In today’s Digest:
🪖 Army cyber training can now fast-track into Augusta University graduate credit
🛠️ A free eight-week construction class leads to a Sept. 8 hiring fair
🦝 A rabid raccoon bit someone at Blanchard Woods Park on Aug. 14
🦪 A James Beard Semifinalist's Oyster Bar in Surrey Center
At 491 Highland Avenue in Surrey Center, Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar is chef-owner Todd Schafer's modern Southern seafood spot. Schafer was a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast.
The polished, comfortable room centers on oysters from the raw bar and an ingredient-driven menu that changes with the season. The restaurant's name comes from the traditional sea shanty "Abel Brown," a fitting nod for a place built around seafood and Southern roots.
Read more here.
🪖 AU Opens College-Credit Path for Army Cyber Training
The Gist: Augusta University and the Army Cyber Center formed a partnership that can convert tactical military courses into graduate-level college credit. The agreement was highlighted during TechNet, which brought military, government, university and cyber-industry leaders to downtown Augusta.
Why It Matters: Service members can turn training they already completed into faster progress toward a degree, strengthening Augusta's pipeline of military and civilian cyber talent.
What's Next: TechNet runs through Aug. 20 in downtown Augusta.
Read more here.
🛠️ Free Trade Program Builds Skills and a Tiny House
The Gist: Construction Ready and the Home Builders Institute are running a free eight-week pre-apprenticeship at Augusta Technical College through Sept. 9. Adult students are building a tiny house while learning carpentry and tool skills, then meeting employers before graduation.
Why It Matters: More Georgians are retiring from the trades than entering them, so the class connects local adults with no-cost training and contractors trying to fill the worker gap.
What's Next: A hiring fair is set for Sept. 8, followed by graduation and expected job-placement announcements Sept. 9.
Read more here.
🦝 Rabid Raccoon Confirmed at Blanchard Woods Park
The Gist: A raccoon that bit someone Aug. 14 at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans tested positive for rabies. Columbia County Animal Services captured the animal, officials confirmed the result Wednesday, and the bite victim has started rabies treatment.
Why It Matters: The confirmed exposure at a popular park is a direct reminder to keep children and pets away from wild animals and keep pet vaccinations current.
What's Next: Any contact between a person or pet and a wild animal should be reported to the Columbia County Health Department or Animal Services.
Read more here.
🏍️ Nitro Circus 2.0 | SRP Park | North Augusta | Friday, August 21, 7:00 PM | More FMX, BMX, scooters, and a flaming-wall backflip take over the ballpark.
🪗 Family Fun Day | Augusta Museum of History | Augusta | Saturday, August 22, 1:00-3:00 PM | More Accordion music, loom crafts, and old-school games fill this free indoor afternoon.
🎨 Arts Alive! | Aiken Center for the Arts | Aiken | Saturday, August 22, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM | More Live music, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, and artist demos, all free.
💧 Lil Waders: Water Wonders | Reed Creek Nature Park & Interpretive Center | Martinez | Tuesday, August 25, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | More Ages 2-5 explore water through messy nature play; registration is required.
🚒 Storytime with Lookout Lucky | Harlem Library | Harlem | Wednesday, August 26, 10:30-11:15 AM | More Songs and crafts help children learn burn safety with Lookout Lucky.
🪕 Aiken Bluegrass Series | Stable View | Aiken | Saturday, August 22, 4:00-9:00 PM | More Three bluegrass bands, food, beer, and wine set the stage at Stable View.
🖼️ Free Sundays at the Morris | Morris Museum of Art | Augusta | Sunday, August 23, 12:00-5:00 PM | More Browse Southern art and current exhibitions with free admission all afternoon.
🎶 Candlelight Music: 824 Experience | Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds | Augusta | Sunday, August 23, admission 6:00 PM, concert 7:30 PM | More Blues, funk, Motown, and R&B fill an outdoor Sunday-night concert.
📖 The Wild Pages Book Club | Reed Creek Nature Park & Interpretive Center | Martinez | Tuesday, August 25, 6:30-8:00 PM | More
Trace two botanists' groundbreaking Grand Canyon expedition in this free discussion.
✏️ Cat Scratch Art Nights | Le Chat Noir | Augusta | Wednesday, August 26, 7:00-9:00 PM | More Sketch a live model with music and cocktails at Augusta's black-box theater.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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