SAVING ENERGY

There are many ways to conserve energy in your home:

- Replace your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights. Compact fluorescent bulbs use only a third as much electricity as a standard incandescent bulb.

- Replace outdoor lighting with a motion detector-equipped bulb or fixture. Outdoor lights that are left on all night can add unnecessary waste of energy and disturb wildlife.

Hot water shouldn't be a drain on your wallet. More than 10 percent of your energy bill goes to heating water for your dishwasher, shower, and faucets. You can cut this energy use, and your energy bill, by implementing these easy steps:

- Lower your hot water heater to 120 degrees and drain any sediment.

- Add insulation to your hot water heater.

- Install a low-flow shower head.

Source: Sierra Club

TODAY

EUCHEE CREEK STORY TIME: 10:30-11:15 a.m., Euchee Creek Library, 5907 Euchee Creek Drive, Grovetown; free.

MARVIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CLOTHES CLOSET: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church at Wheeler and Belair roads; donations are accepted on the first day of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ROTARY CLUB OF COLUMBIA COUNTY: 7 a.m., Brandon Wilde Clubhouse; call President Lee Clark at (706) 863-2000.

2008 BROWN BAG HISTORY SERIES: 12:30 p.m., Augusta Museum of History; Alethia Bigbie Nowell will present a lecture on the close relationship between the University of Georgia and the Academy of Richmond County from the time Franklin College was chartered in 1785 to the present; free to members, $3 for others. Participants should bring a lunch; the museum provides beverages and dessert; (706) 722-8454 or www.augustamuseum.org.

AUGUSTA HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING: 9 a.m., boardroom, J. Madden Reid Administrative Building, 1435 Walton Way; (706) 312-3158.

THURSDAY

SAND HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING: 5:30 p.m., Sand Hills Community Center, Wheeler Road; with Rob Sherman.

MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART STORY TIME: 4-5 p.m., Columbia County Library, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; story time and crafts based on the art of John Baeder; free; registration required; call (706) 863-1946 and choose option 3.

SPORTING PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSION: 6 p.m., Savannah Rapids Pavilion; the University of Georgia Extension Service sponsors a clay pigeon target sporting program for pupils in grades 7-12; www.ugaextension.com/columbia.

IAAP MEETING: 5:30 p.m., Building A conference room, Columbia County Government Complex, Evans; monthly meeting of the Evans Towne Center Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals; Beda Johnson, the executive director of the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau, will be the speaker; call Rebecca Hicks at (706) 312-7512.

FENCING CLASS: Beginning foil fencing class for ages 14 and older, 6 p.m.; Augusta Fencers Club, 134 Ninth St.; 10-week course $150 with competitive gear provided; (706) 722-8878, www.augusta fencers.com.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY KICKOFF: 6 p.m., Simmons Hall at Warren Baptist Church; volunteers can join in with the kickoff of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life; (706) 731-9900.

MARTINEZ-EVANS OPTIMIST CLUB MEETING: Noon, Jones Creek Clubhouse; (706) 830-5730.

OPENING RECEPTION FOR PAINTINGS FROM GASCOGNE: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Cultural Center, 1301 Greene St.; (706) 826-4700.

TODDLER THURSDAY: WHAT IS SCULPTURE?: 10 a.m., Morris Museum of Art, 1 10th St.; learn the difference between two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects, create a colorful abstract sculpture; for children 5 and younger; members free, $4 for others; no charge for chaperones and parents; register by calling (706) 828-3867.

LYNX HOCKEY: Florida Everblades 7:05 p.m. Thursday and Friday; James Brown Arena, 601 Seventh St.; www.augustalynx.com.