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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Video: Pandemic Imminent
Bulloch County Commissioner jan Tankersley Sworn in as 2009-10 President of ACCG
Third-term Bulloch County Commissioner Jan Tankersley was sworn in as 2009 -10 President of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) by Secretary of State Karen Handel at the group’s Annual Meeting Awards Breakfast on April 28 at the Savannah Civic Center.
With this election by the ACCG membership, Tankersley will continue as President of the 95-year-old organization comprised of all 159 Georgia counties through next year’s annual meeting in April 2010. She first moved into the position in January 2009 to fill an unexpired term.
“The coming year will be a very exciting and challenging time to serve as the ACCG President, said Executive Director Jerry Griffin. “We will be working closely with county officials as they make difficult choices as a result of the economic downturn while at the same time encouraging them to prepare their communities for the future.”
Addressing some 400 county officials present at the association’s yearly awards breakfast at the Savannah Civic Center in Chatham County, Tankersley expressed thanks to her fellow county elected officials and said that as Georgia continues in the midst of the worst economic downturn seen in 70 years, she feels Georgia’s local governments are in a position to help communities weather the downturn.
“I believe it’s a time for government, especially local government, to step forward. Local government officials are most attuned to how our communities are being affected by the sluggish economy,” Tankersley said. “As Georgians, we know we’re all in this together.”
“The good news is, we may also be the most well-prepared to take on the necessary challenges,” Tankersley added. ”Our Association, ACCG, has been at the forefront among state associations of counties, putting programs and resources in place to help us succeed.”
In her Presidential address, Tankersley highlighted the ways in which ACCG has helped county governments effectively plan for growth, advance technologically, promote economic viability, embrace regional coalitions to provide emergency services and environmental facilities and meet new benchmarks in environmental stewardship.
Tankersley, elected to office in 2001, qualified for a third term on the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners in 2008 and ran unopposed as District 2-A commissioner for her home town, Brooklet. The Bulloch County native is a respected leader in her county with a distinguished record of public service that extends beyond the coastal region and has been a member of the ACCG Board of Managers since 2005.
In addition to her role as an elected official in Bulloch County, Tankersley has also assumed regional and state leadership roles. Currently she is serving on the Bulloch County Kiwanis Club Board of Directors and the Georgia Leadership Academy. She also was appointed to the Ogeechee Technical College Foundation Board and serves on the school’s scholarship board and fund-raising committee. In January 2009, she was appointed to serve on the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council.
Tankersley also has served on several state government boards, including the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Region 12 Advisory Council and the Savannah and Ogeechee Basin Advisory Committee. In 2004, she was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to the State - Local Transportation Strategies Task Force, and she co-chaired the governor’s re-election campaign in Bulloch County and served on his 2006 Inaugural Committee in 2006.
Tankersley’s civic affiliations are numerous and include membership in the Statesboro Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, for which she served on the Board of Directors and as chair of the Community Improvement Committee. She is also a charter member of the Republican Women of Bulloch County and an active Kiwanis Club member, chairing the club’s Blood Mobile Committee and serving as a member of its Program Committee.
In Bulloch County, Tankersley said she is most proud of recent expansions to the county’s fire protection services outside of the "five mile" fire protection district. Tankersley also has recently begun volunteering with a new project through the Kiwanis Club, a Bi-Lo Grocery grant award that will provide free evening meals for children attending the Statesboro Boys and Girls Club.
Within ACCG, she is a past vice chair and chair of the association’s Economic Development and Transportation Committee, the Emory Greene Award Committee and on other special committees within the association.
Tankersley is a graduate of the Certified Commissioners’ Training Program, the Certified Commissioners Advanced Program (CCAP) and the ACCG Academy for Leadership. She also is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development and special training programs for zoning administrators.
Maplecroft Flu Pandemic Maps Reveal Countries Most at Risk
/PRNewswire/ -- With swine flu topping the agenda of business around the world, global risks specialist, Maplecroft has released three new maps and indices revealing the countries most at risk from an influenza pandemic.
The Influenza Pandemic Risk Index (IPRI) consists of three categories: Risk of Emergence, Risk of Spread and Capacity to Contain. Each index generates a list of countries most at risk and that require a tailored policy response on the part of government and business. Maplecroft's research focuses on global risks to business.
The map of Risk of Spread shows the United Kingdom most at risk to the spread of an influenza pandemic, ranking number 1 out of 213 countries. The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Russia, Canada and Japan are also categorised as extreme risk because of their high population density, urbanisation and busy airports.
Even though the UK and other developed Western nations are at extreme risk of spread, their capacity to contain influenza pandemics ranks low risk. Large stockpiling of drugs and a sophisticated health infrastructure, which the Capacity to Contain index captures, means they have very effective measures with which to fight human influenza.
Sub-Saharan Africa stands out as the area least able to contain pandemic influenza with 27 out of the 30 most extreme risk countries. The capacity of a country to contain the spread of human influenza depends on factors of wealth, health infrastructure, education resources, information and communication networks, and governance.
The Risk of Emergence index unsurprisingly categorises Mexico as extreme risk and ranks the country as fourth most at risk, whilst Vietnam, China and Bangladesh top the table.
Countries most prone to risk of emergence of swine or avian flu in humans are poorer countries that have dense rural populations, with living quarters in close proximity to livestock. This is compounded by poor hygiene, lack of access to clean water and sanitation and poor public health education.
"It is important to see a newly emerging set of global risks - whether pandemics, conflict and terrorism, resource security including water stress, or climate change as inter-related," states Alyson Warhurst Chair of Strategy and International Development at Warwick Business School and one of the founding directors of Maplecroft. "Climate change is causing drought and flooding which in turn leads to crop failures and the destruction of livelihoods which in turn lead to poverty and the conditions that we see increase vulnerability to pandemic flu."
IPRI sources include: WHO, UNESCO, FAO, World Organisation for Animal Health, World Bank, Environmental Research Group Oxford, World Resources Institute and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
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CDC: 109 Confirmed Cases of H1N1 Flu
GFP Note: The CDC released this information before the one case in Georgia was confirmed. The total may now be adjusted to 110. According to the Georgia hospital where the 30 year old female is, she is in isolation and has just returned from a trip to Cancun.
In response to an intensifying outbreak in the
States | # of laboratory confirmed cases | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | ||
| California | 14 | ||
| Indiana | 1 | ||
| Kansas | 2 | ||
| Massachusetts | 2 | ||
| Michigan | 1 | ||
| Nevada | 1 | ||
| New York | 50 | ||
| Ohio | 1 | ||
| South Carolina | 10 | ||
| Texas | 26 | 1 | |
| TOTAL COUNTS | 109 cases | 1 death | |
The United States Government has declared a public health emergency in the United States. CDC’s response goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency. CDC is issuing and updating interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. In addition, the Federal Government and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine against this new virus.
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Georgia Confirms First Case of Swine Flu
From Chief of Police Brandon Perkins, Tyrone via email update:
Citizens,
Georgia Public Health just completed a press conference advising that
Georgia has now confirmed its first case of H1N1 infection. The
patient is a 30 year old female who recently returned from Cancun. She
is a resident of Kentucky and was traveling in Georgia when her
symptoms appeared. She is being treated in the LaGrange area. GPH did
not advise on her condition or prognosis.
GPH continues to advise Georgians to maintain normal precautionary
habits to include regular hand washing, covering your mouth and nose
when coughing or sneezing, and refrain from touching your
eyes/nose/mouth. You are further advised to seek medical attention as
soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of infection. Symptoms
include: fever, cough, body aches, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
Georgians are also advised to stay home from work or school if any of
these symptoms are present until receiving clearance by a doctor.
I plan to participate in another conference call with GPH and our
region's EMA Directors at 2pm. I will post more information at that
time if anything changes.
Further information on H1N1 can be found at:
http://health.state.ga.us/swineflu/
Thanks
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Usher Joins Denzel Washington and Other Prominent Alumni in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Advocacy Campaign
/PRNewswire / -- As part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) new advocacy campaign -- BE GREAT -- five-time Grammy award winner, philanthropist and Boys & Girls Club alumnus Usher today unveiled a new billboard featuring his childhood picture and a call-to-action -- BE ICONIC. Usher joins some 25 prominent alumni in the new advocacy campaign to help increase public awareness and understanding about the positive impact of Clubs.
From academic failure and gang violence to poverty, drugs and obesity, America's youth face a daunting array of problems -- with serious consequences and fewer safety nets at home and in the community. According to a 2007 BGCA alumni survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 57 percent of alumni reported, "The Club saved my life," while another 28 percent credited Boys & Girls Clubs with keeping them in school.
"Growing up in the Club, I had the chance to experience a lot of positive things; it helped reinforce the values I learned at home including good character, leadership and giving back to my community, my country and my world," said Usher. "It's where I developed my love of singing and performing, received help with my homework, and it's where I found a safe place to go after school."
Usher's theme -- BE ICONIC -- ties to the singer's profile as an award-winning, multi-platinum musical icon and a positive role model, and will serve as a source of inspiration for all young people to BE GREAT. This year celebrates the fifth anniversary of the 2004 top-selling album Confessions, which went on to sell more than 10 million copies in the United States, and has been certified diamond in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In addition to unveiling the billboard, Usher recently visited the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta where he was greeted by screams from more than 200 young members. He addressed the crowd with a simple message: "work hard to achieve your goals and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to." During his visit he taped a short film about the positive impact the Club played in his life, which will be the first of several films of prominent alumni for BGCA. The film will debut on BGCA's Web site www.BeGreatAmerica.org in May, and will also appear on BGCA's social networking pages including Facebook and YouTube.
Other Club alumni joining Usher in the BE GREAT advocacy campaign include: Academy award-winning actor and national spokesperson for BGCA -- Denzel Washington, Muhammad Ali, Ashanti, Swin Cash, Gen. Wesley Clark, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Jordan, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Queen Latifah, Mario Lopez, John Mellencamp, Edward James Olmos, Shaquille O'Neal, Smokey Robinson, Martin Sheen, John Singleton, Ruben Studdard, Courtney B. Vance, Mark Wahlberg and Kerry Washington.
On May 14, Usher will be inducted into BGCA's prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame (AHOF) at the organization's 103rd National Conference in Atlanta.
"We are very excited about Usher joining our BE GREAT campaign and the awareness he will bring to the effectiveness of our generation-changing programs," said BGCA President and CEO Roxanne Spillett. "He is a shining example of the impact of Clubs, and we are so proud of the great things he has gone on to accomplish."
Usher will collaborate with BGCA and other alumni to urge the country's political and business leaders to make the young people of America a priority and encourage every citizen to make a difference by supporting organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs -- ensuring that every child has a safe, supervised and structured environment during the critical after-school hours.
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H1N1 Flu Update with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
Video tape of Flu Update
11 am
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Governor Perdue Signs House Bill 217 for Access to Flu Vaccine
Governor Sonny Perdue yesterday signed House Bill 217, the “Access to Flu Vaccines Act,” which permits pharmacists and nurses to order and dispense flu shots pursuant to a protocol agreement with a physician. The bill also grants the Governor broader emergency powers if a pandemic influenza is declared by the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control.
“The flu affects thousands of people each year and our citizens should be able to access flu vaccines to protect themselves and their families,” said Governor Perdue. “This legislation makes it easier for Georgians to receive flu shots and allows the state to respond quickly and effectively to any flu outbreak.”
The bill was introduced in January by State Rep. Jimmy Pruett, one of the Governor’s floor leaders in the House. The bill was intended to clarify the ability of pharmacists and nurses to dispense flu shots without individual prescriptions. Last fall, the Composite Board of Medical Examiners, in consultation with the Attorney General’s office, determined the flu shot to be a “dangerous drug” and therefore each person seeking a vaccination would need an individual prescription.
The “Access to Flu Vaccines Act” returns the state to the past practices of more than a decade, allowing physicians to enter into protocol agreements with pharmacists and registered nurses to allow the ordering and dispensing of flu shots without a physician’s individual prescription. To ensure quality control, physicians may issue no more than 10 standing orders with pharmacists and nurses within the same county or adjacent county to the physician’s primary place of business. Corporations with more than one location are also included in this agreement. This includes grocery stores and drug stores.
HB 217 ensures hospitals have the explicit authority to offer its staff or patient any vaccination, test or prophylactic matter required or recommended by the CDC.
The bill also includes an emergency powers provision that allows the Governor to declare a “pandemic influenza” state of emergency if the WHO declares a Phase 5 Pandemic Alert for influenza in the United States and/or Georgia or the CDC declares at least a Category 2 Pandemic Severity index for influenza in the United States or Georgia.
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From Swine Flu to Dengue Fever: Infectious Disease Risks on the Rise
Emory University environmental studies professor Uriel Kitron was in Australia last week, assisting health authorities in an outbreak of dengue fever in the state of Queensland, when news broke about the swine flu epidemic in Mexico.
Global travel and human alterations to the environment, such as rapid urbanization, are helping to fuel some infectious diseases outbreaks, says Kitron, also chair of the environmental studies department at Emory and an internationally known researcher of the eco-epidemiology of infectious diseases. Kitron's research focuses on vector-borne diseases carried by insects and ticks and the zoonoses – diseases shared by humans and animals.
"In many developing countries, people are moving from rural areas to mega-cities, where they continue to practice subsistence agriculture," Kitron says. "Whenever you have large concentrations of people, domestic animals and poor sanitation and water supply, you have many opportunities for disease transmission."
Deforestation and other human changes to the landscape are other drivers of emerging infectious diseases, he added. "For example, when you bring agriculture into formerly forested areas, you change the migration patterns of animals and expose people and their livestock to more contact with wildlife," he explains.
Stemming Dengue Fever in Australia
Unusually hot, wet weather, a rapidly developing strain of the dengue virus, and a human traveler created "a perfect storm" for dengue fever in Queensland, Australia – which is experiencing its worst outbreak in two decades. About 1,000 people have become ill with the mosquito-borne illness. Dengue fever causes severe headaches and joint pain, and exposure to a second strain can result in hemorrhagic fever and death.
Kitron joined other experts in assisting Queensland health authorities. Kitron specializes in spatial epidemiology – using geographic information systems (GIS) and other methods to gather environmental data and create maps to pinpoint disease agents and their vectors in time and space.
The outbreak was traced to a patient who had recently traveled to Papua, New Guinea. "Although quite sick, he didn't go to a doctor for several weeks," Kitron says. "Whenever you have a lag time in diagnosis like that, you miss opportunities to prevent the spread of an outbreak."
Queensland's public health efforts – combined with cooler, drier weather – appeared to have stemmed the dengue fever outbreak for now. However, Kitron says the virus may be re-introduced, or could over-winter and re-emerge in the next hot season.
The Queensland government is now considering investing in spatial analysis software. Kitron plans to return for a workshop on using the technology to aid in the response for future outbreaks.
"Use of GIS and spatial statistics can help health authorities determine which cases are more likely to lead to other cases, so that they can better target which houses should be sprayed for mosquitoes immediately, and which ones can wait," Kitron explains.
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
State Birding Contest Draws Flock of Young Birders
Georgia’s 24-hour Youth Birding Competition had a record crowd of children and teens looking and listening statewide for birds common and rare this weekend.
The results: more than 200 species seen or heard, more than $1,200 raised for conservation and about 140 young birders ages 4 to 18 better versed in the state’s diverse bird life. The turnout marked a new high for the annual competition, in its fourth year. The 2008 event fielded 126 participants.
Coordinator Tim Keyes, a Georgia Wildlife Resources Division biologist, said it is encouraging to see the growth, as well as the return of some teams for their fourth year. “From all the feedback I’ve heard, the kids had a great time out there,” Keyes said Sunday night.
The 2009 search started at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and ended with 34 teams bearing names like the Blairsville Birdbrains and Vomiting Vultures turning in their checklists by 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield.
Homeschool Hummers, a middle school team from Suwanee, led with 147 birds, the first time a middle school team has won the overall competition.
Division leaders also included:
** High school, Blazin’ Bluebirds from Macon (134 species).
** Elementary, Birds of a Feather from LaGrange (73 species).
** Pre-elementary, Love Bugs from McDonough (57 species).
Top teams in fundraising, a voluntary part of the competition:
** Birds of a Feather from LaGrange raised $500.
** Country Cuckoos from Bainbridge ($330).
** The Brown Thrashers from Decatur ($320).
The money goes to conservation groups chosen by the teams.
Winners of a new birding journal category were:
** High school, Levi Adkins from Bainbridge.
** Middle school, Stennes Austinson, Bainbridge.
** Elementary, Ben Hays, LaGrange.
** Pre-elementary, Brian Hays, LaGrange.
And the leading rookie teams:
** High school, G’Nats Too from Rome.
** Middle school, GS Night Owls from Monticello.
** Elementary, Red Wings from Loganville.
** Pre-elementary, Blairsville Birdbrains II from Blairsville.
The return of a youth birding T-shirt art contest, started last year, drew 89 entries. An osprey painting by 11th-grader Jess Milner of Darlington Upper School in Rome took top honors, which included being printed on 2009 Youth Birding Competition T-shirts. Milner also received a $100 gift card to Michaels. The three other division winners each received a $50 gift card for supplies at the arts and crafts outlet.
Coincidentally, another Darlington Upper School artist won the 2008 contest.
“I’m excited to see so many young people inspired to draw and paint birds,” said art contest coordinator Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center.
She also said the T-shirt Art contest will return in 2010. “We’ll need good artwork again next year!”
The 2010 Youth Birding Competition will be held the last weekend in April.
This year’s contest was the second straight for 10-year-old Ahmad Gaither of The Brown Thrashers. Fellow team member James Cobb, 9, of Decatur was enjoying his first time. It was an education.
“At first, I didn’t know anything about the birds,” Cobb said. Now, he does. “The best bird I’ve seen so far was a great blue heron,” he added, grinning.
Awards for birding teams varied from binoculars to field guides donated by event supporters such as Eagle Optics, Atlanta Audubon Society, Georgia Ornithological Society, Identiflyer, Softscribe and The Environmental Resources Network.
The competition ended with a banquet Sunday evening at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. An animal program by wildlife center intern Kristi Doebler featured raptors such as a barred owl and red-tailed hawk.
Keyes and expert birder Giff Beaton served as judges. Keyes started the competition in 2006 with help from The Environmental Resources Network and a heart for engaging upcoming generations in birding and wildlife conservation. TERN is an advocate of the Wildlife Resources Division’s Nongame Conservation Section and a consistent supporter of the birding event.
The competition blends fun, skill and education, reaching out to students of all bird-watching skills. Pre-registered teams are paired with mentors. Options such as programs and workshops are available, as is a free e-newsletter.
Buying a nongame wildlife license plate or making a donation via the Give Wildlife a Chance state income tax checkoff supports this and other conservation education efforts in Georgia. Sales of the bald eagle/American flag and ruby-throated hummingbird license plates provide vital funding for Wildlife Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section, which receives no state funding.
YOUTH BIRDING COMPETITION RESULTS
Pre-elementary division
1. Love Bugs, McDonough – 57 species
2. Blairsville Birdbrains II (also top rookie team), Blairsville – 29 species
3. Bald Eagles, Braselton – 21 species
Elementary division
1. Birds of a Feather, LaGrange (also competition’s top fundraiser) – 73 species
2. The Wood Thrushes, Atlanta – 72 species
3. Chaotic Kestrels, Jackson – 65 species
Middle school division
1. Homeschool Hummers, Suwanee (also competition winner) – 147 species
2. The Thunderbirders, Watkinsville – 126 species
3. Vomiting Vultures, Macon – 71 species
High school division
1. Blazin’ Bluebirds, Macon – 134 species
2. Country Cuckoos, Bainbridge – 132 species
3. G’Nats One, Rome – 117 species
T-SHIRT ART CONTEST WINNERS
** Primary (preK-2nd grade): bluebird watercolor, Isabelle Cowart, Cowart Academy Homeschool, Buford
** Elementary (3rd-5th): bald eagle, Heidi Cashwell, fourth grade, Piedmont Academy, Monticello
** Middle school (6th-8th): Female cardinal, Marianne Lim, eighth grade, Duluth Middle School, Norcross
** High school and grand prize: Osprey, Jess Milner, 11th grade, Darlington Upper School, Rome
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CDC April 28 Update on Confirmed Swine Flu Numbers
To date, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Georgia. All residents are reminded to wash hands often and stay away from those who are ill.
U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 28, 2009 11:00 AM ET)
State # of laboratory
confirmed cases
California 10 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 45 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 6 cases
TOTAL COUNT 64 cases
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Less Than a Year After CDC Announced the U.S. HIV Epidemic Is Much Larger Than Previously Thought, Public's Sense of Urgency Is Down
Less Than a Year After CDC Announced the U.S. HIV Epidemic Is Much Larger Than Previously Thought, Public's Sense of Urgency Is Down, Even Among Some Higher Risk Groups
/PRNewswire/ -- Less than a year after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recalculated the size of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and announced that there were 40 percent more new HIV infections each year than previously believed, a new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that Americans' sense of urgency about HIV/AIDS as a national health problem has fallen dramatically and their concern about HIV as a personal risk has also declined, even among some groups at higher risk.
Key findings of the survey include:
-- The share of Americans naming HIV/AIDS as the most urgent health
problem facing the nation dropped precipitously from 44 percent in
1995 to 17 percent in 2006 and to six percent now.
-- CDC estimates that HIV rates are seven times higher among African
Americans and three times higher among Latinos compared to whites.
While these groups are more likely than whites to see HIV/AIDS as an
urgent problem, fewer say it is a "more urgent" problem for their
community now than in 2006 (declining from 23% to 17% of all adults,
49% to 40% of African Americans, and 46% to 35% of Latinos).
-- The share of those ages 18-29 who say they are personally very
concerned about becoming infected with HIV declined from 30 percent in
1997 to 17 percent today; personal concern among young African
Americans declined from 54 percent to 40 percent over the same time
period.
-- More than half (53%) of non-elderly adults say they have been tested
for HIV, including 19 percent who say they were tested in the past
year. Testing is most common among adults under the age of 30, with
three in ten young adults and nearly half (47%) of young African
Americans reporting having been tested in the past year. However,
reported testing rates for all these groups have not changed much in
the past decade.
"Many indicators of urgency and concern are moving in the wrong direction, including for higher risk groups," said Kaiser President and CEO Drew Altman. "The survey underscores the need for a new focus on domestic HIV," he added.
At a time when there have been calls for increased attention to the domestic HIV/AIDS crisis including the recent Obama administration announcement of the five year public awareness campaign, Act Against AIDS, the survey also finds public support for more spending.
Half of the public thinks that the federal government is spending too little on domestic HIV/AIDS, while just five percent say it spends too much. More than a third (36%) of Americans say they have personally donated money to an HIV/AIDS-related charity, including nearly half (45%) of African Americans, and there is confidence that new efforts in prevention will make a difference.
While down somewhat from 2006, public support for continued or increased government spending on HIV/AIDS is notable considering the current economic recession and a decline in reported visibility of the domestic epidemic. The share saying they have heard, seen, or read "a lot" or "some" about the problem of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. in the past year declined from 70 percent in 2004 to 45 percent in 2009, and the share that saw "a lot" was cut in half for not only the general public, but also among African Americans and Latinos.
Despite a polarizing debate in recent years about such issues as abstinence and condoms, six in ten Americans believe that spending more money on HIV prevention in the U.S. will lead to meaningful progress, and about half believe the same about spending on treatment.
Some Signs of Progress, But Misconceptions And Stigma Remain
The survey indicates some signs that HIV/AIDS in the U.S. may carry less stigma than in the past. For instance, there has been a slow and steady increase since the late 1990s in the share of people who say they would be very comfortable with a coworker who has HIV/AIDS (44% now, up from 32% in 1997). However, stigmatizing attitudes towards people with HIV have not gone away; fully half (51%) of the public says they would be uncomfortable having their food prepared by someone who is HIV positive.
Misconceptions may be a factor in stigma, and several remain when it comes to correct information about HIV transmission. One-third (34%) of Americans incorrectly believe or are unsure whether HIV can be transmitted by one of the following actions: sharing a drinking glass (27%), touching a toilet seat (17%), or swimming in a pool with an HIV positive person (14%).
Confusion about HIV transmission may contribute to discomfort around those who are HIV positive. People who harbor misconceptions about transmission are more likely to say they would be uncomfortable working with someone with HIV (43% versus 13% who correctly answered questions about transmission) and more likely to be uncomfortable having their food prepared by an HIV positive person (71% compared to 40%).
A significant share of the public also harbors misconceptions about prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Nearly one in five (18%) do not know there is no cure for AIDS and about one-quarter (27%) believe or are unsure whether former professional basketball player Magic Johnson has been cured of AIDS. Additionally, a quarter (24%) believe or are unsure whether there is a vaccine available to prevent HIV infection. Many of these misconceptions are more common in the African American community, including that Magic Johnson has been cured (37% of African Americans think he has been cured or are unsure), that there is a vaccine available to prevent infection (36%), and that there are drugs available that can cure HIV and AIDS (30%).
Methodology
The survey was designed and analyzed by public opinion researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation and was conducted January 26 through March 8, 2009, among a nationally representative random sample of 2,554 adults ages 18 and older. Telephone interviews conducted by landline (N=1,951) and cell phone (N=603, including 214 who had no landline telephone) were carried out in English and Spanish. The survey includes oversamples of African American and Latino respondents as well as respondents ages 18-29. Results for all groups have been weighted to reflect their actual distribution in the nation. The margin of sampling error for the overall survey is plus or minus 3 percentage points, for whites it is plus or minus 4 percentage points, for African Americans it is plus or minus 5 percentage points, and for Latinos it is plus or minus 6 percentage points. For results based on other subgroups, the margin of sampling error may be higher.
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Monday, April 27, 2009
UGA President's Sunday Statement to University Community
University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams sent a campus-wide message to the university community yesterday. That message is printed below.
To the Members of the University of Georgia Community:
We have had a tragedy this weekend that has impacted Athens and the entire University of Georgia community. We are saddened by the shooting that took place Saturday, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those who have been affected. As we grieve, we are determined to move forward.
Over the past 24 hours, I have had several meetings with the senior administrative team and received briefings from campus and local law enforcement regarding measures of campus safety and security. UGA and Athens-Clarke County police have done an extraordinary job of providing a strong law enforcement presence as we enter the final week of classes, and I have great confidence in their abilities.
UGA will operate under a normal schedule this week with classes and other business. However, I urge everyone to continue to exercise caution until the suspect is apprehended.
In wake of this tragedy, the University Health Center, through the Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) unit, will provide grief counseling and support for UGA faculty, staff and students affected by these recent events. Should anyone need or desire such services, please contact CAPS at 706-542-1162. Between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. persons wishing to reach CAPS should call University Police dispatch at 706-542-2200 and ask for the CAPS on-call staff member.
As a reminder, police are still looking for George M. Zinkhan III, 57 years of age, 6-feet three-inches tall, 240 pounds, blue eyes, white male with a goatee, with light brown hair and some graying. He was last seen wearing a polo shirt and blue shorts with a backpack, and driving a 2005 reddish Jeep Liberty with Georgia tag AIX 1376. If you know his location or see him, call 911. Please do not call 911 seeking information. Please do not call UGA Police asking questions. Only call to provide information that you may have regarding this matter. Police continue to urge members of the University community to use your best judgment in taking precautions while this suspect remains at large.
We will continue to share information with you regarding this matter as it becomes available.
Michael F. Adams, President
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Georgia Tech Students Make Atari Games Look Like Atari Again
One of the main themes of Racing the Beam is the strong affinity between the Atari VCS and the CRT television. The system was designed around the TV and it interfaces with that display in an unusual and specific way.
In today’s world of huge, sharp LCD monitors, it’s hard to remember what a videogame image looked like on an ordinary television of the late 1970s. Emulators like Stella make it possible to play Atari games on modern computers, serving the function of archival tool, development platform, and player for these original games. But unfortunately, they also give an inaccurate impression of what Atari games looked like on a television.
An Atari game played on a television would exhibit a number of visual characteristics that cannot be seen on an LCD display:
Texture.
The display itself is not constructed out of pixels like a monitor, but out of the phosphorescent glow of an electron beam as it shines through a focusing grate. The result produces slightly separated colored dots on the screen, which become less visible as the viewer moves away from the set.
Afterimage.
The phosphor glow padding a bit of time to “burn off” and leaves more of an afterimage on the human retina compared to an LCD display. As a result, images might linger after they had moved or changed. Atari programmers took advantage of this feature to “flicker” objects between frames.
Color Bleed.
The edges of sprites and scanlines appear as sharp edges in an emulator. But on a television, luminance from these areas would bleed into neighboring sectors, both softening the hard edges of pixel-objects and blending colors together.
Noise.
A television transmission is sent via RF, so a natural amount of noise is introduced into the image ... this is hard to see in a normal TV broadcast, but the large, flat areas of color in a videogame will exhibit slight vibration.
Many of today’s players may only experience Atari games in emulation. Indeed, many of my students may have little to no memory of CRT televisions at all. Given such factors, it seems even more important to improve the graphical accuracy of tools like Stella.
In Spring 2009, I tasked a Georgia Tech Computer Science capstone group to modify Stella, adding settings to simulate the CRT behaviors described above. The group consisted of five committed and talented CS seniors: Edward Booth, Michael Cook, Justin Dobbs, Will Rowland, and Prince Yang.
The results are, to my eyes, fantastic.
Despite being mighty impressive, the results in a live game are far more remarkable. Edward and his colleagues have done a fantastic job.
They are currently working with the maintainer of the free, open-source Stella emulator to patch their changes into the main build, where the effects will be available as a configurable option. Expect to see it there shortly, where hopefully it will benefit players, creators, educators, and archivists alike. Given that we'll be placing the code back into Stella’s repository, I’m also hopeful that this software might be extended for use in other emulators for computer systems that used televisions as their primary output.
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President Declares Major Disaster for Georgia Following Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes
Senators Chambliss, Isakson applaud announcement that will trigger federal assistance
U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., applauded President Obama’s decision Thursday evening to issue a disaster declaration for the state of Georgia, triggering the release of federal funds to help communities recover from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that hit the state on March 26 and have continued over the past several weeks.
The designation includes assistance to individuals and households in Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler and Worth counties. Additionally, the designation includes state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Early, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Toombs and Ware counties. Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"This is welcome news for those who greatly need assistance in recovering from the severe weather that has struck South Georgia in the past few weeks,” said Chambliss. “There are certainly many areas that are going to need a helping hand, so I hope additional designations will be forthcoming once the assessments are completed."
"I thank the president for this disaster declaration for all of the Georgia counties affected by these devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes. This will ensure that these communities in South Georgia will be eligible for much-needed federal assistance in their recovery efforts," Isakson said.
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Friday, April 24, 2009
Rainwater finds new use as toilet water
Recently, the plumbing code in Georgia was amended to allow homeowners to use rainwater and gray water to flush toilets and urinals, something that will help them weather the next drought and conserve water now, says a University of Georgia water expert.
“Most of our water demand could be supplied by harvested rainwater,” said Frank Henning, a former watershed agent with UGA Cooperative Extension. “It would be a win-win-win development. Rainwater harvesting can improve water conservation, reduce storm water problems and reduce the need to construct expensive reservoirs.”
Henning is a liaison between the Environmental Protection Agency and land-grant universities. EPA estimates that potable water, or water clean enough to drink, accounts for 20 percent of household water needs. The other 80 percent ends up going down the toilet, dripping into gardens as irrigation or swishing around a washing machine.
If Georgians started using rainwater or gray water, which is used water from the shower, laundry or sink, to flush toilets, they would save more drinking water and put less strain on municipal supplies.
Annual rainfall
Georgia’s sky produces plenty of water, about 50 inches in a normal year. Every inch of rain produces 623 gallons of water on a 1,000 square foot roof. Doing the math, more than 60,000 gallons of water will rush off of the rooftops of most homes every year in Georgia.
“If each home harvested these thousands of gallons available each month, when you multiply that by the households we have, the amount of water that can be harvested is tremendous,” Henning said. “There wouldn’t be as much storm water; and erosion, flooding and stream impairment would likely be reduced.”
In states where water is scarcer, like New Mexico, local governments require that new homes be built with rain harvesting systems.
“There, rainwater is seen as part of the water supply, not some fringe, kook package. We are hoping that rainwater harvesting will become a mainstream practice throughout the Southeast,” Henning said.
Using rainwater
While it may sound easy, rainwater harvesting involves more than a rain barrel and a hose.
A harvesting system requires a collection system, a pump, a filter, disinfection, delivery pipe and a safety valve so the municipal supply is not contaminated. The American Rainwater Catchment System Association, or ARCSA, certifies installers who can set up home systems.
Currently, gray water must be colored so that people can tell that it’s not drinking water. It must also flow through purple pipes. Both gray water and rainwater pipes and fixtures must be marked so that people know what kind of water they’re using.
“We don’t expect people to drink water out of their toilets, but it is always good to take extra precautions for safety,” Henning said. “In the future, if the home switches hands, people will know their water is coming from a non-potable source.”
Bacteria?
Rainwater use can bring up worries about bacteria. Henning says that most people aren’t scared of stream water. It usually has higher bacteria counts than the water in gutters.
“Studies have shown that there is very little chance that bacteria would make it to your mouth unless you’re washing your hands in it or drinking it,” he said. “So don’t take after the dog.”
Georgia is in the final stages of developing guidance documents on using rainwater and gray water. The final drafts are expected this summer. For more information, visit www.dca.state.ga.us/development/constructioncodes/programs/codeamendments.asp.
By Stephanie Schupska
University of Georgia
Stephanie Schupska is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
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President Declares Major Disaster For Georgia
The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) yesterday announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the State of Georgia to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds beginning on March 26, 2009, and continuing.
Acting FEMA Administrator Nancy Ward said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Obama. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler, and Worth counties.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds in the counties of Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Early, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Toombs, and Ware.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Terry L. Quarles has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Quarles said that additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Biotechnology Industry Organization Honors Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Governor of the Year
/PRNewswire/ -- The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced its selection of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as 2009 Governor of the Year in recognition of his leadership and support of the biosciences in Georgia.
"Governor Perdue's support of biotechnology has been vital for our industry's success in Georgia," said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. "He has been a stalwart advocate of the biosciences in Georgia and truly understands the promise of our industry to provide revolutionary therapies and cures for patients, increase agricultural sustainability and develop alternative fuels. In addition, I would like to personally thank the Governor and his team at the Department of Economic Development for being such great partners in helping to plan and organize the upcoming 2009 BIO International Convention."
Among Governor Perdue's programs is the implementation of the first-ever seed capital and facilities funds focused specifically on the life sciences industry. The Georgia Bioscience seed fund has been used to support 16 start-up companies over the past two years. The life sciences facilities fund assists companies with their facility needs including new building and laboratory construction. Governor Perdue has also allocated, on average, $30 million to $40 million a year towards strengthening research in life sciences and other advanced technologies at the state's universities.
"Governor Perdue recognizes that a robust life sciences industry is essential for the state's economic growth," said Charlie Craig, President of GeorgiaBio. "He has put in place policies that will continue to support Georgia's position as a leading home for biotechnology long after he leaves office."
Research confirms biotechnology's strength in Georgia. Released today, the 2009 Shaping Infinity report, produced by GeorgiaBio in association with the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the Terry College of Business, includes the first-ever economic impact study of the life sciences industry in Georgia. The key finding of the study is that Georgia's life sciences companies contribute substantial economic activity to the state: one out of every 68 jobs in Georgia owes its existence to the life sciences industry and university research.
The industry is both a pillar of and a driver of the state's economy, translating into jobs, higher incomes, greater production of goods and services, and higher revenue collections for state and local government. The study reveals that Georgia's life sciences industry and research at the state's universities are responsible for:
-- 62,033 jobs
-- $17.3 billion in annual economic impact.
-- $517 million in tax revenues for state and local governments
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Generating Some Buzz
For several weeks last fall, different artistic interpretations of Buzz were present around campus. An auction next month gives people the opportunity to own them.
In Buzz Around Town, part of the Alumni Association’s centennial celebration, alumni, student groups and campus organizations were able to sponsor one of 25 five-foot-tall Fiberglas Buzz statues. Each sponsor then paired with a local artist, who helped translate their vision to Tech’s beloved mascot.
Starting May 15 at the President’s Dinner, 20 of the 25 statues will be available for auction online. For a minimum bid of $500 or $1,000, members of the Tech community can own part of the campus-wide celebration.
“Since a lot of the Buzzes were created specifically for campus organizations, alumni who align with these groups are expressing interest,” said Renee Queen, vice president of Marketing Services for the Alumni Association. “Alumni from around the country are sending e-mails asking about them.”
Queen says 10 statues on each side of the walkway will flank attendees as they enter for dinner. The auction will be open for a week, closing May 22.
Sponsors have purchased four of the 50-pound Buzz statues ”two individual alumni, the Alumni Association and Auxiliary Services” and one was sold in a previous auction. Winning bidders must sign an agreement in compliance with the use of Buzz’s image and trademark.
Queen says there have been many requests to hold another Buzz Around Town event, which was held specifically for the Association’s centennial.
“While people have expressed interest, we have no plans to do this again,” she said.
“As far as I’m concerned, these 20 statues will be the only ones available for auction.”
After the fall semester, each statue was taken for repair and paint restoration. Proceeds from the auction will go toward the sponsoring organizations, with a small percentage being used for administrative costs.
“It’s been a wonderful experience,” Queen said. “We’ve been able to support student organizations and many local artists. And I feel so attached to each one. Each one epitomizes and shows the Tech community.”
Buzz Around Town facts
For Buzz Around Town, sponsors paid $1,600 to acquire and decorate a Buzz. Student organizations paid $800. Of the 25, 11 were sponsored by student organizations. Alumni sponsored nine, and Tech departments and organizations sponsored five.
Although every Buzz statue has undergone repair and restoration, Queen says the BuzzCard Buzz, sponsored by Auxiliary Services, was the only statue not damaged.
Tech organizations included the College of Engineering, the Alumni Association, the Georgia Tech Foundation, Auxiliary Services and the Tech Parents Program.
On the Alumni Association’s Web site, visitors were able to vote on which they thought were the best. The A.E.K.D. Buzz, sponsored by Kappa Sigma Fraternity, was voted the favorite.
Alumnus Kimberly Davis-Blackstone sponsored “Heritage Buzz.” Artists included David Boyd Jr., the art teacher at Heritage High School in Rockdale County, and Davis-Blackstone’s daughter, Nicole Young.
Alumnus Susan M. Davis sponsored the “Celebrating the Power of Women’s Contributions at Tech and Beyond.” Davis was the first female Buzz mascot, and the yellow shoes on the statue recall a time when she forgot her black high-tops while the team was playing out of town. The only shoes she could find at the last minute were yellow.
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Opinion: Wise on Carbon Tax
Wise: Carbon tax will cost each family $680
Stan Wise
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I recently testified before Congress because I believe the carbon cap and trade system and mandated renewable portfolio standards will disproportionately hurt ratepayers in Georgia, especially low-income households.
Americans will pay higher taxes under this administration, unless of course they do not......
http://savannahnow.com/node/711157
Stan Wise serves on the Georgia Public Service Commission.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Tubman Museum Creates State-of-the-Art Classroom with $150,000 Grant from AT&T
The AT&T Foundation, the philanthropy arm of AT&T*, has awarded a $150,000 grant to the Tubman African American Museum to create a new classroom which will utilize the latest technology to extend the Museum’s educational outreach both inside and outside of the facility. When the new 49,000 square-foot museum on Cherry Street is completed, all of the equipment and technology featured in the AT&T classroom will be transferred to the new classrooms.
The Tubman African American Museum is an internationally recognized institution and an important cultural and educational resource for the area. Educating people about African American art, history, culture and the promotion of harmony among all races is the mission of the Museum. In pursuit of this mission, the Tubman Museum offers a diverse spectrum of educational programs, including Children in the Arts after-school and weekend classes; student workshops for third and fifth graders in language and math; and the state’s only African American Heritage Summer Camps for youth, ages 7 to 12.
The grant will be used to join and convert two upstairs exhibit galleries into one large Art, History, and Technology Classroom where students, teachers, and museum educators can utilize on-site laptop computers, wireless internet access, multi-media projectors and screens, digital video cameras and video editing equipment and software to create a fully-immersive exploration of the importance and impact of African American art, history, and culture.
The Tubman Museum is working closely with the IT professionals and educators of the Bibb County school system, along with the school systems of Monroe and Houston, to ensure that the most appropriate software and hardware is being selected for this high technology classroom. Formed by the Tubman Museum, this Technology Committee is made up of six IT Professionals representing over 90 years of combined experience in the field of computer technology and communications. Members of this committee include Josh Epps, Director of Information Technology with Fickling & Company and Chair of the committee, Rob Betzel, President of Infinity Network Solutions, Thane Good, Director of Field Services with Cox Communications, Julie Christopher, Chief Information Officer with the Bibb County Board of Education, Wally Reeves, Technology Director with the Houston County Board of Education, and Neil Rigole, Director of Instructional Technology with the Monroe County Board of Education.
The new technology will not only enable Tubman to enhance current educational offerings within the museum setting, but will also allow the Museum to introduce a critical new element to its educational programming-distance learning. Distance learning will enable the Museum to expand its audience, bringing the museum culture and the benefits of an arts education to students and teachers throughout Middle Georgia and the state of Georgia.
“This announcement is the perfect example of our community coming together to make education the top priority. The funding that AT&T is putting into this high technology classroom is wonderful news! Bibb County School District became involved in this project by helping the Tubman to identify the best educational tools that will compliment those that students use in the school classroom and at the museum. This new classroom is a wonderful learning environment that will benefit our community,” stated Sharon Patterson, Superintendent for the Bibb County School System.
“We’re respectful and supportive of our own diverse workforce, and we’ve invested to create programs to support diversity in our customers and partners. We will continue to invest time, talent and resources to strengthen our communities by supporting underserved populations and promoting education programs that create economic opportunity”, said Terry Smith, AT&T Regional Manager-Regulatory and External Affairs –Georgia.
“This generous gift from the AT&T Foundation will not only help us create a much needed, state-of-the art classroom space in our current facility where students both onsite and through distance learning can learn more about African American art, history, and culture, but it will also help us transition this high-tech educational equipment and capabilities to even larger classrooms when we open our new, 49,000 square-foot museum. This grant is a gift that will keep on giving, helping us to dramatically expand the impact, outreach, and unique educational offerings of the Tubman African American Museum”, shared Dr. Andy Ambrose, Executive Director for the Tubman Museum.
“This announcement is great news for the Tubman African American Museum,” said Chambliss. “This facility serves the community as an educational and cultural resource, not only for Macon, but the entire state. I’m pleased to offer my support for the Tubman Museum as it continues to provide additional opportunities to study and explore African American art, history and culture,” shared Senator Saxby Chambliss.
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Georgia Aquarium Opens Dolphin Conservation Field Station at Marineland
/PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Aquarium's Dolphin Conservation Field Station (GAI-DCFS) opened today in Marineland, FL just outside St. Augustine, FL, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by Georgia Aquarium benefactor, Bernie Marcus and Marineland of Florida owner, Jim Jacoby.
The conservation field station includes research and veterinary facilities, quarantine pools for rehabilitating rescued animals, both land and water animal rescue vehicles and housing for researchers and staff. The team will conduct research, and it will also fill a need for rescue and rehabilitation of stranded animals in Georgia and northeast Florida. After a successful rescue and rehabilitation, animals deemed releasable by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will be reintroduced into their respective habitats. Animals deemed by NMFS to be unfit for release will be provided a home selected by NMFS.
"We welcome Georgia Aquarium's Dolphin Conservation Field Station to the Southeast U.S. Marine Mammal Stranding Network," said Blair Mase-Guthrie, NOAA Fisheries' southeast stranding network coordinator.
The partnership between the Georgia Aquarium and Marineland to open GAI-DCFS was announced May 6, 2008, at the same time the Aquarium announced its $110 million dolphin expansion plans in Atlanta, which is set to open in November 2010.
"From the very beginning, the Georgia Aquarium has sought to be a world class research institution," said Marcus. "We are not only making a difference by educating the millions of visitors that come to the Georgia Aquarium each year, but we are expanding our commitment to conduct research and conservation in the field."
The Georgia Aquarium has pledged more than $3 million to the care and study of dolphins. Marineland of Florida donated the use of the land for GAI-DCFS.
"As the world's first oceanarium and home to various interactive dolphin programs, we are proud to partner with the Georgia Aquarium on this Dolphin Conservation Field Station," said Jim Jacoby, who also serves on the Georgia Aquarium board of directors. "It makes Marineland of Florida a must see destination for both tourists and scientists."
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50 ways to eat a Vidalia Onion
April 20 was the official “Shipping Date” that began the 2009 Vidalia® Onion Marketing Season. The onions have started arriving in stores, and some of Georgia’s leaders as well as regular citizens are sharing their favorite ways to eat the world’s favorite onion.
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin shows his rural roots when he says he is especially fond of eating them with black-eyed peas and cornbread for lunch at the office. For Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Terry Coleman, it’s a couple of Vidalia onion slices on whole wheat bread with mustard, mayo and some salt and pepper. State Representative Tom McCall likes them microwaved with butter and a little salt and pepper. State Rep. Butch Parrish says “My wife makes a dip with Vidalia onions, cheese and lite mayonnaise that is perfect for any kind of chip or cracker.” State Senator John Bulloch says “They’re great as a side dish for about anything.”
A quick survey of employees at the Georgia Department of Agriculture revealed even more alternatives including Vidalia onions marinated in soy sauce and olive oil and grilled, baked in foil with butter or a bullion cube, thinly sliced on a peanut butter sandwich, in salads, cut up in vinegar with banana peppers and tomatoes, in baked beans, marinated in Italian or balsamic dressing and grilled until slightly tender, in a sandwich with tomato, as onion rings, in Vidalia onion and rice casserole, and straight as a complement to the meal and not part of any dish.
The Vidalia onion is truly versatile as well as tasty.
There must be at least 50 ways to eat one:
Dice it in your dip, Chip,
Chip it in your beef, Chief,
In your tartar sauce, Boss,
And your seafood, Dude,
On your burger patty, Mattie,
Raw and plain, Elaine,
With a little salt, Walt,
With your cornbread, Fred,
Along with your greens, Eugene,
On top of your chili, Willie,
With any cheese, Louise,
With green eggs and ham, Sam,
In a caboose, Dr. Seuss,
With bacon, in Macon,
With your pâté, Kay-tay,
Wrestle it with a fork, Mickey Rourke,
With your bare hand, Ms. Streisand,
Grab one to go, Joe,
Take it a la carte, Bart,
With butterbeans, Billie Jean,
With any veggie, Reggie,
Now with a ‘mater, not later,
Sliced thin, Ben,
With buttermilk-a, Mr. Rilke,
On a sandwich, Rich,
At the church picnic, Rick,
As an hors d'oeuvre, Merv,
In French cuisine, Celine,
With tomato aspic, Nick,
With fried okra, Oprah,
Dining at the Ritz, Fritz,
Chew it with joy, Roy,
Bite it with glee, Lee
In your sa-lad, Vlad,
Mince it, Vincent,
Slip it in your stew, Lou,
Pop it in your squash, Josh,
As an appetizah, Liza,
In a casserole, Dr. Scholl,
Put it in a quiche, capice!
Without sweat, Chet,
Sauté it in a pan, Stan,
With a fine sherry, Terry,
Or a cabernet, Renee,
Right off the grill, Phil,
On a kebob, Rob,
With biscuits and gravy, Davy,
With a pickled beet, Pete,
In a pocket of pita, Rita,
Any way, Kay.
Today, Ray.
Vidalia onions are a uniquely Georgia crop and are only produced in a 20-county growing area in the southeastern part of the state.
What is your favorite way to eat a Vidalia? For more recipes see http://www.vidaliaonion.org/index.php .
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Washington County Landowner Receives Civil Penalties and for Multiple Violations
The Commissioner of Natural Resources yesterday issued Administrative Orders to Washington County landowner Mr. Jens Brynteson and Mr. David Kilgore of Madison County. The orders impose civil penalties of more than $70,000.00 on Mr. Brynteson and penalties of $2,000.00 on Mr. Kilgore for numerous violations of Georgia’s Game and Fish laws discovered during an 18-month investigation and subsequent search warrant findings. Additionally, the Commissioner issued Administrative Orders authorizing seizure of fallow deer herds, red deer herds and Mouflon sheep on two properties owned by Mr. Brynteson. Mr. Brynteson and Mr. Kilgore will have 30 days to file an appeal of the Administrative Order. If no appeal is filed within 30 days, the orders will be final. Further, Department officials today issued 29 misdemeanor citations to Mr. Kilgore for violating Georgia’s trapping laws.
“Georgia law imposes strict requirements on those who operate deer farms,” said Dan Forster, Director of the Wildlife Resources Division. “These requirements are designed to ensure the prevention, detection and interception of wildlife-related diseases, such as chronic wasting disease and tuberculosis, which can have a devastating impact on our state’s conservation and agricultural economies.”
The statutory purpose of deer farms is to provide an agricultural opportunity to raise non-native deer on a farm for the commercial production of food and fiber. Mr. Jens Brynteson was permitted with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Department of Agriculture in 1999 for deer farming, but his license expired March 31 and has not been renewed. The resultant violations include multiple counts of possessing regulated wild animals without authorizing licenses and surrendering regulated wild animals to individuals who do not possess authorizing licenses. Moreover, it was discovered that he was moving farmed deer from one property and placing them in a high-fence shooting pen on a different property. These movements raise concern regarding questionable required health certifications.
In February of 2009, the Department executed search warrants pertaining to property owned by Mr. Jens Brynteson and the residence of his employee Mr. David Kilgore. Various documents and digital media were seized during the search. The seized items assisted Department officials with further identifying violations.
“Not only are these types of ‘canned hunts’ illegal in Georgia, the shooting of farmed deer and sheep for sport in staged hunting venues serves no legitimate role in wildlife conservation and is not supported by the majority of Georgia’s citizens,” said Forster. “These types of unethical activities threaten the use of fair chase hunting as an effective, cost-efficient management tool in Georgia and erodes the existing public support for legal hunting.”
Due to the fact that the investigation is ongoing no additional information may be released at this time. For more information about DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, visit www.georgiawildlife.com . To report game and fish law violations, such as the illegal movement of non-native or native wildlife, call 1-800-241-4113.
More on Wild Animals and Farmed Deer
According to Georgia code, it is unlawful for any person to import, transport, transfer, sell, purchase or possess any wild animal (as listed in O.C.G.A. § 27-5-5) without first obtaining a wild animal license (as provided in O.C.G.A. § 27-5-4) from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Farmed deer may be legally held in an approved facility with a deer farming license jointly administered by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture. Additionally, it is unlawful to shoot, kill or wound any wild animal held under a wild animal license or permit or any farmed deer for enjoyment, gain, amusement or sport (O.C.G.A. § 27-5-12).
Wild animals are non-native wildlife such as those that may be found in zoos, circuses or educational exhibits. The possession of wild animals is strictly regulated in Georgia because of the risks they pose to public health, safety and welfare, and to native wildlife. These risks include endangering the physical safety of humans, introduction of diseases harmful to humans or wildlife and threats to native wildlife and habitats through competition.
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West Georgia Celebrates Earth Day 2009
The University of West Georgia will celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, with something for everyone that includes cotton candy, Wolfie and recycling. The free event is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. near the Campus Center and the community is welcome to attend.
Faculty and staff, fraternities and sororities, the Geosciences Club and the Geography Honor Society, have planned one of the largest Earth Days to be held on campus.
A Miss Earth Day Pageant, where contestants don only costumes made from recycled products, an Earth Day tee shirt sale, a guest appearance by Wolfie and recycling tubs for ink cartridges, cell phones and aluminum are some of the green and blue attractions for the event.
A traditional Earth Day tree planting will also take place on campus. At 2:30 p.m., three kwanzan cherry trees will be planted near the Calloway Building’s annex. James Hembree, UWG horticulturalist, will provide the trees and dig the holes and faculty and students will help plant. The 10-foot trees will replace a large cherry tree taken down during construction of the addition to Calloway months ago.
Not to be outdone, Aramark, the university food service provider, and Auxiliary Services will celebrate Earth Day all week long April 20 – 24.
Both will help with the green effort Monday through Friday by a different energy saving technique each day. Trayless Dining Day will save hundreds of gallons of water; Dim the Lights Day will lower energy costs, and Weigh the Waste Day, Recycling Day for cell phones and an Earth Day Meal will help the campus community think and eat green.
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The United States Conference of Mayors Celebrates Earth Day with Historic Energy Efficiency Block Grants for Cities
/PRNewswire / -- On Earth Day, The United State Conference of Mayors highly commended a new Administration for setting Climate Change as a top policy priority, including new funding for first-ever energy efficiency grants specifically for cities, counties and states.
"This Earth Day we are proud to announce close to 1,000 mayors committed to reducing carbon emissions in their cities. We are fortunate to have the support of President Obama, who is dedicated to protecting our environment against climate change," said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
"Cities on every coast and in between are taking advantage of every resource to focus on protecting the environment and creating a surge of green jobs during a weakened economy. These green initiatives are a win-win situation for everyone involved, all while protecting our planet," said Tom Cochran, CEO & Executive Director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Last month, the Obama Administration acted to distribute $2.8 billion in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) in the Recovery Package, which will benefit hundreds of cities throughout the U.S. This is the first time in the history of the U.S. that green grants for cities are available to specifically fund energy-efficiency projects in cities.
The EECBG program was "conceived" by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and was a top priority of the Mayors' 10-Point Plan and the Mayors' MainStreet Recovery Program.
So far, more than 944 U.S. mayors have pledged support for The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
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Monday, April 20, 2009
Georgia Burn Ban Begins May 1st
Georgia’s annual air quality ban on outdoor burning, mostly in the northern half of Georgia, begins on Friday, May 1, 2009. The annual restrictions will be in place for 54 counties through September 30.
“The Georgia Environmental Protection Division puts this ban in place to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations,” said Alan Dozier, Chief of Forest Protection for the Georgia Forestry Commission. “Ozone levels increase to unhealthy levels in summer,” he said. “Most types of open burning are restricted during the ban in an effort to manage the summertime surge in ozone levels.”
The following counties are under the 2009 burn ban: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, and Walton.
The outdoor burning ban is under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Air Protection Branch.
The Georgia Forestry Commission operates an on-line burn permit system at 1-877-OK2-BURN. The phone system informs callers by county whether or not they can burn. Residents may also call their county GFC office for more information or visit GaTrees.org.
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Successful Outcome of CanJet Incident
/PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Jamaica's Minster of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett:
Speaking at a press conference earlier today at Sangster International Airport, Jamaica's Prime Minister the Honorable Bruce Golding and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper praised the successful handling of the situation involving the CanJet Boeing 737-800. Both commended the personal bravery and professionalism of all involved.
Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding had high praises for the members of the island's security team (Police and JDF) who played a pivotal role in bringing the ordeal to a peaceful end. The joint security team successfully disarmed the gunman who is now in custody and being interrogated by authorities.
Prime Minister Golding's Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, who was in Jamaica for a three-day working visit, also praised the island's security for their competency in bringing the stand-off to a peaceful resolution.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Harper expressed his gratitude to Jamaica's Prime Minister for his personal engagement in the matter and the crew of CanJet flight 918. "Today is a day to be truly joyful. It's very rare we have events like this that end so well," Harper said.
Prime Minister Golding told journalists that he has ordered an immediate investigation by the Ministry of Transport and Works, the Civil Aviation Authority and relevant agencies.
"We have an unblemished record of airline and airport safety. We have never had anything of this kind in Jamaica before and it's a record we are determined must be protected and preserved," noted Golding.
Jamaica's Prime Minister also announced the goodwill gesture by hotelier Gordon 'Butch' Stewart who has offered all passengers and crew a one-week stay at any Sandals resort in Jamaica at any time they are prepared.
Wayne Cummings, President of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourism Association said, "The accommodations extended to the passengers and crew by hotels in Montego Bay while they await their departure is indicative of the level of cooperation that exits between the public and private sectors in Jamaica. Our combined goal is to provide unparalleled hospitality to all who visit our shores."
A CanJet aircraft is en-route from Montreal via Toronto to Montego Bay to take passengers and crew on to Santa Clara, Cuba, or back to Canada should they wish to return home.
CanJet is owned by Halifax-based IMP Group Ltd. Canadian-based Vancouver Airport Services (YVR AS) is a shareholder of MBJ Airports Ltd which operates Sangster International Airport.
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Information update as of 14:00 ADT from Kent Woodside, Vice President and General Manager, CanJet Airlines
/PRNewswire/ -- CanJet Airlines has released more information about the return of passengers and crew who were on board Flight 918.
A CanJet aircraft is currently en route to Montego Bay from Toronto. It's anticipated that passengers will be carried from Montego Bay to Santa Clara, Cuba, this evening. From Santa Clara, the flight will return to Halifax overnight with passengers destined for Canada.
Precise times of departure and arrival will be made available as they are confirmed as will the exact number of passengers returning. This is due to the indeterminate nature of processing passengers locally and on-the-ground logistics.
It is also anticipated that the crew will be returning separately overnight to Halifax.
We understand all of the crew and passengers are comfortable and their immediate needs are being met.
While CanJet continues to assist the authorities in the on-going investigation, our priority remains the well-being of the passengers and crew.
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Workshop seeks mentors, foster parents and adoptive parents for teens
On Saturday, April 25, the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), in conjunction with private adoption agencies, will sponsor a workshop called “Building Connections: Enhancing the Lives of Teens.” Participants will be able to take part in discussions and activities to learn more about becoming a mentor or a foster or adoptive parent to a teenager under the care of DFCS. This event, which is free and open to the public, will be at the Jim Huie Recreation & Aquatics Center at 9045 Tara Boulevard in Jonesboro, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“This workshop will arm individuals who want to get involved with the information needed to determine what role they can best play in the life of a teenager,” said Mark A. Washington, assistant commissioner of DHR. “Adults have the power to alter the way a teenager views himself by simply investing their time and their talent.”
Some studies suggest that youth who “age out” of the foster care system without families or a support system often struggle to complete their education, are at risk of developing health problems, have a hard time becoming financially self-sufficient and, in some cases, come into contact with the criminal justice system.
“I think most of us know how challenging the teenage years can be,” Washington said. “These kids are trying to do well in school, fit in with their peers and on top of that figure out which direction their life is headed. The burden of not having a stable home environment adds to that complexity and mirrors the situation many teens in our care are facing.”
Currently in Georgia, there are more than 15,000 children in foster care. More than 34 percent of them are between the ages of 14 and 18. Approximately 50 of these teens will attend the “Building Connections” event where they will participate in workshops designed especially for them.
For more information or to register for the “Building Connections: Enhancing the Lives of Teens” workshop, please call (877) 234-4728.
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