Current events
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.
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.
Playground fund raiser
The backers of a riverfront playground for disabled children have organized a wild game tasting soiree to raise money for the 4,000-square-foot project, known as the Universal Playground.
The event, "A Taste of Something Wild," will be at The Meeting Place on Walden Pond in Appling from 6-9 p.m., Jan. 12. It will feature stews, chilis and appetizers prepared with turkey, quail, goose, wild pig, venison, dove, elk and fish donated by area sportsmen.
The Universal Playground is a project of the non-profit Rachel Longstreet Foundation Inc., which is named after the youngest child buried in the original Fort Augusta cemetery at St. Paul's Church.
The playground design will allow disabled children to use 70 percent of the equipment without leaving their support devices.
The $30 tickets are available through the Rotary Club of West Augusta. For information call Dallas Simon at (706) 733-5529 or Wallace Zealy at (706) 823-4118.
Holiday hours
Columbia County's libraries will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 and will remain closed on New Year's Day. The book drop boxes will be closed to prevent over-filling and fines will be waived for the holidays.
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.
Theatre presentation
The August Mini Theatre is now selling tickets for its revised play Pickin' at 430 8th St. The show, which details tolerance and violence in schools, will be presented at 8 p.m. Jan. 18; 3 and 8 p.m. Jan. 19; and 3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Augusta Technical College's Jack B. Patrick Technology Center. Cost is $8 or $7 per youth in a group of 10 or more. For more information, call 722-0598 or visit www.augustaminitheatre.org.