• Tax Counseling for the Elderly provides free tax assistance in the community. RSVP Volunteers’ help will be available at the Jacksonville Community Center Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• JSU’s Small Business Development Center will present a FREE Business Planning workshop for current or prospective business owners on February 4, 2010 from 1 - 3 p.m. To register, call the SBDC office at (256) 782-5271.

• The ACE Quality of Life Committee will hold a dutch luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 9th at the Vault restaurant on the Square.  The topic of the meeting will be, “What do we need to know about quality of life in Jacksonville?”  The purpose of the committee is to help develop 5-year and 25-year plans for recreational, leisure, and cultural opportunities in Jacksonville.  Interested persons are invited to attend.  For more information, call Susan Di Biase at 435-7136.

• Come dance and dine with your Valentine on Friday, February 12 from 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. at the Oxford Civic Center. Enjoy an Italian buffet then dance the night away at this special evening of elegance. Only 325 seats are available. All proceeds will benefit the JSU Department of Music and Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Sigma Alpha Iota. Tickets are available at the door and can be reserved by calling (256) 782- 5883.

• The Arbor Day Celebration will be held on Thursday, February 18th at 4 p.m. at the Glenwood Meadows Boys and Girls Club on Gardner Drive.  The celebration will include the Mayoral Proclamation, entertainment by the children, and planting of two trees.  The public is invited to attend this fun gathering.

• A Tree Give-Away is planned for Friday, February 19th starting at 4 p.m. on the Jacksonville Square.  The event is sponsored by the Jacksonville Tree Commission, Jacksonville Garden Club, Alabama Power, and the Alabama Forestry Commission.  A variety of trees will be offered, including both large canopy and ornamental trees.  Volunteers will be on hand to answer your tree planting and tree care questions.  Rain date is Friday, Feb. 26th.

• Beauty and the Beast musical at Ernest Stone Performing Arts Center’s Mainstage at Jacksonville State University. Showtimes are February 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 at 7 p.m., February 21 and 28 at 2:00 p.m., and February 27 at 1:00 p.m. Paid reservations required - Call 256-782-5648. This play is recommended for ages 5 and up.

• The Jacksonville Exchange Club is looking for a Jacksonville citizen who has made significant contribution to this community for their Book of Golden Deeds.  Someone who continues to work without pay or recognition to improve the community and the lives of the people. Send your nomination to Robert Dobson, 800 Dogwood Dr NE, Jacksonville, AL  The deadline is February 26, 2010.  The banquet for honoring the winner will be March 11, 2010 at the Gamecock Room, 6 P.M.