Activities and entertainment events include:

WEDNESDAY

EUCHEE CREEK STORY TIME: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Euchee Creek Library, 5907 Euchee Creek Drive, Grovetown; free; (706) 556-0594

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR new Augusta commissioners: 1 p.m., eighth floor, Municipal Building, 530 Greene St.

AUGUSTA COMMISSION MEETING: 2 p.m., eighth floor, Municipal Building, 530 Greene St.

THURSDAY

COLUMBIA COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m., Evans Government Center Auditorium; (706) 868-3379

HOSPITAL TOUR: 7-8:30 p.m., Doctors Hospital, 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle, Education Classroom, Medical Office Building I, third floor, Suite 309; a tour of the obstetrical department; registration required; (706) 651-2229 or www.doctors-hospital.net

SIGN LANGUAGE COURSE: Eight-week sign language course for beginners; offered by University Health Care System; (706) 774-8559

SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, 17 and 24; 6-7 p.m. Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29; University Hospital cafeteria; free; sponsored by the American Cancer Society, with University Hospital instructors

FRIDAY

FRIDAY NIGHT FILMS: 7 p.m., Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; Charlotte's Web, rated G, will be shown; admission is free, but donations will be accepted; (706) 312-7194

FEELIN' GREAT IN 2008: 5-10 p.m., centered on 10th and Broad streets; with artists, vendors, live entertainment; 6 p.m. Electric Voodoo Blues Revue, 7:15 p.m. Sound Equation; 8:30 p.m.; presented by the Augusta Arts Council; free; www.augustaarts.com

SATURDAY

MONOPOLY TOURNAMENT: 8:30 a.m. registration, 9:30 a.m. player check-in, 10 a.m. tournament; The Fermata Club, 841 Whiskey Road, Aiken; registration required; (803) 215-7630, chuckfoster@bellsouth.net

HOME SAFTEY

The best home resolution you can make in the New Year is to make your home safer for your family.

Check to make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are properly installed and in good working order. Test them regularly.

Check major appliances for proper operation.

Fuel-burning appliances should be properly vented to the exterior, and gas connections should be checked for leaks.

Make sure that your electrical system is safe and in good working order.

Flickering lights, burned fuses and popping breakers are signs of a problem.

Make sure handrails, grab bars and other safety devices are properly anchored.

Consider hiring a home inspector for a more thorough report.

-- Associated Press