Georgia Forestry Agencies Create Virtual Community to Educate and Engage Citizens to Protect Urban Forests
In an effort to educate, engage and encourage Georgians to plant trees and protect Georgia's urban tree canopy, the Georgia Urban Forest Council (GUFC) and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) have joined forces to create a new Website and online community called The Grove.

The Grove allows families and friends to share the experience of planting trees and commemorating special life moments. The Grove members can share their memories by uploading pictures and stories of their tree planting experiences for others to see and discuss. The Grove members can also create groups, or "groves," to connect, share and interact with other members within the virtual community.

Petition to Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce to Make City Of Atlanta 100 percent Smoke Free

In Georgia, the average annual smoking-attributable economic cost is $5.2 billion dollars a year. That's $3.4 billion per year in lost worker productivity and $1.8 billion per year in health care expenses. We cannot continue to allow secondhand smoke to burden our city.

Leadership DeKalb

Application Deadline is March 18, 2009

You may download the application from their website.

Georgia Democratic Delegation Selects Judicial Advisory Panel

Georgia's Democratic Congressional delegation has selected an informal panel to advise the delegation regarding Presidential appointments to selected judgeships on the district courts, U.S. Attorneys, and U.S. Marshals in Georgia. President Obama has asked the delegation to make recommendations for these positions, and the delegation will consider the advice of the panel when making its recommendations to the President.

At present, applications are being taken for the following openings:
Three for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
One for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
The U.S. Attorney for all three districts
The U.S. Marshal for all three districts

Expressions of interest should be accompanied by a resume. Applicants should be prepared to respond to requests for additional information from members of the panel. Interested individuals should apply as soon as possible, but no later than March 2, 2009, to George (Buddy) Darden, at bdarden@mckennalong.com.

Members of the panel are as follows:
Senator David Adelman
Tom Bordeaux, Esq.
Senator Robert Brown
Robert Burroughs, Esq.
Jim Butler, Esq.
Charles Byrd, Esq.
George (Buddy) Darden, Esq. - Chairman
Harold Franklin, Esq.
Sharon Gay, Esq.
Judge Jack Ruffin
Nyota Tucker, Esq.
Michael Williams, Esq

Georgia Legislative Update

Legislative

SB 31- which passed last Thursday by a vote of 107-66, would allow Georgia Power to raise its rates to finance the expansion of two nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle in Augusta, six years ahead of when it is scheduled to be up and running. The expansion is expected to cost $14 billion.

The 66 who voted against the bill were Roberta Abdul Salaam, Allison, Kathy Ashe, Austin, Tim Bearden, Sharon Beasley-Teague, Stephanie Stuckey Benfield. Tyrone Brooks, Roger Bruce, Bob Bryant, Debbie Buckner, Mark Butler, Jill Chambers, T. Collins, Rick Crawford, Burke Day, Dobbs, Dooley, Winifred Dukes, J. Epps, Johnny Floyd, Virgil Fludd, Bobby Franklin, Pat Gardner, Rich Golick, J. Craig Gordon, Bob Hanner, M. Harden, Mark Hatfield, Michele Henson, Penny Houston, Carolyn Hugley, Lester Jackson, Mike Jacobs, Celeste Johnson, Terry Johnson, Sheila Jones, Margaret Kaiser, Roger Lane, Ralph Long, David Lucas, Randall Mangham, Pedro Marin, Mayo, Doug McKillip, Billy Mitchell, Alisha Thomas Morgan, Mary Margaret Oliver, Bobby Eugene Parham, DuBose Porter, Alan Powell, David Ralston, Barbara Massey Reece, Bobby Reese, Carl Rogers, Ed Rynders, Austin Scott, Martin Scott, Robin Shipp, Georganna Sinkfield, M. Stephens, Taylor, Rob Teilhet, Brian Thomas, Thompson, Don Wix.

HB 385- was passed by the House Appropriations Committee. The bill would repeal the date on which the State Commission on Family Violence would cease to exist.

HB 118- is the $19 billion supplemental budget, which is a revised spending plan for the current fiscal year that ends June 30th. The measure passed last Thursday by a vote of 168-5 and accounts for millions in federal funding to plug budget gaps because of a revenue shortfall due to the current economic recession. Originally the measure did not contain $428 million for the homeowner tax relief grants that go to local governments which would have cost property owners an additional $200 to $300. But, due to the stimulus package, Georgia budget writers were able to use freed up monies to fund the grants. The measure also includes $145 million in federal funds for Georgia's schools and $40,000 for additional inspectors at the Department of Agriculture after the recent salmonella outbreak at a peanut butter processing plant in Blakely Georgia. The spending plan also accounts for the furloughing of state employees in the Department of Human Resources and Department of Corrections.

HB 100- was adopted last Monday in the House by a vote of 98-69. Last session the General Assembly adopted HB 1133, which gives private citizens and corporations income tax credits for donating money to nonprofit scholarship organizations that provide scholarships. HB 100 seeks to expand on the provisions of HB 1133, by making it easier for small business to take advantage of the tax credit program. Furthermore, it streamlines the process to create scholarship organizations and for donors to get approved for the tax credits. Under HB 1133 there is a $50 million cap on the total amount of credits available.

HB 149- was adopted by the House by a vote of 154-6. The bill would allow high school juniors and seniors to attend, if accepted, post secondary colleges or school and receive high school credit that would count towards their graduation. Unlike joint enrollment, this legislation allows students to leave high school entirely to complete the necessary graduation requirements. The Georgia Department of Education would use state funds to pay for the tuition, or the amount the school pays for the student's high school education, whichever is less.

HB 120- was unanimously adopted by the House and would continue the annual sales tax holiday for school supplies and energy and water efficient products. The dates for the school supplies exemptions are July 30 - August 2. The products which will be exempt from state and local sales taxes during this time are clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100.00 or less, computers and computer accessories with a sales price of $1,500.00 or less, and general school supplies with a sales price of $20.00 or less. The sales tax exemptions for energy and water efficient products with a sales price up to $1,500.00 when purchased for home or personal use are October 1 - 4, 2009.

HB 229- was adopted in the House by a vote of 116-42. The bill would keep students fit by requiring local school systems to have an annual fitness assessment and to comply with state physical education instruction requirements. Results would be reported annually to the Governor.

Legislative Information Provided by the League of Women Voters of Georgia

Transportation

SB 39- The bill, and a companion measure SR 44, would create Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) districts to fund transportation. Under the legislation, Atlanta-area counties could vote for a SPLOST district, then hold a referendum on a list of transportation proposals to be funded by a 1% (or less) regional tax.

A competing House plan, HB 277, along with HR 206, call for a statewide 1% sales tax for transportation, but there is no guarantee any of the money raised would go for transit. SB 39 and HB 277 are both scheduled for debate and a vote on the House Floor on Tuesday, March 3, 2009.

SB 120- was adopted in the Senate by a vote of 39-9. The bill would allow a transportation services contract to authorize the extension of or addition to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's existing rapid rail system.

District 3 Community Meeting

Candler Road Project

Library/Senior Housing

Monday, March 2, 2009

South DeKalb Senior Center

1931 Candler Road

Decatur, Georgia 30032

10:00 am and 6:30 pm

For more information contact the office of Commissioner Larry Johnson at (404) 371-2988.

School Board District 3 Community Meeting

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

7:00 pm

Avondale High School

1192 Clarendon Road
Avondale Estates, Georgia 30002
For more information contact DeKalb Board Member Sara Copelin at (404) 371-1490.

In the News

Georgia Online News Service

DOT Boss Fired, Transport Bill Raises Constitutionality Questions
The state Transportation Board fired Transportation Commissioner Gena Evans. Meanwhile, constitutional questions were raised about Gov. Sonny Perdue's planned retooling of state transportation agencies. To read more click here.

Check it For Pets Income Tax Checkoff Gains More Support
The Dog and Cat Sterilization Fund State Income Tax Checkoff provides a funding source for spay/neuter efforts statewide, earning more than $175,000 since 2006 for the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program. This Program receives no state funding, operating solely on private contributions and grants. Georgians may write in a donation amount greater than $1 on line 32 of form 500 and Line 15 on form 500-EZ. All funds donated to the Program are earmarked specifically for spay/neuter procedures and educational outreach on the healthy choice. In these trying economic times, spay/neuter represents a healthy choice that saves animal lives and taxpayer money. Fewer animals born means fewer killed in public shelters saving tax dollars.

Interested residents should contact their local veterinarians to confirm and encourage program participation or visit www.agr.georgia.gov, e-mail fixgeorgia@agr.state.ga.us, or call the Georgia Department of Agriculture at (404) 656-3667.

Georgians may also support the Program now by purchasing a current Dog and Cat License Plate for their vehicles. These commemorative license plates are available at county tag offices throughout Georgia for a $25, one-time fee. More than $22 from each license plate sold directly benefits the DCSP.

Community Calendar/News

Vote for Atlanta Women's Pro Soccer Team Name

Visit their website or the Georgia State Soccer Association website for more information about the contest and the team.

Wine, Cheese, and Politics: The Talk of the Town

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

BB&T

3824 LaVista Road

Tucker, Georgia 30084

Decatur Arts Festival Poster Competition

For more information click here.

Electronics Recycling Event

Saturday, March 7, 2009

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

WALMART Supercenter

3580 Memorial Drive

Decatur, Georgia 30032

Please visit Atlanta Recycling Solutions' website for more information on where your electronics go. For more information on accepted items and opportunities to volunteer for this event, please contact Keep DeKalb Beautiful at (404) 371-2654.

Women's Policy Group

Women's Capitol Briefing

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Central Presbyterian Church

201 Washington Street SW

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

To RSVP please send an email to the Women's Policy Group

Taste the World (Fundraiser for Refugee Family Services)

Sunday, March 15, 2009

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

980 Briarcliff Road

Atlanta, Georgia 30306

To order tickets please click here.

Community Clean Up

Greater Towers Community Association

Saturday, March 7, 2009

9:00 am

Towers High School

3919 Brookcrest Cir
Decatur, Georgia 30032

For more information call (404) 284-2317.

Round Robin Tennis Tournament for the DeKalb Habitat for Humanity

Friday, March 6, 2009

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

DeKalb Tennis Center

1400 McConnell Dr
Decatur, Georgia 30030

For more information click here.

Spay and Neuter Your Pit Bull or Pit Mix

Atlanta Humane Society

For more information call (404) 875-6420 or visit their website.

DeKalb County Habitat of Humanity

Applications Being Accepted for Homeownership

March 13, 2009 Deadline

For an application click here.

Donations for Children in Transitional Housing

Initiative for Affordable Housing

To make a donation call Lisa Wise at (404) 299-9979.

Help Southern Hope Humane Society

Adopt a Stuffed Pet

For more information click here.

Greenprints 2009

March 25-26, 2009

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

265 Peachtreet Street NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

For more information click here.

Georgia Afterschool Institute 2009

March 10-12, 2009

Decatur Holiday Inn Conference Center

To register click here.

Providing Resources & Opportunities that Matters

PROM

United Way Women's Legacy-DeKalb

To make a donation or for more information contact Cheryl Flowers.

3rd Annual Decatur Concert

Hosted by the Dogwood Alliance

Saturday, May 2, 2009

3:00 pm - 9:00 pm

For more information contact Cheryl Burnette, Beth Bond or John Beal.

Call for Silent Auction Items

Breakthru House 40th Anniversary Celebration

April 16, 2009

Northside United Methodist Church

Please contact Kate Boyer at (404) 284-4658 ext. 2 for any additional information.

Job Announcements

Georgians for a Healthy Future

Executive Director Position

Please send (via mail, e-mail or fax) a cover letter, resume, three references, and a salary history to:
Terri Theisen
Theisen Consulting LLC
7140 Northgreen Dr NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
Fax: 770-396-2385
ttheisen@earthlink.net

2010 Census Jobs Available

For more information, contact the local Census office or call the agency's toll-free jobs line at (866) 861-2010.

Senior Analyst-Chronic Disease and Environmental Health

The National Association of County and City Health Officials

Qualified applicants should send cover letter and resume to:

NACCHO
1100 17th Street, NW, 2nd Floor

Washington, DC 20036.

Fax: 202-783-1583

Attn: Senior Analyst-Chronic Disease/Environmental Health or email.

Professional Early Education Substitute Teacher Program

United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta

March 23-27, 2009

8:30 am - 3:30 pm

For more information click here.

Careers.ga.gov Notification List

To find more extensive information about job opportunities with the State of Georgia including information about the State's Continuous Recruitment Job Titles, visit The Job Site.

Internships

Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

For more information on how to apply, click here.

The Democratic Party of Georgia is currently accepting Intern applications for the spring semester.

For more information visit the party website.

The White House Project

Women Helping Women Win Internship Program

To apply please send your resume and cover letter to Stacey Chavis. The subject line should be Capitol Internship: Your Name.

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer leadership program in Washington , DC . The Institute provides America 's best and brightest African American male college students with unparalleled networking opportunities, leadership development, and lifelong mentorship. For more information click here.

Volunteer Opportunities

DeKalb Rape Crisis Center

To learn about ways to volunteer please visit their website.

StandUp for Kids

To see training calendar and to get more information, please visit their website.

Scholarships

The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Program

Provides scholarships of up to $7,500 annually to minority high school students showing leadership potential and demonstrating financial need to attend an accredited 4-year college or university of their choice.

For more information go to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) page, send us an email at requests@jackierobinson.org or call (212)290-8600.

Columbus H. Hartwell-Young Visionary Scholarship Award

All application materials must be received by May 1, 2009. For an application contact XTM Foundation at (404) 892-7726.

Summer Programs

Breakthrough Atlanta (housed at The Lovett School)

Breakthrough Atlanta is looking for motivated students who want to participate in a six-year, tuition-free academic enrichment program. Please visit their website for additional information.

NASA Science Engineering Mathematics and Aerospace Academy

SEMAA is a national innovative project designed to increase participation and retention of historically underrepresented K-12 youth in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. For more information click here.

Upcoming Decatur Recreation Center Events

Decatur Youth Lacrosse
Register now at the Decatur Recreation Center
Boys Lacrosse: Ages 7-14
Girls Lacrosse: Ages 9-14
Practices and games are held at local fields.
Volunteer coaches needed!
For more information, please visit their website or contact Stacy Green at (678) 553-6549.

Youth Soccer
Register now at the Decatur Recreation Center
Ages 4-6, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 (age control date is Sept. 1st, 2009)

Practices begin March 9th

Season begins March 21st

Registration Fee: $100 City of Decatur residents; $130 non-city residents.

Girls Fast Pitch Softball
Register now at the Decatur Recreation Center

Ages 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 (age control date is Jan. 1st) Practices begin March 7th

Season begins March 14th

Registration Fee: $100 City of Decatur residents; $130 non-city residents.

Be a Lifeguard or a Front Desk Attendant at a City of Decatur Pool!
To apply online to be a lifeguard, please click here.
To apply to be a front desk attendant, please contact Desiree Kaman, HR Director, Sears Pool Management, at (770) 993-7492.