Get up and go
Democrats meet
The Columbia County Democratic Party will hold its monthly meeting Monday at the Government Center Auditorium in Evans. For more information, call party chairman Terry Holley at 868-0959.
Community celebration
Riverwatch Community Church will hold a community event Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 3701 Old Petersburg Road. The event will include a yard sale, information from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, child identification and registration, free oil changes (bring your own filter) for single parents and low-cost portraits for children. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be available.
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Walk for Autism
The 2003 Walk for Autism will be Saturday at Riverwalk Augusta. The event begins with registration at 10 a.m., with the walk at 11 a.m. Walkers with at least $100 in pledges receive a T-shirt, and music, prizes and refreshments will be offered. Tax-deductible donations may be made to Kids Care Connections Inc. For more information, call Andrea Smith Huff at (888) 816-0060.
Super Saturday
Augusta Technical College will hold Super Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the campus on Augusta Tech Drive.
Faculty and staff will be assembled in Building 100 to assist perspective students with all admissions requirements and the opportunity to receive academic counseling. Teachers representing many of Augusta Tech's courses of study also will be available to provide expertise regarding their programs. Fall quarter begins Sept. 30.
For more information, contact Admissions Director Brian Roberts at 771-4027 or George Lightfoot at 771-4019.
Harlem reunion
The Harlem High School class of 1993 will hold its 10-year reunion Saturday at Wallden Pond in Appling. Class members should sign up at classmates.com, or contact Lee King Fox at (770) 805-2068.
Gardening at Lunch
The Columbia County Extension Service will hold a Gardening at Lunch seminar Wednesday in the auditorium of the Columbia County Government Complex in Evans. Charles Philips will lead a discussion of composting. The seminar begins at 12:10 p.m. and ends at 12:45 p.m. The session is free, and participants are urged to bring a sack lunch.
Grants available
The Junior League of Augusta, Ga., Inc. is accepting applications from CSRA non-profit agencies for Community Enabling funds to be granted in November 2003. The Junior League makes available grants for particular projects and needs.
Applications must be submitted from a nonprofit and tax-exempt (501)(c)(3) agency with a local board. Money given through the fund must be used within the CSRA.
The deadline for application is Sept. 13. Applications are available at the Junior League of Augusta's office, 363 Highland Ave., Surrey Center, Augusta. For more information, call 736-0033.
Accountants meet
The CSRA chapter of the Georgia Association of Public Accountants is holding its September meeting at 8 a.m. Sept. 18 at Athens Restaurant on Bobby Jones Expressway.
The guest speaker is George Lively of Financial Strategy Associates, speaking on Section 105 help for the self-employed. For more information or to RSVP, call Jerry Brigham at 650-1700.
Play auditions
Auditions for The Homecoming will be held by the Young Artists Repertory Theatre Company (YART) on Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the lower school cafetorium of Augusta Preparatory Day School.
Auditions are open to actors ages 10 and up through college age. Teenagers are especially needed for this production. The show will be directed by John Greene and will be presented in December.
Writers group
CSRA Writers will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1336 Augusta West Parkway. Writers needing a support group are invited to attend and bring eight copies of a manuscript to be critiqued.
Wreath ceremony
The Augusta Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday at the grave site of Col. William Few at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Reynolds St., Augusta. Few was one of three signers of the U.S. Constitution from Georgia, but is the only one buried in the state. He was a resident of Columbia County.
The ceremony will begin the celebration of Constitution Week, Sept. 13-17. For more information, call Ramona Mills at 868-5313.
Bible study
Interdenominational Bible study for men will begin Monday at Warren Baptist Church on Washington Road at Furys Ferry Road. The program will be each Monday from 6:55 to 8:45 p.m., and prior knowledge of the Bible is not required. The program is free.
Blood drive
Macedonia Baptist Church, with the Shepeard Community Blood Center, will hold a blood drive Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church at 1828 Wrightsboro Road. For more information, call 737-6834.
Marvin homecoming
Marvin United Methodist Church will hold its 112th homecoming Sunday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Bill Griffin will preach. He is the director of the Georgia Commission on Higher Education. Dinner will follow the morning service. All former pastors and members are invited to attend. The church's revival begins at 7 p.m. on the same night and continues through Tuesday. The guest preacher is the Rev. Harold Lawrence, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Milledgeville. Lawrence is a noted historian, writer and preacher. For more information, call the church office at 863-0510.
Yu-Gi-Oh! duel
Evans Wal-Mart will be the site of a Yu-Gi-Oh! duel tournament from 10 a.m to noon Saturday. Players of all ages are invited to bring their Yu-Gi-Oh! game decks. All winners will receive prizes.
Museum car wash
The Laurel and Hardy Museum in Harlem will hold a car wash Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum, 250 North Louisville St., to raise funds for the museum. For more information, call Harlem City Hall at 556-3448, or the museum at 556-0401.
Ms. Senior pageant
The Seventh Annual Ms. Senior Georgia-Carolina Pageant will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Augusta State University Performing Arts Theater. Tickets cost $10, and are available from the Senior Citizens Council, 535 15th St., Augusta, or by calling 826-4480, ext. 300 or 301, or at the door.
Greyhound adoption
As part of Petsmart's 2003 National Adoption Weekend, the greyhounds of GreytHound Love Greyhound Adoption will be at the store on Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information and to see adoptable greyhounds, visit www.greythoundlove.org or call Jeanne McGee at 796-1708 or Susan Laywell at 278-5441.
Biblical counseling
A course in Biblical counseling will be offered by the Augusta School of Biblical Studies in the Social Security Building, 2050 Walton Way, Suite 210, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The class will meet on 10 consecutive Monday evenings. For more information, call 736-7711.
Scholarship pageant
The Merchants Association of Columbia County is sponsoring its annual Fair Scholarship Pageant Oct. 11 at Greenbrier High School. Scholarships totaling $1,000 will be awarded in addition to gifts and trophies. Contestants must be residents of Georgia, between the ages of 17-24. Competition will be in swimsuit, evening gown and talent. The winner will represent Columbia County at the Georgia State Pageant in Atlanta in January, 2004.
For applications or additional information, call Pat Becton at 863-7645, or Debbie Zapata, 863-3754.
EHS computer class
An Introduction to Computers class will be at Evans High School from 6 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 15.
For more information, call 868-3663, ext. 220.
Hardy crafters sought
Organizers of Harlem's Oliver Hardy Festival, scheduled for Oct. 4, is accepting applications for crafters and vendors. For information, contact Harlem City Hall at 556-3448, or e-mail harlemcityhall@charter.net, or go to harlemga.org.
SRS information
Bill Lawless, a member of the Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board, will discuss SRS and its plans for the future during a meeting of the local Sierra Club Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.. Bring a covered dish and have dinner during the session at the Unitarian Church on Walton Way Extension. For more information, call 863-2324.
Parent to Parent
The Lakeside High School PTO presents Parent to Parent at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 in the school's commons area. The program, with John Clarkin as speaker, offers advice to help parents "form a protective barrier between kids and the toxic culture." For more information, call Debby Balcer, 860-6987.
Pastor anniversary
Gospel Water Branch Baptist Church will celebrate the 21st anniversary of Rev. Robert L. Ramsey at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21. The Rev. Joseph Henry of Omega Baptist Church in Chicago will be the guest speaker. The theme for the pastor's anniversary is A 21-Year Salute to God's Anointed One. For more information, call 860-7091.
Support group
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Augusta, meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Walton Building, Room 105, of First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way, Augusta. Dr. Scott Balogh will speak on depression and bipolar disorder. For more information, call 722-0010.
Fall carnival
South Columbia Elementary School will hold its Pumpkin Patch Carnival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at the school on McCormick Road between Old Evans and Old Petersburg roads in Martinez. Games, entertainment and refreshments will be available, along with a silent auction to help raise funds for the South Columbia PTO.
Recycling available
Metro Augusta and Columbia County Clean and Beautiful has placed a container for recycling newspapers and magazines at Stevens Creek Elementary School on Evans-to-Locks Road. The container is available for public recycling.
Newcomers Club
The Augusta Newcomers Club helps new residents acclimate and make friends by offering a variety of activities, including lunch and a movie, dinner groups, bowling, golf and games. Monthly coffees for prospective members are the first Tuesday of each month. To attend or for further information, call Rickie Reinhardt at 650-3941, or Ruth Pearl at 650-1400.
New lab opens
Mullins Laboratories has opened a new patient service center in the Evans Shopping Center, near Omni Health and Fitness. Hours for the new office are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 868-7717.
Canal clean-up
The second annual Rivers Alive Canal Cleanup, by the Sierra Club, will be Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. starting at the headgates of the Augusta Canal at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. For more information, call 863-2324.
Tree orders
The Georgia Forestry Commission is taking orders for seedlings for the upcoming planting season. Buyers are urged to order early, as many species will be sold out later in the season. Pine seedlings are available, as are sweetgum, redbud, red maple, green ash, catalpa and many other hardwoods. Most trees cost $20 for a pack of 10 seedlings. Premium slash pine is $42 per 1,000 seedlings; bicolor lespedeza is $30 per 500. Applications and other prices are available by calling 1 800 GA-TREES or on the Georgia Forestry Commission Web site, gfc.state.ga.us.
Girl Scouts
Girl Scout troops are forming throughout the CSRA for girls ages 5-17, and the Studio 2B program also is available to girls ages 11-17. Girl Scout leaders also are being sought. For more information, call 774-0505.
Harlem day care
The Harlem Neighborhood Development Daycare Academy, a nonprofit organization helping low-income families get financial assistance for day care, is accepting new pupils.
The program is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the center at 280 West Forrest St., Harlem. Children age 6 weeks to 12 years are eligible. Activities include field trips, computer classes, games, movies and more.
For more information, call the Rev. Melvin Adams at 556-0209.
Police academy
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office will hold a residents' law enforcement academy beginning Sept. 18. Participants will be given an insight into the everyday operations of the sheriff's office, as well as firearms training. The free course is offered each Thursday evening from 6:30 to 9, and is open to Columbia County residents ages 18 or older.
Anyone interested in attending the class can contact Lt. Patricia Champion at 541-3970, or Capt. Jim March at 541-4027.
Tailgate anniversary
The Harlem High School Class of 1979 is planning a homecoming tailgate party in celebration of the 25th anniversary football season for the class. The homecoming game will be Oct. 17 vs. Richmond Academy. For more information, contact Class of '79 president Vic Johnson at radioactive@comcast.net.
Preschool registration
Columbia County Christian Academy, 4004 Prescott Drive in Martinez, is accepting pupils for its Mother's Day Out program, and pre-K through sixth grade classes. A-Beka curriculum is taught in small classes. For more information, call 863-0535, or 863-6973.
Mother's Day Out/preschool
The Church of the Most Holy Trinity is accepting registration for its Mother's Day Out/preschool program. If you have children who are walking and no older than 4, call the P.R.E. Office at 722-4944, ext. 315, for more information.
Preschool registration
Registration for preschool and the Mother's Morning Out program at the Vineyard Church of Augusta is open. The preschool accepts children ages 2-5. The Mother's Morning Out program is open to 1- and 2-year-olds. Both offer classes weekday mornings. For more information or to register, call the church office at 863-9766 or Linda Shervette at 863-7414.
Phi Beta Sigma
The next business meeting of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the fraternity house at 1002 Druid Park Ave., Augusta. All active, inactive and new brothers are invited. For more information, call 792-0456.
SCORE advice
The Service Corps of Retired Executives provides counseling and mentoring to business people who are starting up a new business or expanding an ongoing business. Volunteer counselors are retired executives. Affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE is a nonprofit, public-service organization. There is never a charge for services. To contact SCORE's Augusta office, call 793-9998, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.
McDuffie Friends
McDuffie County Friends of Animals' Adopt-A-Pet Days are each Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at SuperPetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. To see pets that are available, call 556-9090 or go to petfinder.com, and go to the Dearing, Ga., section
Senior activities
The Bessie Thomas Community Center, 5913 Euchee Creek Drive, Grovetown, offers daily events for 55 and over residents of Columbia County including Bingo on Tuesday and Thursday, ceramics and other arts and crafts, trivia, devotionals and field trips. Transportation to and from the center is provided by the county's Rural Transportation Department. Call in advance to schedule the ride. All rides and center activities, not including trips, are free. For more information or to request transportation, call 556-0308.
School councils
North Columbia Elementary: The council will meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month that school is in session.
Greenbrier Elementary: The council will meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:15 a.m. All meetings will be in the school's media center.
Evans High: The council will meet at 10:45 a.m. on the first Monday of each month, except when holidays conflict. The first meeting will be at 10:45 a.m. Monday in Room 196 at the school.
Brookwood Elementary: The council will meet in the media center at 4:15 p.m. on the following dates: Sept. 23; Oct. 28; Nov. 18; Dec. 9; Jan. 27, 2004; Feb. 24; March 23; April 27; and May 25. The council will meet at 10 a.m. June 22, 2004.
Bel Air Elementary: The council will meet at 7:15 a.m. on the following dates: Tuesday; Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2, April 13 and May 4. It will meet at 7:30 a.m. June 1 and July 29. All meetings will be in the media center.
Columbia Middle: The council will meet at 8 a.m. at the school on Columbia Road on the following Mondays: Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 1, April 12 and May 3.
Riverside Elementary: The council will meet at 8 a.m. in the media center on the following dates: Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 24, April 28 and May 26.
Greenbrier Middle: The council will meet Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 16, April 20, May 18 and June 15.
Euchee Creek Elementary: The council will meet in the school conference room at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 10, April 14, May 12 and June 9.
Grovetown Middle: The council will meet at 3:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, 2004, Feb. 19, March 18, April 22, May 20 and June 3. The meetings will be in the school conference room. For more information, call principal Carolyn Fries at 855-2514.
Westmont Elementary: The council will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the school's media center on the following dates: Sept. 19; Oct. 24; Nov. 21; Dec. 12; Jan. 9, 2004; Feb. 20; March 19; April 16; May 14; June 18; July 16.
Lakeside Middle School: The council will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the school's staff lounge on the following Tuesdays: Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2, April 13, May 4, June 1 and Jul 6. For more information, call Chairwoman Felicia Dumas at 855-6900.
Lakeside High School: The council will meet at 7 p.m. in the front-office conference room of the school on Mondays during the school year on the following dates: Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, 2004, Feb. 9, March 8, April 19, May 10 and June 14.
South Columbia Elementary School: School council meetings for 2003-04 are scheduled for Sept. 16, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 13, Feb. 17, March 16, April 27, May 18, June 15 and July 20. The meetings will be held in the school media center beginning at 7:15 a.m. The meetings in June and July will be at 8:30 a.m.
Blue Ridge Elementary School: The 2003-2004 school council will meet Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. in the media center on the following dates: Sept. 16, Oct. 14, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 16, April 20 and May 18. For more information, call principal Joyce G. Long at 868-0894.