Atlanta's 2011 Civil Rights Celebration Marks Anniversaries, New Discoveries

/PRNewswire/ -- Unexpected actions make for extraordinary stories. Who would expect that a young Martin Luther King Jr. would perform at the segregated movie premiere of "Gone with the Wind" in 1939? Who would think that revenue from the novel would fund medical scholarships for graduates of Morehouse College in Atlanta, an all-male, historically black college?

As the home of the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta is the perfect destination to explore the history, personalities and places where one of America's most important movements was centered. Visitors will find that Atlanta's Civil Rights story extends beyond commonly known icons and venues.

The 25th anniversary of the first observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on January 17, 2011 and the 75th anniversary of the publishing of "Gone with the Wind" bring forward the little-known connection between the leader of the civil rights movement and the author of one of the most popular novels in history.

Newly discovered correspondence between Margaret Mitchell and the president of Morehouse College Dr. Benjamin E Mays paints the author in a new light. Mitchell, who wrote "Gone with the Wind" in a small apartment in Atlanta, donated thousands of dollars to Morehouse College to fund undergraduate educations and medical and dental scholarships for graduates. According to her letters, she saw a disparity in African-American healthcare. Instead of accepting the status quo, she bravely devoted herself to fixing the problem.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born and raised in Atlanta, attended Morehouse College, where he was granted early admission at age 15. Just five years before, the 10-year-old Dr. King performed at the segregated festivities for the premiere of "Gone with the Wind" with the boys' choir of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. had been urged to boycott the celebration by other community leaders because African Americans were not allowed to attend, including the film's actors. A brave and forward thinker, King Sr. attended because he was invited.

Mitchell quietly fought against racial prejudice, but did not get a chance to see Martin Luther King Jr. become the strongest voice for equality. Decades after their deaths, we are still learning about their impressive efforts to make Atlanta a beautiful city void of the stereotypes associated with their time.

This month, celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta with the following events:

* 2.5 Mile Youth Stop the Violence Run in Honor of the 25th Anniversary of the National King Holiday


Saturday, Jan. 8 at 9 a.m.

The King Center

* 4th Annual King Peace Program: Celebrating the Peace Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.


Thursday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

The King Center

* Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's King Celebration Concert


Thursday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m.

King International Chapel, Morehouse College, Atlanta

* Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service


Monday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

* Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Summit Hosted by Hands on Atlanta


Monday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 a.m.

Begins with Freedom Rally at Ferst Center for the Performing Arts at Georgia Tech

For more information on Atlanta's civil rights history, visit www.atlanta.net/civilrights.

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Georgia to Hold Annual ENERGY STAR, WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday

Eligible Products Help Georgians Conserve Energy and Water

To help Georgians conserve energy and water and save money, Georgians will once again have the opportunity to buy energy-saving and water-efficient products without sales taxes during the 2009 ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday this week. The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, October 1, and runs through midnight Sunday, October 4. Georgians will not pay state or local sales taxes on the purchase of ENERGY STAR-qualified or WaterSense-labeled products that cost $1,500 or less per item.

“Purchasing appliances and products with ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labels helps create a culture of conservation in our state,” said Governor Perdue. “The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday is a perfect opportunity for Georgians to save money at the cash register and on their water and energy bills.”

This year’s sales tax holiday is a result of House Bill 120, which was sponsored by Rep. Lynn Smith and signed by Governor Perdue into law on May 4. The energy tax holiday is part of the same bill that includes the school supplies tax holiday that occurred in July.

ENERGY STAR designated products meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Qualified ENERGY STAR appliances and products eligible for the sales tax exemption include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, doors, windows and skylights.
“With ENERGY STAR products, Georgians can save money, conserve energy and show their commitment to the stewardship of our state’s natural resources,” said Phil Foil, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA).

Many ENERGY STAR qualified appliances use 30 percent less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features, style or comfort. Some products, such as energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, save as much as 80 percent. By replacing old, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified models, Georgians can help protect the environment while saving money and energy.

For more information and to better understand the options and benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified products, visit the ENERGY STAR @ Home tool at www.energystar.gov.

The EPA created the WaterSense program to recognize major water consuming products that are 20 percent more water-efficient and perform as well as or better than conventional models. WaterSense-labeled products eligible for the sales tax exemption include bathroom sink faucets or aerators and high-efficiency toilets.

“Understanding how much water we use during routine household activities can help us all to be more water efficient,” said Carol A. Couch, director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “The WaterSense label makes it easy for consumers to recognize household products that use less water and result in lower water bills.”

According to the EPA, if just one out of every four households in Georgia retrofits their bathrooms with WaterSense-labeled fixtures, it could save nearly 10 billion gallons of water per year. The average household spends as much as $500 per year on its water and sewer bill. By installing WaterSense-labeled fixtures and ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances that use water more efficiently, a household could save about $170.

Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information and to better understand the options and benefits of WaterSense qualified products.

Additional information regarding the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday is also available on the following Web sites:

Georgia Department of Revenue – www.dor.ga.gov;
Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority – www.gefa.org; and
EPD's Conserve Water Georgia – www.conservewatergeorgia.net.
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4th of July Holiday Weekend will Be Busy on the Water

Thanks to higher water levels and sunny skies, the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend is sure to be a busy one on Georgia’s lakes and waterways, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Conservation Rangers with the Department will do their best to ensure the safety of everyone on the water and boaters are strongly encouraged to use good judgment and exercise caution while on the water.

So far this year in Georgia, there have been 58 boating incidents resulting in 40 injuries and 5 boating incident-related fatalities. Additionally, there have been 21 drownings on public waters. Conservation Rangers have issued 69 boating under the influence (BUI) citations statewide.

“The Division wants boaters to remain alert to their surroundings,” says WRD Lt. Col. Homer Bryson. “A boating incident can happen in a split second, and most could have been avoided by following some simple rules and safety guidelines for operating watercraft.”

DNR offers the following safety rules for boat and PWC operators:

· Designate an operator. Don’t drink and operate a boat. While not illegal to have alcohol on a boat – it is always a wise idea to have a boat operator designated to stay sober. A person age 21 or over with a blood alcohol content of .10 can be charged with Boating Under the Influence.

· Take a boating safety course. To take a boating safety course, visit www.goboatgeorgia.com .

· Wear your life jacket. Recommended for all boaters. Children under 10 years of age are required by law to wear a life jacket while onboard a moving boat.

· Don’t overload your boat with people or equipment. Check on the capacity plate for the maximum weight or the maximum number of people the boat can safely carry.

· Use navigation lights at ALL times when on the water at night. Check lights before it gets dark.

· Watch your distance and speed. The 100-foot law applies to ALL size vessels and prohibits operation at speeds greater than idle speed within 100 feet of any vessel, unless overtaking or meeting another vessel in compliance with the rules of the road.

PWC operators should also be aware of these additional safety rules:

· Do NOT jump the wake of another boat.

· Pay attention to your surroundings and make sure you stay well clear of other vessels.

· Know Georgia’s age requirements for PWC operation.

· Make sure everyone who operates your PWC is aware of boating laws and how to safely operate a PWC. As the owner, you could be held responsible.

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Holiday Iron Pour Continues Annual Tradition December 13

Annual holiday iron pour and silent auction
2 p.m. Dec. 13
Edgewood Sculpture Studio, 184 Edgewood Ave. S.E., Atlanta
For information: E-mail George Beasley at gbeasley@gsu.edu.

Flowing easily from the ladle and splashing into the molds below, it’s easier to compare the orange liquid to water than to metal. But that’s exactly what it is, molten iron so hot the artists handling it are forced to suit up in tough leathers and protective headgear.

“It’s very scary-looking,” says George Beasley, a professor in Georgia State’s School of Art and Design. “But, you know, that’s part of the drama. It’s almost medieval.”

Every year, Georgia State sculpture students, faculty and alumni come together for the annual Holiday Iron Pour, a celebration of their craft and a chance for the uninitiated to take a peek at this very physical art form. For a small donation, anyone can make a scratch mold, and sculpture students will cast the molten iron to create take-home souvenirs.

“Usually, the children love it,” Beasley says. “Last year, we did 150 of those. So it’s children and their parents and then anybody who wants to. We prepare the sand mold in advance and so all you have to do is just carve into it. We have all the tools and equipment.”

The tradition started in the early ‘70s and is one of the longest-running annual iron pours in the United States. It owes its origins to a handful of students who were getting antsy as the winter holidays approached.

“My students were right at the end of the fall semester and started doing all these knick-knacks and Christmas presents and stuff, and I got really mad about that,” Beasley recalls with a laugh. “I said, ‘You’re supposed to be making sculptures. If you just wait until after the semester, I’ll run a special iron pour and you can do Christmas presents.’ And that became kind of like a party, and it grew and it grew and it grew.”

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511 Fields Record Number of Holiday Calls

The Georgia Department of Transportation broke a few records over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend when the 511 traveler information system fielded 71,734 calls. The service received 19,203 calls the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, with 10 percent of callers requesting live operator assistance. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, 511 received 33,624 calls, with 12 percent requesting live support. Over 11,000 calls came in just between the hours of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“This is a huge increase from last year’s same-day record of 13,915 calls,” said Anthony
Bradford, who manages Georgia DOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) in Atlanta,
the headquarters of 511 and NaviGAtor, Georgia’s Intelligent Transportation System. “It is a true
testament to the quality and dependability of the 511 service, and to the TMC’s dedication to
providing timely and accurate travel information to the traveling public.”

“The 511 operators are the unsung heroes of the Department,” said DOT Commissioner Gena
Evans. “While most of us are at home with our families, they work tirelessly behind the scenes to
ensure the safety of Georgia’s motorists. They’re a vital part of our operation, and deserve
special recognition.”

The free, one-stop phone service provides statewide traffic conditions, route-specific information and estimated travel times within metro Atlanta. Callers can also access transit providers, major airports, rideshare organizations, tourism information and 511 systems in surrounding states.

The week of Thanksgiving ranks among the busiest travel periods of the year, when travelers
take to the highways and skyways en masse. For those preparing to fly, 511 connects callers to
airports in Atlanta and Savannah for information on parking, delays or connections to carriers.
An automated voice recognition system guides the service, but callers can also reach live
operators to report accidents or congestion, request HERO assistance or obtain additional
information.

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Will Retailers Have a Merry Holiday Season?

As the holiday shopping season approaches, retailers are traditionally shivering with anticipation of scoring their biggest sales numbers of the year. But this time around, their dreams of gold may be replaced by a lump of coal as retailers stare down a weak economy, the loss of thousands high-paying Wall Street jobs, and signs that the nation has slipped into a recession. Some deep, lasting changes may be ahead, say faculty from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

There was some hope that the results of the November 4 Presidential election might help boost the economy, but they were at least temporarily fazed on November 5, when the Dow closed down nearly 500 points.

“Retailers had plenty to be nervous about earlier this year and the numbers have declined since then,” observes Reshma Shah, assistant professor in the practice of marketing at Goizueta Business School. “First, there was a summer slowdown as high energy prices hurt the economy, then the important back-to-school fall season also fell below expectations as the mortgage crisis got worse and the banking crisis began to emerge.”

As Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving traditionally considered the start of the holiday shopping season—approaches, the numbers studied by retailers continue to show signs of stress.

In September, $375.5 billion was generated from national retail and food sales, down 1.2% from the previous month and an even one percent fall from the year-ago numbers, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Advance Monthly Sales For Retail Trade and Food Services bulletin issued in mid-October.

Then consumer confidence, which had edged slightly higher in September, fell sharply in October to an all-time low, according to the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. At the end of October the bellwether signpost stood at 38 (1985=100), down from 61.4 in September.

“With few exceptions, same-store sales have been falling,” says Shah, referring to reports that department-store sales fell as consumers backed off on clothing and accessories purchases. “Discretionary purchases are most at risk, which is why we saw companies like Sharper Image [known for pricey, high-tech gadgets] and home furnishings retailer Linens-N-Things file for bankruptcy.”

Sharper Image was later purchased by a group of investors, while Linens-N-Things was liquidated.

“In an economy like this, more consumers may turn to deep discounters like Wal-Mart,” adds Shah. “Over-leveraged consumers shopping for children’s Christmas gifts, for example, will likely avoid expensive items like [Mattel Inc.’s] American Girl line of dolls, and settle for something with a lower price.”

The retreat in consumer spending has even affected Internet transactions, as retail e-commerce sales growth slowed to six percent in the third quarter compared to the year-ago period, according to comScore Inc., a provider of Internet information.

In contrast, e-commerce retail sales grew 12% in the first quarter and 13% in the second quarter on a year-over-year basis, according the Reston, Va.-based company.

The current downturn presents unique problems for companies, says Shah.

“Traditionally, a down market is a good time for a firm to invest its brand and try to capture market share from competitors,” she says. “But with challenges in so many segments of the economy, companies may fear that we have not yet hit bottom, and may therefore hesitate to increase their expenditures. We’re likely to see some more retailers go under before the economy recovers.”

Consumers do not want to be a Grinch during the Christmas holiday season, but “the fact is that credit is tight and people whose savings have been slammed by the stock market are not likely to be in a mood to spend much,” says Rajendra Srivastava, a professor of marketing at Goizueta and executive director of Emory’s Marketing Institute. “Other than deep discounters like Wal-Mart, the outlook for retailers may be rocky for the next few years. In this environment, when a retailer like Target catches cold, a chain like Sharper Image gets pneumonia.”

Retailers that want to survive will have to implement a shorter delivery cycle and will have to learn to keep much lower inventory levels, Srivastava adds. “Their operations will have to driven by information.”

Most retailers have 15% to 20% of their capital invested in land and buildings, while 80% of their capital is tied up in inventory. “That does not leave a lot of room for a bad decision,” he says. “Those stores that failed to foresee the economic downturn, and that's most of them, bought too much. Now they face the prospect of getting rid of their excess merchandise on pennies to the dollar, or they are cancelling orders at the last minute and spreading panic amongst their suppliers. The only winners are discount stores like TJ Maxx that buy branded goods at distressed prices and resell at deep discounts. It looks like brands still matter, but only at a bargain.”

Unlike some industries, where excess supply may be taken off the market through mergers and acquisitions, retailers on the skids tend to go bankrupt, Srivastava observes.

“That can be traced back to the fact that most of a retailer’s assets consist of inventory,” says Srivastava. “Why would another company buy it during a down market? We’re likely to see fewer retailers as more companies go down in this recession.”

The widespread practice of outsourcing may be another casualty of the weak economy, he adds.

“Outsourcing to a long distance manufacturer may cut unit costs, but it also means each order has to be large enough to justify shipping and other costs, and the elongated supply chain leads to stretched-out delivery times,” he says. “That’s not a big problem when the economy is humming, but can lead to problems when retailers are trying to reduce their orders to more quickly respond to market shifts.”

Srivastava notes that long-distance outsourcing may be replaced by offshoring, where companies set up their own manufacturing facilities in relatively cheap labor locations, like Mexico, that are closer to their sales market.

“China may be cheaper than Mexico,” Srivastava says, “But Mexico is a lot closer to the U.S. market.”

A recession may offer some opportunities, says Greg Thomas, director of research and programs at The Emory Marketing Institute.

“During a recession, companies that are already in a strong position may grow their operations in selected markets,” he notes. “To encourage growth, retailers can enhance their offers in attractive markets, such as remodeling specific stores. This can help hone their focus in key markets.”

Healthy retailers also can seek out acquisition targets, since other, weaker retail properties may be more attractively valued in a downturn, he adds.

“Lowering cost drivers, by taking such steps as purchasing assets in a downturn, can provide a firm with an advantage vis-à-vis the competition,” he says. “Stronger retailers can also try to attract top talent from struggling retailers. They can also target the customers of underperforming retailers.”

Relating a recent experience, Thomas notes that he “saw a shuttered Eckerd’s store. The Walgreens across the street put up a sign that said ‘Welcome Eckerd’s Customers.’”

Similar strategies can be done online, he adds, by purchasing the domain name of a defunct competitor and forwarding the traffic to the acquirer’s website.

“CompUSA recently hit rock bottom and TigerDirect took over the brand and is keeping it going online and even is keeping some of the stores in Florida open,” he notes by way of example. “Circuit City recently announced it is closing 155 stores, which provides Best Buy an opportunity to target Circuit City’s alienated customers over to Best Buy stores for the Christmas season.”

To help support sales retailers can also shift their assortments and promotions toward a value focus, says Thomas. “If customers perceive a good value, it can convince them to open their wallets,” he says. “Additionally, driving customers to the Web can be productive since it can lower the cost of sales through efficiencies—like product assortments that are larger than those that are available in-store, and drop-shipped items that reduce inventory levels—while increasing cross-sales opportunities.”

Brick-and-mortar retailers also can seek ways to drive traffic to their stores.

“Saks Fifth Avenue recently held an event to support breast cancer research, and the store did quite well in terms of sales,” says Thomas. “Customers may feel like holding back in a downturn, but supporting the social cause helped them to justify a shopping spree.”

Rethinking segmentation positioning and targeted events, tie-in promotions, and product assortments can take on even more importance in a recession, since there are always some households that weather the storm relatively unaffected, he adds.

“A retailer that captures these customers in a downturn may find that they do not change their shopping habits when the economy picks up,” says Thomas. “So finding these segments of unaffected groups can be useful in driving profit over the long term.”

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First Chance to Secure Opening Day, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees Tickets Starts Today with "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack"

Beginning today, Nov. 14, fans can secure tickets for some of the hottest Braves game in 2009, including Opening Day, and match-ups with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, with the "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack."

Available Nov. 14 - Dec. 15 at Braves.com/holidays or 404-577-9100, the Holiday Six Game Gift Pack includes a pair of tickets to six marquee games in 2009 for as low as $152 (a savings of 27%). The Holiday Six Game Gift Pack also comes with a Braves replica cap, a holiday card, and Braves wrapping paper and a gift box. Other season ticket packages, including a full season ticket package for only $249, are also available for fans looking for additional options.

The Atlanta Braves 2009 home schedule gets under way on Friday, April 10th when the Braves will welcome the Washington Nationals for Opening Night at Turner Field. The New York Yankees come to town for the first time since 2000 in an interleague series June 23-25, followed by an interleague match-up with the Boston Red Sox June 26-28. Tickets to these games and more are available now through the "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack" and other season ticket packages. Fans can call 404-577-5100 for more information.

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Tax-Free Holiday Helps Conserve Water, Energy

Georgians will be able to purchase certain water- and energy-saving products without paying sales tax during the tax-free holiday Oct. 2 through Oct. 5.

“This is a great opportunity to save money on products that will help conserve some of our state’s natural resources,” said Pamela Turner, a housing specialist with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

During the holiday, products with a WaterSense or ENERGY STAR label purchased for noncommercial or personal use will be state and local sales tax free. Specific faucets, toilets, refrigerators and dishwashers, light bulbs and air conditioners are on the list. Online purchases delivered to Georgia addresses are eligible for the sales tax exemption, too.

WaterSense

WaterSense-labeled products can add up to real savings. “If one out of every four Georgia households would use WaterSense-labeled bathroom fixtures it could save nearly 10 billion gallons of water a year,” she said.

Toilets with the WaterSense label use 20 percent less water than the current federal standard for toilets. The faucets and accessories reduce water flow by 30 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. All products must meet EPA criteria before earning the WaterSense label.

ENERGY STAR

A broad range of products marked with the ENERGY STAR logo will be tax-free. Specifically, though, the exemption applies to dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, doors and windows.

Products must be less than $1,500 and purchased for personal use.

An ENERGY STAR refrigerator uses less electricity than a 75-watt light bulb. When compared to a refrigerator made before 1993, according to the EPA, it can save up to $60 a year on energy.

To earn the ENERGY STAR rating, a refrigerator must be at least 20 percent more efficient than the national standard. Dishwashers must be 25 percent more efficient. Washing machines with the rating save enough water to wash an additional 300 loads of laundry and save up to $55 a year in energy costs.

Replacing standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones saves energy, too. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 68 percent less energy than a standard bulb and last 10 times longer, according to the EPA.

To learn more about ENERGY STAR go to the Web site www.energystar.gov. To learn more about WaterSense go to www.epa.gov/watersense.

Some Georgia counties offer rebates for high-efficiency toilets. For a list of counties that do go to www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/find_rebate.htm.

By April Sorrow
University of Georgia

April Sorrow is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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Georgia to Hold Fourth Annual ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday

In an effort to help Georgians conserve energy and water, save money and protect the environment, today (September 22) Governor Perdue announced Georgia’s fourth annual ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday has been expanded for the first time to include WaterSense labeled products. Georgians will not pay state or local sales taxes on the purchase of energy efficient or water efficient products that cost $1,500 or less per item. The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2008 and runs through midnight Sunday, October 5, 2008.

“As Georgians look at appliances and products that have earned the now-familiar ENERGY STAR designation, I encourage them to also be more aware of water conservation and the impact of using WaterSense labeled products,” said Governor Perdue. “The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday provides Georgians the perfect opportunity to save money immediately at the cash register and long-term as their water and energy bills go down.”

ENERGY STAR designated products meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Qualified ENERGY STAR appliances and products include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, doors and windows

“Through the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday, Georgians can save money, conserve energy and water, and show their commitment to the stewardship of our environment,” said Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA).
Many ENERGY STAR qualified appliances use 30 percent less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features, style or comfort. Some products, such as energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, save as much as 80 percent. By replacing old, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified models, Georgians can help protect the environment while saving money and energy.

For more information and to better understand the options and benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified products, visit the interactive ENERGY STAR @ Home tool at www.energystar.gov.

The EPA created the WaterSense program to recognize major water consuming products that are 20 percent more water-efficient and perform as well as or better than conventional models. Currently, 264 high efficiency toilets and 209 bathroom faucets and faucet accessories meet the designation and can be found at a variety of price points at retailers across the state.

“WaterSense is an opportunity for Georgians to make an important choice to help the environment,” said Carol A. Couch, director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “The rewards are many, but the most immediate one is the savings you see on your water bill.”

According to the EPA, installing WaterSense labeled fixtures can have an enormous impact on the amount of water people use in their bathrooms, and the cost of water on their utility bills:

· EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces its home’s older toilets with WaterSense labeled models will, using national average water rates, save more than $90 per year in reduced water utility bills, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilets.

· If half of the households in Georgia replaced toilets installed before 1994 with WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilets (HETs), the savings would be more than 18 billion gallons per year—enough to supply Savannah and surrounding communities in Chatham County for a whole year.

· If every household in Georgia installed high-efficiency faucets or faucet aerators, it would save more than five million gallons a day—that’s saving enough water to fill every tank in Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest, in about 37 hours.

For toilets, the key requirements are using no more than 1.28 gallons per flush and solid waste removal of 350 grams or more, ensuring that people won't have to flush multiple times. Faucets limit flow to 1.5 gallons per minute while still delivering 60 psi of pressure.

Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information and to better understand the options and benefits of WaterSense qualified products.

Several organizations have come together to ensure consumers are aware of the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday including the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Revenue, Georgia Retail Association, Alliance to Save Energy, Clean Air Campaign, Georgia Power Company, Georgia EMC, Marietta Power, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Electric Cities of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Additional information regarding the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday is also available on the Department of Revenue’s website at www.dor.ga.gov.

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Tax-Free Holiday, Sales Combine for Big Savings

Chances are your child will need clothes, school supplies and maybe even a computer before the school year rolls around. To lessen the budgetary blow, purchase these items during Georgia’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, says a financial expert with the University of Georgia.
The holiday will be July 31 - Aug. 3. During this tax-free window certain purchases will be exempt from state and local sales taxes. Clothing, personal computers and accessories and school supplies are on the tax-free list.

Clothing, including shoes, is exempt from sales tax as long as the item costs $100 or less. Jewelry, watches or watchbands, eye wear, handbags and umbrellas are not exempt.

For computers and accessories for personal use, the tax-free limit is $1,500 for a single purchase. UGA Cooperative Extension consumer economics specialist Michael Rupured urges consumers to take a tally of their computer-related items before heading to the register.

“If the purchase exceeds $1,500, the entire purchase is not exempt from the sales tax,” he said. “Aside from that limitation, practically anything needed to setup and operate a computer at home is exempt.”

To avoid missing out on the tax break, Rupured suggests purchasing computer hardware at one store and software and other accessories at another. And, before you make any computer purchase, do a little window shopping to see which retailer offers the best bargain.

School supplies up to $20 per item are also exempt from the sales tax during the holiday. Make a list of the school supplies your child will need to avoid making unnecessary purchases.

Saving 6 or 7 percent on purchases may not sound like much, but coupling this break with retail sales can result in a substantial savings, he said.

“Do a little research and check advertisements and fliers for sales,” Rupured said. “The sales-tax holiday has become so big now that most retailers offer big sales to attract more business.”

Don’t bring your children along for the shopping excursion, unless you are purchasing their clothes.

“Most of the time you’ll spend less without the kids around,” he said. “Go out by yourself to purchase school supplies and computers and accessories. While you are out, make note of any particularly good clothing sales and return to those stores later during the holiday with the kids.”

The tax-free holidays are designed to help Georgians save, not spend, money. Rupured discourages consumers from buying items on credit during the tax-free days.

“Unless you pay the balance in full with each statement, the interest you pay on a credit card balance can be high enough to offset any savings,” he said. “To avoid temptation, leave your credit cards at home.”

For an entire list of which items will and will not be exempt during the tax holiday, see the Georgia Department of Revenue Web site at www.etax.dor.ga.gov/.

By Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia

Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Sales Tax Holidays Set for July 31st-August 3rd and October 2nd-5th

Today Governor Sonny Perdue signed HB 948, the sales and use tax bill, which continues the annual “back to school” sales tax holiday as well as the annual energy efficient products sales tax holiday. This year, with the signing of SB 342, water efficient products with the WaterSense designation will also be eligible for the energy efficient products sales tax holiday.

“Sales tax holidays continue to provide Georgians with much needed relief when purchasing everyday household items, back to school supplies and, this year, water efficient products,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Past experience shows that retail stores will also benefit from an increase in sales, helping local economies to prosper.”

During the annual “back to school” sales tax holiday, Georgia shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase certain clothing items, computers and computer accessories tax-free. The “back to school” sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, July 31st and continues until midnight Sunday, August 3rd.

“This legislation offers Georgians the opportunity to save needed dollars on items ranging from school supplies to energy efficient products,” said Rep. Lynn Smith. “I am pleased that we can continue this tradition.”

Georgia’s fourth annual ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, October 2nd and continues until midnight on October 5th. During this period, products with the ENERGY STAR designation will be exempt from the state sales and use tax. WaterSense products will be eligible for the tax free sales tax holiday during this period.

WaterSense will help consumers identify water-efficient products and programs. The WaterSense label will indicate that these products and programs meet water efficiency and performance criteria. WaterSense labeled products will perform well, help save money and encourage innovation in manufacturing. For additional information on WaterSense, please visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/.

The sales tax exemption is intended only for individuals and their personal use. It does not apply to purchases made for resale, purchases by businesses, items leased or rented, or items sold at sports facilities, theme parks, restaurants, public lodging establishments and airports.
For more information on this legislation, please visit www.legis.state.ga.us.