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.

Love and loss during the holidays Amedisys Hospice is offering an opportunity to those who have lost loved ones to learn ways of coping through the holiday season and to share their stories. The meetings will be 10 consecutive Monday evenings, Nov. 9 to Jan. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Amedisys Hospice office, 220 New Fidelity Court (Yeargan Road and Hwy 70E). To register contact Ann Ritter at 919-773-4865 or aritter3225@amedisys.com.

Fantastic Sams Food Drive Fantastic Sams Hair Salons, located on HWY 401 in the Wal Mart shopping center, will be holding a food drive for the Food Bank of Wake County. For any two cans of nonperishable food you bring in, $2 will be taken off of the regular price of a $15 haircut. For every four or more items you can receive $5 off any chemical service such as color or get 25 percent off any hair care products. The dates for this event will run from Nov. 22, 2009 through Dec. 20, 2009. So stop by today and help Fantastic Sams help others over the holiday season.

Annual Charity Breakfast Buffet with Santa The Second Annual Charity Breakfast Buffet with Santa is on Saturday Dec. 12, 2009 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Spice Street Restaurant in Chapel Hill. This event is organized by the resident physicians at UNC and this year we are supporting 4 charities: Ronald McDonald House, SECU Family House, NC Food Bank, and Toys for Tots. Last year we had a great event with over $700, 300 canned goods, and almost 400 toys donated. This year we have a bigger venue, a cheaper price, and an additional charity. Kids can take pictures with Santa (skip the mall lines and prices), make ornaments, and enjoy face painting all while benefiting the community. Spice Street will make a donation (to the Ronald McDonald House and SECU Family House) for every buffet purchased and we are asking people to bring canned goods or new toys. Adults $10 and kids $5 including tax and gratuity (cash, check and credit cards accepted)!

Miss Latina Carolina Pageant The first Miss Latina Carolina Pageant will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Lighthouse Convention Center, located at 326 Tryon Road in Raleigh. Doors open at 5 p.m. Special guests will include representatives from the Mexican Consul, El Pueblo org, Susan G. Koman, Breast Cancer Society and March of Dimes & La Conexion (La Voz Dela Comunidad). The pageant benefits Breast Cancer awareness. For more information call 919-673-1899 Elva Vazquez.

Holiday Concert for Hospice of Wake County The Oakwood Waits choral group will perform their annual holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. A minimum $15 donation is requested, and all proceeds will come to Hospice of Wake County. For more information on the Oakwood Waits, visit their website at www.oakwoodwaits.com.

Southern Regional GAP Kincare Support Group The Southern Regional GAP (Grandparents as Parents) Kincare Support Group meets once a month on the third Friday evening of the month at 6:30 p.m. The mission of the Southern Regional GAP is to provide ongoing support not only to grandparents but all family members caring for other family members. GAP meets at the Fuquay-Varina Presbyterian Church at 310 N. Ennis St. in Fuquay-Varina. The downstairs meeting room can be accessed through the back entrance. Come share resources and community support and listen to informative speakers. Bring a dish for a potluck dinner and join our group for a chance to gather useful information and talk with other family members just like you. Childcare will be provided. A meeting will be held Dec. 18, 2009. Contact Ruth Cole at 919-567-1017 or Debi Sikes at 919-341-2914.

Live Nativity Scene On Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., you are cordially invited to stay in the warmth of your vehicle and drive by a Live Nativity Scene at Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, 1201 Maxwell Dr. in Raleigh. Live animals will be featured along with congregation members cast as shepherds, angels, wise men, townspeople, Mary and Joseph. For more information please call 772-4410.

Garner Senior High School's Class of 1990's The 20th High School Reunion will be held Saturday Mar. 20, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Raleigh Marriott City Center (located at 500 Fayetteville St. in Raleigh) Go to www.garner1990.my event.com/ to enter your contact information, RSVP, see details of events and purchase tickets.

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. Please 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.

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.

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.

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. Contact the church at 919-772-8454 or visit www.Kingdom-Advance.org.

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. Call 919-553-7652.

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. For more information please contact 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! For more information, please call 427-8362.

Volunteers needed The North Carolina Emergency Reserves (NCER) has opportunities for all who wish to be involved in most aspects of disaster-response. Membership is open to all state citizens age 18 and up. For more information, please call 919-269-3453 or email ncerpio@yahoo.com.