Local Digest

By Staff
Nov. 15, 2001
Neighborhood Watch groups to meet
A meeting of all Neighborhood Watch groups in Meridian is set for today. The meeting will be 6 p.m. in the East Mississippi Electric Power Association auditorium.
Law enforcement officers describe Neighborhood Watch programs as the "extra eyes and ears" of police and sheriff's departments a way of empowering people to take back their neighborhoods.
The EMEPA is at 2128 Highway 39 North. For more information, call Capt. Keith McCary of the Meridian Police Department at 484-6894.
Blood drive set for Friday
Burger King on Eighth Street will sponsor a blood drive Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the bloodmobile. Donors will receive a T-shirt and a free "whopper value meal" from Burger King.
Officials with United Blood Services said they need blood donors to insure they will have a supply for hospitals during the holiday season.
Holiday Extravaganza set for this weekend
The Cellular South Holiday Extravaganza will take place this weekend at the Frank Cochran Center.
Preferred shopping will take place from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Friday and features, a silent auction and music by the Carey Smith Trio. Admission is $7. General shopping is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission both days is $2.
The event is a fund-raiser for the Meridian First Ladies Civitan Club. Proceeds from the event benefit local organizations including the Special Olympics, LOVE's Kitchen and the Hilltop Homes for Boys and Girls.
McRae's hosts charity sale
McRae's Department Store will host its Holiday Charity Sale from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 and all money raised will go to local charities and nonprofit organizations. During the four-hour sale, items that are rarely or never discounted will be on sale. Last year, more than $900,000 went to local charities. For more information, call 484-7801.
Crop Walk set for Saturday
Meridian's 1st Annual Crop Walk is set for Saturday. The event will raise money for Church World Services to feed hungry people around the world. A portion of the funds raised will benefit LOVE's Kitchen. Registration for the event will begin at noon in the parking lot across from the Wesley House on Eighth Avenue. The walk will begin at 1 p.m.
For more information, call Ann Kaufman at 485-5262.
Wesley Foundation hosts Thanksgiving event, food drive
Meridian Community College's Wesley Foundation will host a Thanksgiving program beginning at 5 p.m. Monday. Admission is one canned food item, which will be donated to the Wesley House. The program is open to the public.
Nominations sought for Hospitality Award
Nominations are being accepted for the 4th Annual Jewell Allison Hospitality Award. Nominees must be full-time employees at a local hotel or motel who have worked in the hospitality industry for at least five years. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday. For information, call the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001.
Enterprise VFD holds fund-raiser
The Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service will be selling spaghetti plates Dec. 1 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Enterprise fire station. Plates are $4. Funds raised benefit the department.
Singing Santa puppet show
A singing Santa live puppet show will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at First Assembly of God. Tickets to the event are $3 and all proceeds benefit Hope Village for Children.
The event is being sponsored by WPRN FM-107.7, First Assembly of God and Will Print. For information, call Sylvia Thornhill at 679-5700.
Decatur to hold Christmas parade
The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Decatur Christmas parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 in downtown Decatur. Churches, schools, hospitals, businesses, civic organizations and others are invited to participate.
For more information, contact Mark Buntyn at 635-2292.
AARP Tax Aide seeks volunteers
The AARP Tax Aide service is seeking volunteers to help senior citizens file tax returns. Volunteers will be required to complete training to do taxes the second week of January at Trustmark Bank.
Trainees will help file tax forms beginning in February, meeting with senior citizens from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Library and Fridays at Trustmark Bank on Highway 19.
Host families sought for Meridian area
The Foreign Exchange Program is looking for families to host international high school students. All students speak English, have their own medical coverage and bring their own spending money. Host families are asked to provide room and meals. For more information, call (888) 634-8789.