Thursday, March 6, 2008
School rezoning 'wouldn't have to be so hard if it's done intelligently'
The cavalier approach by the writer in The Columbia County News-Times in the editorial, "Rezoning doesn't have to be so hard," distresses and angers me. It's easy to be flippant when decisions don't affect you.
Rotary prepares events for annual Spring Fling
The first day of spring won't arrive until March 20, but members of the Martinez-Evans Rotary Club are starting early with their annual Spring Fling event.
Heggie's Rock tours fill up
Spots on scheduled tours of one of Columbia County's most unusual landmarks already have been filled. The Nature Conservancy conducts two sets of four tours of Heggie's Rock in Appling during the fall and spring. The spring set is scheduled to begin Saturday.
Teens can get help with anger
When teens get angry, it is not unusual for them to yell, scream or slam doors. Ingrid Zamecnik wants to show them better ways to handle it. Zamecnik is holding an anger management workshop -- "Why I am so ticked off?" -- at 10 a.m. Saturday at Advent Lutheran Church.
Sunrise Grill celebrates serving 1 millionth egg
Brock Poole didn't eat an ordinary egg for breakfast Saturday morning. Poole consumed the 1 millionth egg served at Sunrise Grill in West Town Market Square in Martinez.
Children's theater to present 2 plays
Two upcoming musicals by the Children's Musical Theatre Ensemble aim to please both children and adults. "Little kids get a kick out of it; adults get a kick out of it," said Mickey Lubeck, the director of the ensemble. "I try to make it exciting for everybody."
Grocery store plans to hold free art fair
With spring approaching, a grocery store in Martinez intends to switch seasons with an artistic flair. Earth Fare is pairing up with the Greater Augusta Arts Council to hold its inaugural Spring Into Art Fair from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday.
Can alcohol draw business? City restaurateurs want to find out
Harlem restaurateurs might soon add beer and wine to their menus. City officials are considering a measure that would allow city restaurants to serve alcohol.
Semiannual electronics event will include glass
Columbia County is expanding its semiannual electronics recycling event to include glass products. Electronics and glass will be accepted from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday during the event in the parking lot of the Government Complex on Ronald Reagan Drive in Evans.
Bands will battle in event at Lakeside
Audio war will be waged Saturday at the Lakeside High School Battle of the Bands.
Elimination round reduces field trying for scholarships
Lydia Hicks had been entered in the Make Kids Count contest once before, but she was nowhere near as lucky as she has been this time. "I have a better chance at winning the $10,000 now," said the 9-year-old from Beech Island. "I was one of 700 or so, and now I'm one of two."
Dr. Seuss' birthday event
Hannah Lewis, 6, of Harlem, participates in an egg race during Sylvan Learning Center's celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday on Saturday.
USC beats Ga. Southern in soccer
Kacie Brewer from the University of South Carolina tries to score a goal past Georgia Southern's goalie, Lauren Santos. The Gamecocks beat the Eagles 3-0 Saturday at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans. The game was hosted by the Columbia County Patriots.
Vacation photo
Mike and Sue Milford visited the Holy Land from Nov. 29 to Dec. 8. They took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, were baptized in the Jordan River, floated in the Dead Sea, visited the Nativity in Bethlehem and toured the city of Jerusalem.
Adoption spotlight
This 1- to 2-year-old lab mix is full of youthful energy. She is available for adoption from Columbia County Animal Care and Control. For more information, call (706) 541-4077 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov and follow the links to Animal Care and Control.
Current events
Millie Rogers, president of the Georgia State Federation of Republican Women, will be the speaker at 6 p.m. Thursday at the meeting of the Greater Columbia County Republican Women at the Jones Creek Club House.
Police blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports provided by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Additional reports are available at www.columbiacountyso.org:
Looking great in comparison
The annual, week-long festival of Columbia County schools tripping over themselves to see who can bestow the most gifts and trinkets on their school board members in hopes that, come budget time, the board members will share a few taxpayer-funded goodies with them, is here.
STAR choice 'offers all a teacher can'
When the question, "What is your intended major?" arises, and I've grown accustomed to the usual response of surprise or distaste when I answer, "math." However, rarely does the topic of math hold a friend's interest long enough to elaborate on the reason that I so firmly make this statement.
Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Wednesday, March 5, 2008.
Setting priorities is a tough business
After Columbia County commissioners presented their priorities for 2008, we asked readers to provide feedback on what they believe the county's priorities should be. We got an earful. Commissioners need to hear it, too.
Sports Calendar
The GreenJackets 12-under travel baseball team is looking for players who will not turn 13 before May 1. Pitching is a plus. For information, call Keith Barden at (706) 210-1039 or (706) 589-1039.
Bulldogs top Panthers, 7-2
Harlem opened its season nicely, and then found out why its opening schedule is so tough. The Bulldogs, playing Lakeside in a game rescheduled because of cold weather, beat the Panthers 7-2 on Thursday to open the season.
Wolfpack surprises coach with patience
After Greenbrier's first win by the 10-run mercy rule this season, coach Rodney Holder didn't have much of an explanation for his team's patience at the plate.
Athlete Spotlight: Jeffrey Rice
Jeffrey Rice suffered what, in the professional ranks, is often considered a career death sentence. Evans High School's football team was on its way to a win against Statesboro and a 6-0 start, but Rice, a Knights defensive back, wouldn't finish the game.
Another Jacket gets early buzz
In my Sunday column I profiled the hot start of former Greenbrier High School standout Jeff Rowland. He has helped lead Georgia Tech to a 7-1 start this season.
Voldness aids Evans in win over Trojans
The limelight rarely shines on the No. 9 hitter, but Eric Voldness was called on to explain his game-winning hit after 3 1/2 hours of baseball Friday.