Two Recalls: Children's Jackets / Hoodies; Hewlett-Packard Fax Machines

Children's Jackets and Hoodies with Drawstrings Recalled by Coolibar Inc. Due to Strangulation Hazard
Name of Product: Children's Sun Block Jackets and Hoodies
Hazard: The garments have a drawstring through the hood, posing a strangulation hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper garments, such as jackets or sweatshirts...

Hewlett-Packard Co. Recalls Fax Machines Due to Fire Hazard
Name of Product: HP Fax 1010 and 1010xi MachinesUnits: About 367,000 units (an additional 84,000 units sold outside of the U.S.)...

Secretary Handel Reminds Contractors of the Deadline for Licensure

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today reminded construction contractors about the July 1, 2008 deadline to obtain state licensure. Pursuant to Georgia law, the following types of contractors must obtain a license from the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors... Click to read: Secretary Handel Reminds Contractors of the Deadline for Licensure

Revised: Mayor Franklin’s Statement on Recent Atlanta City Council Budget Action

The Atlanta City Council is now asking the Administration to make an additional $14.6 million in cuts without cutting personnel. As I stated earlier, anyone who believes that the City can cut $14.6 million (the proposed Administration’s budget already included almost $60 million in cuts) without laying off current employees does not understand the operations of city government. It cannot be done, responsibly

This is a risky choice in a bad economy and the people of Atlanta will have to bear the burden of the Council’s decision to not do what is in the best interest of the residents, both short term and long term.

To balance the budget on the backs of employees is irresponsible, when they were offered an alternative of a modest tax increase in an effort to preserve gains in public safety and to maintain core services. The Council had the authority to do this but it is an unwise business decision and represents one of the worst public policy decisions I have seen in my 20 year professional career and it will have negative ramifications for the quality of life for the people of Atlanta.

Secretary of State Handel Announces the Close of Candidate Qualifying

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today at noon closed the qualifying period for candidates seeking ballot placement in the 2008 General Election as nonpartisan, independent and political body candidates.

Secretary Handel will send a certified list of the federal and state candidates to each county elections superintendent.

A list of all candidates that qualified for the July General Primary and the November General Election can be found on the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.sos.georgia.gov/cgi-bin/qualifyingindex.asp.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Community News You Can Use
---

Governor Perdue Challenges State Agencies, Businesses to Offer Commute Alternatives to Employees

With gas prices at near record highs, Governor Sonny Perdue today challenged state agencies and businesses to continue to expand commute alternative programs.

“Gas prices and long commutes are a challenge for many employees,” said Governor Perdue. “Many employers, including state government, have developed a range of options for workers that help them save on fuel costs and enjoy stress-free commutes. Continuing to offer these programs and expand them where possible is a great way to reduce congestion and help employees deal with the burden of high gas prices.”

Since Governor Perdue took office in 2003, state government has offered a range of commute alternatives to employees, primarily focused on teleworking. More than 30,000 state employees already participate in some form of commute alternative, saving almost 5 million commute miles each month.

These options range from teleworking, flexible work schedules and compressed workweeks. For example, the Technical System of Georgia has 6 of its 33 colleges testing four day weeks for its class schedules, saving commute costs for both students and teachers.

Governor Perdue also encouraged employers and employees that have not already signed up with the Clean Air Campaign to visit www.cleanaircampaign.com and investigate commute options. The Clean Air Campaign has seen a five-fold increase in the number of commuters it serves over June of last year. The Governor also recently recorded radio ads for the Campaign that will run later this fall.

Today’s visit to the Cumberland CID’s Commuter Club luncheon celebrated the 100th Vanpool started by the CID program. These vanpools carry nine passengers each, the equivalent of 900 single occupancy cars that would otherwise further clog the roads around the Cumberland area.

“The 100th vanpool for Cumberland CID’s Commuter Club shows that attitudes about commuting are changing,” Governor Perdue said. “In this era of record high gas prices and seemingly endless commutes, residents and business owners are taking action to reduce congestion, save money and lessen emissions into our air.”

Today’s announcements are just the latest of the Governor’s efforts to provide Georgians with commute alternatives and combat high gas prices. Earlier this month, Governor Perdue suspended the scheduled gas tax increase that would have gone into effect next week. He also announced an expansion of 28 new buses in the GRTA Xpress bus program and his support for a pilot commuter rail program from downtown Atlanta to the Lovejoy and Griffin area.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Community News You Can Use
---

Mayor Shirley Franklin Directs Cabinet to Immediately Prepare for Council Ordered Additional 2.5% Cuts

Mayor Shirley Franklin has directed all Departments to immediately begin preparation for the City Council’s approved 2.5% across the board cuts. It is possible additional employees may be laid off by the end of next week.

The Council’s 15-0 vote today is indicative of the previous 15-0 vote against Hartsfield-Jackson’s Fifth Runway. So while the Council has the authority to make the cuts, I think it is a bad business decision to do so. This risky budget action will produce a reduction in City services and force additional layoffs. The City’s Chief Financial Officer, Janice Davis announced today that the City’s current revenue trends are down 4% and there seems to be no indication that the economic picture will improve soon. The action by the Council almost guarantees we will find ourselves facing even greater financial challenges next year.

Mayor Franklin’s Statement on Recent Atlanta City Council Budget Recommendations

The Atlanta City Council is now asking the Administration to make $17 million in cuts without cutting personnel. As I stated earlier, anyone who believes that the City can cut $17 million without laying off current employees does not understand the operations of city government. It cannot be done!

This is a risky choice in a bad economy and the people of Atlanta will have to bear the burden of the Council’s decision to not do what is in the best interest of residents.

To balance the budget on the backs of public safety employees is irresponsible, if we are forced to cut $17 million the cuts will include our valued police and fire personnel.

The budget decision of the Council today is among the worse I have seen in my almost 20 year professional career and it will have negative ramifications for the quality of life in this city.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
Community News You Can Use
---

Baseball Players' Alleged Steroid Use May Have Provided Performance Advantage

Offensive production among the accused steroid users increased by about 7 percent to 12 percent versus non-users. The analysis represents the first attempt to quantify the overall effect of PED abuse on offensive performance in baseball... Click to read: Baseball Players' Alleged Steroid Use May Have Provided Performance Advantage

Secretary of State Handel Announces Candidate Qualifying Process for State Senate District 13

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel announced today that she will call a Special Primary to fill the Republican nomination for state Senate District 13 pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-504(a), upon the withdrawal of state Senator Joseph Carter... Click to read: Secretary of State Handel Announces Candidate Qualifying Process for State Senate District 13

Gingrey applauds Supreme Court decision to strike down unconstitutional Washington, D.C. gun ban

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey released the following statement praising the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a gun ban in Washington, D.C. is unconstitutional:.. Click to read: Gingrey applauds Supreme Court decision to strike down unconstitutional Washington, D.C. gun ban

Delta Air Lines and American Red Cross Change Lives Together Through Expanded National Partnership

President and Chief Financial Officer Edward H. Bastian, Delta Technical Operations President Tony Charaf and American Red Cross Chief Operating Officer Kevin Brown will sign a national memorandum of understanding (MOU) Monday, June 30, strengthening the bond between the two organizations and outlining new opportunities for Delta employees, retirees and family members to engage in expanded Red Cross preparedness training, volunteering and financial support... Click to read: Delta Air Lines and American Red Cross Change Lives Together Through Expanded National Partnership

Virgin America Sponsors First Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival

Virgin America, the entertainment junkie's airline of choice, is partnering with the Sunset Strip Music Festival and The Standard to celebrate the musical revolution that was launched on the fabled Sunset Strip and continues to influence musicians today. The three-day music festival (June 26-June 28, 2008) is dedicated to promoting and preserving the Sunset Strip's rich musical tradition... Click to read: Virgin America Sponsors First Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival

Three Prudential Offices Set Their Sights on Huge Fund-Raising Effort to Benefit Kids With Cancer

Three Prudential Georgia Realty offices, all led by Managing Broker Robert Aiken, are “Saddling Up” again this year to raise money for Sunshine Kids! The 400 North branch in Cumming as well as the Dawsonville and Dahlonega offices proudly announce their partnership with the Georgia Quarter Horse Association with a common mission to “Help Kids With Cancer Smile.” ... Click to read: Three Prudential Offices Set Their Sights on Huge Fund-Raising Effort to Benefit Kids With Cancer

Budget Statement from Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin

I understand the City Council is considering an approach to the budget that would include an across the board cut in spending of 2.5%, as well as additional revenues. The spending cuts and new revenues would total as much as $17 million, which would eliminate completely the proposed millage rate increase and allow Council to add back some spending items. Our analysis is that this approach is flawed and unwise for several reasons.

First, an across the board spending cut of 2.5% could only be achieved by additional layoffs. All non-personnel items have already been cut nearly 25%. Council spending cuts would almost certainly require additional layoffs (a Reduction in Force or RIF).

Second, even if we were able to make cuts solely from vacant positions, the additional reductions – on top of the cuts already in the proposed budget – will definitely and directly reduce service delivery. These additional cuts, however, will lead us into unknown territory that could possibly reduce service in every city department funded in the General Fund including public safety and parks.

Third, forgoing the proposed .43 millage tax increase in FY09, in light of the economy and increasing demand for services, is unwise because it eliminates any leeway that we presently have should the economy turn even worse. Remember, we have not yet felt the impact of the foreclosure crisis in our property tax digest. There will likely not be a large increase in assessments, and we may well see de-assessments in the residential market.

While we can give you every assurance that the City will keep costs under control and within budget for this fiscal year, there is no such certainty about revenues. Whatever leeway we had is gone without the tax increase. The proposed millage increase equates to 45 cents per day or $162.00 per annum for a residential property valued at $1 million.

Looking forward to next year’s budget process, with little or no room to make additional service delivery cuts, and with no new property taxes built into our revenue base, there will be an almost guaranteed need for a property tax increase this time next year (FY10 budget).
Lastly, the budget amendment already passed by City Council, cutting the Office of the Chief of Atlanta Police by 10% would result in the elimination of approximately 16 sworn police officers. Because new officers and recruits would have to be let go before more experienced officers, it is certain that this cut would directly reduce the number of officers on the streets in Atlanta today.

You and I have made hard budget decisions in the past and the result is the city is safer, cleaner and more efficient than when we took office in 2002. Though we have more improvements to implement our hard work is not in vain. Let's not be pennywise and pound foolish.

I urge you to adopt the administration's proposed budget with the .43 millage rate adjusted for the approximately $5 million in new revenue you and the Chief Financial Officer have recently identified. Additional citywide service cuts and layoffs should not be under consideration given the modest nature of the proposed tax increase and the demand for more and better services. The negative impact of this recent proposal from the Council is shortsighted. For example, this proposal does not make any allowance for the likely negative financial impact of the foreclosure crisis on our FY 2010 revenue or the ever rising cost of fuel on our expenditures. We should plan for FY 2010 and beyond by stabilizing our revenue stream and not ignoring the downward revenue trends we've experienced this year.

The fate and the future of our city rest in your hands.
Shirley Franklin

Fayetteville Main Street Receives 2008 National Main Street Accreditation

Fayetteville Main Street has been accredited as a 2008 National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center@. Fayetteville joins over 700 other Main StreetTM revitalization programs being recognized as 2008 National Main Street Programs. Each year, the National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.

"We congratulate this year's accredited National Main Street Programs for meeting our established performance standards," says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. "Rebuilding a district's economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement and support, in addition to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term success."

The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with Coordinating Main Street Programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the National Trust Main Street Center's ten basic performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program's application of the Main Street Four-Point ApproachTM to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the National Main Street Program accreditation, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.

The organization's performance was evaluated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development, which is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Georgia.

“It’s an honor for downtown Fayetteville’s efforts to be nationally recognized for the sixth year in a row,” said Lane Brown, Main Street Chairman. “The improvements to downtown can be visibly seen and experienced and this past year reflects our success and we’re proud of what our downtown has to offer individuals and families.”

Since 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide. Through the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization, which combines historic preservation and economic development, the Center has forged a nationwide movement for the revival of America's historic and traditional commercial districts. The Center provides a nationwide membership network, comprehensive on-site consulting services, in-depth seminars and conferences, technical publications and training materials, and national advocacy for commercial districts.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the-places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history - and the important moments of everyday life - took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information, visit www.preservationnation.org

UGA Takes Biofuels Exhibit to Washington

The University of Georgia gave policymakers in Washington an up-close look at the future of biofuels by demonstrating how raw materials as diverse as algae, chicken fat and wood chips can be turned into fuel.

UGA is among 13 institutions nationwide to win “The Grand Challenge,” a competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the 25x’25 Alliance, a coalition of leaders from the agricultural, forestry and renewable energy communities. The challenge recognizes universities that have taken leadership roles in renewable energy research, teaching and outreach.

As winners, UGA scientists were among the 80 exhibitors at the USDA’s Bioenergy Awareness Days June 19-22 in Washington. They demonstrated ways to harness the state’s rich natural resources to create sustainable fuels that benefit the economy as well as the environment.

“The Grand Challenge helps focus the nation on the future of renewable energy,” said Craig Kvien, professor in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and one of several authors of UGA’s winning entry. “Collectively, there are going to be some good ideas presented that can be used to help develop bioenergy policy and to improve research and outreach programs at our institutions. The fact that UGA was recognized says a lot about all of the people across campus working on renewable energy research and outreach.”

The UGA exhibits demonstrated how:

* Algae can be grown in wastewater and then harvested and processed to create a biofuel.

* Waste chicken fat from poultry processing can be refined to oil that can be used in industrial boilers or further refined to biodiesel.

* Wood chips and pellets made from timber scraps can be processed into a biofuel.

* An autonomous, ethanol-powered tractor can save farmers time and fuel by working around the clock with minimal supervision.

K.C. Das, associate professor of engineering and director of UGA’s biorefining and carbon cycling program, pointed out that Georgia currently imports all of its petroleum-based fuel but is rich in plant materials and animal waste – collectively known as biomass. It can be converted into biofuels.

In addition to algae, chicken fat and wood chips, UGA engineers are creating biofuels from industrial and municipal wastes, restaurant grease and agricultural products that can’t be sold to supermarkets, such as bruised watermelons and peaches or even outdated cola and juice.

UGA scientists are also searching for ways to break down efficiently the tough, fibrous parts of plants so that agricultural wastes such as husks and stems, rather than corn kernels and other edible plants, can be used to create ethanol.

Other candidates for ethanol production include fast-growing poplar trees, napier grass and switchgrass, all of which don’t require much water or fertilizer to grow.

UGA has more than 80 scientists, engineers and economists working on basic and applied biofuels research. They’re collaborating through the university’s Biofuels, Biopower and Biomaterials Initiative, also known as B3I.

“The B3I allows us to synergize the resources at the university for a common goal,” said Joy Doran Peterson, professor of microbiology and B3I director. “And the recent surge in gas prices and ongoing concerns about global warming really underscore the urgency of our work.”

The UGA researchers said they’re pursing a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach because there’s no single approach – no silver bullet – that will solve the nation’s energy needs.

“The strength of UGA’s approach is that we’re exploring several solutions so that communities can derive energy from the raw materials that are best suited to their circumstances,” Das said. “Just imagine the benefits of diversifying our energy sources.”

By Sam Fahmy
University of Georgia

Sam Fahmy is a science writer with the University of Georgia.

Georgia Slips into Deeper Drought

With June temperatures routinely hitting the 90s and little rain so far this summer, drought conditions have worsened across Georgia.

Conditions in the western half of south and middle Georgia have deteriorated the most. A few weeks ago, these regions were classified as abnormally dry. They are now in severe drought.

Severe drought now exists west and north of a line crossing Lowndes, Cook, Tift, Turner, Crisp, Dooly, Houston, Bibb, Jones, Baldwin, Hancock, Glascock, Warren, McDuffie and Richmond counties. It includes Albany, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Rome. Severe drought conditions occur about once in 20 years.

Much of north Georgia is in extreme drought. This includes an area north and east of a line crossing Lincoln, Wilkes, Taliaferro, Greene, Morgan, Walton, Gwinnett, Forsyth, Dawson, Gilmer and Fannin counties. The cities are Athens, Blairsville, Clayton, Cumming, Gainesville and Madison. Extreme drought conditions occur about once in 50 years.

Moderate drought conditions exists in Echols, Lanier, Berrien, Irwin, Ben Hill, Wilcox, Pulaski, Dodge, Bleckley, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Laurens, Washington, Johnson, Jefferson, Burke, Jenkins, Screven and Effingham counties. Moderate drought conditions occur about once in 10 years.

Clinch, Atkinson, Coffee, Telfair, Wheeler, Treutlen, Emanuel, Candler, Bullock, Evans, Liberty, Bryan and Chatham counties are in mild drought, which occurs about once in seven years.

Abnormally dry counties are Camden, Charlton, Ware, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, Long and McIntosh.

Currently, the only counties not in drought are Glynn, Brantley, Pierce, Appling and Wayne. However, a hot, dry July could cause drought to develop rapidly.

The biggest concern over the next several weeks will be stream flows and soil moisture.

Almost half of the U.S. Geological Survey stream gauges across Georgia are at record low flows as of June 25. This analysis includes only gauges with a minimum of 30 years of records. It doesn’t include gauges on the Chattahoochee River below the Buford Dam or gauges on the Savannah River.

Streams at daily record low flows include the Chattahoochee River near Cornelia, the Etowah River at Canton, the Notteley River near Blairsville, the Chattoga River near Clayton, the Broad River near Bell, the Flint River near Carsonville, Oakfield, Albany and Newton, the Oconee River at Athens, Milledgeville and Dublin, the Ocmulgee River near Jackson and Lumber City, the Ohoopee River near Reidsville, the Withlacoochee River near Quitman and Ichawaynochaway Creek near Milford.

Several streams are at or below their 7Q10 flow value, which is the 7-day flow that has only a 10 percent chance of occurring in any given year. When it does happen, it typically occurs in September or October, when stream flows are normally at their lowest for the year.

Seeing streams at or below the 7Q10 in late June indicates the severity of the current conditions.

Streams currently below their 7Q10 are the Broad River near Bell, the Little River near Washington, the Ocmulgee River near Jackson, the Oconee River at Dublin, the Flint River at Carsonville and Ichawaynochaway Creek at Milford.

Streams slightly above their 7Q10 are the Middle Oconee at Athens and the Chattooga River near Clayton.

Soil moisture levels are extremely low north of a line from Seminole County to Screven County.

North of a line from Chattahoochee County to Richmond County the levels are at or below the 10th percentile. At this percentile, we would expect more moisture in the soils 90 out of 100 years in late June.

North of a line from Columbia County to Hall County to Fannin County, levels are at or below the 5th percentile. At the 5th percentile, we would expect more moisture in the soils 95 out of 100 years in late June.

Farm ponds, especially ones not fed by springs, are showing the lack of rain. Many ponds didn’t receive adequate recharge during the winter and entered the summer already low.

Through October, Georgia’s best chance for widespread drought relief will be tropical disturbances. The tropics usually don’t become active until late summer.

More drought information can be found at www.georgiadrought.org. Automated weather data across Georgia is at www.georgiaweather.net. Daily rainfall from CoCoRaHS is available at www.cocorahs.org. USGS data is at ga.water.usgs.gov. Water conservation information is available at www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

By David Stooksbury
University of Georgia

David Stooksbury is the state climatologist, a professor of engineering and graduate coordinator for atmospheric sciences in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Secretary of State Handel Announces Candidate Qualifying Process for State Senate District 13

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel announced today that she will call a Special Primary to fill the Republican nomination for state Senate District 13 pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 21-2-504(a), upon the withdrawal of state Senator Joseph Carter.

The Secretary of State’s Elections Division received Mr. Carter’s affidavit of withdrawal as a candidate in state Senate District 13. Because of the timing of the withdrawal, Mr. Carter’s name will appear on the ballot for in-person and absentee ballot voting in the General Primary. Elections officials in Ben Hill, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth counties will post notifications in precincts within state Senate District 13 notifying voters of Mr. Carter’s withdrawal. Any votes cast for Mr. Carter will not be counted.

The Special Primary for the Republican nomination will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. Since no Democratic candidate qualified for Senate District 13, there was no Democratic primary for this seat. Accordingly, the Special Primary will be held only for the Republican nomination as provided for in the law.

Secretary Handel set the candidate qualifying dates for state Senate District 13 as Wednesday, July 16 through Friday, July 18, 2008. Qualifying on Wednesday will run from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; on Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; and on Friday from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

Qualifying will be held in the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State, 1104 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30334-1505. Candidates may also qualify in the Secretary of State’s South Georgia Office at 238 East Second Street, Tifton, Georgia, 31794. The qualifying fee is $400.00.

Advance voting for the Special Primary will be held Monday, July 28 through Friday, August 1, 2008. The Special Primary will be held in Ben Hill, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, and a portion of Wilcox County. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. August 5, 2008 is also the date for run-offs for the General Primary held on July 15, 2008. If necessary, a run-off for the Special Primary will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

Voters can request an absentee ballot from their county registrar’s office through the close of business on Friday, August 1, 2008. Absentee ballots must be returned to the county registrar by close of business on Election Day. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail. To download an absentee ballot request form, please visit www.sos.ga.gov/elections.

All citizens residing in state Senate District 13 who are not registered to vote can register through Tuesday, July 8, 2008 to be eligible to vote in the Special Primary Election. Voter registration forms can be obtained at any county registrar’s office or from the Secretary of State’s website:
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm.

Montreux Jazz Festival Announces Alexandria Jackkson as Atlanta Representative for Competition

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ALEXANDRIA JACKSON AS THE ATLANTA REPRESENTATIVE IN THE MONTREUX JAZZ VOCAL COMPETITION 2008

Since 1967, the world’s greatest jazz singers have graced the stages of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The opportunity to perform at this premiere jazz event and network with some of the best jazz artists requires hard work and a commitment to the genre that so few are afforded. This prompted Claude Nobs, the Montreux Jazz Festival founder and director, to create an international voice competition for emerging professional jazz vocalists. Competition organizers receive entries from over fifty different countries. In the spring, around fifteen vocalists are selected to take part in the semi-finals and finals at the Montreux Jazz Festival held in Switzerland. On July 6 - 10, artists representing over fifty countries will perform in front of a jury of professionals and a discerning international audience. The representative for the City of Atlanta for the Montreux Jazz Voice Competition 2008 will be Alexandra Jackson.

Although Alexandra Jackson was born in Atlanta into a family of politicians (daughter of former Mayor of Atlanta Maynard Jackson) and civil rights activists, she prefers to do her advocating for social justice-and love-through her music. The 24 year old began appreciating music while just a toddler. At 4, she began what would become ten years of classical training and two years of jazz piano. Throughout high school, she was an outstanding performer in music and drama. After singing with the school’s jazz band, she decided to major in jazz instead of drama. Four years later, she graduated from the prestigious Studio Music and Jazz Vocal program at the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in Music Business. After graduation, Jackson performed in the Florida Grand Opera’s production of AIDA. She also sang back up for Gloria Estefan in the opening gala for the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Alexandra was a featured performer for the 2007 Montreux Jazz Festival in Atlanta produced by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.

"This is an honor for me… and my family. I am all too aware of the huge responsibility this is as I will be representing Atlanta, my birthplace,” says Alexandra Jackson. “I’ve followed the Montreux Jazz Festival since high school and have always wanted to go as an observer. But to go as a performer is beyond my greatest dream. I’m not thinking of this as a competition, but a phenomenal opportunity to enjoy the other artists and soak up as much as I can.”

The first prize winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival Voice Competition receives CHF 5,000.- Swiss francs ($4,755.00) and a week’s recording time at Balik Farm Studio located in the breathtaking scenery of Switzerland’s Toggenburg region, and an invitation to perform at the annual meeting of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) in January of the following year and in summer, plays as the opening act for one of the world-class artists performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Musicians, record company representatives and producers seeking new talent will be seated among the general public.

“We are excited and pleased that Alexandra will represent us at Montreux this year. She is a tremendous talent and an appropriate ambassador for the artistic community of Atlanta. She will represent us well.”- Camille Russell Love, Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs

Military Matters

Violence in Iraq Drops to Four-Year Low Violence in Iraq dropped in May to its lowest level in four years, according to a Defense Department report released to Congress today (June 23, 2008). The quarterly report, required by Congress, measured progress in the country in March through May of this year...

Chairman Calls Homeless Veterans 'Hugely Important Issue' Calling the issue "hugely important," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today said the nation must fully integrate efforts to help homeless veterans...

President Nominates Woman Army General for Fourth Star President Bush today nominated Army Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody for promotion, which, pending Senate approval, would make her the first woman to be a four-star officer in U.S. history...

Attacks in Iraq Down 80 Percent Since June 2007, General Says The number of weekly attacks in Iraq has dropped from about 1,200 a week in June 2007 to about 200 a week now, the commander of the tactical unit responsible for command and control of operations in Iraq said today...

The Latest Recalls

Jardine Cribs Sold by Babies"R"Us Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard Name of Product: Jardine CribsUnits: About 320,000...

Nordstrom Recalls Girls' Sandals Due to Choking Hazard Name of Product: Nordstrom's Cadence-Lea and Trio-Lea Girl's SandalsUnits: About 1,500...

Dollar Tree Recalls Glue Guns Due to Fire Hazard Name of Product: Crafters Square Hot Melt Mini Glue GunsUnits: About 470,000...

A. O. Smith Recalls Water Pump Motors Due to Fire Hazard Name of Product: Water Pump MotorsUnits: About 6,750...

NCPA Applauds U.S. House Vote in Favor of H.R. 6331

BUSINESS WIRE--The U.S. House of Representatives voted 355 to 59 in favor of H.R. 6331, which represents a veto-proof majority. The health care bill contains three critical provisions for community pharmacies that speed up the reimbursements for Medicare Part D claims, delays below-cost cuts to Medicaid generic prescription drug reimbursement that would have driven... Click to read: NCPA Applauds U.S. House Vote in Favor of H.R. 6331

Yogen Früz Scoops into Georgia with 10 Stores Planned

(BUSINESS WIRE)--International frozen yogurt chain Yogen Früz has Georgia on its mind with a master franchise agreement that will bring 10 stores to the Peach State over the next few years. The agreement with Atlanta-based LB Yogurt LLC is the third U.S. development contract signed by Yogen Früz in the last month and the sixth since mid-2007, marking the first phase of an expansion into the U.S... Click to read: Yogen Früz Scoops into Georgia with 10 Stores Planned

FDA Approves PrandiMet™, a Replaglinide and Metformin Fixed-Dose Combination Tablet for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

BUSINESS WIRE--Sciele Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCRX) and Novo Nordisk Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PrandiMet™ (repaglinide and metformin HCl) tablets, the first and only fixed-dose combination of the fast-acting secretagogue replaglinide (also known as Prandin®) and insulin sensitizer, metformin, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes... Click to read: FDA Approves PrandiMet™, a Replaglinide and Metformin Fixed-Dose Combination Tablet for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

University of Georgia Research Foundation to acquire WNEG-TV

The University of Georgia Research Foundation has reached an agreement to acquire WNEG-TV, channel 32, from its current owner, Media General, Inc. Transfer of the license for the television station, which serves Northeast Georgia from studios in Toccoa, is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission. The station will be operated by the University of Georgia through its Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The commercial station will serve Northeast Georgia with high-quality, local interest programming, built primarily around local news and public affairs programming, and featuring UGA academic, cultural and athletic events.

“The acquisition of WNEG is the foundation for development of a Center for Advanced Media, out of which the university plans to distribute its rich content statewide through multiple platforms ranging from satellite to cable to Web,” said E. Culpepper Clark, Grady College dean. “Our first goal, however, will be to provide quality local television programming to Northeast Georgia.”

UGA President Michael F. Adams noted that by acquiring WNEG, the University of Georgia joins a handful of flagship universities nationwide that own commercial licenses. “This provides a winning combination of strengthening local markets by emphasizing local interests, while offering a real-world opportunity for faculty and students to work in research, development and teaching in media,” Adams said. “The revenue produced by this commercial venture will strengthen the operation of the television station while enhancing the research and outreach mission of the university.”

Clark estimated that FCC approval likely would occur this fall. He said the first year of ownership would focus on programming and technical transition, during which the station would continue to operate out of its Toccoa studios until transferring to studios at the Grady College building on the UGA campus. The new UGA-oriented programming is expected to commence in fall 2009, utilizing professional broadcast staff supported by UGA students and their faculty instructors.

“The new WNEG will provide students and faculty with new ways to experience and use media,” Clark said. “Indeed, all units that comprise the university will have at their disposal the means to create and distribute programming that informs, entertains and inspires the best – in short, media as we know it can be.”

Atlanta Braves Celebrate Independence Day Weekend with a Salute to Our Troops and an "All American Fireworks Spectacular" on Friday, July 4th

Independence Day celebrations at Turner Field will honor members of the United States military and their families, and a post-game "Salute to America Fireworks Spectacular," presented by Publix Super Markets, will feature a dazzling display of pyrotechnics, choreographed to patriotic music, that will light up the Atlanta skyline in red, white and blue.

The Braves holiday-weekend festivities will continue with a free concert by two-time Grammy Award-winning group Arrested Development in Fan Plaza on Saturday, July 5th. Arrested Development will perform in Fan Plaza beginning at 5:30, and will make an encore appearance in Fan Plaza after the game.

Arrested Development's lead female vocalist, Tasha LaRae, will also perform the national anthem on Friday, July 4th. Operation Homefront Georgia will bring together volunteers from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and National Guard to carry the largest American flag ever displayed at Turner Field during pre-game ceremonies. More than 350 military families will join Operation Homefront at the game, including soldiers wounded in action from Fort Gordon, Georgia. Tributes on BravesVision from Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves will thank military men and women for their service and celebrate the history of our nation.

Serving as the Braves' Honorary Team Captain for the evening on July 4th will be Captain Joseph Anthony, of Richmond, Virginia, a 16 year veteran of the United States Army. Captain Anthony, a decorated soldier, is currently serving in Iraq, and will return home to the United States shortly before Independence Day. His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

For games throughout the July 4 weekend and on September 11th, all Major League Baseball teams will wear "Stars & Stripes" caps that are available for sale to the public with a portion of the proceeds going to Welcome Back Veterans.

Braves Independence Day Weekend schedule:
Friday, July 4th:
7:10 p.m. - Pre-game ceremonies begin on field featuring Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and National Guard and the largest American flag ever displayed at Turner Field
7:20 p.m. - National Anthem performed by Arrested Development's lead female vocalist, Tasha LaRae
7:30 p.m. - Braves Honorary Team Captain, Captain Joseph Anthony, to exchange line up cards with game officials and coaches
7:35 p.m. - Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros first pitch
Post Game - "Salute to America Fireworks Spectacular," presented by Publix Super Markets

Saturday, July 5th:
5:30 p.m. - Arrested Development concert in Fan Plaza
7:05 p.m. - Braves vs. Houston Astros
Post Game - Arrested Development encore in Fan Plaza

Major Mortgage Fraud Scam Busted

DOSSEY RICHARDS, 36, of Atlanta, Georgia; LOVIE HOBBS, a/k/a “Lovie Hobbs Hagwood,” 47, of Lithonia, Georgia; MONTRA McKENZIE, 29, of Atlanta, Georgia; CYRUS DAVIS, 42, of Atlanta, Georgia; MARCUS VICKERS, 35, of Ellenwood, Georgia; RAYSHUAN HARMON, 27, of East Point, Georgia; and MICHELLE DAVILA, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia, have been arrested on a federal criminal complaint related to a mortgage fraud scheme.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This is unfortunately another in a long series of major mortgage fraud cases in metro Atlanta. In this case, an entire condominium complex was gutted by fraud and greed. And as we have seen too many times before, one of the defendants charged is a closing attorney, someone the victim lenders retained and trusted to protect them against such fraud, but who instead became a participant in it. Mortgage fraud will remain a high priority for federal law enforcement in North Georgia.”

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Greg Jones said, “Today's (June 18, 2008) arrests illustrate clearly that the crime of mortgage fraud involves people from all walks of life who unwisely choose to collectively use their various positions and skills to rip off banks or other lending institutions. Mortgage fraud is a complex and prevalent crime problem that the FBI is well suited to address and intends to do just that.”

According to Nahmias and the information presented in court: The complaint alleges one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud based on a mortgage fraud scheme.

Participants in the alleged fraud included DOSSEY RICHARDS, the owner of “Red Hair Investment Group, LLC;” MARCUS VICKERS, d/b/a “Title Depot of America,” a closing attorney in the Atlanta area; MONTRA McKENZIE and CYRUS DAVIS, both mortgage
brokers in the Atlanta area; MICHELLE DAVILA, an employee of Wachovia Bank; and
RASHUAN HARMON, who provided fraudulent appraisals as a part of the scheme. In
addition, LOVIE HOBBS, accused of being a “straw buyer,” is an employee with the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS)in Atlanta.

The properties that are the subject of the charges are units in the “Blue Sky” condominium complex located at 3106 Memorial Drive in Atlanta. It is alleged that the persons named in the criminal complaint conspired to defraud certain lenders by inflating the value of units at Blue Sky.

The fraudulent transactions outlined in the complaint occurred between March and May of 2008. The complaint alleges that the current (as of today) listings of 25 units in the complex range in price of between $2,000 and $28,750; however, the inflated sales prices used to fraudulently obtain inflated loans were between $135, 000 and $155,000. The participants charged include the property owner/seller DOSSEY RICHARDS as well as the straw buyer/borrower LOVIE HOBBS. As in most mortgage fraud cases, prior inflated loans obtained for units in Blue Sky have gone into foreclosure, causing losses to the victim lenders.

The defendants each face a possible maximum term of 30 years in federal prison. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing
Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most
offenders.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only allegations. A
defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to
prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Nelan is prosecuting the case.

FBI Seeks Information in Attempted Bank Robbery

On Tuesday, June 24, 2008 , at approximately 8:21 a.m. , two black males, one armed with a revolver handgun, the other armed with an SKS type assault rifle, entered the Atlanta Federal Credit Union, located at 3075 Sylvan Road , Atlanta , GA ( East Point ) and attempted an armed robbery.

The bank employees retreated further into the bank and the robbers departed without having obtained any money.

The robbers, described as black males in their early to late 20’s and with slender builds, were both wearing “do rag” style masks and were observed departing the bank in a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. This vehicle was later recovered by law enforcement about a mile and a half away from the bank ( East Washington Ave./Blunt Street area). This vehicle was reported stolen from the Lithonia, Georgia area and is currently being processed by crime scene investigators.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

Youth University’s Second Session Starts July 7

Clayton State University’s Division of Continuing Education’s popular Youth University’s second, three-week session for 2008 is set to kick off on Monday, July 7 at Clayton State’s newly-renovated location on Tara Boulevard in Jonesboro.

To prepare and inform parents, a Youth University Open House will be held on Tuesday, July 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., also at the Jonesboro location, 9157 Tara Blvd.

An exciting alternative to traditional summer day camp, Youth University’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended morning and evening care available at an additional fee. The second session for 2008 will run from July 7 to July 25 and will be staffed by qualified teachers and counselors with backgrounds in education, recreation, writing, the arts and athletics. The registration fee is $399.

This year’s Youth University offers new theme-based curricula covering the traditional academic components of Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Math, with a creative bonus in music and dance, drama, and art design. These innovative programs offer students ages seven to 11 a unique learning experience designed to challenge them both academically and creatively to broaden their knowledge of different cultures and experiences.

In Session Two, students will be introduced to pioneers, explorers, Native Americans, and a host of historical figures as they study the great American West. The camp’s comprehensive academic curriculum will cover U.S. Geography, Spanish and French discovery and settling of the American West, the Gold Rush, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett and other historical pioneers. The end-of-session theatrical production will be of the Wild, Wild West.

For more information, or to register for Youth University, call (678) 466-5050 or go to http://conted.clayton.edu.

Gingrey Amendment Would Increase Focus on Offshore Drilling

U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Ranking Member of the Science Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, today offered an amendment to the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 which would help alleviate U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

As gas prices continue to climb and with millions of barrels of oil off of our Outer Continental Shelf under the lock and key of the federal government, increasing the development and utilization of ocean and coastal energy resources is critical to addressing our energy crisis.

Congressman Gingrey’s amendment would actually guide the National Sea Grant Program, originally adopted in 1966, back towards its original intent – to better understand our oceanic resources as an important energy supply. Rep. Gingrey’s amendment was voted down along near party lines.

“Unfortunately, Congress in 1966 seemed to be light years ahead of today’s Congress in 2008, because it was open to the potential of exploring and understanding what offshore domestic energy resources our nation had to offer,” said Gingrey. “With the improved technologies available for energy exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf, it is time that this program once again lives up to its initial promise from over 40 years ago. At a time when families are paying $4.07 for a gallon of regular gas, it is long overdue that we put in place the processes to explore American offshore energy resources.”

Rep. Gingrey’s amendment would add an additional duty for the Director of the Sea Grant Program to move the curriculum of the program towards more energy resource exploration, including production of energy from petroleum, natural gas, geothermal, wind and ocean thermal resources.

NOTE: A recent Rasmussen Poll shows that 67% of Americans support exploration for oil off of our nation’s coasts.

The text of Gingrey’s statement in support of his amendment is included below:
Rep. Phil Gingrey
Statement for Gingrey Amendment SG08-001 to HR 5618
Science Committee Mark-Up
June 25, 2008

I first want to commend the Energy and Environment Subcommittee for its quick action on H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. This bipartisan legislation expands the scope and purposes of the National Sea Grant College Program, and the amendments that I will be offering this morning will assist the Sea Grant Program in its expansion through H.R. 5618.

In the Declaration of Policy in the original Sea Grant Program, the law – originally adopted in 1966 – notes that the vitality of our country is dependent on the understanding, development, and utilization of ocean and coastal resources because these resources supply energy and contribute to a number of important goals for our country – including national security and commerce.

Unfortunately Mr. Chairman, the 89th Congress in 1966 seemed to be light years ahead of the 110th Congress in 2008, because it was open to the potential of exploring and understanding what offshore domestic energy resources had to offer. With the improved technologies available for energy exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf, it is time that this program once again lives up to its initial promise from over 40 years ago.

That is why I am offering these common-sense amendments. My first amendment this morning would add an additional duty for the Director of the Sea Grant Program to move the curriculum of the program towards more energy resource exploration, including production of energy from petroleum, natural gas, geothermal, wind and ocean thermal resources.

At a time when families are paying $4.07 for a gallon of regular gas, it is long overdue that we put in place the processes to explore American offshore resources. Mr. Chairman, the American people agree. A recent Rasmussen Poll shows that 67% of Americans support exploration for oil off of our nation’s coasts. And yet, 85% of the Lower 48 states’ Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy resources remain under the lock and key of the federal government – off limits to drilling.

This amendment would bring together some of the nation’s top academic institutions through the Sea Grant program to find ways to better utilize our offshore resources for energy production in an environmentally sensitive manner. Their contribution will ultimately provide relief for working American families from the rising gas prices they face each day, by introducing more American supply into the marketplace.

Mr. Chairman, a real solution is long overdue, and now is the time for our laws to reflect real world challenges, where we need reasonably-priced fuel to not only maintain our quality of life, but also preserve American economic growth and prosperity. I believe that this amendment helps put us on that path.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use

Mom and Purple Bus Kick-off VoteHealthcare.org Bandwagon Tour

PRNewswire/ -- Neighbors and friends are gathering June 28th to kick off an unusual bus tour. This bus isn't full of rock stars. It's Kathie McClure, her family and friends, and the VoteHealthcare.org Bandwagon Tour. They're driving across the country gathering stories and talking to people about America's health care system.

Kathie is an Atlanta mom and attorney who learned about the holes in our health care system the hard way. First, her son, Chris, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a genetic illness affecting one million children and adults in the U.S. Then, her daughter, Caitlin, was diagnosed with epilepsy after being hit in the head by a soccer goal. Diabetes and epilepsy are expensive illnesses, with the average annual cost of treatment for each ranging from $4,000 to $10,000.

When Chris and Caitlin entered their 20s, Kathie and her husband, Jay, found it was next to impossible for them to find affordable individual coverage. Most insurers don't offer individual policies to those with "pre-existing conditions" like diabetes and epilepsy, and if they do, most exclude coverage for the very services that are needed.

While they've managed to cover their children's exorbitant medical expenses, it got Kathie thinking -- How would they take care of their children if they earned the national median income of $50,000 a year? The answer is they couldn't. "No parent should have to choose between their kids' health and bankruptcy," said Kathie.

Then she got going. As her friend Mary Lynn tells it, "When Kathie gets mad, she gets active. Whether she's shepherding a family member through an illness or a client through a lawsuit against a Goliath company, she focuses her anger into a laser beam of energy."

Kathie decided that the best way she could make a difference was by telling her story, but she needed a soap-box. So Jay bought a little school bus on eBay and spent the last year fixing it up so Kathie could hit the road. That's how VoteHealthcare.org got started.

Kathie starts her "Bandwagon Tour" on July 3rd. She'll be traveling up and down the country through October, talking to everyday people, community groups, health professionals, and policy experts. Along the way, she'll be asking people to sign a pledge to "Vote Healthcare" -- a pledge that gives citizens the chance to say why health care matters to them.

Her goal to collect one million pledges is ambitious. But as Kathie points out, "If you're going to spend months sleeping on a futon in a little bus without a sink, shower or flushing toilet, you might as well shoot for the stars."

VoteHealthcare.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes quality, affordable healthcare for all U.S. residents through citizen education and a voter registration campaign.

Record-breaking Ritchie Bros. Auction Taking Place in Atlanta This Week

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer, expects to attract bidders from across North America and around the world when it conducts the largest Atlanta auction in company history this week (on June 26 & 27, 2008).

The Ritchie Bros. auction site in Newnan (Atlanta), Georgia is filled with millions of dollars worth of heavy equipment and trucks - and every item will be sold to the highest bidders at this week's public auction, regardless of price. In total, more than 2,000 items will be sold over two days, including late model articulated dump trucks, wheel loaders, motor graders, motor scrapers, pull scrapers, dump trucks, truck tractors, trailers and crushing equipment. The auction will be strictly unreserved, with no minimum bids and no reserve prices. Every item will be sold on auction day. Registration to bid is free and open to the general public.

Ritchie Bros. has been conducting unreserved public auctions in Atlanta for more than 20 years. Ritchie Bros. sold almost 1,200 truck and equipment items during its largest Atlanta auction to date (held at the same site in November 2007). That auction generated a record US$31 million in gross auction proceeds and attracted bidders from 30 countries, including 46 U.S. states.

Thursday, June 26 & Friday, June 27, 2008
Auction start time: 8:00 a.m.

Ritchie Bros.' Atlanta auction site (4170 Hwy 154, Newnan,
Georgia). Site phone: +1.770.304.3355

A Ritchie Bros. auction is a fast-paced, exciting event. Mobile
equipment moves over a ramp in front of the crowd of bidders in
the auction theater. Interested buyers bid competitively on the
items, either in person at the site or live over the internet.
Most items sell in less than one minute. Ritchie Bros. auctions
are completely unreserved, meaning there are no minimum bids
and no reserve prices, unlike many traditional or online-only
auctions. Every item is sold to the highest bidder on auction
day, regardless of price.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone

Gwinnett Glows Promises Fireworks, Fun on the Fourth

Gwinnett County’s annual Fourth of July celebration will take place throughout downtown Lawrenceville again this year. All activities will get underway at 5 p.m.

Radio station 95.5 The Beat will broadcast live from Historic Courthouse Square. Live entertainment will again feature Tim Purcell and the Mustangs on the outdoor stage. Inside the Historic Courthouse, there will be a Piccadilly Puppets show at 5:30 p.m., Carey Henderson’s Magic Show at 6:30 p.m. and Steel Drums with Scott Douglas at 7:30 p.m. Other free kid’s activities on the square include a rock-climbing wall, small Ferris wheel, petting zoo, crazy copters, and a play zone for kids under 6.

Activities along Perry Street south of the Square will include the Georgia Force Street Team, midway games, temporary tattoos, and face-painting. First aid will be available at Fire Station 15 on Perry Street, and at the lost kids stations on the square and in the back of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) parking lot.

The GJAC parking lot will feature pony rides, dance exhibitions, an extreme bungee trampoline, American Express trains and Buccaneer Ship giant slide. The fireworks show, sponsored by local businesses, will again be fired from the Nash Street parking lot behind GJAC and will be visible all over the downtown area. Portable restroom facilities will be available both adjacent to the square and at GJAC.

There will be limited parking in the main GJAC lot with space in the back rows reserved for fireworks spectators. A short trail near the Fallen Heroes Memorial connects pedestrians to downtown. Parts of Luckie Street, Constitution Boulevard, Perry Street, Crogan Street, Culver Street and Nash Street will be closed to vehicular traffic on the day of the event.

A wide variety of food concessions will be for sale throughout the area including sandwiches, BBQ, chicken, hot dogs, corn dogs, fish, and turkey. Sweets include frozen custard, ice cream and Italian ice, cotton candy, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, French fries, funnel cakes, and fried candy.

“Gwinnett Glows has become an Independence Day tradition for tens of thousands of area residents over the past 20 years,” said Communications Director Joe Sorenson. “TVgwinnett (cable channel 23) will again provide live TV coverage and streaming video at gwinnettcounty.com. Even if you can’t make it to the festivities, you can still catch it on cable or online.”

Major sponsors include The Gwinnett Daily Post, 95.5 The Beat, Coca-Cola, Jordan, Jones & Golding, Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc., the Gwinnett Parks Foundation and Party City.

More information and photos of last year’s event are on the County’s website at gwinnettcounty.com.

Gwinnett Reads Kickoff Event Features Cherokee Music, Dance and Crafts on the Duluth Town Green

The Duluth Town Green will be the site of a colorful and entertaining display of Cherokee Indian song, dance, and art as the Gwinnett County Public Library's Gwinnett Reads kickoff event gets underway on Saturday, June 28 from noon until 4 p.m. The Duluth Historical Society is a library partner and co-sponsor of this year's kickoff activities.

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Other free events include:

Tuesday July 1 at 7 p.m.
Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library
Cherokee Memories
Storytelling and historical insights

Donna Delgadillo of The Plainsmen Drum and Dance Troupe shares unique stories of the Cherokee people.

Monday July 7 at 7 p.m.
Five Forks branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library
Native American artifacts
Presented by the president of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association

Learn about the origins and lives of Native Americans of the Southeast through cultural artifacts.

Thursday July 10 at 7 p.m.
Collins Hill branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library
Major Ridge and the path to the Trail of Tears
Presented by the executive director of the Chieftains Museum / Major Ridge home in Rome, Georgia.

Hear the tragic story of Cherokee leader Major Ridge and the clash of cultures that led to the Trail of Tears. Discover how the government designates Indian tribal status, and learn about the current Cherokee controversy in Georgia.

Charles Frazier, bestselling author of Cold Mountain, is the featured writer at the Gwinnett Reads grand finale on July 12 at Gwinnett Center. This final Gwinnett Reads event brings everything together with Frazier reading from his latest novel Thirteen Moons, answering questions, and presenting Cherokee music, singing, and readings. He will also sign books that are available at the event in English and Cherokee. The finale's $15 admission covers food and entertainment.

Some of the proceeds will benefit the cultural preservation efforts of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, which has honored Frazier for his dedication to helping preserve their language and traditions.

All other events are FREE and open to the public. The schedule of free community events and Frazier event tickets are available at all 14 Gwinnett County Public Library branches. For more information, visit www.gwinnettreads.org or call (770) 978-5154. For complete Gwinnett County Public Library information, visit www.gwinnettpl.org

Gwinnett County Public Library lays claim to Georgia's highest book circulation numbers and ranks among the largest systems in the country. With its dynamic position of growth in the booming Atlanta region, Gwinnett County Public Library has been able to attract top authors for Gwinnett Reads, its popular adult reading program, since it began in 2003.

For more information, visit www.gwinnettreads.org or call (770) 978-5154.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers Closing June 26

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Centers located in Carrollton, Georgia (Carroll County) and Wrightsville, Georgia (Johnson County) will close Thursday, June 26 at noon. The SBA urges homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations that are disaster victims to visit the Centers before they close to obtain one-on-one assistance and information about the disaster assistance program. The SBA also encourages those victims of the severe storms and flooding that occurred on May 11-12, 2008 who received physical disaster loan applications to return their completed applications by the deadline of July 22, 2008.

  The Centers are located at:

 SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs)

 Bibb County
 Bibb Fire Station # 12
 5565 Bloomfield Road
 Macon, GA 30126
 Open: Monday-Friday
 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

 Carroll County
 Industrial Training Building
 West Georgia Tech College
 166 Independence Drive
 Carrollton GA 30116
 Open: Monday-Wednesday
 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
 Thursday: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
 Closes: Thu. June 26 at Noon

 Johnson County
 Johnson County School
 150 Trojan Way
 Wrightsville GA 31096
 Open: Monday-Wednesday
 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
 Thursday: 9:00AM-12:00 PM
 Closes: Thu. June 26 at

"We want to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of the Industrial Noon Training Building in Carrollton and the Johnson County School in Wrightsville," said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East. "By providing the facilities for our Disaster Loan Outreach Center, they have helped disaster victims in their community. We deeply appreciate their generosity."

Anyone unable to visit a Center who has registered with FEMA may obtain an application by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT or by emailing our customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to one of the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

The deadline to return physical loan applications is July 22, 2008. The deadline for returning economic injury applications is February 23, 2009.

For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Programs, visit our website at www.sba.gov.

Wi-Fi Hotspots in Atlanta Not so Hot, Says Trend Micro Survey

PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated , a global leader in Internet content security, reported today that residents of the Atlanta metropolitan region are not using Wi-Fi hotspots, even though the city is the fourth highest metropolitan area for Wi-Fi availability and the highest rated "wired" city in the nation(1).

The study, which surveyed over 500 Atlanta residents on their Internet usage habits and attitudes towards cyber-surfing safety, found that very few of them are taking advantage of available Wi-Fi within the Atlanta region. While all survey participants responded that they use the Internet on a regular basis, less than 20 percent take advantage of the city's ubiquitous Wi-Fi networks.

The study also found that 52 percent of Atlantans surveyed think viruses are a major threat to their computers. Those participating in what would normally be considered risky online activities (such as browsing Web sites, making online purchases, visiting social networking sites and banking online) are more concerned with viruses even though they are more easily preventable than Web threats. While viruses can cause great inconveniences, cybercriminals have created an underground malware economy that costs companies and consumers millions of dollars each year through identity and data theft.

With a comprehensive Internet security product, most online activities can be relatively safe. Trend Micro offers the following tips in looking for the right consumer security product:

-- Make sure the security product offers a strong protection against Web threats such as bots, Trojans, Web downloaders and keyloggers, any of which can lead to identity and data theft.

-- Look for an anti-spyware feature that is designed to remove adware and spyware that marketing and advertising companies dump on computers to covertly spy on surfing habits and collect market data. These programs can also slow down computer performance.

-- A security product should also have firewall capabilities -- a cyber-barrier that keeps destructive elements and intrusions away from the network. It inspects all network traffic passing through the system, guarding it from viruses, hackers, spam and other Internet threats.

-- Viruses can still do damage so a product should also have an antivirus feature that's consistently updated. Viruses are constantly mutating and the only way to protect a computer is with an up-to-date antivirus software program.

"Atlanta residents have a great opportunity to safely use the Internet from a variety of public locations and can take more advantage of it," said Carol Carpenter, vice-president of consumer marketing at Trend Micro. "The proper security protection against viruses and Web threats will help everyone, including Atlantans, confidently utilize their city's Wi-Fi offerings."

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Introduces New Individual Products

PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) introduced two suites of PPO products called SmartSense and Premier that will provide Georgians with more affordable options for individual insurance.

The SmartSense plan is designed for consumers who are price conscious and want solid protection to cover the essentials. "Georgians who are seeking a health plan that offers affordability and provides coverage for routine services that can help them improve or maintain their health, now have another option, with premiums for SmartSense ranging from as little as $36.82 to $175.64 per month for a healthy 25-year-old male," said Monye Connolly, president of BCBSGa. The SmartSense plans provide coverage for up to three physician office visits a year before a member has to meet a deductible, some preventive benefits and a choice of prescription drug coverage options.

The Premier plan is designed for customers who want the security of a comprehensive benefit design with lower out of pocket costs. This plan is also a good choice for families with children, or those planning to have children. The Premier plan provides unlimited coverage for office visits before having to meet a deductible, provides preventive benefits, comprehensive prescription coverage and offers the ability to add maternity coverage.

SmartSense and Premier provide protection against expensive and unexpected medical bills. "These plans were designed for those consumers who recognize the importance of health coverage, but need flexibility when it comes to cost," said Connolly. "The plans offer a variety of deductibles that will help consumers find a premium they can afford."

"I would like to thank Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia for providing these new and innovative products," said Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine. "I applaud them for giving Georgians additional options when shopping for their health care needs."

SmartSense and Premier, which BCBSGa will begin offering on July 19, are targeted towards Georgians who work for companies that do not offer health care coverage, as well as early retirees and others who want a cost effective option.

Connolly says the availability of SmartSense and Premier will be appealing options for many Georgians who want more control over their health care choices and reflects the company's on-going commitment to reduce the percentage of Americans who are uninsured.

"Our goal is to offer a menu of plans that provide consumers with benefits that address a variety of life stages," said Connolly. "As we move forward, we will continue to focus on providing affordable plans that maintain the high quality and value-added benefits consumers have come to expect."

Members choosing SmartSense and Premier have access to more than 15,000 Georgia PPO network doctors and specialists and nearly 170 hospitals. These plans also provide coverage outside the state of Georgia through the Blue Card program.

In addition to SmartSense and Premier, BCBSGa also offers Tonik -- an individual product targeted toward Georgia's "young invincibles" -- individuals between the ages of 18 and 29. Since introducing the products in 2006, more than 8,000 Georgians are covered by Tonik.

For more information about SmartSense and Premier or other BCBSGa products, contact your authorized Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia agent or call 1-800-896-2583, or visit us at www.BCBSGA.com .

America Supports You: 'Good Grief Camp' Helps Children Overcome Loss

Losing a parent or sibling who served in the military can be devastating to children, but they don't have to cope alone.

Thanks to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, more than 300 of war's youngest survivors attended the TAPS "Good Grief Camp" over Memorial Day weekend. Many of them have lost a father or brother serving with the military in Iraq or Afghanistan.

TAPS is a veterans service organization providing peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, seminars, case work assistance, and 24/7 crisis intervention care for all those affected by a death of a loved one in military service. The organization has held its Good Grief Camps for 14 years.

"We've found that children who have attended the Good Grief Camp felt a closeness to each other like many have never experienced, as they are surrounded by others their age who have [suffered] a similar loss," said Heather Campagna, director of the 2008 Good Grief Camp. "There is a comfort when someone says they understand, ... and for the first time, in many instances, they know it is true."

While attending the camp, children are paired one on one with a military mentor who becomes their "big brother" or "big sister" for the weekend. They gain their own age-appropriate peer support network and learn coping strategies for dealing with loss through educational activities.

The campers also connect their own family's experience with a national legacy of military service, learning how the nation honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country as they visit memorials and participate in ceremonies.

Organizers say the depth of loss children experience may not be fully recognized.

"When a child loses a parent or another relative in the military, often they suffer secondary losses that are not acknowledged in their lives," Campagna said. "They might move away from a home, be away from a military base when that is the only thing they have known, have to attend a new school, notice the ... empty chair at Thanksgiving dinner, and miss their confidante. Connecting with a mentor can be an empowering experience for a child who has already lost so much."

Mentors said the experience is rewarding.

"I loved working with the kids," said Marine Cpl. Phillip Vilkas. "The first time, I was exhausted at the end of each day, but I never felt more proud to be in uniform than when a child who has lost a loved one looks up at me."

TAPS will hold Good Grief Camps with a one-day curriculum in conjunction with an adult survivor seminar in nine locations around the United States this summer and fall. The events are planned for July 12 in Philadelphia, July 26 in Alabama, and Aug. 2 in Indiana. Dates for events in Ohio and Hawaii, as well as at Fort Lewis, Wash; Fort Stewart, Ga.; and Fort Bliss, Texas, are currently being scheduled.

A special camp and seminar designed for families who have lost contractors and U.S. government civilians working with the military will be held in Dallas on Aug. 23.

TAPS is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

Delta Reaches Unprecedented Joint, Pre-Merger Agreement with Delta, Northwest Units of Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today confirms that a tentative agreement has been reached between the Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines units of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) on a joint contract to take effect upon closing of the Delta-Northwest merger, expected later this year. The pilot groups also have established a separate process designed to establish a single pilot seniority list by the close of the merger.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson issued the following statement in response:
“We are pleased that the Delta and Northwest pilot groups have reached a tentative agreement and have outlined a process for seniority integration that will allow us to move forward with a unified pilot group. Achieving a joint contract and combined seniority list in advance of the closing of the merger is something that has never been done in this industry and is a testament to the leadership of ALPA and a working together culture.”

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by both airlines’ pilot groups.

Delta in April announced that it is combining with Northwest in an all-stock transaction to create America’s premier global airline. The new company will be called Delta and will be headquartered in Atlanta. Combined, the company and its regional partners will provide customers access to more than 390 destinations in 67 countries. Together, Delta and Northwest will have more than $35 billion in aggregate annual revenues, operate a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft, employ approximately 75,000 people worldwide, and have one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry. The merger is subject to the approval of Delta and Northwest shareholders and regulatory approvals, which are expected to be completed later this year.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 324 destinations in 62 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 43 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 600 weekly flights to 62 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 474 worldwide destinations in 104 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,’ “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Delta's and Northwest’s expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and charges and capitalization, anticipated financial impacts of the merger transaction and related transactions; approval of the merger transaction and related transactions by shareholders; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the merger transaction and related transactions; and the timing of the completion of the merger transaction and related transactions. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside our control and difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the expected synergies will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, due to, among other things, (1) the airline pricing environment; (2) competitive actions taken by other airlines; (3) general economic conditions; (4) changes in jet fuel prices; (5) actions taken or conditions imposed by the United States and foreign governments; (6) the willingness of customers to travel; (7) difficulties in integrating the operations of the two airlines; (8) the impact of labor relations; and (9) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Other factors include the possibility that the merger does not close, including due to the failure to receive required stockholder or regulatory approvals, or the failure of other closing conditions. Delta cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in Delta’s and Northwest’s most recently filed Forms 10-K. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Delta, Northwest, the merger, the related transactions or other matters and attributable to Delta or Northwest or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Delta and Northwest do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this news release.
Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed merger, Delta will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of Delta and Northwest that also constitutes a prospectus of Delta. Delta and Northwest will mail the joint proxy statement/prospectus to their stockholders. Delta and Northwest urge investors and security holders to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available because it will contain important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov/). You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Delta’s website (http://www.delta.com/) under the tab “About Delta” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” and then under the item “SEC Filings.” You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Northwest’s website (http://www.nwa.com/) under the tab “About Northwest” and then under the heading “Investor Relations” and then under the item “SEC Filings and Section 16 Filings.” Delta, Northwest and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be soliciting proxies from Delta and Northwest stockholders in favor of the merger. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Delta and Northwest stockholders in connection with the proposed merger will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. You can find information about Delta’s executive officers and directors in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 25, 2008 related to Delta’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. You can find information about Northwest’s executive officers and directors in its Amendment to its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2008. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Delta and Northwest using the contact information above.

The Home Depot Launches National CFL Bulb Recycling Initiative

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer, today expanded its long-term commitment to the environment and sustainability by launching a national in-store, consumer compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb recycling program at all 1,973 The Home Depot locations. This free service is the first such offering made so widely available by a retailer in the United States and offers customers additional options for making environmentally conscious decisions from purchase to disposal. The Home Depot Canada launched a CFL recycling program in November, 2007.

At each The Home Depot store, customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will then be managed responsibly by an environmental management company who will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.

In addition to the CFL recycling program, The Home Depot has also launched an in-store energy conservation program to switch Light Fixture Showrooms in U.S. stores from incandescent bulbs to CFLs by Fall 2008 and save $16 million annually in energy costs.

The CFL recycling program is an extension of The Home Depot's Eco Options program. Eco Options, launched in April 2007, is a classification that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment.

"The CFL recycling program is another example of how The Home Depot is empowering customers to help make a difference in their own homes, and have less of an impact on the environment," said Ron Jarvis, senior vice president, Environmental Innovation. "With more than 75 percent of households located within 10 miles of a Home Depot store, this program is the first national solution to providing Americans with a convenient way to recycle CFLs."

Switching from traditional light bulbs to CFLs is an easy change consumers can make to reduce energy use at home. According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR(R) program, if every American switched out one incandescent bulb to a CFL, it would prevent more than $600 million in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 800,000 cars. As the largest retailer of light bulbs in the country, The Home Depot sold over 75 million CFLs in 2007, which saved Americans approximately $4.8 billion in energy costs and 51.8 billion pounds in CO2 greenhouse gases over the life of the bulbs.

Other environmental initiatives The Home Depot has implemented since the launch of Eco Options in April 2007 include:

-- Store recycling program in the U.S. of shrink wrap and mixed plastics, which will result in 50 million pounds of waste diverted from landfills each year.

-- Internal recycling initiative at corporate headquarters that is projected to increase the amount of recycled materials from 30 percent to at least 65 percent.

-- Renewed commitment to use transportation partners registered in SmartWay program and ensuring The Home Depot distribution facilities and stores further promote emission reduction.

For more information on the CFL Recycling Program or Eco Options, please visit www.homedepot.com/ecooptions.

Subcommittee Examines Efficiency of Nation's Transportation Infrastructure

Today, the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to review ongoing Federal, State, academic, and industry research and development (R&D) activities intended to reduce lifecycle energy consumption and fuel use, and also to promote sustainability for surface transportation infrastructure.

“There are approximately 4 million miles of roads in this country and Americans drive approximately 4 trillion miles per year,” noted Subcommittee Ranking Member Phil Gingrey (R-GA). “To support all this traffic, government expenditures on our highways are approximately $140 billion annually. Unfortunately, even with this constant influx in spending, our infrastructure cannot support our growing traffic needs.”

Gingrey continued, “The priority of research and development in the transportation sector has lagged behind construction and rehabilitation, but the challenges that now face our transportation infrastructure will require innovative designs and technologies.”

The surface transportation sector is a major contributor to energy use and pollution, accounting for approximately 33 percent of carbon emissions in the U.S. annually. While materials and technologies currently exist to combat pollution and energy waste from transportation infrastructure, there are cost and other logistical decisions that have limited their widespread implementation.

Advocating for a larger research budget at the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) spoke highly of efforts to promote a more efficient, sustainable transportation infrastructure, noting that further research would pay for itself in the long term. Within the U.S. Department of Transportation, RITA has sought to effectively prioritize transportation research programs, identify innovation gaps, and coordinate research and technology efforts within the Department, and throughout the transportation community.

Further highlighting the benefits of increased investments in R&D, one of today’s witnesses, Dr. Christopher Poe, Assistant Agency Director at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), cited a study conducted by TTI in order to estimate the benefits of improving mobility in congested Texas cities. The 2003 study concluded that an increase in spending of $66 billion, in order to reduce traffic congestion, would generate $540 billion in savings from lower travel delay, reduced fuel consumption and business efficiency. This total return on investment represents an 8 to 1 return ration.

Witnesses at today’s hearing also urged additional technology transfer and education efforts in order to engage policymakers and the public to pursue greater use of these new technologies. They noted that a strong partnership between the research and user communities is vital to ensure that R&D efforts are tied to user needs and that demonstration projects prove the effectiveness of various technologies and materials.

Outreach Initiatives Lead to Shift in Stage of Breast Cancer Diagnosis in African-American Women

Researchers at Emory University have determined that community education outreach and internal navigation programs lead to a significant shift in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer among African-American women.

Sheryl Gabram, MD, an Emory Winship Cancer Institute surgical oncologist, and her colleagues report a doubling in the proportion of cases caught at the earliest stage and a nearly reciprocal drop in the proportion of cancers at most advanced stage in African-American women who participated in community education or internal navigation programs.

The research suggests that initiatives aimed at raising awareness and utilization of breast cancer screening may improve breast cancer survival rates for African-American women, who have a higher risk of death from the disease compared to whites. The study is published on line this month and in the August 1, 2008 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

A disproportionate number of deaths from breast cancer occur in African-American women, a disparity attributed to later stage of disease at diagnosis and diagnosis at an earlier age. Treatment differences may also contribute to the higher risk of mortality.

To assess the effectiveness of outreach programs on breast cancer stage among African-American women, Dr. Gabram, who also is director of the AVON Comprehensive Breast Center at the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, reported on a program implemented in 2001 with two components: Community Health Advocacy and Patient Navigation. The Community Health Advocacy component includes public educational programs that encourage mammography screening, teach the importance of breast self exams, and instruct individuals to see a trained healthcare provider.

The Patient Navigation component involves breast cancer survivors who communicate directly with all patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the AVON Breast Center. Patient Navigators (PNs) encourage patients to follow-up with recommended medical care and access needed resources such as finances, transportation, and support services.

Between 2001 and 2004, the program conducted a total of 1,148 community interventions for more than 10,000 participants. During that same time period, a total of 487 patients were identified, diagnosed, and treated for breast cancer at the AVON Comprehensive Breast Center (89 percent African American, 5 percent Caucasian, 2 percent Hispanic, and 4 percent other race/ethnicity).

Dr. Gabram and her team found that there was a doubling in the proportion of Stage 0 non-invasive breast cancers (from 12.4 percent to 25.8 percent) over the study period, while the proportion of women diagnosed with Stage IV invasive breast cancers dropped from 16.8 percent to 9.4 percent.

"This reciprocal deviation of Stage 0 versus Stage IV cancers has implications on prognosis, and ultimately outcome for these women if recommended treatment guidelines are followed," say the authors. They, along with leadership from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health team, are currently conducting studies to see if the Patient Navigation program successfully influences patients to accept treatment recommendations and to adhere to appointments after they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Research has revealed that many patients with breast cancer refuse or do not receive appropriate therapy.

The authors concluded that programs with Community Health Advocates (CHAs) who encourage mammography screening and stress the importance of early diagnosis should be jointly emphasized with the efforts of the Patient Navigators (PNs) who encourage acceptance of and adherence to treatment standards.

Article: "Effects of an outreach and internal navigation program on breast cancer diagnosis in an urban cancer center with a large African-American population." Sheryl G.A. Gabram, Mary Jo B. Lund, Jessica Gardner, Nadjo Hatchett, Harvey L. Bumpers, Joel Okoli, Monica Rizzo, Barbara J Johnson, Gina B Kirkpatrick, and Otis W. Brawley. CANCER; Published Online: June 23, 2008 (DOI: 10.002/cncr.23568); Print Issue Date: August 1, 2008.