Cooling centers

The Aiken County Department of Emergency Services will have cooling centers at the following locations this week: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Smith Hazel Community Center, 400 Kershaw St., and the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Aiken Mall on Aiken Mall Drive.

Transportation to these locations is available on the Best Friend Express, Aiken County's public transit service. For more information, call (803) 648-6493.

Target practice

The Women's Pistol Shooting Group will meet at the Carolina Star Gun and Hunt Club pistol range today. Sessions will be held at 1:30 and 3 p.m. The group is open to all women. Fee for the range is $15. Call (803) 641-1742.

Open house

A community open house will be held at the University of South Carolina Aiken from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Gregg-Graniteville Library, Pacer Athletics, the Office of Continuing Education, the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and DuPont Planetarium, the Academy for Lifelong Learning, the Wellness Center, SeniorNet and the Etherredge Center will have information booths in Room 122 of the Business and Education Building. Call (803) 641-3587.

Newcomers meet

The Aiken Newcomer's Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Houndslake Country Club for a luncheon. Reservations are required. Call (803) 648-0375

Families needed

Youth for Understanding is seeking families to be hosts for international exchange students. The students, between the ages of 15 and 18, come from more than 50 countries. They speak English and have their own spending money and insurance. Those wishing to house a student can apply online at www.yfu-usa.org or call (800) 872-0200.

Swap meet

There will be a Sportman's Swap Meet from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. The event, which attracts professional and amateur dealers in sports equipment, will be at Sutton Marine, 914 Park Ave. The event will be held regardless of the weather. Call (803) 648-6141

Swamp helpers

Phinizy Swamp, 1858 Lock and Dam Road, Augusta, is looking for volunteers to greet visitors and give out literature at the visitors' center, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (706) 825-2109.

Arts volunteers

The Aiken Center for the Arts is looking for volunteers to assist with its programs in the community. Volunteers will be a part of arts education and cultural activities involving the center. Volunteers are expected to work at least six hours a week. New volunteers are required to attend an orientation and a training session.

Contact Karen Betow at (803) 641-9094 for more information.