Community Notes:

"This was our first fundraiser," said Sherri Blair, bookkeeper at the new Carpenters Middle School, "and it was great! The books sell themselves."

"Our sales this year increased by 400 books," said Jake Jones, assistant principal at Porter Elementary School. "I think the book value helped the increase in sales. It was the easiest fundraiser I have ever been apart of."

Funds from this year’s project will be used to purchase computers, software, playground equipment, books for accelerated reading programs, class trips, and many other tools for learning.

"It’s the kind of unity and cooperation that puts all our schools ahead! There are over 14,000 local citizens, students, and educators involved in this campaign. With the support of several corporate sponsors, scores of area merchants, and generous media support, the project promotes that education is a community concern and demonstrates that educators, business leaders, and area merchants can work together to enrich the quality of education in the participating schools throughout the area," said Don Moore, Athletic Director at William Blount High School.

AnimalWorks receives $1,000 grant
A $1,000 grant from Scripps Networks and a $2,500 Animal Friendly license plate grant provide the pet spay/neuter services for low-income households in the area.

Household income and residency restrictions may apply to recipients of services provided by these grants. To find out if you qualify, or to schedule a low-cost spay/neuter service for your pet, call the AnimalWorks clinic at 865-379-2227.

The Animal Friendly license plate grant is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee.

AnimalWorks’ low-cost spay/neuter clinic and Alcoa adoption site is at 3377 Regal Drive behind West Chevrolet off Alcoa Highway. AnimalWorks also operates two pet adoption centers in the Petsmart stores at Morrell Road and at Turkey Creek in Knoxville.

The mission of AnimalWorks is to reduce the homeless pet population in our community. Since its inception in September 2001, AnimalWorks has spayed or neutered more than 7,000 animals and found homes for more than 4,000 cats and dogs.

For more information about AnimalWorks’ pet adoption or low-cost spay/neuter services, call 865-379-2227 or visit www.animalworkstn.org.

Liberty Tax Service’s free tax course starts soon
Savvy consumers who wish to increase their tax IQ can enroll in free week-long basic income tax courses offered by Liberty Tax Service in January. No prior tax experience is necessary to register and take the class. Liberty Tax Service strives to help students learn more about taxes, whether it’s to save money on their own returns, or improve their skill set for employment in the tax industry.

The curriculum is designed to cover the fundamentals of basic income tax preparation. Lessons are structured to cover the latest tax changes, and all schedules, credits and forms that can be filed with an individual tax return. Morning or evening classes are available.

"Our course is practical as a refresher for anyone trying to stay current with the constantly changing tax code," said Mary Hobbs, Owner-Operator of Liberty Tax Service.

To register or find out more about Liberty’s "Rapid" tax classes, call 865- 982-9550. Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) has over 2,000 offices operating in the United States and Canada.

Townsend Library holds Open House
The Mary E. Tippitt Memorial Library in Townsend is holding an Open House at the library on Friday, Jan. 26 to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Hours are 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. and refreshments will be served. Please stop in and help us celebrate ten years in Townsend.

The library’s After-School Programs for January will be: Thursday, Jan. 11 - New Year’s party/celebration, with a story, craft and party. Photos will also be taken for the next program’s craft. Thursday, Jan. 18 - Valentine’s Day theme, with a party, valentine card craft, and checking out books by Laura Ingalls Wilder for discussion in February. Both programs run from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. at the library. Children in Pre-K through Grade 5 are invited to attend. Parents are asked to call the
library at 865-448-1441 to pre-register their children no later than the day before the program.

The Mary Tippitt Library is located at 120 Tiger Drive in Townsend. Hours are Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a drop box by the front door for after-hours returns.

Computer access is available to residents and visitors at no charge. Faxing, printing, and copying services are available for a small fee.

For more information, telephone 865-448-1441; fax 865-448-1875; website: www.discoveret.org/metmlib; email: metmlib@yahoo.com.

Applications accepted for Practical Nursing Program
Blount Memorial Hospital’s practical nursing program now is accepting applications for its training program that begins in April.

Orientation sessions for those interested in applying for the hospital’s nursing program will be held at the nursing school, which is located in the Joan M. Jackson Health Career Center at the Alcoa City Center on East Watt Street. Sessions are 45 minutes each and are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24 and at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29.

Applicants must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, pass entrance and physical examinations, and provide references.

The program consists of 600 classroom hours and 800 clinical hours, and the entire training period will be approximately 11 months. Students will be exposed to a variety of clinical experiences and guided through practical nursing curriculum.

After graduating from the practical nursing program, students will be eligible to take the licensure examination administered by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. After satisfactory completion of the exam, graduates will receive a licensed practical nurse license.

Tuition for the program is $4,600 and does not include books, physical examinations, liability insurance and a name badge. Students also are expected to furnish watches with a second hand, white shoes, a white nursing uniform and the Tennessee Board of Nursing’s licensure fees.

For more information about the application process or the practical nursing program, call 865-273-1544.

Medic reports need for blood donations
Medic Regional Blood Center reports an all time low turnout so far for month of January and all blood types are needed.

Medic, a non-profit community blood bank, must collect 350 pints of blood each day of the week in order to adequately supply local hospitals. "Donations have been well below our need and January is National Blood Donor Month," states Christi Fightmaster, Medic spokesperson. "Giving blood is simple and it is a very significant gift for the community—patients at our local hospitals depend on volunteer donors for blood and blood products," Fightmaster continues.

All eligible donors are asked to please help alleviate Medic’s low collections by rolling up your sleeve and giving blood this month. Medic’s donor center, 1601 Ailor Avenue, is open seven days a week for donor convenience. However, community blood drives are planned as well.

• January 17, Dotson Memorial Baptist Church, 814 Dotson Memorial Road, 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Inside Fellowship Hall.
  
• January 18, Blount County Sheriff’s Department, 940 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Medic Mobile.
  
• January 19, Wal-Mart—Alcoa, 1030 Hunters Crossing Drive, 10 a.m. 6 p.m., Medic Mobile.

All donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh more than 110 pounds and have positive identification. Donors must feel well and healthy at time of donation and cannot be taking an antibiotic. Donors will receive a free t-shirt, cholesterol evaluation (no fasting required) and a year’s credit towards Medic’s Family Blood Coverage Program. This program exempts donors and their IRS dependents from paying blood collection and processing fees at any U.S. hospital if a transfusion is needed.

Blount Parks and Rec offers Musical Gymnastics
Parks and Recreation is offering Musical Gymnastics for ages 15 months to 8 years old starting Tuesday evenings, January 16 and on Thursday mornings, January 18 at the Everett Recreation Center. The class sessions last for eight weeks.

This unique program emphasizes early childhood development and concentrates on motor development, strength, flexibility, balance, hand-eye coordination, listening skills, and musical rhythm. It is designed for children of all levels, including those with special needs, and is offered in a quiet, non-competitive, environment. Equipment used is portable, lightweight,
colorful, and safe for young children. The instructor is Heidi De La Rocha, who has created and implemented this unique program for several years.

The cost of the 8-week-program is $90. Classes are divided into age groups. An additional session will be offered in March. To pre-register by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 10 or to inquire on the classes, please call Parks & Recreation at 865-983-9244, or register on-line at www.parksrec.com. You may also sign up at the office located at 316 S. Everett High Road, Maryville.