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

DINNER WITH THE DOCTOR Tuesday, January 8, at 6pm, at the Lifestyle Center of Benton, corner of Route 411 and Lifestyle Way.  Enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal and an important health lecture.  Our health topic this month is “Do It Yourself Cancers,” presented by Dr. Lester Haag.  There is no charge but reservations are necessary.  Call 423-334-4314 for more information or to make your reservation.

GRIEFSHARE will meet beginning Janurary 10, 2013 through April 4, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Benton on Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm. Griefshare is a special seminar and support group for people grieving the death of someone close to them. It features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include: The Journey of Grief, The Effects of Grief, Your Family and Grief, Why?, and Stuck in Grief. Call 338-2066 for more information.

POLK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL BANQUET will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 5:30 P.M. at Brother’s Copper Kettle Restaurant.  We hope you plan to join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce this past year, and also socialize and network with other Chamber members. Please bring a door prize.  There will be lots of great food and it promises to be a festive evening.  The ticket price is $25 per person. We would be honored for you to join us, so please mark your calendars to attend. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (423) 338-5040.

“REFLECTIONS”, paintings by Mitchel de la Garza to open at The Arts Center in Athens, TN. The Athens Area Council for the Arts is pleased to present “Reflections”, paintings by Mitchel de la Garza, to be on exhibit January 15 through February 25, 2013, at The Arts Center, 320 North White Street, Athens, Tennessee.

CRAFT BAZAAR SHOW People Helping People and Kidz XChange Plus announce the first ever Chilhowee Mountain Craft Bazaar Show and Sale to be held Saturday February 2, 2013 from 10 am - 4 pm. This indoor craft show and sale will allow area crafters another opportunity to market their homemade or handmade wares and give savvy shoppers a chance to purchase locally made items for themselves or as gifts.

 Thirty plus 8x10 booths are available for $15 each. Booth applications complete with rules and guidelines may be picked up at the People Helping People and Kidz XChange Plus facilities at 184 Mull Road in Benton (former Benton Manufacturing building located next to Burgess Feed and Hardware). Booth application and registration fee must be turned in by Saturday, January 26, 2013.

“TALK IS CHEAP TOUR” With Four story tellers: Bill Landry, Sam Venable, Elizabeth Rose (From Etowah) and Jim Claborn. 
On Stage sitting on Stools each telling stories (Like the Red Neck Comics)

 Date Feb 16, 2013
, Time 7 pm
, Place Athens City Middle School

Tickets 
General Admission  $15.00
. VIP Meet the Cast $25.00 (reserved seating area). Tickets sales are at each of the five Libraries (Athens, Calhoun, Englewood, Etowah, & Niota), plus a web site for Credit cards sales. Call 423-368-1745 or 744-3911.

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 2ND Monday of each month, alternating between each school.

-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.