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Beginning next Sunday, the 30th, readers will have the opportunity to vote on more than 70 categories in the annual Valdosta Daily Times “Best of” contest.

The nominations are in, and the top three nominated in each category will be listed on the ballot for voters to choose from. The ballot will be online and in the newspaper, so electronic and paper ballots are accepted. But don’t just vote in one category. You must vote in at least half of the categories for the votes to count.

Restaurants, retail stores, doctors offices, car dealerships and more all vie for the Best of prize each year as the coveted award carries a lot of prestige and accolades for the winners, not to mention bragging rights.

So make sure you look for your ballot starting Jan. 30 and vote for the Best of the Best in Valdosta.

Chamber dinner Tuesday

The annual Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce dinner will be Tuesday night at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.

Each year, the chamber brings together the business community to hear about the year’s successes as well as introduce the new board members and officially thank the outgoing ones. Awards are also presented annually at the dinner, including the A.L. Girardin outstanding member award, which I and the newspaper are the proud past winners of, having received that recognition in 2002.

The evening will see hundreds of local business and community leaders, along with elected officials, enjoying a night of celebration for the many things the chamber does for businesses in our community.

For tickets or more information, call the chamber at (229) 247-8100.

Business Roundup

It looks like that space on North Valdosta Road that now has a foundation to it next to Rum Runners is going to be a liquor store, but I still haven’t found out what the space being cleared on St. Augustine is for.

The new Pole-Lite Fitness center on North Ashley Street is hosting a grand opening and Girls Night Out party on Friday. The ribbon cutting is at 4 p.m., followed by the open house/wine tasting from 6 to 8 p.m.

Right down Ashley Street, the new El Cazador restaurant really looks finished, with a paved parking lot, etc. but still no sign up other than opening soon. Same with the Taco Bell close to Five Points.

Also, the new Harveys in Hahira looks pretty finished, the parking lot is paved (which is usually about the last thing they do), and it looks like they’re stocking the store and getting ready for opening in February.

I received an unusual request from someone who is interested in starting a business in Valdosta but is trying to find out if the public is interested in the service she wants to provide. She wants to open a dance exercise studio, which if you’re into late night infomercials, is similar to Zumba, but offers so much more with different varieties of music and dance moves. She said it is very popular in Florida right now and is hoping to create the same excitement here. If you think this is something you would like to see open in Valdosta, send her an email at dancefit11@yahoo.com.

That’s all I’ve got for this week, but if there’s something I missed, please let