Just a few days from the time this print version of this issue hits stands, voting closes on this year's Best of Savannah Readers Poll. At midnight April 30 -  Friday - the digital curtain comes down and we'll start tabulating your online responses.

When that's done, we'll start compiling the annual Best of Savannah special issue, which hits stands May 19, with the usual hoopla surrounding the original and by far most comprehensive such competition in town - imitated by many but duplicated by none.

Go to connectsavannah.com and fill out your ballot while voting is still open. To be counted as valid, each ballot must have at least 25 categories filled out.

You know what to do!

Followup to last week's column: At the eleventh hour, the Georgia Senate listened to the public outcry and decided against a plan to defund and eliminate the Georgia Council for the Arts (directed, ironically enough, by former Savannah Mayor Susan Weiner).

While the decision is no doubt a very welcome one to any of us who are affiliated with the arts or are employed directly in the field, make no mistake:

The only reason the legislature backed down was because of public outcry.

And for those of you who think the arts should pay their fair share in belt-tightening, congratulations for missing the point.

As Patrick Rodgers details in his story this issue, while discussing massive cuts to arts and education, your legislature also proposes massive tax breaks to politically powerful groups.

They need your apathy to get away with stuff like this. Don't give in!