Feeling nostalgic for the good old days? Check out the Atlanta Lyric Theatre’s production of FOREVER PLAID. The musical that depicts a fictional ’50s singing group that appears on Earth for one last time after their tragic demise in a car accident. The show continues through Jan. 20 at the Byers Studio Theatre at the Lyric. Performances start at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $22 to $28. 404-894-9600. http://atlantalyrictheatre.com

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If you don’t already know, Shakespeare can be quite entertaining—especially if you’re in the right atmosphere. A little food and a few beverages should definitely enhance your enjoyment of TWELFTH NIGHT at the New American Shakespeare Tavern. Plus, if you catch the previews on Thu., Jan. 3 and Fri., Jan. 4, you’ll only be paying $12 for your tickets, which should leave plenty to spend on items from the tavern’s pub-style menu (and perhaps some beer or wine, as well). Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The play officially opens Jan. 5 and continues through Feb. 3. Regular ticket prices range from $12 to $32. 404-874-5299. http://shakespearetavern.com

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Sage Clothing Boutique is having its annual winter blowout sale at the already-affordale shop. Save 50% off select clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories from designers such as Tulle, Frenzii, Naughty Monkey, Nelli, Miss Me, Collective, Seychelles, Jeffrey Campbell and more.

Buckhead: 37 W. Paces Ferry Rd.

Midtown: 1745 Peachtree St.

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; Noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

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Cayle Bywater, a 29 year old Athens resident and local non-profit volunteer, has been missing since Saturday.
A group of volunteers are meeting on Thursday morning off of Milledge Avenue to search for her.

INTERESTED PARTIES - MEET AT:
- the dead end on Woodland Hills Dr. (off of Milledge) near the loop
- 9 am on Thursday, January 3rd.
- Dress appropriately we'll be searching a heavily wooded area and it's supposed to be very cold.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT CAYLE, PLEASE CALL: Athens Clarke County Police Central Communications (706) 613-3345

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Happy New Year, dear readers. I hope your holidays were festive and fun. I attended a dinner party on NYE. Normally my BFF and her partner do all the cooking themselves, but this year was not a good one for health, and thus they turned to a professional for a little assistance. Enter Kerel Fryar, head chef and owner of Soulful Infusion (soulfulinfusion.com), a private chef service. Fryar whipped up a delicious feast for 20 people--probably on little notice, knowing my BFF ... (Full article and comments)

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is asking for help in locating 29 year old, Cayle Bywater. (Full article and comments)

Not sure where to spend New Year’s Eve? The easy answer, of course, is the PEACH DROP at Underground Atlanta. Enjoy family-friendly activities all afternoon and an evening of top-notch musical entertainment featuring headliner Miranda Lambert and local rockers Gary Pfaff & Obsession Day. There’s also live music all day in Kenny’s Alley. And oh, yeah—it’s free. For schedules and other information, visit http://peachdrop.com.

BUT IF YOU’RE FEELING BLUE … Head to the Fox Theatre to see husband-and-wife blues greats DEREK TRUCKS AND SUSAN TEDESCHI. The concert begins at 9 p.m. at the Fox. Tickets are $35 and $45. 404-249-6400. http://foxtheatre.org.

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Don’t miss your last chance to make holiday memories at the PINK PIG. The ride remains open through Jan. 1 in a pink tent just outside Macy’s at Lenox Square. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 30 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 31. On New Year’s Day, the ride is open from noon to 6 p.m. Rides are $3 each. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. 770-913-5639.

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For those who need to add a little (more) merriment to their holidays, there’s the NEW YEAR’S WEEKEND CELEBRATION, with Cedric the Entertainer, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Jay Lamont. The show starts at 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 29 at the Atlanta Civic Center. Ticket prices range from $76 to $96. 404-249-6400. http://ticketmaster.com.

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For the United States, the consequences of Benazir Bhutto's assassination could be grave indeed.

For us, the timing of the turmoil surrounding the murder presents a problem. The spring thaw in the Hindu Kush usually heralds new offensives by the Taliban. Adm. William Fallon, head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, has been lobbying since last spring to shift troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. I suspect that Bhutto’s assassination will give him the leverage that he needs to overrule Gen. David Petraeus and make that happen.

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