Georgia chamber launches scorecard website for legislative session

ATLANTA — The Georgia Chamber of Commerce has launched its Scorecard website recapping the 2017-18 legislative session and how each legislator voted on top-priority bills for the organization. Each year, the chamber produces a biennial voter guide known as the Chamber Scorecard, which provides a concise and final summary on the status of the bills most important to the business community. The platform is designed to both analyze and break down pieces of legislation and to display how each elected official voted on those issues. Once all votes are in and accounted for, legislators are then given an official “grade” based upon a scoring key. “I’m proud to say we’re one of the only chambers who not only offers their Scorecard information online to the general public, but also updates the website in real-time as issues are vetted at the Capitol,” said David Raynor, Georgia Chamber senior vice president of public affairs. “I encourage all Georgia voters to use our Scorecard website as a resource for both staying informed and tracking what’s happening under the Gold Dome.” Visit the Scorecard website to see how your elected official voted this session by going to www.gachamberscore.com.

Arts Center to open Plein Air exhibit Friday

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Colquitt County Arts Center is preparing for the grand opening of its newest exhibit, “Southern Impressionism: A One Man Show” by David Boyd Jr. The Vereen Gallery will feature Plein Air artwork that depict both natural and urban environments. Pieces will be on display for the public May 4-June 1, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. All exhibits at the Arts Center are free admission and the community is encouraged to view the artwork located at 401 Seventh Ave. S.W. Learn more at colquittcountyarts.com.

Gin, Still & Mill to Run May 5 at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture

TIFTON, Ga. — For the first time all year, the cotton gin, turpentine still and sawmill will all run on the same day on May 5 at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village. Guests will experience steam powered sawmill demonstrations, cotton gin demonstrations and sheep shearing. Sheep shearing will take place at 10 a.m.  The sawmill and cotton gin will be operating from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. All guests can climb aboard the 1914 Vulcan Steam train at the Country Store as it issues its long and distinctive whistle while it welcomes visitors for a ride to the Historic Village. Local growers and producers will be offering fresh picked produce from 9 a.m. until noon as well as hand-made goods for sale at the Wiregrass Farmers Market located under the pole barn behind the Country Store.  The Market is open every Saturday in the spring.  Museum Curator and assistant director Polly Huff said the brand new “Glory Days” exhibit featuring sports memorabilia from ABAC’s past will also be available for viewing in the Museum Gallery.  The centerpiece for the exhibit is the original Golden Stallion statue. Admission for the day is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for children 5–16 years of age, and free for children under 5.  For more information, interested persons can contact the Country Store at 229-391-5205.

Kids Day offers fun activities this Saturday

LIVE OAK, Fla. —Early Learning Matters is hosting its annual Kids Day this Saturday.

The event will start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. at the Suwannee County Coliseum.

There will be fun games, activities, face painting, hay rides and more.

Kevin Kidd will perform at 9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Kidd, the alter-ego of Kevin Williamson with Williamson Branch, is a singer and songwriter that teaches about positive values with a dose of silliness.

“Kids’ Day is an important event to share and promote early learning resources and activities for the community,” Nancy Roberts said. “Early Learning Matters (ELM) supports the importance of providing quality early learning opportunities for all preschool children to be successful when they start school.”

Early Learning Matters is a community organization that works with parents during the early stages of their child’s life to provide information and support.

Cagle visits Valdosta

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Casey Cagle, Georgia lieutenant governor and Republican candidate for governor, made a stop by the Holiday Inn recently as part of his Cagle Country Bus Tour. Cagle is visiting 40 communities during the two-week tour to meet with local leaders, supporters and voters, according to his campaign officials. “It’s always good to be back with my friends in Lowndes County,” Cagle said. “Nita and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with local voters. As governor, I will continue to lead on expanding opportunities for our farmers, deploying broadband across the state and protecting our Second Amendment rights.”State Sen. Ellis Black and Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk, as well as various local elected officials, helped coordinate the visit, according to campaign officials.Cagle has pledged to continue cutting taxes, deliver a comprehensive 10-year infrastructure plan and create 500,000 new jobs in the first four years of his administration. He has also made workforce development a top priority, and said he will continue to lead on developing a world-class education system in Georgia, according to campaign officials.