ABAC Performing Arts Series kicks off season Sept. 11

TIFTON, Ga.— Symphonies, jazz and dramatic performances are all included in the seven events of this year’s ABAC Presents! Performing Arts Series at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.    ABAC Arts Connection Director Wayne Jones said the 2016-17 series kicks off with the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra on Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Tift County High School Performing Arts Center.  The symphony will feature pianist Martha Thomas performing Manuel de Falla’s “Nights in the Gardens of Spain.” While available tickets will be sold at the door for each show, advance purchase of tickets is encouraged to ensure seating for patrons.  Tickets for the entire series are $75 for adults and $25 for students under 18 years of age. Tickets can be purchased online at www.purplepass.com/abac or by phone at (229) 391-4895. To purchase individual event tickets, the cost is $20 for adults and $10 for students under 18 years of age. 

 

Dalton State one of most affordable colleges in the nation

DALTON, Ga. — For the sixth consecutive year, Dalton State College has been named one of the most affordable public four-year colleges in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Dalton State remains on the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center’s list of lowest net price, which is the average cost of college attendance for full-time students after grants and financial aid. The ranking is based on the 2013-14 academic year. Dalton State’s net price was $6,256 for that school year. The figure includes tuition and fees, as well as other costs associated with being a student, such as books, supplies, room and board, and transportation. The national average net price for the 2013-14 school year was $11,913.

 

BARC Ball tickets available

VALDOSTA, Ga. — BARC Humane Society, a Lowndes County-Brooks County animal rescue, will host the Third Annual BARC Ball – Pawtoberfest, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Valdosta State University Ballroom. Courtesy transportation from the VSU parking garage to the Student Union will be provided by BARC’s sponsor O’Steen Subaru of Valdosta.  vThe ticket cost is $100 per couple and will include dinner for two, two drink tickets, music by the band TannersLane of Quitman, dancing, a dance exhibition by Hannah Moore and Al Leyva of South Georgia Dancers, one entry into the reverse drawing, door prizes and opportunities to participate in the silent auctions. Silent auction items include: a one-week stay in a Dominican Republic villa, a handmade quilt which is available for viewing at Pinwheels in Valdosta, Disney Park-Hopper tickets, numerous rounds of golf at area courses and jewelry. The evening will end with three reverse-draw winners of $1,000, $1,500 and $2,500.  Ticket holders do not need to be present to be entered into the reverse drawing.  BARC depends on the generosity of companies and individuals to fund its animal rescue activities, according to organizers. Sponsorships and donations for the Third Annual BARC Ball – Pawtoberfest are  being sought to enable BARC to rescue unwanted, abandoned, lost and homeless animals, according to the organization. Three levels of sponsorship are available (platinum $1,000; gold $500; silver $250) which include varying return benefits in terms of dinner tickets, reverse-draw tickets and advertising. Donations of services, merchandise and gift cards are also being accepted and are greatly appreciated, according to organizers. Individuals and businesses can contact BARC, (229) 244-8500, to sponsor, donate, or buy tickets for the fundraising event. All contributions are tax-deductible. Tickets for BARC’s fall fundraising event are currently available for sale online www.eventbrite.com, search for “Third Annual BARC Ball.” 

 

Author spends time in Cuba

THOMASVILLE, Ga. —Author Melanie Bowden Simón will host a book signing and meet and greet at the Bookshelf in Thomasville, on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. The signing is for Simón’s new memoir “La Americana.” The memoir is about her time in Cuba in the early 2000s. 

 

Learn photography tips

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Are you interested in photography? Thomasville photographer Ursula Page will be teaching a class on how amateur photographers can improve their shots and look for different angles. The class is at 6 p.m., Monday at the Thomas County Public Library, 201 N. Madison St. For information or to sign up, call 225-5252. Space is limited.

 

Early voting starts Saturday

JASPER, Fla. – Hamilton County voters can cast their votes early starting Saturday, Aug. 20, for the primary election. Registered voters must bring a valid picture ID to the Hamilton County Supervisor of Elections Office, 1153 NW U.S. Hwy 41, to vote early. The election office will be open from  8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Aug. 20 to Aug. 27 for early voting.  The Primary Election will take place Tuesday, Aug. 30.  For more information, contact the Hamilton County Supervisor of Elections Office, 386-792-1426.

 

White Springs receives $50,000 FRDAP grant

WHITE SPRINGS, Fla. –  Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Manager Manny Perez presented the Town of White Springs with a $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 9. According to Perez, the program is a state competitive grant that funds acquisitions or development of land for public outdoor recreational use. The grant will be used for renovation of existing playground equipment, basketball court, restrooms, picnic facilities and new security lighting at the Willie Guy Turner Park. “I want to congratulate you for the award and I look forward to working with you on the next project,” Perez said.