Community Notes: Sept. 15 | Raleigh News & Observer

Child safety seat check

Wake Human Services will hold a child safety seat check event for National Child Passenger Safety Week from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina. Technicians will check car seats for proper installation in an effort to assist parents and caregivers with keeping children safe in vehicles. For more information, call 919-250-3989.

Food drive

The Garner Cleveland Athletic Association is collecting nonperishable food items for the Interfaith Food Shuttle’s Backpack Buddies. From Sept. 16 to Sept. 20, the GCAA asks parents to bring food items to their children’s games and place them in the designated containers at the concession stands. The food drive seeks whole-grain pastas, canned poultry or fish, dry beans, brown and white rice, oatmeal and low-sugar or no-sugar cold cereals, canned fruits, vegetables, soups, and dried fruits and nuts.

Marching band expo

The Johnston County High School marching bands will perform for free at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Charles T. Tucker Stadium at Smithfield-Selma High School. Gates will open at 6 p.m. The Spartan Regiment host band will have concessions available as a part of their fundraising efforts to support a trip to nationals at Mets Stadium in November. For more information, contact event coordinator Jennifer Hinton at jhinton2503@yahoo.com.

Economics workshop

Budgetwi$e is a free economics workshop focused on saving money and budgeting. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Cooperative Extension Office, Johnston County Center, 2736 Highway 210, Smithfield. For more information and to register, contact Jayne McBurney at 989-5380.

Art show

Frank Creech Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition and reception in recognition of Raleigh artist Elizabeth de Sherbinin’s recent works. The display is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, Sept. 14 through Oct. 4. The reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Frank Creech Art Gallery. For more information call 919-209-2032.

Democratic women’s dinner

The Democratic Women of Johnston County will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in the fellowship hall at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 218 S. Second St., Smithfield.

Republican women’s dinner

The Johnston County Republican Women will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Festejos Restaurant, 905 East Main Street, Clayton. Dutch Supper held at 6 p.m. Guest speaker will be Joy Jones, Chairman of the Johnston County Board of Elections. Jones will discuss the election reform laws recently passed by the General Assembly. Registered Republican women and their spouses are invited to join in this discussion. For more information, contact JCRW President Teresa Grant, 919-606-1070.

POW/MIA remembrance

A POW/MIA remembrance ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., Sept. 20 at the Garner VFW Post 10225. The Post is located at 1706 W. Garner Road in Garner. For more information, call 919-772-1072.

Carnival Latino

Celebrate diverse Latino cultures at Carnival Latino from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, on the back lawn of the Garner Performing Arts Center, 125 Avery St., Garner. The event will offer traditional and contemporary experiences of Latino cultures through food, music, dance and art, and will feature performances from Caribe Vibe, Carolina Railhawks, and L.E.T.A.L.. For more information, call 919-773-4458.

Barbecue fundraiser

McCullers Ruritan Club is hosting its semi-annual fundraiser barbecue from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sept. 27 at their club building at 8116 Ten Ten Road, Raleigh. Customers can eat in or take out. Plates are $8.

Barbecue fundraiser

McCullers Ruritan Club is hosting its semi-annual fundraiser barbecue from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 at their club building at 8116 Ten Ten Road, Raleigh. Customers can eat in or take out. Plates are $8.

Golf fundraiser

The Garner Optimist Club will host its 15th annual golf tournament at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Reedy Creek Golf Course, 585 Reedy Creek Road, Four Oaks. The entry fee is $65 per player and $260 per team. Proceeds will benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The entry deadline is Friday, Sept. 27. For more information, contact Paul Keene at 919-906-3206 or Bill Oates at 919-302-4648.

Sponsors needed

The Heritage Quilt Show is seeking sponsors to purchase display stands. There are four levels of sponsorship, ranging from $50 to $500 or more.

Tax-deductible donations and sponsors will be recognized on signage at the opening gala from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10. For more information, call 919-989-5380.

Class reunion

The Garner Senior High School choral alumni will hold a reunion for all members between the years 1990-1999 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 12, at the Garner Civitan Club, 1005 Poole Drive, Garner. For more information or to register, visit the GSHS Choral Reunion page on Facebook or contact Kristy Hudson Foushee at khfoushee@gmail.com.

Parenting workshops

Partnership for Children of Johnston County offers two programs for parents with young children.

•  Motheread is a 12-week self-paced program that combines the teaching of literacy skills with child development and family empowerment issues.

•  The Incredible Years parent program offers weekly group sessions for 14 to 16 weeks. Participants practice skills to promote children’s academic, social and emotional skills.

For information on times and location, contact Erica Reid at 919-202-0002, ext. 258, or email ereid@pfcjc.org.

Boathouse open

The Lake Benson boathouse is open for the season at 975 Buffaloe Road, Garner. For the months of September and October, hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 7 p.m. Fridays and Sundays. Boat rentals start at $4 an hour.

No private boats are allowed. Free fishing is available from the dock. Call Stephanie Shaffer at 919-661-6892 or visit www.garnernc.gov.

Classic Car Club meets

Memory Lane Classic Car Club meets for dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Golden Corral, 60 Son-Lan Parkway, Garner. For more information, call 919-553-6229.

JCC classes and workshops

•  Johnston Community College offers several applied industrial technology continuing education courses. For information or to register, visit

or call Brenda Harris at 919-209-2522.

•  Johnston Community College’s Corporate Solutions is offering several training workshops this summer for business and industry professionals. Call Shelley Gardner at 919-209-2591 or email

for more information.

•  Johnston Community College will offer several new summer courses including: Beginner’s Guide to Computers, Keyboarding, Microsoft Excel 2010 for Beginners and MS PowerPoint 2010. JCC is also offering an Office Applications Certificate course and a Human Services Certificate.

Overeaters Anonymous

An Overeaters Anonymous support group meets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Lakeside Drive and N.C. 50 in Garner. Park in the rear of the church and look for the OA signs. Call Sherylyn at 919-779-6392 or Regina at 919-614-3425 for more information.

Send announcements at least two weeks before the event to jwhitfield@newsoberver.com.