Current events

Tax office opens

The Columbia County property tax division of the Tax Commissioner's Office will reopen today in its new Evans location.

The office moved from Appling to Building C of the Columbia County Government Complex, 630 Ronald Reagan Drive. Starting Tuesday, the office will be open at its Appling location, 1959 Appling-Harlem Highway, on Tuesdays only.

The Appling office's phone number is 541-1808, and the new Evans phone number is 261-8299.

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Artists sought

All members of Columbia County's arts community are invited to an arts retreat sponsored by Columbia County Arts, Inc., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Brandon Wilde Clubhouse, 4275 Owens Road, Evans. The program will include a discussion on growing the arts in Columbia County, a networking lunch, and a session on copyright basics with the Georgia Lawyers for the Arts. Space is limited; call 868-5792 by today for information or to register.

New garbage date

Because of a change in garbage contractors, beginning today Harlem resident's recycling bins and garbage cans will be emptied each Wednesday. For more information, call 556-3448.

Auditions held

The Young Artists Repertory Theatre Company Inc. will hold auditions for Bad Seed at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the lower school cafetorium at Augusta Preparatory Day School, 285 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez.

The show, which will be presented in March, has a cast of seven males and five females. Auditions for the part of Rhoda, the little charming little girl with an evil heart, will be Thursday and is open to girls ages 9-11. Auditions for the other parts will be Friday and are open to high school and college-age students. For more information, call 210-8915.

Book sale

The Friends of the Columbia County Libraries will hold a book sale 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Gibbs Memorial Library, 326 North Belair Road. Proceeds from the sale are used to support programs and projects for the Columbia County libraries.

Tree recycling

Metro Augusta and Columbia County Clean and Beautiful, with Georgia Power Co., will hold Bring One for the Chipper from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Home Depot on Bobby Jones Expressway. Crews will be on hand to take Christmas trees for recycling, with free mulch and tree seedlings provided in exchange while supplies last. Live Christmas trees may also be dropped off until Jan. 8 at Riverside Middle School or the Keg Creek boat ramp. For more information, call 261-4390.

Y anniversary

The Marshall Family Y in Evans will celebrate its one-year anniversary 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday with a moon bounce, games, refreshments and membership specials. The event is free. For more information, call 364-3269.

Auditions held

Stage III will hold auditions for its next production, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, at 7 p.m. Monday at 517 Granite Pointe Drive in Martinez. There are parts for one man age 40-plus, and three women ages 20-50. The show will run the last weekend in February. For more information, call 868-9663.

Gardening at Lunch

Charles Phillips, Columbia County Extension agent, will discuss vegetable gardening at the monthly Gardening at Lunch session from 12:10 to 12:45 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Columbia County Government Complex Auditorium in Evans. For more information, call 868-3413.

Walking program

An eight-week walking program, Longevity Initiative through Volitional Exercise, or LIVE, will begin Monday at the Wilson Family Y track on Wheeler Road. The free program will be Mondays at 7 and 10 a.m., and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Greyhound adoption

GreytHound Love-Greyhound Adoption, a CSRA group, will hold a session for the public to meet several retired racing greyhounds available for adoption. The event will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at PetSmart on Robert C. Daniel Parkway. For more information, call 796-1708, or visit www.greythoundlove.org.

Kindergarten preview

A preview for parents of students entering kindergarten next year at Stevens Creek Elementary will be 6-7 p.m. Jan. 29. For more information, call Susan Hadden, 868-3705.

Dog obedience course

The Augusta Humane Society will hold registration for its eight-week dog obedience and puppy socialization course from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Julian Smith Casino, Broad Street at Milledge Road, Augusta. Proof of vaccinations is needed to sign up; pets should not be brought to the registration session. For more information, call 736-0186.

Accountants meet

Larry Heath of the Internal Revenue Service will offer an income tax update at the breakfast meeting of the Georgia Association of Public Accountants, at 8 a.m. Jan. 15 at Athens Restaurant and Taverna, 246 Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. For more information, call Jerry Brigham, 650-1700.

Aid seminar

Evans High School's Career Resource Center will present 1,2,3 Cash, a financial aid and college admissions seminar, at 7 p.m. Jan. 22. For more information, call 868-3663.

Battle of the Badges

Employees from Columbia County's fire departments and law enforcement agencies will compete for blood donations in the Battle of the Badges, Jan. 13-23 at the Shepeard Community Blood Center office at 112 Davis Road in Martinez. For information, call 737-4551.

The Art of Framing

The Morris Museum of Art will present "The Art of Framing" at its monthly Art at Lunch series at noon Jan. 16. For information and reservations, call 724-7501.

Miniature gaming

The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society of the Mid-South will hold a military history and toy soldier show, "The Siege of Augusta," Jan. 16-18 at the Sheraton Augusta. Activities start at 3 p.m. Jan. 16, and at 9 a.m. Jan. 17 and 18. For more information, call 868-5255.

Church concert

Musician Phil Driscoll will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at In Focus Church, 562 Old Evans Road (behind Fat Man's West). The concert is free; an offering will be taken. For more information, call 868-7788.

Dinner concert

The Augusta Symphony will present its annual Encore Chamber Series Dinner Concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel. Single tickets are $55. For more information, call 826-4705.

Benefit concert

George Winston will perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at West Acres Baptist Church, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans, in a benefit for Golden Harvest Food Bank. Tickets cost $20, and a food drive will be conducted with the concert. For more information, call 736-1199, ext. 208.

Girls Inc. info

An information session for Girls Inc. will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Girls Inc. office, 1919 Watkins St. in Augusta. For more information, call 733-2512.

Opera performance

The Augusta Opera will present Johann Strauss' comic opera Die Fledermaus at 8 p.m. Jan. 29 and 31, and 3 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Imperial Theater. An opera chat will be presented one hour before each performance. For information, call 826-4710.

Empty Bowl

The Augusta Jewish Community Center, 898 Weinberger Way, will hold the annual Empty Bowl luncheon 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 22. The event, a fund-raiser for Golden Harvest Food Bank and the AJCC, features pottery bowls made by art students at local schools. Visitors purchase a bowl and sample food from area restaurants, bakeries and caterers. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $5 for children 5-under, and are available at Golden Harvest or the AJCC. For more information, call 736-1199.

Parents sought

Foster and adoptive parents are being sought for Columbia and Richmond County children. For more information on the program, call Christina Ruetz in Columbia County at 541-1640, or Rosalyn Boyd in Richmond County, 721-7171.

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 Sundays from 1-4 p.m., at Superpetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. For more information, call 863-5310.

AJCC classes

Classes for children and adults in art, nature, kindermusik, Spanish, yoga and karate are being offered at the Augusta Jewish Community Center, 898 Weinberger Way, Evans. For more information, call 228-3636.

Farm loans

Loans to socially disadvantaged applicants are available from the Farm Service Agency for applicants to buy and operate family size farms and ranches. For information, contact the Louisville, Ga., Farm Loan Office at (478) 625-7771, extension 102.

Purple Hearts

The CSRA chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart meets on the third Saturday of each month at 3856 Leigh St., Martinez. For more information, call 731-7210.

Depression, bipolar support

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in room 105 of the Walton Building at First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Wheeler Road. For more information, call 722-0010.

Cell-phone recycling

Metro Augusta and Columbia County Clean and Beautiful are collecting old cell phones for recycling. Phones may be dropped off at the Columbia County landfill, Richmond County landfill, Savannah Rapids Pavilion, Evans Government Complex, Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building, Publix on Washington Road in Augusta, and at the Clean and Beautiful office at 418 Greene Street, Augusta.

For more information, call 261-4390.

Mining scholarship

Applications are being accepted for the Georgia Mining Federation's $500 scholarship, which will be awarded to a student at Evans High School. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28. For more information, call Jenny Maas, (478) 757-1211.

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.

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 tree seedlings. 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.

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. 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.

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 elementary schools, and Evans High School.

Recycling bins also are at Wesley United Methodist Church on North Belair Road, Marvin United Methodist Church on Wheeler Road, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church on Pleasant Home Road and at Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

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.

New cookbook

Stevens Creek Elementary School's first cookbook, A Spoonful of Excellence, is available for sale. The book is compiled from more than 400 recipes submitted by the staff members and families, and costs $13. For more information, call Susan Proctor, 863-2489.