Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a terrific cause, but watching Sunday night's Falcons game -- with pink cheerleaders, pink cleats, pink goalposts -- made me want to reach for the Pepto-Bismol.

Obama haters giddy with glee over Chicago's failed bid to host the 2016 Games no doubt will now demand that the federal taxpayer be 'refunded' for his trip to Coppenhagen, but the fact remains: If a president's duty includes promoting the nation's best interests in the rest of the world (and by any definition, hosting the Olympic Games is in the nation's best interest), how was this trip different than one to attend an economic summit, woo a foreign auto maker, etc? Obama was doing his job. They don't break down the individual costs incurred to run the executive branch on such a basis anyway.

Reading the WSJ article about how Fayetteville hopes to transform itself into a "lifelong community" and is actually considering allowing 200 units on 38 acres on Grady Avenue makes me wonder "what might have been" if the dimwits on the county commission had not said NO when Sun City asked to develop River's Farm on Sandy Creek Road? Never mind the 10-15 year security to the construction industry from 3,500-plus houses, how many millions would have gone to local coffers from impact fees and the value of the raw land being taken off conservation status? Instead, Spalding County is reaping the benefits and (ironically) its schools have plenty of cash.

FROM THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS:

In a series of private meetings with school board members this week, the chief financial officer for Birmingham city schools distributed a list of recommended budget cuts that include employee layoffs, furloughs, elimination of some middle and high school sports and a 10 percent pay cut for all administrators. CFO Arthur Watts also recommends charging students $10 per semester to help pay for Internet and computer access, printers, ink cartridges, progress reports and transcripts.

I read elsewhere (because it’s gotten almost NIL attention locally) that the Lifetime series shot in Peachtree City this summer has wrapped production on its first 13-episode season and appears to be a hit. The show, created by Josh Berman of “CSI” fame, is surprisingly good — smartly written, well-acted and nicely crafted. Though the story is set in L.A., PTC makes a convincing double. You'd never know the series is shot on sound stages at Falcon Field and not in Burbank! Which of course begs the question: What's the impact of "Diva" on the local economy? In these times, it can only be good! And will it return?

Late yesterday afternoon during rush hour home I dopped into the Fayetteville Wal-Mart to look for a new CD. I don't know what I was expecting, but turning into the parking lot to find a space it occurred to me that something was different ... it seemed less crowded, less hectic, the carts less amiss. Walking into the store, people passing by nodded hello and a friend from church I hadn't seen in months ran right into me with a big smile and "hey, how are you?" The interruption sent me trying to "enter" through the "exit" doors, and a friendly Wal-Mart greeter came out and jokingly said, "This way" as they rolled a cart toward me.

The Marching Tigers are one of about 20 bands participating in the spectacle, which airs live starting at 11 a.m. on ABC, NBC, HGTV, Tribune, Univision, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD Theater and Sky Link TV.

... reluctantly. But here goes anyway:

-- These are middle schoolers, doing what 11, 12 and 13 year olds do just as they always have (you, me, everybody included!) Puberty, insecurity, fear, hormones, awkwardness of size-12 feet on a 4-foot frame. They bully, fight, tease, act horrible ... test the limits, challenge authority, act tough while inside they're scared little kids still. At home their angels, at school their devils. God willing, by the time the reach high school, they've grown up enough to respect themselves and others enough to get on with life. And maybe learned a little algebra, too. (Do these problems exist at Sandy Creek High? Hmmm ... )

THE LETTER FROM FCHS BAND DIRECTOR KENNY BEARD SEEKING EMERGENCY FUNDS TO SALVAGE THE ROSE BOWL TRIP HAS BEEN REMOVED! Mr. Beard told me Saturday night that the community response was overwhelming, with more than enough donations already in hand to make sure every member of the band can make the trip ... and more money was still coming in late last week. From barely 125 marchers signed up just 10 days ago, the list as of Friday was 153 ... and growing! At the Rose Bowl's urging, a number of band alumni have come forward to join the trip, ensuring that the Tiger Band the world sees on Jan. 1, 2007 is the best and biggest it can be!