Sunday, March 15, 2009
Columbia County's Artists' Guild hopes for community support
On behalf of the Columbia County Arts Council, our sincere appreciation for The News-Times' March 11 story on our membership drive.
Recycling event puts focus on electronics
Now is a good time to clean out the attic, garage and storage shed as spring looms around the corner. When spring cleaning, be sure to set aside recyclable materials to take to the county's electronic Recycle Mania event on March 28.
Faculty produces last show before split with Grovetown
When Grovetown High School opens in August, Harlem High will lose many of its students and staff. Harlem High theater teacher Roy Lewis chose to say goodbye with a classic Southern dramedy.
Evans Kroger shortens hours
There is now one less option for those who prefer to do their grocery shopping in Columbia County in the wee hours of the morning.
Seminar to promote proper care for colon
Residents can take steps to guard against cancer Thursday when University Heath Care System holds two events in Columbia County.
Officials eliminate 100 district jobs
Columbia County school officials eliminated nearly 100 jobs Tuesday.
Library brings in author, balloons for celebration
Guests can meet an award-winning author and check out the Memorial Garden's new amenities next weekend during a two-day celebration at the Columbia County Library.
Increase amount, quality of fruit by attracting bees to your garden
One of the biggest complaints I hear each year is the reduced number of bees or no bees in the garden.
Ceramics class allows seniors to be artistic
When Emma Alvey completes a ceramic piece at the Columbia County Senior Center, she rarely keeps the artwork for herself. "You give it as a gift," the Martinez resident said. "People appreciate it more than getting a store-bought gift.
Search goes on for new director
Interviews with potential new executive directors of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce start Monday.
Police blotter
The district attorney's office filed a criminal accusation Wednesday against an Evans man accused of killing a kindergarten teacher in July with his sport utility vehicle as she walked along Mullikin Road.
Vacation photos
Bill and Marcia DeHaven took an eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas during the last week of January.
Adoption spotlight
CSRA Happy Tails Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit, licensed dog and cat rescue group. Adoptions are held each Saturday and Sunday at SuperPetz on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez from 1-4 p.m., with special cat adoptions each Friday in March.
Marriage licenses
Russ Albert Hernandez and Debora Jean Barlow Tector applied for a marriage license on Feb. 23, 2009, and were married Feb. 23, 2009, in Evans.
Newsmakers
River Ridge Elementary held their "Jump Rope for Heart" event on Feb. 12 with more than 150 first- through fifth-graders raising $6,000 for the American Heart Association.
School lunches
Lunch menus for students attending Columbia County schools.
School councils
- The Stevens Creek Elementary School council will meet Wednesday.
Newsmakers
Shane's Rib Shack franchise owners Billy Bragg, Kellie Johnson and Chad Holton were joined by Shane Thompson, the founder and president of Shane's Rib Shack, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its first anniversary on Washington Road in Evans.
Newsmakers
Grovetown City Council member Bruce Stoddard received the Certificates of Recognition and Achievement from the Georgia Municipal Training Institute at the Georgia Municipal Association's Annual Mayors' Day Conference in Atlanta on Jan. 25.
Class reunions
The Hephzibah High School class of 1979 is planning a 30th reunion. For information, e-mail Cleon Lucas at hephzibahclass79@yahoo.com.
Current events
American Legion Post 192 in Evans, off Owens Road, will hold a St. Patrick's Day dinner at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Plates cost $7. Tickets are available at the door or in advance by calling (706) 863-7249.
Dogwood Spay/Neuter Clinic opens
Donna Evans, the executive director of the Columbia County Humane Society, cuts a ribbon with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce to open the Dogwood Spay/Neuter Clinic on Columbia Road in Appling.
Property transfers
Mark A. Davies to Cynthia C. Shipes and Ivy Lynn Shipes, 6 Plantation Hills Drive, $266,500.
Newsmakers
Evans Middle School eighth-graders Jeremy Clements (left) and Dale Usry created a display about Ted Turner for the National History Project, a national project by The History Channel with more than 500,000 participants.
Grand opening
Officials from Weinberger's Furniture and Mattress Showcase joined with Columbia and Richmond county officials to cut a ribbon Tuesday to celebrate the remodeling of their store at Washington and Furys Ferry roads. The renovated store includes a new office furniture gallery.
Divorces
Yarelis A. Palmisano and Adam Tyler Palmisano, Feb. 27, 2009.
Irish lessons for modern America
In 1848, my Irish ancestor spent every day begging the captains of ships until, finally, one of them offered to let great-granddaddy sail to America if he would agree to work on the ship without pay.
Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Sunday, March 15, 2009.
Don't pin scrap trailers on Grovetown
Last year when the Columbia County Board of Education voted to name the county's newest school Grovetown High School, city of Grovetown officials were elated - even though the school is outside the city limits.
Yo-yo justice comes to end
So, about 15 seconds after my Wednesday column hit the press, word came that Georgia lawmakers were backing off a plan to renew the sales tax on groceries, and that the sponsor of education "vouchers" was removing his bill from consideration.
Sports calendar
Marshall Family Y is holding registration until March 30 for boys and girls ages 9-15. A free clinic will be held Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Augusta Jewish Community Center at 898 Weinberger Way.
Evans splits two region matchups
Knowing the road ahead for his Evans High School baseball team, Knights coach Ricky Beale was pleased with its start in region play. The Knights opened their Region 3-AAAA schedule by beating county rival Lakeside 5-3 at home.
County players get chance to shine
The college baseball season is in full swing, and I have tried to keep readers updated on some of the top Columbia County products playing at the next level.
Lady Jaguars to play in charity event
Tom Sorrells has come up with an interesting twist to the typical charity golf tournament. Teams participating in Thursday's tournament at Bartram Trail will be pitted against the Augusta State women's golf team in a modified scramble format.
Harlem ace picks Brewton-Parker
Brewton-Parker College assistant baseball coach Joey Russell said the Barons' first-year coaching staff was looking for players with room to grow and pitchers who threw strikes.