Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade

In the state of Georgia there are several thousand citizens living in Georgia’s seven regional mental health and retardation hospitals. Many of these patients have lived in these hospitals most of their lives and have little, if any, contact with or support from friends or family.

Fifty one years ago, in 1958, the Georgia Municipal Association and then Governor Ernest Vandiver created the Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade to help these hospital patients celebrate Christmas by providing each with a present. The staff at the regional hospitals tells us that without the Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade, many patients would go without any type of gift or recognition during the holidays.

Our city has started its gift collection campaign and we are asking for your help. The hospital clients are part of our community, drawn from a region, and we would like to encourage all of you to remember them this holiday season. West Central Georgia Regional Hospital located in Columbus is the hospital that the City of Fayetteville is supporting. If your school, church, business, or civic group would like to partner with the City of Fayetteville in participating in an outstanding holiday community project, please contact Anne Barnard at (770) 719-4159 for further information on how you can get involved.

You will find enclosed a prepared “Christmas Wish List” for the clients (http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/docs/2009%20Wish%20List.pdf). Let’s not forget those less fortunate during the holiday season.

Thank you for your support,

Mayor Ken Steele
City of Fayetteville
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Whitewater Teacher to Head DECA Board

The DECA Club at Whitewater High continues to make news in Georgia. The latest honor for the club came in October with the election of Krystin Glover, marketing teacher and DECA advisor, as president-elect of the Georgia DECA Board, Inc.

Glover will spend this year training and shadowing the current president and then will take over the reins as head of the board next October. She will serve as president for a two-year term, presiding over a five-member elected board and six ex-officio members. Previously, Glover served on the board as the Western Region Director.

DECA is an association for marketing education students. It represents the program of student activity known as co-curricular, rather than extracurricular, since DECA activities are designed to reinforce the competencies taught in marketing and management.

The DECA Board is a policy-making group overseeing all functions of Georgia DECA.

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Kathy Cox to Speak Nov 12

The Greater Fayette Republican Women's Club will be meeting for dinner on Thursday, November 12th, at 6:00pm at Frank's, 1095 Highway 54 W., Fayetteville. State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox will be the guest speaker. All interested Republican Women, their families, and friends are invited to attend. For more information, call Alberta Lucas (770-719-0879) or Debby Dickinson (770-631-2383).

Georgia's Organic Produce Acreage is Growing

Fayette County farmer Becky Douville plants her tomatoes in plastic-covered rows. This method blocks out weeds and allows her to forgo spraying herbicides. This is just one organic method she uses to grow the crops she provides to Metro Atlanta farmers' markets. Photo by Sharon Dowdy

Of the more than 170,000 acres of Georgia farmland devoted to growing vegetables, only 3,000 acres are dedicated to growing organic produce. The numbers are small, but these producers are finding demand is high in their niche market.

Most organic growers sell their produce at farmers markets in metro areas or to upscale restaurants operators. Organic growers also sell to a growing number of consumers who prefer chemical-free food.

Plant some for the worms, too

Becky Douville of Able 2 Farm in Fayette County learned to grow organically by taking classes from Georgia Organics, Inc. She also learned at the feet of Lester Bray, considered a gardening guru in Fayette County.

“Mr. Bray taught me things like how to plant enough tomatoes to share with the horn worms,” she said. “This way I don’t have to spray, and I still have enough for the markets I supply.”
Douville isn’t a certified organic grower but grows her crops in a sustainable way. She has developed her own style by meshing Bray’s methods with what she learned from University of Georgia Master Gardener classes and Georgia Organics classes.

Supplying locally grown food

She grows tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe and cucumbers and sells them to markets in Fayetteville and Fairburn, as well as Atlanta’s Emory University Farmers Market and Trinity Community Ministries.

“I feel like a stockbroker,” she said. “I have all my cantaloupes sold before they even leave the field. And that’s about 300 melons.”

Conducting organic, conventional research

To help farmers like Douville, UGA Cooperative Extension horticulturist George Boyhan conducts research for organic crops. For the past 12 years, he was stationed in Statesboro, where he focused on Vidalia onions, working with both conventional and organic growers. Georgia producers started growing onions organically in 2003.

Onions are the largest single vegetable grown for the organic market in Georgia. Blueberries are No. 2.

“Some 400 acres were grown this past year,” Boyhan said. “That’s great, but it’s still a small fraction of the 12,000 or 13,000 acres of Vidalia onions we produce.”
Weeds are the biggest hurdle

Organic growers now get yields close to those of conventional growers. Weed control is their largest drawback. Organic-onion growers must use cultivation equipment and extensive manual labor to control them, he said.

As a reward for their extra work, organic growers get a premium price. “The highest price I’ve seen for organic onions is $45 a box,” Boyhan said. “Conventional growers get $20 a box on the high end and $12 a box on the low end.”

Now working on the UGA campus in Athens, Boyhan researches other organic crops and teaches College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences students the ins and outs of organic farming.
Breeding organic varieties

“I just completed a big trial on pumpkins, and we just released a new variety” called Orange Bulldog, he said. “It has a higher level of disease resistance.”

Conventional pumpkins grown in Georgia are very susceptible to aphid-transmitted diseases. “Orange Bulldog has higher disease resistance, and organic growers are limited in what they can use so it’s a good fit for them,” Boyhan said. “We’ve produced pumpkins organically on our research farm with both treated and untreated seeds.” In order to be certified as organic, a crop must be grown using untreated seeds.

Taking a new look at old seed

Boyhan will soon conduct organic-growing trials on varieties of watermelon, cantaloupe, pepper and tomato, particularly heirloom types.

“I’m interested in looking at how heirloom varieties compare to modern varieties particularly under organic growing conditions,” he said. “True heirlooms are seeds that have been passed down in a family from year to year. There are also heirlooms that are named varieties that can be traced back to the 19th century whose seeds can be bought from seed catalogs.”

Some consumers buy organics because they believe they are more nutritional than traditional crops. A government study in the United Kingdom revealed no difference in organic versus conventional crops in terms of health or nutrition, Boyhan said.

“It’s a mixed bag of research,” he said. “People should be eating more fruits and vegetables, period, no matter which way they are grown.”

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

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Fayette County Schools Say “Thanks” to Retired Educators November 1

Schools across the county will honor Fayette County's retired educators by putting messages on their marquees in recognition of Retired Educators Day on November 1.

The Fayette County Public School System is taking this opportunity to say “thank you” to all of the county’s retired teachers for their years of dedication to Fayette’s students and their continued commitment to the education profession. Although retired, these educators realize that education is the cornerstone to a successful community and some have remained involved in Fayette’s schools beyond retirement as volunteers, mentors and tutors.

Many of the county’s retired educators are members of the Fayette County Retired Educators Association. Each year the organization gives several awards to students and faculty for outstanding achievement including a scholarship for graduating seniors who plan to enter the field of education, the Middle School Academic/Outstanding Student Award for one eighth grade student at each of the county’s middle schools who demonstrates superior academic performance and community involvement, and the Outstanding Educator Award honoring a current educator for his or her exceptional service to the education profession.

Retired educators have touched and influenced the lives of generations of young people in our community and have inspired them to use their talents and abilities to the fullest, and to become responsible and contributing citizens. The Fayette County Public School System encourages the public to reach out on November 1 to retired teachers they know and offer their appreciation to these educators for their dedicated service to the community.

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“Baby Love Squares” are Latest Project of Rising Starr Knitting Club

Looking over the finished knitted baby squares is (L-R) Principal Len Patton (seated), Nancy Ware, NICU nurse at Egelston and Rising Starr parent, Clorinda Roache, assistant principal, Abril Diaz, 8th grade, Kimberly Ware, 7th grade, and Shannon Booker, 8th grade.

Being a patient in a hospital makes most adults anxious, so imagine how it must be for a newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Members of the knitting club at Rising Starr Middle are doing their part to help calm infants in the NICU at Egleston Children’s Hospital by knitting what they call “Baby Love Squares.”

A set of small, knitted squares are given to mothers with infants in the unit who cannot visit their babies often for various reasons. The mother wears the square so that her scent is transferred to it. The square is placed with the baby, making the infant feel safe and secure.

Principal Len Patton started the school’s knitting club shortly after she became principal as a way for her and students to interact with each other while learning the art of knitting. The club has expanded over the years to include different types of handiwork. Participants meet in the afternoons after school. The club is open to students, parents and staff.

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Fayette County Bands Earn High Honors at Competitions

The Whitewater High Marching Band members celebrate by showing off the six-foot trophy they won after being named Grand Champions of the Eagle’s Nest Invitational.

The Fayette County High Marching Tigers made their own history by placing fifth overall in the Bands of America Regional Championship, the highest placement the band has ever received at this competition.

A total of 21 bands from South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and Georgia participated in the championship, which was held in Massillon, Ohio the weekend of October 17. The band’s finals performance score was only 5.4 points from first place.
In addition to making the finals, the band also won its second “Class Placement Award” by placing third in their class of nine bands. The Marching Tigers earned their first such award last year at the Atlanta Super-Regional.

Another honor for the band included being ranked number one of all 21 bands competing by the Music Performance Ensemble adjudicator.

The band is under the direction of Dr. Myra Rhoden. Assistant band director is Jonathan Broome.

That same weekend the Whitewater High Marching Band received a superior rating at the Eagle’s Nest Invitational Band Competition in Gwinnett County.

Out of 11 bands that competed, Whitewater was one of only two that received superior ratings for all areas of competition judged including percussion, drum major, color guard and band.
Whitewater pulled away from the pack by receiving the awards for Best in Class Brass Section, Best in Class Woodwinds, Best in Class Music and first place in Class 4A competition. In overall competition, Whitewater won Grand Champion of the invitational and brought home the coveted six-foot trophy.

The band is under the direction of Jack Jean. Assistant band director is Robert Truan.

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Fayette County Math Teacher Earns State Award

Her passion for math, development of creative lesson plans and commitment to continued professional growth has landed one Fayette teacher state recognition.

Jane Hannon, instructional support teacher for elementary mathematics, has been awarded the Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics award at the elementary level by the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Each year the organization gives the award to an elementary, middle and high school math teacher who demonstrates outstanding teaching abilities and a commitment to helping students better understand math.

Hannon, a 26-year veteran classroom teacher, is a member of the faculties at Fayetteville Intermediate, Hood Avenue Primary and Spring Hill Elementary where she leads discussions on instructional strategies, unit planning, examining student work and providing feedback, and analyzing data.

Hannon has led the way in the development and implementation of an acceleration model of instruction to help students master math concepts tested on the CRCT; has served as a team leader in developing unit plans, common pre and post unit tests and performance tasks for the Georgia Performance Standards K-5 mathematics curriculum; has been instrumental in assisting teachers in planning activities for math night at each of her schools; and even created a character called Num-Bee for a bi-weekly student TV show that focuses on critical math concepts.

“Jane’s lessons are interesting, filled with manipulatives, linking math to literature, and are always student centered. She consistently searches for more ways to make her lessons meaningful and authentic, to make her teaching more effective and to provide assistance to her colleagues,” says Lynn Ridgeway, coordinator of mathematics for Fayette County Schools.

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PTC Update

Work underway on Flat Creek Path Bridge

Construction is now underway for the connections to the Flat Creek Multi-Use Bridge (located behind Gardner Park and near Morallion Hills in Southern Peachtree City). Residents, businesses, and path users alike may hear the impact of the pile driver for the next several weeks as the connections are placed. The bridge is expected to open in late-January.

Council awards CSX Path Bridge Connections Project

At their regular meeting last Thursday, the Mayor and Council awarded the $157,000 construction contract for the path connections to the CSX multi-use path bridge and tunnels on Highway 54 West to Lewallen Construction. The Georgia DOT must sign the contract, and then the Notice to Proceed with construction can be issued to the contractor.

Volunteers Needed – Commission and Authority terms pending

Peachtree City is now accepting applications for several volunteer boards serving the community. Applications are due to City Hall by 5:00 p.m. on December 4, are available by clicking the link on the respective agency below for more information:

Peachtree City Water & Sewerage Authority (WASA) – owns and operates the sewer treatment system serving Peachtree City.
Peachtree City Airport Authority – owns and operations Peachtree City Falcon Field Airport.
Peachtree City Tourism Association – serves as Peachtree City’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and operates the Peachtree City Visitors Center.
Peachtree City Recreation Commission – Advises the Mayor and Council on recreation needs and issues in Peachtree City.

Kedron Pools reopen today

Additional repairs required for the pools at Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center required them to remain closed through this past weekend. However, the pools reopened today (Monday, October 19).

Mayor & Council Candidate Interviews Online

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce has posted a video candidate forum online for the upcoming November 3 Election. Candidates for each of Peachtree City’s posts (Mayor, Council Posts 1, 3, & 4) had an opportunity to answer questions. [View Videos . . . ]

Keep PTC Beautiful helps keep the Air Show green!

At the October 15 City Council Meeting, Keep Peachtree City Beautiful (KPTCB) Director Al Yougel reported that the group collected 98 bags of recyclables during the two-day Great Georgia Air Show on October 10 & 11, which, after sorting, resulted in 1,800 lbs. of plastic bottles that were recycled instead of going in the landfill. The non-profit agency is working to increase recycling opportunities at events in the city. [More information on KPTCB . . . ]

Veterans Day event to be held November 7

This year’s Veterans Day recognition will be held on Saturday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m. The City, in conjunction with VFW Post 9949, American Legion Posts 50 and 105, and the Clyde Thomason detachment of the Marine Corps League, will host the event at the new Falcon Field Veterans Memorial Park at Falcon Field Airport. [More information . . . ]

Occupational Taxes Now Due

Notices were mailed Friday for all businesses to pay their 2010 Occupational Taxes by December 31. This includes home-based businesses. This year’s mailing includes a Fayette County 9-1-1 emergency contact form, and a Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program form now required by State Law for all businesses. If you did not receive a renewal notice last week or if you have never obtained an Occupational Tax Certificate for your business, please contact City Hall. [Email City Hall regarding Occupational Taxes . . . ]

Shopping Locally

Green Market, Thursdays at The Avenue - The Avenue at Highway 54/74 will be holding a series of produce markets on Thursdays, beginning this week (Thursday, October 22). Growers from south Metro Atlanta area will bring locally grown produce to the gazebo area at City Circle from noon – 7:00 p.m. for the next four Thursdays.

Braelinn Village Center Under Construction & Open For Business – The renovation of Braelinn Village Shopping Center is in full swing, but all the merchants remain open for business.

Other Information from around Peachtree City

Local Jobs – The City of Peachtree City maintains a listing of Open City Positions on its web site. The City site also includes links to other Fayette County jobs posted on the Fayette County Development Authority and Fayette County Chamber of Commerce web sites.

PTC Yard Sales – Peachtree City may be one of the few places that requires residents to register their yard sales (at City Hall), but it gives us a great weekly list of places to look for deals. The list is updated regularly and can be found in the Virtual Neighborhoods section on Peachtree City’s web site. [View upcoming yard sales . . . ]


Don’t Forget . . .

Volunteer Firefighter Pumpkin Sale – October 1-31, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Leach Station (Paschall Rd at Highway 74 South) and Weber Station (Peachtree Parkway south of Crosstown Rd.). [More information . . . ]

Jack-O-Lantern Drop Off (for judging and display at the 10/24 Halloween Party) – Thursday & Friday, October 22 & 23, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for the October 24 Contest Judging at The Fred Box Office. Prizes for creepiest, funniest, and most creative for both kids (12 & under) and adult (13 & over) will be awarded on October 24. Include name, address, phone # and age on bottom of jack-o-lantern. [More information . . . ]

Christ Our Shepherd Community Service Weekend – October 23 – 25 - blood drive, flu & pneumonia shots, blood pressure checks, document shredding, yard sale, bake sale, and more. [More information . . . ]

Not So Frightful Storytelling and Halloween Party at The Fred – Saturday, October 24, 4:00 p.m. at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater. FREE ADMISSION. Folk songs and folk tales, costume contest, “safe trick-or-treating,” Jack-O-Lantern contest, and more! Local vendors also still welcome to sign up for the event. [More information . . . ]

Fire Department Haunted House – Friday & Saturday, October 23 & 24 and 30 & 31, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Students $8, Adults $10. [More information . . . ]

2nd Annual Toga Trot 5K & 1 Mile Race – Saturday, October 31, 8:30 a.m. at Dolce Atlanta Peachtree. Presented by the Atlanta Southern Crescent Alumnae Panhellenic Association (ASCAPA) and the Rotary Clubs of Peachtree City‘s - Net proceeds directly benefit the ASCAPA college scholarship program and the Rotary Polio Eradication Fund. [More information . . . ]

Halloween & Trick-or-Treating – Saturday, October 31 – The City does not change the date for trick-or-treating.

2nd Annual Fayette Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale

Saturday, November 7
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Kiwanis Recreation Center (Indoors!)
936 Redwine Rd., Fayetteville

The Fayette Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale will mark the beginning of the 2009 Holiday Season for folks in south metro Atlanta. The holiday season just wouldn't be the same without a Holiday Bazaar where handcrafted items for Thanksgiving and Christmas can be found.

Local crafters will put their unique homemade crafts on display and sell their wares to Fayette visitors and local residents looking for that special gift or home-baked treats. The Fayette Holiday Bazaar is sponsored by the Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department.

Homemade items for sale at the bazaar will range from handmade jewelry to knitted clothing, wooden toys, quilts, gift baskets and holiday arrangements (cornucopias, wreaths, and centerpieces).....and don't forget the delicious home-baked treats for sale. All vendor booths were sold out all most a month before the event. The Kiwanis Recreation Center is located just southwest of downtown Fayetteville on Redwine Road, next to the baseball fields.

For more information, call 770-716-4320 or visit www.fayettecountyga.gov.
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Pink Out Event at The Avenue® Peachtree City Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Avenue® Peachtree City is teaming up with local nonprofit Breast Cancer Survivors’ Network (BCSN) to host a month-long celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The celebration culminates with Pink Out on Saturday, October 24 from 1-3 p.m., featuring a “Faces of Hope” photography tribute to local breast cancer survivors.

Attendees of Pink Out at The Avenue will enjoy family fun, including live music from The Bear 92.5, a pumpkin patch with orange and pink varieties, fall cook-out complete with a pink s’mores roast and more. Shoppers will be offered vouchers for discounted mammograms at OPI imaging, and can receive the reduced exam rate throughout October by mentioning Pink Out. Soma Intimates will offer complimentary bra fittings, and shoppers can attend a Talbots demonstration of scarf accessorizing. The first 50 Pink Out attendees who donate $10 to BCSN will receive a pink lunch tote and two raffle tickets for prizes from more than a dozen retailers valued at $40-$225. Raffle tickets also are available for purchase.

“The Avenue is proud to bring together the community and its retailers in support of Breast Cancer Survivors’ Network and local men and women fighting this disease,” said Kim Tanalgo-Minshew – marketing manager, The Avenue Peachtree City. “We hope our celebration of breast cancer survivors will help to raise awareness of the disease as well as organizations that help those affected.”

The Avenue is selling pink ribbons during Breast Cancer Awareness month, with proceeds being donated to BCSN. The outdoor lifestyle center’s more than 40 local and national restaurants and retailers will be outfitted with oversized pink ribbons as well as photos of local survivors to generate awareness of breast cancer, which is diagnosed in one out of every eight women and one out of every 100 men each year.

To benefit BCSN throughout October, Boulignini Shoes & Accessories is selling “Fight Like a Girl,” “Real Men Support Pink” and “Survivor” T-shirts, and Atlanta Bread Company is donating 50 cents of every shortbread cookie sale. In addition, Gap, Gap Kids and babyGap are offering 25 percent off regularly priced merchandise, excluding men’s and women’s jeans, for shoppers who donate gently worn jackets or jeans in-store on Oct. 24 and 25 to benefit BCSN.

About The Avenue®
The Avenue, introduced by Cousins Properties Incorporated in 1998, is an outdoor lifestyle center concept with eight locations throughout the Southeast. The Avenue offers a dynamic mix of premier national retailers, select local merchants and specialty restaurants reflective of local demand and fashion trends. The shopping destination features an open-air, pedestrian friendly setting convenient to major metropolitan areas. Shoppers can visit The Avenue at one of its five metro Atlanta locations, or in suburban Nashville, Tenn., suburban Memphis, Tenn. or Viera, Fla. For more information about The Avenue, please visit www.shoptheavenue.com.

About Breast Cancers Survivors’ Network
Headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga., the nonprofit Breast Cancer Survivors’ Network (BCSN) was founded in 1993 by breast cancer survivor Janet Beebe to provide education, assistance and positive support services before, during and after diagnosis, treatment and recovery of breast cancer. BCSN offers breast cancer supplies for low income women, support groups, educational materials, a Mammogram Assistance Program and the Hope and Pink Prayer line. More information is available at www.bcsurvivorsnetwork.org or by calling 770.487.4396.
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Fayette County Schools Invite Community to Go Red for Red Ribbon Week

Fayette County students and teachers will join millions nationwide in wearing red ribbons to support healthy lifestyles during Red Ribbon Week October 26-30.

This national celebration has become a major force for raising public awareness and mobilizing communities to combat drug use and underage drinking among youth. Research shows that early drug use is associated with negative consequences such as higher school dropout rates and a greater likelihood of violence and using weapons.

The community can help fight drug and alcohol use among youth during Red Ribbon Week by wearing a red ribbon during October 26-30 to show support, encouraging their workplaces to support Red Ribbon Week and getting involved in Red Ribbon Week events at schools throughout the county. Many schools have planned activities for each day of the week including contests, spirit days and special assemblies.

One special event is taking place at Whitewater High and Sandy Creek High on October 26. Dr. Tim Elmore will present his book, “Habitudes,” which emphasizes finding the leader in every student. According to his website, sociologists report that the most introverted of people will influence 10,000 others in an average lifetime. His presentation will help students focus on how they influence others, how to make a positive difference in their world and how to intentionally add value to the people in their lives.

Although Red Ribbon Week came about following the death of a Drug Enforcement Agent in 1985, CARE (Children at Risk in Education) Coordinator Karen Spangler says she wants Fayette’s program to focus on more than drug prevention.

“The world has changed a great deal since Red Ribbon began. I want our program to be as much about making good decisions and choices as about alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention,” she says.

Red Ribbon Week is an opportune time for families, communities and educators to unite in their efforts to help shape a strong community among our youth. Please contact the school in your area to learn how you can get involved in Red Ribbon Week celebrations.

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Want to Hear More About Fayette County Candidates?

Comcast Cable and the Fayette Chamber present Decision 2009, a question and answer forum spotlighting candidates from Fayetteville, Peachtree City and Tyrone. All candidates in contested races were invited, and they appear in alphabetical order within their city race. In each city, all candidates were asked the same questions. Answers are less than 45 seconds in length. Additionally, candidates could choose one question in which they had 60 seconds to respond. All the candidates were given the questions in advance and were asked the questions by an off-screen moderator.

The forum can be viewed on Comcast Channel 25 at the following times: 10:00 am – everyday (Fayetteville candidates); 12:30 pm Mon-Wednesday and Sunday (Peachtree City Candidates). Please check the Chamber website for other times.

The Decision 2009 forum is also available on the Chamber website at www.FayetteChamber.org.

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Lights on Afterschool Celebrations Planned in Fayette County

Peachtree City Elementary Afterschool Program student Leah Celestine puts paper mache on her light bulb while fellow classmates Uzoma Offor and Christina Peterson work on theirs. The light bulbs, featuring comments from parents, will be presented to the Fayette County Board of Education on October 19.

Over 1,300 Afterschool Program (ASP) students in the Fayette County Public School System will be part of the one million nationwide celebrating “Lights on Afterschool” on October 22.

The Afterschool Alliance’s 10th annual Lights on Afterschool is a national event that calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep the lights on and the doors open. Fayette’s program has already received proclamations of support from Governor Sonny Perdue and the city councils of Peachtree City, Brooks and Fayetteville, and will receive one from the Fayette County Board of Education during its regular monthly meeting on October 19.

Victor Camo, a fifth grade ASP student at Kedron Elementary, spoke before the Peachtree City Council about the importance of ASP in schools and what the program has meant to him.
“When I think about ASP, I think about fun. My friends and I have a great time because we get to exercise and use our imaginations. We learn different kinds of art, we get to meet students from other grades and spend more time with our friends from other classes. We are also able to finish our homework. I get to play board games that make me think strategically. The staff is trustworthy, kind and helpful. When we need help we can ask a staff member. These are the reasons why I love and enjoy ASP,” Victor said.

Some celebrations that will be going on at schools around the county include a poster parade at Braelinn Elementary featuring posters made by students publicizing the need for afterschool programs, a paper quilt display at Crabapple Lane Elementary made up of squares depicting what students enjoy about their afterschool program, and colorful paper, halogen light bulbs created by students at Peachtree City Elementary with comments from parents about what the school’s program means to them. The students plan to present the light bulbs to the Fayette County Board of Education at the October meeting.

Fayette’s ASP has been in operation since 1987 under the auspice of the superintendent of the Fayette County Board of Education, and the guidance of various national organizations such as the National Afterschool Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Georgia School-Age Care Alliance. The program has grown from 250 students serving nine elementary schools at its inception to over 1,300 students today and 17 elementary schools.

ASP is not only a great alternative to daycare, but it also gives parents peace of mind. It is a safer option than entering a home alone and has been shown to reduce opportunities for latchkey kids to engage in criminal, delinquent or inappropriate behaviors or become victimized by predators. It has also been shown to improve achievement and promote a better attitude toward school.

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Apples and ArtFest Oct 17th

The weather is going to be perfect for attending Fayette County's first Apples & ArtFest event this Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville (across from the Fayette County Justice Center). Nearly 40 exhibitors will be showcasing their arts, crafts, and specialties. The event is open to the public and there is no admission cost. Proceeds will benefit Fayette Senior Services, Meals On Wheels, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

With all the invigoration of a crisp fall day and the charm of a county fair, the event promises to be all that you and your family love about hometown festivals. In addition to the variety of exhibitors, there will be musical entertainment and dance exhibitions featuring Eddie Huffman and the McIntosh High School Chiefettes. Special features include fun and games at the Kids Apple COREner, the Granny Smith Memory Tree where attendees can support Meals on Wheels and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren by purchasing an "apple" in honor of a loved one, and the Apple-A-Day Healthy Living "Orchard".

A variety of food will be available for purchase, including culinary specialties by local Pastry Chef Lori Bean, along with a variety of pastry artisans. Upscale Pizza will be warming up the crowds with their famous pizza, and Todd Rossi-Fayette Senior Services’ Executive Chef will be serving Ultimate Sloppy Joes and his signature Waldorf Salad.

Individuals who have a talent for baking or cooking are encouraged to enter the Everything Apple Recipe Contest for a chance to win $100, $50, or $25 for the best "anything apple" recipe. Applications are being accepted until Friday, October 16, 3 p.m. You can find more information and an application at www.FayetteSeniors.org..

Exhibitor space is still available for just $30 and sponsorship packages are being offered to businesses who want to take advantage of being in front of hundreds of festival-goers. Applications for Exhibitors, and sponsors at www.FayetteSeniors.org..

For more information visit www.FayetteSeniors.org. or call 770-461-0813.
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Peachtree City Life

Insurance Rates may Drop in February – PTC Fire gets ISO 3

Effective February 1, 2010, the Peachtree City Fire Department’s Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating will drop from a 4 to a 3. This may help to lower some property insurance. Please contact your Insurance Agent to see if the change in ISO Rating will help reduce your rates after February 1. [More Information . . . ]

City Council Agenda for October 16

Among the items Council will consider this Thursday night are an Alcohol License for Athena’s Pizzeria and Greek Cuisine; Rivers Alive use of boats for a cleanup on Lake Peachtree; a vehicle Lease with Keep Peachtree City Beautiful; bids for City Hall Underpinning repairs, the CSX/54 path connections; and Hwy 54 East landscape enhancement; and a GATEway grant for Hwy 74 S landscaping. There is also a variance request to the rear setback for 142 Long Leaf and a request to extend sewer outside the city limits 1992 Highway 54 ( ). [View complete agenda and packet . . . ]

Kedron Pools Remain Closed

The pools at Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center will remain closed until at least October 16 for additional repairs to the pool.

Amphitheater Newsletter

The Fall 2009 “Fred News” newsletter for the Frederic Brown, Jr. Amphitheater is now available online. [View Newsletter . . . ]

Municipal Election - Early Voting begins Wednesday
October 14 – 23 – Absentee & Early Voting – Fayette County Elections Office ONLY
October 26-30 – Advance Voting – PTC Library, Tyrone Library, Fayette County Elections
Monday, November 2 – NO VOTING
Tuesday, November 3 – Election Day – Vote at your regular polling place.

Don’t Forget . . .

Volunteer Firefighter Pumpkin Sale – October 1-31, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Leach Station (Paschall Road at Highway 74 South) and Weber Station (Peachtree Parkway south of Crosstown). [More information . . . ]

PTC Civic Association Candidate Forum – Wednesday, October 14, 7 p.m., McIntosh High School.

Charity event at Peachtree City Tennis Center - The Peachtree City Tennis Center will host a charity event, “Kids of Ghana & Scholarship Program,” on Friday, October 16, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. The event is open to all and donations and profits will go to support tennis for local juniors and will give children in Ghana, Africa, the opportunity to play tennis. [Tennis Center information . . ]

PTC Classic Road Race – Saturday, October 17 – TRAFFIC ADVISORY Saturday morning on Peachtree Parkway South, McIntosh Trail, and Braelinn Road. [More information . . . ]

The Advisory Council of The Gathering Place - Candidate Forum – Sunday, October 18, 3:00 p.m., The Gathering Place, 203 McIntosh Trail.

Jack-O-Lantern Drop Off – Thursday & Friday, October 22 & 23, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for the October 24 Contest Judging at The Fred Box Office. Prizes for creepiest, funniest, and most creative for both kids (12 & under) and adult (13 & over) will be awarded on October 24. Include name, address, phone # and age on bottom of jack-o-lantern. [More information . . . ]

Christ Our Shepherd Community Service Weekend – October 23 – 25 - blood drive, flu & pneumonia shots, blood pressure checks, document shredding, yard sale, bake sale, and more. [More information . . . ]

Not So Frightful Storytelling and Halloween Party at The Fred – Saturday, October 24, 4:00 p.m. at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater. FREE ADMISSION. Folk songs and folk tales, costume contest, “safe trick-or-treating,” Jack-O-Lantern contest, and more. Local vendors also still welcome to sign up for the event. [More information . . . ]

Fire Department Haunted House – Friday & Saturday, October 23 & 24 and 30 & 31, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Students $8, Adults $10. [More information . . . ]

2nd Annual Toga Trot 5K & 1 Mile Race – Saturday, October 31, 8:30 a.m. at Dolce Atlanta Peachtree. Presented by the Atlanta Southern Crescent Alumnae Panhellenic Association (ASCAPA) and the Rotary Clubs of Peachtree City‘s - Net proceeds directly benefit the ASCAPA college scholarship program and the Rotary Polio Eradication Fund. [More information . . . ]

Community Awareness Seminar Offered by Fayette County School System and Local Law Enforcement

The Fayette County Public School System, local law enforcement agencies and District Attorney Scott Ballard have collaborated again this year to offer another Community Awareness Seminar this month.

The free seminar offers participants an opportunity to learn more about safety and legal issues affecting Fayette’ County's students. Seminar topics have been generated by students and will include the new “Romeo and Juliet” law, drug and alcohol issues, Minor in Possession (MIP) and how it affects teens and their records, legal age of becoming an adult and texting while driving. Discussions will be lead by local law enforcement representatives with knowledge and experience in the areas presented.

The seminar is scheduled for October 27 at 7 p.m. in the McIntosh High School auditorium. All high school and middle school eighth grade students and their parents are invited to attend. No preregistration is required. A question and answer session with the seminar panel will follow the presentations.

The purpose of the event is to help parents and students become better informed about serious issues affecting youth in Fayette. This marks the third year local law enforcement personnel have partnered with the school system to offer Community Awareness Seminars.

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Tyrone Police Dept: Warning on Police Impersonators

Rec'd from Tyrone Police Department:

A warning from The Fayette County Sheriff's Office about a case involving police impersonators.

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office has issued an advisory about a case they are working involving two females who went to the home of an elderly woman, displayed a badge and handcuffs, and were successful in taking money under the guise of an investigation.

According to the alert, "On Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at approximately 4:00pm a 73 year old female was approached at her residence in north Fayette County on Highway 92 by two females posing as undercover law enforcement officers. The duo stated they were investigating counterfeit money and showed the elderly female a badge and handcuffs. The elderly female was told if she did not cooperate, she would be arrested.

During the incident the females obtained cash from the residence and then forced the elderly female to go with them to her bank in Riverdale, Georgia to withdraw additional money.

After the withdrawal, the elderly female was set out at the Church’s Chicken in Riverdale, Georgia."

The suspects are described as a black female and a white female in a dark blue 4 door car, possibly a Camry or Malibu.

Stills from a surveillance camera are attached.

Anyone with information on this case is requested to call the Sheriff's Office at 770-716-4755.

Please pass this information along to your family and friends and discuss it with your elderly family members. It is not uncommon for criminals to target this demographic because they are seen as easy targets and are often very trusting - especially of authority figures. We hope that this is an isolated incident, but please remain vigilant.
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Adult Basketball Registration Oct 19 - Nov 13

Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department will conduct registration for adult basketball from October 19 through November 13. Men's and Women's leagues are being offered. Register at the Activities House at 980 Redwine Road. Contact Kenny Wallace at 770-716-4323 for more information.
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Sandy Creek’s Men’s Ensemble Wins B98.5 Glee Contest

Students of the Sandy Creek Select Mixed Chorus who made the winning B98.5 Glee video are (L-R) 1st row - Chad Sims, Anthony Spezzano; 2nd row - Aaron Biemiller, Jesse Alexander, Stephanie Earle, Paul Merrill; 3rd row - Thomas Eastin and Tyler Green.

The Men’s Ensemble at Sandy Creek High, made up of members of the Select Mixed Chorus, are $1,000 closer to funding a trip to perform with the Grammy award-winning group, Chanticleer, this spring in San Francisco.

The school’s Men’s Ensemble is one of 12 of the best choirs from throughout the United States that have been selected to perform with Chanticleer for a single evening concert March 29, 2010 on the stage of Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. This is a first for Chanticleer in its mission to educate and outreach to inspiring young singers from across America.

While researching opportunities to raise money for the trip, the ensemble heard about a competition promoting the new hit FOX series “Glee” on radio station B98.5’s Steve and Vikki Morning Show. The contest called for vocal ensembles and choirs to submit a video of their group with the winner receiving $1,000.

The students and their choral director, Millie Turek, learned early morning on October 7 that they had won. In order to make their entry stand out from the rest, Turek says the students took a different approach from merely filming a performance.

“The video is more like a music video than a show choir performance. The students were very creative and we filmed all over Sandy Creek. We had a lot of fun making it and these are terrific students,” she says.

Students performing in the video are lead singer Jesse Alexander, first tenor Tyler Green, second tenor Aaron Biemiller, first bass Anthony Spezzano, second bass Paul Merrill and Chad Sims. Fellow chorus members Stephanie Earle and Thomas Eastin were the film crew with Aaron Biemiller as editor and Turek as, in her words, “the sound girl.”

The winnings will be used to help fund the students’ trip to perform with Chanticleer this spring.
Chanticleer, based in San Francisco, is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its 12 male voices ranging from countertenor to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music.

“This is going to be an incredible musical and educational experience for my students,” says Turek.

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Money Raised Benefits FACTOR

Accepting the donation from Fayette County School Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis is (left) FACTOR Executive Director Becky Smith and Board Chair Jerry Garner with (right) Peggy Davis, collaborative FACTOR member, and Barbara Serapion, FACTOR board member, looking on.

Employees at the Fayette County Board of Education were singing the blues, blue jeans that is, as they raised money for Fayette FACTOR (Fayette Alliance Coordinating Teamwork, Outreach and Resources).

Over $1,800 was collected during a recent jeans day. Employees gave a donation in exchange to wear jeans to work on a non-casual day.

FACTOR’s mission is to bring all areas of the community together to build a safe and healthy Fayette County for all its citizens. Among its initiatives are Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Prevent Child Abuse Fayette, Fayette Meth Task Force and ENCORE! Fayette Senior Adult Leadership program.

Donations made to Fayette FACTOR are tax deductible. Anyone wishing to help the organization can make donations payable to Fayette FACTOR, P.O. Box 142518, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Contact Executive Director Becky Smith for more information, 404-291-1602 (office cell).

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Fayetteville Main Street Hosts 1st Annual Chili Cook-off

The autumn season is fast approaching, and Fayetteville Main Street is welcoming in the season with a variety of events and opportunities for local residents, many of which happen on Saturday, October 24. The newest endeavor is Main Street’s first annual Chili Cook-off.

Novices and experienced, kitchen pros are invited to take part in a fun competition to see who has Fayetteville’s best bowl of chili. Main Street Director, Brian Wismer, elaborates, “We have heard comments from the community to do this, so we were excited to find a spot on our event calendar where we could make this happen.” Prizes will be awarded for first place and first runner-up, but the focus is on bringing the community together for an afternoon of fun activities.

Also that same day at the Gazebo, residents can shop at an extended Market Day from 10am-6pm. This will be the final Market Day of 2009, as most of the produce vendors have reached the end of the growing season. “Don’t worry”, says Wismer. “They’ll be back again next year just as soon as the crops are ready!” Many people this year have enjoyed coming to Market Day at the Gazebo in Downtown Fayetteville where vendors have sold their homemade and homegrown products.

If that wasn’t enough, history buffs and thrill-seekers can take part in guided cemetery tours that Saturday night from 6.30-8.30pm. Sponsored by the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum, tourists will be guided to notable gravesites where they will hear from the “ghosts” of Fayetteville’s past describe their lives in the 19th and early 20th century. That same weekend also hosts a long-standing tradition for kids of all ages. The Pumpkin Festival and Trick or Treat on Main Street, will be a fun spectacle around the square. Families are encouraged to come downtown and enjoy the kid’s rides and activities that will be interspersed between the Market Day and Chili Cook-off, and kids will be able to visit the downtown businesses for trick-or-treating and compete in a costume contest. Vendors or individuals wishing to participate in any of these festivities should call 770-719-4173 for more information. They can also download the registration forms from the city website, www.fayetteville-ga.gov.

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Fayette County Students Earn AP Scholar Awards

A total of 169 Fayette County students have earned Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar awards based on scores of AP tests taken last spring. This total represents 1.5 percent of all of the students in Georgia who received awards.

Award winners are among the 18 percent of the nearly 1.7 million high school students worldwide who scored high enough on their AP exams to earn an AP Scholar award from the College Board.

Students take the exams after completing college-level courses as high school students. Those with a score of three or better can earn college credit.

Although there is no monetary award in addition to receiving a recognition certificate, this achievement is acknowledged on any grade report that is sent to colleges the following fall.
The criteria for each award and the total number of Fayette County students earning them are as follows:

• National AP Scholar Award: Students earned an average grade of four or higher on a five-point scale on all AP exams taken and grades of four or higher on eight or more exams.

Winners: 4

• AP Scholar with Distinction Award: Students earned an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of three or higher on five or more of the exams.

Winners: 50

• AP Scholar with Honor: Students received an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of three or higher on four or more of the exams.

Winners: 28

• AP Scholar Award: Students completed three or more AP exams with grades three or higher.

Winners: 87

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Fayette Schools Involved in Safe Routes to School Program

Peeples Elementary and Rising Starr Middle schools have become partners with Georgia’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.

SRTS works with elementary and middle schools to create opportunities and activities for children to safely walk and bike to school who live within a 2-mile radius. Schools that become partners receive support from the program’s resource center to help them teach students and parents about walking and biking safety, encourage students to walk and bike to school and methods that can be used to measure the number of students walking and biking.

Both Peeples and Rising Starr are partners at the Silver Level, meaning they have SRTS programs in place. Schools at this level are required to develop a SRTS Travel Plan (per Georgia’s SRTS Guidebook) and implement a SRTS event, sustain at least one on-going program to encourage walking and/or biking or conduct a classroom based program to educate children on safe walking and/or biking behaviors.

Fayette County was among 13 communities in the state to receive SRTS funding in June. The funding will be used for infrastructure projects at Peeples and Rising Starr including construction of a multiuse path, building of a bridge over a creek and installation of pedestrian sidewalks.

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Fayette Students Named Semifinalists in National Achievement Scholarship Program

Two local students are among the 1,600 semifinalists nationwide vying for scholarships in the 2010 National Achievement Scholarship Program, a competition for African American high school students.

Helen Agha of Fayette County High and Ifeanyi Awachie of Sandy Creek High were selected as semifinalists from more than 160,000 students from all parts of the U.S. who requested consideration in the program when they took the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as high school juniors.

To advance to the finalist level, semifinalists must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the school principal, earn SAT scores that confirm the PSAT/NMSQT performance and write a self-descriptive essay. The semifinalist and a school official must also complete a scholarship application in which they provide information about the student’s participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and educational goals.

Approximately 1,300 semifinalists are expected to fulfill additional requirements and advance to the finalist level in the 2010 competition. Finalists will compete for one of 700 one-time National Achievement $2,500 scholarships as well as 100 Achievement Scholarship awards for those who meet criteria set by the grantor.

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