Kay Harris
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
This coming Saturday, May 15, the 100 Black Men of Valdosta Inc. are hosting their annual Black Tie Dinner to raise funds for the organization’s many education initiatives.
People in this community are so quick to say, “Somebody ought to do something,” but these men talk the talk and walk the walk. They actively are helping children, regardless of race or background, in getting the instruction they need to help in preparing for the SAT, among other things. They mentor children, they give scholarships and they are active in education. Events such as this and the annual barbecue they sponsor each August are their only means of raising the funds needed to support their programs, along with the considerable amounts that each member gives, not to mention their time.
The dinner always features a good speaker and this year Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond will give the keynote address. Local talent from area schools will also be featured that evening.
It’s always a well done event and is also for a very, very worthy cause, so if you are interested in attending, please call Butch Williams at (229) 244-5769 after 6 p.m. or (229) 251-2050 during the day.
So, the next time you or someone you know says that it’s a shame that no one is helping the children who are getting in trouble in school, or the children who are out of school and committing crime, then remember that you can help those who are out there doing something about it by supporting this organization.
Business Roundup
The city of Valdosta has officially purchased the 22 acres of Five Points. The purchase includes the building with Big Lots and the building at the bottom of the hill that is currently an insurance office, but not the stretch that includes Wendy’s, Pirates Bluff (which has just undergone a major renovation), Moe’s or Farmer’s Furniture. The price was $5.1 million. The city got a half a million break in the price due to the contamination that will have to be cleaned up from the former gas tanks buried underground.
Speaking of the city’s purchase of Five Points, the new luxury apartments being built adjacent to the land by Ambling, the Residences at Five Points, are really moving along quickly. The apartments are already being rented and the development is really shaping up.
The other really big news this week is that the development company building the Harveys supermarket has closed on the property in Hahira on Highway 122 that used to be the Pick’in Park. It’s going to be a large development with single-family houses, apartments, and eventually some retail and restaurants too.
I understand the Wooden Nickel on St. Augustine is closed. I don’t know if it’s permanent or temporary.
I also understand that there is a new restaurant chain that hasn’t been here before that is hopefully going on Norman Drive by Walmart, thanks to the Valdosta city manager!
The Guesthouse Inn of Valdosta on West Hill Avenue was sold this week. It used to be the Shoney’s Inn a while back, so I’m guessing the new owners will spruce it up a bit.
There’s also serious construction going on at two locations on North Ashley Street. The Supermercado, the Hispanic supermarket, is undergoing a complete building renovation as is the former Margaritas. We’ll see if they stay the same type of business or if they are being metamorphosed into something completely different.
Also big news for Douglas this week with the announced reopening of Pilgrim’s Pride poultry plant, which will put about 1,000 people back to work by January of 2011.
Two Friends is now open at night for dinner. The former chef at 306 North has moved there and now they are open at night on Tuesday through Saturday.
