V.C.R.05.06.10

Valdosta Civic Roundtable

May 6, 2010

 

 

Members present: Jane Osborn, Dennis Marks, Cheryl Oliver, Gretchen Quarterman, Harriet Messcher, Karen Yawn, Christy Englehart, & Leslie Jacobs;  guests: Vicki Baker, for Katie Hardin, Elton Dixon, & Chris Musgrove.

 

 

 

The May meeting was held in Hildegard’s Downtown. Jane Osborn called the meeting to order. The treasurer’s report was given by Cheryl Oliver. There is still a balance at Regions Bank of about $200. There is $165 to be deposited into a new account at the Bank of Valdosta, once the Tax ID number is verified.

 

*Cheryl Oliver has lots going on at the Turner Center for the Arts. Spring into Art is VSU students working with the Boys & Girls Club. There will be an Arts Inc. recital on May 17th at 7:00 PM. This is put on by underserved children who are playing instruments. On June 10th there will be a performance featuring Cole Porter music at 7:30 PM. $20 admission includes drinks & snacks. Summer Art camps will be coming up soon & offered will be: photography, origami, tie-dying, pottery & cooking. Call for a complete list. On May 22, 2:00 PM, there will be a bus tour of the historical homes in Valdosta.  Sesquicentennial events upcoming soon: Happy Birthday Valdosta! Held at the City Hall on May 12th at 10:00 AM. On June 7th, there will be a photo contest. See valdostacity.com for lots of information.

 

*Gretchen Quarterman/LAKE: there was a good turnout at the Bio-mass meeting with the EPD. Upcoming meeting of interest: Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) will be held at the RDC on 5-17. On Thurs., 7-1, the annual barbeque for the Lowndes Democrats will be held at the Knights of Columbus building.

 

*Harriet Messcher/LAMP: The Homeless for a Night was recently held. The Dinner for Eight raffle tickets will be available soon.

 

*Leslie Jacobs/Jacobs’ Ladder: WCTV recently came out & did some interviews & filming. We’re still waiting for it to air! There will be a camp for special needs children from June 1-4. Additional weeks of camp will be June 7-11 & June 22-26. These camps are through VSU Cont. Ed. dept. Call them to reserve a spot. Volunteers will be needed for camp weeks. Please help us – even if you’re not a “horse” person, you can help our kids in other ways!!

 

*Dennis Marks/Rotary: The Imagination Library has had a successful start. On the political scene: there are 3 local races for office. Early voting starts on June 7 at the Board of Elections.

 

*Elton Dixon & Chris Musgrove: They visited today to tell us about “Future Now”. They go in to the schools & hold rallies, encouraging students to make good life choices through music, drama & real life stories. Their web address is: www.futurenow.us.

 

*Karen Yawn & Christy Englehart/ The Haven: They are having a capital campaign kickoff to gather funds for a new shelter. They average 94% capacity & need to raise $100,000. Last month money was raised during the Jeans for Justice, Take back the Night. Two bands donated their time & talents,

 

*Vicki Baker/Hospice of South GA: Katie Hardin was unable to be with us today, so Vicki came to share the news from Hospice. Training classes are scheduled for new volunteers Mon. & Tues., May 24 & 25, from 5 – 8:30 PM. Call 229-671-8375 to sign up or for info. There is also a bereavement support group through June 17, every Thurs. from 6-7:00 PM.

 

*Jane Osborn: May is Foster Care month; Business to Business meeting on 5-13, from 5-7 PM at the conference center; SGMC has many support groups available, open to the public; VISTA has 6 full time positions open in the Georgia 4-H. You can find out more by contacting Melinda Miller at: 229-333-5185.

 

Brown bag lunch series in Downtown Valdosta will be this week, May 10-14, from 11:30 – 1:30 at the Courthouse.

 

That concludes the minutes from our May meeting. We hope to see you next month, again at Hildegard’s, on June 3rd, at 12:30.