in limited quantity and will not be available at the door. To purchase tickets call 202-0002. The Outback Steakhouse is located at 911 Industrial Park Drive, Smithfield, 27577.

PTSD – Free Classes for Soldiers & Families What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? An anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Naturally, many soldiers returning from combat may have symptoms of this problem. Is there hope for healing and management? Yes, with treatment. Come learn how you, the caretaker, can help them. (parents of soldiers, spouse, anyone) Dr. Bergidas'class description: Free education for military service members and their families on the readjustment process following a deployment. Classes will focus on: common reactions after a deployment (including post-traumatic stress reactions), communication challenges and strategies, and coping with stress of deployments for service members and family at home. These topics will be discussed in an open forum to answer questions and address needs of the class members. Classes led by Heather Bergida, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at the Raleigh Vet Center. Classes will be held Aug. 25 and tentatively Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Triangle Baptist Church, 9713 old Stage Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 www.tribaptist.org 919-661-7755. Childcare is provided. Contact Coordinator, Ronna Jones at 772-3482 for more information.

Open Mic Night The Town of Garner is excited to announce a new open mic night to serve the community. This "Cheap Seats" Event will be held at the Garner Historic Auditorium, located at 742 W. Garner Road, on Aug. 28. For only $5 you may register to participate in the Open Mic Night, or just sit back and be entertained from 7 to 10 p.m., with great local talent. This drug and alcohol-free event is open to musicians of all ages, but an adult must accompany those under 18 years of age. Please contact Nathan Cottrell at 919-661-6988 or by email at ncottrell@GarnerNC.gov.

Boating Safety Course The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Cary Flotilla, is offering the Coast Guard approved, Boating Skills and Seamanship for powerboaters from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for eight Monday evenings, starting Sept. 21, 2009 at the Cary Senior Center ab Bond Park in Cary. Class size is limited. Pre-registration is necessary. Instruction is free; cost of materials is $45. Call the Flotilla at 919-781-5917 or email cgaux911pe@bellsouth.net.

Greater Vision in Concert Greater Vision, America's premier Southern Gospel trio, will be in concert at Bethel Baptist Cary on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.). Call the church office at 467-6789 to purchase tickets. Prices are $17 for stage seating (rows 1-5), $12 for floor seating (rows 6-16) and $7 for balcony seating.

Fifth Annual Ava Gardner Festival Each year the Ava Gardner Museum celebrates Ava's life and career by hosting the Ava Gardner Festival. This annual event includes heritage tours, screenings of classic Ava Gardner films, and special exhibits. This year's festival will kickoff during the Ava Gardner Festival Gala on Friday evening, Oct. 9 and will continue Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The theme for the fifth annual festival celebrates the special relationship Ava shared with Ernest Hemingway. Ava called Ernest Hemingway "Papa," and he called her "Daughter." The accomplished author admired Ava's work in the films based on his works, and considered her "the most exciting woman of her generation." On Saturday, Oct. 10, heritage tours will be scheduled throughout the day. These tours will be hosted by Doris Rollins Cannon, Johnston County native and Ava Gardner biographer, and Rick Lotz, Chair of the Museum's Board of Directors. Visitors will be shown points of interest in Ava's hometown. Call 919-934-5830.



SJHS Class of ‘79 The South Johnston High School Class of 1979 is having their 30th year reunion Nov. 28, 2009 at the Johnston County Country Club in Smithfield, N.C. from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Call Cindy Johnson at 919-662-0004 or Debbie Barbour at 919-801-9497.

South Johnston HS 1984 Class Reunion South Johnston High School Class of 1984 is planning their 25th year class reunion for later this fall. If you were part of the 1984 SJHS class, contact Pam Stephenson at 919 894-1748, pam.stephenson@embarqmail.com or Ronnie Lee at 919-818-4270, barnstormer1932@yahoo.com.

Memory Loss Caregiver Support Group Memory Loss and Dementia Caregiver Support Group. Provides emotional support and practical information for family members and caregivers of those with memory loss and dementia. Meets at Sunrise Assisted Living of Cary second Thursday of every month at 3 p.m. RSVP to 919-462-9147.

Volunteers Needed Can you spare one hour per month? If so, would you donate it to us? Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers who are willing to spare one hour of their time to deliver lunch to home bound citizens in the Garner area on weekdays only. Call 919-772-5057 or visit the Garner Senior Center at 205 E. Garner Road between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.



Military Families Connection This is a group of military families that live away from a base, who meet to learn from and lean on each other. It is very important to be with others that are going through the same thing that you are. We can help you through the difficult time when your loved one is in harm’s way, or will be deployed soon. We have classes, speakers as needed, and discuss problems and resources. Anyone is welcome to come. We meet the second Monday and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Triangle Baptist Church at 9713 Old Stage Road. Childcare is provided. Call 919-661-7755.

Bible Buddies New Life Wesleyan Church is offering Bible Buddies, a special needs class, for ages K-5th. Held every Sunday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The class focuses on music, sensory activities, art, snacks and one on one Bible teaching. Each child is prayed for every Sunday. All disabilities are welcome. Lots of fun for the kids and a chance for parents /caregivers to relax. Call Lisa at 919-934-7497.

Yes He Can Prayer Meeting Yes He Can, a weekly prayer meeting, takes place every Sunday from 8 to 9 a.m. at East Garner Middle School’s auditorium. The prayer meeting is sponsored by the Kingdom Advancement and Empower-ment Center. Call 919-772-8454 or visit www.KingdomAdvance.org.

Looking for Vendors On Oct. 31 the Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Seventh Annual Day in Downtown in the historic Fuquay downtown business district on South Main Street. The day will consist of an arts and craft fair, chili cook-off, Kids Korner, entertainment, food vendors and more. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is FREE. Please call 919-552-4947 for vendor information.

Southside Christian School Southside Christian School (near 40/42) is currently enrolling students. Low student/teacher ratio. Excellent ABeka curriculum. Degreed teachers. Join a Christian school for Christian families. For more information, please call 553-7652.

Scouts Needed Troop 397 meets every Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Mother of Church in garner (1008 Vandora Springs Road). The Troop is looking for new members, but those interested must be in at least sixth grade. The Troop does a number of activities including camping, hiking, community service projects and much more.

Red Hat Society Interested in joining a day-time Red Hat Society group? Our chapter is seeking a few new members -- congenial women 50 and older who want to have fun, meet new friends, lunch at a different restaurant each month, play RH bingo, ride to our outing in a limo, etc. We meet the first Friday of the month (subject to change for holiday months) at 11:30. Call the Queen Mum at 661-7368.

Christian Academy Lighthouse Christian Academy NOW Enrolling Grades 1-12. A.C.E. Curriculum, We offer relaxed atmosphere, positive influence, smaller class sizes, Art, Drama, Key Club, Service Projects, History and Science Fairs, P.E., Tutoring and so much more! Call LCA at 427-8362.

Immunization Clinic Wake County Human Services offers an Immunization Clinic on Mondays and Fridays at the Wake County Southern Regional Center. The SRC is located at 130 N. Judd Parkway NE in Fuquay Varina, directly across from the U.S. Post Office, and is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling 212-7000 and requesting an appointment at SRC. Fees are based on the type of vaccine used, but all children’s’ vaccines are free for all children 18 and younger.