Keep Johnston County Beautiful will hold a food drive as part of this year's Festival of Trees, which will take place Dec. 3-9 at the Johnston Medical Mall on North Bright Leaf Boulevard in Smithfield. Food-collection bins will be located at the mall's north and south entrances. Also, donors may place food under a "food tree." For more details, go to jcfestivaloftrees.com or call Susan Woodard at 919-934-7156, Ext.3.

Homebuyer workshops

The Johnston County Cooperative Extension Services has scheduled free homebuyer workshops. All will begin at 4 p.m. at the Agricultural Building, 2736 N.C. 210 west of Smithfield. The workshop dates are Thursday, Nov. 12; Tuesday, Dec. 1; and Tuesday, Dec. 15. For details, call 919-989-5380.

Blood drives

The American Red Cross in Johnston County has scheduled the following blood drives. All donors will be eligible to win airline tickets.

9 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23 -- Johnston Community College, 245 College Road, Smithfield.

2:30 till 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 -- Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce, 204 N. Main St., Four Oaks.

2:30 till 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 -- Temple Baptist Church, 1250 S. Pollock St., Selma.

3 till 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 -- CVS, 1180 N. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield.

10 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 -- Applebee's, 1260 N. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield.

Book fair

A book fair is under way at West Smithfield Elementary School on Galilee Road. The fair runs through Nov. 18. For more information, go to bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/westsmithfield.

Grand opening

The grand opening of the Richard B. Harrison Recreation Center and the dedication of the Davis-Williams Court will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. The center is located at 605 W. Noble St., Selma. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served at the Harrison Alumni Center.

Parade seeks entries

The Selma Christmas parade is seeking entries. The parade will step off at 7 p.m. Dec. 1. Lineup will begin at 6 p.m. at Selma Elementary School. There is no fee to enter, but all entries must have a Christmas theme. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Nov. 25. For more information, call 919-975-1411 or visit selma-nc.com.

Bingo in Selma

Bingo play for older adults is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at McDonald's, 336 U.S. 70, Selma. Play is free, with prizes awarded. For more information, call the Selma Parks and Recreation Department at 919-975-1411.

Calls from Santa

On Dec. 7, Santa Claus will call Selma children to hear Christmas wishes. Hours are 6 till 8 p.m. To receive a call from Santa, call the Selma Parks and Recreation Department at 919-975-1411 by Dec. 4.

Drowsy-driving fairs

A drowsy-driving prevention fair will be held from 5 till 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Active Healthcare, 935 Shotwell Road. The fair will offer drowsy-driving tips and free sleep-apnea screenings. For more details, call 870-8600, Ext. 300, e-mail sleep@activehealthcare.com or go to www.activehealthcare.com.

Fruit and nut trees

The Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service is holding its annual fruit and nut tree sale. The sale includes apples, peach, pear, fig, blueberry, blackberry, grape and pecan plants. Each plant is bare root when shipped from the nursery. Orders and payment are due Friday, Nov. 13. Send orders to the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service, Fruit Tree Sale, 2736 N.C. 210 Smithfield, N.C. 27577. Fruit trees will be available for pickup from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. Pecan trees will be available for pickup on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. For more details, call 989-5380.

Contestants sought

Johnston County's Outstanding Little Miss Pageant is seeking contestant ages 3-12. The pageant is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2010, in the W.J. Barefoot Auditorium in Benson. For more information, call 919-414-8926 or send an e-mail to MissJohnstonED@aol.com.

Smart shopping

A smart-shopping seminar is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. till noon Saturday, Nov. 14, at Stones Creek Advent Christian Church, 343 Woods Crossroads Road, Benson. Participants will learn how to combine coupons with sales to save money at grocery stores, drugstores and national chain stores. The cost is $10 per person, with proceeds going to the Autism Society of North Carolina. To attend, call 919-796-0502.