Jamie Eubanks Band to highlight First Friday

THOMASVILLE — The City of Thomasville First Friday concert series continues this Friday, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the corner of Remington Avenue and Broad Street (between Subway and TOSCOGA). This month’s concert features the Jamie Eubanks Band. The Jamie Eubanks Band is a local, hard-charging blues band. Comprised of three experienced and passionate musicians, the Jamie Eubanks band delivers a show unlike any other.   “We always enjoy welcoming local area bands to the stage for First Friday concerts,” said Sarah Turner, City of Thomasville events director. “The band’s main focus in on original material, which is a testament to their musical abilities and is sure to appeal to a wide audience.”   Jamie Eubanks has been playing the blues since he was a child. By the time he was 15, with the guidance of producer and mentor Darius “Doc D” Baker, Eubanks had a gigging band and a wealth of original material. He has been performing around the Southeast for the last several years.   Kevan McCann is a graduate of FSU College of Music and holds down half of the rhythm section of the band. James Lewis is the veteran of the group. Lewis has played all over the world as a studio and touring musician; he brings knowledge and experience to the trio with solid beats and fills to round out this must-see act. “In addition to great music and art, First Fridays also offer concert goers a chance to explore some of the local downtown shops and restaurants,” said April Norton, City of Thomasville Main Street director.  “This month we’re pleased to welcome AJ Moonspin and Paulie’s Pizza to the concert area; and many downtown restaurants offer to-go specials you can bring with you to the concert after an evening of shopping.” First Friday concerts run April through November and are always free and open to the public.Participating downtown shops and restaurants will be open late.  

 

Looking for a few good Santa’s helpers 

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Theatre Guild Valdosta needs a few Santa helpers for an upcoming holiday show. Auditions are scheduled 6:30-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 2, 3, for “A Christmas Spectacular,” a revue-style show being produced and created by Theatre Guild. Auditions will be held at The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St., according to the Guild. “This is a musical revue-type show of familiar Christmas songs suitable for the entire family,” said Pauline Player, the assistant director for the production. “It will feature songs sung by the entire cast, small ensembles, and solos. There is a script with several speaking parts designed to give the show some structure.” Veteran Guild member Grant Brown is the show director. Though the cast is described as flexible, the Guild wants at least 16 female and male adult singers and a smaller group of children, ages 8-16.  “All children must have prior stage experience,” Player said. “We are looking for performers who can sing and speak clearly and who present a pleasant stage presence. New talent to TGV is always welcome. All cast members must be able to sing but not all need to be soloists. We need ensemble singers, too. Rehearsal days and times will be determined by the cast after they are selected.” Anyone auditioning should be prepared to sing at least 16 measures of a song, according to organizers. People will also be asked to read a paragraph for speaking roles. Directors also want an “interpretive style” solo dancer, male or female, and a male-female couple for a ballroom dance. “These people will not need to sing,” Player said. “If they can, that would be great. Dancers auditioning should perform a short dance, providing their own recorded music to dance to.” The Guild is also seeking a solo flutist and violinist. Directors ask such musicians to be prepared to perform a short piece of music to audition. The performances are scheduled for Dec. 7-9 & 14-16 at The Dosta Playhouse.

For more information, contact the show’s director, Grant Brown, at greg-grant@mchsi.com.

 

Annual country fair on tap Oct. 14-15

VARNELL, Ga. —  The 46th annual Prater’s Mill Country Fair continues to be a favorite of the locals as a place to visit with friends and experience the sights and sounds of a country fair. At the fair Oct. 14-15, visitors can take self-guided tours of the operating grist mill, the country store, Shugart Cotton Gin, Westbrook Barn and 1898 Prater’s Store. Nearly 200 artists and craftsmen will sell their crafts. Look for live demonstrations by the blacksmiths, quilters, weavers and woodcarvers. While at the fair, don’t miss out on some good Southern cooking. Fair hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7; children 12 and under enter free. There is no charge for parking. Visitors are urged to dress casually and wear comfortable shoes. Prater’s Mill is on Ga. Highway 2, 10 miles northeast of Dalton and 30 miles south of Chattanooga. For more information or to inquire about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, call (706) 694-MILL (6455) or visit pratersmill.org.

 

Moultrie Lions Club supports Green Oaks Center

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Russ Joiner, director of Green Oaks Center, recently spoke to the Moultrie Lions Club about services offered to individuals with disabilities. The center currently offers community access services, community living support services, prevocational services, supported employment and other social and recreational opportunities. Joiner discussed the history of Green Oaks Center and how the local program began years before the de-institutionalization of state hospitals that historically filled the gap in community services for people with disabilities. He stated, “The strong support of our community is key to the success of Green Oaks Center and the success of individuals receiving services.” The mission of Green Oaks Center is to help individuals with disabilities reach their hopes and dreams through access to education, employment, training, and housing. In support of this mission, the Moultrie Lions Club presented Green Oaks Center with a donation of funds.

 

Milledgeville Fire Department observes National Fire Prevention Week

MILLEDGEVILLE, GA. — Each year, the Milledgeville Fire Department takes time to visit area elementary schools to teach children fire safety in observance of National Fire Prevention Week.During National Fire Prevention Week, slated for Oct. 8 through Oct. 14, attention is focused on promoting fire safety and prevention in the home.When visiting local elementary schools, Milledgeville firefighters will discuss a variety of fire prevention topics.“We talk to the children about smoke detectors and fire evacuation plans. We also teach them not to play with matches and lighters,” Dietrich said.Fire officials also teach students how to have a home fire escape plan.“Every family should make sure they have two ways to get out of a bedroom. If a window is one of your escapes, make sure you use the proper type of ladder and that nothing can prevent the window from opening.”One of the most important lessons that students learn, says Dietrich, is the importance of smoke detectors.“Most tragic fires take place between 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and we teach them that a smoke detector is very important, because if a fire does take place it can wake them up.”

 

Sparky’s Kids now accepting sign-ups

LIVE OAK, Fla. — Sign-ups for Love Sparky’s Kids began Monday and will last for a month. Love Sparky’s Kids, which is a joint effort between the Live Oak Fire Department and Love INC of Suwannee County to provide toys and presents for children in need at Christmas, began sign-ups Monday and that will continue through Nov. 3. Sign-ups are being held at Love INC, 120 Ohio Ave. N, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. In order to sign up, people must bring an ID with their current address. If the address on the ID is incorrect, a city bill, light bill or some other piece of legal mail with the correct address is needed along with the ID. If a child has been signed up for Sparky’s Kids through the school, there is no need to register them again. It is the same program and they will not receive gifts twice. For anyone interested in adopting a child or family, please call the Love INC office at 386-364-4673 for more information.  Cash donations are accepted and used to buy for the children. According to Love INC, a child can be blessed with a wonderful Christmas for a tax deductible donation of $75.