Special Olympics Georgia Competition Week in Middle Georgia: State Horse Show, Southeast Powerlifting Invitational and an Announcement About Games

Special Olympics Georgia Competition Week in Middle Georgia: State Horse Show, Southeast Powerlifting Invitational and an Announcement About Games to be Held in Warner Robins

/PRNewswire/ -- Special Olympics will hold three events in the Macon area this week: an announcement about a state games moving to Warner Robins in August 2010 on Thursday, and the State Horse Show in Perry and the Southeast Powerlifting Invitational in Macon this weekend, Nov. 13-15.

-- The Horse Show features more than 200 athletes from all over the state
competing to be Georgia's best in showmanship, dressage, English and
western riding, and riding trails at Georgia National Fairgrounds &
Agricenter in Perry.
-- Also during the weekend, more than 100 Special Olympics athletes from
Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and
Georgia are competing in the Southeast Powerlifting Invitational. The
weekend-long competition will be held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in
Macon.
-- Thursday, a press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Warner
Robins City Hall to announce that the State Masters Bowling is coming
to Warner Robins Aug. 20-22, 2010.

All events are free and open to the public.

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Trout Unlimited's Gold Rush Chapter Schedules 1st Annual Fly Fishing Challenge at Frog Hollow

The Gold Rush Chapter of Trout Unlimited, based in Dahlonega, has announced that it will sponsor the first annual Gold Rush Cup Fly Fishing Challenge to be held on the beautiful and picturesque waters of the Chestatee River.

The venue, which has been carefully chosen, is one of the most popular trophy trout streams in the United States, Frog Hollow in Lumpkin County. This year's event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (a rain date will be provided). Directions to the venue can be found online at www.goldrushtu.org or www.froghollowflyfishing.com.

Attendance is open to the public with fly casting and tying demonstrations being provided by Gold Rush Chapter members. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Event tickets are $5.00 per person; children 12 and under are free. A number of raffle items will also be available.

This is a fly fishing challenge which will permit two-person teams of contestants to match their skills against other teams to earn a $1,000 grand prize, plus two quality, custom-made fly rods. Individual awards will be given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Registration to compete is open to the general public, on a first come basis, and the deadline for entry is Thursday, Oct. 1. Participants must be members of the national organization of Trout Unlimited; membership is open to the general public (see www.tu.org). A maximum of 10 two-person teams will be permitted; however, a minimum of five two-person teams must be registered for the event to take place.

A $500, non-refundable registration and entry fee for each two-person team is required. Business or corporate gold level sponsorship of a team or for a business/corporate booth is $200, and silver level sponsorships are $50. In the event an insufficient number of participants register for this event, all funds for individuals and businesses will be returned.

A kick-off dinner will be hosted at the site of the tournament in Frog Hollow on the Friday night before the competition;. It will begin at 5 p.m.; and the cost is $10.00 per person. A participant captain's meeting will also be held at Frog Hollow on the evening prior to the tournament.

This is a two-person team event which will be conducted according to Gold Rush tournament committee rules and regulations. More details about the event, as well as a detailed listing of the rules, are posted on the Gold Rush Chapter website at www.goldrushtu.org. All proceeds from this event will go to Trout Unlimited, a 501 (C)(3), non-profit organization.

The mission of Trout Unlimited's Gold Rush Chapter, is to conserve, protect, and restore the coldwater fisheries and their watersheds in the North Georgia area, while assisting the T.U. national organization to do the same at the national level.

In addition to the monthly chapter meetings, the Gold Rush Chapter is actively involved in conservation efforts that include assistance to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forestry Service to ensure and enhance the environment and to perpetuate fish species by constructing and maintaining various stream structures. The chapter also initiates and works with other organizations in stream cleanup, assists with stocking of streams, and monitors water quality conditions of local streams. The chapter has been engaged in teaching the sport of fly fishing and conservation practices at several locations including North Georgia College and State University, Brenau University, and Lumpkin County Middle and High Schools, Outdoor Activity Day at Unicoi, and Kids' Day at Amicalola Park. The chapter has also supported the efforts of "Project Healing Waters fly Fishing" by providing volunteer and equipment assistance to their programs in the area. According to Healing Waters, these events serve military personnel and veterans who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and tying and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as a lifelong recreation.
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Coca-Cola Honors 20 Inspiring People as U.S. Torchbearers for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Kudos to the following Georgia residents for being selected as torchbearers:

Crystal Hardy, 20 (Dublin, GA): Crystal co-founded Green Teens, a
local recycling program for PET1 bottles that donates the proceeds to
local schools.
Taylor LeBaron, 17 (Ball Ground, GA): Taylor authored a book entitled,
"Cutting Myself in Half," about his personal weight loss journey and
how he reduced his weight from 297 lbs. to 145 lbs., using a
self-developed, teen-oriented fitness program.
Liz Burns, Senior National Sales Executive, Coca-Cola North America
(Atlanta, GA): As incoming president of the board of directors for the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Georgia Chapter, Liz chairs one of the
largest fundraising events, Chocolate, which has helped raise more
than $500,000 for cystic fibrosis research. She also mentors a local
family through Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Jed Selkowitz, Director of Entertainment Marketing, Coca-Cola North
America (Atlanta, GA): Jed is dedicated to raising awareness of lupus.
Through his work as a Board Member of the Georgia chapter of the Lupus
Foundation of America, he has helped raise more than $600,000 to
support lupus awareness, advocacy and research.

/PRNewswire/ -- Coca-Cola has chosen 20 inspiring people to be Torchbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. The U.S. Torchbearers were selected because they each use their passion for positive living to affect meaningful, enduring changes in local and global communities.

The Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame through Calgary, Canada, on January 18-19, 2010 as it makes its way to Vancouver and the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on February 12, 2010. The Olympic Torch Relay, presented in part by Coca-Cola, will last for 106 days, cover more than 27,000 miles (45,000 kilometers) and link together more than 1,000 communities and places of interest throughout Canada.

Torchbearers were selected because of their commitments to sustainably promoting three aspects of positive living, including:

Balanced Living - staying active and physically fit while having fun with family and friends

Community - working to make good things happen for people throughout the community

Recycling - helping the planet by recycling or donating time to a recycling program in the community or school

Among those chosen to carry the Flame are 10 teens, five leaders from national health organizations, three Coca-Cola North America employees and Olympic gold medalists Shawn Johnson and Steven Lopez, who are part of the Coca-Cola "Six Pack" of Olympic athletes and competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. People can view the Torchbearers' route and learn more about their personal stories by visiting www.LivePositively.com.

"These inspirational people have shown remarkable dedication in encouraging others and making a positive difference in so many lives, traits that Coca-Cola has long embraced. Coca-Cola is saluting these champions of positive living by recognizing them with the special opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame," said Celeste Bottorff, Vice President of Living Well, Coca-Cola North America.

"I'm so impressed by the positive and diverse influence my fellow Torchbearers have had in communities across America," said Steven Lopez. "It is going to be an honor to pass the Flame to one of these inspirational individuals and celebrate the importance of wellbeing, community, unity and the Olympic Spirit."

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Off and Running: Registration Under Way for 2010 Berry Half-Marathon

The calendar may say October, but Dr. John Azar-Dickens and other runners and walkers in the area are already looking ahead to third edition of the Berry Half-Marathon, scheduled for March 6, 2010.

“In any endurance event such as a half-marathon or marathon, it is important to begin preparing early,” said Dr. Azar-Dickens, a Berry College faculty member and avid runner who recently completed his first Ironman Triathlon. “Proper training allows for a slow progression in mileage each week, prepares the body efficiently for the exertion level and reduces the risk of injury.”

For the second consecutive year, Dr. Azar-Dickens is overseeing the training regime for Team Berry, a support group for Berry students, faculty and staff members who are planning to compete in third-annual event.

“Team Berry begins training in mid October and continues weekly until the race in March,” Dr. Azar-Dickens explained. “Last year, there were roughly 40 people who trained together and finished the race successfully.

“We focus on gently increasing our mileage each week as we approach the 13-mile goal,” he continued. “This helps ensure that participants are well prepared and less vulnerable to injuries. Careful and well planned preparation/training also increases the chances of a more enjoyable race, not just physically but psychologically as well.”

Registration for the half-marathon is under way and will continue through the winter months. More than 1,500 competitors flocked to the world’s largest college campus for the 2009 event, and organizers expect an even greater turnout in 2010. Once again, participants will have their choice of three different races: the signature half-marathon, the Viking Classic 10K and a 5K. There is also a one-mile fun run for children.

All three races feature electronic timing on courses that are certified by USA Track & Field. Both the half-marathon and the 10K are official qualifiers for Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race. Walkers are welcome in all races.

Registration for the half-marathon is $55 through Dec. 1, $65 from Dec. 2 to Feb. 15, and $75 through March 4 (no race-day registration available). Registration for the 10K and 5K is $20 through Feb. 1, $25 from Feb. 2 to March 4, $35 at the pre-race pasta dinner on March 5, and $40 on race day. Registration for the one-mile fun run is $5 (either mail-in or on race day).

Half-marathon finishers will receive technical shirts and finishing medals. Participants in the other races will receive t-shirts. Go to www.berryhalfmarathon.com to register online. Proceeds will benefit Berry College Elementary and Middle School. Call 706-346-6223 or e-mail berryhalf@gmail.com for more details.

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Braelinn Run for the Stars 5K, 1 mile, and Tot Trot

Saturday, November 14;
Race starts at 8:30 a.m.;
Courses begin and end at Braelinn Elementary School, 975 Robinson Road, Peachtree City;
(770) 631-5410
www.braelinnelementary.org
Preregistration: starts at $15, day of race $20;
Proceeds benefit Braelinn Elementary School;
Questions: BraelinnRun@gmail.com

Thrashers to Host Girls’ & Women’s Hockey Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 24

Annual Event Surrounding Game against the San Jose Sharks at Philips Arena to Recognize Female Participation in Hockey in the Southeast

The Atlanta Thrashers, along with USA Hockey, are hosting Girls’ & Women’s Hockey Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 24, surrounding their game against the San Jose Sharks at Philips Arena at 7 p.m.

The annual showcase, which includes several events and activities throughout the day, is dedicated to recognizing female participation in hockey throughout the Southeast. This year’s event will feature two-time member of the United States women’s Olympic hockey team and Harvard graduate Julie Chu.

Chu will participate in several events, including an on-ice clinic for girls and women, along with members of the Thrashers Hockey Development Team, at Philips Arena from 1-3 p.m. She will also address participants in the showcase from 6-6:45 p.m. to discuss her experiences in the sport and will hold a meet-and-greet with members of the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Go Girl Go program.

Also planned for the event are special pre-game introductions of 12 local girls hockey players (ages 6-16), who will skate onto the ice along with their counterparts from the Thrashers and Sharks starting line-ups prior to the national anthem. Girls and women hockey players will also be featured on-ice during both intermissions in a scrimmage and shootout, respectively.

Atlanta Thrashers Season Tickets for the 2009-10 regular season start as low as $10 per game and are available by visiting atlantathrashers.com or calling (866) 715-1500. Individual tickets for all Thrashers games at Philips Arena can be purchased by visiting atlantathrashers.com, calling (800) 326-4000, or by visiting the Philips Arena Box Office or any Ticketmaster Ticket Outlet.
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Thirteen Special Olympics Teams in Metro Atlanta Play Softball in McDonough Saturday

/PRNewswire/ -- Special Olympics athletes from metro Atlanta areas will play softball Saturday, Oct. 24 at Heritage Park in McDonough, hosted by Henry County Parks and Recreation Department.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. and teams will play double eliminations. Tournament plaques will be given out to first through fourth place finishes. Teams are from the following counties: Cherokee, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Peach and Rockdale counties. Scores will be used as qualifiers to compete in State Games.

SOGA partners with 86 parks and recreation departments to put on competitions for local athletes. These departments host competitions, provide staff to help run the event and offer programs through its therapeutic recreation division for people with intellectual disabilities. SOGA provides sports equipment, arranges for free medical screenings for athletes and helps publicize the new sports offerings.

Interested Parks and Recreation departments should call 1-800-866-4400 ext. 104 for more information.

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