Georgia Project

After what was a rough start, to say the least, for Mark Richt and the Bulldogs of Athens, he has managed to turn the season around for the Bulldogs. After winning against Arizona State and Arkansas laying it down on South Carolina, the Dawgs now control their own destiny in the SEC East. To say that Richt’s seat as UGA’s head coach was hot is a grave understatement. Now, the Bulldogs are in a position to fight their way into the SEC Championship game, this seemed highly unlikely after their 0-2 start, it would be their first appearance since 2005.

 This Saturday they are matched up against the No.20 ranked Auburn in Athens. The game is set to kickoff at 3:30. Lets hope that the Dawgs and Richt show up for this game, its not gonna be an easy one. And if we do win, we will be in for the fight of our life against the Tigers of LSU, ranked no.1, in the SEC Championship game. Goooo Dawgs, Sick’em, Whoof Whoof Whoof!

November is here that means it is almost time for thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it brings the whole family together and there is tons of great food. And it’s a good time to reminisce on the year and be thankful for all the wonderful things that have happened.

If you are thinking about having a lot of friends and family over for thanksgiving it might be a good idea to have some sort of activity that everybody can play. It is getting a little to cold to do outdoor activities but a game room inside would certainly be a good time for all your loved ones. You can stay warm and cozy inside but still have a fun time.

With colder temperatures headed our way, the chance for outdoor activity is soon to be limited. So you better take advantage of these amazing temperatures we are getting right now. Going to a corn maze is always one of my favorite things to do when the leaves start to change and air gets cooler. Not only is if fun for adults, it is fun for the whole family. A great one to consider is the Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, Georgia. They offer many activities, outside of the corn maze, that everyone can enjoy. Pumpkin picking, hay-rides, pig races, and the corn cob cannon just to name a few.

But when the temperatures really get low, my favorite thing to do is to huddle up next to the fireplace in our basement, and have a family game night. Typically we play cards, but board games are always fun too. So if you are a cool weather fan like me, options for activities are all around us here in Georgia. So get out, enjoy the relief from the brutal summer.

Whether the family game night, a regularly scheduled card game with the guys, or the game at your local social organization, we have all played card games with regular paper playing cards.  As you may remember, they get sticky and harder to shuffle as the night goes on and by the end of it the playing cards are ready to be retired.

There is a better product in the market that has been around for a while now.  Plastic playing cards may sound weird and they cost considerably more than traditional paper cards.  However, they more than pay for the cost difference with longevity.  First off, the plastic cards take longer to get that sticky feeling and become diffucult to shuffle.  Additionally, since they are all plastic, they can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Six Flags Over Georgia has a promotion going right now that allows everyone to purchase a one day ticket to the theme park for the same price as a kids ticket.  While they say the promtotion is for a limited time, it has been in effect most of the summer.  Every time you see or hear the ad, you are encouraged to hurry up and take advantage of the offer.

The theme park boasts 10 or more roller coasters, including the new Goliath.  Goliath claims to be the new benchmark for thrill rides everywhere.  With it’s 200 foot ascent, zero gravity, and 8.5 acre coverage, Goliath thrills riders all the way outside of the park and back into the park.

While roller coasters and thrill rides get the most attention, Six Flags also has many rides for non thrill seekers.  One of the classic family rides, The Monster Plantation, has been reworked and is now called The Monster Mansion.  If your want to cool off with water on a hot summer day, try the Log Jamboree, Thunder River, or Splashwater Falls.  For the small children in the family there is the Bugs Bunny World.

The English bulldog that served as the mascot for the University of Georgia Athens, UGA VII, passed away today. He was the seventh dog to have this role and his run began August 30, 2008. Nearing the end of his second season, UGA VII was only 4 years old and is reported to have died of heart related problems. His father and predecessor, UGA VI, had been the mascot for UGA for nine years. According to a report on georgiadogs.com, there will be no mascot at the upcoming Georgia game on Saturday. However the former mascot’s north sideline doghouse will have a wreath placed upon it for the game.

Dogs have been mascots for UGA regularly since 1946, but the pure English bulldogs belonging to the Sonny Seiler family of Savannah Georgia have been the mascot since 1956. The family has noted that there are several options for a replacement mascot, but no decision is likely to be made until some time next year.

Before you know it Thanksgiving will be here and that means school kids will be on break. Unfortunately some parents would rather hand out money to their kids like candy rather than spend quality time making lasting memories together. Fifteen years down the road your kids won’t recall all the money you handed them or most of the different toys they were given. However, they will recollect entertaining activities done together as a family.

Fortunately, in Georgia there is an abundance of fun filled activities to participate in. The Atlanta Zoo is a blast with all the animal varieties hosted there. The Georgia Aquarium is phenomenal, definitely an all day affair. Another alternative are the many fantastic museums in the area. For instance, the High Museum of Art and the Doc Holliday Museum are some of the most informative museums around. Really, the possibilities are endless so go ahead; take time out of your schedule and do some activities with your kids they will remember for a life time.

This Saturday is Halloween, as I am sure all of you with children are well aware of this fact. Keep you children safe and observe these simple Halloween tips. Be selective on the places you allow your children to trick or treat. Make sure they have some type of reflective clothing on so they can easily be seen in the dark. Last, but not least instruct your children not to eat any of the treat they receive until you have carefully inspected the goodies. Have a safe and happy Halloween.

The devastating floods in September of this year have displaced children in fourteen counties due to the horrific damages to schools. Only a few schools are requiring relatively minor repairs. Most will need extensive work done before education can continue. Sadly, some schools were so damaged that they will have to be torn down completely. The cost of repairs not only to the schools, but community damages as well has yet to be completely calculated. With already shrinking county budgets, expenses are sure to put a strain on all that have been affected. People in surrounding areas can count on tax increases to help elevate already exhausted budgets. People in these counties need to be pro active and try to raise funds before strenuous taxes are enforced. Many people are willing to participate in charity events especially if activities of interest are being offered. Some very popular items to include at a fundraiser are carnival wheels, poker tables, and blackjack tables. Any number of such events is capable of drawing large crowds and loads of cash.

If you or your school district are thinking about hosting a fund raiser for the costly repairs the schools due to the severe flooding last week, but don’t know where to start, it is actually quite easy. One of the best money making events you can have is a “casino night”. All the paraphernalia you would need for a fun filled profitable event are available online. The basics like poker chips, playing cards and various other items are all that is really needed to make the event a success. Since there is no actually real gambling going on even the kids in the community can participate. Charge a per person entry fee, sell food and drinks; and have a raffle for something that has been donated. By the end of the evening you will be surprised how much money has been collected. A fund raiser like this will not only help raise money for the school repairs, but it will also help bring the community together after such a devastating time.