Ornaments for Christmas trees and home decorating are selling for 25 cents each at the Habitat for Humanity Hand-Me-Up Store at Shannon Plaza, 3710 Shannon Road.

"It's after Halloween, so we're already selling Christmas items," said Peggy Sanford, manager. "And right now we're loaded with furniture, sofas and chairs."

The store, where inventory changes from day to day, sells donated furniture, appliances and household items (no clothing, however), and plows all of its profits into Habitat in Durham and Orange counties.

The bargains are noteworthy. Recently, the store sold a partner's desk, about 100 years old, for $1,100.

"I looked online and found them selling for $6,000," said Sanford.

The store is a mecca for collectors, and its huge array of books includes new fiction, nonfiction, romance fiction and cookbooks. The price for hardbacks is 75 cents.

The store operates with a small staff and 30 volunteers. "We could use more volunteers," Sanford said.

Two men, Michael McDaniel and Myron Harris, drive the trucks that pick up furniture and appliances; and Mike Mitchell and Don Griffin are assistant managers. Folks who have furniture or large appliances to donate can call 403-8668 to set up a free pickup time. Donations are tax deductible, Sanford said.

Those who have small items to donate may bring them by the store during regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The store is closed on Mondays.

Prayer vigil scheduled to honor slain teen

A prayer vigil to honor the life of Joseph Towah will be held on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at 610 Gray Ave.

Towah was fatally shot on July 5. He was 17 years old.

Prayers will be led by David Winsinger, Duke Divinity School field education intern with the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham.

Marcia Owen of the coalition said the purpose of the vigil for homicide victims is to bring people together to honor the lives of all victims, to comfort their families and to pray for peace and healing in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Eno Unitarian to host hypnosis presentation

Hypnosis and the mind/body connection is the subject of a workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. today at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road. Sher Daniel, clinical psychologist and past president of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, will be the presenter.

Discussion will focus on the physiology of communication between the mind and body and how this communication can be applied to physical wellness, healing and comfort.

The public is welcome. A donation of $2 is suggested.

Holiday Marketplace at women's meeting

The Durham Women's Connection, formerly Christian Women's Club, will hold its monthly luncheon and program on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. at Cafe Pizzazz, 3600 N. Roxboro Road.

The meeting will feature the annual Holiday Marketplace fundraiser in which baked goods, handmade crafts and gift baskets will be sold. The speaker is Julie Colburn, the mother of two teens. She will talk about ways to make life more fun and exciting.

Make reservations by Nov. 15 by calling 489-6924.

Hope Valley to host engaging youth speaker

Bart Campolo will speak Sunday at 11 a.m. at Hope Valley Baptist Church.

Campolo is founder and chaplain of Mission Year, a national Christian service program that recruits young adults to join outreach teams to live and work in inner-city neighborhoods.

He is a veteran urban minister and activist who speaks and writes about grace, faith, loving relationships and social justice. He is also the author of books and articles, including "Kingdomworks: True Stories about God and His People in Inner-City America."

Hope Valley Baptist is located at 6900 Garrett Road.

Soldiers get goodies from church group

Just this week, members of the Katherine Circle, a women's group at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Cornwallis Road, shipped nine boxes of personal items and snacks to servicemen and women who are serving in Iraq. The people on their list are members of the congregation or friends and relatives of congregation members.

The circle stuffs the boxes with all kinds of things that will fit: packs of crackers and Oreos, nuts, beef jerky, Slim Jims, and chewing gum.

A note to our readers

Announcements for special Thanksgiving events or services should be sent by Monday or Tuesday, so that a listing can appear in this column on Nov. 18.