Shad Season Opens January 1

Commercial shad season runs from 6 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 through midnight on Tuesday, March 31, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Regulations for the 2009 commercial shad season are the same as the 2008 regulations.

The Altamaha River, including the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers, as well as the Satilla River and the St. Mary’s River downstream from the Seaboard Coastline Railroad bridge will be open for commercial shad fishing Monday through Friday each week. Waters upstream from this bridge will be open Tuesday through Saturday each week.

The Ogeechee River will be open for commercial shad fishing on Fridays and Saturdays of each week during the shad season.

The Savannah River will be open for commercial shad fishing downstream from the Interstate 95 bridge Tuesday through Friday and upstream from the I-95 bridge Wednesday through Saturday each week. Only drift nets may be used downstream of a line between the mouth of Knoxboro Creek and McCoys Cut at Deadman's Point.

Individuals fishing commercially for shad must have a valid Georgia commercial fishing license. Boats used below the saltwater demarcation line for commercial fishing also must be licensed, with the cost of the license depending on the size of the boat.

The minimum mesh size for legal set or drift shad nets is four and a half inches stretched. Set netters are reminded that set nets must be placed at least 600 feet apart and should be limited to 100 feet in length. Set nets must clearly display the owners name and commercial fishing license number.

Drift nets shall not be fished closer that 300 feet apart and are limited to a maximum of 1,000 feet in length in saltwater. Set nets and drift nets must be situated so as to allow one-half the stream width to be open and free for the passage of fish.

All set nets must have one end secured to the stream bank and must be buoyed at the outer (seaward) end so they are clearly visible to other boaters. This regulation is designed to prevent anglers from setting nets in the mid-channel of the stream. Sturgeon, all catfish species and game fish other than American shad or hickory shad taken in set or drift nets must be released unharmed into the waters where they were taken.

Reporting of American shad harvest to the Coastal Resources Division is a requirement under Georgia’s commercial fishing regulations. If fish are not sold to a licensed fish dealer, anglers are asked to report their catch.

Contact Julie Califf at (912) 264-7218 for harvest reporting forms. Other regulations apply. For a complete set of commercial fishing regulations or for more information, contact a Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement office at (912) 264-7237 (Brunswick); (706) 595-4211 (Thomson) or (912) 685-2145 (Metter).

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Oxendine Urges Fireworks Safety for New Year's Celebration

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine and the National Association of State Fire Marshals urges parents to protect their children -- and themselves -- from the dangers of fireworks during the New Year’s holiday... Click to read: Oxendine Urges Fireworks Safety for New Year's Celebration

The Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum Announces New Sunday Operating Hours

Due to the current economic downturn, it has become necessary for the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum to make operational changes.

The Atlanta Cyclorama will be open on Sunday from 12 noon until 4:00 pm, and will continue to be open from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday.

In 2008, The Atlanta Cyclorama celebrated its 110th year as a museum owned and operated by the City of Atlanta. With a program that spans three centuries, the Cyclorama is the longest running show in the country. Since 1898, the city has educated and entertained millions of visitors. The 358’ x 42’ “Battle of Atlanta” painting is displayed in a theater-in-the-round setting. As your seats rotate, our colorful history is told with music, sound effects and spectacular lighting. Depicting our heritage to international guests is made possible through narration in German, French, Japanese and Spanish. The Atlanta Cyclorama will program additional events in the near future that focus on Atlanta’s international residents and visitors.

In addition to the Battle of Atlanta program, the Cyclorama is home for numerous Civil War displays, including the locomotive TEXAS. On April 12, 1862 the TEXAS, manned by an Atlanta train crew, chased and caught the locomotive GENERAL that had been stolen by Union soldiers and spies. This 70-mile epic melodrama has been the subject of many books, TV programs and movies. There is also an excellent bookstore and gift shop.

The Cyclorama is located in Historic Grant Park next to Zoo Atlanta. There are guided tours daily. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for military and seniors, $6.00 for children 6-12 and FREE for children under 6 years old. Group rates are available and arrangements can be made for private receptions, lectures and meetings. For additional information, call 404.658.7625 / 404.624.1071 or visit the web site at: www.atlantacyclorama.org.
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SBA Disaster Loans Available Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces today that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes located in the State of Georgia as a result of drought conditions beginning on January 1, 2008 and continuing.

These loans are available in all counties in the State of Georgia except McIntosh County.

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to assist small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to farm-related and non-farm-related small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered economic injury as a direct result of this disaster. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.

Eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations may qualify for loans up to $2 million. These loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Under this disaster declaration, the SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.

To obtain a loan application or program information, call 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. until 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. EST or by emailing the Customer Service Center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The Customer Service Center will be closed from December 25 – 28, 2008 for the holidays. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

Victims may visit SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply for disaster loans.

Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than August 12, 2009.

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Santa Descends From Chimneys Across Europe

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI) , is pleased to present its second of three Satellite-based Aviation Navigational Tracking Apparatus (S.A.N.T.A.) reports. The following information regarding Santa Claus' international flight is based on data from AirTran Airways' System Operations Control (SOC) center in Orlando:

-- After briefly losing Santa on the radar, an eyewitness account
confirmed that Santa met up with the Tooth Fairy for a quick bite in
Germany, where startled fellow patrons overheard him receive a lecture
on his cookie habit. With a new toothbrush and floss in tow, Santa
continued westward.
-- Analysis of satellite patterns show that Santa's team of reindeer
showed off their precision flying by performing a geometrically
perfect figure eight around the Eiffel Tower before rocketing out of
Paris.
-- A short time later, Santa was spotted taking a short tourist detour in
London and wandering through the British Museum, fanny pack attached
and camera in hand. He extended his vacation from chimney-hopping at
Buckingham Palace, where he had tea with the Queen.
-- "The Claus" was last seen over the South Atlantic Ocean on his way to
Brazil.

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Santa Tracks 2008

This year is no exception as Santa has started making his way around the globe to visit children everywhere.

Follow NORAD as the annual Santa Tracker is updated all thoughout Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas to you all!

The Georgia Front Page Staff

Georgia Hunters Help Fight Hunger this Holiday Season

At the peak of the busy holiday season, food banks across the state are getting some much needed help from deer hunters.

Food banks have benefited from donations received by hunters through the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program for the past 15 years. Just last year, nearly 29,000 pounds of venison – a weight equivalent to 143,00 meals – were collected, processed and distributed to food banks across the state.

As the holiday season continues, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division reminds hunters that opportunities to donate are still available now through Jan. 15.

“The Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program is one opportunity for hunters to demonstrate their generosity by sharing their harvest with those in need,” says John Bowers, Wildlife Resources Division assistant chief of Game Management. “The division is proud to be a cooperator in this public-private partnership and to work with the many partners who make it possible each year.”

Hunters interested in participating should bring field-dressed deer to any of the drop-off locations listed below. All hunters who donate a deer during this collection period will be entered into a drawing for a deer rifle, sponsored by the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

The following ten processor locations will accept deer now through Jan. 15, 2009

during business hours:

· Axson – Lee’s Deer & Meat Processing (912) 422-3079

· Baldwin – JJ’s Deer Processing (706) 776-2819

· Canton – Mitch’s Archery & Deer Cooler (770) 479-7004

· Columbus – Daffin’s Meat Processing (706) 322-8848

· Dawson – Mossey Creek Outdoors (229) 995-4109

· Irwinton – Starley’s Deer Processing (478) 946-8976

· Jefferson – Sealy’s Deer Cooler (706) 335-9304

· Sparta – Garner’s Grinder (706) 444-9228

· Tifton – Safety-Rite Foods (229) 382-1242

· Vidalia – Stewart’s Quality Meats, Inc. (912) 537-9888

The Wildlife Resources Division, along with the Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Wildlife Federation and the Georgia State Association of Food Banks sponsor the program.

Since the program’s inception in 1993, more than 225,000 pounds of venison have been donated.

For more information on donating food to those in need during other times of the year, call the Atlanta Community Food Bank at (404) 892-FEED. For more information on the GHFTH program, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com , www.gwf.org ,contact a WRD Game Management office or call (770) 761-3045.

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Keep Georgia Beautiful: Bring One for the Chipper

Bring One for the Chipper is Georgia's annual Christmas tree recycling program. Each year, Keep Georgia Beautiful works with private sponsors to organize the recycling event. In the past, these statewide sponsors have included The Home Depot, The Davey Tree Expert Company and WXIA-TV. Numerous local sponsors and volunteers also make contributions and provide in-kind services across the state.

The Chipper program involves hundreds of Georgia communities and thousands of volunteers. Since its inception, the program has recycled over 4.8 million Christmas trees. The mulch from these trees has been used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects, and individual yards. You can support the Chipper program by bringing your cut Christmas tree to a designated drop off site or volunteering with your local coordinator to collect trees.

To find out where you can take your tree or volunteer to collect trees click here .

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You Better Watch Out - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI) , is happy to present its first of three annual Satellite-based Aviation Navigational Tracking Apparatus (S.A.N.T.A.) reports. The following information regarding Santa Claus' yearly international flight is based on data from AirTran Airways' System Operations Control (SOC) center in Orlando:

-- First confirmed satellite data found Santa and his jolly followers as
they crossed the Great Barrier Reef on their way to Sydney to deliver
presents and do some quick snorkeling. (The reindeer watched.)
-- Data indicates that Santa next headed north, bringing holiday cheer to
the beaches of Thailand to dry off before starting his tour of Asia.
-- Santa zipped through Asia in record time, reappearing on the radar as
he slowed to admire the architecture in Moscow. He passed through
without attempting to land his sleigh on the "onion dome" rooftops.
-- Head reindeer Rudolph led the group south to scatter presents
throughout Egypt and Algeria, and then Santa took time out in Kenya
for a safari excursion at the Masai Mara Reserve before heading for
Europe.

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CAIR Welcomes Georgia AG's Support for Hijab in Courts

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today received a letter from Georgia Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker supporting the principle of religious accommodation in that state's courtrooms.

CAIR recently sent a letter to Baker asking him to bring sanctions against a Douglasville, Ga., judge who has repeatedly barred Muslim women wearing religiously-mandated headscarves, or hijabs, from entering his courtroom.

Last week, a Muslim woman was jailed and then released following a dispute over whether she could enter the judge's courtroom while wearing her hijab. The woman's release came after CAIR intervened in the case.

In the past year, other Muslim women have either been jailed under similar circumstances or barred from that judge's court.

In his letter to CAIR National Legal Counsel Nadhira F. Al-Khalili, Attorney General Baker wrote in part:

"[Courtroom policies] must be designed in such a way so as not to unnecessarily or inappropriately infringe on individuals' rights to observe their religious practices, including the wearing of religious garments...[I]t is difficult to imagine a security concern that could not be addressed in a way that would also accommodate an individual's religious practices related to dress. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of this nation's constitution and should be vigorously protected."

Baker sent a copy of his letter to the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission to alert them to the issue "for whatever action they deem appropriate." He also said he would participate in any effort by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia to develop uniform standards on religious accommodation in Georgia courtrooms. The chief justice also received a copy of Baker's letter.

"We thank Attorney General Baker for his support of religious freedom and will work with state officials to ensure that all Georgians have unfettered access to that state's legal system," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

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Public Meetings Scheduled for January Regarding Hunting Regulations for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 Hunting Seasons

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division will hold eight public meetings across the state to accept public input on the development of hunting regulations for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 hunting seasons. Proposed changes to hunting regulations will be considered by the Board of Natural Resources in May 2009. Those interested are encouraged to bring these meetings to the attention of others that also may be interested in participating.

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. on the following dates and at the following locations:

-January 5: Lakeview Events Complex, Clayton County International Park, 2300 Highway 138, SE, Jonesboro

-January 6: Baxley City Hall, 282 East Parker Street, Baxley

-January 6: Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Building, 365 Riley Road, Dahlonega

-January 7: Greene County Agricultural Extension Building, 1180 C. Weldon Smith Drive, Greensboro

-January 7: Roquemore Conference Center, Georgia National Fairgrounds, 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry

-January 8: Goodrue Auditorium, Memorial Building, Dalton State College, Dalton

-January 8: Terrell County Governmental Building, 955 Forrester Drive, Dawson

-January 8: Armstrong Atlantic University Center, 13040 Abercorn Street, Savannah

Any participant at a meeting may present data, make a statement or comment, or offer a viewpoint or argument, either orally or in writing. Statements should be concise to permit everyone an opportunity to speak. Participants must register upon arrival and notify the registering official of their intent to give a statement. Those unable to attend a meeting may submit written statements by Jan. 16. Statements should be mailed to:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Game Management Section, Attn: John Bowers, 2070 U.S. Highway 278, SE, Social Circle, Georgia 30025

These meeting sites are accessible to people with physical disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Brandon Anderson at (770) 761-3044 no later than Dec. 31.

For more information on the scheduled public meetings, visit the Wildlife Resources Division Web site at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or contact the Hunter Services at (770) 761-3044.

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Georgia’s Winter Weather will be Extreme

Georgians can expect a roller coaster winter with temperatures jumping between warm and extremely cold.

The southeastern United States is currently in what is called a neutral phase of the El Niño - Southern Oscillation. The ENSO refers to the surface temperatures around the equator in the Pacific Ocean. The ENSO’s other two phases are El Niño and La Niña.

Last winter, a La Niña ENSO phase influenced Georgia’s weather.

The neutral phase normally brings a winter with wide swings in temperatures. This means that Georgia can expect extremely cold periods with single digits in the mountains and the lower 20s in south and coastal Georgia. Between the extremely cold periods, warm temperatures in the 70s can be expected.

All devastating freezes that have affected the Southeast have occurred during neutral winters. Devastating freezes for Georgia have been ones with temperatures below zero in the mountains, around 10 degrees along the coast and single digits in south Georgia.

This does not mean that every neutral winter will have a devastating freeze, but the odds are greatly increased. Because of the greater likelihood of a devastating freeze this winter, all Georgians are urged to take necessary precautions to protect life and property.

The rainfall outlook is less certain. Rainfall during neutral winters is very variable. Some neutral winters are very wet while other are very dry. At this time, we don’t know what we’ll get. Whether Georgia experiences a wet or dry winter will depend on the number of low-pressure systems that develop in the northern Gulf of Mexico and move across the state.

We do know, however, that the past 15 winters have been drier than the long-term average. Given this trend, the best rainfall outlook for the winter is to hedge our bets that the winter will be drier than the long-term average.

A dry winter is not what the state needs. Northeast and north-central Georgia are still in extreme drought. Lakes Lanier, Hartwell, Russell and Clarks Hill are near or below their record lows. A very wet winter is needed for these lakes to fully recover.

Additionally, a dry winter will set the state up for another drought. Georgia depends on winter rains to recharge the soil moisture, groundwater and reservoirs for the heavy water use in summer. If the state does not receive adequate rains this winter, the probability of the drought expanding will increase.

By David E. Stooksbury
University of Georgia

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Mortgage Rates Fall Below 5% in Georgia

For the first time in recent history, the 30 year fixed rate in Georgia declined to 4.87%.

According to Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, 30 year fixed loans fell 4% in Georgia for the week ending December 14, 2008.

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American Lung Association Faults Environmental Protection Agency for Ignoring Deadly Particle Pollution in Five U.S. Cities in List Released Today

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association faults the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for leaving five U.S. cities off its list of those required to take immediate action to reduce particle pollution in the air. This deadly omission puts public health in the following metropolitan areas at considerable risk: Houston, Texas; Augusta, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia; Greenville, South Carolina; and Fairmont, West Virginia. In addition, EPA left many individual counties off the list despite the impact of emissions from those counties on pollution in metropolitan areas.

Particle pollution is typically a mixture of ash, soot, diesel exhaust, chemicals, metals and aerosols. It can trigger heart attacks and strokes, and cause irregular heartbeats, lung cancer and premature births. Breathing particle pollution year-round can shorten life by one to three years. The five cities omitted from the EPA's list all showed unhealthy year-round levels of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. In its list released today, the EPA only identified counties and metropolitan areas that experience unhealthy spikes in particulate matter pollution over the course of a 24-hour period.

The Clean Air Act requires that the EPA officially notify all localities with documented unhealthy levels of particulate air pollution so that leaders can begin to make necessary changes.

"The Clean Air Act plainly requires the EPA to identify all the places where air pollution poses a threat to public health," said Paul G. Billings, Vice President, National Policy and Advocacy of the American Lung Association. "This process is essential to reducing the burden of air pollution in these communities, because it triggers critical protective measures to reduce air pollution and protect public health."

According to EPA records, year-round particulate matter levels in Houston and Columbus, Georgia, have worsened and people in these communities are at risk. Particle pollution harms people in many ways, even when the particle levels are very low. Particle pollution worsens serious respiratory disorders, including asthma and causes wheezing and coughing. People most at risk include children and teens, seniors, people with asthma and other lung diseases, people with cardiovascular diseases and diabetics.

In 2006, the EPA set new limits, called standards, for unhealthy levels of PM2.5, triggering a two-year process to identify which counties fail to meet the standards. In today's official action, the EPA formally determines, or "designates" counties that fail to meet, or "attain," the standards. Those counties then fall into a classification of "nonattainment" that triggers specific measures to be put in place to reduce emissions. Other counties do not have to comply with these requirements.

EPA misses many individual counties, limiting clean-up in larger cities

The Lung Association also found that EPA's official "nonattainment" list omitted many counties that are part of larger metropolitan areas with recognized unhealthy levels of particle pollution. Large sources of particle pollution, such as highways, railroads and industries are usually spread throughout a metropolitan area. To tackle the complex clean up of these widespread sources, the planning area needs to include all the counties where sources exist. Omitting these counties makes it harder for the rest of the metropolitan area to meet the standard. The American Lung Association previously advised EPA that all the counties should be included in any metropolitan area that monitored unhealthy levels.

"It's naive to act as if air pollution is trapped by the invisible lines that define our counties' borders," said Billings. "The EPA has a responsibility to do more to protect public health when it comes to air pollution."

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Seniors Getting Largest Social Security Increase Since 1982

(SPM Wire) While the economy may be hurting, good economic news for senior citizens is coming from the Social Security Administration which has announced that seniors can expect a 5.8 percent benefit increase in 2009.

The largest benefit increase since 1982, this boost in funding will come in the form of a "Cost-of-Living Adjustment."

The 5.8 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment is beginning with benefits that over 50 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2009. Increased payments also will be coming to more than seven million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries.

While benefits increase yearly to compensate for inflation, based on rises in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' "Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers," the largest increase in 26 years in Social Security is more than welcome in the current economy.

These changes, though, will not necessarily come as a blessing to all, as more payout by the Social Security Administration necessarily means more pay-in by taxpayers around the country.

Of the estimated 164 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2009, about 11 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.

Information about Medicare changes for 2009 can be found online at www.medicare.gov.

More information about Social Security benefits can be found at www.ssa.gov.

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Commerce's NTIA Urges Georgia Consumers to Apply for TV Converter Box Coupons by December 31

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced more than 231,700 over-the-air households in Georgia, those that rely on an antenna for broadcast TV, have requested coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. With two months until the nation's full-power TV stations transition to 100 percent digital broadcasting, the agency is urging consumers who rely on over-the-air television and need a TV converter box coupon to apply by the end of the year.

"There may be two months until the digital television transition concludes, but consumers who want to buy a TV converter box with a coupon should apply for it in the next two weeks or possibly risk losing use of their analog TV temporarily," said Acting NTIA Administrator Meredith Baker. "It takes approximately six weeks to apply for the coupon, buy the box and try it out so it is imperative that consumers take action by December 31 or look at other options to make the transition prior to February 17, 2009."

Below are the percentages of coupons requested by over-the-air households for each DMA in Georgia.

DMA % OTA Households Who Requested Coupons
(Data as of December 14, 2008)
Albany, GA 82%
Atlanta, GA 86%
Augusta, GA 101%
Columbus, GA 89%
Macon, GA 84%
Savannah, GA 77%
Tallahassee (FL) -Thomasville (GA) 71%


For a complete listing of the markets and their participation rates by "over-the-air" TV household, go online at www.ntia.doc.gov and for more information about the Coupon Program, go to www.DTV2009.gov.

Background

The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after February 17, 2009. The Act authorized NTIA to create the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, which is funded by the $19 billion airwaves auction and not tax dollars. The Act funded the Program at $1.5 billion, including $1.34 billion for coupons. Currently, NTIA has obligated $1.1 billion in coupons. This obligation is a combination of coupons redeemed as well as coupons that have been ordered.

Digital broadcast television offers consumers a clearer picture, more programming choices and will free up the airwaves for better communications among emergency first responders and new telecommunications services.

Consumers receiving free, over-the-air television on analog TV sets will need to act now to ensure their televisions continue to work when full power television stations go all-digital. Viewers of over-the-air television need to look at each analog set in their home that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay television service and make a timely decision. They can connect their television to cable, satellite or pay television service; they can replace it with a digital TV; or they may keep it working with a TV converter box.

For consumers choosing the converter box option, the TV Converter Box Coupon Program permits all households to request up to two coupons - each worth $40 - toward the purchase of certified converter boxes. Coupons may be requested while supplies last, and only one coupon can be used to purchase each coupon-eligible converter box. Consumers can purchase a converter box at one of the more than 34,500 participating local, phone or online retailers. Consumers will receive a list of eligible converter boxes and participating retailers with their coupons. Coupon applications can take several weeks to process and mail so consumers opting to purchase a converter box should act now, and should call stores before shopping to ensure the desired converter box is available. Converter boxes generally cost between $40 and $80, and coupons expire 90 days from the date they are mailed.

Consumers who choose to transition to digital television by purchasing a TV converter box with a coupon need to follow three steps and act by the end of the year because the process may take six weeks. Consumers should immediately apply for their coupons, buy a converter box when the coupons arrive and try the box with their television to address any potential technical issues before full-power broadcasters switch to digital.

Some viewers watch programs over translators or other low-power stations which may continue broadcasting analog signals after February 17, 2009. Those viewers may wish to select a converter box that will pass through analog signals.

Households may apply now for coupons online at www.DTV2009.gov, by phone at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), via fax at 1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632) or by mail to P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial 1-877-530-2634 (English TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish TTY). Nursing home residents may apply with the paper application available downloadable at www.DTV2009.gov.

For more information about the Coupon Program, please visit www.DTV2009.gov and for questions about the DTV transition, go to www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC.

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GAE Members to Ask Obama for Piece of Stimulus Package for Georgia's Public Schools

The Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), realizing the urgency of the ongoing economic climate and its impact upon Georgia¡¯s families and public education system, has developed a plan to help Georgia obtain a piece of the economic stimulus package being proposed by the incoming Obama Administration. Its members will be asked to lobby their U.S Senators and Representatives on behalf of Georgia's families and public schools.

"Our students, our educators, and their respective families, like all Georgia citizens and their families, are living with the realities of today's economic difficulties," said GAE President Jeff Hubbard. "These difficulties, which are forecast to only worsen, will continue to have an impact upon our state's ability to fulfill its budgetary obligations, which will impact public education both directly and indirectly....More

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Online Guide For New Ship Speed Regulation Available

An online guide to a new ship speed limit designed to protect imperiled right whales will hopefully help speed up compliance while encouraging large ships to slow down.

The compliance guide for the right whale ship strike reduction rule made effective this week is available at:

·NOAA Fisheries’ Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Web site: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/

·NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Region's Right Whale Conservation site: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/mm/rightwhales/rwconservation.htm

·NOAA Fisheries Northeast Region's Ship Strike Reduction site: www.nero.noaa.gov/shipstrike/

The speed restriction established by the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requires vessels 65 feet or longer to slow to 10 knots or less while traveling in designated critical habitat areas along the U.S. Atlantic coast. The rule went into effect Tuesday, Dec. 9.

North Atlantic right whales are slow swimmers that frequently rest just below the surface and often do not respond to the sounds of approaching ships. Ship strikes are the leading cause of mortality for the species. Other threats to survival include entanglement in commercial fishing gear, collisions with smaller recreational boats and disease.

The regulation specifies November to March as the calving season. The warm coastal waters off the Georgia and northeastern Florida are the only known calving grounds for these rare aquatic giants. The whales are especially vulnerable during this time due to heavy traffic in Georgia’s shipping lanes, where the whales tend to be found. It has been estimated that the loss of one or two female right whales a year could lead to extinction of the species within a century.

Federally listed as endangered, there are only 350-400 north Atlantic right whales left in the world.

Georgians can help conserve right whales, as well as other animals not legally hunted, fished for or trapped and their habitats, through buying wildlife license plates featuring a bald eagle or a ruby-throated hummingbird. They can also donate to the Give Wildlife a Chance state income tax checkoff. Both programs are vital to the Nongame Conservation Section, which receives no state funds. Visit www.georgiawildlife.com for more information, or call Nongame Conservation offices in Social Circle (770-761-3035), Forsyth (478-994-1438) or Brunswick (912-264-7218).

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Health Requirements for Flying Reindeer Waived by State Agriculture Department

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin has granted a special 24-hour permit waiving the routine identification and other health requirements for nine flying reindeer slated to visit Georgia on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25.

The permit application was filed this week by a North Pole toymaker who signed the paperwork "Kris Kringle." The reindeer named on the permit are: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph.

Identification, laboratory testing, and certificates of veterinary inspection are part of Georgia’s health requirements which assist officials in protecting the health of animals in the state and help prevent the introduction of exotic diseases.

“After consulting with our state veterinarian, Dr. Carter Black, I concluded these reindeer did not pose any threat to Georgia agriculture or violate any of our biosecurity measures to keep out animal diseases,” said Commissioner Irvin. “As it was explained to me, these reindeer will be moving quickly, will only prance and paw on rooftops and will not intermingle with any livestock in Georgia.”

“Usually, few creatures are stirring that night,” Dr. Black added. “Not even a mouse.”

"We are pleased to grant the temporary waiver to Mr. Kringle,” said Commissioner Irvin. “I and the employees of the Georgia Department of Agriculture wish him safe travels as he and his reindeer make deliveries to the good children of Georgia."

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Georgia Disaster Mental Health Site is Online

The Georgia Disaster Mental Health website, designed and produced by University of West Georgia faculty, staff and graduate students, is operational and available for public use.

Sponsored by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Division of Public Health and Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, the far reaching site for residents is one of the most comprehensive sites of its kind in the nation and addresses many of the stresses any kind of catastrophe can bring to an individual, a family or a community.

Dr. Larry Schor, associate professor of psychology, and Vicki Rogers, a service desk manager in Information Technology Services at UWG, worked with colleagues and students for six months to create the site.

“Common setbacks result from the chaos and confusion that occurs when people are affected by disaster,” said Schor. “My experience as a disaster mental health counselor is that people really want the life they had before the disaster. The challenge is to find ways to begin to move forward.”

The response from state agencies and the public has been positive and frequent with agencies in other states requesting information on how the site was developed. Rogers said it was quite an undertaking.

“As a technical consultant and webmaster, this was the largest project I’ve ever worked on,” said Rogers. “We have already begun to update the site and I plan on working on the project over the holiday break. It’s a huge undertaking with a lot of information. Larry’s passion and expertise on the subject of disaster mental health makes this a very good site.”

Schor has assisted in mental health counseling after many disasters including the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

“I am optimistic that people will benefit from the website,” said Schor. “Although I think the challenge will be getting the word out and convincing people on the importance of being prepared. Just as we tend to think about changing our windshield wiper blades when it is raining, people tend to deal with disaster needs only when they are affected directly.”

Schor said that people could go to the site and read about preparedness before a disaster and use the internal search to find topics such as “preparedness kits.” The website is also available in Spanish and offers resources and information on how to cope and prepare for a disaster to the elderly, members of the military, persons with disabilities and public school systems.

The site also links to a wide range of organizations including the American Red Cross, Center for Disease Control and Georgia911.org, Georgia’s disaster and emergency website. For more information, go to http://www.westga.edu/~gadmh/.

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Chambliss, Isakson, Kingston Announce $3 Million for Brunswick Harbor Deepening Project

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Congressman Jack Kingston, R-01, today announced the Army Corps of Engineers will apply $3 million to dredge the entrance of the Brunswick Harbor. These funds will allow a dredging of the full extent of the entrance channel to 400 feet wide and 36 feet deep, allowing the Port of Brunswick to accommodate larger cargo carriers and attract new business.

"Georgia’s ports are an important economic engine and this announcement comes at a critical time,” said Chambliss. “This dredging project is vital to meeting the current and future requirements of port customers, and is a powerful factor in maintaining and stimulating job growth in Brunswick, Glynn County and the entire state. I’m pleased the Corps is taking the necessary steps to ensure the dredging is done.”

“The dredging maintenance of the Brunswick Harbor is essential to the operation of our ports and to the economy of our state and the Southeast,” said Isakson. “I am pleased with the response from the Corps of Engineers.”

“This funding is another sign of what we already know – Georgia’s ports are vital to our state and our nation’s economy,” Congressman Kingston said. “If we are looking to stimulate the economy and grow jobs, the Port of Brunswick is a fine place to start.”

The announcement follows a letter sent in October by Senators Chambliss and Isakson along with Representative Kingston regarding the operational status of the Brunswick Harbor channel to Assistant Secretary of the Army, John Paul Woodley, Jr.
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Seeking Public's Assistance in Identifying Armed Robbers in Metro Atlanta

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, is requesting the public's assistance in identifying a violent group of associates believed responsible for at least four armed bank robberies in Metro Atlanta over the last ten days.

On Monday, December 8, 2008, around 12:30 p.m., three unidentified black males entered the lobby of the Wachovia Bank located at 6756 Covington Highway in Lithonia. Two of the robbers controlled the customers in the lobby, while the third robber jumped the teller counter and took an undisclosed amount of cash.

On Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at approximately 3:20 p.m., three unidentified black males, believed to be the same as those who robbed the Lithonia Wachovia, entered the lobby of the Wachovia Bank located at 3615 Flat Shoals Road in Decatur. Again, two of the robbers stayed in the lobby area while a third jumped the teller counter and took an undisclosed amount of cash. While leaving the bank, one of the robbers fired a single shot, which did not strike any bank employees or customers.

On Monday, December 15, 2008, the same group robbed the Suntrust Bank located at 3590 Club Drive in Duluth, using the same method of operation.

Today, Wednesday, December 17, 2008, the same group struck again, this time at the Bank of America located at 3040 Panola Road in Lithonia. As with the previous robberies, two of the robbers controlled customers in the lobby while the third jumped the teller counter and took an undisclosed amount of cash. As the robbers were leaving the bank, they were briefly confronted by an off-duty Dekalb County Police Officer, who identified himself as such. One of the robbers fired a single shot in the direction of the officer, and the officer fired a single shot in return. The officer was not struck; it is unknown if any of the robbers were hit by the shot fired by the officer.

The robbers fled the bank on foot in a Southbound direction, and may have shortly thereafter left the area in a white vehicle.

The robbers took steps to conceal their identities prior to entering the bank, but before doing so, they visited a business nearby, where excellent photographs of their faces were recorded on the business' security system . The public is asked to closely review these photographs, and report any information concerning the robbers' identity immediately to the FBI at (404) 679-9000.

The female featured in one of the attached photographs is believed to be an associate of the robbers, and may have been the getaway driver in today's robbery.

The public can also review information concerning these and other bank robberies at www.georgiabankrobbery.com, an interactive site which provides bank robbery details, photographs, and the opportunity for the public to provide information to the FBI via the Internet.

The FBI considers these robbers armed and dangerous, and cautions the public not to take any action other than to notify the FBI's Bank Robbery Squad.

The public is reminded that all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Booth Museum Celebrates the African American Experience in the West

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The largest exhibition of Western art by black artists ever assembled opens December 20 at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. "The Black West: Buffalo Soldiers, Black Cowboys and Untold Stories" features 65 works of art by 16 contemporary African American artists. Visitors to the museum can view the exhibition through March 22, 2009.

"The Black West" is an important and groundbreaking exhibition because it tells the often overlooked story of blacks in the West through the art of contemporary African American artists. In addition to the stories of black cowboys and buffalo soldiers, the art chosen for the exhibition focuses on the complete African American experience in the West, encompassing black explorers, lawmen, rodeo stars, outlaws, and women. The exhibition is co-curated by Booth Museum Executive Director, Seth Hopkins, and "Cowboy Mike" Searles, professor of history at Augusta State University.

Artists in the exhibition include: Gil Ashby (Michigan), Thomas Blackshear (Colorado), Alexander Bostic (Virginia), Eddie Dixon (Texas), Ed Dwight (Colorado), Michael Godfrey (Maryland) , Ed Hamilton (Kentucky), Dean Mitchell (Florida), Bob Snead (Texas), Ivan Stewart (Michigan), Ezra Tucker (Colorado), Bobb Vann (Arizona), Ernest Varner (Georgia), Steven Walker (Ohio), Burl Washington (Texas), and Bernard Williams (Illinois).

Throughout the run of the exhibition, the museum will offer programming on related topics including lectures by artists, writers, and historians as well as dramatic historical performances. Visit www.boothmuseum.org for a complete schedule.

In addition to the fine art on display in the "The Black West," the Booth Museum's Reel West Gallery will feature "Bronze Buckaroos: Mythic Images of the Black West." Featuring 25 vintage movie posters from the Booth Museum collection and the Ron Finley Midnight Matinee Poster Collection, this exhibition explores Hollywood's portrayals of the African American experience in the West. The museum will screen several of the movies advertised in the posters during the run of the exhibition.

For more information on the "The Black West: Buffalo Soldiers, Black Cowboys, and Untold Stories," call the Booth Museum at 770-387-1300 or visit www.boothmuseum.org.

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FBI Wants to Hear from You if You're a Victim of the Madoff Financial Fraud Case

U.S. v. Bernard L. Madoff

If you believe that you have been a financial fraud victim in the above captioned matter, please provide the following information:

(1) full name
(2) mailing address
(3) phone number
(4) COPIES of any documents that substantiate your loss (do not send original documents)

Please mail this information to:

FBI New York
ATTN: Victim Assistance Office
26 Federal Plaza
23rd Floor New York, NY 10278

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CAIR Seeks Sanctions Against Anti-Hijab Judge in Georgia

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today called on Georgia Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker to bring sanctions against a judge in that state who has repeatedly barred Muslim women wearing religiously-mandated headscarves, or hijabs, from entering his courtroom.

Yesterday, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported that a Muslim woman was jailed and then released following a dispute over whether she could enter the judge's courtroom in Douglasville, Ga., while wearing her hijab. In the past year, other Muslim women have either been jailed under similar circumstances or barred from that judge's court.

Today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported: "Lisa Valentine, also known by her Islamic name, Miedah, 40, was arrested at the Douglasville

Municipal Court for violating a court policy of no headgear, said Chris Womack, deputy chief of operations for the Douglasville police.

"Judge Keith Rollins ordered her held in jail for 10 days, but she was released Tuesday evening. The reason for the early release wasn't immediately clear...

"Other Muslim women said the same judge has ordered them to remove their hijabs.

"Sabreen Abdul Rahman, 55, said she was asked to take off her scarf when she went to the municipal court last week with her son. 'I can't. I'm

Muslim,' she mouthed silently to the bailiff, who then removed her from the courtroom, Rahman said...

"Halimah Abdullah, 43, said she spent 24 hours in jail in November 2007 after Rollins held her in contempt of court for refusing to remove her head covering. Rollins could not be reached for comment."

SEE: Muslim's Scarf Leads to Arrest at Courthouse (Atlanta Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/3qunxd

In a letter sent today to Attorney General Baker, CAIR National Legal Counsel Nadhira F. Al-Khalili wrote in part:

"We assert that Judge Rollins' actions violate the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct...It is also our contention that a courtroom is a 'public facility' under Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and denial of access to the courtroom based on religious beliefs or practices is therefore discriminatory.

"In addition, we believe Judge Rollins' actions are in violation of First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to freedom of religion and equal protection under the law. The United States Supreme Court has held that a state may not infringe upon the free exercise of a citizen's religious observance absent a compelling state interest. We believe that no such compelling interest exists in these cases.

"Judge Rollins' policy of exclusion would prohibit court entry to all Sikh men wearing turbans, all orthodox Jewish men and women wearing yarmulkes or head scarves, all Christian women wearing religious head coverings, and all Muslim men and women who wear skullcaps or scarves...

"I would therefore respectfully request that you take appropriate action to ensure that the legal, religious and civil rights of Georgians of all faiths be maintained. I would also request a formal investigation into this matter, sanctions where appropriate, and an assurance that all those wearing religious attire be allowed in state courtrooms."

A copy of the letter was sent to the Judicial District Professionalism Program of the State Bar of Georgia. CAIR also contacted the U.S.Department of Justice, which now says it is looking into the case.

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Georgia Reels in Major Championship Fishing Tournament

overnor Sonny Perdue joined FLW Outdoors Chairman Irwin Jacobs and other state and local officials December 16 to announce Lake Lanier and Atlanta as the site of the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol. This championship fishing tournament, which is scheduled for August 5 – 8, 2010, will draw the top bass anglers in the country as they compete for a $2.5 million purse. The tournament will be staged out of the Go Fish Georgia mega-ramp currently under construction at Laurel Park on Lake Lanier. The weigh-ins are slated for the Georgia Dome, and the Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center.

“The Forrest Wood Cup is the largest fishing tournament in the country, and bringing this tournament to Georgia is exactly what I envisioned for the mega-ramps we are building as part of Go Fish,” said Governor Perdue. “This tournament will provide nationally televised exposure for our fishing resources, generate excitement about fishing in Georgia, and provide a positive economic impact on our local communities.”

Go Fish Georgia is designed to establish Georgia as a national fishing destination by improving the quality of fishing in Georgia waters, improving access to lakes and rivers for fishing in Georgia and increasing participation through promotion and marketing of Georgia’s exceptional fishing resources. Plans call for the development of a Go Fish Georgia Visitors Center and Hatchery and an 18-site bass fishing trail with mega-ramps to accommodate large fishing tournaments.

“We are proud to have Atlanta serve as host for Forrest Wood Cup in 2010,” said Irwin Jacobs, Chairman of FLW Outdoors. “The Forrest Wood Cup is not just another tournament and an outdoor show. This is a weeklong event that brings the entire community together. Young anglers showcase their talents in the National Guard Junior World Championship and professional anglers vie for the most prestigious title in bass fishing, Forrest Wood Cup Champion. The Forrest Wood Cup showcases everything that makes bass fishing the greatest sport in the world, including the richest payout in all of fantasy sports, $1 million to the grand prize winner of Fantasy Fishing.”

The Forrest Wood Cup is bass fishing’s crown jewel and the richest tournament in competitive fishing with a total purse of $2.5 million and offers $1 million to the winner. The 78 pro anglers competing for the title qualify through the Walmart FLW Tour, Walmart FLW Series, Stren Series, and includes the champions of the Walmart Bass Fishing League and the National Guard FLW College Series.

In 2008, coverage of the Forrest Wood Cup was broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television program that aired Sept. 28 and Oct. 5. “FLW Outdoors” was also broadcast in Canada on WFN (World Fishing Network) and to more than 429 million households in the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, Australia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East through a distribution agreement with Matchroom Sport, making it the most widely distributed fishing program in the world.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone, the organization offered more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits.

Fishing is big business in Georgia and has an estimated annual economic impact of $1.9 billion. The Go Fish Georgia Bass Trail alone will provide a sound return on investment in Go Fish Georgia. The state provided $5 million toward the development of the mega-ramp trails which was matched by local communities who wanted to build these ramps to attract large fishing tournaments. Mid-sized tournaments can have an economic impact of up to $5 million; large championship tournaments like the Forrest Wood Cup can generate upwards of $20 million.

Since 1996 when the first made-for-television tournament aired, the sport has grown rapidly. Fishing now ranks as the fifth most popular sport in the nation. According to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-associated Recreation, conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Commerce and the Fish and Wildlife Service, about one in every six U.S. residents 16 and older fish. Resident and non-resident anglers in Georgia currently spend $1 billion each year with an estimated $1.9 billion in economic impact.

“We look forward to working with FLW Outdoors and local and city governments to make this a very successful tournament that brings in the top professional anglers to Georgia,” said Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Noel Holcomb. “Lake Lanier is the perfect venue to accomplish all of these things and we hope that this will bring home to Georgians that fishing can be enjoyed by everyone.”

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U.N. Climate Change Conference Considers Ancient Soil Replenishment Technique in Battle against Global Warming

Former inhabitants of the Amazon Basin enriched their fields with charred organic materials-biochar-and transformed one of the earth's most infertile soils into one of the most productive. These early conservationists disappeared 500 years ago, but centuries later, their soil is still rich in organic matter and nutrients. Now, scientists, environmental groups and policymakers forging the next world climate agreement see biochar not only as an important tool for replenishing soils, but as a powerful tool for combating global warming.

Christoph Steiner, a University of Georgia research scientist in the Faculty of Engineering, was a major contributor to the biochar proposal that was submitted by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification last week at the United Nations Climate Change Conference meeting in Poland. The new climate change agreement will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

"The potential of biochar lies in its ability to sequester-capture and store-huge amounts of carbon while also displacing fossil fuel energy, effectively doubling its carbon impact," said Steiner, a soil scientist whose research in the Amazon Basin originally focused on the use of biochar as a soil amendment. At UGA's Biorefinery and Carbon Cycling Program, he now investigates the global potential of biochar to sequester carbon. He also serves as a consultant to the UNCCD, a sister program to the climate change convention.

Steiner explained that almost any kind of organic material-peanut shells, pine chips and even poultry litter-can be burned in air-tight conditions, a process called pyrolysis. The byproducts are biochar, a highly porous charcoal that helps soil retain nutrients and water, and gases and heat that can be used as energy.

But because the carbon in biochar so effectively resists degradation, it also can sequester carbon in soils for hundreds to thousands of years, effectively making it a permanent "sink"-a natural system that soaks up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Soils containing biochar made by ancient Amazon people still contain up to 70 times more carbon than surrounding soils and have a higher nutrient content. Steiner said scientists estimate biochar from agriculture and forestry residues can potentially sequester billions of tons of carbon in the world's soils.

Biochar also avoids the disadvantages of other bioenergy technologies that deplete soil organic matter, said Steiner.

"Removing crop residues for bioenergy production reduces the organic matter accumulating on agricultural fields and thus the soil organic carbon pool, which depends on constant input of decomposing plant material. In contrast, pyrolysis with biochar carbon sequestration produces renewable energy, sequesters CO2 and cycles nutrients back into agricultural fields."

"This unique system ideally utilizes waste biomass, and thus does not compete with food production," said Steiner. Currently most waste biomass decomposes or is burned in the field. Both processes release carbon dioxide stored in the plant biomass-for no other use than getting rid of it. Biochar can capture up to 50 percent of the carbon stored in biomass and establishes a significant carbon sink, as long as renewable resources are used and biochar is used as a soil amendment.

To address our world's climate change dilemma, said Steiner, "We need a carbon sink in addition to greater energy efficiency and renewable energy. Acceptance of the UNCCD proposal in Poland is a first step to make carbon trading based on biochar a reality.

"This has not only consequences for mitigating climate change, but also for agricultural sustainability, and could provide a strong incentive to reduce deforestation, especially in the tropics."

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Celebrity Cook Paula Deen and Smithfield Foods Helping Hungry Homes(TM) Come to Aid of Savannah Food Bank for Second Time This Year

/PRNewswire/ -- With the volatility of the country's economy and the growing population of the unemployed, more people than ever are turning to food banks to help feed their families. For the second time in less than a year, Smithfield Foods and celebrity cook Paula Deen came to the assistance of America's Second Harvest in Deen's hometown of Savannah with a delivery of 25,000 pounds of meat as part of their Helping Hungry Homes(TM) initiative. The donation equates to 100,000 servings of much-needed protein for hungry families.

"Americans today are facing the greatest challenges with this recession," said Deen. "I am grateful that my partners, Smithfield Foods, share my passion to help those who are struggling to feed their families. We want to do what we can to make things better for those who are going through hard times."

Accompanied by her husband Michael Groover and sons Bobby and Jamie, Deen continued to remark, "We are all aware that this will be a difficult holiday season for many families. It is our obligation to do whatever we can to help families with the basics like getting food on the table."

When added to a similar donation Smithfield Foods made in January of this year, Helping Hungry Homes(TM) has now donated nearly 70,000 pounds of meat to the America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. "Our communities have been hard hit with the downturn of the economy," said Mary Crouch, executive director of America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. "With that said, this makes the holidays even tougher especially when you are having trouble feeding your family. The delivery of this generous donation could not have come at a better time. We are so grateful for the efforts of Smithfield Foods and our Savannah neighbor Paula Deen for coming through with this much needed delivery of meat."

Smithfield Foods' Helping Hungry Homes(TM) initiative was established to help ensure that American families in need do not go hungry. Smithfield Foods and its independent operating companies have a long history of stocking food banks, supporting after-school nutrition programs and providing food relief in the wake of natural disasters. Since January, Smithfield Foods and Paula Deen distributed over 400,000 pounds of meat products to cities throughout the United States with an estimated retail value of over $1.2 million.

"During tight economic times, those who have the least oftentimes suffer more," said C. Larry Pope, President and Chief Executive Officer of Smithfield Foods. "We welcome this opportunity to renew our commitment to feeding families with this Helping Hungry Homes donation."

Mary Crouch agreed and replied, "Meat donations are greatly needed for their nutritional value but are often the hardest to come by, making this donation all the more critical for our community. This donation is the holiday spirit we all need."

America's Second Harvest is the nation's largest hunger-relief organization with 205 food bank members nationwide.

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Georgia Economic Development Leaders Outline Plans to Ensure a Strong Future

Three leading members of Georgia’s economic development community held a briefing today during which they acknowledged the challenges currently facing the state but also reflected upon the achievements of the past year and the core assets that will ensure Georgia’s future success.

Ken Stewart, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, George Israel, President of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Sam A. Williams, President of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, expressed their commitment and that of the economic development community as a whole to continue working to identify investment opportunities, increase jobs, and maintain programs and assets that will attract new business to the state.

“We have an extensive and very professional economic development community in Georgia that is working tirelessly to bring jobs to our citizens,” said Commissioner Stewart. “The fact is that our state has strong assets upon which we will continue to build. Working together, I have no doubt that we will not only survive this recession, but come out of it well positioned for growth.”

The state has implemented several initiatives to step up its sales and marketing efforts, including a focus on existing industries with multiple locations in the U.S. and around the world, targeted outreach to company CEOs, meetings with key strategic industry players in aerospace and agriculture, and familiarization tours for international companies and journalists.

The state has worked 313 business location and expansion projects thus far in 2008, which are in various states of progress from completed to newly active. Companies such as NCR Corporation, Newell Rubbermaid, Toyo Tire, PETCO, Wendy’s/Arby’s
Group and Telfair Forest Products are adding jobs and corporate infrastructure throughout the state. In addition, the Kia manufacturing facility is on track to begin production in 2009, bringing with it numerous supplier companies and ultimately projected to be responsible for 6,000 of jobs.

“It is not surprising that businesses continue to establish or expand their presence in Georgia,” added Israel. “Key assets including our ports and airport, workforce and training opportunities, international connections and our business friendly reputation continue to make us attractive to companies of all kinds.”

Georgia consistently enjoys high rankings with regard to a number of key business factors including workforce training, fiscal policy and the ability to attract a dynamic young population. These factors, combined with a comparatively low cost of living and corporate tax structure are keeping companies interested in the state.

“There is no doubt that these are challenging times, but Georgia’s economic development community is working together more closely than ever to recruit companies from all over the globe and create jobs,” Williams said. “And companies are still incredibly interested in metro Atlanta and Georgia because of key competitive strengths that are hard for others to duplicate. We are home to the world’s busiest airport and the world’s largest airline, 57 colleges and universities, and the fifth-highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation – and we’re leading the nation in attracting the college-educated young professionals that every city and state are competing for.”

Williams said that in 2009, the Metro Atlanta Chamber will conduct economic development missions in target countries around the globe, including Brazil, India, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. Domestic trips are planned in major cities such as Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and others.

Among Georgia’s economic development “bright spots” cited in the briefing were the state’s strong in-migration of a young, professional workforce and the HOPE scholarship program as well as its diverse economy, thriving international community and the strength of its ports.
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Need for Seed Drives Fall Harvest of Native Grasses

Alan Isler is wheeling a Kubota tractor through longleaf pines at Doerun Pitcherplant Bog Natural Area, an occasional loud clang marking his passing. Trees and stumps are obvious hazards. But Isler’s focus is more on the thigh-high grass that glints golden in patches of November sun. The wiregrass is ready to harvest.

“We’ve got about 250 acres on River Creek WMA where the seed will be going,” said Isler, a wildlife resource manager with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division. “To plant, we need about 600 pounds” of seed.

Most of the seed sown at River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka WMA, near Thomasville, will come from the Doerun site. Isler harvested the wiregrass-rich, 650-acre natural area in Colquitt County for the first time last month. He used a Flail-Vac, a street sweeper-like machine mounted on the front of the tractor and designed to brush and suck grass seeds into a hopper. Later, staffer Danny Smith piled the coarse, hair-like wads of seeds and stems into cardboard boxes and picked out the pine straw.

Smith slid a wiregrass stem through closed fingers. “When it starts sticking in your hand, you know you’ve got a good seed,” he said, referring to the thread-light, half-inch-long seeds left in his palm. These, he and Isler agreed, were good seeds.

Wiregrass is part of the longleaf pine ecosystem that once covered millions of acres in the Southeast yet now rates as one of the nation’s most endangered habitats and a high priority in Georgia’s Wildlife Action Plan. The perennial bunch grass (Aristida beyrichiana) is indicative of a biologically diverse ground cover and essential to the fires needed to maintain that diversity. Quick to grow after a fire, wiregrass not only burns easily, its stems catch and suspend fallen pine needles above the forest floor, offering them as more fuel for the flames.

Lose the wiregrass and you lose much of the ability to manage with prescribed fire, said Mike Harris, chief of Wildlife Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section.

Planting wiregrass is one facet in a growing effort to restore native grasses in Georgia and other states. The Wildlife Resources Division’s fledgling program is beginning to hit its stride, gradually transitioning from harvesting seed on private lands to banking on state-owned properties like Doerun. A next step is to explore propagating seed, Isler said.

Others are involved. At Seminole State Park near Donalsonville, The Nature Conservancy teams with park personnel to conduct prescribed burns. Without fire – particularly the warm- or growing-season burns once sparked by lightning and set by American Indians – wiregrass doesn’t flower or seed and the hardwoods and woody brush kept at bay by flames shade it out.

And without The Nature Conservancy’s help, park manager Bryan Gray said he couldn’t do the burns needed. The lack of fire would undermine Seminole’s lauded longleaf pine landscape and indicator species such as gopher tortoises, which eat wiregrass.

The return for The Nature Conservancy is the chance to harvest wiregrass seed at Seminole. Erick Brown of the Conservancy said the park is the local seed source for wiregrass restoration at the group’s Williams Bluff Preserve, 30 miles away near Blakely. After about two years of work there, “We’re hoping to start seeing some results this spring,” Brown said.

Sometimes the seed harvest is by man, not machine. In early November, volunteers led by Wildlife Resources Division senior biologist Nathan Klaus hand-stripped seeds from native grasses and sedges such as Indian grass and little bluestem at Sprewell Bluff State Park in Upson County and Panola Mountain State Park in Henry County. The seeds will be sown in part to benefit grasslands birds such as eastern meadowlarks that suffer from shrinking habitats. Some will restore habitats at Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site in Cartersville.

Klaus said the little bluestem harvest was a record this year, nearly 50 pounds.

Grassroots interest and stronger federal emphasis on habitat restoration using native grasses are expected to raise demand for such seed and foster the private sector’s ability to meet the need.

For Smith, the value is best seen in a stand of young slash and longleaf pines on Doerun Natural Area. He points out where sowing and plugging has produced miniature clumps of wiregrass. Some of the plants produced by seed sown as long as five years ago are no more than a sprig. But even slow growth signals the promise of what once was.

“This stuff just doesn’t happen overnight,” Smith said.

Isler returns from Doerun’s longleaf and wiregrass forests, the Flail-Vac full again. The seed in the hopper is a mix of wiregrass and other native plants. It will be cleaned and stored for planting in February and March.

Then comes patience, and another aspect of nature.

“You get these seed in the ground, then … hope and pray for rain,” Isler said.

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If You Have a Cell Phone, You Can Help Return Abducted Children, Missing Persons

/PRNewswire/ -- Keep Georgia Safe, Georgia's only private, non-profit organization with the mission to provide safety education and crime prevention training to Georgia's families and law enforcement agencies, has partnered with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to communicate abduction alerts via cell phones. Now, when the GBI issues an alert that a child has been abducted, Keep Georgia Safe immediately sends the abduction information to subscribers' cell phones.

"Statistics show that the first three hours after a child's abduction are the most critical in recovery," says Keep Georgia Safe founder Gary Martin Hays. "Through this network of cell phone subscribers, we can all help recover Georgia's kids and return them home safely."

"Without the combined efforts of law enforcement, the broadcasters and emergency management, this program would be ineffective," says Vernon M. Keenan, director of the GBI. "We eagerly welcome the assistance of the private sector in getting the word out to Georgia citizens about missing children, missing adults and/or dangers they may face."

Keep Georgia Safe has a two-pronged approach to crime prevention: 1) Proactive: School Curriculum Initiative and Community Safety Seminars, Web Resources and Media Campaigns 2) Reactive: Alert System Network. As the only organization that sends out all three of Georgia's emergency alerts, the Keep Georgia Safe Wireless Network uses a text platform to notify opt-in wireless subscribers when the GBI issues any of its three emergency alerts:

-- Levi's Call: (Georgia's AMBER Alert) for an abducted or missing child
-- Mattie's Call: elderly or disabled missing person alert
-- Kimberly's Call: dangerous fugitive alert



Keep Georgia Safe provides the alert service free of charge. Standard text charges, if any, will apply pursuant to the agreement with your cellular provider. To join the network, visit www.keepgeorgiasafe.org and enter your cell phone number. Subscribers will not receive any calls or alerts other than GBI-issued alerts. For more information on Keep Georgia Safe or its alert network, visit www.keepgeorgiasafe.org or call 770.934.8000.

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German Instrument Transformer Manufacturer to Open North American Headquarters in Hartwell

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that RITZ Instrument Transformers plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Hartwell, creating 50 jobs and investing $3 million.

“Georgia’s business assets continue to appeal to international manufacturers such as RITZ that are looking to expand their U.S. presence,” said Governor Perdue. “Our strong workforce, business-friendly environment and transportation network make Georgia an ideal location for RITZ’s North American headquarters.”

RITZ Instrument transformers will expand its U.S. presence by opening a new facility in Hartwell. The company plans to manufacture medium and low voltage instrument transformers at the new facility, expected to be approximately 30,000 square feet in size. The facility will also serve as North American corporate and sales headquarters. The manufacturing processes will include transformer winding, assembly, molding and electrical testing, creating job opportunities for employees of various skill sets. RITZ hopes to develop a pool of domestic suppliers for its component needs.

“We are excited about the prospect of having a manufacturing facility in Hartwell,” said Ingmar Grambow, the leader of the RITZ Management Board. “The decision to build a manufacturing facility in the U.S. was a logical extension of the market development work that has taken place over the last several years. Hartwell was ultimately chosen as the plant site because of our confidence in the quality of the workforce that RITZ will be able to attract and the level of support offered by the state and local community. We believe that this is sufficient grounds to feel confident in the success of this undertaking. There are many years of sales and employment growth ahead of us.”

“The Hart County Board of Commissioners is proud to welcome RITZ Instrument Transformers to our industrial community,” said Jon Caime, Hart County Administrator. “Hart County’s low taxes, ideal location and strategic emphasis on high-tech and growing industrial sectors make this RITZ investment in our community an ideal match with the goals of the Hart County Board of Commissioners. We look forward to their long-term profitability and success in Hart County.”
Scott McMurray, project manager with GDEcD, assisted the company in its location.

About the company

The RITZ company was founded in 1945 by Dr. Hans Ritz with the goal of making the instrument transformer the most reliable part of the electrical power system. With the addition of the Hartwell facility, the RITZ Group will consist of seven factories located in five countries around the world. RITZ is the world’s largest manufacturer of instrument transformers in the 600 V through 72 kV range. Its many important clients include Siemens, ABB, AREVA and most large electrical utilities. The company has been able to grow and prosper by focusing on maintaining a very high quality standard, product innovation and cost-effective lean manufacturing. In addition to instrument transformers, the group also manufactures cast coil power transformers, resin insulated bus bar systems and specialty resin products.
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USDA Designates Eight Georgia Counties Disaster Areas

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Edward T. Schafer has declared eight eligible counties disaster areas as a result of severe storm and hail damage. The designation was sent in response to Governor Perdue’s request submitted in November.

“Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry and the backbone of our economy,” said Governor Perdue. “With the disaster declaration, Georgia farmers will be able to receive the assistance they need.”

Based on USDA Damage Assessment Reports, farmers in the designated eight counties experienced enough damage and sufficient production loss to qualify for the disaster declaration. Eligible farmers in designated counties that meet the criteria may apply for a USDA low interest loan at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The eight counties are listed below:

Ben Hill, Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Pulaski, Telfair, Turner and Wilcox.

For more information, please visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
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Southern Company and NFWF Award New Conservation Grants

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southern Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation today announced that four additional grants have been awarded to conservation and natural resource agencies through the Power of Flight and Longleaf Legacy partnership programs. The Power of Flight program protects birds through habitat and species restoration and environmental education. Longleaf Legacy supports restoration of longleaf pine forests, home to many endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker.

"Southern Company is proud to partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the sixth consecutive year to award much needed grants to these leading organizations," said Chris Hobson, Southern Company's senior vice president for research and environmental affairs. "The awards will help further the great work being done to conserve and protect the environment and restore bird populations and habitats throughout the Southeast."

Since 2002, Southern Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have contributed more than $7.8 million through 80 grants to the Power of Flight and Longleaf Legacy programs. In addition, grant recipients have contributed more than $41 million in matching funds, resulting in an on-the-ground conservation impact of more than $49 million since the program's inception.

"With each year that passes, our partnership with Southern Company grows stronger, the projects funded under the Power of Flight and Longleaf Legacy programs become more meaningful, and the impact of those projects on the ground results in greater benefits to birds and longleaf pine habitats," said Jeff Trandahl, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's executive director. "The people and natural resources of the Southeastern United States are indeed fortunate that Southern Company and their affiliated operating companies are such responsible corporate stewards of our lands and waters, and the fish and wildlife that inhabit them."

Through these two programs, more than 160,000 acres of longleaf pine and other critical habitat on public and private lands will be restored or enhanced to the benefit of bird populations across the Southeast.

Two grants were awarded under the Power of Flight program:

-- Project Orianne - to restore or improve 10,000 acres of longleaf pine habitat within the Apalachicola and Conecuh National Forests to create and enhance habitat for declining bird populations, such as red-cockaded woodpeckers and Bachmann's sparrow, and other species of concern, such as the gopher tortoise and indigo snake. This project will build on the existing infrastructure and expertise of the Forest Service by providing additional funding to implement land management practices within large tracts of contiguous forests on federal lands.

-- Quail Unlimited - to continue to address the goals of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative through improved forest land management of 1,607 acres on both public and private lands. The habitat restoration and enhancement will take place in the Bankhead and Talladega National Forests in Alabama, at J. Strom Thurmond Lake in Georgia, and on private lands in the 15-county target area of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Bobwhite Quail Initiative.

Two grants were awarded under the Longleaf Legacy program:

-- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - to support conservation of 870 acres of land burned during wildfires in 2007 and plant approximately 170,000 longleaf seedlings over 400 acres. This project will support the expansion of red-cockaded woodpecker clusters on the refuge and is also part of a larger multi-agency effort to establish a half-mile longleaf pine conservation and fire resilient zone around the Okefenokee and Pinhook Swamps in southeast Georgia.

-- Auburn University - to develop a geospatial mapping and decision support tool to guide on-the-ground longleaf conservation efforts across its historical range. The tool will identify where restoration and management activities should be focused to best meet objectives for ecosystem restoration; species conservation (threatened and endangered species, migratory birds); and the need to manage longleaf habitats to maintain their structure, function, and diversity. This project will expand on the tool developed by the East Gulf Coastal Plain Joint Venture through a previous grant.

Visit www.southerncompany.com/planetpower to view fact sheets on the Power of Flight and Longleaf Legacy programs or to see a complete listing of awards granted.

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Infantry Museum Offers Pavers as Unique Holiday Gifts

(ARA) - The holiday season brings with it one of the toughest decisions of the year: What to buy loved ones for Christmas. But this year, consider precious stones -- though not the ones you think.

The new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, scheduled to open March 2009 in Columbus, Ga., will honor the contributions of infantrymen and those who fight alongside them. Among the many magnificent attractions of this facility will be Heritage Walk, paved with stones honoring those living and dead who have made the ultimate sacrifice: infantrymen and their loved ones.

In the Footsteps of Heroes is a program developed by the National Infantry Foundation to give permanent recognition to heroes from all walks of life. The commemorative pavers, engraved with personal messages of gratitude, will line a 1,000-foot long, 20-foot wide walkway connecting the new museum and the parade field in Patriot Park. A kiosk will allow visitors to look up the exact location of their paver.

The National Infantry Foundation is selling the 4 inch by 8 inch granite pavers to support the mission of the National Infantry Museum and the Foundation. Each paver holds three lines of text; each line has room for 20 characters. The $250 cost is tax deductible and includes one free 2 inch by 4 inch replica paver that purchasers or honorees can keep on a desktop. Orders can be placed online or with a downloadable order form at www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com and brochures are available for mailing. Proceeds will be used to complete construction of the museum.

Pavers that have been purchased by Dec. 18, 2008, will be placed along Heritage Walk in time for the National Infantry Museum's grand opening on March 20, 2009.

"In the Footsteps of Heroes will honor everyone --active duty soldiers and retired veterans; Infantry, Armor, Airborne, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard -- everyone who has fought for and protected our beloved nation," says Major General Jerry A. White of the National Infantry Museum. "This project will also pay tribute to the wives, parents and children who have supported, loved and sometimes lost their loved ones in the fight for democracy; they, too, have made brave sacrifices for the freedoms we hold dear."

The 200-acre new National Infantry Museum site is adjacent to historic Fort Benning, known as the "Home of the Infantry." The famed United States Army Infantry School was established at Fort Benning and, through the years, this institution emerged as the most influential infantry center in the modern world. The museum's galleries will be chock full of engaging exhibits with themes highlighting infantry experiences in military training, Medal of Honor recipients, the Officer Candidate School training experience, the contributions of Rangers and more. In addition, the museum's 300-seat IMAX Theater will bring giant screen movies to the Columbus region for the first time.

Supporters of the National Infantry Museum include corporations such as Chrysler, AT&T, Synovus, Aflac, Burger King, Coca-Cola, Colt and Samsung as well as foundations, government grants and over 900 individuals who have made donations or contributed to the commemorative paver program. More information about the National Infantry Museum and In the Footsteps of Heroes is available at www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Mark Your Calendar for the 2009 Georgia Renaissance Festival

Escape to the most affordable celebration in the Southeast! It’s the 24th Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival, April 18th through June 7th, 2009, Saturdays and Sundays plus Memorial Day, 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

You’re invited to the most spectacular party since Camelot! Once inside the gates of our magnificent 16-Century Kingdom, you’ll find the King Henry VIII and his Court, castles and cottages, jolly pubs and over 32-acres of elaborately adorned shops offering an array of exceptional treasures and craft demonstrations by master artisans. Come experience world-class shopping with distinctive items like blown glass goblets, handmade perfumes, leather goods and hand-turned pottery. Feast like royalty on a gigantic variety of delectable delights including our giant roasted turkey legs! Endless entertainment waits with ten stages featuring rope walking, juggling, music and comedic storytelling. Your whole family will enjoy the thrilling rides in our medieval amusement park and our Royal Petting Zoo! Jousting on Horseback, - the original extreme sport - and the magnificent highflying Birds of Prey and Animal Shows are not to be missed!

It’s a rollicking good time, so don’t miss The Georgia Renaissance Festival, where the good life is festive and the parking is FREE!

NEW! THE CAST IN BRONZE CARILLON!

Cast in Bronze is the only musical act in the world that features the carillon, a medieval musical instrument consisting of 35 full-size Netherlands bells with a total weight of 4-tons. The bells are played from a mechanical keyboard in the European style using fists and feet and Cast in Bronze is the only mobile carillon in the world.

Creating the hauntingly beautiful music is Frank DellaPenna, who is a Master-Carillonneur graduate of the French Carillon School in Douai, France.

Cast in Bronze has been invited to perform for both Pope John Paul II and the Presidential Inauguration, and has performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot in Orlando, Florida for the Christmas season. The music of Cast in Bronze has also been heard on radio, at music and Renaissance Festivals in the United States, on television including a special Christmas Eve performance on the NBC Today Show and at Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding Benefit Concert.

NEW! ALL THE KING'S HORSES featuring: THE ROYAL LIPIZZAN STALLIONS

Thrill to the grace, beauty and elegance of the magnificent All The King's Horses Show! The strength and athletic agility of these Arabian, Andalusia and the Royal Lipizzan Stallions are proudly displayed as they perform the intricate movements in Dressage, for which they have become world-renowned.

The show’s thrilling finale showcases these splendid animals leaping high into the air with both front and rear legs, to execute the spectacular Capriole, better known as the Airs Above the Ground!

For your enjoyment, the horses are on display for public viewing throughout the Festival day, as well as during their daily performances.

NEW SHOW! DEXTRE TRIPP PRESENTS: EXHIBITIONS OF SKILL AND NERVE!

In the category of nerve-testing and hair-raising experiences, Dextre Tripp presentsexhibitions of skill and nerve with incredibly tall unicycling, precision whip cracks, and comedy at the speed of sound.NEW! The Knife throwing Impalement Act! 13 razor edged steel knives are hurled through space outlining the figure of a lucky lady from the audience.There’s 23% more danger, more excitement, and more chainsaws than you can shake a stick at the all new Exhibitions of Skill and Nerve Show!

The Georgia Renaissance Festival is close and convenient and located just 5 minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on I-85. Take Exit 61- Peachtree City / Fairburn and follow the signs. Regularly priced tickets include tax and are available at the festival box office. Adults $19.95, senior 60+ $17.95, Youth ages 6-12 $8.95, 5 years of age and under get in FREE. Click, purchase and print discount tickets on-line now at www.GeorgiaRenaissanceFestival.com or stop by Kroger checkout registers and purchase with your Kroger Plus Card beginning April 20th. For more information call the Festival Hot Line (770) 964-8575.