Classical Chorus concert season tickets now available

Season tickets for the Classical Chorus 2008-09 concert season are available. The concert series will include four performances: “Director’s Choice” Oct. 11; “I Heard the Bells” Dec. 13; “Musica bella dall’Italia” April 4; and “From Past to Present — 15 Years of Celebration” April 25. All concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Season ticket subscription, which include tickets to all four concerts, can be purchased from the Classical Chorus Office.

Adult season ticket subscriptions are $40. Senior citizen, student and military season ticket subscriptions are $31.

Individual concert tickets are also available.

For more information, call the Classical Chorus Office at (325) 795-1596.

Abilene Book Award winner announced

WordWright.biz and the West Texas Book & Music Festival have announced that JoAn Watson Martin, of Baytown, has won the 2009 Abilene Book Award for her manuscript “Inventing Chloe.”

WordWright.biz has awarded Martin a traditional royalty publishing contract for the book, which will debut at the 2008 West Texas Book & Music Festival on Saturday.

AARP driver safety program

The AARP will hold a driver safety program for people age 50 and over from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in Room 501 of the Multipurpose Activity Center at the University Church of Christ at 733 E.N. 16th St. in Abilene.

This 8-hour class is designed to assist older drivers in safe driving practices and covers age related problems such as depth perception, reaction time and driving skills. Driving on both local and interstate highways is covered in the course.

A certificate will be given upon completion of the course, and participants may qualify for a discount on car insurance. AARP membership is not required to attend, but AARP members can bring a friend for no additional cost.

The cost is $10. For reservations, contact Harry Rowlands at (325) 692-3086 or the Church of Christ at (325) 673-6497.

Mental Health Association in Abilene annual luncheon

The Mental Health Association in Abilene will hold its annual luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at the Abilene Country Club. A silent auction will be held and the winner of the Outstanding Service Award will be announced.

Representative Susan King will be talking about Mental Health Matters in Texas. King serves as vice chair of the Human Services Committee and is on the Public Health Committee and the Services for Individuals Eligible for Intermediate Care Facility Services Committee.

Tables for eight are available at $275 each and individual tickets may be purchased for $25. For tickets or for more information, call (325) 673-2300.

Rummage sale to benefit Cobb Recreation Center

The city of Abilene’s Senior Citizens Division will sponsor a Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Cobb Recreation Center at 2302 State St. There will be clothing, shoes, furniture, Christmas decorations, knick knacks and more.

Items can be donated until Oct. 1. All proceeds will benefit Cobb Recreation Center. For more information, call (325) 676-6447.