Guess who is going to be on the annual Master Garden Tour this year?

Such a hard question. I know you're still pondering. 

I'm excited. And busy as (snicker) a bee...or a mound of ants. 

I've always had some sort of garden but during my art show years taking care of vegetables and flowers was virtually impossible as I was gone a LOT.

Not being able to do shows during COVID has allowed me a lot of time to do something around the homestead. I could have chosen to work in the house but why would I torture myself like that when the sun shines outside? 

I started "My Vision Garden". It's called that as one has to have vision to see where I'm going. 

I expanded into the woods surrounding my studio to create paths and little tableaus (spell check doesn't like that s on the end of tableau, sheesh) with cool things I've accumulated, found, been gifted with over the years. I started a Facebook page about it if you're interested: (14) My Vision Garden | Facebook

I have a "Golf Garden", "Mom's Mystery Garden", "Watery Way", "Woodhenge" and others that are in the works. I started a lily garden in the front of the house for all the wonderful lilies my mother has given me over the years. I have an herb garden that is continually expanding as I learn more about their health properties. I ordered a mini-greenhouse. I went berserk and ordered 5 million seeds (a very slight exaggeration). My son is building some raised bed gardens for me (I'm on a quartz vein, which, combined with Georgia clay makes it tough to do in-ground gardens.) I could go on and on about all the things I've done and plan to do.

The Fayette Master Gardeners came by to check it out...after I told everyone I knew in the group when our paths crossed that my goal was to be on the Tour...and I'm in. Which led to more seed orders and some more expanded flower beds in celebration.

Gardening is not for the faint of heart, especially when you live on 5 acres that deer, rabbits, chipmunks and other veggie/plant loving critters like. I know they line up every year wondering what kind of salad bar I'm creating for them.

I have done a lot of research into plant combining to deter bugs, pests and animals (which led to even more seed orders). I have done a lot of research on deer-resistant plants (yes, seeds and more seeds). Almost everything I have it deer-resistant but that doesn't mean they won't nibble when they're hungry or that MY deer aren't as picky as others.

The Garden Tour is in Fayette County, Georgia and will be on April 25th. They host a garden sale on the 24th in downtown Fayetteville. Many of my plants came from their sales over the years. 

I have lots of photos on my Facebook page if you'd like to see more of my garden, herbs, and progress. (14) My Vision Garden | Facebook

Fayette County Commission Changes Selection Process for Board of Elections

Last night I attended our local Fayette County Commission meeting. A number of things happened that have me scratching my head, but there's one that really tweaked my curiosity.

The Board voted to give themselves the final approval over who gets to serve on the Board of Elections.

In the past the Republican Party appointed one person, the Democrat Party appointed one and the County Commission appointed the third member. Done, finis, job complete.

Now however both the Democrat and Republican appointees will have to be approved by the County Commission.

I did a little research today, made a few phone calls, and as the county attorney Scott Bennett stated, the selection process is handled in a variety of different ways including the "new" way Fayette will be handling things. The only one I found that gives the County Commission final approval of who is appointed is Henry County. There may be others --- there are a LOT of counties in Georgia!

I can't imagine that the Democrat Party is going to be happy with this one. The County Commissioners are all Republicans. I'd have heartburn about it if I were a Democrat... and who's to say that at some point the tables won't be turned and Republicans will have to go before an all Democrat Board for approval of their appointee.

My research indicates the Board of Elections is supposed to be an independent board. This change seems to be trying to make them a little or possibly a lot less independent.

County Commissioner Eric Maxwell brought up some good reasons NOT to make the move. One being the one I raised in the paragraph before this one.

Another was the way it popped up kind of as a last minute issue. Per Maxwell the County Commissioners have had a policy for the past four years that they would discuss issues like this one in their monthly workshop and / or have at least three Commissioners look into the matter.

He said he first saw the measure two days before the meeting and that to the best of his recollection it had never been discussed at a workshop.



I asked outgoing Chairman Jack Smith what prompted the change after the meeting. He said that it was the only Board that had appointees who weren't approved by the Commission. He also indicated there had been some disputes over control of the budget and other items and this would give them more control. I asked the logical question "how would having final approval over appointees by local political parties change their control, affect budget disputes". I got a shrug type non-answer, a wellll... I really can't remember exactly what Smith said but it really wasn't an good explanation.

I guess at the end of the appointees four-year term if they haven't towed the Commission line they could block their re-appointment?

Now, behind the scenes I've been hearing there's a lot going on in this arena. I've heard that County Manager Jack Krakeel has been bumping heads with some of the appointees. I've heard that the Commissioners don't like that it's possible for the Republican Party to appoint a political opponent... and that they don't care for the fact that they could dump someone they've appointed only to have the Republican Party turn around and appoint them... I'm hearing all kinds of tings and have no idea where the truth lies.

I don't see any reason for the Board to sneak this one in as a last-minute last-vote of the year without some kind of something going on that I'd love to know!

This isn't one that is really going to affect me personally one way or the other. At least I don't think it will. I think it's just another power grab. I also think that we may see the Fayette Democrat and Republican parties working together to try and stop this one... we may also see Henry County Democrats joining forces with Fayette Democrats to try and stop it.

I'm including the video of the vote and discussion on the issue. Let me know what you think about it.

In Fayette County? Rumors of Strange Sightings?

Gotta tell ya that this caught my eye. I know the area of Lee's Mill Rd and I even know some fine people who live on that road. Lee's Mill Rd has a bunch of homes along its route, and there are even more trees and woods along it than homes. Bigfoot sighting? In Fayette County? Gee, I guess I must have missed that one. Interesting, but then I've always loved a good mystery......

On the Trail of the Georgia Bigfoot...Latest Sighting-Fayette County

The Georgia Bigfoot, other than being the title of my next book, is also an ongoing mystery in the Peach State. With sightings dating back to the early 1800s in Georgia, and ranging from the mountains to the coast, there is much to be said for the possible existence of the elusive creature in Georgia....http://georgiamysteries.blogspot.com/2009/12/on-trail-of-georgia-bigfootlatest.html


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America's Top Young Scientists to Receive Scholarships for Winning Eggs-Periments

RJ Note: Fayette County Middle School Science Olympiad Teams have a great record of winning and placing at tournaments. Kudos to all the great teachers who inspire our young minds. Will we have any egg-cellent wins this year?

/PRNewswire/ -- Where can you find America's brightest young minds launching rockets, crashing vehicles and cracking eggs? These activities and many more are part of the 25th annual Science Olympiad National Tournament in Augusta, GA, on May 16. For the first time, the incredible edible egg, on behalf of America's egg farmers, will celebrate the incredible achievements of science-minded students by awarding four $1,000 college scholarships. The tournament is the culmination of what began with 200,000 students across the nation competing in local tournaments, and has been narrowed to a group of 2,500 who will compete in a series of scientific challenges that require a unique level of focus, precision and skill.

As part of the incredible edible egg's partnership with Science Olympiad, two of the 46 events will be "egg-centric." In the "Scrambler" competition, students are challenged to design and build mechanical devices to transport eggs, while at the "Egg-O-Naut" event, students design and launch rockets that deploy parachutes to carry a raw egg without breaking. Each member of the gold medal winning teams will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards college.

"I co-founded Science Olympiad to bring science to life for students through hands-on, minds-on learning challenges," said Dr. Gerard Putz, co-founder and president of Science Olympiad. "We are excited for this first-time partnership with the incredible edible egg. It's a natural and important educational component of this year's competition - encouraging kids to learn more about science while emphasizing the importance of eating a balanced breakfast, including eggs, for sustaining mental and physical energy."

Fuel Energy for Mind and Body

Coaches and parents of Science Olympians know that it's important for students to have a healthy, balanced breakfast. In fact, research shows that there are cognitive benefits to eating breakfast, such as improved memory recall time, improved grades and higher test scores.(1,2)

"Serving kids eggs for breakfast is important because the high-quality protein in eggs provides the energy for the body and mind they need to stay alert and active throughout busy days," said Keith Ayoob, EdD, RD, FADA, pediatric nutritionist and associate professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. "For 70 calories and an average cost of 14 cents apiece, eggs are one of the most affordable breakfast options and can be combined with almost anything already in the fridge or pantry."

Help encourage your kids to eat incredible and be incredible on competition day, and every day, with these tips from Ayoob:

-- Pack a hard-cooked egg as a snack for kids so they can avoid the
afternoon slump. Pack it in an insulated bag with a cold pack for
freshness.
-- Get your kids involved in planning and preparing meals to help instill
good eating habits. Kids love to eat what they help prepare!
-- Have a one-pan meal like a frittata or strata for dinner once a week.
It's easy, affordable and kids love it.



You can also try your hand at these nutritious breakfast recipes that offer an easy solution to a hectic morning, take less than 10 minutes to prepare and cost less than $2.00 a serving(3):

-- Cereal Bowl Egg & Cheese Breakfast Burrito ($0.50/serving)
-- Easy Egg Breakfast Quesadillas ($1.91/serving)

-- Mini Breakfast Pizzas ($0.59/serving)



Visit www.eatincredible.com for quick and easy egg breakfast recipes, official Science Olympiad experiments to try at home and to share videos of incredible science experiments.

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Hospice Care Remains a Misunderstood and Underutilized Benefit, According to In-House Hospice

RJ Note: We've talked before about how beneficial Hospice can be to both patients and their families. Fayette County is blessed to have several options available as our citizens look and consider this type of care for our loved ones. Be sure to talk to one of our favorite groups, Hospice Advantage of Fayetteville. They've helped us before- even out of state referrals to other groups.

/PRNewswire/ -- As unemployment continues to rise in the United States, Americans are battling to hold onto their health coverage. Many are worried about what would happen if they were struck with a serious medical condition - who would care for them? How would they pay for the care? But the widely known benefit of hospice care is often underutilized due to various misconceptions. This benefit is available to all eligible Americans - whether they are employed or not.

Although hospice care has slowly increased over the years with more than 1.2 million Americans enrolled, many Americans are still uninformed of its full services. Because hospice is often misunderstood by patients, family members and some health care providers, many patients who can benefit from hospice care are never enrolled. Of those patients who are enrolled, care is often given far too late. In fact, over 30 percent enter hospice within one week of death - much too short a time for the patient to benefit from the full range of services provided by hospice.

"We have to spread the message to more physicians, hospitals, patients and their family members to utilize hospice programs more appropriately," stated Laura A. Wagner, President and CEO of In-House Hospice. "Hospice services are covered through Medicare and most Medicaid programs. Even certain private insurances programs allow for hospice benefits. There is rarely out-of-pocket expense to the patient."

Wagner explains that Medicare patients are entitled to receive hospice care up to 180 days. Occasionally, with the improved quality of life, many patients live beyond the six month prognosis at which point their case can be reviewed and possibly approved for another 180 days of hospice programs.

"People pay into unemployment benefits in case they lose their job," explained Wagner. "What people don't realize is that they have also been paying for a hospice benefit. And now, with people out of work, losing their life savings, their homes, they should be using their hospice benefit to help themselves or their loved ones during this most important time. The hospice benefit helps the patient, the family and caregivers."

Those who are aware of hospice care often associate it strictly with cancer patients. But illnesses that qualify for hospice benefits also include: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Parkinson's, adult failure to thrive and HIV.

Hospice services are not intended to speed up or prolong the dying process, but focuses instead on relief of pain and other symptoms while increasing quality of life. Hospice provides a holistic approach to care and often involves a team of nurses, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, home health aides and physicians with expertise in pain and symptom management. The team can also provide support to family members, significant others and children; for example, bereavement support is available for 13 months following the death of a loved one.

A trained healthcare professional is usually scheduled to visit on a daily or weekly basis as needed and is always on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The services often provided by a hospice program will include:

-- Personal care for the patient, in a manner that respects the
individual's dignity. The hospice provider may teach family or
caregivers how to provide proper care

-- Palliative care, including pain management through medications

-- Administering other medications, as prescribed by the physician

-- Spiritual support from the chaplain and spiritual volunteers

-- Companionship, such as reading a book aloud, playing cards, talking
together or simply sitting with the person

-- Emotional support for the patient and family members

-- Visits from volunteers, to provide companionship for the patient and to
offer respite for the caregivers


While it can be hard for a physician to determine an individual's life expectancy, it is part of the application process. Eligibility for hospice is based on two conditions -- that a terminal illness exists and that a physician has indicated the life expectancy as six months or less.

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Fun at the Fred says it all!

I know times are bad, we're all holding onto our money a little (or a lot) tighter, and we're hearing nothing but bleak news on the tube these days. However, while this isn't exactly world-changing, recent news on the local entertainment front is a ray of sunshine that hopefully will bring some smiles to a few faces!

I was very pleased to hear late last year that Nancy Price is now managing The Fred (the Frederick Brown Jr Amphitheater). When Nancy grabs hold of a project, it's always fun and a cut above what's normally expected. She brings a wealth of knowledge, imagination and enthusiasm to the Peachtree City entertainment scene. Add Randy Gaddo, Leisure Services Director, and the great support staff to the mix and it's the real "dream team".

Shortly after Nancy took over we got word that The Fred was getting this rocking new quality sound system! They moved back to a two-night format which means even more of us will be able to attend the concerts.

Now we have a great concert line-up coming to our end of the world.

I'll have to admit, Kenny Loggins has been one of my all-time favorites from the days when he first started with Loggins and Messina. I must have every one of his songs "favorited" on my personal YouTube page!

I think many are going to love seeing Leann Rimes on the line-up, too. Her voice is phenomenal and I've heard she puts on a great concert.

The next three in the concert line-up are going to have us traveling back in time a bit. The Beach Boys concert, featuring Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, is going to be fun, fun, fun.

The Spinners are timeless. Their smooth crooning classics appeal to all ages.

Now this one may sound a bit strange, but it's one that I do not want to miss! Hippiefest.

You may roll your eyes at the title, but if you look back on the 60's and 70's as a time of great music, you're gonna love this line-up. Some of the greats from Badfinger, Brewer and Shipley, Three Dog Night, the Turtles and the Rascals are going to take us back to those crazy days.

I bet you're going to see a lot of fringed jackets, headbands, peace signs and bell bottoms at Hippifest. I hope so, cause I'm pulling out my macrame necklace and plan to have a flower painted on my face! (maybe ;-)

Last but not least, is Peter Cetera of Chicago fame. I heard him recently and he still has a great voice!

One of the things I like about this concert line-up is that, even though some of the artists aren't ones I might follow regularly, they're ones I'll enjoy hearing. They have cross-over appeal for most. I think Nancy and those at the Fred have done put together a great first series. I'm glad Nancy is managing the Fred and I'm looking forward to many fun concerts and events.

(Note to Nancy if you ever read this: Peter Noone in Fayetteville was great, Kenny Loggins in Peachtree City is fantastic... if you ever get Boz Scaggs, it'll be the perfect trio of my long-time favorites )

-jmd

Iraqi Forces Discover Priceless Smuggled Treasure

At the Fayette Front Page and Georgia Front Page we receive a lot of really good stories that we'd love to include but just can't find the right place. The following story is one that I thought was really interesting but it doesn't quite "fit" anywhere on the main sites. I wish we could include every good story that comes our way, especially those about our military. Despite all the lip service about loving our troops, the press sure doesn't like to include any stories that paint them in a good light... It drives me nuts to hear the words coming out of SOME people's mouths about supporting out troops. Words have absolutely no meaning unless they're backed up by action. OK, before I get too far afield and really start going down the trash-the-media-path, I'll just post the story and let you read.

Iraqi Security Forces recently uncovered hundreds of historical artifacts during two raids in northern Basra.

The 228 ancient artifacts included Sumerian and Babylonian sculpture, gold jewelry and other items from ancient Mesopotamia.

"This is my favorite item," said Iraqi Col. Ali Sabah, commander of the Basra Emergency Battalion that led the operation, holding a piece of gold jewelry. "It's gold from the Babylon ages and about 6,000 years old. It doesn't have a price."

"I'm very happy because this is my civilization's heritage," he said.

The Basra Emergency Battalion led raid operated from tips that smugglers intended to remove the treasure from the country.

"We got information that there were important Iraqi monuments that were going to be smuggled outside of Iraq," Sabah said.

After verifying a tip, the operation kicked off with a house raid that recovered 160 pieces of Iraqi monuments that were found in the yard. "We arrested five of the guys and they admitted to the crime," he said.

These arrests led to a second raid on in al-Ayaqub in northern Basra.

The monuments were found in a box in a corner of the yard covered with blocks. "We knew what we were looking for because we had pictures," Sabah said

"We will send it back to Baghdad via the Ministry of Defense to action moving it to the Iraqi Museum," he said.

Sabah said he hopes Iraqi authorities will get more information of this kind. "The soldiers are very, very proud to conduct this operation," he said. "I can't describe how happy we were when the soldiers found it.

"Each of the soldiers will be very proud when they visit the museum with their families and their wives and they can say 'I brought it back'."

(Special to American Forces Press Service - Multi-National Division South East PAO)
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ShopFaithfully.com Launches Virtual Shopping Mall That Helps Churches and Christian Charities Raise Contributions

RJ Note: Now this story has the potential to give Fayette County and all believers new meaning as we "shop til we drop." Or at least until our fingers get all tuckered out!

/PRNewswire/ -- ShopFaithfully.com announced today that it has released the latest on-line "virtual mall" for people who want to support their Church or favorite Christian Charity. During these tough economic times, this site is the answer to a challenge that Churches and Christian Charities continue to experience as direct donations significantly decrease, while individuals see their savings and investment portfolios severely affected by the troubled financial markets. ShopFaithfully.com provides a solution for Christian shoppers to give contributions in addition to their normal tithing.

Working with leading on-line retailers like Wal-Mart, Buy.com, Family Christian Stores, ToysRus.com, Office Depot, Overstock.com, and iTunes, ShopFaithfully.com has created an environment of giving through shopper's everyday on-line purchases. ShopFaithfully.com gives back a percentage of every qualified purchase directly to the shopper's chosen Church or Christian Charity. Shoppers do not have to make a direct donation and pricing is the same or better than if they went directly to the retailers. This provides the shoppers a one-stop shop opportunity that can save consumers time and money in a very charitable way.

Shoppers can allocate their donations to one of the Christian Charitable Partners, or they can submit their own Church or Christian Charity to be added. The site's most popular feature is the capability to submit a Church or Christian Charity for approval. The submittal can be made by the Church, the Christian Charity, or the shopper. Once approved, shoppers can then select that Charitable organization as their charity of choice. Up to 20% of every qualified purchase they make will be donated directly to their chosen charity. This provides an additional revenue stream that supplements their organization's tithes, offerings, donations, and fundraising programs.

Since shoppers are using the web more than ever to do their everyday shopping and to look for gift ideas, ShopFaithfully.com has partnered with hundreds of leading on-line retailers offering over 10 million products to choose from. In an anticipation of strong support by the Christian Community, ShopFaithfully.com has increased the site's capacity and has prepared a migration path that will support future growth. With an estimated 50 million on-line Christian Shoppers and $240 billion spent through on-line shopping annually, ShopFaithfully.com hopes to reach $8 million annually in donations to Churches and Christian Charities within the next 3-5 years.

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The Procrastinator's Free Shipping Day

Don't you love the retail mind? "They" spend so much time and money trying to figure out how we think and how we shop! Do you know there are people who specialize in setting up store aisles just to entice you to buy? They study how you look around as you walk the aisles, what grabs your attention, when you're most likely to grab that spontaneous item that wasn't on your list and more.

They've figured out which music will have you buy more... which is something many of our fast food restaurants and smaller retail stores should study! I'm going off on a side tangent here, but it one of my pet peeves to walk into a store that caters to me with its merchandise, but caters to those working the store with the choice of music. Sure, they have to be there all day, but I'm the one buying the stuff that pays their salary. Many restaurants and stores have forgotten their customers... but as said, I'm off on a tangent.

The "retail brains" have come up with something that is right up my alley. It's perfect for procrastinators like yours truly. I am famous for doing all, and I mean all, of my Christmas shopping Christmas Eve (and after if I know I'm not going to see someone on "the" day). I am not as bad as one lady I talked with who did her shopping at the local drug store Christmas Eve because she missed the regular store closings... but I'm bad.

A large group of stores have banded together to offer FREE shipping on December 18th. That's about as close as you can cut it before Christmas if you're expecting to get those gifts wrapped in time to go under the Christmas tree.

I'll tell you from personal experience though, that even with free shipping and guaranteed delivery dates, things can fall through the cracks. Last year I ordered a group of items from Amazon. I received confirmation on the order, then a few days later a shipping notice on some of the items. I waited a day, then called to verify that the other things were going to make it. They looked it up and assured me they had been shipped with the other items, just later in the afternoon. They said it must have been an email glitch. I went out to try and track them a day or so later, couldn't be found. Long story, but after four or five calls, Christmas Day rolled around and I still didn't have part of the presents.

I called. I wrote. I got so fed up I swore I'd never shop Amazon again (and I won't). They were rude on my second call and it got progressively worse, even though I was very nice and patient until a few days before Christmas. If they'd told me the truth or taken the time to really investigate when I called I could have picked up the items in the store. I had two very disappointed little girls on Christmas day.

So. Order early. Track well. Cancel fast. And whatever you do, don't wait until Christmas Eve to hit the drug stores for gifts .

December 18 is Free Shipping Day, a first-of-its-kind event designed for holiday shopping procrastinators

Holiday shopping procrastinators now have a day designed especially for them. The inaugural Free Shipping Day (www.freeshippingday.com) - which is set for December 18, 2008, and will be an annual event - is a reward for people who wait until the last minute to cross those final gifts off their list.

On Free Shipping Day participating merchants give free shipping to online shoppers with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve.

Retailers have embraced the idea, which was hatched by Luke Knowles, founder of FreeShipping.org (www.freeshipping.org), a one-stop destination for consumers to find online retailers that offer free shipping deals. Participating merchants include brands like Amazon.com, Bloomingdale’s, Brookstone, Circuit City, Coldwater Creek, Crate & Barrel, Endless.com, Nordstrom, Sur La Table, Target and Zappos.

Black Friday, which is the frenetic time when consumers descend upon stores the day after Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday, which commemorates the Monday after Thanksgiving when people return to their offices and surf the Internet for deals, are now a part of American pop culture. Knowles believes it is natural that Free Shipping Day will also become part of our nation’s holiday shopping vocabulary.

“Simply put, Free Shipping Day is the last chance for many people to buy gifts and get them delivered to the intended recipient in a nick of time,” Knowles explained. “We are a nation of procrastinators, so I think that Free Shipping Day will become a popular annual event.”

There is also a need among retailers for an event like Free Shipping Day, Knowles believes.
“Numbers show that online shopping dramatically slows after December 12th. Free Shipping Day will encourage people to continue buying items online later into the month of December,” Knowles said. “Free Shipping Day has the potential to increase pre- Christmas online sales by hundreds of millions of dollars over the next five years.”

Next year’s Free Shipping Day will be selected in January 2009, Knowles says. There is no cost for retailers or shoppers to participate.

“Every year, we will consult with participating retailers to determine the latest possible day in the Christmas shopping season that they can offer free shipping and guarantee delivery by December 24th,” Knowles said. “Free Shipping Day will typically fall somewhere between December 17th and 19th.”
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National Hospice Month, 2008

RJ Note: Kudos to these caretakers who help patients and their families as the last great challenge of life is faced.

During National Hospice Month, we honor the dedicated health care professionals and volunteers who help the terminally ill spend their final days in comfort and with dignity. Hospice care providers and other compassionate individuals are a constant reminder that the greatness of America lies in the hearts and souls of its citizens.

Americans believe that every person has matchless value throughout all of life's stages. Hospice physicians, nurses, counselors, and volunteers put this belief into action by using their talents and energy to care for those who are terminally ill and by providing support and comfort to their loved ones. As an alternative to traditional services, hospice care frequently provides assistance in the home so that patients can be surrounded by family and friends. Hospice counselors offer guidance to patients, as well as to those close to them, as they deal with grief, anxiety, and other end-of-life issues. Through these and countless other acts of compassion, our Nation's hospice caregivers lift up souls, offer peace of mind, and strengthen America's culture of life.

Throughout National Hospice Month, we recognize hospice care professionals and volunteers for their selfless efforts to provide physical, psychological, and spiritual assistance to terminally ill patients and their families.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National Hospice Month. I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities. I also ask Americans to recognize our health care professionals and volunteers for their contributions to helping provide comfort and care to those facing terminal illness.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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25 Elite Local Drivers Added to UPS ''Circle of Honor''

(BUSINESS WIRE)--UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced 25 elite drivers from Georgia are among 692 nationwide newly inducted into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.

Georgia boasts 191 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 5,489 years of accident-free driving. Robert Millican, Jr. of Flintstone and Carleton Byrd, Jr. of Savannah are Georgia’s senior safe drivers, with 39 years each of accident-free driving.

Nationwide, 4,582 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they’ve racked up 129,632 years and more than 5 billion safe miles during their careers, or the equivalent of 10,000 trips to the moon and back.

“UPS puts a premium on safe driving methods and training and these drivers reflect that commitment,” said Rocco Romanella, president, UPS Southeast Region. “I’m very proud of these drivers. To go at least a quarter of a century without an accident is a testament to how seriously our drivers, and trainers, take safety.”

Nationally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Ron Sowder of UPS’s Kentucky District, with 46 years of driving without an accident. Thomas Camp of the Michigan District is next in line with 45 years of safe driving. Eight others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.

UPS’s 112,450 drivers are among the safest on the roads, logging more than 2.5 billion miles a year and averaging less than one accident for every million miles driven. There are 2,640 total UPS drivers in Georgia.

UPS has invested approximately $53 million in 2008 on safety training and employs its own comprehensive driving course called “Space and Visibility.” New UPS tractor-trailer drivers receive 80 hours of classroom and on-the-road training, and UPS delivery truck drivers receive 20 hours of classroom and on-the-road defensive driving training before operating equipment. Delivery drivers also are required to complete three safety ride evaluations during their first 22 days on the job.

Founded in 1907, UPS has a rich history of safety and training. The company issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing safe drivers in 1923. In 1928, UPS recognized its first five-year safe driver, Ray McCue, with UPS founder Jim Casey presenting him a gold and platinum watch. UPS formally established the Circle of Honor in 1955.

More information on UPS’s commitment to safety is available at www.pressroom.ups/safety.

Following is a list of drivers in Georgia inducted this year into the Circle of Honor with 25 years of safe driving.

Work Center		Driver		Residence
Chattanooga		Jeffery Ervin		Ringgold, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Ken Bargie		Lithonia, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Cecil Brown		Doraville, GA
Forest Park		Julius Camp		McDonough, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Jeffery Crowley		Newnan, GA
Atlanta Hub		Gregory Delaney		Ellenwood, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		James Francis		Suwanee, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Robert Franks Jr		Stone Mountain, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Joseph Garner		Suwanee, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Bennie Gray		Lithonia, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Raynard Green		Stone Mountain, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Robert Kimbrell		Cumming, GA
Griffin		William McBride		Barnesville, GA
Pleasantdale Hub		Thomas Parker		Woodstock, GA
Forest Park		Randall Pettigrew		Conyers, GA
Atlanta Hub		Robert Reeves		Villa Rica, GA
Atlanta Hub		Larry Rich		Fairburn, GA
Atlanta Hub		Omar Waajid		Lithonia, GA
Atlanta Hub		James Walls		McDonough, GA
Atlanta Hub		Steve Wilson		Douglasville, GA
Unadilla		Lyndon Childs		Unadilla, GA
Columbus		Lester Ingle		Columbus, GA
Brunswick		William Johnson		Brunswick, GA
Swainsboro		Wayne Morris		Soperton, GA
Tifton		Forrest Wayne		Ocilla, GA

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Ending Unwanted Junk Mail

RJ Note: Sometimes, I need a dump truck to get all the junk mail in from the box. How much money could the Postal Service save if they didn't have to deliver all that landfill mass? Thought you'd be interested in learning how to get out from under some of the junk mail that flows into Fayette County.

(SPM Wire) It's something we all get nearly every day. Junk mail is a nuisance for many consumers who receive daily postcards, flyers, specially-marked envelopes and pre-approved credit card offers.

Not only does junk mail weigh down our garbage cans and harm the environment, it also presents an opportunity for ID thieves to steal personal information. However, as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) explains, there are several steps consumers can take to reduce the amount of unwanted mail and the possibility of identity theft.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw out more than four million tons of junk mail every year -- and what is one man's garbage is an ID thief's goldmine. A Javelin Strategy and Research survey theft estimates that 8.1 million Americans became victims of ID theft in 2007; with nearly half a million cases of ID theft occurring as the result of stolen mail.

"Many people view junk mail simply as a daily nuisance, but if credit card offers and catalogs are heading to the trash can in tact, that unwanted mail can become a much more sinister problem," said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. "Preventing ID theft perpetrated through the mail requires the two-step approach of reducing the amount of junk mail received, as well as shredding any sensitive materials, such as credit card offers."

BBB recommends consumers always shred important documents and take the following steps to reduce the amount of junk mail they receive:

* Pre-Approved Credit Card OffersPre-approved credit card offers are easy targets for identity thieves who can use these offers to open fraudulent credit accounts. Stopping these offers can help reduce the chances of identity theft.

To "opt-out" of receiving pre-approved credit card offers for at least five years, and perhaps permanently, consumers can call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) or visit: www.optoutprescreen.com. This service is offered by the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Consumers will be asked for personal information, including name, address, birth date and Social Security Number. This information is only used to process requests and remains confidential. This procedure will need to be followed for each adult family member.

* Direct Mail Offers: Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is a trade group with 5,200 member companies that use telephone, mail, and the Internet to pitch their products directly to consumers. To stop receiving mailings from DMA members, consumers can go to dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing. DMA regularly updates its list, but companies it notifies to remove names from their mailing lists may take as much as six months to stop solicitations.

* Catalogs: Consumers' mailboxes often can be overrun with catalogs - even if they've never shopped with the company before. This is likely because the consumer has, at some point, made a catalog or online purchase with a company that handed over contact information to Abacus, an alliance of catalogue and publishing companies. To stop individual catalogues, consumers can contact the specific company in question. To stop mass mailings, consumers can e-mail optout@abacus-us.com, or write to Abacus, Inc., P.O. Box 1478, Broomfield, Colorado 80038.

* 'Resident' and 'Occupant' Mailings: Consumers can remove their address from "resident" and "occupant" mailings that offer various goods and services, by contacting Valassis - formerly known as ADVO - by phoning 888-241-6760, or through an online form at: advo.com/consumersupport.html. Consumers also can send a written request to ADVO, Inc. Customer Assistance, P.O. Box 249, Windsor, Connecticut 06095.

* Solicitations Sent to Children: If a child under age 13 is being mailed advertisements or credit card offers, it could be a sign that identity theft has occurred. Parents should contact the three major credit reporting bureaus and inform them of the situation (Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; Experian: 1-888-397-3742; TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289)

For more on ID theft prevention, including tips Internet safety, visit www.bbb.org.

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Arrrggggghhhhhh To Ya Fayette County Matey!

Do you remember those romance novels which were chock full of swashbuckling pirates in their flowing white shirts and handsome, rogue looks? Do you remember how all the fair young maidens would swoon at the sight of these men? Do you remember all the pirates always won the fair maidens' hearts?

Well, far be from me to lose those memories. Just to keep all things pirate alive and well, I invite everyone to join in on September 19 for the International Talk Like A Pirate Day Celebration.

Tis true. Two young men with the pirate names of Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy have been promoting their cause since 1995. This year, they are off to Philadelphia to celebrate their self proclaimed day with a real pirate exhibit of National Geographic.

Tis incredible. There are all sorts of grassroots plans for the weekend. If you want to learn more, just go to their website.

Kudos for one of the participants of the weekend by offering her profits on pirate pins to support breast cancer awareness and early mammograms.

If you happen to be headed into Savannah for the day, be sure to stop in the Pirate House. They are even offering discounts to patrons who speak like a pirate on the 19th.

Arrrrr, matey!

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A Good Rummage Sale Brings in Extra Cash

RJ Note: With all the news today of the investment bank failures and buyouts, you may be feeling a little uncertain about the future. Hold on, it's going to be a bumpy ride for some time. In the meantime, here's something you can do which will benefit both your household and help another one too.

(ARA) - As the dog days of summer pass and cooler weather begins to settle in, you may begin to notice a lot of unwanted items around your house. Perhaps that vase you bought for a summer party is collecting dust in your pantry, or gardening tools you once used to landscape are blocking space you will soon need for winter boots.

Before you toss them, remember that those unwanted items could bring in some extra cash for new fall and winter supplies. Turn what you accumulated over the summer months into a quick profit by holding a rummage sale. They are growing in popularity for both sellers and buyers as the slow economy is causing many families to rethink their expenses.

“The Healthy Housekeeper” and cleaning author, Laura Dellutri, has some excellent rummage sale tips to successfully turn your junk into another person’s treasure.

* Pick a time for your sale.
Remember, if you advertise your sale to open at 7 a.m., the professional rummage sale people will be parked and waiting by 6:45 a.m. Before work, during the lunch hour and after work on weekdays are also good times to catch more prospective buyers.

* Enlist the aid of your friends and neighbors.
Multi-family rummage sales work the best, because they allow you to have helpers monitoring the sale, the cash table and provide extra workers for breaks. Schedule duties in advance to give everyone involved the chance to plan their lives around the sale.

* Make sure your unwanted items are presented shiny and clean.
For plastic, metal, glass and other hard surfaced items you plan to sell, use Mr. Clean Disinfecting Wipes with the fresh scent of Febreze to kill 99 percent of bacteria. If the plastic toys, alloy wheels and shoes are covered in grime or scum, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with Febreze can give them a new look and refreshing scent, enticing shoppers to pick them up.

* Show your customers what a deal they’re getting.
Attach a current retail price for your items next to your price. It takes a little research, but it can quickly convince a shopper to buy your items as they calculate the money they’re saving by not purchasing new.

Start collecting the unused items in your house today and prepare them to bring in extra money for your pocket.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Interesting Info on Adoptions

Some of this information is kind of interesting... it's old in the scheme of things, not sure why it came out now and why there isn't any more current data, but here it is:

New Report Provides Demographic Profile of Adoptive Parents

Men aged 18-44 years are more than twice as likely as women of the same age group to have adopted a child, according to a new report released today by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). As of 2002, more than 1.2 million men and 613,000 women had adopted children.

The data come from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. The report offers a demographic profile of those who adopt - the percentage of men and women who have ever adopted a child and the number of children they adopted. Though the report does not offer conclusive data as to why more men adopt than women, it may be due in part to men getting married and adopting their spouse's child or children from a previous relationship.

Some of the findings in the report include:

* Among ever-married persons, men were more than 2.5 times as likely as women to have adopted - 3.8 percent compared with 1.4 percent. Overall, 2.3 percent of all men had ever adopted a child.

* Over one in four women aged 40-44 who had ever used infertility services had adopted a child.

* Though never-married adults aged 18-44 years were significantly less likely to have adopted a child compared with those who were currently married, approximately 100,000 never-married women and 73,000 never-married men had adopted a child.

* Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women were more likely to be currently seeking to adopt a child, compared with non-Hispanic white women.

"Adoption Experiences of Women and Men, and Demand for Children to Adopt by Women Ages 18-44 in the United States: Data from Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth" is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs.
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Cool Keyboard

I was in Staples the other day looking for a few things and came across the coolest computer keyboard. I HAVE to get one, although I managed to talk myself out of it that day somehow. They roll up. They're made of flexible silicon and get this, they're under $10 (just barely, but still, it's a GREAT price). They had some bright colors and black.

At $10 a pop it doesn't matter much if they only last a year, or six months, before the pressure on the keypad causes them to stop working! By then the novelty will have worn off anyway and we'll be on to another gimmicky gadget...

I imagine you can find these things elsewhere, definitely on-line somewhere I'm sure. I may get one just for the fun of it, or to keep as a backup in case my regular "hard" keyboard goes bad. I'm surprised I've managed to keep the ones I have going this long as I'm terrible when it comes to taking care of them. I eat at the computer, spill drinks on them and never clean them other than to occasionally shake the heck out of them upside-down to get the crumbs out.

My next purchase of a real keyboard, not the flex kind, will be a more ergonomic version that might help keep my borderline carpel tunnel at bay for a bit longer. Right now I'm wearing two magnetic bracelets and surprisingly, they actually work. I was shocked on that one. I'll have to share more about the bracelets later, gotta run and actually do some real work now!

- jmd
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Giant Drums of the Tropical Islands of Vanuatu Walk in the Night.

RJ Note: The events on this small island in the South Pacific have a knack for generating news articles that catch my eyes. The first article was on pigs and the woman in politics on the island, and now disappearing drums. This is an interesting read. Kind of makes me want to leave our own paradise in Fayette County and head over to this tropical island for a visit.

In the records of the police station in the tropical islands of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, you will find an interesting story of giant drums that walked out into the darkness of the night, never to be seen again.

Vanuatu is home to a collection of sacred art which has been traditionally kept secret from the outside world. "Art that could easily be mistaken for any piece of modern artwork," stated David Baker, curator of the Annandale Gallery, Sydney, Australia, which recently hosted a Vanuatu exhibition. Ancient artifacts that set the art world agog.

Towering over the heads of the guests was a four foot Tam Tam, or wooden carved drum, one of the largest free standing musical instruments in the world. The face of the drum stylized to symbolize an ancestor. The eyes representing the morning star, of a society which has kept its traditional secrets well away from the eyes of a curious world. The slit up the middle of the drum allowing the ancestor to speak, when the lip of the drum is beaten with a small wooden club.

These unique ancient drums played a significant role in the customs and traditions, during sacred ceremonies, such as funerals, traditional dances, and initiations. Carefully coordinated actions by a group of drummers, beating the lip of the gongs with a small wooden club, would be part of an informal village orchestra. They would perform rhythmical ensembles of huge diversity and complexity.

The gongs were also a method of communicating with neighboring villages. Intricate messages could be sent over long distances, using a unique gong language. They could even contact neighboring islands, if the atmospherics were favorable. However, the art of the intricate language of the gong is almost lost among the younger generation. Tourists frequently carry home the smaller carved versions of the larger musical instrument, unaware of their deep cultural significance.

While Tam Tams with one and two faces are a common site in the tropical islands of Vanuatu, only one particular group of islanders, in the province of Malampa, on the remote island of Ambrym, have the intellectual property- rights to carve them. For the opening of Le Meridien, an international resort in Port Vila, on the main island of Vanuatu, it was decided that two five headed Tam Tams would be purchased to adorn the imposing entrance to the resort. A lot of money was paid and the day arrived when the massive drums were proudly put in place.

The two wooden drums that towered high overhead were instantly admired by the people. Then disaster struck. The money had been handed over to a person who had no traditional right to carve the instruments. All hell broke loose. The family who had the sole right of carving these ancient artifacts were extremely upset.

Days passing by and it looked as if it had all been a storm in a teacup. That is until one misty night. The Tams Tams mysteriously disappeared, in spite of patrolling security guards. Urgent queries went out to find out who had removed the Tam Tams and where they were located. Many people were interviewed. The police were even called but, all to no avail. No matter who was asked, there was only one answer given. "With the aid of the spirits of the night, the Tams Tams had walked away."

The disappearing Tams Tams have never been seen from that day to this. The managers of Le Meridien had to buy a new Tam Tam, but from the rightful traditional carvers this time.
Could anyone reading this story, please report if they come across any giant wooden Tam Tams walking the streets on misty nights. Please contact Paramount Chief of 'Tam Tam Five Heads Anyonymous'. Maybe the drums will be singing the 1970's song, "These feet are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do, one of these days these feet are gonna walk all over you."

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News to Use in Fayette, Coweta, Peachtree City, Atlanta and all of Georgia

TV Tossing- A New View

RJ Note: This is a dilemma. What does one do with those big TVs? The sets today are so large and cumbersome that it takes more than one person to move them around, that is, if they can be moved without ripping out the walls of your home. Of course, this topic can send me off on a whole new direction. How does one ever rearrange the furniture?

Lately, I noticed a repair shop in Fayetteville had an overabundance of super dee duper large TVs collecting dust. According to the owner, they can be most difficult to repair or too costly. The solution for some people? Leave them at his shop for eternity.

Glad to see someone is thinking of a way to dispose of these high tech monsters. Wonder what this company does with them?

LCD TV Installation, Plasma TV Installation and Recycling by HD Installers

BUSINESS WIRE --HD Installers, the recent winner of the 2008 LCD TV Installation Company of the Year Award and the leader in big screen TV installation, is launching a television recycling service. The television recycling service is an industry first by a nationwide provider of LCD TV Installation, Plasma TV Installation and Home Theater Installation.

The television recycling service provides both consumers and businesses with demounting and disposal of LCD TV, Plasma TV, LCoS, rear-projection, and DLP big screen televisions. Layla Alford, director of PR, says, “We have had several customers that had purchased a first or second generation big screen TV that they now would like to remove and either donate to local charity, if working, or ecologically dispose of televisions that are not salvageable. We found that most customers did not have the means to dispose of their old rear projection, LCD or Plasma TVs and know what to do with the old screen after we installed their new LCD or Plasma television. Due to customer demand we have launched the HD Installers TV Recycling Service.”

“HD Installers isn’t marking up this service to be a huge money maker but the impact of improperly disposed LCD or Plasma TVs on the environment will have a far greater cost for all of us in the long run if we don’t start addressing this need now. HD Installers is committed to continuing to provide our award winning LCD TV Installation, Plasma TV Installation services while making sure the impact on environment of replacing old technology has the least impact on the environment as possible,” said Alford.

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Burning Up the Fat in Front of My TV

Ok, I'll admit it. I really didn't think too much about those video games until we got one in our home. The one we have is an interactive one which can make you sweat. Who knew that doing all that jogging in place, rotating the hips as your avatar swirls the hula hoop, or all the ski jumping I've been doing in front of the TV would work? Yep, I'm just a sweating, um, glistening, up a storm playing my video games!

Here's a story from Consumer Affairs that also provides more information on this.

Kids Burn More Calories Playing Active Video Games

A study published in the September issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine finds that kids who play an active video game burn more than four times as many calories per minute than....

Read the story.

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Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Invites Man Stripped of 'World’s Tallest' Crown to Reclaim His Throne at the New Ripley’s London Attraction on Sept. 3

RJ Note: How odd! They "stripped" him of his title but are willing to give it back IF he shows up on opening day? Guess they no longer believe medical practitioners. Guess they now have to see it themselves. Hmmm. What a concept.

Here's the story.

BUSINESS WIRE --With the recent news that Guinness World Records has stripped the "world’s tallest man" of his title, London's Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is offering Ukrainian Leonid Stadnyk the chance to reclaim his crown.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, which recently opened in London's Piccadilly Circus, is offering to pay for Stadnyk to come to a gala event on September 3, where Guinness officials will be waiting with a tape measure to see if he can reclaim his crown.

Guinness World Records previously crowned 8 feet 5.5 inch Stadnyk the world's "Tallest Living Man" based on a statement provided by his medical practitioner. New guidelines, however, stipulate all contenders to the Tallest Living Man title must be measured in person by an official Guinness World Records adjudicator. Repeated requests to measure Stadnyk went unanswered, and as a result, Guinness World Records returned the title to China's 7 feet 8.95 inches Bao Xi Shun.

On September 3, the quirky and world famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, the global authority on the weird, strange and bizarre, will celebrate the opening of its London attraction with a “red-hot-carpet gala” filled with celebrities and human Believe it or Nots!

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