Please mark your calendars for the quarterly Friends of East Brainerd meeting on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Just a reminder that this column is provided to announce what is going on in our area, and I would like to invite anyone who may have something interesting to share or an event you would like to promote for our East Brainerd area to send me an e-mail with all the details.

The City of Chattanooga has increased the curbside collection service to biweekly, but you have to call 423-643-JOIN or e-mail your request to join to get on the list for this service.

Are you looking for relief from rising healthcare costs? There is a service here in East Brainerd called LAB Plus which does lab tests at your request.

Please mark your calendars for the Alhambra Shrine Circus which will run Oct. 8 through 11 at Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge.

Bark in the Park, East Brainerd’s premier event for dogs and dog lovers, will be Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at our own Heritage Park. The official welcome by Jack Benson and Larry Henry will start promptly at 10 a.m. There will be many ongoing activities and other special events throughout the day you will not want to miss. Admission is free, but all money raised from activities with small fees will benefit an off-leash dog park within Heritage Park. For additional information, please contact celestefriend@bellwetherinv.com.

The employees of our local Bruster’s Ice Cream here in East Brainerd teamed up to raise $3,000 for the local Make-A-Wish Foundation of East Tennessee.

Please mark your calendar for two events in our area you will not want to miss. The Sweet Diversity event will be Sept. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Heritage House in Heritage Park. Come taste the delectable collection of homemade treats from our multi-national neighbors. Also, the St. Martin's Episcopal Church Semi-annual Flea Market and Bake Sale will take place at the church Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Merchandise for personal, home, garden use and more will be for sale, along with homemade baked goods and hot dog lunch items.

Volunteers are needed for several upcoming East Brainerd Heritage Park events. The Black Elk Speaks event will be Sept. 11-13, and volunteers are requested by Dale Wallace. Please contact Mr. Wallace at admin@hamiltoncommunitytheatre.com for more information on the event and where you can help. Volunteers are also requested by Celeste Friend for the Bark in the Park event to be held on Oct. 3 at Heritage Park. Please contact Celeste at celestefriend@bellwetherinv.com for more information. Additional information can be found at www.friendsofeastbrainerd.org.

The quarterly meeting for Friends of East Brainerd will be Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Heritage House at Heritage Park. Lunch is provided for $5. The purpose and vision of FOEB is the enhancement of existing neighborhoods, the long-term economic vitality of the commercial and retail community, an improved transportation system and a safe and pedestrian-friendly environment with opportunities and quality of life for all as proposed by the Hamilton Place Community Plan. If you are interested in making a difference in East Brainerd, please join us.

I wanted to make you aware of an online auction coming up Aug. 20-31, with proceeds benefiting our local Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House charity. The Web site is www.rmhchattanooga.com. Place your bids on more than 300 items including golf packages, tickets, trips, spa treatments, parties and much more. There is something for everyone, and the money collected goes to a great cause. Please remember the online bidding does not begin until Aug. 20 but lasts until Aug. 31. Please visit www.rmhchattanooga.com for more information.

A meeting on Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. will discuss the expansion plan for Heritage Park developed by landscape architects. A few weeks ago, local residents offered their input at a public meeting and the architects included those thoughts in their designs. Chris Camp, president of Lose and Associates, and Kenneth Bryant, the company’s project coordinator/quality control put a lot of hard work into the expansion plans. For more information on Lose & Associates, visit www.loseassoc.com.

Many thanks to Mr. David Copeland for writing to me regarding the history of East Brainerd. East Brainerd was included in what was originally James County, established in 1871. James County extended in the direction of Chattanooga almost to Gunbarrel Road, and Ooltewah was its county seat. The southwest corner of James County was where Chickamauga Creek passes into the state of Georgia, approximately where Council Fire is today. An act to abolish James County and consolidate it with Hamilton County passed in April 1919. There is so much more to share. Thank you David!

Please welcome a new business to our area, Lifetime Conversations owned and operated by Jean Huddleston. She captures memories through personal interviews, creating a historical legacy for future generations. Ms. Huddleston believes everyone has a story to share. She will capture your most treasured memories in story form and chronological history, uncovering your family's unique heritage and most poignant anecdotes. These are real stories from real people that help define who we are as individuals and as a nation. For more information about Lifetime Conversations, call 407-247-9286 or e-mail jeanhuddleston3@hotmail.com.

Please note there will be a crime prevention forum July 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Heritage House in Heritage Park. This event is sponsored by the Department of Education, Arts and Culture in cooperation with the Chattanooga Police Department. Crime affects us all. Learn what you can do to take a stand and make a difference. Dinner will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m. for $5 per person, and reservations are required for dinner only. For more information, please contact Monika Griffith or Chris Holley at 855-9474.