Come to India Night!

Indian Cultural Exchange’s (ICE) India Night is the largest and most anticipated event held each year by this active UGA student organization. The night includes traditional and modern dance performances, musical entertainment, and comedic skits, attracting university students from all over the Southeast.  

This year's diverse show will be held at the Classic Center in downtown Athens on February 18. Attendance is expected to be up to 2,000 students, alumni and friends. Tickets are $14 in advance; $16 at the door. I hope to see you at this enriching, cultural extravaganza!

ICE was founded in 1992 to unite ethnic Indian students with Indian culture enthusiasts through activities that invoke cultural, social, and community service involvement.

For more information, click here, email ugaindianight2012@gmail.com, or tweet @ugaindianight.

Think Garden: State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s February Events

In the event you haven't visited the State Botanical Garden of Georgia recently, put it on your list. We are so fortunate to have our state's official botanical garden located right here in Athens.

Valentine’s Day dinner: On Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m., the garden will host a Valentine’s Day dinner in the conservatory. Catered by Donderos’ Kitchen, the buffet is $70 per couple or $40 per person (add $10 per person if reservations are made after Feb. 10). Guests may bring their own wine. For more information or reservations, call 706/542-6359 or 706/389-7955.

The Gardens of Japan: On Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., horticulturist Allan Armitage will speak about Japanese gardens as part of “The World is My Garden” series, which is co-sponsored by the Friends of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Friends of the Athens-Clarke County Library. Proceeds benefit the State Botanical Garden, the UGA Trial Gardens and the library. For more information or to purchase $10 tickets, call 706/542-6138.

Live music. On Feb. 28, the garden will host a live music session. The artists will be announced.

The visitor center and conservatory is now open to the public on Tuesdays until 8:30 p.m. The later time includes longer hours for Donderos’ Kitchen, the garden’s new coffee and sandwich shop; the garden’s gift shop; conservatory plantings; display gardens; and visitor center’s art exhibit. For more information, click here.

NE Georgia Boy Scouts Honor Three UGA Alumni

Dr. Helen Mills (’69, ’76, ’80), Greg McGarity ’76 and Steve Middlebrooks ’73 are being honored by the Northeast Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America at the 2012 Athens American Values Dinner. Dr. Helen Mills served on the Athens Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees for nine years, as well as on the board of the Northeast Georgia Boy Scout Council. Greg McGarity is the UGA athletics director, and Steve Middlebrooks is president of Heyward Allen Motor Company. The fundraising event is held annually to recognize citizens who have made significant contributions to their communities, and embody the values upheld by the Boy Scouts of America.

Tony Barnhart, sports writer and CBS Sports broadcaster, will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. The dinner will take place at the Classic Center on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are $175 per person. All donations and proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Northeast Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America.  Last year, the event raised more than $129,000. I am so glad to see these distinguished UGA alumni being honored for their good citizenship.

photo from the 2011 Boy Scouts American Values Dinner, courtesy of Onlineathens.com