Horticulture professor “hustles” for local charity

Most of the horticulture industry knows Univ. of Ga. horticulture professor Allan Armitage for the research he conducts on annuals and perennials. Armitage has decided to expand his repertoire to include competitive dancing. He has agreed to participate in the 3rd annual Dancing with the Athens Stars competition in Athens, Ga., on March 21. The event is a major fund raiser for Project Safe, a non-profit organization seeking to end domestic violence.
The competition spotlight’s some of the city’s local “celebrities” with a dance instructor. Allan will be dancing the Hustle with Liza Pitts, who is Miss Univ. of Ga. 2008. Trophies will be awarded to the couple most favored by a panel of judges as well as to the couple who earns the greatest number of votes prior to and during the competition.  Each vote is a $1 contribution to Project Safe, which can be made online. Voting began Dec. 1.
Allan said he is practicing hard to win the Audience Favorite Award, which is given to the couple who receives the most votes, both during the show and in the months leading up to it. Allan and Liza are couple No. 9.