Happy Tuesday, Augusta. In today’s edition: Jane Austen 250th birthday tea party, firefighters’ Christmas shopping for Dream Academy kids, Christmas festival with Santa, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Downtown landmark reimagined: Augusta’s 50-year-old Ramada is being transformed into The Conroy, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel reopening in February 2027 with 176 rooms, expanded meeting space, and an I. M. Pei pedigree — get all the details.

Hands-on learning takes flight: Students at Richmond County Technical Magnet School marked a milestone, launching their 500th non-kit rocket at Thompson Farm with Augusta Fire Department support. The aerospace program began in 2014 — read the full story.

Local generosity sparks hope: Columbia County firefighters treated kids from the shuttered Dream Academy to $250 shopping sprees, reuniting students and teachers after June’s funding halt, with book sale proceeds aimed at reopening — learn how you can help.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Help restore Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
• Celebrate at a Christmas festival with Santa
• Experience Lil Woody’s I Don’t Recall tour
• Enjoy holiday opera and woodland dinner
• Groove with Augusta’s soulful Christmas quartet
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Historic theater spotlights cinema: The Miller Theater in downtown Augusta announced its 2026 Movies at the Miller lineup. Expect free, family-friendly monthly screenings like E.T., Matilda, Aladdin, and Mamma Mia. Seats are free but limited, so reserve tickets with the theater now to lock in your spot for next year’s flicks. See what’s planned for 2026.

Fresh foes and rivalries: Augusta University’s 47-game 2026 baseball slate is set. The Jags open Jan. 30 hosting Saint Leo, then start Peach Belt play Feb. 13 at Claflin. Circle March 25 for the rivalry vs USC Aiken at SRP Park (6:35 pm). Middle Georgia joins the league, and the PBC tourney is the first week of May. See key dates and opponents.

Movie night, upgraded: Sink into fully reclining reserved seats at Riverwatch Cinemas while the GTX screen and Dolby Atmos take over. Catch Flashback Cinema classics and the occasional Mystery Movie Monday, a low-effort way to turn an ordinary weeknight into something a little special.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

☕ Jane Austen 250th Birthday Celebration Tea Party @ Nancy Carson Library | Tuesday (12/16) at 4:30pm – Raise a teacup to Jane Austen turning 250, and indulge in snacks, Austen-themed trivia, and prizes with fellow devotees of wit, romance, and properly scathing side-eye. Dress in your Regency best if you fancy, or just bring your sharpest retorts and enjoy.

🎄 Charlie Brown Christmas Party @ Jeff Maxwell Branch Library | Wednesday (12/17) at 10:00am – Kids ages 3 and up watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, then dive into holiday crafts, so your nostalgia gets a co-star. Expect Snoopy-level energy, Vince Guaraldi vibes, and glitter everywhere, but in a charming, we’ll-find-it-in-July way.

🎪 Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland @ Miller Theater | Wednesday (12/17) at 7:00pm – Skip the mall pandemonium and watch professionals defy gravity to your favorite carols. Cirque Musica serves jaw-dropping acrobatics, soaring aerials, and holiday goosebumps for all ages, plus a limited VIP peek behind the curtain to meet the cast, play with props, and snag prime seats.

🎬 Documentary Premiere – Murder in Monaco @ Miller Theater | Friday (12/19) at 6:30pm – Trade your true crime podcast for the big screen at the in-person premiere of Murder in Monaco, a sleek documentary where secrets stop whispering and start talking. Expect high society, low morals, and a twist that pairs nicely with a glass of red.

🏊 Dive-In Movie @ The Salvation Army Kroc Center | Friday (12/19) at 6:30pm – Grab a pool noodle and your dignity, and drift through How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the Kroc Center’s toasty indoor pool. It’s B.Y.O.F., gentle splash zone, and rumor of a Whoville cameo. Reserve your float at augustakroc.org, then practice your best Cindy-Lou Who.

This weekend

🎅 2nd Annual Christmas Festival w/ Santa @ Bernie Ward Community Center | Saturday (12/20) at 1:00pm – Skip the mall madness and let the kids meet the real boss in red at this hometown Christmas fest. Photos and story time with Santa, musical chairs with Mrs. Claus, a toy giveaway, and local vendors, all the charm, none of the parking lot meltdowns.

✂️ Holiday Crafty: Make or Take @ Appleby Branch Library | Saturday (12/20) at 1:30pm – Appleby is turning into a low-stress holiday workshop, inviting you to make a simple craft on-site or snag a take-home kit while supplies last. Best for ages 6 and up, and yes, there will be scissors, glue, and glitter you will still find in July.

👑 Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen @ Sacred Heart Cultural Center | Saturday (12/20) at 6:30pm – Ready to trade barroom karaoke for Bohemian Rhapsody by candlelight? A string quartet takes on Queen in Sacred Heart’s soaring Great Hall, all charm, nostalgia, and goosebumps, the good kind. Come hum along like a grown-up, then brag about the acoustics.

🎼 Holiday Opera And Dinner @ Back To Nature Garden Center | Saturday (12/20) at 7:00pm – Ready to trade mall music for the real thing? Soprano Markela Dandy fills Back to Nature’s forest venue with holiday classics, a bonfire, twinkling lights, and an intimate hush. Go show only or add dinner with tea sandwiches, soup, and hot cider, tickets are limited.

🏠 Gingerbread Library Contest @ Nancy Carson Library | Sunday (12/21) at 10 am – Swap books for baked goods and build your own gingerbread library masterpiece. Entries go on display over the weekend before judges crown the sweetest creation on Monday. It’s a deliciously wholesome family activity—just try not to eat the architecture before drop-off.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Adult Spelling Bee @ Friedman Branch Library – 10 am
• 12/17 Santa Claus @ Top Dawg Tavern – 6 pm
• 12/17 Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland @ Miller Theater – 7 pm
• 12/18 Open Mic Night @ The Fox’s Lair – 8 pm
• 12/19 Trivia @ Top Dawg Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/20 Lil Woody I Don’t Recall Comedy Tour @ The Scene – 7 pm
• 12/20 A Very Funky Christmas! @ Le Chat Noir – 7 pm
• 12/20 All the Things Band @ Shannons Bar and Grill – 8 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Ross Trulock (Blanchard & Calhoun – Evans)

Revived 1920s Craftsman in historic Summerville, perched above the street with a generous rocking chair porch. Metal roof sets the rain soundtrack, inside offers hardwoods, tall ceilings, a stone fireplace, and dining linked by a butler’s pantry with built-ins.

Quartz kitchen with tile backsplash, new appliances, and a big pantry pairs with an oversized laundry mud room leading to a covered rear porch with beadboard ceiling. Walled backyard and outbuilding, two roomy main-floor bedrooms, updated bath, rare walk-in, plus an attic suite and office with separate HVAC. Minutes to MCG, Augusta University, parks, and restaurants.

Take a peek inside →