Shortcuts January 02 2002

Pine Mountain, Ga.
Horticultural knowledge is ripe for the picking at the 16th annual Southern Garden Symposium Jan. 25-27 at Calloway Gardens. Tons of topics, speakers, tips and techniques will be discussed at the symposium, which focuses exclusively on gardening in the South. Herbs, tropical plants, garden design and ways to make your garden grow will be discussed by the many guest speakers. Keynote speaker Steve Bender of Southern Living talks about What Makes a Garden Southern? $188 per person (includes Fri. evening reception, Sat. banquet and all lectures). 1-800-CALLAWAY. www.callawaygardens.com.

Augusta, Ga.
The futurity is now, so head ‘em up and move ‘em out to Augusta to see who’s a cut above at cutting cattle. No, it won’t be a bloody mess: It’s not that kind of cutting. The goal is to “cut” a cow from its herd and keep it from going back: And it takes a special horse to get the job done. Lots of money and cowboy pride are at stake at the 23rd annual Augusta Futurity Jan. 25-Feb. 2. You’ll also be able to rustle up some western dance, a cattle drive, a quarter horse sale and western wear, jewelry and tack vendors. General admission $6-$12 adult, $2 children under 13. Augusta-Richmond Civic Center, 601 Seventh St. 706-722-3521. www.augustafuturity.com.

Madison, Ga.
Is that Vy-EEN-uh or Vee-enna? No matter how you pronounce it, the Vienna Choir Boys will be making angelic sounds Jan. 26 at the historic Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, a former grade school built in 1895. The Vienna Choir Boys continue 500 years of tradition, started by Emperor Maximilian I when he decreed in 1498 that there were to be six boys among his court musicians. Divided into four separate groups that travel the world, the Vienna Choir Boys perform old and new works of music: Haydn, Schubert, Mozart; folk songs, waltzes; polkas and more. 434 S. Main St. 706-342-4743. www.madisonmorgancultural.org.

-- Jane Catoe??