Sexual Assault Reported on Peachtree City's Path System

Normally we only share the good stuff in this blog and we try to do the same on the Fayette Front Page. However, we know how many enjoy the path system in Peachtree City... families, teens, mothers with young children, individual runners, etc. We're sharing this because you need to be particularly vigilant until this guy is caught. These creeps usually don't stop once they've started. Hope they get him soon. - Editor

On August 27th, 2009, officers responded to Piedmont Fayette Hospital to investigate an incident involving a female victim reporting that she was sexually assaulted on the multi-use path system.

The victim reported that while she was on the multi-use path adjacent to Lake Kedron and the cul-de-sac of Samiel Point and Larkins Landing at approximately 5:30 a.m. this date, a white male approached her from behind and forced her to the ground. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim and fled the scene.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately six (6) feet tall, medium build, short hair, and last seen wearing a dark shirt.

Investigators from the Peachtree City Police Department are following up on leads associated with this incident.

If anyone has information that would assist the Police Department in this or other incidents, please contact the Peachtree City Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510, or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline at (770) 487-6010. You may remain anonymous.
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Find it in Fayette! Community Expo

Sponsor representatives (l-r) are: Mary Ann Bell, Coweta Fayette EMC; Debbie Johnson, Dennis Breslin, Regina Steffens and Lisa Beavers from Cardiovascular Consultants of Georgia; Roch deGolian, Ravin Homes; Robin North, Dynamic Image Web Development; Matt Guthrie, Fayette County News; Melanie Myer, Delta Community Credit Union; Michael Lear, The Southern Federal Credit Union, Jim Mothorpe, Capital Investment Company; Michael Rossetti and DeSales deGolian from Ravin Homes. Other sponsors not pictured are: AT&T Georgia; Comcast Cable Communications; Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree; and Novo Nordisk.

The “Find it in Fayette!” Community Expo is coming up on September 15, 3-7 pm at New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA. The Fayette Chamber hosts the Expo each year to bring local businesses and the community together. As part of a Health, Wellness and GoGreen focus, this year’s event will feature health screenings and tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as information on how to conserve energy and preserve our environment. Food samples and lots of prizes and give-aways make the Expo fun for everyone. Admission is free. Don’t miss the largest trade show in the county – mark your calendar today for the Expo!

The Fayette Chamber thanks our sponsors for making this great event possible.

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Fayette County Partners in Education to host August 28th Workshop at the Chamber

Partners in Education (PIE), is a joint program of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the Fayette County Board of Education. The mission of PIE is to establish and support partnerships to enrich and extend the education opportunities for Fayette County students.

The Partners in Education Committee has scheduled an information workshop for school contacts; Principals, Administrators, and PTO representatives to learn more about the new revisions of the (PIE) program. It will introduce the new handbook as a guide and instructions on how to complete the Community Partner commitment form with a Community Business partner interested in supporting their specific school. Completing the commitment form together provides a clear understanding of the benefits between both parties.

School Representatives are encouraged to attend the Partners in Education Workshop on Friday, August 28 at 8:00 AM at the Fayette Chamber, 200 Old Courthouse Square, Fayetteville, GA. This hour of your time will be a valuable investment. Contact the Chamber at (770) 461-9983 or Ruth West at the LEC at (770) 460-3990 ext. 470 to RSVP.

The Business Community Partners should watch for notifications regarding the new Partners in Education Program updates and begin contacting their selected partner schools to set-up a meeting to complete the new 2009-2010 commitment form together.

If you have any questions regarding the new Partners in Education program or handbook revisions, contact Joyce Gaglione at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at (770) 461-9983 or go to the Chamber website at www.FayetteChamber.org and click Partners in Education.

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The Company You Keep While Dining

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Fayette County SAT Scores Rise, Tops State and Nation

Fayette County's 2009 high school graduates topped the average scores of last year’s graduating seniors, resulting in an increase for the second consecutive year on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), according to results released today by the College Board. The county’s increase comes as both state and national averages decrease.

Fayette County students posted an overall average score of 1555 – 4 points above last year’s average, 95 points above that of the state and 46 points over the national average. While Fayette’s average score increased, the state’s score fell 6 points from last year and the national average dipped two points.

“We are very pleased with how our students performed on the SAT and are proud of the hard work that they and their teachers, administrators and parents put into raising our overall average for the second year in a row. Once again Fayette’s score is above both the state and national average. While Fayette’s scores are high, there is room for improvement. We will continue to work toward raising our scores by researching methodologies and measures that will help all of our students perform at their personal best,” says Superintendent John DeCotis.

The breakdown of Fayette’s scores is as follows: 519 critical reading, 529 mathematics and 507 writing. Fayette outscored both the state and the nation in all test sections. The county’s score is 29 points above the state and 18 points above the nation in critical reading, 38 above the state and 14 above the nation in mathematics and 28 above the state and 14 above the nation in writing.

A total of 1,320 high school graduates took the SAT in Fayette. Both McIntosh and Starr’s Mill High tied for 16th place in the state with the highest scores.

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Dominique Wilkins Scores Big for Diabetes in Fayette County

/PRNewswire/ -- Dominique Wilkins, NBA Hall-of-Famer and advocate for healthier living, visited Towne Club today to create awareness of the fact that seniors at risk for diabetes can get a free diabetes screening test in their health care provider's office. This is the core message of the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project (MDSP), a community-based effort that has been active in Georgia since 2007 and is co-chaired nationally by the American Diabetes Association, the Healthcare Leadership Council, and Novo Nordisk, and is supported by more than 20 organizations representing the interests of seniors and health care providers.

Screening seniors for diabetes is urgently needed. According to a study in the February 2009 issue of Diabetes Care, 32% of adults ages 65 and older have diabetes. What's more, almost half (46%) of those seniors with diabetes don't know they have it - they have not been diagnosed. In addition to those with diabetes, another 40% of adults ages 65 and older have pre-diabetes, putting them at very high risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, and it is likely that most of them are unaware of their status.

"Diabetes has touched my family multiple times," said Mr. Wilkins, "and we've seen first-hand the devastation it can cause. That's why I'm proud to be here today, to encourage seniors to get the ball rolling by asking their health care providers about getting screened for diabetes." Mr. Wilkins reminded those seniors in attendance that if they get screened for diabetes and work with their health care providers, they can take steps to either prevent or manage the disease. Featured at today's event at Towne Club was Sen. Ronnie Chance (R - District 16), Senate Finance Chairman and a member of Georgia's Workforce Investment Board. "Everyone has a role to play in the fight against diabetes," said Sen. Chance. "That's why I am delighted to see the business, health and medical and senior-serving communities all coming together to improve the health of seniors in Fayette County."

The day started at the Raising Star Middle School where Dominique Wilkins helped "tip off" registration for the Peachtree City Youth Basketball Association and along with Senator Chance discussed the importance of children forming lifelong healthy habits to prevent diabetes and heart disease.

The diabetes awareness event at Towne Club is one part of a larger day of activities to launch the Fayette Healthy Community Partnership, a collaboration of health care provider organizations, employers, retailers, and other businesses and groups brought together by locals Daye Bexley and Terry Womack to promote health and wellness in Fayette and Coweta Counties. Leaders of the Partnership include the Piedmont Fayette and Newnan Hospitals and the Piedmont Heart Institute, Kroger Stores and Pharmacies, the Center for Health Transformation, and Novo Nordisk.

In addition to the visit by Mr. Wilkins and Sen. Chance to the Peachtree City Youth Basketball Association at the Rising Starr Middle School Gym, today's events included an appearance by Mr. Wilkins at Kroger Fayetteville, where Kroger and Piedmont Fayette Hospital health care professionals combined forces to conduct a Health Fair focused on diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and Body Mass index.

"At Kroger Stores and Pharmacies, we're committed to giving our customers not only quality products and services, but also opportunities to improve their health," said Liza Chapman, Pharm.D., Clinical Coordinator with Kroger Pharmacy. "That's why we will be providing free health screenings at seven of our stores in Fayette County beginning today through September 19, 2009. Please call 1-877.4RX-CLINIC (1-877-479-2546) or visit www.kroger.com for schedules, times and availability."

A key component of the Fayette Healthy Community Partnership is the Heart Health Scorecard, developed by the Piedmont Heart Institute. This scorecard is intended for use by patients on visits to their health care providers, serving as an anchor to a broader conversation about the need for individuals to become more engaged in their own health and health care. It contains questions to ask providers, as well as a handy chart for recording the results of a variety of important tests and risk assessments related to general health and well-being, such as weight circumference, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose (sugar), cholesterol, and triglycerides.

"More than 100,000 copies of this scorecard will be distributed to adults in Fayette and Coweta Counties over the course of the next year," said William A. Blincoe, M.D., cardiologist with the Piedmont Heart Institute. "We're proud to be a part of this community initiative and believe our Heart Health Scorecard will make a difference in the lives and health of thousands of the people we serve."

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is also pleased to be a part of this effort to promote a healthy community. The focus of their popular "Find it in Fayette" Community Expo this year is Health, Wellness and Sustainability. Says Chamber President, Virginia Gibbs, "We're thrilled that so many of the Fayette Healthy Community Partners will be exhibiting in the Expo this year. The event features a wide variety of health screenings and interactive displays. It's a great chance for young and old alike to learn more about how to stay healthy." Visit www.FayetteChamber.org for more info on the September 15th Community Expo.

"Community initiatives such as this are essential to transforming the health of our nation," said Laura Linn, Vice President and Director of the Georgia Project at the Center for Health Transformation. "Individuals knowledgeable of their health status living in communities supporting healthy behaviors are central to better health at lower cost."

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Fayette County Area Girls are Registering Now for Girl Scouts

From Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to the Georgia State Capitol, Girl Scouting offers leadership opportunities, friendships and fun!

As the new school year begins, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta kicks off a new membership year in which parents can register their daughters, ages 5-17, to become Girl Scouts. Community organizational meetings provide opportunities for joining the Girl Scouts and obtaining information about the many activities available for members to enjoy. Meetings will be held at hundreds of local schools, churches and other locations where registration and troop information for parents will be available. Locally, organizational meetings will be held on the following dates at various locations. If you are unable to attend, you may still register your daughter by calling (404) 527-7500 or visiting http://www.girlscoutsofgreateratlanta.org/.

In addition to offering over 300 programs that interest girls today, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta aims to enhance leadership skills, offer opportunities to participate in community service projects, explore modern science and technology, develop money-management and entrepreneurship skills, encourage creativity through exploring the arts, as well as offer opportunities to travel both nationally and internationally. As always, outdoor fun is available through a wide variety of experiences, including horseback riding, water sports, challenge courses, environmental projects and mother/daughter or father/daughter camping.

There are also opportunities for parents to serve as volunteer leaders. Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is continuously looking for adult women and men who can serve as role models for girls and young women. Be a part of an organization that not only encourages girls to step into leadership roles while serving their communities by allowing them to discover the world around them, connect with others and take action to solve problems and improve their communities, but also an organization that builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place!

Girl Scouting is available for girls at the following age-levels: Girl Scout Daisy (grades K-one); Girl Scout Brownie (grades two-three); Girl Scout Junior (grades four-five); Girl Scout Cadette (grades six-eight); Girl Scout Senior (grades nine-10) and Girl Scout Ambassador (grades 11-12).

To register your daughter, inquire about volunteer opportunities, or locate a troop near you, contact the Girl Scouts at (404) 527-7500 or visit http://www.girlscoutsofgreateratlanta.org/.
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Special Education 101: Parent Workshop

Parents of children with disabilities are invited to attend a free workshop organized by the Fayette County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Services Department and Parent Mentor Allison Stevenson.

Special Education 101 will take place on September 3 at Rivers Elementary located at 361 Sandy Creek Road. A morning session, 8:30 a.m., and an evening session, 6 p.m., has been scheduled for parents’ convenience.

Topics for both sessions will include presentations on IDEA law, the IEP process, non-verbal communication and body language, and organizing your child’s paperwork. Rosie Gwin, exceptional children’s services coordinator, will lead the morning session; Chris Horton, director of exceptional children’s services, will conduct the evening session.

Light refreshments and door prize drawings will be held at both sessions.

Attendance is free but participants need to preregister by September 1 by contacting Allison Stevenson at stevenson.allison@mail.fcboe.org or 770-460-3911, ext. 239.

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Honor Flight Fayette Prepares for 5th Trip to DC on September 19th

Pictured (l-r): Barb Curasi makes a donation to Honor Flight Fayette while Fred Smith and Allen Smith, HFF board members, look on.

Approximately 70 World War II veterans and their guardians are getting ready for their turn to board an Air Tran jet bound for Washington, D.C. and their World War II memorial, which was completed only a few years ago. The trips have been made possible largely by the generosity of Fayette County’s citizens, whether individually or through various groups.

Honor Flight Fayette, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was started less than 2 years ago. However, this will mark the 5th flight that has gone to D.C., for a total of almost 350 veterans taken. President Gail Sparrow said “Every time we wonder if we will have the funds to make a flight and, even in this economy, people have opened their hearts and given to this cause. If they could only see the veterans’ faces and hear their comments during these trips, they would have tears in their eyes as we often do ourselves. The veterans are so very appreciative and touched, especially when people stop during the day and take the time to thank them for their service”.

With a board of directors to guide the effort and keep it on track, Honor Flight Fayette exists solely to send the veterans of World War II on these one day trips at absolutely no cost to them. No money is accepted from any of these veterans, though many have tried.

Board members, guardians and volunteers consider this project a labor of love, dedication and determination, and they donate their time and talents as often as needed to make these flights a success. In fact, guardians pay their own way just to be of service to veterans during the entire trip and to insure their safety and enjoyment.

If you would like to be part of this most worthwhile service, obtain more information or make a donation, please contact honorflightfayette.org or call 770-719-1024.

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Fayetteville Declares September 17-23 Constitution Week

At the recent City of Fayetteville Council Meeting, Mayor Kenneth Steele presented a proclamation to the James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution for Constitution Week to be celebrated September 17-23, 2009.

Mayor Steele thanked Constitution Week Chairman Ann Eldredge for the ongoing work the chapter does in the community for promoting American history.

Eldredge encouraged the crowd to read and to study the Constitution as it is the oldest of its kind still in use today. This year marks the 222nd anniversary of the framing of the U.S. Constitution.

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Forde Selected to Participate in McDuffie Labor Day Festival in Macon

High school student Drew Forde of Peachtree City joins 15 other highly talented high school strings musicians from around the country in the Fifth Annual Robert McDuffie and Friends Labor Day Festival for Strings held in Macon September 3-7. Other Georgia students selected for this honor are Lily Handley-Taylor of Atlanta, Ray Kim of Powder Springs, Benjamin Lo of Norcross, and Mary Motschman of Marietta.

Sixteen exceptionally talented high school strings musicians from 10 states have been selected to participate in the Fifth Annual Robert McDuffie and Friends Labor Day Festival for Strings. The intensive five-day festival and musical-learning extravaganza takes place Sept. 3-7 at the Mercer University Townsend School of Music in Macon. The festival provides the students an opportunity to study at Mercer with world-renowned violinist and Distinguished University Professor of Music Robert McDuffie, as well as some of the nation’s foremost concert artists who serve as distinguished artists of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer.

The festival provides a preview of the academic offerings of the McDuffie Center, a highly selective program within Mercer’s Townsend School of Music that prepares strings students for success in the real world through an innovative approach to music training. While the center students study with some of the nation’s renowned string musicians, receiving music instruction of conservatory quality, they also earn an academically well-rounded education from a comprehensive, nationally recognized university.

In addition to McDuffie, the following Distinguished Artists of the McDuffie Center will serve as faculty for the Festival: Amy Schwartz Moretti, director of the McDuffie Center and former concertmaster of the Oregon Symphony; Julie Albers, renowned soloist and chamber musician; David Halen, concertmaster, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Christopher Rex, principal cellist, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Sabina Thatcher, principal violist, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; and Paul Murphy, associate principal violist, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

The application process required students to provide an audition CD and letters of recommendation. All students accepted to the festival receive a full scholarship, covering tuition, housing and meals.

Opening Concert by Faculty
The Artists Concert, scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, will feature the Festival faculty performing a variety of chamber music selections. The concert will be in Neva Langley Fickling Hall of the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer’s Macon campus. Tickets are $10 for general admission, free to Mercer faculty, staff and students. Tickets can be purchased through Mercer Ticket Sales at (478) 301-5470.

Festival Offers Free Concert
The Festival Concert, scheduled for 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 7, will feature the students performing classical chamber music selections in small ensembles and also performing alongside their master teachers in a string orchestra led by David Halen. The concert will be in Neva Langley Fickling Hall of the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer’s Macon campus. Seating is limited and tickets are required for admission. Free tickets are available through Mercer Ticket Sales at (478) 301-5470.

Master Classes Open to the Public
The master classes will be free and open to the public for viewing. Students participating in the Festival perform solo pieces and receive instruction on stage in front of other class attendees from the distinguished artists and faculty leading the classes. Family, friends and the public are invited to attend these classes to watch the one-on-one training.

The master class schedule is as follows:
Friday, Sept. 4, 7-9 p.m.
Violin Master Class with Robert McDuffie, Fickling Hall
Cello Master Class with Julie Albers and Christopher Rex, McCorkle Room 120
Viola Master Class with Sabina Thatcher and Paul Murphy, McCorkle Room 110

Saturday, Sept. 5, 7-9 p.m.
Violin Master Class with Robert McDuffie and Amy Schwartz Moretti, Fickling Hall
(All master classes take place in the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer’s Macon campus.)

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Fayette County is a Top Performer on ACT

Just released 2009 ACT test scores show that Fayette County’s high school seniors are among the most prepared for college-level coursework in the state and nation.

Among the top performing school systems in Georgia, Fayette County posted the highest composite score, 22.5, compared to the number of students tested, 1,027. Only two school systems posted higher scores than Fayette County but with fewer students taking the test. Forsyth County posted 23.1 with 772 students tested and Heard County posted 23.2 with six students tested. Oconee County had the same score as Fayette but with only 190 students tested.

In comparison to state and national composite scores, state schools scored 20.1 and schools nationwide scored 21.1. That puts Fayette 1.9 points ahead of the state’s composite and 1.4 points ahead of the nation.

The number of Fayette County's seniors taking the test has increased to over 1,020 – up more than 80 percent since 2005. Compared to last year, the number of test takers jumped nearly 11 percent.

The ACT consists of curriculum-based tests of educational development in English, mathematics, reading and science designed to measure the skills needed for success in the first year of college coursework.

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Children’s Spanish Classes offered at Christ Our Shepherd

3rd – 5th graders are invited to learn Spanish culture through language, arts and crafts, food and music. Enrollment will be limited to 12 students. Classes meet Mondays from 3:30 – 5 pm, from September 14 – November 16 (No class on Oct 5) for a total of 9 sessions. Cost is $45 per child ($5 per session). Christ Our Shepherd is located at the corner of Highway 54 and Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree City, GA.

Be part of the 2009 – 2010 Leadership Fayette Class!

Leadership Fayette Program
2009-2010 Class
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Application deadline: Monday, August 24, 2009

The Leadership Fayette program is designed to help develop and educate business and community representatives about important aspects of Fayette County.

Class runs from September through March each year and includes sessions on judicial and law enforcement systems; local government; economic development; local business; emergency services; community services and Fayette history.

Don’t miss the application deadline: August 24, 2009 by 5:00 PM. Tuition Cost $350 for Chamber members, $450 for non-members.

Click here: Leadership Fayette Application

For more information Contact the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at (770) 461-9983.
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Peachtree City Life

Pedestrians on Paths – Left or Right?

Peachtree City’s ordinance governing use of the paths indicates that “normal rules of the road apply” and that “slower traffic should keep right.” The City often receives questions about where pedestrians should be because many people have been taught to walk on the left side of roadways so they can see oncoming traffic, noting that many golf cart drivers and bicyclists do not give the mandatory audible signal when approaching pedestrians from behind.

Georgia law is a little ambiguous when it comes to pedestrians – it only stipulates that pedestrians should walk or stand on the left side, facing oncoming traffic, on two-laned roads, and the paths do not have two marked lanes.

Rather than create an additional rule to publicize and enforce, the City encourages walkers to keep to the edge of the pavement, right or left, to leave room for bicycles and golf carts. Golf cart drivers and bicyclists are also reminded that, when approaching a pedestrian from behind on the paths, an audible signal is required - horn, bell, or a cheery call of “on your left (or right)!” as you approach.

Good News – CSX Bridge Notice to Proceed!!

The City has received notice to proceed from the State for the CSX Bridge and tunnel approaches. The project will be going out to bid, with a September bid deadline. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will review the bids and then give authorization to Council to award the project.

Traffic Advisory – Waterwood Bend Closing August 24

Beginning August 24, Waterwood Bend will be closed at the southern intersection with Peachtree Parkway (south of Booth Middle School) for a stormwater construction project. Residents of the area should use the northern entrance from Peachtree Parkway for the duration of the project, which should be completed by the beginning of December.

Thefts from cars, garages – Police Department Reminders

On August 14th and 15th, between 10:00 pm and 9:00 am, numerous items were stolen from autos and garages in the Heritage Subdivision, located on Highway 74. There was no forced entry to any of the cars and garages (residents had left their cars and garages unlocked or open). Stolen items included radios, money, a laptop, GPS units, an IPod, wallets, and alcohol.

The Peachtree City Police Department wants to remind residents and visitors of the following tips:

Keep vehicles and homes locked.
Do not leave valuable items in vehicles.
Call the police if you see any suspicious activity, or hear suspicious noises.
Be aware of you surroundings. Thieves will watch areas and will target cars, homes, and people who make themselves easy victims. Keep this in mind when placing packages, purses or valuables in the car – keep them out of sight, or better yet, remember that . . .
The safest place for valuables is on your person or secured in your home.

Fayette Forward Transportation Plan Presentation TUESDAY, August 18 in PTC

The First Draft of the Fayette County Comprehensive Transportation Plan will be presented by the Fayette Forward Team at an open house on Tuesday, August 18, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at City Hall in Peachtree City. Public input is sought before the team focuses on its final recommendations.

Fall Recreation Program Catalogs Now Available

The fall catalogs are now available at City facilities and various locations around town, as well as on the City web site at http://www.peachtree-city.org/archives/37/Fall%202009-%20web.pdf.

Popular ongoing class subjects include swimming, art, bridge, dance, drama, fitness, martial arts, music, and athletics. New programs include an Anime Workshop for Ages 13 and over, Happy Hands Art Classes for Parents and children ages 2-4, adult classes in Basic Photography 101, Texas 2-Step, Resumes that Rock, and Linked In, a class on online social networking. Register online at http://activenet13.active.com/peachtreecityrec/ at no additional cost!

Don’t Forget . . .

Fayette Forward Draft Transportation Plan Open House – Tuesday, August 18, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at City Hall in Peachtree City.

Peter Cetera – Friday & Saturday, August 21 & 22, at The Fred. Solo hits include “The Glory of Love,” “The Next Time I Fall,” and “After All,” and hits with the band Chicago include “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Baby What a Big Surprise,” and “Hard Habit to Break.” Gates open at 7:00 p.m., opening act 8:00 p.m., Peter Cetera at 9:00 p.m. Visit www.amphitheater.org for information and tickets.

Police Department Reaccreditation Hearing - Sunday, August 23, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Planning Commission Application Deadline – 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28. The City is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the Peachtree City Planning Commission. Applicants must have been a resident of the City for at least six months. Visit http://www.peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?nid=155 for more information on the commission and for applications.

Kidz Fest – Saturday, August 29, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Recreation Complex on McIntosh Trail. Celebrate the end of summer with food and fun for kids of all ages.

Summer Jam Concert – Saturday, August 29, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. @ The Fred. Featuring Christian groups True Story, Jeremy Whitaker, and the Atlanta City Church. Cost is $5.
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Freedom Walk, Patriot Day and Amy Grant Concert Set for September 11

Patriot Day and the Freedom Walk in Peachtree City will be held in conjunction with the Amy Grant concert on September 11th this year.

The city is holding the 3rd annual “Freedom Walk” along with Patriot Day on Sept. 11, 2009. The walk will begin at 6:45 p.m. Towne Club at the intersection of Peachtree Parkway and Crosstown Drive in Peachtree City. The one-mile walk will end at The Fred Amphitheater where the Patriot Day celebration takes place prior to the opening act at approximately 8 p.m. Following will be a Concert by Amy Grant at 9 p.m. Discounted ticket prices are available for those who join the Freedom Walk.

The “America Supports You Freedom Walk” was started in 2005 by Pentagon employees to commemorate the terrorist attack on that Washington D.C. building and to honor all lives lost Sept. 11, 2001, to honor our veterans past and present and renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country. What began as a small gesture became a new national tradition.

Those interested in walking can register their name and how many will be attending with them by email at: ptcfreedomwalk@yahoo.com. Individuals who would like to help in other ways can also go to that email or call Caitlin Dillon 770-880-8239 for more information .

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“Find it in Fayette!” Spotlight on Businesses

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce has recently implemented a new program to help members shine. Eligible businesses will receive visibility through the new Find it in Fayette! Spotlight program which will bring Chamber members to the business for a networking reception. The spotlight program is part of a larger campaign to raise awareness of Fayette businesses and encourage consumers to buy local.

The first Find it in Fayette! Spotlight was held at Belk in Fayetteville. Store manager Kim Jones welcomed members and provided a 20% discount on purchases. According to Ms. Jones, the Spotlight was very successful and Belk significantly exceeded their sales goal for the day. Belk is the nation’s largest privately-owned department store company with more than 300 stores in 16 contiguous southern states and sales totaling $3.8 billion last year. They are committed to serving the community and providing superior service and merchandise that meet the needs of their customers.

For more information on the Find it in Fayette! Spotlight or other Chamber resources for businesses, contact the Chamber at 770.461.9983 or visit online at www.FayetteChamber.org.

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Come Celebrate the End of the War September 1

The war is over!

What war? Why, the American Revolution, of course!

The Treaty of Paris, which was signed on September 3, 1783, formally ended the American Revolution between Great Britain and the American colonies. Among the points made in the Treaty of Paris was the acknowledgement of the 13 colonies to be free, sovereign and independent States.

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution is proud to sponsor the Second Annual Marquis de Lafayette Dinner to honor the signing of the Treaty of Paris and to celebrate the birth of Marquis de Lafayette on Tuesday, 1 September 2009, at 6:30 PM at Southern Oaks, 240 North Jeff Davis Drive in Fayetteville.

Dinner will be followed by a program by Phyllis King titled "LaFayette: Hero of the New Nation." The cost is $20 per person.

For more information or to make reservations for this important event in American history, contact Susan Sloan at jandssloan@mindspring.com or 770-461-2458.

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Chamber Presents Speed Networking to the Public August 25

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Speed Networking event on Tuesday, August 25, 7:30 am – 9:00 am at the Chamber. Speed Networking is a fun, effective way to make a lot of business connections in a short, structured period of time.

Networking guru, Wendy Kinney of Ready Set Go Make Money will facilitate the event and provide tips and feedback. Chamber members and non-members are welcome to attend at no cost – registration is required. Online registration is available at www.FayetteChamber.org.

The Fayette Chamber is comprised of diverse member businesses and organizations working together to strengthen our local economy. Their mission is to provide businesses with tools, resources and visionary leadership which will positively impact community sustainability. Through Chamber networking events like Business After Hours, Business to Business Luncheons, and the new Speed Networking opportunity, valuable relationships can be built that will help businesses grow and prosper.

For information on other Chamber programs, contact the office at 770.461.9983. The Chamber is located on the 1st floor of the old courthouse building at 200 Courthouse Square, Fayetteville.

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Fayette County School Clinics Hold Donation Drive through August 21

Cuts in state funding for education and loss of local revenues have forced some school systems to eliminate programs such as school nurses and clinics. Fayette County chose not to eliminate its health clinics and nurses noting that the service they provide is vital to the educational success of its students.

Fayette County is fortunate to have a staffed clinic at each of its schools. Last year, over 140,000 students visited the clinics to receive care for illnesses, health conditions and injuries. The clinics also administered prescription and over the counter medications to over 1,300 students, as well as performed special procedures such as blood checks, catheterizations and tube feedings.

In order to have the supplies needed to care for the thousands of students expected to utilize the clinics this year, school health services is asking the community to donate items regularly used by the clinics. These include latex-free band-aides, facial tissue, small paper cups, antibiotic ointment, anti-itch lotion, cotton balls, antibacterial wipes, liquid soap, throat drops, sandwich baggies, ace wraps, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, cotton swabs, gauze, snacks and drink boxes.

Red donation barrels, marked with “Team Clinic, Together Everyone Can Achieve More,” will be in the lobby of each school, as well as at the Board of Education office and Building “D” of the LEC, from now until August 21. Donations can be dropped off during school hours Monday-Friday at the school locations and from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Board of Education and LEC.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of school nurses in Georgia. Fayette County’s school health program has made many accomplishments since its implementation including adding clinics at all of the high schools, developing an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) policy and guidelines and placing AED units in all school and central office buildings.

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N Fayette Community Assoc. to Meet Aug 15

The North Fayette Community Association third quarter meeting will be held on Saturday, August 15, 10:00 a.m. at the Liberty Baptist Church, 1077 Highway 314, Fayetteville. Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette County School Superintendent or his Assistant Superintendent in his stead has been invited to talk about back-to-school preparations, budget cuts and down sizing of school staffing, classrooms and curriculum planning for the school term. Also invited is Fayette County Fire & Emergency Chief, David Scarborough to address questions and concerns about the zip code change process. All parents of school age children and other residents are encouraged to attend this very important meeting. If you have questions prior to the meeting, please call our message system at 770-994-7998.

Girl Scouts of Fayetteville Hold Open House

Saturday, August 22, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m, at the Fayette County Public Library. Come see what scouting is all about!

The Southern Nights Chorale Sings National Anthem at Braves Game 8/15

Fayette County's very own Southern Nights Chorale will be singing the National Anthem at the Braves game this Saturday afternoon, August 15. They did a stellar job two years ago:

Peachtree City Police Officers Service Appreciated by Honor Flight Fayette

(l-r)Front row: Gail Sparrow, President of Honor Flight Fayette and George Sparrow, Board Member/Attorney. Back row (l-r): Lt. John Jenkins, Lt. Jason Epps and Cpl. Jay Hughes.


Honor Flight Fayette President Gail Sparrow and board member George Sparrow enjoyed talking to Peachtree City police officers at the recent Glenn Miller Band concert at "The Fred".

Peachtree City officers have joined officers from Fayetteville and Fayette County as escorts when HFF takes WWII veterans in buses to and from the Atlanta airport. This combined effort is a very valuable service and much appreciated by the veterans as well.

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Transportation Voucher Program Provides Seniors and Developmentally Disabled Adults with a Ticket to Ride

For more than four years Fayette Senior Services’ Voucher program has provided seniors and disabled adults with a low-cost, flexible means of transportation. The program is funded in part by grants from the Federal Transit Administration (governed by the Atlanta Regional Commission) and the United Way. Last year nearly 2,500 vouchers were used by Fayette County seniors and more than 2,400 were used by disabled adults who cannot drive through no fault of their own.

Eligible participants can purchase vouchers for a nominal cost-share, arrange their own transportation and negotiate the payment for service with one of the program’s many registered drivers, who may also be an eligible family member, friend, or neighbor.

Transportation vouchers may be used for travel outside of Fayette County, which gives participants more flexibility to meet their needs. This is especially important when it comes to being able to get to non-emergency medical appointments or other essential services or destinations.

Individuals interested in participating in the program as passengers or as drivers should contact Rebecca Doyle, Voucher Coordinator, at 770 -461-0813 Ext. 113.

Fayette Senior Services, Inc. offers adults age 50 and better, the opportunity to be involved in a variety of social, leisure, educational, and wellness activities at its Life Enrichment Center located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. Since 1978, the organization has also provided important social services that improve quality of life for senior citizens and help them to maintain their independence. This past year, Fayette Senior Services delivered more than 40,000 Meals on Wheels to hundreds of Fayette County seniors. Other services include Adult Day Care Referral Service, Information & Referral Service, Transportation Services, In-Home Personal Care/Homemaker Services, and Case Management.
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DeCotis Receives Smart Board Donation

Presenting the SMART Board to Superintendent DeCotis (second from right) is (L-R) Keith Taylor, executive vice-president, SMART Classroom Group, Multi Media Services; Jodi Carroll, area manager for SMART Technologies Corp.; and Tom Kazmierski, senior account executive, SMART Classroom Group, Multi Media Services.

Being named Georgia’s Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) has its perks: statewide recognition, a beautiful trophy and a brand new interactive SMART Board.

Multi Media Services presented Fayette County Superintendent John DeCotis with a new SMART Board in recognition of him being named the state’s top educator for 2009 at the GAEL conference last month. The interactive board allows students to manipulate information on-screen with the touch of a finger, SMART pen or extension stick. It features colorful and captivating images, and the sensory system engages different learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic.

A permanent home for the SMART Board has yet to be determined but DeCotis says it will be placed where students can utilize it.

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Fayette-Coweta Chapter of IAAP Offers Free Seminar with Glenda Y. Hicks

This upcoming Monday, August 10, the Fayette-Coweta Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals will be offering a free seminar, open to the general public. Glenda Y. Hicks, CPA, will be talking about "Women in Transition." She will be addressing the different stages of life that women go through in terms of career, relationships, etc.

Glenda Y. Hicks is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the states of Georgia and Florida. She has over 20 years of experience and owns a CPA firm in Marietta, Georgia. Ms. Hicks exclusively serves the nonprofit community, by providing a myriad of consulting services in the area of financial management and tax research, in a capacity as CFO by the Hour as well as on a project basis. She is a member of the Professional Women Network, an international training organization, and is trained in offering personal and professional development workshops primarily focused on women's issues including Managing Stress, Leadership & Management Development, the Superwoman Syndrome, Building Positive Self Esteem and more. These workshops are offered to both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, as well as professional associations and conferences.

Ms. Hicks is active in her community and serves as Vice-Chair for the Cobb Community Collaborative, and is a member of Leadership Cobb Class of 2010. She is also a board member of the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association (NLADA) based in Washington, D.C.

Four books that Ms. Hicks co-authored will be available for sale as well as other titles in a 17-book series on women and youth issues. The seminar will take place at the Peachtree City Library (151 Willow Bend Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269) in the Floy Farr Room, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to lisa.waslis@nb.com or 404-262-4926. For more information about the Fayette Coweta Chapter of IAAP, please visit www.IAAP-FCC.org.

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Coweta's Top Teacher Speaks to Coweta-Fayette Rotary Club

Pictured (l-r) Rotary President, Cynthia Monsour and Angela Brown

Angela Brown, Teacher of the Year Coweta County 2009, was the guest speaker for the Coweta-Fayette Rotary Club. Angela was selected as “Top Teacher” from among the Teachers of the Year from each of Coweta County’s 30 public schools. Brown is a 5th grade teacher at Ruth Hill Elementary School in Coweta County.

Rotary is a volunteer service organization of over 1.2 million members in over 33,000 clubs worldwide. Coweta-Fayette is the newest chartered Club in District 6900 of Rotary International, which includes 72 clubs with approximately 5,000 members in Georgia.

For more information on Coweta-Fayette Rotary, go to www.cowetafayetterotary.org. President Cynthia Mounsour issues an invitation to meetings held every Monday night at 6:30 pm in Peachtree City.

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Fayette Senior Services Showcases New Classes at Second Annual Meet the Instructors Day

More than 200 people attended last year’s “Meet the Instructor Day” at Fayette Senior Services (FSS) for a chance to learn about the wide variety of classes and activities offered at its Life Enrichment Center and register for classes. The event was such as success that Fayette Senior Services is pleased to announce that it will host it again this year on Tuesday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The public is invited to come out for a first-hand look at the classes and special events available to adults age 50 and better. Instructors will each have displays that offer information, examples and demonstrations of their work. More than 30 new classes will be offered at the Center between August and October in addition to the wide variety of classes and activities that are offered year-round. Classes are open to FSS members as well as non-members. FSS members receive discounts on fee-based classes.

Exciting new day and evening classes include culinary specialties such as Artisan Bread Baking, Creating Chocolate Works of Art, Heart-healthy Baking for Diabetics, and more. A variety of Genealogy courses will be offered as well as Ballroom Dance, Line Dance, Piano Lessons, and everything you wanted to know about selling your treasures on e-Bay. Art classes are available for beginners and crafters can learn all about Card Making, Decorative Accent Tile Making, and Glass Etching Made Easy. An expanded offering of computer, fitness, and needlework classes will also be featured.

Attendees can also learn about upcoming FREE and low-cost special events such as the Vision Seminar, Brain Fit Workshop, Great Military Leaders, Go Green and Save Big, Caregivers Support Group, AARP Driving Course, Estate Planning/Investments with H. Wayne Howell and Mary Lynn Kirby, and “Senior Moments” presented by Dr. Al Martinez. The event will also showcase the many classes offered at FSS through Clayton State University’s Continuing Education program.

Susan Landais, FSS’ Program Manager explains, “This is a great opportunity for adults who may want to take a special interest class but aren’t quite sure if the class is right for them. The Meet the Instructors Day is the perfect way to learn more about the class and meet the expert who will be teaching the class.” Landais adds, “Between our exciting new classes and our regular on-going programs, more than 60 classes and activities will be offered at our Center between August and October. From Baby Boomers to Centenarians, there truly is something for everyone at Fayette Senior Services.”

For those who are unable to attend the event, the August through October class schedule can be found in the Fayette Senior Services newsletter that is online at www.FayetteSeniors.org. Class registration is available now at Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville (across from the Fayette County Justice Center). Find out why Fayette Senior Services is no ordinary senior center! Call 770-461-0813 for more information.

Chamber Collaborates with SCORE to Help Small Businesses

Fayette businesses have a new option for help with everything from writing a business plan to locating available resources to face-to-face counseling. The Fayette Chamber is opening its office to a new SCORE chapter to provide mentoring to new and existing small businesses. And the best news is that the SCORE services are FREE!

SCORE is a national organization of almost 11,000 volunteers in 375 chapters serving over 500,000 clients yearly. The Atlanta Chapter alone has over 75 counselors in 15 offices throughout the metro area. The new Fayette chapter is offering services to Fayette and Coweta businesses.

SCORE counselors will schedule appointments on Fridays from 11 am to 1 pm. Appointments can be made by registering online at www.scoreatlanta.org.

The Chamber’s collaboration with SCORE is part of an on-going effort to provide Fayette businesses with the tools and resources they need to succeed. If you would like more information, contact the Chamber at 770.461.9983 or visit www.FayetteChamber.org.

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Georgia school teachers learn ecology and sustainable development in Ecuador through UGA program

FL Note: Congratulations to Fayette County's Maureen Tompkins from Flat Rock Middle School in Tyrone who was one of the attendees.

High in the cloud forests of Ecuador, Georgia public school teachers listened and waited. Toucans, trogans and numerous species of hummingbirds flew through the canopy. In the damp, cool landscape, orchids and other plants filled the air with rich scents.

Welcome to a summer field course that from June 27-July 6 attracted some 20 teachers from all over the state to lush sites in this South American country. Each day was packed with intensive study of issues relating to sustainable development. The course was sponsored by the Georgia Museum of Natural History, part of the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

The field school was based in the Maquipucuna Reserve, which has around 15,000 acres of primary and secondary forest and is located within Ecuador’s Choco Andean Bioregion, one of the world’s top-five biodiversity hot spots. The reserve incorporates habitats ranging from 4,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level.

“The reserve really has everything a field school like this needs,” said Carol Hoffman, education director of the museum and co-leader of the field school. “It’s a fascinating biological and ecological site, and a wonderful place to take teachers.”

Co-leader Anne Shenk, director of education at the Botanical Garden, agrees.

“The extent of the area’s biodiversity is evident everywhere,” she said. “For instance, every time you turn over a leaf you find an insect.”

But the beautiful cloud forest supports much more than insects and birds. Jaguars and spectacled bears prowl the reserve, too. And despite the fact that it’s almost directly on the equator, its altitude (some 4,000 feet) gives it a cool, wet climate.

The course, called The Global Naturalists Learning Community: Tropical Ecology of the Andes, developed from previous work that Hoffman and Shenk did with the Maquipucuna Foundation, including an international education project called “Our Shared Forests.” They designed the new field school and activities that teachers will take back to their classrooms to enhance scientific inquiry and help their students understand that global environmental issues affect them in Georgia.

“Once when I was sharing my travel experiences with a group of students, I said that I enjoyed learning about other places and sharing it with them,” said Halley Page, a teacher at Fowler Drive Elementary School in Athens-Clarke County. “One of the students said, ‘And that’s how we get to go, too!’ Educators that have this type of experience increase their knowledge base and pass on their renewed excitement to their students. I hope it will inspire their students to someday see the world and appreciate the diversity of cultures and environments that exist.”

The sheer richness of biodiversity in the Reserve is enough to startle anyone. Maquipucuna is home to a great variety of species, many of them endangered and/or endemic. There are around 2,000 plant species (more than 200 species of orchids), more than 349 bird species and more than 50 species of mammals.

“In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the effects of a variety of land uses on the environment, course activities helped teachers gain a greater understanding of their students with family origins in Latin America,” explained Shenk.

Hoffman said the teachers also visited several towns and saw how homes, markets, schools, businesses and micro-enterprises operate and how they fit in with goals of sustainability. For instance, the town of Salinas has some 93 micro-enterprises, including chocolate and cheese production.

“Because of hunting and development pressures, some of the original species are gone, but so much remains, and there’s so much richness and diversity, that saving it is important, and every teacher understood that,” she said.

That perspective was tested often, however, not least on one trip when a giant cockroach made its appearance, along with numerous species of spiders and scorpions.

The group studying at the field school this summer included high school science teachers, middle school life- and earth-sciences teachers and upper-elementary science specialists. Each had to write a preliminary essay on why she or he wanted to attend the field school, and the group’s eagerness and eloquence assured Hoffman and Shenk of an interested and committed trip. Each teacher earned seven Professional Learning Units—extended education that all teachers in Georgia must earn during their careers.

“The trip to Ecuador provided me with a comprehensive perspective of the interdependence of all people on the environment, exposing me to the diversity of cultures within one nation, and showing me the dependence on resources available within the different climate zones within the country,” said Steven King of Whit Davis Elementary School, also in Athens-Clarke County. “The experiences of this trip will shape my instruction to my students in the areas of biology, environmental science, sociology, geology and climatology. It will always be a trip that I will never forget.”

The field course was funded by a grant from the U.S. Teacher Quality Higher Education Program for the Improvement of Math and Science Education.

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Fayette County Student Awarded Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship

Jessica Craddock of Fayetteville was the only Starr’s Mill High School and Fayette County student to be awarded a Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship as announced by the University of Georgia last week.

A total of twelve University of Georgia first-year students have been awarded Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. Three returning UGA students also received the award.

This scholarship, funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation since 2007, supports academically outstanding students who are the first in their families to attend college. Recipients must demonstrate financial need to be eligible.

Recipients receive $5,000 per year in addition to the state-supported HOPE Scholarship.

The Coca-Cola award is renewable for another three years of undergraduate study if recipients maintain certain academic credentials.

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