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SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

Summer is a great time for biking, but children need to follow safety rules for an accident-free season.

• Photos

Annette M. Drowlette/Staff

Rachel Hedgepeth (left), 11, and Amber Davis, 10, work on assembling a sweeper during the Lego camp held at Augusta State University as part of the Kid's University in Augusta. Camps at Augusta State are held for one, two and six weeks until the end of July.

- Wear a bicycle helmet on every ride. Check to see whether your helmet should have a safety certification.

- Ride so drivers and cyclists can see you.

- Look both ways for oncoming vehicles before turning or crossing a street. Go only when it is clear.

- Watch out for potholes, cracks, rocks, wet leaves, storm grates, railroad tracks or anything that could make you lose control of your bike.

- Make sure your bike fits your height, weight and age.

- Inflate tires properly.

- Check brakes before riding.

- Bikers should ride behind one another and with the flow of traffic.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide

AROUND TOWN

TODAY

GEORGIA-CAROLINA TOASTMASTERS: Noon, The Cotton Patch, 816 Cotton Lane; (803) 593-6605

THEOLOGY ON TAP: 7 p.m., Beamie's at the River, 865 Reynolds St.

ART AT LUNCH: The Arts of Poetry and Painting, noon Friday; Morris Museum of Art, 1 10th St.; Aiken poet Michael Lythgoe will read a selection of his poems written in response to visual art; $10 members, $13 others; lunch buffet by Washington Hall Catering; lunch reservations required by today; (706) 724-7501

THURSDAY

BOARD OF DISABILITIES: 7 p.m., Aiken County Board of Disabilities monthly meeting, 1016 Vaucluse Road; (803) 642-8800

FRENCH CLUB: 7 p.m., Borders Books Music & Cafe, 257 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway; (706) 737-6962

HARMONY RIVER CHORUS OF SWEET ADELINES INTERNATIONAL: 7 p.m., Church of Christ, 600 Martintown Road, North Augusta; open rehearsals; call Mary Norman, (803) 279-6499

IDOL SHOWCASE: 7 p.m., Maude Edenfield Park, behind North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Drive; part of the Music in the Park series; if it rains, concert will be in the community center; (803) 442-7588

SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING: 8 p.m. through Saturday and June 15-16; 3 p.m. Sunday and June 17; Bartow Community Center, 1138 Academy Circle, Bartow, Ga.; $10 adults, $5 children; (478) 364-3340

JOINT EFFORTS: 11-11:45 a.m. Thursdays; Augusta Orthopedic Clinic, 1521 Anthony Road; seminar on hip and knee pain, tips for treatment, medicine, food, exercise; (706) 481-7604

A HARD DAY'S NIGHT: 8 p.m., Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St., part of the Thirsty Thursday Rock & Roll Movies series presented by Cotton Patch; screening of the 1964 musical comedy starring the Beatles; $2; $1 for wristband to drink; (706) 722-8341