Published: April 28, 2008 11:16 pm      

Area briefs for April 28

— Motorists are advised by school officials to avoid Lakemont Drive from Brookwood Park to Central Avenue on Wednesday morning from 7:10 to 7:30 as Brookwood Elementary students, family members and friends participate in “Walk to School Wednesday.”

The effort is the result of a “Safe Routes to Schools” initiative designed to encourage students to walk or ride a bicycle to school when that is safe. The idea is to get students more active and to reduce harmful automobile emissions.

— Once again staff, parents and volunteers have transformed old, unused desks to raise money for technology and classrooms for Varnell Elementary School. A variety of themes have been chosen, from motocross to Hannah Montana. Bidding began April 8 and will conclude May 1 before the PTA meeting that evening. The public is welcome to drop by the school to place bids. For more information, call the school at (706) 694-3471.

— Dalton Little Theatre is bringing to Dalton the Springer Opera House (Springer Theatre Academy) Workshop as a part of the Georgia Council for the Arts Grassroots Art Project.

The workshop — “The Art (and Fun) of Family Play” — is an interactive, engaging and fun class for parents and children. Families work together to learn through imaginative play. The workshop will expose participants to the fundamentals of theater. The class is led by Jeff Holbrook, instructor at the Springer Opera House in Columbus.

This activity is free and open to the public. Space is limited to 40 so advance reservations are required. Hosted by Brookwood Elementary, “The Art (and Fun) of Family Play” is scheduled for Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. To register, call Diane Wells at Brookwood Elementary at (706) 278-9202 or e-mail diane.wells@dalton.k12. ga.us. Please note this is a parent-child event and all children must be accompanied by a parent to participate.