TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER NEWS

 DICK'S WINGS TO OPEN AT FORMER LOCO'S SITE;

AMERIS ACQUIRING LOCAL, REGIONAL 

BANK OF AMERICA BRANCHES

According to the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, Dick's Wings and Grill is planning to open its newest location in Tifton this spring in the old Loco's restaurant building on U.S. Highway 82. The restaurant offers 365 flavors of wings.

In other news, the parent company of Ameris Bank has announced the acquisition of 18 Bank of America branches in North Florida and South Georgia, including the one in Tifton. 

The deal is expected to be completed in the next six to 10 months, pending regulatory approval.

Ameris is also acquiring other Bank of America locations in Albany, Dublin, Fitzgerald, Hinesville, Moultrie, Thomasville and Waycross.

Currently, Ameris has 73 locations in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Alabama.

All events are free to ABAC faculty, staff and students with an ABAC ID. The Black History Month events are also open to the public at no charge. 

 On Feb. 10, a screening of the film "Dear White People" will be at 7 p.m. in Bowen Hall, Room 100.  Refreshments and a discussion will follow.  At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17, students can come to the Nickelodeon for "Get Fit, Y'all," a motivation and Hip-Hop aerobics class with Reggie the Trainer.

At 11:30 a.m. Feb. 18, an Inspirational Tribute to Our Ancestors will be held in the Donaldson Dining Hall. The Annual Black History Month Awards celebration will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 in Howard Auditorium. The event will include a one act play, "A Day without Black People and Wondrous Inventions."

 Students can perform an original or borrowed song, poem or speech at the Wording Word on Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. in the Nickelodeon, followed by a Peace Circle of Hope. The month's events will culminate with a cookout and candlelight vigil Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. at the Town Hall.

For information, contact Dean of Students Bernice Hughes, [email protected]

As Court Administrator of the Tifton Judicial Circuit, I was pleased at the very onset to see the courts' desire to

provide timely, fair and cost-effective disposition of civil and criminal matters that are properly presented to the 

By CHARLESTON CARTER

 courts. I also see the courts subscribing to the following guiding principles and values:

• To serve the people and foster a friendly, accessible environment, whereby all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, honesty and fairness.

• To interpret and apply the laws consistently, impartially, and independently.

• To protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the laws and Constitution of the State of Georgia and the United States of America for all people coming before the courts.

• To provide for the people an open, fair, professional, efficient, neutral, and independent forum for the resolution of everyday problems and disputes.

• To hold individuals accountable for conduct that is not in conformity with the laws of the State of Georgia and in criminal cases, to utilize sentencing practices for offenders consistent with maximizing public safety while also seeking restorative and therapeutic justice.

• To comply with all rules and standards promulgated by the Georgia Supreme Court and with all laws enacted by representatives of the people and the Constitution of the State of Georgia and the United States of America.

• To encourage the spirit of teamwork with and among others courts, and officials of such courts, within each county and across county lines.

I am ecstatic about the judges' willingness to give close attention and careful consideration to the idea of purchasing and implementing new cost-saving technology that enhances the operations of the court systems. For example, the ICON Case Management Software System, the most recent software purchase, has proven to be a very important time-saver. Utilizing this system, judges are able to readily retrieve pertinent information while presiding in court as opposed to delaying the court proceedings until a staff member can manually retrieve and deliver files to the presiding judge. 

This type of process improvement certainly demonstrates the courts' efforts to respect the interests of the taxpayers and our funding governmental entities.   

Lastly, it is our desire to serve as an example worthy of emulation by other courts in Georgia, as we continuously seek greater efficiencies through improved service while operating with the highest levels of professional and judicial integrity.

CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO COMES TO TOWN FEB. 12

The California Guitar Trio will warm up a winter night on Feb. 12 when "The ABAC Presents! Performing Arts Series" features three very talented musicians at 7 p.m. in Howard Auditorium on the campus of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

ABAC Arts Connection Director Wayne Jones said the synergy in the trio is incredible.

 "The technical magic is stunning and so is the variety of instrumental music the group extracts - from unique originals to alluring, cleverly-arranged versions of jazz, classical, and even surf rock," Jones said.

Since 1991, Bert Lams of Belgium, Hideyo Moriya of Japan, and Paul Richards of Utah have fascinated listeners with a singular sound that daringly traverses genres. Their shows are full of appealing stories and humor that allow concertgoers to feel like they're part of the music. In fact, the group's goal is to transcend their instruments, so people focus on the music first, and its considerable technical prowess a distant second.

The California Guitar Trio's 14 albums, streamed over 11 million times on Pandora, offer diverse glimpses into the group. The trio's most recent release, "Masterworks," highlights its classical side, with expansive takes on Bach, Beethoven, Arvo P�rt and Schubert. Other works include "Andromeda," which merges their many influences into a visionary album of original material; "CG3+2," an exploration of kinetic rock in collaboration with bassist Tony Levin and drummer Pat Mastelotto; and "Echoes," which reinvents enduring material by artists such as Mike Oldfield, Penguin Caf� Orchestra, Pink Floyd and Queen.

Jones said the California Guitar Trio represents the next to last performance in the 2014-2015 ABAC arts series. The Ron Westray-Thomas Heflin Quintet closes the series on April 16 at 7 p.m. in Howard Auditorium.

While available tickets will be sold at the door for both shows, Jones encourages advance purchase of tickets to ensure seating for patrons. Individual tickets for each event are $15 for adults and $10 for students under 18.

For information, call 229-391-4895. 

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HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE, MOWER TO BE FEATURED IN AUCTION AT CHOCOLATE EVENT FEB. 19 TO BENEFIT LITERACY 

 Choc-It-Up for Literacy, the Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County's premier chocolate tasting event is making its third annual February appearance at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Not only will participants  sample fabulous chocolate desserts and vote for their favorites, but also they may bid for a 2001 Harley Davidson FOXDAWG (FXDWG) Dyna Wide Glide motorcycle from Tifton Harley Davidson! (Shown at

left with General Manager Brandon Keeter.

In addition, the auction, conducted by Sherry Spence of 3Gs Auction, will feature a Quest E-Series 42-inch riding lawnmower from Chris' Mower Clinic (shown at right with owner Chris Hudgins), a romantic trip to New Orleans, a fun-filled trip to Myrtle Beach, and a relaxing five-day vacation in Dahlonega.  

"Fast rides and trips to beautiful places go right along with a sinfully indulgent chocolate event," said Liz Carson Keith, Choc-It-Up chair. "A wonderful way to please your sweetheart would be to tuck tickets to the event in his or her Valentine's Day card, because the whole event sends out all those romantic signals that spell love."

Up to 10 local vendors will creatively display their chocolate dessert with samples for party-goers to taste. Merrymakers may sip milk, coffee, wine, or champagne while voting on Best Taste, Best Presentation, and Best in Show.

"It's a way to have an elegant date night with your special love, your best friend, or your family," Keith added. Tickets are $10 each and entitle the bearer to tastes of all the chocolate samples plus beverage. Children are free. Advance tickets may be bought at Caryn & Company Market on Love, Dave's Bread and Coffee House on Tift, and Cakes by Audrey on Main Street. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

 "If you have always yearned for the incredible chocolate dessert from your favorite restaurant, now you have no excuses," Keith said. "You can feel good about indulging, because it is helping people better their lives."  A silent auction will include jewelry, antiques, guided hunts, framed art prints, books, pottery, golf outings, and many other items.

"Choc It Up 2015 will benefit programs that Literacy Volunteers sponsors," explained Sharonda Murphy-Henton, LV president. LVTTC helps adults to prepare for the GED test, the High School Graduation Test, COMPASS, and ASVAB tests, as well as help eligible students pay for GED test fees. LV also collaborates with Moultrie Technical College to offer English language classes and basic skills instruction.

"Whenever we are able to help a student increase his or her educational level, we benefit our community," Keith said. "Each person who gets a GED credential or completes his or her high school diploma can continue with job training at Moultrie Tech or ABAC. This enriches us all."

For more information on Choc-It-Up for Literacy, contact Literacy Volunteers at 229-391-2527 and leave a message or email [email protected].

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