Friday, November 28, 2008

Join us: Blog, chat, and share!

We've set up a new feature! Hope you'll click and check it out! Be the second to join (I was first ;-). - jmd

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Vote for the Dessert You Want to See for the Holidays

The aroma of freshly baked pumpkin pie fills the air today. Now that the dessert is taken care of, do you need help with the turkey?....More

Thanksgiving Thoughts: 1621 Style

Edward Winslow, a passenger on the Mayflower at the age of 25 and one of the first pilgrims to step on shore, wrote about his 1621 Thanksgiving experience in "A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.".....More

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Will Retailers Have a Merry Holiday Season?

As the holiday shopping season approaches, retailers are traditionally shivering with anticipation...More

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Georgia Aquarium Welcomes New 'Toothy" Sharks

Georgia Aquarium announced today that new sand tiger sharks have been added into the Ocean Voyager gallery, built by The Home Depot.....More

Monday, November 24, 2008

RNC Chairman Mike Duncan in Fayetteville November 25

Fayetteville, GA
RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan
Co-Chair Jo Ann Davidson
Fayette County Victory Center Visit
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 11:30 am EST
Fayette County Victory Center
111 South Glynn Street
Fayetteville, GA 30215

Friday, November 21, 2008

Jingle Bell Trail Ready to Ring in Holidays December 6 in Peachtree City

Get ready to put on your jingle bells in support of students at Peachtree City Elementary.... More

Ramblin' Jan: One Giant Flush for Mankind on World Toilet Day

One Giant Flush for Mankind on World Toilet Day....More

Fayette County Tiger Pals Help Younger Counterparts


Tigers and honeybees make great pals or at least that is the case for Fayette County High and Hood Avenue Primary....More

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Fayette County Whitewater’s InvenTeam on Discovery.com

The five Whitewater High students who won a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to make a prototype invention of a combined dehydrator/condenser have caught the attention of the Discovery Channel....More

Fayette County Excels For Exceptional Children

The Fayette County School System strives to ensure that all students receive the best education possible while arming them with the skills they will need to succeed in today’s competitive environment....More

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Braelinn Elementary Holiday Bazaar Saturday, December 6, 9AM-2PM

Come one, come all to share in the excitement and magic of the North Pole and our Old Fashioned Christmas Village! Do lots of shopping in the Christmas village with a cup of egg nog or pumpkin latte while your child is having a grand time in the North Pole. Pictures with Santa, live holiday music, and special story time area. Free admission. Vendor booth space available. For more information, please email braelinnholidayfestival@gmail.com. Sponsored by Braelinn Elementary PTO.

Medicare Part D Information Session to be Held at Fayette Senior Services

The annual enrollment period for Medicare Part D began November 15, 2008 for eligible participants. Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that covers both brand-name and generic prescription drugs at... More

Peachtree City Fire Dept. Changes Format for Santa Run 2008

In an attempt to save on fuel, wear and tear on equipment and due to budget cuts, the Peachtree City Fire Department has changed the format for Santa Run... More

Fayette County’s Newest Nature Preserve is Open to the Public

Sams Lake Bird Sanctuary opened to the public in September. The 56-acre site, a drained lake bed reverting to a natural meadow, was donated to the Trust by the Ferrol... More

Sleep Apnea May Be Risk Factor for Sudden Cardiac Death, Mayo Clinic Research Concludes

After studying the sleep characteristics of nearly 11,000 adults in an overnight sleep laboratory, Mayo Clinic researchers suggest that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - and, in particular, the low nighttime oxygen saturation of the blood it causes - may be a risk factor for sudden cardiac... More

Honor Flight Fayette Thanks... Us!

As a board member of Honor Flight Fayette, I would like to express our appreciation to Fayette Front Page for your consistent support of our efforts to take our World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to... More

Get in the Christmas Spirit at the 4th Annual Fayette Festival of Carols

The Southern Nights Chorale® is proud to present the 4th Annual Fayette Festival of Carols® on Sunday, December 14th at 4:00 PM. This 90-minute multi-media extravaganza will take place at Heritage Christian Church, 2130 Redwine... More

B 98.5 Radio Wants Help Saying Merry Christmas to Soldiers

Steve and Vikki want to make sure none of our servicemen and women are forgotten around the holidays. http://b985.com/steveandvikki/operationhohohope.html

Public Invited to View Proposed Math Textbooks

The mathematics textbook adoption committee has selected materials to recommend for use in the Fayette County School System beginning with the 2009-2010 school year...More

Chamber Announces 2008 Small Businesses of the Year

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award at their annual awards luncheon held on November 12 at Flat Creek Country Club in Peachtree City....More

National Report Ranks Georgia 50th in Protecting Kids from Tobacco

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ten years after the November 1998 state tobacco settlement, Georgia ranks 50th in the nation in funding programs to protect kids from tobacco, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations....More

Monday, November 17, 2008

ROTC Cadets Answer Early Call

While their friends were still sleeping, nine Sandy Creek High Air Force Junior ROTC cadets were getting up at 4:30 a.m. to pay tribute to some very special people...... More

Friday, November 14, 2008

Voting Now Open to Name Zoo Atlanta's Giant Panda Cub

Atlantans who did their civic duty on Election Day now have a second ballot to cast. Voting to name Zoo Atlanta’s new giant panda cub officially opened..... More

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Chambliss, Huckabee, Linder and Boortz Guests at Fair Tax Rally

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) will join Governor Mike Huckabee and special guests for a Fair Tax rally Sunday, November 16, at 2:30 pm, at the Gwinnett Center. 2:30-4:30 PM, Gwinnett Center- Grand Ballroom, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. U.S. Representative John Linder and the ‘Talkmaster’ Neal Boortz, authors of two books on the Fair Tax, will also attend.

Georgia Aquarium to Introduce New "Toothy" Sharks

Georgia Aquarium is excited to announce the arrival of six new sand tiger sharks. The sharks are currently located at the Aquarium’s offsite quarantine facility and will be introduced into the Ocean Voyager gallery built by The Home Depot before... More

Clayton State Student Organizations Sponsoring Thanksgiving Food Drive

The Clayton State University Teacher Education Club and the Honors Student Association are working together this Thanksgiving season to sponsor a canned food drive through... More

The Fayette Front Page Welcomes Another GREAT Organization to our FREE Helping Hands Directory!

With our US offices located in Tyrone, Georgia, local Christians from all denominations have the opportunity to get involved in world missions in a number of different ways!
Operation Mobilization is an international Christian mission agency with over 5,400 workers in more than 110 countries and onboard two ocean-going ships. OM seeks to demonstrate and proclaim the love of God through evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and literature distribution and also by providing relief and development in many areas of the world... More

Arts Clayton Names Grant Recipients for Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Newton, Rockdale and Spalding Counties

Arts Clayton has announced its annual Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) grants to organizations in Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Newton, Rockdale and Spalding Counties. Over the next year, the projects of thirty-one organizations will be partially funded through the GAP... More

DePoy’s “Christmas at Sweet Apple” Showing at Theatre on the Square in Marietta

Playwright Phillip DePoy, director of the Clayton State Theatre and assistant professor of Theatre, invites you to join him at the latest presentation of his play, “Christmas at Sweet Apple,” at Marietta’s Theatre in the Square... Click to read: DePoy’s “Christmas at Sweet Apple” Showing at Theatre on the Square in Marietta

Oxendine Announces Arrest of Suspects in Insurance Fraud Bust

Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine said arrest warrants have been issued on 19 suspects in an insurance fraud ring that allegedly collected $995,641.75 in misappropriated claims from a Japanese insurance company... Click to read: Oxendine Announces Arrest of Suspects in Insurance Fraud Bust

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Peachtree City Meeting Notice

Meeting Notice
December 1, 2008
9:30 a.m.
City Hall

The Selection Committee for the Airport Authority of Peachtree City will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, December 1, 2008, in the small conference room at City Hall, 151 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and make a recommendation about the Airport Authority appointment to Council. The public is invited to attend.

First Presbyterian Church Invites All to New Service

11/11/08 The First Presbyterian Church congregation is inviting the public to join them Sunday, November 16 at 6 pm for an evening of praise and worship. All are invited to this new service led by Jay and Abby Akins, along with Senior Pastor Dr. Miller. The sanctuary will be filled with the sounds of Modern Praise... More

First Presbyterian Church Presents The Festival of Lessons and Carols

11/11/08 The Sanctuary Choir of First Presbyterian Church will present A Festival of Lessons and Carols on November 30 at 11:15 am. The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a format of Christian worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus and traditionally followed at Christmas... More

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Opinion: Fayette Citizens Asked to Speak Out Thursday, Nov. 13th Regarding County's Defined Benefit Plan

Recently I was speaking with a client who began to ask me some questions regarding the differences between a Defined Benefit and a Defined Contribution Plan for employees saving for retirement. After some lengthy discussion that hi-lited the significant differences and stating that DEFINED BENEFIT plans were going away due to their extraordinarily high cost to the employer, I asked why all the questions. This person informed me that they were concerned that the Fayette County Commission had approved a Defined Benefit Plan (pension) for county... More

Third Honor Flight Fayette Takes Off Wednesday

The third Honor Flight Fayette mission to take World War II veterans to visit the memorial in Washington DC is this Wednesday, November 12. If you would to participate in the send off, meet at the Fayetteville Methodist Church (in downtown Fayetteville next to the old court house). The veterans assemble early at 6 a.m. and leave for the ATL airport at 6:30 a.m.. If you missed the last send-off back in October, don’t miss this time. Well worth getting up a little early to help honor these WWII veterans.

Fayette County BOE Chairwoman Terri Smith Appointed FRN Member

Fayette County Board of Education Chairwoman Terri Smith was among the 1,300 school board members nationwide appointed to participate in the Federal Relations Network (FRN) this year.

FRN is a program of the National School Boards Association that involves local school board members from every congressional district in the country who are committed to grassroots advocacy for public education. State school board associations appoint members to the network, usually up to five local school board members for each congressional district in the state.

Responsibilities as a FRN member are significant. During the course of a year, participants receive vital information concerning federal education legislation and national issues. Collectively, they make their voices heard by responding to calls-to-action that involve phoning, faxing or writing federal legislators on various educational issues. They also keep their fellow board members apprised of issues by distributing background materials to get them and others involved.

Because school board members stand on the front lines of education, they are able to tell members of Congress what will or will not work in local districts. Many senators and representatives have come to rely on FRN members to advise them on the vast array of issues that affect public schoolchildren.

This year, members of the network were able to accomplish the following:

1. Continue Medicaid reimbursement to schools.

2. Restore $1.645 billion for four years in funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.

3. Successfully oppose proposals to cut education funding.

4. Successfully defeated a measure in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that would have limited local school districts’ abilities to raise tax rates, having a negative impact on school budgets.

5. Intensify the discussion about the flaws in the No Child Left Behind Act and increase the urgency to fix the law.

6. Secure federal support to help districts recruit and retain quality teachers for high-need schools and subjects.

7. Successfully continue the fight against vouchers.

8. Generate awareness about the importance of early education.

9. Secure final passage of Head Start reauthorization.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Fayette County WW II Veterans Say “Thanks” on Veterans Day




World War II veterans Calvin Graves (left center) and Gibbs Ramsey (right center) lead the student body in the Pledge of Allegiance along with Gail Sparrow and assistant principal Ron Plauche.

Students at JC Booth Middle School in Peachtree City have worked hard to help some very special veterans. On Veterans Day, some of those who benefitted from their generosity came to the school to say thanks.

Collectively, the student body has raised over $1,400 for Honor Flight Fayette, a nonprofit organization that flies World War II veterans, at no cost, to see their memorial in Washington, DC. The organization is able to provide the free one-day trips through monetary donations that are used to cover the travel costs.

The Booth students have raised enough money to send five veterans to the memorial. Calvin Graves was one of the first veterans sponsored by the school and was part of the inaugural flight on May 14, 2008.

“I was honored to do what I did for my country and I was proud of my service but I have never been more honored than when 70 of us old guys went to see the WW II memorial. Thank you,” Graves said to the nearly 1,000 students who had packed into the gym to see and hear from the veterans they had helped.

Joining Graves was Gibbs Ramsey, the grandfather of the school’s reading teacher, Courtney Bremer. Gibbs, another veteran sponsored by the school, is going on the Honor Flight scheduled for November 12, the day after Veterans Day. He served in the US Navy during the war and said that he had only one regret.

“We had a great time. I enjoyed every minute of it. My only regret is that I didn’t stay in the Navy,” he said.

Former Fayette County teacher Gail Sparrow, who has been instrumental in heading up Honor Flight Fayette, was also in attendance to thank the students for supporting a cause that is near and dear to her heart.

“Your generosity has sponsored five veterans so that they could go and see their memorial. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do for these veterans,” Sparrow said.

Honor Flight Fayette accepts donations from individuals and groups throughout the year. To learn more about the program, visit www.honorflightfayette.com.

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

Monday, November 10, 2008

WICKED Breaks Box Office Records at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta

Broadway’s biggest Blockbuster, WICKED, flew out of The Fox Theatre Sunday night, November 2, after a record-breaking engagement. Over 136,000 patrons were in attendance at a total of 32 performances. WICKED broke The Fox Theatre’s Box Office record in each of the four weeks it played... Click to read: WICKED Breaks Box Office Records at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta

Twilight Theatre Announces Workshops for Youth and Teens

The Twilight Theatre and The Twilight Apprentice Company are excited to offer a Christmas workshop: Little Cosette and Father Christmas. Directed by Dana Spears with Music Director Barbara... More

Nominations Now Open for 45th Georgia Author of the Year Awards

The oldest literary competition in the Southeast, the Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA), announced this year's call for nominations. All Georgia-resident authors with books published in 2008 are eligible to enter the 45th Annual GAYA... More

"Fayette Pep Rally" to Air on Comcast Soon

Comcast customers in Fayette will now receive a weekly high school sportscast focusing on the five Fayette athletic programs, the show's producer announced today. "Fayette Prep Rally", a highlights and features program, will debut Tuesday November 4 on Comcast... More

Remembering Troops with Treats at the Holidays

When I was 12 years old, my brother was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Yep, Sgt. Peppers. He was stationed in Germany, guarding the border between East Germany and West Germany. As Christmas neared, we worried he’d be lonely there without the usual hubbub of our house... More

Hwy. 314 in Fayette Dedicated to Four Star General (Ret) Livsey

On 29 October 2008, Georgia Highway 314 within Fayette County, Georgia was named in honor of General (Retired) William J. Livsey, a 1952 graduate from North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU). The dedication ceremony was held at the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. Major General Jack C. Wheeler (Class of 1961) served as master of ceremonies; Ms. Kimberly Larson (Class of 1989), representing the Georgia Department of Transportation, unveiled the highway... More

An Antebellum Weekend Scheduled in Jonesboro

Brenda Starr Meet & Greet Company and The Clayton County Convention & Visitors' Bureau invite you to an Enchanting Weekend in Jonesboro, Georgia in the Legendary Land of "Gone With The Wind"; Friday evening, November 7th from 5pm to 7pm. Come celebrate the birthday of favorite author, Margaret Mitchell... More

To Write Love On Her Arms - The Tour

To Write Love on Her Arms, a movement that engages with teen issues related to depression, suicide, and cutting is coming to Peachtree City for their TWLOHA tour. Renee Yohe the story behind TWLOHA will be speaking to teens about some of these tough issues that many speakers... More

New Lifelong Learning Program Provides Older Adults with Continuing Education Credits and Rewarding Volunteer Opportunities

Clayton State University’s Department of Continuing Education and FACTOR (a non-profit community outreach collaborative) have joined forces to bring Georgia’s first older adult volunteer leadership program to Fayette County. ENCORE! Fayette is patterned after other highly successful senior adult leadership programs across the nation... More

Lenders Continue to Make SBA-Backed Small Business Loans in Georgia Despite Slump in Economy

While small business lending is down in Georgia, a recent spot check of lenders who make SBA guaranteed loans showed they are doing deals for start ups and expansions and perhaps climbing back from a recent 28 percent drop in total loan volume... More

Chick-fil-A Founder to Recieve 2008 William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership

S. Truett Cathy, founder of the Chick-fil-A® quick-service restaurant chain, has been named winner of the 2008 William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, the Philanthropy Roundtable announced today. He will receive a $250,000 cash award, payable to the charity of... More

Students Selected for Top Chorale Group

Some of the best young singers in the state represented Fayette County at the 25th Annual Georgia Music Educators Association Statewide Elementary Honors Chorus... More

Americans Ready to Spend More Green on the Home

A survey conducted at home shows in 15 cities across the country gauging consumer environmental practices suggests that many Americans are going green when it comes to their homes. Despite “cost”... More

Woodruff Arts Center Introduces New Campus-Wide Gift Card

The Woodruff Arts Center introduces the perfect gift for the entertainment lover in your life – the all new, campus-wide gift card. This gift card is now available for purchase and can be redeemed for tickets, memberships... More

Twilight Theatre Presents "The Civil War"

November 14, 15, 21, 22
Opening Night November 14
The Civil War is a dramatic musical event about the lives of people who lived during the single most defining period in American history. Composer Frank Wildhorn incorporates diaries, letters, historical documents, speeches, and poetry to portray the effects of the war on many levels: cultural, societal, familiar, and individual. Unlike the usual musical that tells a story in chronological order, The Civil War is a series of musical vignettes through which stories of... More

Clayton County: 16th Annual Holiday at Home Parade

Plan NOW to join us for the 16th Annual Holiday at Home Parade in Historic Downtown Jonesboro. There were over 2000 participants last year and hundreds more lined the route to enjoy this Annual Holiday Tradition! Always held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year’s parade date is Saturday, November 22nd... Click to read: 16th Annual Holiday at Home Parade

Friday, November 7, 2008

Rinnai Appoints General Manager of Rinnai America Operations

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rinnai Corporation, the world’s largest gas appliance manufacturer and leading tankless water heater manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Phil Weeks as general manager of its North American operations, effective October 13. In this newly created position, Weeks will oversee the company’s sales, marketing and operations functions in the United States and Canada.

“Phil was the driving force behind the Jacuzzi brand becoming one of the most recognized in its category,” said Rinnai America President Yuzo Yoshida. “His deep experience in strategy, operations and sales, as well as his familiarity with our distribution channels, will be invaluable to us. We are confident that under his leadership, Rinnai will transform the way America heats water.”

Weeks demonstrated his ability to build a category-leading business with outstanding brand awareness during his 27-year career at Jacuzzi Whirlpooth Bath, the largest manufacturer of whirlpool baths in North America. Weeks joined Jacuzzi in 1975 as a district sales representative and rose through the sales management ranks to become vice president of sales and marketing and later president. In his capacity as president, Weeks was instrumental in establishing Jacuzzi as the exclusive whirlpool bath brand carried by major home improvement retailers, which led to the doubling of Jacuzzi’s sales over a three-year period. In addition, Weeks expanded the company’s manufacturing operations and implemented processes that increased operating efficiencies and overall profitability.

In his role as vice president of sales and marketing, Weeks expanded the company’s distribution channels beyond wholesale and created a multi-channel business strategy that garnered Jacuzzi more than 40 percent market share. He also developed and implemented strategies for expansion into new markets including Mexico and Asia.

Weeks left Jacuzzi in 2003 and created Zenith Enterprise where, with Clarke Products, he developed private label products for major wholesale plumbing companies. In 2005, Weeks was recruited back to his post as president of Jacuzzi and returned the company to profitability after three years of operating losses and declining margins.

“Rinnai has a winning combination of outstanding products, a highly driven team and excellent channels to market,” said Weeks. “I'm excited to be part of the next chapter in this company’s success story.”

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

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Update: Suspicious Package Delivered in Fayetteville; Building Evacuated

Earlier today we reported a suspicious package had been delivered to the Fayette County Republican Party. Currently the Fayetteville Police are awaiting the arrival of the U.S. Postal Inspector and / or another Federal agency to follow up. The package was discovered this morning by Republican Party volunteers. The package was addressed to Josh Bonner, the Chairman of the Fayette County Republican Party. Upon reading the return address "Michael the Archangel, Divine Intervention Way, Holy Cow JC, 33666" the volunteers, Marilyn Watts, Debbie Dickinson, Debbie Groinger and others immediately decided to contact law enforcement.
In short order the building was evacuated.

Fayetteville CSI, a number of detectives, the fire department and a K-9 unit were all on-hand within the hour. The K-9 dog checked the area and the package and did not detect a bomb. The Fayetteville Police have indicated the package will also be x-rayed by the U.S. Postal Service. If it is determined that there is no danger, the package will be transported elsewhere.

According to an anonymous source we have been informed that the individual or group responsible for the package is known to law enforcement. Local Party officials checked with other state and county Republican Party officials and to the best of their knowledge this is an isolated occurrence.

Suspicious Package Found in Downtown Fayetteville, Georgia on November 4

A suspicious package was found at the Fayette County Republican Party Headquarters on North Glynn Street in Fayetteville, GA. Upon the package's discovery around 11 am this morning, the Fayetteville Police were contacted.

The package was addressed to Josh Bonner, Chairman of the Fayette County Republican Party and appears to have been mailed on Halloween.

The return address is listed as Michael, the Arch Angel, Divine Intervention Way in Holy Cow, JC. The return zip code reads 33666.

The K9 unit was immediately brought in to check for the presence of a bomb. At this time, there is no evidence that the lumpy package contains a bomb.

There appears to be a postal mark on the package. The U.S. Postal Service is on the way to the scene. The package will be x-rayed.

The entire building in which the Republican Party Headquarters in Fayette County is located has been evacuated.

A federal agency is currently enroute. Through an anonymous tip, we understand the person responsible for the package is known for similar actions.

Fayette Front Page Staff Report

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