Comic opera ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ to be performed

DALTON, Ga. — The Artistic Civic Theatre presents the classic comic opera “The Pirates of Penzance” July 29-30 and Aug. 4-6 at 8 p.m., and July 31 at 2 p.m., at the ACT Playhouse in Dalton. One of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular works, “The Pirates of Penzance” is a terrific farce of sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers and an eccentric major general. “The Pirates of Penzance” is directed by Jennifer Phinney with musical direction by Adam Burnette. Tickets are available by calling the ACT box office at (706) 278-4796.

 

Global leadership summit training planned

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Community Transformation officials are sponsoring a global leadership summit on Aug. 11 and 12 in Thomasville. Hosted by First Presbyterian Church, it is aimed at leadership and teamwork in any organization including church, business, industry, education or government. Its motivational tone is faith-based but it includes secular leadership speakers such as Melinda Gates, Patrick Lencioni of the Table Group and Horst Schulze of the Ritz Carlton, to give it broad appeal and relevance that will attract anyone in the marketplace. For information, visit www.willowcreek.com/summit. The prayer summit has been rescheduled to 8 a.m., Friday, Aug. 19 at Myrtlewood Plantation.

 

Summer Splashdown, disc golf tournament coming to music park

LIVE OAK, Fla. – Roosevelt Collier’s Summer Splashdown and Disc Golf Tournament, hosted by Reunion Campout Series, will take place July 29 – 30 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP). Reunion Campout Series is pleased to present the initial lineup for Roosevelt Collier’s Summer Splashdown & Disc Golf Tournament at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park July 29 – 30. Performers include: Roosevelt Collier X 2, Marvel Years, The Fritz, Dynohunter, Come Back Alice, The Legendary JC’s, Holey Miss Moley, Lucky Costello, Bells And Robes, Bit Deff, Rims And Keys ft. Dave McSweeney, The Groove Orient, The Psychedelic Monks, Lava, Ism, Galbraith Group, Cat Party, Vlad The Inhaler, Matthew Connor, Lucidea, Kolourz, Nick Fresh, DJ Ruby, Eyitslowkey, Samsun Rising, Exit 9, Self Mayde, Bags, Kinder, Brother Dan and Dismantla. Go to www.SuwanneeReunion.com for tickets. Call the Spirit of the Suwannee Park Office for upgraded campsites and cabin specials 386-364-1683. Tickets include access to performances and primitive camping Friday and Saturday.

 

New I-75 Brighton Road overpass scheduled to open Tuesday

TIFTON, Ga. – The new Brighton Road interchange set to open Tuesday provides safer exit and entry to Interstate 75 with relocated, longer ramps and a wider overpass that gives drivers an unobstructed view of oncoming traffic.  Barring any weather delays (and the forecast looks good at this point), the Exit 66 overpass is scheduled to open by the end of the day. Contractors still need to tie in the approaches to the bridge and install striping, and cut grooves into the overpass surface to prevent water buildup and reduce the risk of hydroplaning. The interchange closed for construction in December 2015. “We know people who live and work in the area have been eager to see this project completed,” Georgia Department of Transportation southwest District Engineer Chad Hartley said. “We are pleased to provide drivers with an updated and safer interchange that meets current design standards. These are much-needed improvements to our infrastructure and we appreciate the public’s patience during construction.” The new ramps opened June 24. The ramps were moved farther from the bridge to create better sight distance for drivers. Longer ramps give drivers more time to slow down to exit I-75 or speed up to merge with traffic. Sight distance was also improved with the wider bridge. The old two-lane bridge was built in 1959. It was approximately 210 feet long and 34 feet wide. The narrow width and the proximity of the ramps made it difficult for drivers at the top of the ramp to see traffic coming over the bridge. The new bridge is longer and has two lanes with a median turn lane, making it almost twice the width of the old structure, giving drivers a nice, clear view of approaching traffic. The project also widened Brighton Road from two lanes to two thru lanes with a median turn lane on the west side of the bridge to the intersection of U.S. 41. The construction cost of the project is $16 million. The prime contractor is The Scruggs Co. of Hahira. Subcontractor Southern Concrete Construction Co. Inc. of Albany dismantled the old bridge and built the new overpass.

 

Youth coaching clinic set

VALDOSTA, Ga. —A free Youth Football Coaching Clinic will be held from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. July 16 at Rainwater Conference Center, 1 Meeting Place, in Valdosta. Coaches will lean how to properly teach football fundamentals, improve practice organization throughout the season and be exposed to new offensive and defensive schemes. The clinic sessions  will be led by notable speakers and coaches from around the state. Registration required. Space is limited. Contact Amanda Dinkel at adinkel@falcons.nfl.com or (770) 965-4310.