DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting Area Happenings, Church Events, Reunions, Society items or Cemetery News is Thursday at noon.

Bee Friends

Interested in beekeeping and meeting beekeepers? Whether you are looking for information, want to get started or have been beekeeping for 30 years, you are welcome to attend BEE FRIENDS. a local beekeeping group meeting monthly on the first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Tazewell campus of Walters State in the Auditorium. March 7 will be the next meeting. Charlie Parton of the TBA will be speaking on swarms, making splits and hive management. It’s time to get prepared for this season of beekeeping and it’s a great time to check the group out, ask questions and meet others with all levels of experience. As you enter the parking lot there will be a yellow sign with directions at the door from the parking lot. Coffee and desert will be served. For more information call 865-617-9013.

Beginning Beekeeping Class

Here’s the Buzz! Bees need you! Become a backyard or back 40 beekeeper. Attend a free Beginning Beekeeping Class on March 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. The class will be held at the Well-Being Foundation in Tazewell. A hearty lunch will be provided, as well as door prizes. The lunch is co-sponsored by Bee Friends and Well Being Foundation. Everyone is welcome. To register and call for more information call Julianne at 865-617-9013.

Broken Spur Dance Club

It’s time for our Beginners Line Dance Class at the Broken Spur Dance Club. Come on and learn to line dance and have fun and exercise. Classes have started and take place at 7 p.m. Also offered are kickboxing classes and Zumba classes. Call 423-489-9829 for more information. The club is located at 335 Fulkerson Rd., Tazewell, on the top floor of the American Legion Building.

Camelot Care Centers Foster Parent Workshop

Our foster care/adoption info night will be March 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., open house style. We are offering refreshments and an opportunity to ask questions, find out about the need for weekend caregivers or mentors, and meet others interested in helping foster kids. The information session will be at Victory Assembly of God Church, 1590 Highway 33 S, New Tazewell, TN 37825. Camelot Care Centers is also searching for foster parents who would qualify for the Professional Parent Program which offers stay-at-home but financially stable and healthy foster parents up to $30,000/yr to provide therapeutic, quality care to youth in foster care. For more information contact Chante Hensley at 865-466-7513 or ElaDage@camelotcare.com.

CHS Project Graduation

There will be a Project Graduation meeting March 11 at 6 p.m. at Claiborne High School for any parent interested in helping with this event. Enter on the gym side of the school. For more information, contact Penny Long at Claiborne High School.

Claiborne County Animal Shelter

The CCAS provides a Spay and Neuter Clinic each Thursday. Dogs $60, Cats $45 and Rabies Shots $10. CCAS is required to administer a rabies shot prior to surgery if no certificate of Rabies Vaccination is provided by the owner. Please call 423-489-3389 for an appointment or more information. CCAS is located at 674 Ritchie and Lewis Drive in New Tazewell.

Claiborne County Board of Education

The Claiborne County Board of Education has changed its meeting time to 6 p.m. for each regular monthly meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for March 14 at 6 p.m.

Claiborne County Commission Change of Meeting Time

The Claiborne County Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are normally held on the third Monday of the month in the large courtroom in the Claiborne County Courthouse, located on Main Street in Tazewell. The next meeting will be on March 18. The public is welcome to attend.

Claiborne County High School Class of 1993

The planning has begun for the 20th class reunion of the CCHS Blue Devils, class of 1993. If you are interested in helping with the organization or if you would like more information, contact Elizabeth Buis at 423-839-5987, Tammy Venable Givens at 423-489-6217, David Painter at 423-526-1917 or Melanie Carter at 423-526-8697. A current mailing address is needed for invitations.

Claiborne County Historical and Genealogical Society

The Claiborne County Historical and Genealogical Society is located on Old Knox Road across from the county library. Call 526-5737 for more information or email claibornecohistoricalsociety@yahoo.com. The regular research hours are Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is constant updating of the database of information on the people of Claiborne County. Drop by and volunteer researchers can help you build your family tree. Annual membership of $15 a year includes four issues of our publication “Reflections.” CCHGS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of Claiborne County. Please mail tax-deductible contributions or annual membership dues to: CCHGS, P.O. Box 32, Tazewell, TN 37879.

Claiborne County Hospital Lunch and Learn

Community Lunch and Learn has been rescheduled. Claiborne County Hospital is sponsoring a Community Lunch and Learn on March 13 at noon in the hospital’s conference room. CCH Rehabilitation Director Lieven Cox will do a presentation on “Assessing Your Risk for Falls and Fall Prevention.” Lunch will be provided. If you would like to attend, please call Betsy Maples at 423-526-2192.

Claiborne County Solid Waste Authority

The Claiborne County Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) will meet March 12 at 7 p.m. in the large courtroom of the Claiborne County Courthouse.

Claiborne County Trustee Office

The Claiborne County Trustee’s Office will be open on Fridays during the month of February from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Commercial Vegetable Growers

Dr. Annette Wszelaki from The University of Tennessee will be in Tazewell on March 19 to present a talk on Small Commercial Vegetable Production. The meeting will be held in the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce meeting room at 6 p.m. Soup will be served. Call Kelley Frady at the UT/TSU Extension Office at 626-3742 for questions.

Commodity Distribution

ETHRA Community Action Agency, funded in part by an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will distribute commodities for Claiborne County on these dates: March 14 at Model Valley Office in Clairfield, from 10 a.m. to noon; and March 15 at Tri-State Growers (Farmers Market) in Tazewell, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will need a commodity card to pick up the commodities. The current commodity cards are GOLD. Call the office at 423-626-8187 extension 0801 to make sure staff is available to take commodity applications if you don’t have a card. The ETHRA staff will be working out of the office the week of the commodity distribution and may not be available for applications. Staff will be at the distribution site during the above hours or until the food supply is gone. Tazewell distribution will be on Friday only. Please bring a box or bag.

Concealed Carry Classes

PATHFINDERS – Tri-State Firearms announces the 2013 schedule for TN & NRA Certified Safety Classes for Concealed Carry Permit Applications at the Powell Valley Conservation Club, 212 Well Springs Rd., Lafollette, TN 37766. Class dates are as follows: First Saturday of the month through March, 2013; second Saturday of the month April – September, 2013; first Saturday of the month October – December 2013. For more information please call Rodger Moore 865-585-6539.

Cumberland Gap BMA Meetings

The regular monthly meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Cumberland Gap for the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 will be conducted at Town Hall, 330 Colwyn Street, the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. A monthly planning session is conducted each month at Town Hall on Monday prior to the scheduled meeting of the board at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Cumberland Gap Planning Commission

The regular monthly meetings for the Cumberland Gap Planning Commission will be held the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Cumberland Gap Town Hall meeting room, 330 Colwyn Street. The public is invited to attend.

Divorce Care at Pump Springs

Divorce Care will be meeting Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Pump Springs Baptist Church. Divorce Care is a special weekly support group seminar conducted by people who understand what you are experiencing. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to deal with the pain of your past and look forward to rebuilding your life. Call 423-869-8323 or visit www.pumpsprings.org for more information.

Dog Grooming

Claiborne County Animal Shelter is now offering grooming from a professional groomer. A portion of the earnings will benefit the shelter. The grooming will be done on Tuesday and Thursday,but we additional days will be added based on demand. For a list of services and fees, please call the shelter at 423-626-2686 on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Don’t Keep Your Heap!

The economy is showing signs of recovery, even with the rising cost of gas. Many people who held on to their car during the recession are now looking to replace it with a more fuel efficient one. If you are one of those people, you have to figure out what to do with your car. If your vehicle does not get good gas mileage, has a lot of miles, is more than 5 years old or is not in good condition, the dealership won’t offer you much for it as a trade in. They won’t want it because there is no demand for it. It will be difficult to sell it privately for the same reason. One alternative is to sell it for a couple of hundred dollars to a junkyard. A better alternative is to donate your car to charity. Cars4Charities will gladly take your old car, no matter what shape it is in. In return for your generosity, you will get a tax deduction of $500 or more. They have hundreds of charities that can be helped by your car donation. For details, please go to http://www.cars4charities.org/ or call 866.448.3487.

Foster Parents Needed

Youth Villages is looking for caring people in Tazewell and the rest of Claiborne County to become foster parents to children who have suffered abuse, neglect, abandonment or other issues and need a home. More than 50 children in East Tennessee are currently in need of a home. These children desperately need families who will care for them until they can return to their birth families or an adoptive family is found for them.

If the children become available for adoption, foster parents often have the first right to adopt, and adoption through Youth Villages is free. Youth Villages’ foster parents receive a monthly stipend to help them offset the costs of adding a child to their household.

Candidates should be single or married adults over the age of 25 and living in the Claiborne County area who are interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents.

For more information about upcoming open houses or how you can change the life of a child, contact Jamie Hughes, foster parent recruiter at 423-283-6554.

Free Computer Classes

Free computer classes will be offered at the Claiborne County Board of Education. The classes will include basic computer, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. For more information contact Jammie Mullins at 626-8222 ex. 2222.

Grief Support Group

Amedisys Hospice will present “Pathways Through Grief,” a six-week grief educational and support group. The first session was Feb. 19 and will be held each Tuesday morning through March 26 from 10 a.m. until noon. The group will meet at the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Services Office, located at 1720 Church St., Tazewell. The group is free to any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. For more information or to register, call 423-587-9484 or 1-800-659-2633.

Harrogate BMA Meeting

The regular monthly meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Harrogate for the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 will be conducted at City Hall, 138 Harrogate Crossing, the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. The next scheduled meeting is March 25. A monthly planning session is conducted each month at the City Hall on Tuesday prior to the scheduled meeting of the board at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend all meetings of the Board.

Harrogate Municipal Planning Commission

A meeting of the Harrogate Municipal Planning Commission will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 11 in the Harrogate City Hall meeting room, 138 Harrogate Crossing.

Heart of Hope Pregnancy and Rescue Center

The Heart of Hope Pregnancy and Rescue Center in Harrogate is need of donations. Crib and baby mattresses, toddler beds, diapers in sizes two through five and other baby items that you have available. Contact 423-869-9060 for donation information.

Hospice Volunteers Needed

Amedisys Hospice Services needs volunteers in your community. Training is free and available at your convenience on an individual or group basis. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of the terminally ill, contact Gina Lane, volunteer coordinator, Amedisys Hospice Services. 423-587-9484 or 1-800-659-2633.

Little League Sign Up

The last day for Tazewell - New Tazewell Little League baseball sign up is March 7. It will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. at Hardees in Tazewell. For more information call Mandalyn Noe at 423-526-1941.

New Tazewell BMA Meetings

The regular monthly meetings for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the Town of New Tazewell for the fiscal year 2012-2013 will be conducted at City Hall, 413 First Avenue, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. A monthly BMA Workshop is conducted each month at city hall on the second Tuesday prior to the scheduled meeting of the Board at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend all meetings of the board.

New Tazewell Youth Soccer League

A New Tazewell Youth Soccer League is now being formed. The league is for both boys and girls, ages 5-11. LMU soccer coaches Helio D’Anna and Adriano Moraes will hold camps and clinics, as well as assist in the formation of the league. The soccer field is located at Heritage Christian Academy. Sign ups will be at New Tazewell City Hall on March 9 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

North Tazewell Volunteer Fire Department

The North Tazewell Volunteer Fire Department is open for new volunteers. You don’t have to be a firefighter to play a major role. Firefighters are needed, but drivers, pump operators, fundraisers, and supporters of all kinds can be a big help. Call at (248) 292-9647 or email JFULTZ13@Yahoo.com for more information.

Organic Gardening Classes

The following is a schedule of remaining classes to be taught at the Garden Center/ Kitchen Classroom on the LMU campus. Classes begin at 6 p.m.

Mar. 18 - Preparing sweet potato plant beds by Stacy White, Bell County Extension (This will be a hands-on demonstration taught in the greenhouse).

For more information about the LMU Organic Garden call Bill Clayton at 423-441-9133 or email at organichillbilly_lmu@yahoo.com; Sue Granger at doglovercaery@netscape.net orr Debbie Clayton at debbiehoneybee9@gmail.com

Red Cross Accepting Donations

If you are interested in donating to The American Red Cross call 1-888-578-7531 or visit redcrossnetn.org.

Springdale Volunteer Fire Department

The SVFD (Howard’s Quarter & Lone Mountain Substations) invite everyone to the annual ham dinner on March 24 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Springdale Elementary School. Dinners are: Adults $8, Children (12 and under) $4, children 3 and under free. Dinners will include baked ham, salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, rolls, dessert and drink. Just as your cost of living has been rising steadily, so has the operating cost of your fire department. So come have dinner with family and friends and support your Volunteer Fire Department. Also please consider joining your fire department and volunteer to help your neighbors and the community.

Tazewell BMA

The Board Meetings for the Board of Mayor and Alderman of the Town of Tazewell for the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 will be conducted at Tazewell City Hall at 1830 Main Street, the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The BMA Workshops are on Wednesday, prior to the scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. as needed. The public is invited to attend.

Tazewell Planning Commission

The regular meeting of the Tazewell Planning Commission will be the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Tazewell City Hall. The public is invited to attend.

TENNderCare

The TENNderCare program wants babies, children, teens, and young adults to get the health care they need. Good health begins at birth, so it’s important to “Check In, Check Up, and Check Back” with your doctor every year. The program continues to increase the rate of children receiving health care services every year. Call today to set up a TENNderCare visit with your doctor or go to the Claiborne County Health Department. For information call 1-866-311-4287 or www.tennessee.gov/tenncare/tenndercare.

Tennessee Right to Life

The Tennessee Right to Life, Claiborne Chapter, meets at Dogwood Heights Baptist Church the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. This is an opportunity for you to serve in the defense of vital issues of life. For more information, contact John Woods at 423-259-1385.

Wrestling Available

Wrestling practice is being held from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at Heritage Christian Academy. For information, call 423-626-1931.