Christmas Spectacular set for Dec. 9 – 10

TIFTON, Ga. — The Tift County Choral Department’s Christmas Spectacular returns just in time for the holidays. The group will present the show Friday and Saturday nights, Dec. 9-10, at 6:30 p.m. each night in the TCHS Performing Arts Center. The program will feature all choral students in grades 7-12. One Voice, Ninth Harmony, Ladies Choice and Eighth Street Singing Company, all four of the choral program’s show choirs, will entertain audiences as well.  The program consists of both secular and sacred musical portions. This year’s sacred portion will feature a 160 voice TCHS Combined Chorus accompanied by a twenty-piece orchestra. In addition, the TCHS drama students will be adding the narrative from the Gospel of Luke between pieces in the sacred portion. Tickets will be available at the door.

Fashion show benefits Special Olympics

VALDOSTA, Ga.  — Some special models will model this weekend in the award-winning “Beyond the Runway Fashion Show,” benefitting local Special Olympians.  The Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority hosts the show that features models with special needs wearing thrift-store fashions, according to a press release.  Participants will wear a variety of holiday outfits at the Christmas-themed show, including the best ugly sweaters in town. The show will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at VLPRA’s Senior Center, 1360 E. Park Ave. Tickets are $5 per person and all proceeds go to VLPRA’s adult Special Olympians, many of whom are participating as models in the show, according to the press release  The funds will help them with competition travel expenses such as meals. DJ “Big L” will emcee the event and provide music, while local singer Miranda Moore will provide entertainment during wardrobe changes. VLPRA hosted the first thrift-store fashion show earlier this year and it won a district award from the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association for “Innovative Special Event of the Year,” according to the press release. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.vlpra.com or at the door.

State fire commissioner offers tips on heating safety

ATLANTA – With cold weather in the forecast, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens wants to remind Georgians of some heating tips to help keep their homes and families safe this winter. Keep heat sources away from curtains, draperies and other flammable material. Make sure heaters have adequate ventilation, and always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions. Have your home heating unit checked annually to be sure it is working efficiently and safely. If you use kerosene space heaters, make sure each heater has an automatic shut-off in case it tips over. Install an adequate number of smoke alarms. Each household should have a well-rehearsed family escape plan. All rooms, especially bedrooms, should have two escape routes.

Max Noah Singers head south for 11th annual tourEndFragment

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Georgia College’s Max Noah Singers will embark on their 11th annual tour Sunday, Dec. 11, singing holiday songs in Dublin, Tifton and Saint Simons Island and finishing with a homecoming performance in Milledgeville.  “The December tour has always been so fun because I get to be with my best friends and sing great music,” said Nich Stinson, a senior marketing major and music minor. The concert will showcase songs sung without any accompaniment other than percussion instruments, said Dr. Jennifer Flory, director of choral activities. Five sets of songs, connected by readings, include traditional carols, African and African-inspired holiday songs, pop a cappella, and Latin motets. The Max Noah Singers spent hours inside and outside the classroom preparing and perfecting their performance, Flory said. She will direct the show along with student conductors and coaches Sarah Kitts, Stacy Henderson and Stinson. Audiences will be treated with holiday favorites like “Away in a Manger,” “Deck the Halls” and “Up on the Housetop.” The concert will close with Georgia College’s alma mater, “Adoramus Te” and “Silent Night.” The Max Noah Singers begin their journey Sunday, Dec. 11, with performances at 11 a.m. at Pine Forest United Methodist Church in Dublin and 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Tifton. The group will then journey south for a 7 p.m. concert Monday, Dec. 12, at Wesley United Methodist Church at Frederica on Saint Simons Island. They will also perform at schools in Pierce County, Ware County, Glynn County and Savannah. The trip will culminate with a homecoming show at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at First Presbyterian Church in Milledgeville. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is encouraged. All proceeds benefit music scholarships or the Music Department through the GCSU Foundation Inc. For more information about the tour, future concerts or choral ensembles, contact jennifer.flory@gcsu.edu or call 478-445-4839.

Event will show off new equipment

DALTON, Ga. — The “Community Investment Celebration” event thanks the community for voting to approve the recent 1 percent SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). The event includes an opportunity to show off some of the new equipment the agencies have been able to acquire thanks to the SPLOST, including new fire apparatus and new police cruisers. Dalton Mayor Dennis Mock and members of the city council are scheduled to speak at the event, as are the chiefs of the police department and the fire department.