Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, it’s time to drag out the wreaths, trim and decorate the Christmas tree and deck our homes for the holidays. There are so many ways to celebrate the season, but one of the best ways is to spend time with family and friends. Getting your home ready for the holidays can be fun and daunting, but don’t worry, here are 8 simple steps that can get your space ready in no time.

1. Clean and Declutter:  First things first!  Before decorating for the holidays,  a quick clean up is all it takes.  Begin with making piles of for sale items, trash, and charitable items to make room for decorations, overnight guests and new gifts.  A nice, clean, and clutter-free space is an easy way to create an inviting home. 

Cooler temperatures bring changes to our homes and, consequently, our heating bill. Cold days are coming and you don’t want to wait until temperatures drop to prepare for winter. Now is the time to begin weatherproofing your home. And, if you are not sure where to begin, just keep reading! 

Below we have put together a comprehensive list of tasks to help you prepare and protect your home for winter. 

Inspect Your Heating Service:  Don’t wait for it to get cold to discover your heating system is not working.  Once the cold weather hits, HVAC service providers will start to book up, and it could take days before someone can come out to service your heater.  Switch your thermostat from cool to heat; wait a few minutes- then check to see if there is

Chilly days of the holiday season calls for coffee shops and pastries; of course, most of us enjoy a cup of joe anytime of the year. But, there is just something special about visiting an inviting coffee shop during the holiday season. Cafes that are filled with latte art, calming tunes, and good company simply warms the heart. Thankfully for us coffee lovers, these types of cafes are all over the CSRA, giving us plenty of options to feel cozy, meet new neighbors, and support local businesses. And while we genuinely think every coffee shop in Augusta is great, here are eight locally owned cafes coffee lovers recommend where you can grab a cup of cozy and enjoy a freshly baked good.

1. Buona Cafe: Craft coffee & espresso drinks are offered along

Have you read a good self-help book lately? A great way to improve all areas of your life is to read books on self-development. Reading about different ways that help you improve your life can be a great tool for growth. There is a good reason that the self-help genre has become so popular. Most people want to better themselves, even those who are already self-motivated. Life can be a roller coaster, confusing, and frustrating, and at the same time, full of happiness, hope, and possibilities. As a result, people are hungry for knowledge to overcome life’s obstacles and eager to conquer their future. 

Themes of self-help literature address all interests from entrepreneurship to relationships to finances; however, these reads can mostly be

Tucked alongside Downtown’s Riverwalk, is where you will find a crowd favorite - The Augusta Market. The Augusta Market operates March through November every Saturday morning, and it’s known as the hotspot for local vendors, street performers with quirky surprises and art around every corner. This market offers a broad selection of locally produced and grown goods, crafts, food trucks, and other products and services by small-businesses in the area. From adoption kennels to live music, there is something for everyone.

Meet John Weigle:

 John, an Augusta native for over forty years, designs and makes charcuterie boards and wood turned pens and has been in the wood work business since 2018. In March, he set up a booth at the Augusta Market and his