Thursday, August 28, 2008

Atlanta Home Show Chooses Georgia Heartland Humane Society as Sponsored Charity

Come by to see Jack and Jill and the other GHHS animals before you go to see the Ultimate Airdogs. Stop by the Stage, also near the GHHS booth, to see celebrity guests from HGTV. Visit the Living Green Tour where you can test environmentally friendly products and learn how to conserve energy, live healthier and save money.

After seeing an article on the Georgia Heartland Humane Society, Ashlei Whitfield, a marketing representative for Marketplace Events, suggested that GHHS be their sponsored charity at the upcoming Home Show, held on October 17-19 at the Georgia International Convention Center near Hartsfield Airport.

As their charity partner, GHHS volunteers will be selling tickets, provided by Marketplace Events, for the Gas for a Decade raffle. Net proceeds will be going to GHHS.

GHHS will also receive the proceeds from another fun event, a silent auction for birdhouses painted by famous Georgians and Atlantans.

In addition Marketplace Events has provided GHHS an exhibit booth, evaluated at $5000, to communicate our mission to the public. Our booth is in a prime location near the main stage and the Ultimate Air Dogs presentation. GHHS will be bringing some of their current foster animals, such as Jack and Jill, two kittens who have Manx syndrome, a disorder which causes incontinence. In spite of their diapers and onesies to hold the diapers on, Jack and Jill are otherwise normal kittens who love to play and cuddle.

The Ultimate Airdog competition will be near the GHHS booth. Ultimate Air Dogs is one of the premier dock jumping organizations in the country. The President, Milt Wilcox, who pitched for the Detroit Tigers in the 1984 World Series, hosts professional events that draw in thousands of spectators, while maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. The public can register their dogs for the competition at The Home Show. For more information about Ultimate Air Dogs, go to http://www.ultimateairdogs.net/.

Come support Georgia Heartland Humane Society, an all volunteer, non-profit agency which rescues abandoned, abused and unwanted animals in Coweta and Fayette counties. (www.gaheartland.com) GHHS is looking for volunteers to help cover this 3 day event. If you are interested, please call Annette at 770 253-5083.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

'My Big Redneck' Producers to Look for Future Program Participants at Powers' Crossroads Labor Day Weekend Festival in Newnan, Ga.

PRNewswire/ -- Talent scouts for the "My Big Redneck" television series that airs on Country Music Television will be searching for future show participants for three upcoming programs this weekend at the Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival in Newnan, Ga.

Held every year on the 100 acres of historic Powers Plantation in Newnan, Ga., near Franklin, Ga., the Powers' Crossroads Festival will open for its 38th consecutive year at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and will wrap up at 5 p.m. Labor Day afternoon, Sept. 1.

"The producers, Pink Sneakers Productions of Apopka, Fla., told me they plan to have talent scouts on the Festival grounds on Sunday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 1," said Carol Chancey, the festival's executive director.

According to Ms. Chancey the producers are looking for participants for three programs, "Redneck Bash," "My Big Redneck Wedding" and "My Big Redneck Christmas."

"It's a little out of the ordinary for us, but we think it's a great opportunity to give Festival attendees 'a little extra Labor Day weekend fun' during their festival visit," Ms. Chancey said.

"Redneck Bash" documents the wild and crazy preparations and celebrations associated with a variety of events from divorce and retirement parties to baby showers and backyard bar-b-cues.

"Redneck Wedding" covers the down-to-earth fun of a redneck nuptial from denim wedding dresses and camouflage tuxedos to shotgun salutes and arriving at the reception in an all terrain vehicle.

"Redneck Christmas" focuses on heart-warming families with wacky traditions and decorations that might include shotgun shell ornaments, monster truck tree toppers or rockin' reindeer games.

Scheduled festival activities include the traditional Rising Star competition on Saturday morning, a contemporary Christian music concert sponsored by radio station J93.3, WVFJ-FM, Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, and an encore performance by the Rising Star competition winners and the Miss Coweta County Pageant, a preliminary event for the Miss West Georgia competition in January 2009, on Monday afternoon.

Visitors to this year's festival will also find perennial favorites in shopping for unique arts and crafts. Each of the more than 175 artisans showcasing their work for sale is selected by judges during the course of the year.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and military personnel, $3 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. Parking is free and complimentary shuttle service is available from the parking areas.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

28th Annual Peachtree City Classic to Host “Shadow Run” in Iraq

Note: We love this race! One member of our staff ran the race for years before knee problems stopped her from running... then she volunteered. This is one of the best-run races ever! You wind along the paths in Peachtree City and at the end, you're rewarded with cheers, food, loads of prize give-aways and the much-coveted sweatshirt. Quality all the way. We're impress with the addition of the "shadow run". If you're not a runner, you can be a sponsor or a volunteer! - FFP

8/17/08 (9:16 p.m.) In the tradition of the Peachtree 10K that several years ago began to host a “shadow run” for American troops in the Middle East, the Peachtree City Classic will follow suit and host a 5K for American and Iraqi soldiers stationed at Al Kindi Army Base near Mosul as part of their annual Peachtree City Classic this year... More

GEMA Monitors Tropical Storm Fay

8/19/08 (8:44 p.m.) The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) along with other state agencies are supporting local officials in south Georgia as they prepare for the impact of Tropical Storm Fay. GEMA continues to closely monitor Fay... More

Best Value Government Task Force Discusses Effective Government Service

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg), Senate majority whip, today led the first meeting of the Senate Government Best Value Task Force for an in-depth discussion and review of the Pew Center’s Government Performance Project and Georgia’s report card.

“Lt. Gov. Casey established this task force to better serve Georgians through government efficiencies,” said Seabaugh. “By working collaboratively with the Governor’s office, we can provide Georgians with the best government at the lowest, most efficient cost.”

The Pew Center on the States released its 50-State Report Card evaluating each state government’s performance in serving the public. Georgia’s grade was a B+, ranking above the national average of a B-, eighth in the nation and the leader in the southeast. Georgia had the second lowest per capita expenditure at $3,732.

“The mission of this task force is to identify what needs to be accomplished and help us attain that goal,” Seabaugh added.

While Georgia improved its score over the past 10 years and scored high on customer service and managing for results, more improvements could be made. Task Force members focused discussions on how they could work with the executive branch to move Georgia state government even further toward a results-oriented, performance measured plans. To find improvements to better managing the government, the Task Force reviewed the Pew Center’s evaluations in the areas of money, infrastructure, information, people and customer service.

The Senate Best Value Government Task Force seeks to examine how the state through its departments and agencies can provide government service in the most efficient manner. It also seeks to develop strategies to ensure cost-effective expenditures of the public's tax dollar. Further, the Task Force seeks to determine whether services can be streamlined though either privatization or elimination of duplicated or mirrored activities.

The next meeting of the Georgia Senate Government Best Value Task Force is tentatively scheduled for September 16th. During the next meeting, Seabaugh plans to select areas for government improvement and attain agreement on the desired outcomes. In addition, he’d like to set a big-picture vision of how the state will work to gain greater flexibility in achieving the agreed upon, desired goals.

The Pew Center’s report card on the states can be found at http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/report_detail.aspx?id=36228.
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Parks & Mottola Agents Support Kool Kidz!

The sixth annual Kool Kidz Classic Polo Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 6, at Cedargate Farms in Newnan. The special event benefits Kool Kidz, a not-for-profit foundation devoted to serving metro-Atlanta children with special needs. The Foundation focuses on providing programs that join challenged children with children of all ability levels so that they may learn from one another.

Parks & Mottola agent Twyla Wilson is the Chair of the 2008 host committee. Lesley Barber and Jennifer Beegle, also agents at Parks & Mottola, serve on the host committee with Wilson and 17 other ladies, including honorary chair and event host, Ann Beegle.

Instrumental in planning and coordinating the event, the all-volunteer Host Committee is responsible for numerous tasks integral to the success of the Kool Kidz Classic. Duties include securing sponsors, organizing auctions and raffles, recruiting volunteers, and even set-up, clean-up, and take-down of the event. The Host Committee meets on a regular basis throughout the year.

“Each of the women who volunteer their time give 100 percent. They share a passion for helping children,” explains Wilson. “We wear lots of hats and do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

In 2006, Parks & Mottola was a corporate sponsor of the Kool Kidz Classic. That same year, the company’s marketing director, Robin Stewart, provided volunteer publicity and public relations services for the tournament. The company is pleased to maintain its connection to and support for the unique, charitable Newnan event.

In addition to an eight-goal polo match that includes local, national, and even international players, a variety of other activities are also scheduled. Children’s games, silent and live auctions, a raffle, dance performances, and live music are part of the festivities. Traditional favorites like complimentary champagne and divot stomping are planned as well. Complete information, including how to purchase tickets for the 2008 Kool Kidz Classic, can be found online at www.KoolKidzClassic.com.

It is the mission of Kool Kidz Foundation, Inc. to provide the metropolitan Atlanta area with exceptional programs and services where all children, especially those with physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs, can learn and play together in an inclusive and challenging environment. Visit www.KoolKidzFoundation.org to learn more.

Parks & Mottola Realty, LLC, is a Newnan-based real estate company serving Coweta, Fayette, Heard, South Fulton, Meriwether, Troup and other counties for more than 23 years. Founded in 1985, Parks & Mottola employs more than 40 licensed salespeople specializing in residential, land, commercial and investment properties. The company has a full-time marketing and relocation director and is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, a global network of 145,000 associates assisting individuals and corporations in the relocation process. Parks & Mottola also offers land-planning services through a Certified Land Planner and Registered Landscape Architect. For more information on services or available properties, visit our Web site at www.ParksAndMottola.com or call 770.253.7005.
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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Fall/Winter 2008 Kids’ Consignment Sale

Friday & Saturday, August 22-23, 8am - 4pm
Information/Online Consignor Registration:
www.ConsigningClosets.com
678-485-8708

SonRise Baptist Church:
6 Shenandoah Blvd.
Newnan
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Friday, August 15, 2008

Superintendent Cox to Visit Schools in Coweta and Fayette Counties

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox is heading to Coweta and Fayette Counties on Monday for "Back to School" visits.

"These visits give me the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the people on the front lines of education in Georgia," said Superintendent Cox. "I am always excited to get into schools and see the learning that is happening around the state, especially at the beginning of a new school year."

"What I learn on the road has a big impact on the work of the Georgia Department of Education and the State Board of Education," she said.

Traveling to Georgia's schools and visiting with local educators is part of the State School Superintendent's job description (O.C.G.A. 20-2-35), but Superintendent Cox has taken it to a new level. Since taking office in 2003, she has visited over 500 schools in every school system in the state.

Schedule for Monday, August 18, 2008

Coweta County
8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. (Elm Street Elementary)
9:20 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. (Evans Middle School)

Fayette County
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. (Sara Harp Minter Elementary School)
12:50 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. (Whitewater High School) - Superintendent Cox will teach an American Government class at 1:25 p.m.
2:50 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. (Whitewater Middle School)
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

"Design That Truck" Recycling Art Contest

Keep Newnan Beautiful teams up with CLM Sanitation for the ‘Design That Truck’ contest, open to all school age children in Coweta County, ages 5 to 18.

The winning overall design will be painted on CLM's recycle truck. This truck will be the one that services the city every week. Students do not need to be enrolled in the Coweta County School system; home schooled and private school students are welcome to enter. The goal of the contest is to find a design that shows how recycling helps the community and the earth.

The contest runs from August 11th to September 22nd; the winners will be announced October 6, 2008. Please submit entries to Cynthia Gill-Wall, Keep Newnan Beautiful, 25 LaGrange St, Newnan, Georgia 30263. All entries must be received by Keep Newnan Beautiful by close of business, September 22.

The best designs will be selected from three categories:

Children ages 5 to 12
Children ages 13 to 15
Children ages 16 to 18

The winner in each category will receive a $100 cash prize from CLM Sanitation.

"Children understand the importance of recycling and working together to improve everyone's world. This is their chance to show off their art and their understanding to everyone else. I am excited to see all the designs and know it will be a challenge when it comes down to picking one design that represents Newnan and recycling,” says Cynthia Gill-Wall, executive director of Keep Newnan Beautiful.

The winners will also be recognized by Mayor Keith Brady and City Council and the best design will be painted on to the CLM recycle truck.

All entries become the property of KNB and may be used in whole or in part in any fashion.
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Chamber Offers Customer Service Workshop

The Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce is hosting a morning-long workshop on improving customer service, August 21, from 8:00 am until noon at the Chamber office. The workshop will focus on customer service as a key element of consumer decision making and how companies can use customer service as a strategy for gaining a competitive advantage. The workshop is part of the Chamber’s Genius Series, which attracts nationally known speakers and offers trainings in key areas vital to the success of businesses in Coweta County.

The Customer Service Workshop features Mike McGraw, a Newnan-based entrepreneur and founder of Tneve, Inc., an international event-planning company. Mike is an award-winning consultant and author who uses his creativity to introduce and discuss four levels of customer service: simple service, practical service, professional service and exceptional service. He also will discus the benefits of providing a customer service “wow!” factor in today’s competitive market.

“This customer service workshop couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Candace LaForge, president of the Chamber. “For the past several months, we’ve been conducting a series of industry roundtable discussions, and customer service has been named by every group as essential to their overall success. Mike certainly has the know-how and the experience to help anyone take service to the next level.”

The fee for the Customer Service Workshop is $49 per person for Chamber members and $69 for non-members. To sign up or to learn more about the Genius Series, contact the Chamber at 770-253-2270 or email info@newnancowetachamber.org. The next Genius Series workshop is “Cash: Where Did It Go?”
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Your Chance to Keep Newnan Beautiful

Here’s your chance to help Keep Newnan Beautiful with a new car tag. It’s easy and it doesn’t matter if your birthday has already passed. One thousand orders are needed for the Department of Revenue to manufacture the new recycling tag.

The cost for the new tag is $25 with a $10 donation going to the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation – a double win! Your money will help a great environmental cause and your license plate will promote one of the easiest forms of everyday environmentalism: recycling!

"Keep Newnan Beautiful is thrilled that this tag is now available. Time spent in traffic can now be time spent advertising for recycling in Georgia," said Cynthia Gill-Wall, director of Keep Newnan Beautiful.

It’s easy:

1. Get an order form from www.KeepGeorgiaBeautiful.org.
2. Fill out the form and take it to your local county tag office. You can also pick up the form at your county tag office.
3. Tell your local county tag office you want the Recycle 4 Georgia tag that is listed under the “Beautification Projects in Georgia” or the “RG” tag category.

Please note the $25 application cost is in addition to the standard $20 registration fee. You will be refunded your application fee if 1,000 orders are not placed by December 31, 2008.
Keep Newnan Beautiful is dedicated to waste reduction, litter elimination and the beautification of the city of Newnan. If you'd like more information about Keep Newnan Beautiful, log onto www.ci.newnan.ga.us. You can also send an email to cgill-wall@cityofnewnan.org or call 678.855.5058.

Keep Georgia Beautiful is funded by a combination of public and private funds. Corporate funding, especially for special events, comes through KGB’s non-profit 501(c)(3) the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. Other funding comes from the Department of Community Affairs’ annual budget and funds granted by the Environmental Protection Division from the state’s Solid Waste Trust Fund.

Keep Georgia Beautiful implemented the first statewide rollout of Keep America Beautiful’s elementary and secondary curricula on litter prevention and solid waste management, Waste in Place (K-6) and Waste: A Hidden Resource (7-12), through teacher training workshops. With this program, Keep Georgia Beautiful is building an environmental stewardship ethic among tomorrow’s leaders. Further, this educational approach reaches more than the teachers and students by including parents and the community through continual outreach.

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For a cleaner, greener America visit www.kab.org
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"Sunrise on the Square" Road Race

Dust off those running shoes! Main Street Newnan’s ‘Sunrise on the Square’ Road Race is planned for Saturday, August 30th.

The One Mile Walk/Run begins at 8:45 a.m., and the 5K race start at 9:00 a.m. New for 2008 is the Tot Trot which will be open to runners ages 2-6. The Tot Trot will take place immediately following the 5K on North Court Square. Runners gather on the west court square for the start of the race. The race course continues to Newnan High School and through historic neighborhoods and then finishes in Newnan’s downtown square.

The entry fee is $20 for runners if received by August 25th and is $25 on the day of the race. One Mile and 5K runners will receive a 100% cotton long sleeved road race t-shirt. Tot Trot runners receive a child sized, short sleeved road race t-shirt and ribbon. Beverages and light refreshments will be available.

The road race is a fundraiser for the Main Street Newnan program, which hosts about 40 special events throughout the year in downtown Newnan. Along with Main Street Newnan, sponsors of the road race include Mike Fitzpatrick Ford, Bank of Coweta, Buffalo Rock, Coweta Fayette EMC Gas, Keep Newnan Beautiful Program and Nulink Cable and Internet.

There will be prizes given out to top finishers in the 5K for male and female categories based on age groups. The phantom runner, which allows people to support the cause, but do not want to run is still available for this year’s race. Phantom runners can donate the registration fee to the Main Street program and receive a t-shirt.

The road race is a part of Main Street’s Labor Day festivities. The Annual Labor Day Sidewalk Sale kicks off Friday at 9:00 a.m. and continues until Saturday with Market Day on the Square is held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Race registration is available online at active.com. Runners can also download an application at www.mainstreetnewnan.com.
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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Get Away to Great Past Times During Labor Day Weekend at Powers' Crossroads Festival in Newnan, Ga., Aug. 30 - Sept. 1

PRNewswire/ -- The Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival opens for its 38th consecutive year on Labor Day Weekend with new entertainment as it continues to celebrate its proud tradition as host to innovative art exhibitions in this West Georgia community.

"It's a great opportunity for festival visitors to dial back the hands of time and experience a real country fair set in the rolling woodlands of this west Georgia community," said Carol Chancy, the festival's executive director.

Held every year on the 100 acres of historic Powers Plantation in Newnan, Ga., near Franklin, Ga., the Powers' Crossroads Festival will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and will wrap up at 5 p.m. Labor Day afternoon, Sept. 1, after a 2 p.m. Miss Coweta County Pageant, a preliminary event for the Miss West Georgia competition in January 2009.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and military personnel, $3 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. Parking is free and complimentary shuttle service is available from the parking areas.

Visit www.newnan.com/powers for additional information and driving directions.

With a proud heritage as one of the best events in the Southeast, Powers brings back again this year its local Rising Star talent competition on the Festival's opening day.

Beginning at 10 a.m. 30 contestants will vie for the title of the 2008 Powers' Crossroads Rising Star. Contestants will compete in one of three age categories: 15-18 years old; 19-34; and, 35 plus.

This year's three celebrity judges for the rising star competition are "Mid-Days" radio personality J. D. from Midwest Georgia's music station, Magic 98.1, WMGP-FM in Newnan; Jessica Scott, Miss West Georgia 2008; and Linda Walker, owner of the talent agency Speer Entertainment and Really Big Productions, Inc., an entertainment production company.

They will select a winner from each age group, and from that group of three, the judges -- with some audience participation -- will select the 2008 Powers' Crossroads Rising Star.

Each age group winner will receive cash prizes and will perform an Encore Show Monday, Sept. 1 prior to the Miss Coweta County competition.

Visitors to this year's festival can also find perennial favorites in shopping for unique arts and crafts. Each of the more than 200 artisans showcasing their work for sale is selected by judges during the course of the year.

Judges for this year's art competition are Amanda Dumas-Hernandez, a Newnan native who is currently an instructor at the Savannah College of Art & Design's Atlanta campus, and Claudia McDavid, the Art Partners Program Officer for the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

This year, visitors may also see a limited viewing of art purchased by the Festival between 1971-2007.

Each year the Festival art judges select several pieces to purchase as exemplary of that particular year's offerings at the Festival. Known as the Purchase Awards, there are currently more than 100 works of art in this collection.

The Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival is organized and produced by five local non-profit organizations as their annual major fundraiser with net proceeds divided among the organizations. They are: Newnan Coweta Chamber of Commerce, Newnan Coweta Arts Association, Coweta 4H, Newnan Coweta Jaycees and The Pilot Club of Newnan

Presenting sponsors include Buffalo Rock Beverages and Food Services, Newnan, Ga., West Georgia Technical College, LaGrange, Ga., Toyota of Newnan.

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