Finally jurors, city workers and other folks stuck all day at the Columbus Government Center don't have to go hungry.

The ground-floor cafeteria that long has sat empty is once more serving meats and vegetables and, of course, starches -- the meat and two or three sides to which Southerners are accustomed.

That will save some people from an unplanned fast, and save others from walking a block south to Minnie's for lunch, whether they need the exercise or not.

The Government Center facility is now The Sol of Wa Cafeteria, open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. It serves breakfast 7 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch or dinner 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The city says the cafeteria offers traditional soul food, vegetarian soul food and healthy choices. Kai Lawrence has the contract for three years, with an option to renew for two more years.

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If you have any ideas about improving education, the third community session of "Building A Village" is Saturday at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus.

The 2 p.m.-4 p.m. event at 203 R.C. Allen Drive off Steam Mill Road gives parents, students, educators and community activists a forum to exchange ideas. The group is committed to develop a five-year strategic plan in support of a plan by the Muscogee County School District.

The discussion on education continues efforts started by the Southern Anti-Racism Network on Sept. 15 at the monthly "A Call to Talk" forum at Fourth Street Baptist Church. A second session was held Sept. 29 at the South Columbus Library.

Anyone in attendance for Saturday's session will receive a bound copy of the Muscogee County School District's Strategic Plan.

For more information, call Theresa El-Amin at 762-821-1107.

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Area veterans have recognized Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr for opening a new dormitory for inmates who are veterans at the Muscogee County Jail.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 665 on Victory Drive and the Col. Robert B. Nett VFW Post 12110 on Woodruff Farm Road presented a plaque to the sheriff.

Since the new dormitory opened in April, veterans housed at the jail have had access to a variety of services such as a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment program and a special Veterans Court. The jail also has partnered with New Horizons to offer mental health counseling and the Plummer

House to help veterans with housing.

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It's a high-tech battle certain to be long and drawn out, with occasional drama.

But today's not that day. Instead, in a skirmish of recent emails over who's making the most progress on the front to deliver the fastest cellphone Internet and data service, Verizon and AT&T weighed in on what they're doing.

Verizon proclaimed it has now entered 400 markets in which it offers 4G LTE service, a rollout that included Columbus earlier this year.

For those who don't know, 4G LTE is an acronym for "fourth-generation long term evolution," which simply means the speediest Internet available today to the mass market.

AT&T, meanwhile, noted that it has added cellular equipment on a tower in the Midland area, which should "enhance" the coverage for those living there. The company also said it pumped $20 billion into upgrades nationwide last year as it aims to counter the high-speed push by Verizon.

Thus, the intense competition continues, with consumers hoping the back-and-forth moves will lead to even better service in the coming years -- but hopefully without seeing their monthly bills go sky high.