All signs point to Masters week

For Columbia County residents, there are a handful of signs that it's time for our area's biggest week:

- Club Car, the county's biggest private employer, begins displaying its golf cars in front of local businesses.

- Orange-jumpsuited inmates from the county jail get more time cleaning up the roadsides.

- Lawn- and house-cleaning services are totally booked.

It's Masters Week, and it almost seems like the start of daylight savings time was designed to take full advantage of the beauty of the Augusta National.

This also is spring break for area schools, and many in our community use the holiday to take a vacation and rent their homes to Masters guests.

For those of us still here, and to our guests, a few suggestions:

- Traffic on Washington Road really is as bad as everyone says it is, and sometimes it's even worse. If you are headed to the course, go very early or comfortably late and you'll be fine.

- Restaurants are very crowded, especially near the National. But many eateries far from the gates, especially non-chain restaurants, actually see a dip in business as regulars shy away from anticipated crowds. Don't let the prospect of waiting in line scare you off -- especially when there may be no line at all.

- Be patient. Whether the lines are in traffic or at a restaurant, it's all just part of Masters week. Traffic and lines are a good indication that our community's biggest event is here.

So whether you're staying in town this week, or just visiting, we hope the weather cooperates and the tournament is a good one. All signs certainly point to another great week!