Tift Regional seeking input on community health needs

TIFTON, Ga. — Tift Regional Health System (TRHS) is conducting a health needs assessment and is asking members of the community to visit www.tiftregional.com by Feb. 16 to participate in a web-based survey. On the Tift Regional website homepage, click on the “Learn More” button under the Community Health Needs Survey section to complete the survey. People can participate anonymously, but all participants who provide their contact information will be entered into a drawing for one of four $50.00 VISA gift cards. People without internet access can call 229-353-6318 or 800-648-1935, ext. 6318 to request that a survey form be mailed to them. A self-addressed, self-stamped envelope will be included so the completed form can be easily returned. The survey closes-out on Feb. 16 and the prize drawing will be held on Feb. 19. Winners will be notified.

 

North Florida Nature Club forming

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The North Florida Nature Club has been formed and will be holding its first meeting in two weeks.

The nature club will meet Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Suwannee County Extension office at 1302 11th Street SW in Live Oak.

The group is open to all ages and families are welcome to attend the meetings, which will feature varying topics on all types of animals, plants, agriculture and places to visit in North Florida.

There are no fees or dues as the group is not for profit.

The February meeting topic will be “Animal Tracks/Nature Detective” which will include several live animals on exhibit.

For more information, contact Jerry Walls at 386-963-1509 or jwalls443@gmail.com.

 

Arts Guild kicks off ‘Yart Sale’

DALTON, Ga. — The Creative Arts Guild’s Gallery Opening and Artist Reception for February is Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 520 W. Waugh St. Featured is the continuation of exhibits by Eric Keller and Laura Willett and the addition of works by Noah Stokes. The day kicks off a month-long “Yart Sale.” It is a twist on a traditional yard sale and allows art creators and art collectors to trim their collections while art lovers are provided a great way to add to theirs. Call (706) 278-0168 or visit www.creativeartsguild.org for more information.

 

Step into orbit

Planets dance in VSU show 

VALDOSTA, Ga.  – Choreographer Melissa Pihos reached back to her original career track to put a play about planets into orbit. “Planets View from the Hubble Space Telescope” opens this weekend for two public performances before going on tour to schools throughout South Georgia during the next several weeks. The show is the annual Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance children’s show. Pihos was assigned the task of directing the children’s show this year. She is a dance faculty member. She could have selected an already created children’s show to direct but she said she opted to create her own show. Prior to becoming a university dance instructor and choreographer, she said she taught high school astronomy and earth science classes.  She coupled her knowledge on planets with the news the Hubble Space Telescope will soon complete its work of charting and photographing celestial bodies. VSU synopsis of the show: “Our good friend, Hubble, short for the Hubble Space Telescope, will narrate the distinctive aspects of each planet as seen through his lens, along with ‘The Planets’ music composed by Gustav Holst. … This performance is created with the Georgia Performance Standards for Fine Arts Education as its central focus.” Student dancers play Hubble and the planets. The planets take on human traits to match their characteristics, Pihos said. Mars, for example, is angry.  “Pluto is upset because she doesn’t know if she’s a planet or not,” Pihos said. Audiences will learn about the planets’ topographies and atmospheres. And as one may expect from a choreographer, there will be dancing. The planets will dance.

THE CAST: Jordan Van Dyke, Teyla Debosé, Megan Foose, Maya Timmons, Taylor Sanders, Erykah Finklea, Rachel Tessin, Olivia Rosenthal. DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Melissa Pihos, playwright, director, choreographer; Ruth A. Brandvik, scenery; Ashley Green, lighting; Tsung-Ju “Clark” Yang, costumes; Genny Wynn, technical director; Mars Elliot Hallman, stage manager. SHOWTIME :Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance present the annual children’s show, “Planets View from the Hubble Space Telescope.” When: Public performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3. Where: Sawyer Theatre, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. More information: Call (229) 333-5973 or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts.