Courtesy Appen Newspapers
August 26, 2008
An Alpharetta man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges he and two other men conspired to defraud a private corrections company.Edgar J. Beaudreault, Jr., 60, of Alpharetta, Howard A. Sperling, 43, of San Diego, Calif., and Robert B. Surles, 62, of Canon City, Colo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges relating to a scheme to defraud.The indictment charges that from August 2003 through January 2004, Beaudreault, Sperling and Surles conspired to devise and execute a scheme to defraud Cornell Corrections of California Inc., a private company that operates corrections facilities for governmental units. In June of 2003, Cornell Corrections contracted to have a corrections facility built in Canon City for $13 million. The $13 million purchase price was to be held in an escrow account until the facility was completed.The indictment further charges that in August 2003, Beaudreault, Sperling and Surles induced Cornell Corrections to transfer its $13 million to an account in Atlanta controlled by Beaudreault, by falsely representing to Cornell that the account was an escrow account that was administered by a reputable bank.
Upon receipt of Cornell Corrections' $13 million, Beaudreault, Sperling and Surles wire transferred the majority of Cornell's $13 million to other accounts, to be used for their own purposes.The indictment charges 20 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy.The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.The U.S. Attorney's office reminds the public that the indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the FBI.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bernita B. Malloy and David E. McClernan are prosecuting the case.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Neenah Paper To Power Largest Mill With Waste
By GreenBiz Staff / Published August 22, 2008
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Neenah Paper, a maker of premium and specialty paper, plans to power its largest mill with wood and fiber waste starting next year.
The company is contracting with Vision Power to build a biomass energy system at its Whiting Mill in Wisconsin. The biomass system is expected to be complete by late 2009, replacing the mill's gas-fired boilers.
The system will utilize waste from the mill, which accounts for more than half of Neenah's paper production, as well as other biomass to create steam energy.Neenah utilizes biomass at another manufacturing site, and purchases local hydro, solar and wind power for other operations.
Aside from greening its energy, the company also provides a number of environmentally preferable products, with Forest Stewardship Council certified, Green-e certified, 100 percent recycled content and chlorine-free, Carbon Neutral through the Chicago Climate Exchange and Green Seal certified paper.
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Neenah Paper, a maker of premium and specialty paper, plans to power its largest mill with wood and fiber waste starting next year.
The company is contracting with Vision Power to build a biomass energy system at its Whiting Mill in Wisconsin. The biomass system is expected to be complete by late 2009, replacing the mill's gas-fired boilers.
The system will utilize waste from the mill, which accounts for more than half of Neenah's paper production, as well as other biomass to create steam energy.Neenah utilizes biomass at another manufacturing site, and purchases local hydro, solar and wind power for other operations.
Aside from greening its energy, the company also provides a number of environmentally preferable products, with Forest Stewardship Council certified, Green-e certified, 100 percent recycled content and chlorine-free, Carbon Neutral through the Chicago Climate Exchange and Green Seal certified paper.
Alpharetta Man Pleads Guilty To Importing and Distributing "knock off" drugs.
by Jason Wright / Appen Newspapers
August 21, 2008 Newnan - Jared R. Wheat, 36, of Alpharetta; Stephen D. Smith, 40, of Duluth; Tomasz Holda, 45, of Duluth; Sergio Oliviera, 48, of Hoschton; and "Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Inc.," a company based in Norcross, pleaded guilty Aug. 15 to conspiring to import and distribute adulterated, mislabeled and unapproved new drugs, and to commit mail and wire fraud.
Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division (AFD) said, "The diversion of pharmaceutical products over the internet continues to be a major concern. Rogue internet sites are in the business to make millions in illegal sales, not to benefit the public. Today's guilty pleas illustrate how DEA and our local, state and federal law enforcement counterparts are committed to eradicating this problem."United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the pleas, "These defendants set up an offshore manufacturing facility where, in unsanitary conditions, they reproduced leading pharmaceutical products for importation into the United States, all without FDA approval or licensing from the rightful patent holders. Their motive in flouting the law, violating patents and exposing their customers to unknown health risks was greed, pure and simple. I commend the FDA and the DEA for their thorough investigation in this case. The Department of Justice and these agencies will continue to work hard to protect American consumers from such fraudsters."
FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Special Agent In Charge David Bourne said, "As in this conviction, the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations actively pursues those who deceive the public by manufacturing and selling unapproved and unregulated medications which may pose risks to the health of consumers. We are committed to investigating and preventing those who use trickery and deceit to illegally and unscrupulously sell medications over the internet at the expense of the public health."According to Nahmias and the information presented in court: The defendants in this case, in furtherance of their conspiracy, established a manufacturing facility in a small office park in rural Belize. Inside what was essentially a four-room home, the defendants produced unauthorized generic versions of such popular prescription pharmaceuticals as Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Vioxx, Zoloft, Viagra, and Cialis.
The manufacturing processes complied with none of the sanitary, hygienic, or quality-control regulations issued by the FDA, nor had the defendants obtained approval from the FDA or licenses from the patent-holders to make such drugs. Nonetheless, the defendants made the drugs and marketed them, primarily via the internet, to customers in the United States and elsewhere. The drugs were made available without prescription and also without disclosure of the unsanitary manufacturing conditions. The defendants realized millions of dollars of sales before the scheme was initially disrupted by Belizean authorities and ultimately ended by U.S. authorities.United States District Court Judge Jack T. Camp accepted the guilty pleas in federal court in Newnan. All defendants pleaded to conspiring to violate federal prohibitions against mail and wire fraud and the importation and distribution of adulterated, unapproved, and mislabeled drugs. This conspiracy offense carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 (maximum of five years on probation and a fine of the greater of $500,000 or double the fraud amount for the corporate defendant). Sentencing for the defendants is now set for Oct. 21, before Judge Camp.
August 21, 2008 Newnan - Jared R. Wheat, 36, of Alpharetta; Stephen D. Smith, 40, of Duluth; Tomasz Holda, 45, of Duluth; Sergio Oliviera, 48, of Hoschton; and "Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Inc.," a company based in Norcross, pleaded guilty Aug. 15 to conspiring to import and distribute adulterated, mislabeled and unapproved new drugs, and to commit mail and wire fraud.
Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division (AFD) said, "The diversion of pharmaceutical products over the internet continues to be a major concern. Rogue internet sites are in the business to make millions in illegal sales, not to benefit the public. Today's guilty pleas illustrate how DEA and our local, state and federal law enforcement counterparts are committed to eradicating this problem."United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the pleas, "These defendants set up an offshore manufacturing facility where, in unsanitary conditions, they reproduced leading pharmaceutical products for importation into the United States, all without FDA approval or licensing from the rightful patent holders. Their motive in flouting the law, violating patents and exposing their customers to unknown health risks was greed, pure and simple. I commend the FDA and the DEA for their thorough investigation in this case. The Department of Justice and these agencies will continue to work hard to protect American consumers from such fraudsters."
FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Special Agent In Charge David Bourne said, "As in this conviction, the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations actively pursues those who deceive the public by manufacturing and selling unapproved and unregulated medications which may pose risks to the health of consumers. We are committed to investigating and preventing those who use trickery and deceit to illegally and unscrupulously sell medications over the internet at the expense of the public health."According to Nahmias and the information presented in court: The defendants in this case, in furtherance of their conspiracy, established a manufacturing facility in a small office park in rural Belize. Inside what was essentially a four-room home, the defendants produced unauthorized generic versions of such popular prescription pharmaceuticals as Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Vioxx, Zoloft, Viagra, and Cialis.
The manufacturing processes complied with none of the sanitary, hygienic, or quality-control regulations issued by the FDA, nor had the defendants obtained approval from the FDA or licenses from the patent-holders to make such drugs. Nonetheless, the defendants made the drugs and marketed them, primarily via the internet, to customers in the United States and elsewhere. The drugs were made available without prescription and also without disclosure of the unsanitary manufacturing conditions. The defendants realized millions of dollars of sales before the scheme was initially disrupted by Belizean authorities and ultimately ended by U.S. authorities.United States District Court Judge Jack T. Camp accepted the guilty pleas in federal court in Newnan. All defendants pleaded to conspiring to violate federal prohibitions against mail and wire fraud and the importation and distribution of adulterated, unapproved, and mislabeled drugs. This conspiracy offense carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 (maximum of five years on probation and a fine of the greater of $500,000 or double the fraud amount for the corporate defendant). Sentencing for the defendants is now set for Oct. 21, before Judge Camp.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Woodruff Arts Center CEO Speaks To Chamber
August 21, 2008 11:36 AM / Appen Newspapers ALPHARETTA –
Joe Bankoff, president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, will speak at the Aug. 26 Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.The chamber also will announce the Small Business Person of the Year.Bankoff joined the Woodruff Arts Center in September 2006 as president and CEO.
He has been an active part of the Atlanta arts community for many years. He worked to raise funds for Atlanta Arts Alliance (original name of the Woodruff Arts Center) and the 1983 expansion of the High Museum. He is a charter member of the High and long-time subscriber to the Alliance Theatre. He joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's board of directors in 1996 after arranging for the ASO to perform at the Olympics Games opening and closing ceremonies.As vice-chair of the ASO board, Bankoff participated in long-range planning and chaired the search committee that pioneered a creative partnership approach that attracted Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles to Atlanta. He also chaired the Regional Arts Task Force for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and was involved in the formation of the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition.Before joining Woodruff, Bankoff was a senior partner of one of Atlanta law firm King & Spalding. He is a 25-year trial lawyer with experience in various technology and communication disputes and contracts.
He has wide litigation experience in patent, copyright, trade secret, media and technology-related matters.Recognized as one of "Atlanta's Best Lawyers," Bankoff is a founding member of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. He was selected by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in his practice area. He has been included in the list of The Best Lawyers in America and in Georgia Trend magazine's "Legal Elite," a list of the state's most effective lawyers by practice area.He has served on the Governor's Telecommunications and Technology Task Force. He recently led an Advisory Committee to the Georgia Joint House-Senate Committee on Emerging Communications Technologies drafting legislation adopted in the current session. As Television Counsel to the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) he negotiated television rights agreements for the 1996 Olympic Games in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Latin and South America.Bankoff earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University and his J.D. degree from the University of Illinois. In 1992, he visited at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Patent, Copyright and Competition Law in Munich, Germany.
Joe Bankoff, president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, will speak at the Aug. 26 Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.The chamber also will announce the Small Business Person of the Year.Bankoff joined the Woodruff Arts Center in September 2006 as president and CEO.
He has been an active part of the Atlanta arts community for many years. He worked to raise funds for Atlanta Arts Alliance (original name of the Woodruff Arts Center) and the 1983 expansion of the High Museum. He is a charter member of the High and long-time subscriber to the Alliance Theatre. He joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's board of directors in 1996 after arranging for the ASO to perform at the Olympics Games opening and closing ceremonies.As vice-chair of the ASO board, Bankoff participated in long-range planning and chaired the search committee that pioneered a creative partnership approach that attracted Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles to Atlanta. He also chaired the Regional Arts Task Force for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and was involved in the formation of the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition.Before joining Woodruff, Bankoff was a senior partner of one of Atlanta law firm King & Spalding. He is a 25-year trial lawyer with experience in various technology and communication disputes and contracts.
He has wide litigation experience in patent, copyright, trade secret, media and technology-related matters.Recognized as one of "Atlanta's Best Lawyers," Bankoff is a founding member of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. He was selected by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in his practice area. He has been included in the list of The Best Lawyers in America and in Georgia Trend magazine's "Legal Elite," a list of the state's most effective lawyers by practice area.He has served on the Governor's Telecommunications and Technology Task Force. He recently led an Advisory Committee to the Georgia Joint House-Senate Committee on Emerging Communications Technologies drafting legislation adopted in the current session. As Television Counsel to the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) he negotiated television rights agreements for the 1996 Olympic Games in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Latin and South America.Bankoff earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue University and his J.D. degree from the University of Illinois. In 1992, he visited at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Patent, Copyright and Competition Law in Munich, Germany.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Cardinals Featuring Ryan Adams To Perform Oct 17 in Alpharetta
August 20, 2008 ALPHARETTA – The Cardinals: featuring Ryan Adams, Neal Casal, Chris Feinstein, Jon Graboff & Brad Pemberton will perform live at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park on Friday, Oct. 17.Tickets for the Cardinals feat. Ryan Adams concert will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at 404-249-6400.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Lionheart School Champions Education For Autistic
By MICHELLE E. SHAW / www.ajc.com
Learning disabilities don’t translate into impossibilities at the Lionheart School in Alpharetta.
At this private school for children with autism and other communicative disorders, patience, flexibility and determination have taken the students, staff and school a long way.
Those attributes came in handy recently as the school, which serves students between the ages of 6 and 21 years old, sought accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. The word came earlier this month that the three-year process paid off.
“This means when a parent looks for somewhere to place their child, that they don’t have to do all of the research themselves,” said Victoria McBride, the director of special services and a founding staff member. “This accreditation means our curriculum and our staff have been checked out and approved by a well-respected group.”
When the not-for-profit school began in 2000, accreditation wasn’t a major issue, said Elizabeth Litten Dulin, the director of education and admissions and a founding staff member. The focus was getting parents and their children in the door who believed in the school’s philosophy, which was heavily based on relationships, she said.
“Once we worked out all of the kinks, we knew we had a great program,” McBride said. “Then we realized we had to legitimize what we were doing. That meant accreditation.”
Lionheart’s curriculum and staff are the reasons Robbie Mayer and her family moved to Atlanta from Miami. The Mayers were unable to find a suitable educational environment in Florida for their 8-year-old daughter, Victoria.“We came and visited and I just knew this was it,” Mayer said. “It took us a little more than a year to get everything in place, but it’s a move we had to make.”
Annual tuition is $25,000, but that’s not the “true cost,” Dulin said. She said it costs the school upward of $46,000 to educate each student, but fund-raising, grants and other donations help offset the cost for all families.
The benefits of SACS and SAIS accreditation are far-reaching, said Tamara Spafford, a founding parent and acting executive director of the school. The designation not only confirms the curriculum and staff, but it opens doors for funding because there are groups and foundations that will only award money to accredited schools, she said.
The school has outgrown the three trailers it occupies behind Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. The two are not affiliated, said Todd Sentell, a spokesman for the school. The school’s property, about a half mile from the church, has already been purchased and plans have been drawn up. The new building will allow the school to enroll more students and broaden its educational offerings.
The accreditation coupled with the plans for a campus of its own lets the public know what Lionheart families and staffers have known all along, said Kati Keyes, a development assistant for the school. “We’ve known we’re making a difference, but now everybody can know,” she said.
Learning disabilities don’t translate into impossibilities at the Lionheart School in Alpharetta.
At this private school for children with autism and other communicative disorders, patience, flexibility and determination have taken the students, staff and school a long way.
Those attributes came in handy recently as the school, which serves students between the ages of 6 and 21 years old, sought accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. The word came earlier this month that the three-year process paid off.
“This means when a parent looks for somewhere to place their child, that they don’t have to do all of the research themselves,” said Victoria McBride, the director of special services and a founding staff member. “This accreditation means our curriculum and our staff have been checked out and approved by a well-respected group.”
When the not-for-profit school began in 2000, accreditation wasn’t a major issue, said Elizabeth Litten Dulin, the director of education and admissions and a founding staff member. The focus was getting parents and their children in the door who believed in the school’s philosophy, which was heavily based on relationships, she said.
“Once we worked out all of the kinks, we knew we had a great program,” McBride said. “Then we realized we had to legitimize what we were doing. That meant accreditation.”
Lionheart’s curriculum and staff are the reasons Robbie Mayer and her family moved to Atlanta from Miami. The Mayers were unable to find a suitable educational environment in Florida for their 8-year-old daughter, Victoria.“We came and visited and I just knew this was it,” Mayer said. “It took us a little more than a year to get everything in place, but it’s a move we had to make.”
Annual tuition is $25,000, but that’s not the “true cost,” Dulin said. She said it costs the school upward of $46,000 to educate each student, but fund-raising, grants and other donations help offset the cost for all families.
The benefits of SACS and SAIS accreditation are far-reaching, said Tamara Spafford, a founding parent and acting executive director of the school. The designation not only confirms the curriculum and staff, but it opens doors for funding because there are groups and foundations that will only award money to accredited schools, she said.
The school has outgrown the three trailers it occupies behind Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. The two are not affiliated, said Todd Sentell, a spokesman for the school. The school’s property, about a half mile from the church, has already been purchased and plans have been drawn up. The new building will allow the school to enroll more students and broaden its educational offerings.
The accreditation coupled with the plans for a campus of its own lets the public know what Lionheart families and staffers have known all along, said Kati Keyes, a development assistant for the school. “We’ve known we’re making a difference, but now everybody can know,” she said.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Boston's Upcoming Show In Alpharetta
by Scott Sowers / Appen NewspapersAugust 13, 2008 ALPHARETTA - Many kids grow up dreaming about playing in their favorite rock band, but few people actually get the chance to do it. This was not the case for two of Boston's newest members, who each grew up idolizing the band but now find themselves up on stage playing the songs night in and night out on their summer tour, which hits Alpharetta Sunday, Aug. 17.
Bassist Kimberly Dahme and co-lead singer Tommy DeCarlo each are relatively new to the group, but both had very unique ways of making it with the band.Over the years the band, renowned for its slew of hits in the 70s, namely "More Than a Feeling," has gone through a number of lineup changes but still everyone is there to play the Boston sound.
Guitarist and founding member Tom Sholz has been there since the beginning, being the band's creative force over all these years. Since 1985 his guitar partner in crime has been Gary Pihl, who still has a place on the stage.But other roles in the band have been a little more fluid. The group added Dahme in 2002, making her the first female in Boston history. This is a long way from playing in a Boston cover band in the fifth grade."It's all been a whirlwind," she said. "This whole experience has simply been beyond words."
Dahme was part of a band that was touring country. One night at a gig in New Hampshire, Sholz was there to potentially recruit their drummer for Boston, instead he found his new bassist.
"He came up to me after the show and said can you play bass?" she said. "I said 'sure,' but I'd never played it in my life. I immediately went home and got one on layaway at a pawn shop and began to learn how to play their catalogue."
Dahme has always had a musical background, playing in numerous groups throughout her life. After growing up in California she moved to Nashville because she "knew she had to be there." A player and writer of country, rock, jazz and blues among other styles, it helped land her the biggest gig of her life."My first gig ended up being the Fiesta Bowl, it was by far the biggest stage of my career," she said. "I didn't breathe the entire time, good thing we only played two songs."
DeCarlo's route to the band was a little more bizarre. An employee at a Charlotte Home Depot, DeCarlo had always been a fan of the band. Then tragedy struck the band last year when founder and lead singer Brad Delp took his life, leaving the rock world in shock.To pay his respects, DeCarlo wrote and recorded a tribute song to Delp, called "A Man He'll Always Be," a play on the band's "A Man I'll Always Be." He posted it on his Myspace page along with some other Boston covers. Sholz's wife came across the page and passed it along to her husband."A few days later I got a call from Tom and he asked me to join them for a tribute show they were putting together for Brad," he said. "It was amazing: I had never been on stage with a band in my life, only ever to do karaoke. Now I'm with Boston."
DeCarlo shares the mic these days with Michael Sweet, the lead singer of a Christian rock band. This two singer approach is a new thing for the band, but DeCarlo said he really enjoys it because it gives them each a chance to harmonize with one another."Tom sent us an email right before the tour starts saying which songs each of us would sing," DeCarlo said. "I don't know how he picked the order, but I life what I've been given."
After the tribute concert, DeCarlo and Dahme were each invited to come to rehearsals for an upcoming summer tour. Dahme had been playing with and even recording with the band for a few years. DeCarlo mentioned that he had been preliminarily approached about laying down some voice tracks for those songs after the tour. When the songs see the light of day is still up in the air, however.For now, Boston will bring their show with opening act Styx to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre this Sunday at 8 p.m. For more information and tickets visit www.vzwamp.com.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Charlie Daniels Stops By The Amphitheatre In Alpharetta
by Scott Sowers / Appen NewspapersALPHARETTA - He may have already met the devil down in Georgia, but soon he'll be returning to the state to put on a show for all his fans. Yes, Charlie Daniels, a legend in the Southern Rock and country music circles will be stopping by this neck of the woods on Friday to put on another one of his famed Volunteer Jam shows.
Daniels has been extremely prolific over the years, releasing nearly an album a year (sometimes several in a single year) since the late 60s. Now he's out on the road promoting his latest, a collaborative effort dubbed "Deuces." This disc comes as a mixture of covers and originals with Daniels playing with some of his friends in the music biz, playing homage to those who paved the way for him.You'll find covers from Ray Charles, The Band, Johnny Cash and a few Bob Dylan cuts, as well as a few instrumental numbers, one dedicated to the late great guitar God, Stevie Ray Vaughn. It boasts guest appearances from Vince Gill, Del McCoury and Gretchen Wilson Darius Rucker, among others.
"This album was just an idea my manager said I should do," Daniels said. "So we put some feelers out to artists and then started looking at what songs we could do based on the response we got."But, given the collaborative nature of "Deuces," Daniels estimates most of the songs probably will not show up when he's on the stage, but who needs them when he's put out the body of work he has?
Daniels recently received what he called one of the biggest honors of his career by being inducted as an official member into the Grand Ole Opry. Membership means that he'll now officially be recognized with the history of the place and will always have an invitation to play there."We do some deeper cuts for sure, but also there are a lot of songs that the people have come there to hear," he said, checking in a few hours before a show at the Missouri State Fair. "And of course we've got to play 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia.'"Daniels said he feels most comfortable on the road and despite being 71, sees no end in site to his touring.
Aside from taking off January and February each year to unwind, he spends the rest of the time around the country playing for the fans or abroad to play for the troops – last year he released "Live From Iraq," culled from a 2006 USO tour of bases there.Right now he's in the midst of two tours, he said, regular Charlie Daniels Band shows and the Volunteer Jam tour. The Volunteer Jam first saw its genesis from a recording session in 1974 taking place in Tennessee, the Volunteer State. Throughout the years he's put these on with some of the most renowned Nashville and country acts. This version brings along Shooter Jennings – son of the legendary Waylon – and The Outlaws.
Since it's known as a jam, expect to a see a lot of collaboration between the artists during the sets. He declined to say who would play with him on what, but said there are always surprises at these shows.And although he may be getting up there in years, he said he thinks his best music is still to come."This is probably the best band I've ever had," he said. "They are all extremely talented musicians and they are capable of playing in any band. They all give a lot but also show restraint to make sure everyone gets their solos. Everyone lays their ego aside."One question Daniels has been asked many times over his career is what instrument he likes playing the best, and to that he does not have an answer. His most well known is probably the fiddle, since it immediately brings to mind "The Devil Went Down to Georgia.""I really love playing guitar, too," he said. "I usually start out my shows with a few fiddle songs, but then I'll bring out the guitar and I then end the show with the fiddle again"Perhaps it will be up to the crowd to decide which instrument they best like him playing.
For more information about the Charlie Daniels Band Volunteer Jam, visit www.vzwamp.com.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Alpharetta Council Sends Redevelopment Plans Back To Designers
By DOUG NURSE / www.ajc.com / Published on: 08/12/08
The Alpharetta City Council on Monday got a peek at three preliminary designs for the redevelopment of eight acres downtown, and didn't like any of them.
The rough designs, drawn by Foley Design Associates, had football-field-sized town greens surrounded by the new City Hall, retail stores, offices, condominiums west of Haynes Bridge Road and a park across the street. One design moved the City Hall east of Haynes Bridge Road. The buildings would be four stories tall.
City Council members said they wanted more of a park atmosphere, more residences and for City Hall to be a centerpiece. One asked whether a parking garage could be built below the park. Designers will take the input and try again.
The Alpharetta City Council on Monday got a peek at three preliminary designs for the redevelopment of eight acres downtown, and didn't like any of them.
The rough designs, drawn by Foley Design Associates, had football-field-sized town greens surrounded by the new City Hall, retail stores, offices, condominiums west of Haynes Bridge Road and a park across the street. One design moved the City Hall east of Haynes Bridge Road. The buildings would be four stories tall.
City Council members said they wanted more of a park atmosphere, more residences and for City Hall to be a centerpiece. One asked whether a parking garage could be built below the park. Designers will take the input and try again.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Cell Phone Leads to Juvenile's Arrest In Alpharetta Car Break-Ins
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (MyFOX Atlanta) – A rash of car break-ins ended after Alpharetta police tracked down the alleged burglar with his own cell phone. Police said it wasn't hard to find the juvenile who later confessed to at least 18 car break-ins because investigators found his cell phone at the scene of the crime.Break-in victim Jackie Banning just got his GPS unit and his satellite radio reinstalled in his car. Police said Banning's car was one of at least 18 vehicles in two subdivisions burglarized Saturday night.
Video: Cell Phone Leads to Juvenile's Arrest in Alpharetta Car Break-ins FOX 5's George Franco Reports
"The vast majority of these 18 vehicles that were broken into were unlocked," said George Gordan of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.Alpharetta police said GPS units, cell phones, radios, game consoles and other items were stolen from the unlocked vehicles.Banning said he suspected the burglars were trying to steal his car because he'd left keys to another vehicle in it. Banning said police found some of the loot in his car."They left in such a hurry they left their stuff in this car," said BanningAlpharetta police said one of the things left behind in Banning's car was a cell phone that belonged to one of the burglars."Our officer contacted a contact from the cell phone and the person on the other end told the officer who the cell phone belonged to," said Gordan.
Police arrested a juvenile in the case and expect to make other arrests based on his confession."So what's the lesson here? Lock your car, you're [going to] have to do it," said Banning.Alpharetta police agreed. Police say during tough economic times car break-ins, especially involving unlocked vehicles, skyrocket.
Video: Cell Phone Leads to Juvenile's Arrest in Alpharetta Car Break-ins FOX 5's George Franco Reports
"The vast majority of these 18 vehicles that were broken into were unlocked," said George Gordan of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety.Alpharetta police said GPS units, cell phones, radios, game consoles and other items were stolen from the unlocked vehicles.Banning said he suspected the burglars were trying to steal his car because he'd left keys to another vehicle in it. Banning said police found some of the loot in his car."They left in such a hurry they left their stuff in this car," said BanningAlpharetta police said one of the things left behind in Banning's car was a cell phone that belonged to one of the burglars."Our officer contacted a contact from the cell phone and the person on the other end told the officer who the cell phone belonged to," said Gordan.
Police arrested a juvenile in the case and expect to make other arrests based on his confession."So what's the lesson here? Lock your car, you're [going to] have to do it," said Banning.Alpharetta police agreed. Police say during tough economic times car break-ins, especially involving unlocked vehicles, skyrocket.
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