I’m often asked about growing flowers or vegetables, especially tomatoes, in pots. This question came up at a recent tomato class sponsored by the local agriculture programs.

Growing plants in containers can be very simple.

There are a number of reasons that someone would want to grow flowers or vegetables in containers. The first is space. The first place that my wife and I lived was in an apartment with a small concrete patio where we grew a few tomatoes, peppers, squash and flowers.

The second reason for using containers is planting for interest and color.

Chad Vincent Garner and Mel’Anie Delphyne Herrington applied for a marriage license on July 28, 2011, and were married Aug. 18, 2011, in Evans.

Jonathan Matthew Duvall and Gabrielle Lynn Salley applied for a marriage license on Dec. 27, 2011, and were married Jan. 14, 2012, in Thomson.

John Eric Doolittle Jr. and Alexandra Maendele applied for a marriage license on Dec. 21, 2011, and were married Jan. 21, 2012, in Evans.

For Brad Usry, Santa Claus died Wednesday.

Before he was a Columbia County commissioner, Tommy Mercer for more than 25 years portrayed Santa at the Usry family’s Augusta store, Fat Man’s Forest.

Mercer, 70, died Wed­nesday evening after a brief hospitalization.

Funeral arrangements for Mercer were held Saturday. In addition to his wife, Brenda, he is survived by seven children and 10 grandchildren.

Fat Man’s previous Santa had just retired “around 1980,” Usry recalled, and Mercer walked in before the store could start searching for a replacement.

Twitter @JennaNMartin

Masters Tournament guests might notice several new dining spots in Columbia County since their last visit.

From Mediterranean cuisine to Indo-Pakistani dishes and classic American fare, out-of-town visitors have a new variety of restaurants to choose from after a long day on the golf course.

Opening just a week ago, Cali’s Grille has brought the taste of Southern California to Evans.

Javier and Irma Lieras, from San Diego, opened the casual restaurant in the Liberty Square shopping center across from the Evans Walmart on Washington Road.