Sunday, March 22, 2009
Mother's Day Out, Preschool and Private Academic Programs
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is scheduled for Monday through April 3 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Children should register at the elementary school in the designated school zone in which they reside.
Pre-school fun
Ashlyn Joost, 4, relaxes on one of the swings at Wesley United Methodist Church Pre-school and Kindergarten.
Class sizes will increase to offset cuts
To help offset massive spending cuts in the state budget for education, Gov. Sonny Perdue allowed schools to increase the maximum number of students allowed in each class.
ABC's of Preschool
Small Wonders Pre-K pupils Ariana McBride (from left), Jack Transue and McKenzie Diamond peer through a doorway in their classroom.
Pre-K Registration
Prekindergarten registration in Columbia County schools for the 2009-2010 school year begins Monday. Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 to participate in this lottery-funded program.
Parents can begin preparing children for pre-K at home
Children don't have to enter pre-K as readers to be successful.
Pupils with disabilities could get county help
Pre-kindergarten pupils with possible developmental disabilities could be eligible for specialized services offered by Columbia County schools.
Citizens should demand term limits, ability to recall Congress
The March 18 letters to the editor in The News-Times reflect the mood of those I have spoken with throughout the country.
Blacks and whites 'have issues that need to be honestly aired'
Attorney General Eric Holder recently stated that we are a "nation of cowards." I agree, because I fail to hear any real or meaningful dialogue between blacks and whites, and I'm not referring to topics as the recently elected African-American president.
Dancers to bring Narnia to life on Augusta stage
Columbia County Ballet dancers are prepared to retell The Chronicles of Narnia on stage Saturday at the Bell Auditorium.
Bluebirds require specific conditions
As I was walking around my garden the other day, I noticed a bright blue object sitting on a branch in one of my pear trees. It was a male bluebird.
Child advocacy center in need of funding
Like many during the current recession, Dan Hillman needs money. As executive director of Child Enrichment Inc., Hillman depends on donations so the private nonprofit agency can continue providing services to three counties.
Employees must tidy up own areas
Columbia County commissioners decided Tuesday to make county employees responsible for keeping their work spaces clean.
Farming workshop coming to Savannah Rapids Pavilion
Small, beginning and limited-resource farmers are invited to a free one-day workshop held by Team Agriculture Georgia at Savannah Rapids Pavilion on April 2.
Recycle Mania is slated for Saturday
With the switch to digital broadcasting scheduled for June 12, Keep Columbia County Beautiful's bi-annual recycling event will give residents a place to discard their outdated and unwanted televisions.
Police blotter
Harlem's new director of public safety starts Monday. Of 29 applicants, city officials recently chose Jesse Bowman, of Evans, as the director of the Department of Public Safety, City Manager Jean Dove said.
Current events
Augusta Animal Rescue Friends and Heartsong Animal Rescue will hold a spaghetti dinner and raffle 4-8 p.m. Saturday at Mario's (formerly Cutie Pie's) in the Publix shopping center in Evans. For information, call (706) 860-9300.
Adoption showcase
George -- along with John, Paul, and Ringo, all named for the Beatles -- is one of four boxer mix pups abandoned outside Heartsong Clinic. They have been neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed.
Property Transfers
Park Ridge Builders Inc. to Arthur Wright III and Santreda F. Wright, 1603 Sweet Meadow Lane, $188,900.
Time Capsule
As reported 54 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, March 17, 1955:
Vacation photos
Luci and Clay Smith, of Harlem, visited Jurong Bird Park during a trip to Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand.
Divorces
Pamela Pappas Duncan and Abram Odell Duncan, March 13, 2009.
Tax freeze: Ready or not, it's coming
In 2010, Columbia County voters likely will see a referendum to freeze their property taxes. State Rep. Ben Harbin has filed notice to allow a bill that would call for the referendum as part of the 2010 General Election.
Go ahead - break a few silly rules
We all need to challenge ourselves once in a while. Do something different. Go against the rules. OK; let me clarify that one. I'm not talking actual rule rules. Don't go out and rob a bank or steal a car. I'm talking about silly rules.
Editorial cartoon
Editorial cartoon for Sunday, March 22, 2009.
Charles Walker has met the enemy, and it's him
On a personal level, it's hard to dislike Charles Walker. Politically? Hated him. I often wonder about the friendly-guy side of Walker, the former state Senate majority leader jailed at the Estill, S.C., Federal Correctional Institution.
Georgia diver is making a splash
While I admittedly focus most of my time covering football, basketball and baseball, I always try to follow Columbia County natives no matter what the sport.
Gymnastics results
The Level 8 and 9 teams at Hayden's Gymnastics competed in the Charleston Cup on March 6-8 and the National Gymnastics Challenge on March 13-15.
Lions' new athletic director to focus on filling vacancies
Augusta Christian looked within to fill its athletic director opening, and quickly filled it.
Evans falls to Patriots in 3-AAAA
Evans tried everything to figure out Westside pitcher Christian Bragg on Wednesday, including an attempt to swipe home in the final inning. But the Patriots held on to win 2-1 and hand the Knights their second region loss of the season.
Panthers could have shot at state playoffs
The Greenbrier boys lacrosse program honored nine seniors Wednesday prior to its game against county rival Lakeside. Most of the graduating players were there when the Wolfpack started the program in 2007.
Sports calendar
Columbia County Recreation Department is looking for people ages 16 and older to officiate youth baseball and softball games. For information, contact Gary Tam or Jim Mock at (706) 863-7523.
Panthers prevail in battle of unbeatens
First-year Lakeside High School girls soccer coach Nick Edmond gives his team objectives to work toward each week to keep players focused as they roll through their Region 3-AAAA schedule.