COLLEGE AND CAREER APPLICATION DAY Polk County High School will host their 2nd annual College and Career Application Day on Thursday, October 25th.  During the school day, seniors will have the chance to apply for college and technical schools with the assistance of representatives from 9 local schools.  Students will receive “I Applied” stickers and be entered into a drawing for door prizes.  Schools attending are: Chattanooga State, Cleveland State, ITT Tech, Lee University, Miller-Motte, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Wesleyan College, Tennessee Technology Center at Athens, and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Application centers will also be set up for Franklin Academy and University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

FIRST BANK OF TENNESSEE FOOD DRIVE We are having our second annual food drive for the Polk County Baptist Associational Food Bank, drop off will be at the bank and it will start on October 1 and run through November 16. 

FREE TO LIVE MINISTRY CLASSES OVERCOMER’S OUTREACH, NA,Tuesday and Thursday - 7pm. Call Doris Wise for more information at 423-241-9533.

SAFE HAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE PROGRAM (SHARP) will hold its monthly public meeting on Thursday, Oct 25 6:30 pm at the Chamber of Commerce office at 6176 Highway 411 in Benton.  All are welcome!

TINA BAKER OIL PAINTINGS Thursday, October 25 5-7pm Drop in for a visit with artist Tina Baker and be “drawn in” to her serene settings.  Enjoy light hors d’oeurves as you stroll the gallery.  For more information visit www.EtowahArts.org.

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST October 26th from 5 pm to 8 pm. The event is hosted by People Helping People and is open to all kids ages birth-12. The entry cost is $5 and 5 cans of food. The contest will be held at Kidz Xchange and every contestant will get a trophy! Registration forms can be picked up at Kidz Xchange, Cash Express, or the Polk County News. For more info call 423-299-9062 or find People Helping People on Facebook.

COOKSON CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH in Ocoee will have a Fall Festival Celebration on Sat.27th, at 4 o’clock. Lots of Fun and Games with Prizes! Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be served. Everyone invited.

BENTON ARTS AND HERITAGE DAYS will be Saturday, November 27th. Arts, music, quilts, food and more. Downtown Benton around the square.

REVIVAL at Cloverleaf Baptist Church 2290 Waterlevel Highway, Cleveland, TN. Pastor: Rev. Johnny Moore on October 28th -31st, 2012. Sunday Morning 10 a.m. Sunday Night   6:00 p.m. Monday – Wednesday Night 7:00 p.m.. Evangelist: Rev. Clyde Painter

A BENEFIT FOR THE JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL Blacksmith & Fine Craft Auction, Saturday, November 3, 1-4 PM, Art preview & Silent Auction from 1-2 PM, Live Auction from 2-4 PM. Keith House, John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC. Call 1-800-FOLK-SCH or 828-837-2775 for more information or visit www.folkschool.org/auction

AARP SAFE DRIVING CLASS offered on Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 9:00 to 3:30 at the Family Life Center of McCaysville Church of God. All military & spouses are FREE for the month of November only. Other AARP members are $12 and non AARP members are $14. There is no age limit to attend this class.  Bev Whitmer will be instructor. To make a reservation for this class, Contact: Martha Kreis, 706 632-5741 or email aarpbrsafedrive @yahoo.com. First reserved, first served.

TRI CITIES BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FALL EVENTS Friday, November 23rd, Copper Basin Christmas Village Begins with Light Up the Basin 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Special Events every Friday and Saturday night until Saturday, December 15th. If you would like to volunteer or more information on one of these events, you can contact Adam Davenport at 706-492-6014, Ana Johnson at 423-889-3183 or Rick Moore 423-796-0201.

CHRISTMAS PARADE The Polk County Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the 2012 Christmas parade for Saturday, December 8th at 1:00 pm. The theme for this year’s parade is “The Wonder of Christmas Morning”.  We are looking forward to some very creative floats and entries.  As always, Santa Claus will make a special appearance. 

Awards will be given for the best floats in three divisions; Church, Business and Civic/School; one award will be given for the Best Horse & Carriage entry.

The entry fee is $10 per float, car, horse carriage (buggy), etc.  Applications can be picked up at the Chamber office in Benton Monday- Friday 9am-3pm.  The deadline for entry is Tuesday, December 4th, 2012.  This will be the absolute last day for entry.

Horse entries remain the same as before.  The fee is $3.00 per horse (without carriage/buggy) at the line -up on the day of the parade (December 13th).  Line-up begins at 10:00 for horses. All horses (donkeys, mules, etc.) must have a negative Coggins certificate. If you have any questions, please call 338-5040.

SAFE HAVEN Animal Rescue is in need of people who have fenced in yards to foster dogs.  We provide all food and veterinary care including spaying and neutering. Our existing foster families are overwhelmed with the number of dogs in our possession.  We work hard to find forever homes by advertising on Petfinder and Pooches on the Move. Last year we found great homes for 80 dogs.  Please call the SHARP line 299 3640.

EAST AND WEST POLK LIBRARY HOURS East Polk-Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Sat 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. West Polk-Mon., Wed., & Fri. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE available through SETHRA by calling (423) 338-2335 or (423) 496-2644.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS

-County Commission will be 3RD Thursday at 7 p.m., alternating between the Benton Courthouse and Ducktown Senior Center.

-School Board, to be announced.

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

-Copperhill City Council 3rd Monday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

-Polk County Planning Commission, 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. alternating between the Ducktown Courthouse and Benton Courthouse.

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

-Ocoee Ruritan Club, 1st Thursday, 7 p.m. at the Fire & Rescue Hall in Ocoee on Hwy. 411.