News you can use

This week's events include:

TODAY

Augusta Tech play: The play Be More Than Hips will be presented by Augusta Mini Theatre at 3 and 8 p.m. at the Jack B. Patrick Technology Center at Augusta Technical College, 3200 Augusta Tech Drive. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for students and $8 for youth groups. Call 722-0598 for more information.

MONDAY

CSRA writers: The CSRA Writers will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1336 Augusta West Parkway. For more information, call 738-4114.

TUESDAY

Historical society: Beech Island Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. at 144 Old Jackson Highway. The program will feature Gordon Farmer, the owner of Augusta Concrete Block Co. in North Augusta, who will speak about the town of Hamburg and the railroad. Refreshments will be served. Call 867-3600 for more information.

Rose Society: The Augusta Rose Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the Adult Building at First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way Extension. Call 737-0486 for more information.

Book signing: Scott A. Johnson will sign copies of his new book, The Mayor's Guide: The Stately Ghosts of Augusta, at 5 p.m. and give a talk at 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cultural Center, 1301 Green St. Call 738-0354 for more information.

FIRE SAFETY

Fire officials typically warn people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors in April and October, when they adjust their clocks.

But Sgt. David Turno of the Aiken Department of Public Safety recommends taking extra precautions.

With spring nearing, people will be outdoors more often and should be careful when burning trash, he said. Keeping a water hose or fire extinguisher nearby is a good idea.

He also recommended keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and bedrooms. Other recommendations:

- Press the test button on your smoke detectors monthly.

- Check electrical connections on smoke detectors; some in newer homes are hard-wired in addition to battery-powered.

- Have fire escape plans prepared and practice them.

"They do it in schools all the time," Sgt. Turno said. But "schools aren't where we typically have fires and have people trapped."

Among the most common causes of house fires:

- Stoves and burners left unattended in the kitchen

- Clogged lint filters on clothing dryers

- Clothing or other items laid atop space heaters

- Extension cords or wiring underneath carpeting

- Unattended cigarettes

Today in regional history:

JAN. 15, 1980

WAYNESBORO - Two nuclear reactors have completed a monthlong journey by sea and land, arriving at the east Georgia site where they are to be installed during the 1980s, Georgia Power Co. officials said Monday.

The two units, which are to be Installed at Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle here, are to go into operation in 1984 and 1987.

The two 355-ton reactor vessels began the journey at Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 11, traveling by barge in the Tennessee River to Cairo, Ill.

Source: Sgt. David Turno, Aiken Department of Public Safety