Even parents who are relatively happy that the school year is starting up again seem perplexed at how early it’s coming this year. It seems like the children just got out of school and now, most are headed back at some point this week, with Lowndes starting tomorrow. And we’re only a couple of days into August. A far cry from the olden days when school didn’t start until after Labor Day, but those times are long gone.

For students, going back to school means seeing their old friends and making new ones, with each school year an opportunity to reinvent themselves and have a chance at a fresh start. For working adults, it means a whole lot more traffic to contend with on the roadways and watching out for young children waiting at bus stops.

Let’s be careful out there, especially in the next week or two, as everyone adjusts to new schedules and new schools. You might want to leave home a little earlier to account for driving through school zones and to be safer in general on the city and county roadways.

And don’t forget, you have until midnight tonight to finish your back to school shopping during the state’s tax free holiday time, saving you money on the things that your children need to start their school year off right.

Business Roundup

I drove by Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe bakery this week to see how the new industry is coming along, and they look like they’re well on their way to being finished. Initial projections had them producing rolls by October at their new manufacturing and distribution center off Exit 13, and from the look of things, they’ll make that deadline easily.

The Tavern has reopened on Highway 41 S. towards Lake Park and from the building permits this week, their neighbor across the street, Rascals Bar and Grill, is working on a new addition and expansion.

The Smok’n Pig barbecue restaurant on Old Highway 41 N. is making last minute preparations this week as they are getting ready to open early next week. Cool sign.

Mama’s Table buffet is open now at Exit 22 across from Val Tech and I’ve heard from some very excited customers who used to visit one up in Tifton who are happy we’ve got one here now. The City Market downtown, which recently underwent a change in ownership, is in the process of renovating and expanding its cafe area, but it’s still very much open for business.

The Verizon folks seem to be adding towers all over town as they have come to town in a big way. The area where they built right next to the new Lowndes High entrance off Norman Drive is getting built up quickly, with a new strip center under construction and another strip center, Ferron’s 21 Plaza, leasing out space.

The new CVS pharmacy on the corner of N. Ashley and Woodrow Wilson, the new Hilton Garden Inn, the new Southwestern Credit Union main branch, the new FMB branch, and many more projects all seem to be progressing well over the summer, even though the rain has dampened things a bit. We should have a number of grand openings through the fall and spring to look forward to, but that’s it for this week.

If there’s something I missed, please let me know!