Community Planner for the week of Dec. 17

Donations needed

There is a critical need for thrift shop donations at the five disabilities thrift shops in Florence County operated by Florence County Disabilities Foundation.

Donations of furniture, household and kitchen items, books, toys, jewelry, gently used clothes and other items. Tax receipts are available for all donations.

Be sure to donate by Dec. 31 to take advantage of this tax deduction for 2008. Drop off donations at any of the stores located in Lake City, Johnsonville, Scranton, or the locations in Florence at 1723 S. Irby St. and 1650 E. Palmetto St. Pick up service is available for large donations by calling (843) 662-4021 or (843) 374-2641.

Volunteers are needed for the stores. If you are able to give two or more hours a week, we can work around your schedule. If you are at least 18 years of age and interested, call the office.

Blood drive

Santee Electric Cooperative is holding an American Red Cross community blood drive at 424 Sumter Highway on Thursday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. in Santee’s conference center. Schedule an appointment by calling (843) 355-0508 or via the Internet. Visit www.donatebloodtoday.org and register. An appointment gives time priority over those without one. Don’t forget to bring identification, such as a donor card or driver’s license.

Donate a Belt program

The Crisis Advocacy Program Inc. (CAP) has formed The Belt Network. This is a network of people who provide belts for children. For more details, call (843) 206-1307.
Basketball clinic

The Francis Marion University women’s basketball program and head coach Heather Macy’s Focused 50 Basketball Camp will sponsor a Holiday Basketball Clinic for boys and girls, kindergarten through the eighth grade, on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19-20, in the Smith University Center from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 20. The cost of the two-day event is $25. Contact Macy by e-mail hmacy@fmarion.edu or by calling (843) 661-1249 for details or to receive a registration form. A form is available at www.fmupatriots.com/sports/wbkb/index.

FMU’s spring semester

Students will begin spring semester classes at Francis Marion University on Jan. 13. Registration for new and continuing students will be held Jan. 12.

Housing opens for new and continuing students Jan. 11. A list of open classes is available at www.fmarion.edu or through the Admissions Office in Stokes Administration Building, Room 113. Students interested in taking classes should call (843) 661-1231. The university will close for the holidays at 5 p.m. Friday and re-open Jan. 5.

Art’s Alive Art Show

Applications from local artists are being sought for the Art’s Alive Art Show. The Art’s Alive Festival and the art show will be held April 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

The Art’s Alive Art Show is a one-day exhibition and sales event. The art show will be juried; with cash awards of $600, $300 and $150 awarded to first, second and third places, respectively.

Area artists are invited to participate. There is an application/jury fee of $75 ($65 for Florence County residents). Applications must be received by Jan. 15.

For details or an application, call (843) 661-1225, or e-mail crichardson@fmarion.edu. Applications are available at the Lynda English Studio-Gallery, 403 Second Loop Road, Florence and at www.fmarion.edu/alumni/artsalive.

Baseball camp

The annual Coker College Christmas Baseball Camp will be Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Coker Timberlake Gymnasium and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coker College Baseball Complex. For ages 6-17. Cost is $60 for the three-day session conducted by Dave Schmotzer. Participants will need to provide their own bat and glove. The camp will furnish all other equipment. Each camp participant will receive a camp T-shirt. For details, call (843) 383-8105 or register Friday in the gym.

Holiday Soiree

The Lake City High School Class of 1988 will hold a “Class of 1988 Holiday Soiree” in honor of its 20-year reunion on Dec. 27 at The Market Place Church Street Lake City from 7 p.m. to midnight. Classmates are asked to contact James Singletary at js2864@columbia.edu or (917) 992-5830 or Robin Coletrain at rcoletrain08@yahoo.com or (803) 556-9697.

FMU Observatory

The Francis Marion University observatory will hold a viewing session of Uranus, Comet Boethin, and the deep sky Friday from 8 to 10 p.m.

The session is free.

The program allows visitors to come and go as they please.

If weather conditions block viewing, the session will be canceled. The public may call (843) 661-1355 for recorded details about the prospect of a clear sky.

Flashlights may be used for walking to the observatory, but visitors won’t be allowed to drive out to the observatory unless prior arrangements have been made with the observatory director, Jeannette Myers.

The observatory is located beyond the outfield fence of the FMU Softball Field, south of the Smith University Center.

Visitors can park in Lot D at the southern end of the campus and follow the walkway to the observatory. Persons requiring special assistance to visit the observatory, or seeking more details, may call 843-661-1441. The observatory Web site is http://astro.fmarion.edu/observe/.