Around the Block

Up, up and away

The Ford Trucks Equestrian America Balloon Festival will be held today at the Aiken Polo Club fields on Powderhouse Road, Aiken.

The festival will include hot-air balloons, an equestrian trade fair and horse exhibitions.

A balloon launch will take place at 6:30 a.m. today.

The cost of admission is a donation to the families of the service members of Fort Gordon.

For more information, call (706) 791-6779 or visit www.poloamerica.com.

String concert

The students of Suzuki Strings of Augusta will give a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, at Boeckh Park, Hammond's Ferry, 89 Crystal Lake Drive, North Augusta.

Those attending can bring a chair. Refreshments will be available.

For more information, call (803) 613-1641.

Dementia event

An Alzheimer's education conference, Moving Through the Mist: A Clearer Pathway to Understanding Dementia, will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the Business and Education Building, Conference Center 122, at the University of South Carolina Aiken, 471 University Parkway.

Program topics include understanding the symptoms and behaviors of dementia, improving interaction skills and finding moments of joy in care-giving.

The cost is $20. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The proceeds go to benefit the 2008 Alzheimer's Association Aiken Memory Walk, set for Saturday, Oct. 18, at H. Odell Weeks Activity Center, 1700 Whiskey Road.

For more information, contact Christina Reed at Eden Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care, (803) 642-8444.

Docents needed

The Aiken County Historical Museum is taking applications for new docents. Training will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, and from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 30, and Oct. 2 and 3, at the Aiken County Historical Museum, 433 Newberry St. S.W.

New docents must attend each day of training. Current docents are encouraged to attend as many days as possible.

For more information or to sign up, contact the museum at (803) 642-2015.

Wine with art

A Taste of Wine and Art will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St.

The fundraiser, which will benefit the center's general operations, will showcase the culinary talents of area chefs along with an array of wines from different producers. A silent auction featuring original art and other items will be held.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased in advance at the center or at the door on the evening of the event.

For more information, call (803) 641-9094.

Colonial history

Colonial Times: A Day to Remember will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Living History Park, 299 W. Spring Grove Ave., North Augusta.

The free event will feature demonstrations and exhibits such as pottery-making, blacksmithing, musket-firing, candle-making and more.

For more information, call (803) 279-7560 or visit www.colonialtimes.us.

Donations needed

Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking donations of canned meats and vegetables and other nonperishable food items. Take donations to 13 Enterprise Ave., Aiken, or 3310 Commerce Drive, Augusta.

The Aiken branch can be reached at (803) 648-0752. The Augusta office can be reached at (706) 736-1199.