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Oconee County, Georgia
News and Special Interest Stories
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata For Sale- Athens, GA
Mazda Miata For Sale, 2006, Red with black top & black interior, 27K miles
2006 Mazda Miata for sale in Athens, Georgia..This 2006 Miata is the ultimate for the UGA Dawg fan..Red & Black, excellent condition, adult driven, garage kept to keep it looking like new. Just been serviced and only 27,000 miles.
Yes, it has a nice trunk even with the top down!
- Excellent + Condition, Garage Kept,
- Still Under 5yr/50K Factory Warranty
- 170 HP, 25-30 MPG
- Automatic Trans with Paddle Shifters
- AM/FM/Satellite Radio & CD Player
- Cruse Control & Stereo Controls on Steering Wheel
- Cruse Control, Air, Power Steering & Brakes
- Easy To Operate Single Latch Convertible Top
- Five Spoke Mag Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- No Accidents or Repairs, Excellent in and out
 $16,000
Phone 770-725-6786
E-mail cupp260@yahoo.com
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Oconee Civitan Club, Oconee County, Georgia
 The Oconee County Civitan Club, still in the developmental stages, has launched a new website at http://www.oconeecivitan.com. Only a few more members are needed before Oconee can submit the formal charter request. The Oconee Civitan Club urges anyone interested in becoming a member of the Oconee County Civitan Club to attend one of their scheduled meetings held at the Watkinsville Community Center each 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 12 Noon. The newly formed Oconee Civitan Club thanks George Chandler and the Winterville Civitans for helping Oconee get started.
Building Good Citizenship Since 1917
WHAT IS CIVITAN? Civitan is a worldwide, all volunteer service organization where men and women have an organized way of approaching local community problems through service and fund raising. Civitan emphasizes serving people with developmental disabilities. Local clubs are supported by Civitan International, which was organized in 1917 and spans over 22 countries. The word CIVITAN is a coined word that comes from the Latin word “CIVITAS”, which means CITIZENSHIP.
Civitans are everyday citizens who come together in communities around the world to socialize, learn and serve their neighbors. Civitan has grown to over 40,000 members in 25 countries, including youth and college programs. On an international level, Civitan is devoted to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Civitan's flagship program is the UAB Civitan International Research Center, the first institution of its kind in the United States to be solely dedicated to research of developmental disabilities.
Types of Civitan Clubs
Civitan offers more types of clubs than any other organization:
Traditional clubs: Most Civitan clubs charter as traditional meal-meeting clubs. Meetings are held weekly or semi-monthly at a restaurant. Clubs may meet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
ACTION clubs: ACTION is an acronym for "Active Citizens Taking Initiative On Needs," catering to people on the go with opportunities to become involved in "hands on" service projects rather than long lasting projects. These clubs do not have meals during their meetings but rather a social half hour prior to the meeting. Meetings are one-hour in length.
Singles-only clubs: This is an ACTION club restricted to unmarried adults, at least at the time of charter. The concept was created to give single adults the opportunity to get involved in community activities and meet new friends in a wholesome, respectable atmosphere.
Campus clubs: These clubs are organized on college campuses. Members are students of the school and are active in the meetings, projects and programs of the clubs. Click here to find out more about Campus Civitan.
Junior clubs: These clubs are usually organized at High Schools. Members are students fo the school and are active in the meetings, projects and programs of the clubs. Click here to find out more about Junior Civitan.
Get more information about the Oconee Civitan Club at http://www.oconeecivitan.com.
Davis, Bell vie for leadership of Oconee commission
Current Chairman Melvin Davis, left, and first-time candidate Sarah Bell are both seeking to lead the Oconee County Commission.
By Adam Thompson | adam.thompson@onlineathens.com | July 2, 2008
Oconee County residents, if they elected Sarah Bell chairwoman, would get lower taxes and an ethical leader who wouldn't hesitate to slash government spending, according to the first-time candidate.
But current Chairman Melvin Davis, who faces Bell in the upcoming Republican primary, said residents already have all of that, and more.
Davis' leadership has brought county residents a good quality of life, said the two-term chairman - a lower tax rate, a big new park and jail and the promise of a new water source in the Hard Labor Creek Reservoir.
"I think leadership experience is the difference - when you look at what Oconee County has done in the last eight years versus what someone is expecting to do in the future." said Davis, 67, a former agricultural extension agent who now works full time as chairman.
Bell said she would more carefully scrutinize the county's operating budget, which has increased in recent years, and its spending of sales-tax revenue.
But Davis said Bell lacks budgeting experience, and he doubts she could do better than current commissioners, who have reduced their tax rate three out of the past four years.
"Look at our record and see what we've done," he said. "I don't know that she can do much more - because the numbers speak for themselves."
One number Bell has been citing is $83 million, the amount of debt she said the county carried even before it decided to partner with Walton County on the Hard Labor Creek project.
The figure, given by county officials in a financial statement before sales of $19 million in reservoir bonds, also includes $36 million in county school system debt.
Bell, 53, an English instructor at Gainesville State College's Oconee campus and a former county GOP chairwoman, said she always wanted to run for office.
She decided this was her year to run because she feels Davis is being secretive, keeping information from citizens and other commissioners, and is no longer representing county residents, she said.
Bell - along with a few other candidates, including some sitting commissioners - said Davis has a pattern of working unilaterally, and she would bring a more open "attitude" to the board.
"Right now, in representing the county sometimes, Mr. Davis is deliberately shutting out everybody else, in terms of information, in terms of decision-making," she said.
She recently clarified her position supporting a change in the form of the county government, saying she wants to hire a county manager and cut the chairman's salary to $45,000 but keep it a full-time position.
"Mr. Davis is trying to be the chairman of the commission and the county manager ... I think getting the chair out of the micromanagement business is a good thing," she said.
Davis, who by law is the government's full-time CEO, denies the charge that he's micromanaging.
"I want to know what's going on, but I don't tell you how to do it," he said, describing his management style.
He also counters the assertion that he is secretive, and said the county's part-time commissioners are provided with plenty of information to make decisions.
"I can't be tagged with that handle, because (the government is) open," he said. "You and I may not agree on things, and that's OK, but you don't disagree and be disagreeable."
The two candidates agree the county government needs to attract more commercial development to take some of the tax burden from residents, who pays a large majority of the county's taxes.
Bell opposes Davis' recent support of beer and wine sales in county restaurants. She also has proposed appointing a citizens' ethics panel to help commissioners draft a code of conduct for county officials, with fines for violators.
Davis is known for having strong support from the local business community and for gaining influence among state officials. He recently was placed in line to become president of the state's top lobbying group for counties.
Bell, who was a longtime board member of the regional chapter of the American Red Cross, said she still would be able to represent the county to state government and business leaders, even while letting the public know what's going on.
"I think a lot of things will come to me first, as they do now. The problem is they're not disseminated," she said.
THE BREAKDOWN
Oconee County Commission Chair
Sarah V. Bell
Age: 53; Job: Instructor at Gainesville State College; Political experience: Four years (1996-2000) as Oconee GOP chairwoman; Web site: www.sarahforcommission.com
G. Melvin Davis (I)
Age: 67; Job: Former district director for state agricultural extension; Political experience: County commission chairman 2001-present
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 070208
Silver jewelry & silver gifts web site launched by Jewels of athens
Sterling Silver Earrings, Silver Pendants, Silver Bracelets, Silver Rings & Women’s Handbags Now Available On-line From Jewels of Athens
Silver Jewelry & Gifts Website Launched by Jewels of Athens
 Sterling silver earrings, silver pendants, silver bracelets, silver gifts & women’s handbags are now available on-line ( http://www.jewelsofathens.com ) from Jewels of Athens, located in the historic Normaltown district of Athens, Georgia. Jewels is Athens’ premier source for sterling silver jewelry, silver gifts for baby or anniversary, and other silver gift items for men and women. Now everyone can take advantage of Jewels great selection of gifts and personalized service by shopping on-line, or by just giving them a call at 706-208-8779. Jewels is committed to providing quality jewelry at competitive prices and superior customer service.
Women’s Handbags
Jewels of Athens also carries a distinctive line of women’s designer handbags, purses, clutches, satchels and accessories. Jewels has handbags for every occasion including hard to find styles in black, tan, and brown Leopard prints, purses with engravable ID plates, sterling silver buckles and trim, and the popular Red & Black series of bags so popular around the University of Georgia campus. Also available are the trendy silver and goldtone bags, faux alligator and lizard designs, patent leather embellished handbags, over sized carry bags, leather wallets, cell phone cases and other accessory bags with special compartments for all your essentials.
Engraved Silver Gifts
Jewels of Athens has all types of silver gifts, many of which can be engraved, including sterling silver jewelry, silver anniversary gifts, silver baby gifts, silver gifts for men, silver wedding anniversary gifts, silver christening gifts, personalized or engraved silver baby gifts, 25th anniversary gifts, sterling silver gifts for women, silver key chains, silver luggage tags, silver buttons, engraved silver gifts, silver lipstick holders, silver cases, silver mirrors, silver cups and even silver adorned flip flops.
Jewels of Athens invites you to stop by the store located at 1320 Prince Avenue, Athens Georgia for a visit, or choose from the on-line jewelry and gifts at http://www.jewelsofathens.com .
Web Design Services provide by CLC Web Designs of Athens, Georgia, http://www.clcweb.com .
Spartan Stone Tool Company Launches Web Site
Spartan Tool Company Launches Web Site featuring Rock Drills, Stone Tools, Rock Hammers, Pneumatic Stone Tools, Drill Steels, Rock Bits, DHT Bits, Stone Splitting Tools, Stone Setting Tools, Grinding Wheels, Safety Gear. Read More about Spartan Tool Company
The State of Aging and Health in America Report 2007
The need for long term care insurance is now more evident than ever based on the The State of Aging and Health in America 2007. This report was released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Merck Company Foundation at the 2007 Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging in March 2007.
The United States population is rapidly aging. By 2030, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double to 71 million older Americans, comprising roughly 20 percent of the U.S. population. In some states, fully a quarter of the population will be aged 65 and older. An enhanced focus on promoting and preserving the health of older adults is essential if we are to effectively address the health and economic challenges of an aging society. The cost of providing health care for an older American is three to five times greater than the cost for someone younger than 65. By 2030, the nations health care spending is projected to increase by 25% due to demographic shifts unless improving and preserving the health of older adults is more actively addressed.
The National Report Card on Healthy Aging reports on 15 indicators of older adult health, 11 of which are identified by the Healthy People 2010 initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Those 15 indicators are grouped into four areas: Health Status, Health Behaviors, Preventive Care and Screening, and Injuries. The report also assigns a “met” or “not met” grade (based on 2003 or 2004 data) to those indicators with specific Healthy People 2010 targets. Taken together, these indicators present a comprehensive picture of older adult health in the United States.
The United States has met 4 of the 11 Healthy People 2010 targets — six years ahead of schedule . . .
- Mammograms within past two years (75% vs. goal of 70%)
- Colorectal cancer screenings (63% vs. goal of 50%)
- Cholesterol checked within the past fi ve years (90% vs. goal of 80%)
- People currently smoking (9% vs. goal of 12%)
- Oral Health: Complete tooth loss (21% vs. goal of 20%)
- No leisure time physical activity in past month (32% vs. goal of 20%)
- Obesity (20% vs. goal of 15%)
- Flu vaccine in past year (68% vs. goal of 90%)
- Pneumonia vaccine (65% vs. goal of 90%)
- Hip fracture hospitalizations per 100,000 persons (558 men/1113 women vs. goal of 474 men/416 women)
- Eating at least five fruits and vegetables daily (The 2010 nutrition target is segmented into multiple goals for different fruits and vegetables, but the current national percentage of 29.8% is below all of the 2010 nutrition targets.)
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE TO PROTECT YOUR HOME
The 2007 Aging Report has lots of good news, but it is now more important than ever to prepare for living longer to include looking at long term care insurance to see if it is right for you. Rich people may not need long term care insurance, but the majority of Americans will need it before we die for two reasons. One is to have enough money to pay for care in a nursing home or other type of long term care facility, and the other is to protect the assets like homes and property. If you have to go into a nursing home paid for by Medicaid, your home is subject to being taken by the government after you die (or after your spouse dies) to reimburse Medicaid for your long term care. Long term care insurance could pay for that stay and your home would be protected and could be passed along to your children or other descendants. Take the time to review the State of Aging report and get more information about long term care insurance.
To get more information about long term care insurance and to see the complete The State of Aging and Health in America 2007 visit http://www.clcweb.com/ltc.
To speak to a John Hancock Long Term Care Insurance Agent call Matt Graham at 706-743-5429 or 706-540-1843.
McLean Refinishing
Antique Furniture Restoration, Repair & Refinishing
Established in 1979 by Fred McLean, McLean’s Refinishing, Inc. is Athens’ and Northeast Georgia’s most trusted name in furniture refinishing and restoration. They are a full service business committed to quality, expert craftsmanship, and a basic love of antiques and wood working. Through the years, they have evolved into a major workshop that is capable of handling the smallest jewelry box to a complete home of furniture. They also specialize in commercial work including in-office touchups and repair, restoring furniture in government offices, sororities, fraternities, and public libraries. With over 25 years of experience, McLean’s Refinishing can handle any restoration need.
At McLean’s Refinishing, restoring furniture has been a labor of love as long as they have been in business. McLean’s loves antiques, but also understands that, new or old, antique or modern, a person’s furniture is a part of the person. Their approach is to keep the customer involved in the restoration, and keep them informed of the progress. Restoration does not always mean making an old piece of furniture look new. Sometimes restoration means making the piece look the way it did right before the latest damage occurred. Mom wants to remember every mark on her son’s high chair except the broken leg the movers caused, so they strive to repair the the break and preserve the history of her son’s chair, and take care to understand people’s desires and provide quality furniture restoration and repair services.
McLean’s can do any type repair or restoration service including complete restoration, replacement of parts, veneering, lathe work, carving, chair caning, fire or flood damage restoration, curved glass replacement, major structural repair, beveled mirror repair, or leather replacement. They also can provide you damaged furniture repair insurance estimates and antique appraisals.
Mclean’s also has lots of antique furniture for sale. Check them out on the web at www.mcleansrefinishing.com , call us at 706-769-7590 or come by our facility at 1303 Hodges Mill Road, Bogart, Georgia. They are just outside of Athens and only a short drive from the Atlanta Metro area. Open Monday-Thursday 8AM-5:30PM & Friday 8AM-Noon or by appointment
P&M Army Surplus Store Launches Web Site
P&M Army Surplus Store has launched their new web site at www.pmarmysurplus.com, featuring on-line shopping for military surplus clothing, Army Combat Uniforms (ACU), Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU), Combat Boots, and other US Army Surplus equipment. P&M Army Surplus store has served Athens, Georgia and the surrounding North Georgia area for over 45 years, and now their outstanding service is available nation wide.
The web site has hard to find items like the new digital camo ACU Army Combat Uniforms now worn by US Army Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, BDU Battle Dress Uniforms, and the new side zipper Altama desert combat boots and Corcoran paratrooper boots. The new ACU digital combat uniforms meet Army Mil Spec specifications and are suitable for Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and Regular Army personnel requirements. P&M Army Surplus Store also has Army Field Jackets, LC1 Alice Backpacks, sleeping bags, cots, and other Army field equipment.
Campers, hikers and students can find all types of backpacks, hiking boots, shorts, shirts, hats and survival gear for any type of outdoor activity. University of Georgia students who frequent the store find a great selection of canvas bags for laptop computers, book bags, backpacks and casual wear.
Stop by the P&M Army Surplus Store on Prince Avenue in Athens, Georgia or visit their web site at www.pmarmysurplus.com . Get driving directions from the web site.
Web site consulting, development, and hosting for P&M Army Store by CLC Web Designs, www.clcweb.com, of Watkinsville, Georgia.
Southern Accents Launches New Web Site Featuring Original Cake Candles and McIntosh Premium Coffee
Southern Accents is a hidden treasure in Elberton, Georgia, just a few miles down the road from Oconee County. Nancy Hunt has restored some of the old down town Elberton buildings to bring us a beautiful antique shop, a great coffee shop for breakfast and lunch, and some unique gifts. If you don’t have time or live too far away, they have launched their new web site at www.candlesandcoffee.com, featuring the Original Cake Candles, scented decorative candles, and McIntosh Premium Coffees.
Southern Accents has teamed up with another great Georgia company to bring you some of the best premium coffees available. McIntosh Coffee is roasted by HS Mustard in Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia and the Georgia Bulldogs. The great taste of McIntosh coffee has been limited to the coffee shops in around Elberton and Athens, but now is available on-line. The flavors available on-line include mild coffee blends like House Blend and richer coffees like Costa Rica Taramazu and McIntosh Kenya.
In addition to great coffee, Southern Accents has some of the most popular decorative and scented candles you will find anywhere. The Original Cake candles come in a variety of scents and colors to match your mood or decor. The great fragrance and beauty of these candles can be enjoyed without burning, but since most of us like burning candles, you will be happy to know that these candles have patented "Safe at Home" wicks for your safety.
Visit Southern Accents’ web site or take a short drive from Oconnee County to visit Southen Accents in Elberton, www.CandlesandCoffee.com.
Electric Radiant Floor Heating Systems Can Cut Heating Bills By 40%
(PRLEAP.COM) Higher energy prices are anticipated to hit most Americans in the wallet this winter. According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook released January 10, 2006, “on average, households heating primarily with natural gas likely will spend $257 (35 percent) more for fuel this winter than last winter.” The EIA also projected the following potential increases as compared to last year’s rates: heating oil — up 23 percent, propane — up 17 percent and electricity —up 10 percent. The EIA cautioned that if colder weather prevailed, expenditures could be significantly higher.
Electric Radiant Floor Heating Systems have proven to be more efficient than conventional gas or electric heating systems, and in addition provide a more comfortable heat. A warm floor is feels better to the touch, and the large radiation area can provide the room the same heat for less than a forced air heating system. New generation electric radiant floor heating systems can be installed under carpet, hardwood floors or even under area rugs. You don’t have to remodel your home to enjoy the savings, you can begin with heated area rugs or under-carpet systems.
For more about electric radiant floor heating systems and a list of companies that supply them, see the Flooring Info Page at www.clcweb.com/floors.
The best Ribs in Town
I do not claim to be a food critic, but if you like barbecue ribs, then you do not want to pass up Shane’s Rib Shack located at 196 N. Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia. Hours: Mon - Sat 10:30 AM - 9 PM Sunday 12 Noon - 8 PM Phone: 706-548-4650. I’ve tried a lot of ribs all over the south, but I have to say Shane’s is the best. The ribs are cooked just enough but not too much and Shane’s sauce ( the hot sauce) is great. If you are a little wimpy then stick with the regular sauce which has a great taste without the little kick. I have to go to lunch there at least once a week for the rib sandwich an some slaw and fries on the side. Even though I can not pass up the ribs, the pork sandwich is big and tasty, and the chicken wings are great too. Get on over to Shane’s (several locations throughout the South) and have some great barbecue ribs!
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