Ada —  

Area briefs are for non-profit events and organizations. Briefs must be submitted at least five days before the event by bringing them into the office, emailing them to adanewslifestyle@cableone.net or faxing them to 580-332-8841. Briefs will not be accepted over the telephone. Church-related briefs are published only on Friday’s religion page. All activities may be subject to change due to weather conditions.

THURSDAY

FEBRUARY 28, 2013

• Valley View Regional Hospital Auxilary’s book fair is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the ground floor of the hospital. All profits go toward patient care services at VVRH.

• Ada Area Bridge Club meets every Thursday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Broadway, at 1 p.m. Please bring a partner and come. Phone Frank Shanklin at (580) 559-1554 for more information.

• Free tax help and e-filing are offered Mondays and Thursdays during February by AARP Tax-Aide at the Ada Masonic Lodge Hall, 730 Crestview. All ages welcome. For an appointment, phone (580) 332-3882.

• Stonewall High School hosts a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. until noon at 600 S. Highschool.  Each blood donor at the drive will receive an OBI T-shirt, free health screenings and Donor Rewards points. 

• Oklahoma Parents as Teachers' (OPAT) monthly family night, Tumbling for Toddlers, a gymnastics night, in East Central University’s Faust Hall gym takes place from 6-7 p.m. The continuing education gymnastics teacher will lead the activities.  Phone Laura Presley at 310-7322 for more information about this free and fun event.

• Today is the last day to register for Sasakwa Junior Class Crow Hunt. Cost for registration is $15 per person. To register, contact Debra Thompson at the Sasakwa High School office, (405) 941-3213 extension 2. After hours, phone (405) 941-4147.

FRIDAY

MARCH 1, 2013

• Valley View Regional Hospital Auxilary’s book fair is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the ground floor of the hospital. All profits go toward patient care services at VVRH.

SATURDAY

MARCH 2, 2013

• Lost Cherokee of Arkansas and Missouri meets at noon at the Allen (Oklahoma) Masonic Lodge. This is an auction. Members are to take food items, baked goods, homemade jellies, nice towels or other items for auction. All members are encouraged to attend.

• Garvin County Republican Convention is at 1 p.m. at Christian Life Church fellowship hall, 820 S. Walnut, Pauls Valley. Allie Burgin is Garvin County chairman. Delegates to the county convention, elected at the party’s precinct meetings held on Jan. 28, will in turn elect delegates to the state Republican convention, which is to be held in Oklahoma City April 20. Election of county Republican offices will also be held. For more information, phone (405) 740-5131.

• Francis Auxiliary hosts its annual Indian taco fundraiser for the Fourth of July celebration from 5-7 p.m. at Francis Town Hall. This year, dinner may be preordered by phoning (580) 332-3967 beginning at 3 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 5-10. Meal includes taco, condiments, dessert and drink. Anyone who would like to volunteer to serve or needs more information, phone Heather Specht at (580) 320-3061.

SUNDAY

MARCH 3, 2013

• Members of the Tupelo Future Farmers of America chapter will host a fish fry from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Adult plates will be $10, and eighth-grade students and under will eat for $5. For more information, contact Steve Ake at 845-2774.

MONDAY

MARCH 4, 2013

• Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Services is presenting an auto accident prevention course on March 4 and 5 from 6-9 p.m. at the Pontotoc County Farm Bureau Office, 1027 W. Main, Ada, with instruction on how to improve driving skills.

Upon earning the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course Certificate, the participant may be eligible to receive a discount on his auto insurance. The class is open to the public. For more details and to sign up, phone Shirley at (580) 332-8711.

 • TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, a support weight loss group, meets at 8:30 a.m. each Monday at Central Church of Christ, 820 Stadium Drive. For more information, phone (580) 320-0747.

• Emotions Anonymous is meeting every Monday from noon until 1 p.m. at Central Church of Christ, 820 Stadium Drive. For more information, call Kristina at (580) 279-4870. 

• Free tax help and e-filing are offered Mondays through April 8 by AARP Tax-Aide at the Masonic Lodge Hall, 730 Crestview. All ages are welcome. For an appointment, call (580) 332-3882.

TUESDAY

MARCH 5, 2013

• A special meeting of the board of directors for the Tri-County Indian Nations Community Development Corporation is at 10 a.m. at New Vision Bank conference room, 1901 Arlington, Ada. This meeting is open to the public, and participation is encouraged. For more information, phone Carolyn Hill at (580) 310-9300.

• Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Services is presenting an auto accident prevention course on March 4 and 5 from 6-9 p.m. at the Pontotoc County Farm Bureau Office, 1027 W. Main, Ada, with instruction on how to improve driving skills. Upon earning the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course Certificate, the participant may be eligible to receive a discount on his auto insurance. The class is open to the public. For more details and to sign up, phone Shirley at (580) 332-8711.

• Circle Time of Ada, a support group for families dealing with autism, meets at 6 p.m. in the old Glenwood School. Enter through the west double door. The event is open to anyone with an interest in learning more about autism. For more information, contact Jennifer Balliett at (580) 235-2731. 

• Ada Public Library will hold a preview sale for Ada Library Friends members on Tuesday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The book sale opens to the public on Wednesday through Friday, March 6-8, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Small format paperback books will be 50 cents each. Most hardcover books will be $1 and up. There will be fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children along with audio books and movies. Anyone making large purchases must keep containers at the end of aisles, so others can get by to make their selections. For more information, contact Jennifer Greenstreet at (580) 436-8121.

• A new GriefShare group begins at First Baptist Church of Ada, 521 S. Broadway. The sessions are from 7-9 p.m.  Contact Debbie Wall at (580) 777-2711 or FBC of Ada at (580) 332-4121 for more information.  

• Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. each Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

WEDNESDAY

MARCH 6, 2013

• Ada Public Library will hold its annual book sale  Wednesday through Friday, March 6-8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Small format paperback books will be 50 cents each. Most hardcover books will be $1 and up. There will be fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children, along with audio books and movies.

Anyone making large purchases must keep containers at the end of aisles, so others can get by to make their selections. For more information, contact Jennifer Greenstreet at (580) 436-8121. 

• Emotions Anonymous is meeting every Wednessday from 12 noon until 1 p.m. at Central Church of Christ, 820 Stadium Drive. For more information call Kristina at (580) 2794870. 

• Divorce/Bereavement Support Group meets each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Compassion Outreach Center, 1124 Cradduck Road, Ada. This group offers support for those who have lost a loved one through divorce or death. For more information, phone Tom at 580-332-6506.

• A dance is conducted each Wednesday at Irving Community Center, 704 N. Oak, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Cost is $6 per persona nd is open to the public.

THURSDAY

MARCH 7, 2013

• Ada Public Library will hold its annual book sale  Wednesday through Friday, March 6-8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Small format paperback books will be fifty cents each. Most hardcover books will be one dollar and up. There will be fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children, along with audio books, and movies. Anyone making large purchases must keep containers at the end of aisles, so others can get by to make their selections. For more information, contact Jennifer Greenstreet at 580-436-8121.

• Ada Area Bridge Club meets every Thursday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Broadway, at 1 p.m.  Please bring a partner and come. Phone Frank Shanklin 580-559-1554 for more information.

• Chickasaw Senior Citizens are hosting a taco sale from 4-7 p.m. at the Chickasaw Senior site, 1005 Chamber Loop. Pie auction is from 5:30-6 p.m. Dr. John Garber is auctioneer. Entertainment is Red Barn Band. Cost is $7 for taco, drink and dessert. For deliveries of two or more dinners, phone 436-1007.

• PAST will have its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. at  First Christian Church on 13th and Broadway. All who are interested in the area’s history are encouraged to attend. 

• The regular Ada Rubber Stamp Art Club meeting is 6:30 p.m. at Scraptopia, 107 W. Main Street. Newcomers are welcome to attend and do not need to take anything in order to participate. For more information, phone 580-310-9787.

FRIDAY

MARCH 8, 2013

• Ada Public Library will hold its annual book sale  Wednesday through Friday, March 6-8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Small format paperback books will be fifty cents each. Most hardcover books will be one dollar and up. There will be fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children, along with audio books, and movies. Anyone making large purchases must keep containers at the end of aisles, so others can get by to make their selections. For more information, contact Jennifer Greenstreet at 580-436-8121. 

• A festival of gems, minerals and fossils swap, show and sale takes place from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Pontotoc County Agri-plex main building number 1. The show features various demonstrations and displays of fluorenscent rocks, minerals, fossils, lapidary and jewelry. A special children’s event, fossil dig and petting zoo, is scheduled. For more information, contact Ed Vermillion, show chairperson, P.O. Box 782, Purcell, OK 73080; phone 405-527-6431; or email okieed42@windstream.net.

• Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. each Friday at 8 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

SATURDAY

MARCH 9, 2013

• Ada Public Library will hold its annual book sale  Wednesday through Friday, March 6-8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Small format paperback books will be fifty cents each. Most hardcover books will be one dollar and up. There will be fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children, along with audio books, and movies. Anyone making large purchases must keep containers at the end of aisles, so others can get by to make their selections. For more information, contact Jennifer Greenstreet at 580-436-8121. 

• A festival of gems, minerals and fossils swap, show and sale takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Pontotoc County Agri-plex main building number 1. The show features various demonstrations and displays of fluorenscent rocks, minerals,f ossils, lapidary and jewelry. A special children’s event, fossil dig and petting zoo, is scheduled. For more information, contact Ed Vermillion, show chairperson, P.O. Box 782, Purcell, OK 73080; phone 405-527-6431; or email okieed42@windstream.net.

• Arbuckle Federal Credit Union’s annual meeting is 6 p.m. at J.D.’s Cafeteria, 911 N. Broadway. The agenda includes dinner, business meeting and bingo.

• Pontotoc County Literacy Coalition is seeking prospective tutors for a new Open Minds 3 training class.   A six-hour core training session is planned for Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Ada Public Library, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Interested parties are asked to phone Carol at 580-436-5443 to reserve a space for the training, or for more information.