Happy 4th of July!

What are your plans to celebrate our nation's independence? I know several of us plan to cook out and enjoy time with family, maybe even some fireworks! Here's the locations, dates, and time for the fireworks in the CSRA:

FORT GORDON INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: 3 p.m. Friday, Barton Field, Fort Gordon; free; Jimmy Buffett tribute band, water slides, carnival, food and craft vendors; fireworks at dark; (706) 791-6779

RAYSVILLE FIREWORKS ON THE LAKE: Sunset Friday, Amity Recreation Park and/or Raysville Marina on Thurmond Lake, Highway 43 between Lincolnton and Thomson; $4 per car at Amity Park; fireworks over the lake; patriotic music simulcast on 101.7-FM; (706) 597-1000

DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Augusta Riverwalk and Augusta Common; free; live music, vendors; children's area with games, rides and inflatables; fireworks at dark; www.augustariverwalk.com

FOURTH OF JULY PATRIOTS PARK: 4 p.m. Monday, Patriot's Park, 5445 Columbia Road, Grovetown; Free; gates open at 4 p.m.; live music featuring the Fort Gordon Signal Corps Band; children's activities and rides; food and drink vendors; fireworks at dark; (706) 312-7192

LEXINGTON COUNTY PEACH FESTIVAL AND FIREWORKS: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday. Gilbert Community Park, Rikard Circle, Gilbert, S.C.; free; ride prices vary; arts and crafts vendors; children's rides, food vendors, parade; antique tractor and farm equipment display, car show, Revolutionary War re-enactment, volleyball tournament; fireworks; (706) 892-5207

Keep cool on this wonderful weekend considering all of the month of June has been 90+ degrees out. If you plan to do your own fireworks please be safe!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

Blood Drives

Have you ever donated blood before? Here's 8 reasons why you should:

1. Someone needs blood every 3 seconds in this country. An average of 40,000 units are needed every day in the U.S. There is no substitute for human blood.

2. 60% of the population will need blood at some time in their lives, yet less than 5% of the population donates.

3. Disasters like car accidents, fires, and other trauma cases happen every day and these patients need blood, and rarely do they need only one pint. A bleeding trauma victim can run through 100 units of blood in no time.

4. If all eligible donors would donate on a regular basis, four to six times a year, blood needs would be met and shortages could be a thing of the past.

5. For decades this nation relied on a large pool of blood donors from "The Greatest Generation," the heroic World War II veterans who considered blood donation to be an on-going patriotic duty. Sadly, that generation is fast disappearing and other new donors are not stepping forward to replace them.

6. Donating blood is safe and a healthy thing to do. Not only do you get a free mini physical, including blood pressure check, heart rate, temperature and iron levels, but it's the fastest way to lose a pound!

7. For men, there is a life-saving benefit to donating blood. Men are at higher risk for "hemochromatosis or iron overload" a potentially deadly problem where too much iron builds up in the blood. It can lead to heart disease and other major health problems. Research shows if men give blood 3 times a year, they can reduce their iron overload and therefore their risk of a heart attack by as much as 50%!

8. Blood donors are true heroes. In fact, your one blood donation will be broken down into several components, enabling you, with just one donation, to save up to three lives!

I know of several blood drives being held this week.

Blood drives today

- 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Road

- Noon to 6 p.m., Firehouse Subs, 1237 Knox Ave. , North Augusta

June 30th:

-Columbia County EMA 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, 630 Ronald Reagan Dr., Evans, GA For everyone who donates blood you get a tshirt and a Chickfila meal!