News you can use

HOME MAINTENANCE

One of the best things that you can do for your budget in the year ahead is to prevent small maintenance problems from becoming big repair nightmares with bills to match.

• Photos

Chris Thelen/Staff

Tim Koon of Southern Tree Services Inc. in Beaufort, S.C., climbs a tree at Lake Olmstead while being tested to become a certified tree worker. Thursday's event was part of the 2008 CSRA Tree Ornamental and Turf Seminar, held at Julian Smith Casino.

Performing preventive maintenance tasks now will keep your home in tip-top shape and save you lots of money in the long run.

Consider these:

- Repair a leaking roof

- Seal gaps in siding

- Paint bare wood

- Replace damaged decking

- Patch cracks in concrete

- Caulk sinks, tubs and showers

-- Associated Press

TODAY

FRIDAY NIGHT FILMS: 7 p.m., the Columbia County Performing Arts Center, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; Shrek the Third, rated PG; free admission; donations accepted.

LUIS CRUZ AZACETA OPENING RECEPTION AND GALLERY TALK: 6-8 p.m., Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, 506 Telfair St.; $5 for nonmembers; (706) 722-5495, www.ghia.org.

SELF-DEFENSE CLASS FOR WOMEN: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; Toyota of Augusta, 3069 Washington Road; taught by Kim Walker; free; to register, call (706) 396-5114.

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

SATURDAY

AMERICAN RED CROSS BABY-SITTING CLASS: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Columbia County Library, 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans; registration is required through the Red Cross office; cost is $30; call (706) 724-8481.

STUPENDOUS! SATURDAY: GOOD EATS! 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Morris Museum of Art, 1 10th St.; with storyteller and Georgia Public Radio personality Andy Offutt Irwin; create art using fruits, vegetables and Jell-O; free; (706) 724-7501, www.themorris.org.

COMMON GROUNDS COFFEEHOUSE: 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta, 3501 Walton Way Extension; Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold; $12 adults, $8 students; $2 off in advance; (706) 414-6515.

SLIDE SHOW PROGRAM: 3 p.m., second floor of Reese Library at Augusta State University, 2500 Walton Way; photographer and author Robert Arnett will present a program about his travels in India; program complements exhibit of the author's photographs on display through Jan. 29 in the library; (706) 737-1745.

CHRIS THELEN/STAFF
Tim Koon of Southern Tree Services Inc. in Beaufort, S.C., climbs a tree at Lake Olmstead while being tested to become a certified tree worker. Thursday's event was part of the 2008 CSRA Tree Ornamental and Turf Seminar, held at Julian Smith Casino.