The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center is proud to welcome independent film producer and director Jim Cozza for a screening and discussion of his latest film, “Frank the Rat.” Jim Cozza produced and directed the award-winning short film River Rat for National Geographic and has produced, directed, and edited for NBC, PBS and the Discovery Channel. Frank the Rat is his first feature film as a writer and director. The screening begins at 7 p.m on Monday, Feb. 15.

The community is invited to The Lake Welcome Center, 5820 Lake Oconee Parkway, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16 for a community-wide chili cook-off. Owners/managers from Amici, Cafe on the Green, El chaparro, Filet and Sweet Kneads will be on hand to judge each entry for best overall taste, and presentation (name, decoration, chef outfit). Those in attendance will decide who wins the “popular vote,” “closest to heaven” and “hot as hell” categories. Those bringing their favorite recipes are asked to bring chili in a crock pot, provide a serving utensil, and create a sign or label to identify and or describe the name or style of your entry. Drinks, cornbread, and serving items will be provided. A mardi gras king cake will also be served. Prizes and restaurant gift cards will be awarded. Wear your mardi gras beads, bring your friends, and come ready to have a Fat Tuesday good ole’ time – not to mention to have a look at The Lake Welcome Center as it continues its transition! For more information, and/or to let us know you are bringing chili, please contact Debbie Cornelia at cornelia@plantationcable.net.

AARP Tax Aide representatives will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday, Feb. 4 through April 15, and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 23, March 9 and March 23 at the Greensboro Library assisting with free electronic income tax filing for taxpayers with low- and moderate-income with special attention to those 60 and older. Bring your 2009 tax information as well as last year’s tax return, a social security card and a picture ID. Please bring all property tax information, first home closing statements and sales tax information for any new vehicle purchased (even if you don’t itemize). For more information, call (706) 467-3735.

Saint Joseph’s East Georgia will host the “Healthy Heart for your Sweetheart” Monday, Feb. 15, at Cusowilla on Lake Oconee’s Waterside Restaurant. Hear topics from Stephen Frohwein MD and Jaimie Chausmer NP on heart attack symptoms in women, risk factors for women and who is at risk, guidelines for prevention, screening for coronary artery disease and what are the tests needed and why do you need them. The festivities start at 5:30 p.m. and the cost is free and includes light hors d’oeuvres and door prizes. To reserve a space for you and your “sweetheart,” call Nicole Holsomback (706) 453-5087 or e-mail nholsomback@sjha.org.

First United Methodist Church of Greensboro will begin taking applications for The Original Amateur Hour. The Original Amateur Hour will showcase various talents of children and youth in the community. This event will also offer desserts for sale. The Original Amateur Hour is a fundraiser for the youth group of First United Methodist Church of Greensboro. The event will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at the church’s South Campus (4741 Carey Station Road). All are invited to attend. Applications can be found online at www.fumcgreensboro.org by clicking on Ministries and then Youth or through the church office. The application deadline is Sunday, Feb. 7. For more information on the Original Amateur Hour or to obtain an application, e-mail Amanda Garvin at amanda@fumcgreensboro.org or call (706) 453-7064. Tickets can be purchased for $3 ($15 max per family) from a First Methodist youth, through the church office (weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), or on Sunday mornings from 8:45 a.m. to noon at either the North or South Campus.

The Putnam Alliance for the Performing Arts (PAPA) upcoming play, “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon will be performed Saturday, March 20, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 21, at 3 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, March 26-27, at 8 p.m.

Magnolia Art Gallery is pleased to present Jim Richards teaching three separate seminars this year. Richards is a renowned Plein Air painter and teacher, and we are so fortunate to be able to offer these seminars. He works with the rank beginner as well as the seasoned artist striving to push themselves to a new level. The seminars begin at 9:30 a.m. and continues to 5 p.m. Call Lynn Blair at (706) 454-5050 to reserve your spot. Prices are $300 for the entire seminar. Classes are small in size and are filling up fast: March 12-13; June 25-26; and Sept. 24-25.

A new square dance class is forming with the Twin Bridges Twirlers. Free lesson, refreshments and fun from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Feb. 4 and 11. Weekly classes thereafter until graduation. Cost is $4 per lesson and includes light refreshments, yellow rocks (hugs), new friends and great exercise. Join the group at the Senior Citizens Center in Eatonton. Call (478) 453-1865, (478) 454-7313 or (706) 468-5090 for more information.

The Putnam General Hospital Auxiliary will hold a fashion show at First United Methodist Church in Eatonton Saturday, March 27. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. More information TBA.

EPAF invites you to submit photographs that you would like to share with community, family and friends. We encourage submission of photographs that showcase the variety of life and lifestyles in and around, but not limited to, Putnam County. Call Marsha Sichvelandm, (706) 485-6515, or Virginia Linch, (706) 485-4054, or e-mail putnamsnapper@gmail.com with any questions regarding the contest. The show will be open to the public from March 10 through March 27, 2010, at the Plaza Arts Center, 305 N. Madison Ave., Eatonton. The entry period begins at 8 a.m. Feb. 1, 2010, and ends at 4 p.m. March 10, 2010.

Lake Oconee Landscape Association has formed to promote professionalism in the green industry, in the lake country. All members of LOLA are required to be licensed, insured and reputable. LOLA members provides services such as; landscape installation, maintenance, lawn and shrub fertilization, weed control, garden centers, all your outdoor needs. All LOLA members are listed at www.lakeoconeelandscapeassociation.com. LOLA is a nonprofit organization to assist consumers in Greene, Putnam, Morgan and Baldwin counties to select quality landscape professionals.

The Lake Oconee Lutheran Church’s Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group meets the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m., 1089 Lake Oconee Parkway, behind Harmony Community building. (706) 485-4699. www.lolc.info

The Lake Oconee Promisekeepers meet each Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for light breakfast and coffee. All men are welcome. (706) 473-0431.

An Autism/Developmental Delay Group is forming in the Lake area for caregivers, parents and those on the spectrum. For more information, call Josette at (478) 456-2592.

The Greene County Toastmasters Club invites everyone who wishes to improve their public speaking ability and increase their confidence to join them. The club meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greensboro (next to the post office). The meeting starts promptly at 6 p.m.

Greene County Toastmasters is a chartered member club of Toastmasters International. The mission of the club is to assist members in learning and developing their communication skills. Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit organization now has nearly 250,000 members in more than 12,500 clubs in 106 countries, offering a proven — and enjoyable — way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills. For additional information, call (706) 817-6255 or (706) 453-0799.

The Phoenix Homemakers Club meets the third Tuesday of every month at First United Methodist Church of Eatonton, 302 N. Madison Ave. (706) 485-5336.

Lake Oconee area M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers Support), serving Morgan, Greene, Putnam and Hancock counties, meets every third Tuesday (August-May) from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lake Oconee Lutheran Church. Childcare provided. Casual brunch, fellowship and informative meeting. Non-denominational, Christian-based.

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition-Georgia Chapter will host “Hearts of Teal” the last Tuesday of each month. Survivors of all gynecologic cancers are warmly invited to join us. Survivors, both new and long-term, will find understanding, care and even laughter to enrich your journey. Family and friends are welcome to attend with survivors. For more information, call Beverly Bentley, Georgia Chapter president, at (706) 342-2039.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Eatonton group, meets at 7 p.m. each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday at the Senior Citizens Center.



—To submit entries for the Calendar of Events, e-mail items to breeze@unionrecorder.com.