Get up and go
Halloween photos
Did you take pictures of your children dressed up for Halloween? Send us a copy, and we'll publish them in an upcoming issue of The Columbia County News-Times. But hurry - the deadline is Friday.
Bring or mail photos to our office in the Publix shopping center, 4272 Washington Road, Suite 3B, Evans, Ga., 30809, or e-mail them to cnt@newstimesonline.com. Be sure to include the name and age of the child.
Open house
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Columbia County's Construction and Maintenance Division and Probate Court will hold an open house 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at their newly renovated offices at 1954 Appling-Harlem Road, next to the Appling courthouse. Also on display will be updates on building, recreation and road projects funded by the sales tax, with county staffers on hand to answer questions. For more information, call 541-4011.
Christmas parade
The Merchants Association of Columbia County is sponsoring the annual Christmas Parade in Martinez Dec. 7. For information on participating in the parade, call Billy Becton, 863-7645.
Veterans celebration
Lakeside Middle School will hold A Hero's Calling, a Veterans Day celebration, at 9 a.m. Friday at the school gym, 527 Blue Ridge Drive in Evans. The event will feature Capt. Chris Quale, a Bronze Medal recipient for service in Iraq, and Johnny Edwards, an Augusta Chronicle reporter who covered the war. For more information, contact the school at 855-6900.
Advent preparation
Church of Our Savior (Episcopal), 4227 Columbia Road, Martinez, will hold a day of preparation for Advent 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Pam Boyette, national spiritual formation chair of the Daughters of the King, will present a guide to directing prayer. Reservations, including menu choice, must be made by Monday at the church office by calling 863-1718.
Martinez carnival
The Martinez Elementary School carnival will be 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Saturday at the school on Flowing Wells Road, and will include games, rides, entertainment, prizes, food and a silent auction.
Harlem celebration
A community celebration will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Harlem Housing Authority field, featuring games, food and activities. The event is free, and sponsored by Harlem City Council, New Holt Baptist Church, Harlem United Methodist Church and Harlem Baptist Church.
Lewis UMC fest
Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church will hold its fall festival 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church at Hereford Farm and Lewiston roads, with games, horseback riding, hayrides, food, crafters, music and more. Yard sale booths are available by calling 863-6795; for craft booths, call 869-0811.
Gardening at lunch
The Columbia County Extension Service's Gardening at Lunch series will continue at 12:10 p.m. today at the Evans Government Complex Auditorium. Extension Agent Charles Phillips will discuss "Xeriscaping: Designing Your Landscape Based on Water Needs." Admission is free.
Veterans Day concert
The Lakeside High School Wind Symphony, under the direction of Jim Tau, and the Lakeside High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Stacy Branch, will perform at a Veteran's Day Program at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way. The speaker will be Wayne E. Rickman, a retired Navy cold war submarine warrior. Admission is free.
Fashion show
Greenbrier High School will hold a holiday fashion show at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 in the school auditorium. Admission is $4, with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta. The event also includes a holiday bake sale and door prizes. For more information, call 650-6040.
Chamber after hours
SuCCess Columbia County Style, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce after-hours event, will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at the Belair Conference Center, 4081 South Belair Road. For reservations, call 651-0018.
Massing of colors
The Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars will sponsor a patriotic celebration at 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at Fort Gordon's Alexander Hall. The event will include interludes by the U.S. Army Signal Center Band, selected readings and a guest speaker with a Veterans Day message. Admission is free. For more information, call 736-9581.
Lacrosse clinic
The Family Y and the Aiken-Augusta Lacrosse Club are sponsoring two free lacrosse clinics for boys and girls 10-14 from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and again Nov. 15. The clinics will be held in the Evans field behind Kroger. No equipment or experience are required. For more information, call 364-3269.
Sportsman's Festival
The Warren County Sportsman's Family Festival will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in downtown Warrenton, and will include a cruise-in, crafts, carnival rides, hunting exhibits, food and prizes. For more information, call (706) 465-9604.
Writers meeting
CSRA Writers will meet 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Barnes & 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. For more information, call Lela Turnbull, 738-4114.
Craft bazaar
Windermere Nursing Home's residents council and craft class will hold a craft bazaar 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 in the lobby of the facility, 3618 J. Dewey Gray Circle. Proceeds from the sale of craft items help beautify the Memory Garden and purchase craft supplies for residents. For more information, call 863-4816.
Crafters needed
Crafters are being sought for Christmas in the Heart of Downtown Harlem, an event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 in conjunction with the Harlem Christmas parade. Space rentals are available for $10. For more information, call 556-0401.
Brown Bag history
The Augusta Museum of History Brown Bag History series at noon today will feature Hugh Flemming and Danette Wren. The lecture is titled Tracking Wrens, 1884-2003. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, and can be obtained by calling 722-8454.
Wags and Flags
Local animal rescue groups Happy Tails, McDuffie County Friends of Animals and CSRA Greyhound Adoptions will hold a pet festival, Wags and Flags, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at SuperPetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. The event, with music, silent auctions, food and contests, will support the rescue groups and celebrate Veterans Day.
Rabies clinic
The Columbia County Humane Society will offer low-cost rabies vaccinations from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday at Blanchard Park off South Belair Road in Martinez. Rabies vaccinations are $5, and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 860-5020.
Happy Tails adoption
Happy Tails Rescue will hold pet adoptions each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 4-6 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m., at Superpetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. Also, two Feline Fiestas will be Friday and again Nov. 21, from 6-8 p.m., featuring cats and kittens available for adoption. For more information, call 863-5310.
Moonlight Serenade
The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy will hold a Moonlight Serenade 7-9 p.m. Friday at Phinizy Swamp Park, with a wine and cheese reception followed by a guided hike. Cost is $12 for members, $15 for non-members, restricted to age 21 and up. Deadline for registration is Wednesday. For more information, call 828-2109.
The Nutcracker
Brookwood Elementary School will perform its 14th annual production of The Nutcracker 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. Dec. 3 at the school. Performances are free. For more information, call 855-7596.
Choral Society
The Columbia County Choral Society has two upcoming performances. The first is the O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at First Baptist Church of Evans, at Washington and Belair roads. Tickets are $8, $6 for seniors and students, and are available at the door. The society also will perform at the Columbia County Christmas tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6 at the Justice Center in Evans.
Dessert concert
The Augusta Children's Chorale will perform its 13th annual Dessert Concert, 7 p.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, call Ann Roberts at 826-4718.
Family Fun Day
The Augusta Museum of History's November Family Fun Day will be 1-5 p.m. Nov. 9, and will feature the American Indian artifacts in Augusta's Story. Children are invited to learn more about the history of the Thanksgiving holiday, and to create Thanksgiving crafts and a holiday memory book. Admission is free. For more information, call 722-8454.
Fall bazaar
The women of Harlem United Methodist Church are sponsoring a Fall Bazaar 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the church, featuring a soup kitchen, baked goods, a flea market, arts and crafts, children's activities and more. For more information, call 556-6885.
Field day
Rivers and Glen Trading Company will hold a fall Cast and Blast Field Day 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, with hunting and fishing demonstrations and seminars. For more information, call 738-4536.
Veterans Day Parade
Augusta's annual Veterans Day Parade will be 10 a.m. Nov. 11 on Broad Street. Grand Marshall will be Brig. Gen. Jan Hicks, commanding general of Fort Gordon.
Winter festival
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 192 in Evans will hold a Winter Festival 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 15. The event, at the post off Owens Road, will feature craft vendors, a "moonwalk," games, and crafts for kids. Spaces for crafters are available by calling 860-1031 or 863-7249.
Lutheran drama
The Fine Arts Ministry of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church presents Luther by John Osborne at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and 3 p.m. Nov. 16 in the fellowship hall of the church, 402 Aumond Road, Augusta. For more information, call 733-6076.
Holiday help
Agape Outreach Ministries of Thomson is seeking donations of money, food and toys to help needy families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, call (706) 597-8800.
Six Flags tickets
Half-price Six Flags coupons are available from the Columbia County 4H office in the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 B Evans to Locks Road, Martinez. For more information, call 868-3413.
Children's ringers
The Augusta Children's Ringers, a handbell and choirchime for children in grades 3-6, meets 4-6 p.m. Thursdays at the Westside Baptist Church Educational Building, 261 Flowing Wells Road. For more information, call 306-5247.
Foster parents sought
Foster parents are being sought to serve as substitute families for children in need. Those residing in Columbia County should call Christina Ruetz at the Columbia County Department of Family and Children Services, 541-1640; those residing in Richmond County should call Rosalyn Boyd, 721-7171.
Aloha Augusta
The Junior League of Augusta will hold Aloha Augusta, a dinner with celebrity waiters, at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Old Richmond Hotel, 725 Greene St. Sponsorships begin at $300 per couple and $600 per table.
All funds raised at the event benefit Junior League community projects, including the day shelter for homeless children, Habitat for Humanity, ACE Awards, and Service Weekends and Weeknights. For more information, call 736-0033.
Bayou Bash
The Aquinas High School Bayou Bash and Auction will be 6 p.m. Nov. 8 in the school gym, 1920 Highland Ave., Augusta. The silent auction will be from 6-8:45 p.m., with a live auction at 9 p.m. of items including artwork, vacations, a trip to France and a truck. Tickets are $50. For more information, call 736-5516.
ACT deadline
Friday is the deadline for college-bound students to register to take the ACT on the Dec. 13 national test date. Students can get information from their high school counselors or register online at www.act.org.
Chefs of Augusta
Augusta Mini Theatre will present its second annual Chefs of Augusta from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 9 at Julian Smith Casino. Tickets cost $15. For more information, call 722-0598.
Aid workshop
Lakeside High School will hold a financial aid workshop for parents, Show Me the Money, 7-8 p.m. Nov. 10.
The workshop will be led by career-center specialist Teresa Fox, who will use the school's computer lab to show parents how to navigate Internet resources for college financial aid.
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.
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. For information, call the Columbia County Forestry Unit at 556-3962.
Fire safety review
The Columbia County Unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission is offering free advice to county residents on whether their home is danger from brush or woods fire. Call 556-3962 for more information.
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.
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.
Foster volunteers
Community volunteers are needed to become advocates for children who are found by the court to be abused and/or neglected, and to assist at the Kids Restart visitation center, 508 Broad St. Training will begin Oct. 14. For more information, call 828-0180.
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.
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.
Scholarships available
Applications are being sought for 2004 graduates seeking scholarships to attend Georgia's military colleges. Students are nominated from each of Georgia's U.S. congressional districts, and are nominated by state senators in those districts. For more information, call the state Senate office at 1 (800) 282-5803.
Recycling available
The following Columbia County elementary schools have newspaper and magazine recycling bins for public use: South Columbia, Grovetown, Bel Air, Evans, Riverside, Brookwood, North Columbia, North Harlem and Stevens Creek.
Recycling bins also are located behind Publix on Washington Road in Evans, Marvin United Methodist Church on Wheeler Road and St. Teresa Catholic Church on Pleasant Home Road.
Aluminum can recycling centers, to benefit the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, are located at Martinez Fire Department station 2 on Gibbs Road, Station 3 on Furys Ferry Road and Station 4 on Oakley-Pirkle Road.
For more recycling information, contact Metro Augusta Clean and Beautiful, 261-4390.