For those in the workforce who are between the ages of 21 and 40, you are welcome to join an initiative in town called MetroOne. Designed to give up and coming professionals networking opportunities as well as access to programs designed to cultivate their skills, MetroOne has two events planned this month.

On Friday, which is also First Friday downtown, the organization will be celebrating the 2nd Annual Young Professionals Day at the Wisenbaker building from 6 to 9 p.m. Anyone who is interested in joining is welcome to attend.

Also, on Sept. 24, the group is holding its first Professional Development Seminar at Valdosta Technical College. The seminar will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and feature business coaches and professionals speaking on everything from learning to work with others, increasing profits, working with computers, marketing yourself and more for just $15 per person.

MetroOne is a great place for young professionals to start. It is similar to what other communities have in a Jr. Chamber of Commerce, which I participated in many moons ago, and is a fun but professional way to make contacts and network for those who are new to the world of business. I’m not eligible, but I have a number of friends and colleagues who have benefited from the program, so if you’re interested, I urge you to get involved.

Business Roundup

A sign on the plaza on Gornto Road by the theatres says there is a store called Flutterby Boutique opening soon, right in the center of the strip center.

There are apparently a lot of people who miss the laundromat next to Las Banderos, but it’s not coming back. There is a new business opening there called VIP, Valdosta Imaging and Portraiture. Film developing, a portrait studio, camera supplies, and photography classes will be offered, once people stop showing up with their dirty laundry, which I understand happens at least once a day.

Just down Baytree Road from there is where the new Slap Daddys hamburger joint will be opening, and farther down Baytree, there is a lot of activity in Remerton, of the business kind.

The Mellow Mushroom has closed, at least for now, but may be reincarnated under another name at a later time, and right down from it, there are two new establishments, the Milltown Groove and the Mulligans Sports Pub.

On Baytree, in the new plaza/former Harveys building, Jimmy Johns gourmet sandwich shop is opening, and right next to it, the new Barberito’s shouldn’t be too far behind.

No word yet on the grand opening for the new Ichiban restaurant and Palladium venue on N. Ashley St., but they sure are doing a lot of work there. Down the street, the China Garden is still recovering from a fire last week.

In response to a reader inquiry, there is no new news on the Tiger aircraft manufacturing facility yet to report, but the new helicopter service at the airport seems to have gotten off the ground pretty well.

The retention pond/lake by SGMC is filling in nicely, and the two new buildings -- the Medical Office Building and the Ambulatory Surgery Center -- should both be opening very soon.

Several spots around town where land has been cleared, some on purpose and some apparently with the help of Fay last weekend. Fay also took down quite a few business signs on its way through town too.