Augusta Locally Grown has been recognized by Bank of America as a Neighborhood Champion for providing access to healthy food and nutrition education.

The nonprofit organization is receiving a $50,000 grant over two years, which will support the opening of a new Agricultural Innovation and Education Center where it can expand current programming and improve services.

Augusta Locally Grown supports small farms and gardeners by making their all-natural, locally-grown, sustainably-grown fresh foods available for sale in the local community.

Pictured front row, from left: Diane Kerekanich, Augusta Locally Grown development director; Rebecca van Loenen, Augusta Locally Grown executive director; and Marissa Smith, Bank of America Aiken/Augusta senior vice president. Back row: Mick Ankrom, Bank of America Aiken/Augusta executive market sponsor and global compliance and operational risk executive; Ora Parish, Bank of America Aiken/Augusta president.

Augusta Symphony will continue the celebration of its 70th anniversary season with its gala, A Night at the Opera, on Saturday, January 25.

From Rossini to Puccini, librettos will be presented by acclaimed opera performers Indra Thomas, Timothi Williams, Gennard Lombardozzi, Jeremiah Sanders and Sarah Lawrence, who will serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

The black-tie affair begins at 6:30 p.m. with champagne, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Conducted by Maestro Dirk Meyer, the performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

Afterward, concert-goers are invited to stay for an open bar, coffee and desserts at the Encore Gala Celebration. In addition, they can dance the night away in the Knox Music Institute and continue the fun with photo opportunities and other activities in the arcade and theater.

As the sole fundraising event of the year, the gala plays a vital role in sustaining the Symphony’s mission.

All tickets, which range in price from $145 to $200, include tiered seating, light hors d’oeuvres, the Encore Gala Celebration, dessert and coffee, and a commemorative program.

A pre-concert VIP reception will feature live music, an artist meet and greet, heavy hors d’oeuvres, food stations, open bar, specialty cocktails and valet parking.

For more information, visit augustasymphony.com.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get fit (and really, who doesn’t have that on their to-do list?), then a good way to get started is to run in a 5K or 10K like a gator is chasing after you.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park will hold its Later Gator 5K/10K Race in its natural ecosystem from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, January 25. Medals and shirts will be available while the supply lasts.

Group rates are available for 10-plus runners, and ages 9 and under can run the 5K for free if they are accompanied by an adult who is registered for the race.

Costs vary per age group and race. For more information, visit phinizycenter.com.

Helms College has been named one of the top culinary schools in the United States in the 2025 Niche.com rankings.

Ranked No. 8 nationally, Helms College now stands as the premier culinary institution in Georgia and one of the most respected in the Southeast.

At Helms College, students experience hands-on training that transforms classroom theories into practical skills in area dining and event locations.

The local community raised $255,612 for Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Children’s Miracle Network hospital, in its 24th annual iHeart Media Cares for Kids Radiothon in December.

During the event, iHeart Media donated the 72 hours of airtime to the cause while three of its radio stations – WBBQ 104.3, 96.3 Kiss FM, and 105.7 The Bull – and WRDW News 12/NBC 26 broadcast live from the hospital.

In addition, some of the patients who have been treated at the hospital shared their stories with DJs and reporters throughout the event.

“The children’s hospital could not survive without the support of the community. I’m just so grateful for everyone’s support,” says Dr. Valera Hudson, pediatrician-in-chief of Wellstar Children’s. “No children’s hospital thrives without philanthropy; 100% of the money that’s raised is used directly to help the children we take care of here. All of the funds stay right here at the Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia.”

Proceeds from Radiothon finance summer camp experiences for children. The fundraiser also allows for purchases of comfort items like Zaky Hugs, which mimics the warmth and security of a parent’s touch for babies in the NICU; red wagons to transport young patients around the hospital; and sensory toys for children with autism.

It’s time for ice skating and light displays, fair food concessions and a fire pit.

Get ready to lace up those skates — nothing says holiday fun like spending time on the ice. Kicking off its seventh year, Evans On Ice will open this year’s season on Thursday, November 14 at Evans Towne Center Park and run daily through Monday, January 20.

“I think people are going to want to do something to bring the family together and have a little  bit of normalcy this year,” says Mike Boerner, who co-owns Evans On Ice with his wife, Christine.

When school is in session, hours of operation will be 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Friday, noon until 10 p.m. Saturday and noon until 9 p.m. Sunday. Hours will be noon until 10 p.m. every day, including holidays, when school is out.

Tickets, which include skate rentals and unlimited rink time, are $14 on weekdays and $17 on weekends and holidays. Season passes cost $140 per person, but avid skaters should get them early. “We sell out of season passes every year,” Boerner says.

In addition, Evans On Ice will hold special hours for homeschooled students from 10 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, November 19; Friday, December 6; Tuesday, December 17 and Thursday, January 9.

For those who are new to skating, Evans On Ice will offer a four-lesson package for $100. The 30-minute lessons will begin at 9 a.m. on four Saturdays – November 16 and 23 and December 7 and 14. The student to instructor ratio is 8:1, and sessions cover the fundamentals of ice skating.

A tent with seating for 24 guests also will be available to rent for private parties in two-hour time slots. Hosts must provide their own food and beverages, and ice skating tickets are not included in the tent rental.

If all the action works up your appetite, Evans On Ice will offer fair food concessions such as hamburgers, hot dogs and fries – with a twist this year.

“We will have a permanent food truck onsite, and we’re going to build the rink around it this year,” Boerner says.

A fire pit, where families can roast marshmallows, will operate on weekends and holidays.

For more information, visit evansonice.com.

Photos courtesy of Kraft Visual Productions and Christina Lieu Photography