Current events
School Christmas concert
Brookwood Elementary School will be performing its annual Christmas concert at 2:15 p.m. Dec. 19 at the school. The concert will be free and will feature 25 soloists from all grade levels. The audience also will be asked to participate in some singing. For more information, call Johnny Carr at 855-7596, ext. 217.
Nature park tour
A tour through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park will be offered by the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 5. The walk will cover 2 1/2 miles through wetlands and swamps. Those attending are asked to wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Cameras and binoculars are welcome. The cost is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, call 828-2109.
Christmas Eve service
First Baptist Church in Evans will offer a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 at the church, located at the corner of Washington and Belair roads. For more information, call 863-1228.
Human resources meeting
The Augusta-Aiken Society for Human Resources Management will meet from 7:30-9:15 a.m. at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel. A guest fee of $15 will include breakfast. The topic being discussed will be managing employee performance in an uncertain economy. Reservations can be made by calling Regina Mobley at 739-1351.
Food drive
The Columbia County Farm Bureau will be accepting donations of food for the needy throughout December as part of a statewide event called Food Check-Out Day. For every donation made, the donor's name will be written on a card and displayed during the donation period.
Asbestos training
The Martinez Fire Department will have a training session regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's asbestos regulations from 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 15 at the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency office on Faircloth Drive in Evans. For reservations, call 799-8134 or 667-5155.
Fire department meeting
The annual subscribers meeting of the Martinez Volunteer Fire Department will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at the department headquarters on Washington Road. The accounting firm Cleaveland and Anderson will submit the 2001 audit for approval of members. The operating budget for 2002 will then be discussed and two members to the board of trustees will be elected.
Shoe collection
The Georgia Podiatric Medical Association is running a shoe collection drive for the homeless in the Augusta area. The association will accept new and used shoes of any size, and donations can be brought to any local podiatrist's office through January. For more information, call Dr. Kent E. Kronowski at 724-0586.
Fantasy of lights display
The Fantasy of Light drive-through display is being offered to the public through Dec. 24 at Pendleton King Park on Troupe Street. Open times are 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The event includes more than 50,000 miniature lights and 110 light displays. All proceeds from the event go to the local Easter Seals.