Around the block

Contest deadline

The deadline to enter the essay contest Young People Who Love the Woods is Thursday. The contest is for students younger than 21. A cash prize of $500 will be awarded for the most compelling essay about an experience involving Hitchcock Woods. Entries should be sent to Hitchcock Woods Foundation, P.O. Box 1702, Aiken, SC 29802. For an entry form and a complete set of rules, write to info@hitchcockwoods.org.

Career planning

Aiken Technical College will hold Career Day 2008 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Gregg-Graniteville Student Activities Center. Representatives from more than 40 local companies are expected to attend. Call (803) 594-9954, ext. 1281.

Fun on the farm

The Aiken Farm Fest will begin at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday, March 28 and 29, at 207 Chime Bell Church Road, Aiken.

There will be an antique tractor and engine show, tractor and truck pulls, kids' pedal pull, sawmill, veneer mill and other demonstrations and exhibits. The cost is $5, and ages 12 and younger get in free. For more information, visit www.aikenfarmfest.com.

A stitch in time

Me & D'Girls Can Cross Stitch will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Roy Warner Memorial Park, South Carolina Highway 39. Youths will meet and learn to cross stitch, followed by lunch and manicures. The cost is $5 and registration is required. Call (803) 564-6149.

Walking for MS

The Aiken Multiple Sclerosis Walk will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Aiken County Library. Participants are urged to raise money before the walk. For information, contact Matt Honeycutt, matt.honeycutt@nmss.org or (704) 525-5906.

Free tax assistance

The Aiken Public Library will have free income tax preparation through April 10 for low-and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention for those 60 and older. Taxes are prepared by volunteer counselors trained by the Internal Revenue Service.

The Nancy Carson Library will have income tax preparation and electronic filing available free from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through April 15, by appointment only. Call (803) 279-5767. Bring copies of 2006 federal and state tax returns and current year W-2s, 1099, Social Security card and picture ID.

Car show benefit

The Wish Upon a Car benefit car show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Aiken Mall, 2441 Whiskey Road. The show will award trophies for all classes of cars. There will be door prizes and other games. Registration for cars required before the show. Call (803) 648-9804 or wishuponacar@yahoo.com.

Golfing for charity

The Relay for Life Aiken Golf Classic will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, April 28, at Woodside Plantation, 1419 Silver Bluff Road. Proceeds from the benefit will go to the American Cancer Society. Cost is $120 per person and includes play, lunch and hors d'oeuvres.

Call (877) 227-9398.

Walking to oldies

Lunch Bunch Walkers meet from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday each week to walk to the oldies at Gregg Park, 119 A Trolley Line Road, Graniteville.

Call (803) 663-7552.