Things to Do in Georgia

Today’s side deal gets golfers a private one-hour long-drive lesson at Hit It A Mile with John Marshall for $40 (an $80 value). Lessons take place at the East Course at the Alpharetta Athletic Club in Milton. It’s a fairly long, ahem, drive from downtown Atlanta (25 miles), but well worth it for the unique knowledge and teaching ability of the instructor.

The community-focused Theatre in the Square fetes playhouse enthusiasts with riveting tales from classic, modern, and local scribes. Bursting onto the 225-seat MainStage is The Little Foxes, a familial yarn about trickery surrounding a husband's fortune. Recommended for ages 14 and up, the story brims with deceit, humor, and the complicated trappings of family life, especially for siblings that have trouble sharing stage props. Meanwhile, Circle Mirror Transformation examines the inner workings of acting class participants as they delve into their created characters while excavating the artifacts of their own personality. An off-Broadway hit, the play provides theater-goers with an amusing peek into the intricately convoluted minds of scene crafters.

The gorgeously renovated Strand Theatre is decorated in gold and crimson, with old-fashioned seats, a lobby chandelier, and retro plaster walls reminiscent of classic 1940s Hollywood theaters. Strand welcomes guests with its lit-up marquee, recalling the excitement our ancestors felt back when Chaplin vs. Kong was the biggest event of the year. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the 8 p.m. showtime for a pre-show organ sing-along, rousing the spirit of the silver screen. It's the ideal setting to see Tim Curry fight drag sharks.

Lead-footed motorists can experience unlimited access to Malibu's high-performance go-karts. Zip around hairpin turns, pick up speed on straightaways, and fly over banked curves with a passenger in tow aboard Malibu's safe and speedy four-wheeled chariots. After an afternoon of speed, slow down with the thoughtful, zen-like meditation that is miniature golf on the park’s whimsically appointed links.

Dogs live like kings at Fur’st Class Pet Resort, where caring attendants cater to their every need. Groomers transform canine hygiene into a spa-like experience by blow-drying fur, manicuring nails, trimming fur, and asking it who is a good boy or girl. They can also dole out breed-specific haircuts for pups and groom cats seeking a red-carpet style.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets vacation in the resort’s spacious pet condos, which come equipped with ample climate-controlled areas for snacking, napping, and playing. Cats can admire the grounds from picture windows, and dogs can race across a fenced-in 2-acre playground. Friendly staffers lavish the animals with attention, serve meals at regular intervals, and administer medications upon request. A chauffeur can fetch pets from homes in Clarke and Oconee Counties and return them home at a convenient time. Obedience instructors also visit the facility on a regular basis, teaching dogs of all ages how to sit, stay, and dance the minuet.

Aurora Theatre, recently named Best Theatre Company in Atlanta (Creative Loafing Best of Atl 2010) is the professional theatre of Gwinnett County and home of the best entertainment in Northeast Georgia. With over 300 events annually, Aurora Theatre has live entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. The Aurora Theatre main sta