Activities and entertainment events scheduled for this week include:
TODAY
Messiah: The Augusta Choral Society will present Messiah and More at 8 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cultural Center, 1301 Greene St. The program will include performances of Messiah, Magnificat and O Magnum Mysterium. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students and $5 for ages 12 and younger. For more information, call 826-4713.
Christmas classic: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, an Augusta State University's Born to Read Literacy Center Patchwork Players presentation, will be performed at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre at Augusta State, 2500 Walton Way. Tickets cost $3.50 and seating is first come, first served. For information, call 733-7043.
Wednesday
Georgia-Carolina Toastmasters: Georgia-Carolina Toastmasters will meet at noon at Famous Dave's, 2821 Washington Road. Learn to improve public speaking skills in a friendly, non threatening environment. For more information, call 854-0090.
Thursday
Christmas in Hopelands: Christmas in Hopelands will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 27 at Hopeland Gardens, off Whiskey Road and Dupree Place in Aiken. There will be walking tours of holiday lights and decorations, tours of the Doll House and Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and a variety of holiday concerts. The event is free. For more information, call (803) 642-7631.
Art after hours: Art After Hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in participating businesses in downtown Aiken. Visual Arts galleries, studios and businesses will remain open after hours for people to browse their exhibits and merchandise. Walking maps will be available. For more information on Art After Hours, call the Rabold Gallery at (803) 641-4405.
HEATING SAFETY TIPS
January and February are the leading months for U.S. home fires and home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Major causes of U.S. home heating fires are:
- Lack of regular cleaning of chimneys in fireplaces and woodstoves
- Placing things that can burn too close to space and portable heaters
- Flaws in design, installation or use
- Leaving portable or space heaters unattended
Today in regional history:
Dec. 14, 1981
Columbia County will not pay Richmond County on a per capita basis for the cost of operating the Augusta Judicial Circuit, the chairman of the Columbia County Commission said Sunday.
Chairman Al Dempsey said that message was contained in a letter, which was sent to Richmond County commission chairman Travis Barnes on Friday.
The letter was in response to one sent by Richmond County stating unless Columbia County paid its share, no employee in the district attorney's office paid with Richmond County funds would be allowed to work in Columbia County after Dec. 31.
Search for more about local history from the pages of The Augusta Chronicle's online archives. Subscribe to www.augustaarchives.com.
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