School needs help for Black History Month. Northside Elementary School is organizing black history activities for the month of February. If you or a group have talent you would like to share with elementary school students, call Pam at 335-2033 by Friday, Feb. 1.

Perquimans schools early release. Perquimans County High School will release students at 1 p.m. today to accommodate the exam schedule for high school students. All four county schools will release students at 12:30 p.m. Friday to allow staff development time for teachers. Perquimans County Schools will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Head Start applications accepted. The Pasquotank/Camden Head Start Center is now accepting applications for the 2008-09 school year. The center is at 409 Bank St., Elizabeth City. For more info, call 335-7698.

Hospice advisory board to meet. The advisory board for Albemarle Home Care and Albemarle Hospice will meet at the offices of Albemarle Home Care Thursday at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call 338-4353.

AARP to meet. The Pasquotank Chapter of AARP will meet at Knobbs Creek Recreation Center Thursday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. For more info, call 264-4145.

ECSU alumni to meet. The Elizabeth City State University National Alumni Association will hold a general membership meeting in the theater of the Ridley Student Center Saturday at 10 a.m.

Relay for Life kickoff meeting. The Pasquotank/Camden American Cancer Society Relay for Life will hold its kickoff meeting at the Pasquotank Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served. For info, call 338-1919, ext. 228 or e-mail amy_twiddy@ncsu.edu.

Blood drive. The Greater Albemarle Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold blood drives in the lobby of Building D at College of The Albemarle Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more info, call 1-800-GIVELIFE.

Riders of the Light to meet. The Christian Motorcyclists Association's "Riders of the Light" will meet at Rachel's Place Saturday at 8 a.m.

Smith to visit Camden, Currituck. State Sen. Fred Smith, a Republican candidate for governor, will appear at campaign events at Camden County High School Saturday from 2 p.m. to noon and at Currituck County High School from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

NCCU alumni to meet. The Albemarle Area Chapter of North Carolina Central University Alumni Association will meet at St. Stephen Baptist Church in Elizabeth City Saturday at 11 a.m. For more info, call 338-0058.

COA closed for King holiday. College of The Albemarle's campuses in Elizabeth City, Dare County and Edenton-Chowan will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

Libraries to close for King holiday. All libraries of the East Albemarle Regional Library System will be closed Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The branch libraries include those in Manteo, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras, Currituck, Corolla and Pasquotank-Camden. The Currituck and Corolla libraries will also be closed Saturday. All branches will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 22. For more information, call 335-2511.

Bagley Swamp financial workshop. Wesleyan Church will host a financial workshop beginning in February. Entitled "Financial Peace University" the church will offer two preview sessions, one on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. and the other on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. For more info, call 426-2792 or go to www.daveramsey.com. Live fire training exercise. The Elizabeth City Fire Department will be conducting a live fire structure training exercise at 1177 North Road Street Sunday after 8 a.m. For more information, call 338-3913.

Annual King march. The office of Student Life at Elizabeth City State University will sponsor the annual memorial march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday at 10 a.m. The march begins at the G.R. Little Library but participants should arrive at 9:30 a.m. For more info, call 335-3372.

Wildlife Resources Commission to hold hearing. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed hunting, trapping and fishing rules at Swain Auditorium in Edenton Tuesday at 7 p.m. Among the rule changes to be discussed are a reduction in the Eastern season buck bag limit and an extension on squirrel season. For a complete list of the changes, visit www.ncwildlife.org. Send comments to 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1701 or by visiting the Web site.

River City Good Sam's to meet. The River City Good Sam's Club will meet at Dragon Buffet in Elizabeth City Tuesday at 1 p.m. For info, call 453-2934 or 338-5957.

Soybean Festival. The annual North Carolina Soybean Festival will be held at the K.E. White Center Tuesday at 7 p.m. Blake Brown, an economist at N.C. State University, will be the speaker. The event will include a sponsored meal.

Oxford Heights Community Watch to meet. The Oxford Heights Community Watch group will meet in the former council chambers in the Midgett Building Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Camden tourism panel to meet. The Camden County Tourism Development Authority will meet in the upstairs meeting room of the courthouse Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Camden school board to meet. The Camden County Board of Education will hold a work session in the media center at Camden County High School Thursday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Camden Democrats to meet. The Camden Democratic Party will meet at the county courthouse Thursday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m.

Building codes seminar. The Home Builders Association of Northeastern North Carolina will hold a meeting for all area builders to learn about the major changes to the state building codes Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Robert Privott, director of codes and construction for the N.C. Home Builders Association, will lead the seminar at Dominion Power on Ehringhaus Street. The cost is $5. To register, see Wink Foster at Elizabeth City Brick or Chris Smith at Lansing Building Supply or call Ken Corbo at 202-6761. The deadline to register is Thursday, Jan. 24.

Pasquotank producers to meet. Pasquotank farm producers will hold their winter meeting at the Cooperative Extension Service office Thursday, Jan. 24. A commercial pesticide applicator recertification class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and a landscaping school will be taught from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Farmers' compliance with state Division of Motor Vehicles laws and regulations will be discussed at 7 p.m. Jim Murphy is the speaker for a Thursday, Jan. 31 meeting at 7 p.m. on soybean profits.

COA to host Get Organized seminar. College of The Albemarle will host a "Get Organized" seminar in the Foreman Center Thursday, Jan. 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $20 and includes dinner. To register, call 335-0821 ext. 2231 or 2370.

Weight loss program. The Currituck Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and Albemarle Regional Health Services will cosponsor "Eat Smart, Move More," a weight-loss program from Wednesday, Jan. 23 to Wednesday, April 30. Classes begin at 5:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. The enrollment fee is $10. For info, call Georgia Kight at 232-2261 or e-mail at georgia_kight@ncsu.edu.

Meeting to focus on teen violence. "The Talk," a meeting focusing on solutions to teen violence, will be held in Courtroom A of the Pasquotank County Courthouse Monday, Jan. 28 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, e-mail manofsteeltime@aol.com.

Bicycle Ministry seeks tricycles. The Bicycle Ministry is seeking used tricycles for child patients at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Tricycles may be dropped off at Cycle Gallery at 1008 Halstead Blvd., Elizabeth City. For more info, call Jackie Phillips at 357-2295.

Portraits of retired judges unveiled. The 1st Judicial District Bar will host a ceremony marking the unveiling of the portraits of retired Judges Herbert Small and Grafton Beaman Monday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m. in courtroom A of the Pasquotank County Courthouse. A reception will follow at Montero's Restaurant.

Currituck County AARP to meet. The Currituck Chapter of the AARP will meet at the Currituck Public Library in Barco Monday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Capt. Matt Beickert of the Sheriff's Department will discuss identity theft. For more info, call 232-2520.

Northeastern CDC to hold free tax clinic. Northeastern Community Development Corp. will host a free tax clinic Mondays beginning Jan. 28 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. NCDC is located at 154 Highway 158 East, Camden. For more info, call 338-5466 ext. 28.

Riverside Community Watch group to meet. Eddie Rodriguez, a drug agent with the Elizabeth City Police Department, will be the speaker at the Riverside Area Community Watch group's meeting at Riverside United Methodist Church Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. For more info, call 335-4321 or 334-1546.

4-H livestock judges needed. A 4-H program teaching livestock judging will begin Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Youth ages 8 and older will learn to analyze pigs, cattle, sheep and goats. Participants to not have to own an animal. To register, call 338-3954.

Knapp anniversary volunteers to meet. The volunteer committee planning the 50th anniversary of Knapp High School will meet in the Currituck County Public Library in Barco Thursday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. This anniversary celebration is for anyone attending Knapp from 1960 to 1976, not just for graduates.

VUU alums seek members. The Northeastern North Carolina Chapter of Virginia Union University is seeking alumni in the region to re-establish an alumni chapter. For more info, call 757-408-3723 or e-mail nencvuu@hotmail.com

Weight-loss workshop. Dr. Jason B. Jones will lead a free doctor-coached weight loss workshop Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. For more information, call 335-2225.

Scholarship applications available. Applications for a variety of scholarships are available at the Pasquotank County Extension Center. Completed scholarship applications are due by Feb. 1. For info, call 338-3954.

Financial aid clinic. High school seniors seeking financial aid for college are encouraged to register for a free FAFSA clinic at College of The Albemarle Saturday, Feb. 9. The clinic will be in Building B from 9 a.m. to noon. Students should register on line at cfnc.org by Tuesday, Feb. 5.

DAV Chapter 64 to meet. Disabled American Veterans Chapter 64 will meet Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. The chapter will also meet Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.

Pasquotank producers to meet. The Pasquotank Producers awards and recognition program will be held at the Pasquotank center of the Cooperative Extension Service Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. A private pesticide applicator recertification class will be held Thursday, Feb. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ministers Council to meet. The Ministers Council of Perquimans County will meet at Perquimans Middle School Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. For more info, call 426-5741 ext. 239.

Early College High School sessions. The Currituck County Schools will hold information sessions for parents of eighth-graders on the school district's new Early College High School program at Moyock Middle School Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m., and at Currituck County Middle School Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. For more information call 232-2223 ext. 221.

Craftsman's Guild to screen crafts. The Albemarle Craftsman's Guild will hold the first screening of the year, Friday, Feb. 15. To apply, take or mail three or more samples of your craft, along with a completed application, to the Pasquotank Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service on McPherson Street before Feb. 15. For more info, call 338-3954.

Athletic Boosters Winter Festival. The Currituck County Middle School Athletic Boosters will hold its annual Winter Festival fundraiser at the school Saturday, Feb. 16. Tables are available for $25. For more information or an application, call Sheryl Lovitt at 207-4854.

The Safety Education Section of the N.C. Industrial Commission will offer a new 30-hour Accident Prevention Certificate Awareness Program at the Manteo Airport pavilion Feb. 18-22. The program is designed to raise safety awareness, prevent accidents and reduce Workers' Comp claims. The cost is $4. To register, visit www.comp.state.nc.us/ncic/pages/safety.htm or call Dennis Parnell at 919-218-3000.

Nixonton Crimewatch group to meet. The Nixonton Community Crime Watch group will meet at the Ruritan Building on Halls Creek Road Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 264-2934.

Camden crime prevention funds. The Camden County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is seeking applicants for its $53,874 in funding for delinquency prevention and intervention programs. The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 22, at 5 p.m. For info, call John Gurganus at 338-3349, Danelle Barco at 338-1919, ext. 229 or Nancy Hodges at 947-1565.

DAV van drivers needed. The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 64 in Elizabeth City is seeking qualified volunteer drivers to transport patients by DAV network transport van to and from the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Hampton, Va. For info, call 335-0997 or stop by at the office at 112 S. McMorrine St., Elizabeth City.

NCDC accepting after-school applications. Northeastern Community Development Corp. has a few vacancies remaining in its After School Program. The program is open to children in grades K-3 and participants are provided homework assistance, structured play, and enrichment activities. To register, call 338-5466, ext. 21.

Kindergarten readiness program. First United Methodist Preschool in Elizabeth City will start a kindergarten readiness program in January. The program is intended to prepare 4- and 5-year-olds for kindergarten. The class size is limited. For info, call 335-7615.

GED classes offered in Currituck. College of The Albemarle's Basic Skills Program is now offering General Educational Development classes at Moyock United Methodist Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Classes are free. To register, visit the church during class hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more info, call 335-0821 ext. 2302.

Community Care Clinic moves. The Community Care Clinic has moved to 918 Greenleaf St. in the Fleet Reserve Building. For more info, call 384-4733.

Northeastern CDC offers housing services. Northeastern Community Development Corp. offers a comprehensive program of housing-related services as well as counseling and tenant mediation services. For more info, call Katrina Bryant at 338-5466, ext. 25.

HIV/AIDS services offered. HIV/AIDS case management services are available in the area by calling 332-5900.

Head Start applications in Currituck. The Economic Improvement Council is seeking applications in Currituck County for its Head Start program. Children must be 4 years old. For info, call 453-4992.

Head Start applications. The Perquimans County Head Start program is now accepting applications for 4 year olds. For info, call Suzette Hayes at 426-5949.

Moyock UMC preschool taking applications. Moyock United Methodist Church preschool has a limited number of preschool spaces available. For info, call 435-0610.

Fed school programs reviewed. The Office of Federal Programs for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools has information available for review about its Title I, Title II and Title V programs. For info, call Linda Ward at 335-2981.

Marching Unit needs recruits. The River City Marching Unit is seeking boys and girls ages 5 1/2 to 12 to participate in upcoming parades. For more information, call Kim Wood at 312-1309 or Lisa Simpson at 312-1140.

Healthy Carolinians panel seeks members. The Healthy Carolinians of the Albemarle Chronic Disease subcommittee is seeking volunteer members. For more info, call Georgia Kight at 232-2261 or Yvonne Mullen at 338-3954.

VUU alumni group seeks members. The Northeastern North Carolina Chapter of the Virginia Union University National Alumni Association wants to re-establish the chapter in the region. For more information, call Maria James at 757-288-7140 or e-mail nencvuu@hotmail.com.

VUU alumni membership drive. Alumni from Virginia Union University are seeking alumni, family of current students and supporters in northeastern North Carolina. For more info, call 757-288-7140 or e-mail nencvuu@hotmail.com.

Witherspoon-Harris award nominees. The Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Community Relations Commission is seeking nominees for its Witherspoon-Harris Community Contribution Recognition Award. Nominees must reside in Elizabeth City or Pasquotank County and have made extraordinary community service contributions. Forms may be picked up in the City Clerk's office at City Hall.

Art League membership drive. The Perquimans Art League is holding its annual membership drive. Pick up applications in the Perquimans Art League gallery or at the Perquimans Chamber of Commerce office. For more information, call 426-3041 or 426-5657.

Treasure Point 4-H Camp fund. The Camden County 4-H Foundation has established a "Treasure Point 4-H Camp Re-building fund" to raise money to replace the log cabin destroyed by arsonists in early November. Make checks payable to the Camden County 4-H Foundation and send to either the Camden Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service or the Bank of Currituck in Camden. For more info, contact Danelle Barco call 338-1919, ext. 229.