Wednesday, November 26, 2003

News

Settlement reached in PTC impasse?

A bitter display of political brinksmanship exhibited by the two factions of the Peachtree City Council forced the cancellation of last week’s scheduled council meeting and threatens to handicap city business through the end of the year.

Rapson: Boycott imperils former DAPC workers

Here is the text of the letter read by Peachtree City Councilman Steve Rapson as chairman of the Tourism Association Board of Directors, after Thursday night’s council meeting was canceled due to lack of a quorum.

Kids rout burglar

A burglar apparently got more than he expected Tuesday morning when he entered a north Fayette home and saw two children on their holiday break from school.

EMS defends response time to injured player

The lack of an on-site ambulance at Friday night’s playoff football game at Sandy Creek High School led to a longer-than-usual response time from EMS medics after a player was hurt.

Sex offender gets pass on new law

For lack of one more day, a sex offender living in Peachtree City would be in violation of a state law saying his home is too close to a recreation facility.

Last-minute donations sought for needy families

A unexpected shortfall has left local officials scrambling to provide Thanksgiving meals for about 50 needy families.

Christmas bird count needs your help

The health of birds provides a gauge by which scientists can measure the health of Planet Earth.

Moose statue escapes bullet at City Hall

Don’t cook the moose’s goose just yet.

Liquor still on people’s minds in Tyrone

At last Thursday’s Tyrone Town Council meeting, there was an item on the agenda that was merely a formality, but it preceded a much deeper discussion of a still-controversial issue.

Local woman working in Baghdad

Some Peachtree City residents have been working hard in Baghdad over the past few months helping with the ongoing transition in Iraq.

Seabaugh, other senators to host town meeting on schools Dec. 1

Concerns over the No Child Left Behind Act, low-ranking Georgia SAT scores and school funding cuts predicted for next year’s General Assembly session have prompted three area state senators to organize a Dec. 1 town hall meeting for the region.

4 of 7 Fayette schools win appeal of AYP status

Four out of seven Fayette County schools originally named to the state’s list of those not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) last year have successfully appealed, and of the three that remain, just one was cited for academic shortcomings.

Hospital opens new fitness center

Fayette Community Hospital’s newly designed Rehab and Fitness Center opened its doors to the community Nov. 17.ÊMembers of the Center will enjoy a new location, expanded facility and new equipment and services.

Fayetteville business offers spam-fighting software to companies

A Fayetteville company is playing a role in helping companies fight unwanted e-mail through a new software program called Spam Smacker.

PTC police reaccredited by agency

The Peachtree City Police Department was awarded its fourth consecutive international reaccreditation Saturday by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. in Colorado Springs.

Collins spending Thanksgiving in Iraq with troops

Georgia Republican Congressman Mac Collins is leading a congressional delegation on a five-day trip to Iraq where he will meet with Ambassador Paul Bremer and have Thanksgiving dinner with troops from Georgia.

University System enrollment at highest level

If the University System of Georgia was selling a product, Wall Street analysts would be shouting “buy, buy, buy” on news that the fall 2003 semester enrollment at the 34 public institutions hit an all-time record high of 247,020 students.

Local Toys for Tots drive underway

Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty offices have once again been designated as collection points for the annual U. S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign.

‘Totes For Tots’ to provide for children in foster care

Georgia Cancer Specialists leads second annual suitcase drives

Airport prepares for heavy travel week

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport officials are in full holiday mode to get passengers to their seasonal destinations this week.

Buy a Georgia-grown Christmas tree

'Tis the season for Christmas tree shopping. The Georgia Forestry Commission again this year is encouraging folks in Fayette County to buy fresh, locally grown Christmas Trees.

How to help others during the holidays

There are several organization in Fayette County who could use your help during the holidays.

Don’t let your tree go up in smoke

Holiday safety tips public safety experts

Police Blotter

Obituaries

Birth Announcements

Healthwise

Blood drives to show school spirit, meet need for blood

Do you bleed red and black, blue and gold, blue and orange or crimson and gold? If so, there is a way to show school spirit and it doesn’t involve painting your face and screaming yourself hoarse.

First Love
By GREGORY K. MOFFATT, PH. D
Child's Play

When you were infatuated with someone during your childhood, someone probably told you that the immature love that you felt was not real love. Even though love that children feel is immature love, it is very real. The feelings are real and the power of those feelings is real.

Get fit: Mental and emotional health

For those of you reading this article who are completely happy with your health, fitness and appearance, this will be a reflection of what you already know and are doing. The rest of you will find some help in achieving improved health, fitness and appearance.

Reducing holiday stress

Although the holidays are a time of celebration with family and friends, there is a certain amount of stress added to our already busy lifestyles. There are a number of things that we can do to help reduce stress and prevent injury.

Effort underway to improve quality of life and survivability for cancer patients

Medical breakthrough may be close at hand

Five things you need to ask your doctor about stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Every year, stroke strikes approximately 750,000 Americans, killing 160,000 and forever changing the lives of many who survive. The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented every year; the bad news is that studies conducted by the National Stroke Association show that fewer than 30 percent of those surveyed said their doctors discussed the topic of stroke during annual exams.

Fishing out the good stuff

A fitness columnist gets a lot of stuff to test. I’ve tried gadgets designed to make me feel better, pay better attention, look better and to workout faster and more easily. Among the creams and gadgets and apparel and flash cards and counters, I found the following the best combination of unique, interesting and, in some cases, even helpful:

Ah-choo! Prepare yourself for cold season

The sounds of winter — the wind rustling through the trees, the cheers at football games, and, of course, coughing and sneezing! When the weather turns colder, bothersome cold viruses again run rampant.

Top 5 reasons teens should not start smoking

According to the American Cancer Society, most smokers start as teens. While the numbers of teenage smokers have been slowly declining in the past 10 years, roughly 23 percent of teenagers continue to smoke, despite aggressive messaging from anti-smoking campaigns.

When to get pneumonia shots

Q. Could you please tell me how often a person should get the pneumonia shot? I have heard three different answers from medical personnel: once in a lifetime, twice in a lifetime and every five years. I’m confused.

New study shows technology's role in health care costs

Growing consumer demand and an increasing supply of diagnostic imaging equipment, combined with the duplicative use of both new and older technologies are significantly driving up healthcare costs in the United States, according to a study released today by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Offering hope to those with epilepsy

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month

Lesser amount of patching effective for treating lazy eye in children

Children between the ages of three and seven with severe lazy eye, or amblyopia, can be treated just as effectively with a six-hour daily regimen of patching as with a full-time patching regimen for all waking hours.

Tips to make each holiday happy and safe

Children anticipate few things as eagerly as the holiday season. Colorful decorations and mounds of gifts create a magical, festive atmosphere. However, these same items can cause unintentional injuries if not used properly.

Silence your snorer

Make sure your winter’s nap is peaceful

High red blood cell count can have consequences

Q. A couple of my friends have anemia and I’ve learned a lot about it through them. But I was recently told that I have a condition called polycythemia, which means I have too much blood. The doctor also said I will need to have blood drawn regularly. Will I grow out of this or is there any treatment besides having blood drawn?

Don’t let winter itch take over

This winter’s cascade of flakes could be coming from somewhere other than the sky. Take a look at your arms and legs, for example.

Business

‘Shop Peachtree City Month’ underway

At the Nov. 20 meeting of the Peachtree City Council, Mayor Steve Brown proclaimed Nov. 25-Dec. 24 as “Shop Peachtree City Month,” stating that Peachtree City is “The Place” to shop for the coming holiday season.

New Green Power facility operational

Green Power EMC has brought online its second landfill-gas-to-electricity generation site.

Got insurance questions? Buster Dean has the answers

In a time where there seem to be more insurance companies than ever, all competing for your time and money, it takes someone special to stand out from the crowd. That someone is Buster Dean, a field representative for United American Insurance.

Concierge service available for Fayette residents

Have you ever wished you could call someone to oversee your time-consuming tasks and daily errands? Residents in Fayette County can now call Moore Concierge Services to shop for groceries, pick up dry cleaning, mail packages, supervise service contractors in their home (i.e. telephone, cable, security) and manage their personal needs.

Johnny Carino’s announces new Dine To Donate program

In the spirit of giving back to the community, Johnny Carino’s restaurant next to Fayette Pavilion announces the start of a new Dine To Donate program, designed to offer not-for-profit organizations an opportunity to earn money for their causes.

Fayetteville to host holiday extravaganza this Saturday

After you have gathered together with your families and put away enormous amounts of food on Thursday and perhaps kicked off your Christmas shopping on Friday, you can head to the center of downtown Fayetteville on Saturday and take part in the annual Christmas tree lighting.

Christmas activities in the big city

It’s always fun to participate in Christmas activities in your neighborhood, whether it’s caroling, the lighting of the city tree, watching a parade or taking in a local show, but it is also fun to see how a larger city, like Atlanta celebrates. There are lots of activities going on in Atlanta, many of them starting this week.

More tree lightings early next week

The origins of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is this week and, with leftovers, the holiday will stretch at least into the week before Christmas. In honor of this holiday, here are some interesting facts submitted to us by the Census Bureau.

Angel Tree represents children’s hopes

The hopes of 100 Georgia children in desperate need of help and love during the holiday season are hanging by a thread and only immediate assistance by the good citizens of our state can help.

Poetry contest winner announced

The Fayette Writers Group teamed up with Barnes and Noble to present a poetry contest. The winners were announced at the open mic night at Barnes and Noble last Saturday evening.

Swingin’ Medallions tickets on sale now

Are you racking your brain for that perfect gift for a wonderful person on your list that seems to have everything? Well, we have the perfect idea for you. Plan on putting on your dancing shoes as we kick off the Fourth of July festivities in Peachtree City with the Swingin’ Medallions July 3 at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater beginning at 8 p.m.

Religion

Be thankful for the little things we take for granted
By JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

I think that traditional Thanksgiving calls for too little thinking as we think only of the big ticket items for which to be thankful. The big items include: our salvation, family, friends, living in a free (and equally divided) country, health, and whatever your big ticket item may be.

Blackrock Foundation organizes banquet for Fayette Co. EMS

With volunteer support from local churches and businesses, the Blackrock Foundation, Inc. hosted the annual banquet for Fayette County Department of Emergency Services Saturday Nov.,15, at New Hope Baptist Church.

St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church will have special Mass this Thursday

The Catholic Church of Saint Gabriel in Fayetteville will have its annual Thanksgiving Day Mass Thursday, Nov. 27, at 10:30 a.m. Those attending will bring bread and wine to be shared at a family table later in the day. Father Jimmy Adams, current pastor of St. Gabriel’s, will say a special blessing over the food.

First Baptist’s Christmas tea is December 6

Tickets for First Baptist Church of Peachtree City’s second annual Christmas Tea are now available. Proceeds from the tea will benefit foreign missions.

Join in the chorus at Peachtree City Presbyterian’s annual Messiah sing-along

The First Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City invites the community to the Messiah Sing-A-Long to be held Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. Rehearsal is planned for 2 p.m. Members of the community are invited to rehearse and be a part of the chorus in this annual Christmas event.

Religion Briefs

Opinion

Give thanks for football — and community
By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

To the diehard fan of high school football, the ultimate Thanksgiving thrill isn’t knowing there’s an extra pan of dressing in the oven, it’s knowing your team plays the next night.

Thanksgiving in despair and joy
By SALLIE SATTERTHWAITE
sallies@juno.com

This has been an extraordinary year. But we say that every year.

For Thanksgiving, thank George
By Margaret Kuhn
Media relations manager, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens

Mount Vernon, Va. — Americans don’t know it and children aren’t taught it, but George Washington is responsible for our Thanksgiving holiday. It was our first president who led the charge to make this day of thanks a truly national event, not the Pilgrims and not Abraham Lincoln.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Political correctness rules with Avenue’s ‘Peace Tree’

The Avenue has demonstrated its complete lack of moral courage by erecting a “Peace Tree” in lieu of a Christmas tree. This, when the shopping center will benefit immensely from the Christmas season, seems awfully ungrateful. No one is going to The Avenue to buy presents to put under the Peace Tree, after all.

Don’t mess with the ‘Moose’

The story about the “Moose” at Bugaboo Creek is, at first glance, a light-hearted story about a statue of a moose, and some kidding around by some of the Fayetteville City Council members. The reader will pass it off as a human interest story with no possible effect on their daily lives. I almost did.

Why some faces are seen less than others in ‘Faces’

I would like to thank those of you who have responded so positively to my series, “The Faces That Built Fayette.” I enjoy all of your e-mails and encourage all of you who are related to the long-time families of Fayette County to continue writing me with your stories.

Reporter left out ‘the other side’ in coach dismissal story

Unfortunately, the reporter who reported on the situation at Whitewater Middle School did not get the entire story. Obviously, no parents were interviewed, only the principal and the Powers. The following facts were omitted from the paper:

Tennant, McMenamin: ‘We refuse to attend any meeting’ on Tourism Assoc

[Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to Peachtree City Manager Bernard McMullen just hours before the council meeting last week.]

Tourism board: Will they help fix traffic problem?

I have lived in Peachtree City for 30 years and have heard some hare-brained ideas floated in that time. The dog park comes to mind as a recent example.

Avoid F’ville after dark because of crime?

Losing freedom in Fayetteville:

Judiciary declares only atheism passes muster

Equating the current idea of the “separation of church and state” with our founding fathers is to rewrite history. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Henry, on through the list, they consistently and publicly recognized that religion should have a role to play in our nation’s leadership.

Bypass just means more traffic

Just what Fayetteville needs: More trees cut down and more pollution. Maybe they could develop strip shopping centers all along the new road. How about another Eckerd Drug store and a few more grocery stores.

Conservation zoning doesn’t live up to billing

A new neighborhood will soon be built in Fayette County under the new conservation zoning. It conserves taxpayer’s money. It conserves the developer’s money in a big way. It looks good on paper. What is it NOT good for? The environment.

Why, in Fayette this year, did observance of Veterans Day just about disappear?

It seems like Veterans Day disappeared this year.