KIDZ X-CHANGE PLUS CLOTHING BANK  come by anytime and pick up one free bag of clothes Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. call 423/299-9048 or 423/716-2054.

DUCKTOWN BASIN MUSEUM is now accepting donations for our annual spring yard sale. The proceeds from this sale go towards Museum programs and operations. The date of the sale will be announced. Call 423/496-5778 for more info.

LENTEN SERIES ANNOUNCED “Luke: Good News for All People,” will be the title of the Rector’s 2010 Lenten Series at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Blue Ridge, GA. Beginning Feb. 24-Mar. 24 Session begins at 7 p.m. and will be preceded at 6:30 p.m. with a Lenten soup supper. Those wishing to eat are encouraged to call the church office by Tues. morning. Call 706/632-8245.

SENIOR CENTER in Ducktown is open 5 days a week. Bingo on Mon. and Fri. Lunch is served everyday. There is music on Tues. and Thurs. call 423/496-7113.

DIRECT FARM MARKETING for Success Workshops to be held Mar. 4 in Spring Hill, Mar. 10 in White Pine and Mar. 11 in Cookeville. The cost of the wkshp. Is $15 per person if registered prior to Feb. 26 or $20 per person for late registration. 931/486-2777 or  HYPERLINK "http://cpa.utk.edu" http://cpa.utk.edu.

RAMP TRAMP FESTIVAL PLANNING MEETING Mar. 11 at the Benton Municipal Building at 6 p.m. a covered dish meal is planned. Followed by the planned session if you would like to volunteer to help with this event or would like to learn more information about the festival please plan to attend this meeting. Call 338-4503 for more info.

POLK COUNTY RETIRED TEACHERS Association will meet Mar. 11 at noon at the First Baptist Church in Benton for their quarterly meeting luncheon. All members are urged to attend

STEINWAY ARTIST Emile Pandolfi in concert Mar. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Hiwassee College in Madisonville. 423/442-3210.

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS sponsored by the Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce Air Evac Life Team will host at their new location 120 Robinson St. in Etowah. 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. call the chamber for more info. 423-263-2228.

COUSIN JAKE MEMORIAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Mar. 13 12:00 noon, tickets on sale at Gem Theater Box Office at 11 a.m.

HAND APPLIQUE CLASS FOR QUILTERS Mar. 13 at the Museum Center at 5ive Points 10 a.m.-noon. Call 423/339-5745.

TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER live simulcast hosted by North Etowah Baptist Church 231 Pennsylvania Ave. Etowah will be Mar. 13 doors open at noon and simulcast is at 1:00 p.m. call church office 423/263-5531 to reserve a spot.

MUSICAL-THE ULTIMATE SUPERSTAR presented at Delano Baptist Church Mar. 14 at 6 p.m.

WEST POLK REPUBLICAN WOMEN to meet Mar. 15 at 6L:30 p.m. at the Benton Courthouse. The women meet every 3rd Mon. of the month.

SCOTS-IRISH BALLAD WORKSHOP and performance at Madisonville Presbyterian Chuyrch Mar. 22 5:30-7 p.m. call 423/442-3210 or online at www.monroearts.com.

DIRECT FARM MARKETING Worskshops: Farmer to Farmer-will be offered in Middle TN on Mar. 23 and in the Sweetwater Valley region of East TN on Mar. 30 Each tour will visit several farms that directly market products to consumers. The cost of the tour is $15 per person if registered prior to Mar. 15 or late registration.  HYPERLINK "http://cpa.utk.edu" http://cpa.utk.edu or call 931/486-2777.

STEERING COMMITTEE of the Cherokee National Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative will be held Mar. 16 at the Joneborough Visitor Center from 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. The purpose of this initiative is to support the forest in achieving its mission through implementation of a public participation process. Contact Katherine Medlock at  HYPERLINK "mailto:kmedlock@tnc.org" kmedlock@tnc.org or 865-546-5998.

SAFE HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE PROGRAM monthly public meeting Mar. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Chamber of Commerce in Benton on Hwy. 411 near Dollar General.

SHOOT FOR A CURE basketball tourney womens-Apr. 9 and mens-Apr. 10 at Copper Basin Elementary with all proceeds going to Relay for Life. For more info. Call Cortney Hook 828-835-0400 or Stacy Barnes 423-241-9020. Deadline to enter is Mar. 26.

UT PLATEAU AGRESEARCH Center will hold its annual spring heifer and bull sale Mar. 26 at 10:00 a.m. call 931/484-0034 or email  HYPERLINK "mailto:gwisdom@utk.edu" gwisdom@utk.edu.

COUNTYWIDE “PARTY” to celebrate the opening of Hwy. 64 Apr. 9 from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at the rafting “put in.” Plans are still being finalized, but you can plan on having a good time.

ADULT SEWING WORKSHOP learn to use a sewing machine, make pillows, pajamas and much more. Volunteers and members of the 4-H textiles and clothing project group will hold a “hands on” sewing workshop April 9-10 for adults. Please call the 4-H office at 423/338-4503.

RAMP TRAMP FESTIVAL will be Apr. 21-24 at the Polk County 4H Camp in Greasy Creek.

CHATTANOOGA DISTRICT SENIOR OLYMPICS will be held May 3-8 in locations across the Chattanooga area. Registration forms are available for download at  HYPERLINK "http://www.AlexianSeniorNeighbors.org" www.AlexianSeniorNeighbors.org. Forms will also be mailed to those who request by calling (423) 755-6114. Participants who register by March 15, will receive a $5 discount off the regular registration fee of $30.

EAST AND WEST POLK LIBRARY HOURS East Polk-Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 1:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (423) 584-4004, West Polk-Mon., Wed., & Fri. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.

PRAYER every Tuesday at Benton Lions Club 11:00 a.m. with Jim Mabe. For more info. Call 423-284-3313.

DONATIONS FOR RESTORATION of Historic Gem Theater can be mailed to Gem Theater Restoration 723 Ohio Ave. Etowah.

GIRLS SCOUTS is looking for leaders and co-leaders, no exp. Necessary call 423/877-2688 ext. 216 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for Emily, and 423/338-8508 for Joyce after 5 p.m.

OCOEE MODEL CAR CLUB to meet the 1st Sat. of the month every month 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hobby Lobby in Cleveland. The meeting room is in the back.

ALEXIAN BROTHERS provides paid job training opportunities for those that qualify and are 55 or older. Call 423/504-1831 for more info.  HYPERLINK "http://www.AlexianSeniorNeighbors.org" www.AlexianSeniorNeighbors.org.

RELATIVE CAREGIVER PROGRAM support services for families who have in other family members children call 1-866-735-8752.

AVALON HOSPICE VOLUNTEER to be one call 892-3737.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW Become a state health ins. Assistance program volunteer and get your chance to help seniors call Nicole Robinson at 423-424-4287.

POLK COUNTY SOIL SURVEYS are available at the Polk Co. Soil and Water Conservation District Office at 6042 Hwy 411 Benton or call 338-4555.

TENNESSEE ELDER LAW HOTLINE Free legal help for Tennessee Seniors age 60 administered by SE Tennessee Legal Services. 1-800-836-0128.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS

-Copper Basin Medical Center Board meets 4th Tues. 7 p.m. at the hospital cafeteria.

-Ocoee Lodge #212 F&AM located at Benton 1st Mon. at 7:30 p.m. All members urged to attend.

-Election Commission 2nd Thurs. 3 p.m.

-Areawide cancer support group 4th Tues. at the First Presbyterian Church in Etowah 7 p.m.

-Linsdale Community Services first Mon. of the month, potluck dinner at 6:30, business meeting 7:30 at the Community Center.

-Right to Life chapter will have meetings on the 4th Thurs., Benton Municipal Building at 7  p.m. For details contact Earl Gentry 479-5201.

-V.F.W. Post 7974 will meet 1st Tues, 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse.

-Polk 911 meetings every other month 4th Thurs. 3 p.m. at Emergency Comm. Bldg. 2009 Hwy. 64

-City of Ducktown Events Committee, every 4th Thurs. at City Hall, 7:00 p.m.

-Eastern Star, 3rd Sat. night, 7 p.m. in Ocoee

-Firehall in Old Fort 7 p.m., 2nd Thurs.

-Masonic Lodge, 2nd Sat. night, 7 p.m. in Ocoee

-County Commission, 3rd Thursday, 7 p.m. alternating between courthouse in Benton and the community center in Ducktown.

-Community Support Group (Northwest Polk Fire Station #5) meeting, 2nd Mon. 7 p.m. at the Firehall.

-Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District Board monthly meeting on second Tues. of each month, for more info call 338-4555.

-Scottish Rite, 4th Thurs., alternate between Ducktown and Conasauga Lodge.

-School Board, 2nd Monday, 7 p.m. at the various schools.

-Benton Town Commission lst Monday, 5 p.m. at Benton Town Hall.

-Copperhill City Council 3rd Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

-Polk County Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 6 p.m. alternating between the Ducktown Community Center and 911 center when there are agenda items.

-Ducktown City Commission 1st Thursday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

-Ocoee Utility Board 3rd Wed., noon, utilities office, Waterlevel Hwy.

-Polk County Veterans Office is open Tuesday in Benton and Monday in Ducktown. 338-4546; 496-7113.

-Polk County-Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce, 338-5040.

-Springtown Community Group, 3rd Monday, Springtown Firehall, 7 p.m.

-American Cancer Society, Benton Unit, 3rd Thursday, Benton Bank, 6 p.m. Volunteers Needed.

-Conasauga Lodge # 396 at Ocoee meets 2nd Sat. of each month at 7:00 p.m.

-Masonic Lodge #420 in Ocoee 2nd Sat. of each month at 7 p.m.

-Community Club in Old Fort, 2nd Thurs. of each month at 7 p.m.

-Ocoee Ruritan, lst Thursday, 7 p.m., Ruritan Hall on Hwy 411.

-Cherokee Horseman, 2nd Tuesday, 7 p.m. at Polk County Courthouse. All horse enthusiasts welcome. 338-0757 for info.

-Hiking & Maintenance on the Benton MacKaye Trail, 2nd Saturday of each month. For info on meeting place and time call 338-8000 or 263-5800.

-Tri State Christian Homeschoolers meets 2nd Monday each month, 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Murphy. 704/494-2919.

-Rural Development representative will be at the courthouse every 4th Tuesday. 423/756-2239 ext. 114.

-Alcoholics Anonymous has an open meeting every Friday night in the small courtroom at the Courthouse in Benton.

-Copper Basin Narcotics Anonymous Group every Friday, 6:30 in the Copper Basin Community Center in Ducktown.

-Northwest Polk Fire & Rescue, 2nd Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the fire hall.

-Chestuee Community Club will meet 1st Thursdays of each month 7 p.m.

-Copper Basin VFW Post 11561 meets 2nd Monday at 7 p.m. at Ducktown Community Center

-Copperhill Masonic Lodge meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month at 7:30 p.m. All qualified visitors welcome.

-Alcoholics Anonymous: every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night at 8 p.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Blue Ridge, Fridays at 8 p.m. in the Ducktown Community Center.

-Alzheimer's Support Group, 1st and 3rd Thursday, 10:30 a.m. Life Care Center. Contact Chris Dockery, 496-3369.

-Friendship #499 OES of Ducktown, 2nd Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at the Ducktown Masonic Hall.

-Appalachian Sporting Club, 3rd Friday at the club building next to Turtletown School.

-Turtletown Ruritan Club, 1st Thursday at the Ruritan Club House near Turtletown Post Office.

-West Polk Civil Defense I st and 3rd Tuesdays in regular session, other Tuesdays used for equipment cleaning.