THUMBS UP: To all of the bands that performed Sunday during “This One’s For You: A Tribute to Mad Jim Hall” at Charley O’Corley’s in Remerton. Also, thumbs up to the many people who attended the benefit concert. Hall was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. He has cancer in his kidneys, his renal glands, his lymph nodes, his lungs and his bones. Proceeds from the event will help pay for medication and radiation treatments, which doctors hope will give Hall more time with his family, his friends and his guitar.

THUMBS UP: To members of MoveOn.org and the Valdosta Tea Party organization for hosting rallies in support of and in opposition of, respectively, President Barack Obama’s health care reform initiative. Even though the two groups are on different sides of the fence, it’s nice to see the First Amendment in action. As Americans we have the right to speak out in favor of or against our government and to assemble peacefully. However, so few exercise that right these days or believe in others’ right to do so.

THUMBS UP: To Lowndes High School for winning the softball game against Valdosta High School Tuesday. The Vikettes defeated the Wildcats 6-0 at Morris-Coat Field of Dreams. Ashley Chapman pitched a one-hit shutout, and the Vikettes pounded out eight hits and crossed the plate six times in the win. Lowndes now has a record of 5-5.

THUMBS UP: To Marcia Smith for winning the Wilson Eye Center Ophthalmic Scholarship. The Valdosta Technical College graduate will use the money to help offset the cost of taking her optical board exams.

THUMBS UP: To Lorena Maggio and Brooke Hoke Parr for participating in the annual Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. The two Nashville Mills employees have been training for the grueling October 60-mile journey with regular walks and other forms of training. Maggio lost an aunt to breast cancer. Parr lost her mother-in-law and her sister.