Current events
Holiday festivities
This weekend will be filled with holiday parades and events.
Harlem's Christmas tree in front of City Hall will be lighted at 6 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call City Hall at (706) 556-3448.
Grovetown's holiday parade, organized by the Grovetown Department of Public Safety, will start at noon Saturday at Summerfield Circle. It will head approximately two miles down Robinson Avenue to the intersection with Harlem-Grovetown Road. For more information, call the department at (706) 863-1212.
The Thomson Christmas parade will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday from the IGA Food Store shopping center and will continue toward downtown on Main Street. For more information, call the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce at (706) 595-5967.
Santa breakfast
Santa Claus is coming to Stevens Creek Elementary School on Saturday. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. and reservations are required.
The cost is $5 for adults and $4 for children. Pictures with Santa are extra. Reservations can be made by calling Chris Baum at 855-6083 or Jean Duncan at 868-8796. Reservations will be accepted through Thursday.
CT scans
Low-cost mobile CT scans for early warning signs of cancer and coronary disease will be available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Martinez Baptist Church at 3632 Lynnwood Drive.
Three types of scans, performed by CATScan 2000, will be offered, including heart, chest and abdominal/pelvic scans. The fee is $199 per test. If all three scans are performed together, a $30 discount will apply to the third test for a total of $567. Age restrictions apply.
For more information, call the church at 863-7944.
Fire training
As part of its continuing effort to provide the best training for its firefighters, the Martinez Fire Department will be conducting a live-fire training exercise at 487 Flowing Wells Road on Wednesday, Dec. 11, between 9 a.m. and noon. The public should be advised that there is no cause for alarm if multiple emergency vehicles and heavy smoke are seen in the area of the exercise.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Battalion Chief Danny Kuhlmann at 651-8001.
Science van
The National Science Center Mobile Science Van will be at North Harlem Elementary School today from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The pupils will be participating in hands-on science activities presented by Fort Discovery. For more information contact Ruby Stewart at 556-5997.
Gibbs to visit
Terri Gibbs and her dog will be on hand at North Harlem Elementary School on Thursday, giving a presentation on Braille. For more information please contact Kay Moore at 556-5997.
Homemade gifts
The Columbia News-Times is planning a story on homemade Christmas presents. If you make your own gifts, or know someone who does, please contact Donnie Fetter at 868-1222, Ext. 109.
Family photos
Whether your family enjoyed Thanksgiving locally or on the road, send a snapshot to The Columbia County News-Times for a family "photo album" we'll publish Dec. 11. Send photos to Thanksgiving Families, 4143 Columbia Road, Suite B, Martinez, GA 30907. If you would like to have your photo sent back to you, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Photos may be e-mailed to cnt@newstimesonline.com. All pictures must be received by Friday.