Monday, September 29, 2008

Peeples Elementary Pumpkin Run Oct. 25th

Peeples Elementary School (Fayette County) will host its annual Pumpkin Run on Saturday, October 25, starting at 8 a.m. Events include a 5K run and a one-mile fun run/walk, both beginning and ending at the school. Registration is $15 by October 13 and $20 on the day of the race starting at 7 a.m.

Proceeds will benefit the Peeples Elementary PE program. All participants who pre-register by Oct. 13 will receive a T-shirt. Contact the school office (770-486-2734) or Coach Deborah Friday at friday_deborah@fcboe.org with questions.

Atlanta Falcons - Mike Smith Comments After Loss to Panthers

Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith:

"Games in this league don’t get easier week to week. They get tougher. I thought that we played a very good Carolina football team. That was a divisional game. I thought it was hard fought. I thought that both teams played a very physical football game. They were the better team today. My hat’s off to their football team and their coaching staff.

The things that went on out there as far as the Falcons are concerned, they are all things we can fix. They are fixable. We will address those things on Monday when we watch the tape, and we will get back on the field on Wednesday. I say this: it’s a process that this football team is going through. We finished the first quarter and we’re 2 – 2. We’ve got to feel good about that."

AtlantaFalcons.com
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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Thrashers Assign Seven Players to Chicago (AHL), One to Juniors

The Atlanta Thrashers have assigned forwards Riley Holzapfel, Rylan Kaip and Spencer Machacek, defensemen Chad Denny, Scott Lehman, Grant Lewis and goaltender Dan Turple to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. The Thrashers also returned forward Angelo Esposito to his junior team, Montreal of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Thrashers now have 33 players on their training camp roster (please see attachment), including 20 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goaltenders.

The Thrashers, who have a 1-1 record in two road preseason games, continue the 2008 exhibition schedule at Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 28 (5 p.m.). The Thrashers begin their home pre-season schedule against Detroit on Oct. 1 (7 p.m.) and host Nashville on Oct. 3 (7:30 p.m.) and St. Louis on Oct. 4 (7 p.m.) prior to the opening of the 2008-09 NHL Regular-Season schedule when they host the Washington Capitals at Philips Arena on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Season Tickets for the Atlanta Thrashers start at $10 per game and are available for the 2008-09 season by calling (866) 715-1500 or visiting atlantathrashers.com. Individual tickets for all regular-season 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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Friday, September 26, 2008

Thrashers Acquire Defenseman Mathieu Schneider from Anaheim

The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Ken Klee and forwards Brad Larsen and Chad Painchaud, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

Schneider, 39, is a veteran of 19 NHL seasons with the Canadiens, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Rangers, Kings, Red Wings and Ducks, recording 702 points (212 goals, 490 assists) in 1,197 games. A Stanley Cup Champion with Montreal in 1993, he has appeared in 109 NHL playoff games over 13 playoff seasons with Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles, Detroit and Anaheim, tallying 53 points (10 goals, 43 assists).

The 5-11, 195-pound defenseman, who has played in two NHL All-Star Games (1996 and 2003), has scored 93 power play goals, 28 game-winning goals and has earned a career plus-73 rating while averaging 23:21of ice time (since the statistic began being tracked in 1998-99). Since the beginning of the 2003-04 season, he has the third highest plus/minus rating (plus-89) in the league (behind Nicklas Lidstrom and Marek Malik) and is one of only six NHL defensemen to earn a plus-rating in each of the last seven seasons.

Last season with Anaheim, Schneider appeared in 65 games, recording 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) and earned a plus-22 rating while averaging 22:18 of ice time per game. He tied for first among team defensemen in goals and ranked second among team defensemen in points, assists and plus/minus rating. He recorded a plus- or even-rating in 32 straight games from Dec. 18 to March 5 (plus-17), the longest streak in the league last season. In six playoff games with the Ducks, he tallied one goal and eight penalty minutes.

The native of New York, N.Y., represented the United States in the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin. He has also represented the United States at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, helping win the Gold Medal, and the 1988 World Junior Championships.

Originally selected by Montreal in the third round, 44th overall, by Montreal in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, Schneider played three seasons with Cornwall of the Ontario Hockey League from 1986-87 to 1988-89, where he was named to the OHL First All-Star Team in 1988 and 1989.

Klee, 37, has played one season for the Thrashers since signing as a free agent on July 2, 2007, appearing in 72 games and recording 10 points (one goal, nine assists) during the 2007-08 season. In 13 NHL seasons with Washington, Toronto, New Jersey, Colorado and Atlanta, he has registered 184 points (54 goals, 130 assists) in 863 games.

Larsen, 31, was acquired off waivers from Colorado on Feb. 24, 2004 and has appeared in 202 games for the Thrashers, recording 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists). In eight NHL seasons with the Thrashers and Avalanche, he has tallied 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in 294 games.

Painchaud, 22, was selected by the Thrashers in the fourth round, 106th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He spent last season between the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, where he recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in 22 games, and the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL, where he registered 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 10 games.

The Thrashers open their 2008-09 Regular-Season schedule on Friday, Oct. 10 at Philips Arena against the Washington Capitals at 7:30 p.m. Season Tickets for the Atlanta Thrashers start at $10 per game and are available for the 2008-09 season by calling (866) 715-1500 or visiting atlantathrashers.com. Individual tickets 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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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Falcons: Turner Honored for Second Time in 2008

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in his third career game in a Falcons uniform. The player of the week honor is the second for Turner this season after earning the award following a Week 1 meeting against the Detroit Lions in his Falcons debut.

Against the Chiefs, Turner recorded his fifth-career 100-yard game after totaling 23 carries for 104 yards and career-high three touchdowns. He sparked the Falcons first scoring drive of the game when he posted a 38-yard rush in the first quarter and capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run, his first of the day. Turner found the end zone on two more occasions logging his second-career multiple touchdown game. His three scores make him only the fifth Falcons running back in team history to tally three or more touchdowns in a game.

Turner earned his first player of the week award of the season following the 2008 home opener against the Detroit Lions where he set a Falcons single-game rushing record with 220 yards on 22 carries for a 10.0 yards per carry average. He also added two touchdowns in an Atlanta winning effort, which marked his career multiple-touchdown game.

In three contests this season, Turner leads the NFL in rushing with 366 yards while contributing with five touchdowns. His five scores match the highest total any player has registered in his first three games for a team during the NFL’s modern era (since 1933). The last player to accomplish the feat was his former teammate, LaDainian Tomlinson for the San Diego Chargers in 2001.

Turner’s NFC Offensive Player of the Week award is his second this season as he becomes the first Falcons player to earn the honor twice in a year since 2004 and the first player to earn it twice in a three-week span in the team’s history. Following his record-setting performance against Detroit in Week 1, Turner became the first Falcons offensive player to earn player of the week honors after a season opener since 1984 (Gerald Riggs).

The Falcons will hit the road for the second time this season when they battle NFC South rival, Carolina, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 at Bank of America Stadium. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

By AtlantaFalcons.com

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Run for A DAY for UWG

The much-anticipated First National Bank of Georgia Run for A DAY will be held on Thursday, Oct. 2, with the race lineup located at the University Community Center.

The FNBG Run features three races suitable for every age beginning with a Tot-Trot for ages 2 to 6 at 5:15 p.m. The fun continues with a one-mile walk/run at 5:45 p.m. and a 5K event is at 6:15 p.m. The 5K race will have awards for the top three finishers in a variety of age and gender divisions ranging from 11 years to 70 and over.

Pre-registration guarantees a tee shirt and costs $10 for individuals, $15 for families and $5 for UWG students with a current student I.D. The deadline for pre-registration is on Friday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m. Registration after the early deadline is $15 for individuals, $20 for families and $7 for UWG students. There is no registration fee for the Tot-Trot Run.

Pre-registration forms can be found online, at the UWG Campus Center, the UWG Visitor’s Center on Maple Street and at the National Bank of Georgia branches. The race is a rain or shine event with race day registration beginning at 4 p.m. at the UCC.

For more information on the race or to volunteer, call Linda Picklesimer at 678-839-5500 or go to http://www.westga.edu/alumni/.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Atlanta Liver Transplant Recipient Wins Silver Medal at 2008 U.S. Transplant Games

Two years after receiving two liver transplants, twenty-eight year old Lauren Donkar participated in the National Kidney Foundation’s 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in July in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Games are an Olympic-style event for athletes who have received life-saving organ transplants of every type – kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas and bone marrow. Transplant athletes compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 12 different sports every two years. A first-time participant in the Games, Donkar won the silver medal in women’s tennis, and also competed in the 5K race.

“Going to the Transplant Games was an opportunity to meet other transplant families and hear their unique stories as well as compete in various sports,” said Lauren Donkar. “It was incredible to see the families participating in the Games because they had lost loved ones, and I felt very lucky to be able to compete this year.”

In addition to medaling at the Games, Donkar also won the opportunity to help build and ride on the Donate Life Float at next year’s Rose Bowl Parade. As part of pharmaceutical company, Astellas’s Ride of a Lifetime essay contest, Donkar and five other transplant recipients from across the country submitted 500-word essays on how their lives were transformed by transplantation. Astellas will sponsor the five winners to fly out to Los Angeles, Calif., to be members of the float building team and ride aboard the float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1, 2009. Donkar won for the Southeast region.

“I never thought I would actually win something like this just for telling my transplantation story,” said Donkar. “I was thrilled to participate in such an exclusive experience along with other transplant survivors.”

Donkar received her first liver transplant at Piedmont Hospital on Nov. 20, 2006, 10 days after giving birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl, Allie Marie Donkar at Northside Hospital. Donkar has complications with her pregnancy and with 24 hours of giving birth her kidneys failed and her liver ruptured in two places. She was placed on a breathing machine and induced into a coma. Three days later, Donkar was transferred to Piedmont Hospital’s intensive care unit to receive vital care of her failing liver and kidneys. Her Piedmont team consisted of a liver specialist, nephrologist and hematologist.

After extensive monitoring by liver specialist Raymond Rubin, M.D., Donkar was placed on the liver transplant list with a high Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and received her first liver transplant on Nov. 20. Although the liver was not a perfect blood match, Donkar’s life was at risk, and she could not wait. A week later, the liver began deteriorating significantly and she was back on the transplant list. Fortunately she did not have to wait long and underwent her second liver transplant on Dec. 7.

“I didn’t know where I was or what had happened, but I did remember my baby,” Donkar said. “Everyone in my family raved about Piedmont and all the special attention and care I received when I was in a coma. Once I awoke, I appreciated it, too.”

“Anyone who has been affected by organ donation and transplantation—be they donor families, organ or tissue recipients, or health professionals—are inspired by the wonder of that ‘gift of life,’” said Mark W. Johnson, M.D., surgical director of liver transplant services at Piedmont Hospital. “Piedmont Hospital is a national leader in the field of transplantation. We are excited to support the U.S. Transplant Games, and are extremely proud of Donkar and our other recipients who have worked hard and compete in these games.”

To give back to those who saved her life and also promote the need for organ donation, Donkar and her husband will host their second annual golf tournament on Sept. 29 to support Piedmont’s transplant program and the Georgia Transplant Foundation. Last year’s tournament raised $20,000.

“Most of my medical expenses were covered by our insurance,” Donkar said. “However, we saw many families who were not as fortunate. We hope our efforts will help others who need financial assistance.”

For more information and to register or donate to the tournament, visit www.chippinginforlife.org. For more information about Transplant Services at Piedmont Hospital, visit www.piedmonttransplant.org.
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Bidding Starts Today in 10-Day Charity Auction for a Ride with Dale Jr.

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Three laps, four and a half miles, three and a half minutes, 170 mph.... No matter how you look at it, a breakneck ride shotgun next to Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a thrill of a lifetime! And, thanks to an online charity auction from the Wrangler® brand, one lucky fan will get the chance to climb in the passenger side of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet for a thrilling ride around Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte.

Bidding opens September 23 at 7:00 p.m. EDT on eBay and will continue through Friday, Oct. 3. Following the final bid, Wrangler® will donate 100 percent of auction proceeds to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, a NASCAR-themed medically sound camp that enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

The denim giant is also hosting two additional auctions of autographed memorabilia to further help raise funds for Victory Junction. Up for grabs are a pair of signed Wrangler® jeans worn by Dale in a photo shoot for the brand’s current ad campaign, and a door panel from the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet Dale drove during this year’s Auto Club 500 at California Speedway. Dale was unfortunately involved in a crash during the February race, resulting in the blue paint streaks still marring the front of the panel.

“Whether it’s signing a pair of jeans, giving away the door from one of my cars or driving a generous fan around the track, I’m more than happy to do my part in contributing to Victory Junction,” said Earnhardt. “Wrangler has continued to go above and beyond in helping this great charity and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Founded by NASCAR-driver Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in honor of their late son Adam, Victory Junction operates solely on the generous donations of others to provide camping experiences to chronically ill children at no cost to their families. Wrangler® invites fans interested in making a personal donation to Victory Junction to visit the auction Web site at www.ebay.com/wranglerjeans. Donations can be placed in any monetary value via Pay Pal and will be processed directly to the camp.

Since 2005, Wrangler® has helped raise nearly $160,000 for charity by working in conjunction with Dale Jr. and corporate partners to auction similar ridealong experiences. Wrangler® is proud to be the longest running sponsor of Dale Jr. and continues to reign as the official jean of Dale Jr., the No. 88 race team and the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization.

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Red Bull Metallicross Descends Upon Atlanta

PRNewswire/ -- As night falls on Saturday, November 1st, a sinister glow will emerge from the abandoned Pullman Train Depot as Red Bull Metallicross invades for a hybrid motocross competition in Atlanta, GA. Within the warehouse's graffiti-tagged brick walls and iron skeleton, a new event format will arise, giving the sport a gritty urban makeover as 100 riders converge for this one-of-a-kind motocross competition.

Set in the shadows of the city, the Pullman Train Depot is an abandoned transportation and industrial complex dating back to the start of the country's industrialization. A crossbreed of dirt and urban decay, the course will provide a unique layout that blends multiple disciplines -- motocross, supercross, endurocross and arenacross. A site that once marked the onset of the industrial revolution now marks a revolution for the sport of motocross.

With a ground-breaking course featuring steel berms, a supercross rhythm section, endurocross moguls, a variety of jumps and several transitions in and out of the building, Red Bull Metallicross will challenge even the most thrill-thirsty competitors to raise their level of competition. In addition to delivering a course unlike any other, the venue will also feature a number of custom ironwork pieces.

CALLING ALL RIDERS

Red Bull Metallicross is an AMA sanctioned "open class" event. There is a $50 entry fee for all competitors with $25,000 up for grabs to the top 12 finalists. Registration is first come first serve with a field of 100 riders split into 10 heats. Those advancing to the semifinals and last chance qualifier will compete for 12 spots in the main event.

Red Bull Metallicross is a free event for spectators and is accessible via MARTA at the Edgewood/Candler Park Station. Gates open to the public at 5:00 p.m. with the competition starting at 7:00 p.m. For registration details and additional information, visit http://www.redbullmetallicross.com/.

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The 20th Anniversary of the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic to Air Live on VERSUS, September 27 at 4 p.m. ET

PRNewswire/ -- The 20th anniversary of the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic will air live on VERSUS on September 27, at 4 p.m. ET, marking the first time that the game will be televised nationally.

VERSUS, a national cable sports network in more than 73 million homes, will air the match-up between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) rivals Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University live from the Georgia Dome. This year's game marks the 10th consecutive year in which the two teams have taken to the field for the Classic.

"We are very excited for the opportunity to televise this year's 20th anniversary game on a national platform available to more than 73 million U.S. viewers," said Marc Fein, Executive Vice President of Programming, Production and Business Operations for VERSUS. "We feel that given the tradition and historic rivalries featured in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, it is truly an event of national significance."

The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, organizers and hosts for the game, commissioned Atlanta-based sports marketing agency Career Sports & Entertainment to plan the games broadcast, media and marketing strategy. A unique element -- traditionally characteristic of HBCU football games -- to be showcased will be the McDonald's Halftime Show -- an immensely popular Drumline-style battle of marching bands.

"This rivalry is absolutely drama-filled! With its highly electric marching band battle, we have a very unique sports property here with the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic," said John T. Grant, CEO, 100 Black Men of Atlanta. "Our organization has been putting this game on for 20 years now and has witnessed hundreds of thousands of patrons flock to Atlanta to enjoy the annual festivities. We've noticed that the nature of sports programming has evolved to engage fans even more than in the past. We're very excited about adopting new elements to the production that will enhance the fan's overall experience."

The Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic has generated more than $115 million for Georgia's economy, as well as more than $5.8 million has been contributed to participating schools over the past six years. Proceeds from the game serve to fund the 100 Black Men of Atlanta's Project Success initiative -- a youth development program that stresses academic achievement and career guidance.

For more information on the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, visit www.atlantafootballclassic.com.

About the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic

First organized by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta in 1989, the Back of America Atlanta Football Classic has evolved into the second largest recurring college sporting event in Georgia. Culminating in a sold-out college football game between rival programs, complete with a full marching band showdown, the Classic's week-long agenda of events includes a town hall meeting on African- American health issues; a collegiate symposium; health, job & college fairs; the Georgia Power Parade of Excellence; and the Friday-night Battle of the Bands.

Bringing 150,000 visitors into the city, the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic generates nearly $30M in Georgia's economy each year and now has a permanent exhibit located in the Georgia Dome commemorating its success. A blue-chip roster of sponsors, including: Abbott, Aetna, Allstate, AstraZeneca, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Life Financial Group, Bank of America, Coors, Delta, Ford, Georgia Power, Jack Daniels, MARTA, McDonald's, NASCAR, Russell Corp, Tyson, AT&T and UPS join title sponsor Bank of America to make these events possible.

To date, the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic has raised more than $2.6M over the past four years to fund the organization's post-secondary preparation and tuition assistance program for at-risk youth, Project Success, and almost $7M in contributions for the participating universities.

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Thursday, September 18, 2008

Falcons: Offense Looks to Get Back on Track Against Chiefts

By J Michael Moore
AtlantaFalcons.com
Managing Editor

The Chiefs (0-2) will start a pair of rookies at cornerback for Sunday's game against the Falcons but don't look for quarterback Matt Ryan or any of the the team's receivers to get overly confident.

Cornerback Brandon Flowers has been a starter since training camp and Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards insists he's not worried about playing fifth-round pick Brandon Carr (Grand Valley State) on the other side of the field.

A rookie himself, Ryan knows the difficulties of playing in the NFL. He also knows the skills on the other side of the ball.

"I played against Brandon Flowers in college a bunch," Ryan said Wednesday. "He played at Virginia Tech and he got the best of me a couple times in college. I have a lot of respect for those guys. They do a great job. They're talented and they're going through the same process that I'm going through now but I think they've done a really good job so far."

Flowers has nine tackles on the season and no interceptions. He recorded 158 tackles and 10 picks in college.

"They're going to come with their best game plan," wide receiver Michael Jenkins said. "They're fighting to get their first win of the season and no matter who's out there they're going to give their best effort."
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Atlanta Braves Look to 2009 with Schedule

The Atlanta Braves released their tentative schedule on September 17 for the 2009 season. A finalized schedule with start times will be released at a later date in the off-season.

The Braves open the regular season on Monday, April 6, with a three-game series at Philadelphia (April 6-9) and then return to Atlanta to open their home portion of the 2009 season with a three-game set versus the Washington Nationals on April 10.

The 2008 home schedule includes nine games each against National League East Division rivals New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Florida, as well as a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals (April 27-29), a three-game set versus the Chicago Cubs (June 2-4) and a weekend series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers (July 31-August 2). The Braves will conclude their home slate October 1-4 with the Washington Nationals.

The Braves play a total of five interleague series, with three of the series coming at home against the Toronto Blue Jays (May 22-24), the New York Yankees (June 23-25), who will be making their first visit to Atlanta since 2000, and the Boston Red Sox (June 26-28). The Braves' American League road opponents include the Baltimore Orioles (June 12-14) and the Red Sox (June 19-21).

The overall home slate features 36 games against National League East Division opponents, 19 games against the N.L. Central Division, 17 against the N.L. West Division and nine against the American League.

In addition to the regular-season schedule, the Braves are slated to play a pair of exhibition games at Turner Field on Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, versus the Detroit Tigers.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Regent Sports Recalls Soccer Goal Nets Following Strangulation Death of a Child

SSG Note: Please be aware of the following recall today. Soccer is so important to a lot of Georgia youth. If you have a folding net, please take heed.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Products: MacGregor Folding Soccer Goals, Mitre Folding Soccer Goals

Units: About 190,000 units

Distributor: Regent Sports Corporation, of Hauppauge, N.Y.

Hazard: The fixed knot flexible openings in the soccer goal net can pose a head and neck entrapment or strangulation hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Regent Sports and CPSC have received two reports of head entanglement, including the strangulation death of a 20-month-old child who was found with his arm and neck tangled in the soccer goal net.

Description: Both soccer goals have a foldable white frame with a white net that is attached by Velcro strips. When upright, the MacGregor goal measures 6 feet wide by 3 feet high and the Mitre net measures 8 feet wide by 6 feet high. Each has a recalled net with squares measuring 5 inches on each side. The MacGregor soccer goal has model number 97236 printed on the assembly instructions and UPC code number 029807972365 printed on the net's packaging. The Mitre soccer goal has model number 89186 printed on the assembly instructions and UPC code number 029807891864 printed on the net's packaging. Nets manufactured after April 2007 with 4 inch by 4 inch square openings are not included in the recall.

Sold at: Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware and sports and toy stores nationwide from May 2002 through May 2008 for $26.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled soccer goal nets immediately and return them to Regent Sports to receive a free replacement net.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Regent Sports at (800) 516-9707 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

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Football Photo Contest Captures Memories To Last A Lifetime

SSG Note: Why do you love football? Why do you take all those captivating pictures of your kids playing football? Maybe you have a hankering to attend the Super Bowl in Tampa? Put them all together and enter the football photo contest.

(NAPSI)-Highly satisfying, for many parents, is capturing great photos of their children's milestones and important moments that can be shared with loved ones for years to come. Incorporating photography into your everyday activities can help you capture memories that will last a lifetime.

To encourage that idea, Canon U.S.A. and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are giving football and photography fans a chance to capture the fun, passion, excitement and journey of youth football and enter their best football photos in a fun contest. Everything from a playful catch in the backyard to any youth, school or organized football game is eligible for the "Why Do You Love Football?" Photo Challenge.

The grand-prize winners in the adult and teen divisions will each be awarded a trip for four to attend Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay and will earn a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a photo displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Additionally, the winners will receive a trip for four to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Celebration.

The nationwide amateur photo contest features two entry categories, "Action" and "Feature." The "Action" category focuses on any image that captures football action during game play, while the "Feature" category comprises any football imagery outside of game action on the field.

A judging panel consisting of renowned sports photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Peter Read Miller, Sports Illustrated, Archie Manning (former NFL quarterback and father of Indianapolis and New York Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks) and other prominent photographers will determine the group of 14 finalists in each division. The voting will then be turned over to the fans, who will crown the first-place winner in each category as well as the grand-prize winners.

"This will mark my third year working with Canon on the 'Why Do You Love Football?' Photo Challenge," said Archie Manning. "We've received some amazing photographs over the years, and I know from personal experience how important it is to have captured life's journey through photography. Having the opportunity to reflect and flip through old photos brings me right back to some of the best moments of my life."

Parents, family members and friends are encouraged to submit as many as 10 images each through December 3, 2008, by visiting www.usa.canon.com.

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Atlanta Falcons - Team Looks to Learn from Tampa Bay Mistakes

By J. Michael Moore
AtlantaFalcons.com Managing Editor

Atlanta Falcons, welcome back to the classroom.

A big Week 1 win had the Falcons feeling good over the weekend. That is until a rough outing in Tampa Bay ended in a 24-9 defeat and a trip back to the harsh realities of the NFL.

Head Coach Mike Smith reviewed the film with his team and staff on Monday and is prepared to chart a clear course for improvement.

"We got an opportunity to watch the tape and there were some things I was encouraged about," Smith said. "Our team fought hard the entire football game... But I'd also say there are a lot of things we've got to get corrected. We have to start faster."
Two Matt Ryan interceptions led to 10 Buccaneer points. A 20 percent success rate on third down in the first half put the Falcons in a big hole. Special teams penalties also affected field position with the Birds starting drives at their own 11-, 9-, 16- and 17-yard line in the game.

Ryan, who has been praised for his ability to quickly process mistakes, is ready to move on.

"I got in a little early this morning and looked at the tape," Ryan said. "I just made some decisions that weren't very good."

His teammates support his efforts and saw his ability to right the ship in the midst of the game. He may have misfired on his first nine passes but on one scoring drive he completed six of seven throws for more than 60 yards. At one point in the fourth quarter the Falcons were just one score from a tie game.

"We knew there were going to be bumps along the way," starting center Todd McClure said. "So, we're going to watch film and learn from this."

Perhaps the biggest learning opportunity comes from the team's stalls in the red zone: three trips, three field goals.

"Our red zone efficiency was not good," Smith said. "We were down there three times and not able to put the ball in the end zone. I think Matt will continue to get better. I thought Matt, overall, did some good things, especially there in the second half...

"Every week for this young football team guys are going to learn: Players, coaches, we're going to learn a lot about each other every week."

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Friday, September 12, 2008

2008 Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride

The 2008 Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride
September 13 - 14, 2008 (8:00 a.m. start each day)
Callaway Gardens (Pine Mountain, Georgia)
www.bikemsatlanta.org

Cox Enterprises and other marquis Atlanta-based companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, Turner, UPS and Georgia Power, among many others, are putting the pedal to the metal to fight multiple sclerosis (MS) this weekend. In addition to corporate support, many family and friend teams are hitting the pavement to support the cause as well. The 2008 Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride bike tour is a two-day fundraising ride through Callaway Gardens and Pine Mountain, Georgia. For the first time, multiple distance routes will be offered to encourage participation from riders of all levels.

The Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride is celebrating its 22nd year and benefits the National MS Society-Georgia Chapter, which supports more than 8,500 people with MS and their families all over Georgia. The Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride's goal is to recruit 1,300 riders and raise more than $1.2 million in proceeds. Currently, Cox Enterprises has the largest team with 155 riders -- a Georgia Chapter record.

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Hurricane Ike Forces Postponement of Valdosta State Football Game

Due to the uncertain weather conditions surrounding Hurricane Ike, the Valdosta State football game against Southern Arkansas, which was scheduled to be played Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. in Magnolia, Ark., has been postponed.

No make-up date for the event has been scheduled as of yet, although the two institutions are exploring possible dates for later in the season.

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Alysse Meyer Named Division III Volleyball National Player of the Week

Emory University junior outside Alysse Meyer (Stockton, CA) has been named the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III National Player of the Week following her performance at the Emory Classic last weekend.

The 6-foot Meyer earned the prestigious honor after an MVP performance that saw her spark the Eagles to a championship effort with a 4-0 record. She played in all 15 of the team’s games over the four matches and came up with a team-leading 71 kills (4.73 kpg), hit 42.2 percent (71-11—142), doled out 10 service aces and averaged 1.73 digs per game.

In the Eagles’ opening match of the Classic against No. 18 Haverford, she pounded out a career-high 30 kills, tying the second-highest match total in school history, and hit a blistering 56.2 percent (30-3—48) while also registering nine digs and five aces in the four-game win. She followed that up with a 16-kill, nine-dig evening against Southwestern in a thrilling five-game, come-from-behind victory over Southwestern.

She continued her torrid pace on the final day, hitting 68.4 percent with 13 kills in 19 attempts with zero errors in the Eagles’ 3-0 decision over Mount Union before closing out the weekend with three aces, while registering a 57.9 attack percentage on the strength of 12 terminations in 19 attempts with one error in a sweep against Carleton.

Meyer’s selection represents the fifth time that an Emory player has earned the Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Player of the Week Award. She joins Liana Roman (Oct. 14, 1996), Jennifer Naeger (Oct. 26, 1998), Lulu Sewell (Sept. 9, 2002) and Courtney Rose (Oct. 25, 2004) as Emory players to have been tabbed for the honor.

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PTC Classic Technical Shirt is a Classic

Every year one of the biggest draws to the annual Peachtree City Classic road race is the shirt that participants earn at the conclusion of their respective race (Women’s 5K, Men’s 5K, and Open 15K). It often becomes a collector’s item approaching the status of the Peachtree 10K shirts. This year’s will be no exception.

The Z1051 Unisex Long Sleeve Training Tee made by Zorrel, which normally retails for $19.50, will be the shirt earned by runners participating in this year’s Classic. The 100% Microfiber Polyester shirt, which features Syntrel™ Extreme Moisture Transport Technology and silky hand feel with covered stitched seams, is sure to be a hit with everyone.

Complementing the front of the shirt will be the race logo designed by local Peachtree City resident Julie H. Strain. Julie is the Senior Marketing Manager for Hoshizaki America but has worked in graphic design over the years. In the past, she has also designed the shirts for the annual Corporate Classic held downtown and sponsored by Jeff Galloway. Julie actually submitted two logos for this year’s Classic. They were posted on the PTC Running Club’s web site (www.ptcrc.com) for voting by the general public, and the winner is the one that appears on this year’s shirt.

Race Director Marino Fuentes states, “This shirt is a classic in keeping with the tradition of our Classic Race. We wanted something extra special this year for this event, and this shirt fulfills that goal. We feel we have a first-class event, but we never rest on our laurels. Every year we look to improve one aspect of the race or another. That’s one reason we feel honored to have our race serve as the USATF State Championship and the RRCA Southern Region Championship race again this year. It’s a reflection of all the hard work everybody in the running club does to ensure we have a race second to none.”

The shirt will be available for viewing at the Race Expo held in conjunction with the race. The Expo will take place on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Fred Brown Amphitheater from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday morning at the Amphitheater. The Expo is open to everyone and also serves as race packet pickup for race participants. There will be all manner of running and health related vendors for everyone from weekend athletes to ultra marathoners and Iron Man triathletes.

The Peachtree City Classic Road Race is always a sell-out, so get your applications in soon to assure your spot in the RRCA 15K Regional Championship Race or the 5K events. All races will start and finish at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City. The 5K races are each limited to the first 800 applicants, and the 15K Regional Championship is limited to the first 1,500. There are still a few spaces left in each event.

Applications are available at various locations in Peachtree City, Newnan, and Fayetteville, including local recreation departments, libraries, and sporting goods stores. Applications are also available at some of the sponsors of our race, including Chick-fil-A, Ultimate Fitness, Talbot State Bank, Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center, FC&A, and Publix. You can also register online at www.ptcrc.com. If you have any further questions about the race, you can send an e-mail to ptcclassic@bellsouth.net.
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Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Have lunch with Hall of Famer Hank Aaron on Thursday, Sept. 11 at Season's Final "Power Lunch"

Thursday, September 11, 12 - 1 PM. Doors open at 11 AM
Maggiano's (Buckhead)
3368 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

Atlanta Braves fans have the opportunity to enjoy lunch and participate in a Q & A session with Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, Braves coach Terry Pendleton, and Braves players Josh Anderson and Clint Sammons when the Atlanta Braves hold the season's final "Power Lunch presented by Publix," at Maggiano's in Buckhead.

Tickets are $35, and all proceeds go to the Atlanta Braves Foundation. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 404-614-1370 or visiting www.Braves.com/powerlunch. Paid admission entitles each guest to lunch and a special gift pack with an autographed item from one of the Braves Power Lunch participants. Tables of ten may be reserved at a discounted price of $315.

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Georgia State University Panthers Announce Basketball Schedule

Non-conference games against Georgia Tech, Florida State and Minnesota highlight the 2008-09 Georgia State men’s basketball schedule, announced Wednesday by head coach Rod Barnes.

Now in his second season at Georgia State, Barnes has the Panthers poised for significant improvement. Georgia State returns its top scorer in all-CAA guard Leonard Mendez as well as its top rebounder in senior Rashad Chase, and five transfers from Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East programs become eligible this season.

"We’re still building our program but we’re excited about what we can be this season," said Barnes, the 2001 Naismith National Coach of the Year at Mississippi. "We have more depth and talent, and we should be able to run and press and create more action on both ends of the floor. That’s the style I want to play, and we’re looking forward to doing that this season."

Georgia State opens the regular season in the NABC Classic at Minnesota, where the Panthers will face host Minnesota, Bowling Green and Concordia-St. Paul in a three-day span, Nov. 14-16.

"Playing in a preseason tournament, especially with a quality team like Minnesota, is a challenge but it’s a great opportunity for our team," said Barnes. "With so many new players in the lineup, we will find out a lot about our team very quickly."

Barnes is well-acquainted with Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith from their days in the SEC. Smith’s youngest son, Brian, played for Barnes at Ole Miss.

In December, the Panthers face back-to-back ACC foes. Florida State visits the Georgia State Sports Arena for the second time in three years on Saturday, Dec. 13. Four days later, State travels across town to play at Georgia Tech on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Last season, the Panthers dropped a five-point game against Tech at the Sports Arena.

Georgia State’s non-conference slate also includes home games against Jacksonville State, Coastal Carolina, Hampton and Southern Poly as well as road contests at Troy and UTSA. The Panthers will face an additional non-conference road test in the annual ESPN Bracketbuster event, scheduled for Feb. 21.

The 18-game CAA schedule begins with a road game at UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Dec. 5, and then resumes at home against Old Dominion on Saturday, Jan. 3.

The CAA schedule rotation has Georgia State playing home-and-home against VCU, Old Dominion, UNC Wilmington, Northeastern, Drexel, Delaware and Towson, home only against James Madison and Hofstra, and road only at George Mason and William and Mary.

With the exception of the Jan. 5 date at George Mason, all CAA games are currently scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays; however, conference games may move from Wednesday to Tuesday or Thursday or from Saturday to Sunday for television. The CAA television schedule will be announced later this month.

The CAA Championship is scheduled for Mar. 6-9 in Richmond, Va.

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Falcon Victory over Lions

Record-Breaking Turner Leads Falcons to Victory

Michael Turner rushed for a franchise-record 220 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Falcons defeated the Detroit Lions 34-21 in the 2008 opener.

Atlanta (1-0) exploded out of the gate, scoring on the first three offensive possessions and racking up 216 yards of total offense in the opening period. Quarterback Matt Ryan's first pass attempt of the season -- and his career -- was a 62-yard scoring strike to Michael Jenkins. That was followed by 66- and 5-yard touchdown runs by Turner.

Turner rushed for 117 yards and both touchdowns the first quarter but that was just a sign of big things to come for a Falcons football team eager to show off a new form of intensity for first-year Head Coach Mike Smith.

“We’ve said from the very beginning that we are going to be a team that runs the football," Smith said. "When you run the football, you can dictate to a defense. Prior to the draft, we spoke about being a physical football team and on both sides of the line of scrimmage. We pretty much set a statement in training camp that that’s what we wanted to do. We rushed for 100 yards in all four of our preseason games. We really did a nice job today. Michael Turner and Jerious (Norwood) both ran extremely well.”

A 21-0 lead -- and a season-opening victory also seemed to breathe new life into a fan base that witnessed just four 'W's' in a tumultuous 2007. Each score in the Falcons first-quarter barrage met with boisterous approval from the 62,310 inside the refurbished Georgia Dome.

"I think the fans were really into it, especially early on," Smith said. "That sets the tempo and advantage for our football team. I thought they did a nice job getting loud on third downs for our defense and we made some critical stops on third down."

Ryan, who became the first rookie to start a season for the Falcons since Steve Bartkowski in 1975, finished with a solid 161 passing yards and 137.0 quarterback rating. Turner led a ground game that picked up a franchise-record 318 rushing yards (7.6 yards per carry). The amount of big plays resulted in plenty of big celebrations, as Falcons players danced around the field almost nonstop during the game.

In all, 10 young players got their first opening day start with the Falcons on Sunday.

Some excitement was expected.

"You have to play this game with emotion," Ryan said. "It's a fun game and everyone was out there today playing with a lot of emotion and having a lot of fun."

That easygoing mentality helped when the Lions started to make a run.

The defense surrendered 14-second quarter points, but reasserted itself on the Lions opening drive of the third quarter with a Lawyer Milloy interception. The 13-year veteran returned the ball 38 yards back to the lions 49. Four plays later, Jason Elam kicked a 50-yard field goal to open a 24-14 lead.

The Falcons hit the accelerator again on the next possesion, using a 46-yard completion from Ryan to Roddy White to set up a 10-yard touchdown run by Norwood.

Turner and Norwood were nothing short of dominant in the second half (158 rushing yards) as they darted through holes in the middle of the defense and delivered hits to tiring Lions defenders. The Falcons talked throughout the off-season and training camp about estabilishing an identy based on toughness and a punishing run game.

Mission accomplished.

With Norwood's 93 rushing yards, the Falcons came just 7 yards away from having a 200- and 100-yard rusher for the first time in team history. Turner rushed for multiple touchdowns for the first time in his career, which started behind All-Pro LaDanian Tomlinson in San Diego.

“I thought they did a heck of a job out there," Ryan said when asked about the running game and offensive line. "They were able to set the pace for the entire offense. And for the passing game, our tackles, Tyson Clabo and Sam Baker held the fort down. They were able to contain the defensive ends for Detroit. They all helped set the single-game rushing record, so kudos to all of them.”

As a Charger, Turner often watched as Tomlinson re-wrote the record books.

"I always wondered what it would feel like to break a record," he said. "I didn't even know I was close to breaking a record today, it just happened"

Some would say he shattered the previous numbers (202 yards by Gerald Riggs), which will outshine the solid performance of the team's defense as Week 2 begins. The group bent, but failed to break Sunday as defensive end John Abraham sacked Lions quarterback Jon Kitna three times.

The Falcons now turn attention to a division opponent. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a 24-20 loss at New Orleans Sunday.

"We all know we have a lot of work to do," Ryan said. "This is a long season. We're going to play against tough defenses week-in and week-out. There are certainly areas where we can improve. We're going to get back out there this week, work hard and get ready to go against Tampa."

For now, the team is enjoying a win for the record books.

“It was a great win for our team," Milloy said. "I know that there are not a lot of people that have high expectations for our team, but we have expectations for ourselves and I thought that we showed that effort.”

By J. Michael Moore
AtlantaFalcons.com
Managing Editor

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Friday, September 5, 2008

Atlanta Thrashers Announce 2008-09 Television Schedule

The Atlanta Thrashers and SportSouth, the team’s regional cable home, have announced the 61-game television schedule (see attached) for the 2008-09 regular season. As previously announced, the Thrashers will also appear on VERSUS, the NHL’s national cable partner, two times (Oct. 28 vs. Philadelphia and Mar. 16 at Washington).

SportSouth’s coverage of the 2008-09 Thrashers regular season will feature 28 homes games and 33 road games, beginning on opening night when they host the Washington Capitals on Oct. 10 at Philips Arena (7:30 p.m.).

Throughout the season, SportSouth will broadcast several key match-ups, including 19 games against Southeast Division rivals (Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay and Washington), both games against the 2008 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings (Oct. 24 and March 20) and all four games against the Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins (Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 6 and March 17). SportSouth coverage also highlights the NHL’s new schedule format, which increases the amount of inter-conference games, by televising 14 of the Thrashers games against Western Conference opponents, including match-ups against Nashville (Nov. 28 and Jan. 17), Dallas (Jan. 27) and Anaheim (Feb. 15).

Darren Eliot, the team’s television analyst since its inception, will team up with play-by-play announcer JP Dellacamera for the fifth consecutive season. Natalie Taylor will join the broadcast team this season as a reporter for all home games, where she will provide rinkside analysis and interviews for SportSouth.

In addition to game telecasts, SportSouth will provide expanded post-game coverage with Thrashers LIVE, hosted on-site by Eliot and Dellacamera.

Both of the Thrashers games that will appear on VERSUS are the national “Game of the Week”, meaning that no other games will be televised at that time.
Season Tickets for the Atlanta Thrashers start at $10 per game and are available for the 2008-09 season by calling (866) 715-1500 or visiting atlantathrashers.com. Individual tickets for all regular-season Thrashers games at Philips Arena will go on sale Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. and 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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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Falcons Ready- Won't Back Down

“I know that we are going to bring a team that is ready to fight. We will be very, very aggressive. We have already set a tone of the type of football team we want to be and that is a physical one. Throughout the preseason, we have done that. It is a group that will not back down from anybody. I know Coach Marinelli and his group of staff preach the same thing."

Head Coach Mike Smith
Atlanta Falcons

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Thrashers to Participate in Traverse City Prospect Evaluation Tournament Sept. 13-17

The Atlanta Thrashers will be among eight NHL teams participating in the 2008 Traverse City Prospect Evaluation Tournament, hosted by the Detroit Red Wings at the Center I.C.E. Arena in Traverse City, Mich., from Sept. 13-17. The Thrashers will compete in the tournament’s Eastern Conference along with the Red Wings, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues will comprise the Western Conference.

Per tournament rules, each team may have a maximum of four players with one year of professional experience. In order to participate, all skaters must have been born no later than 1984; goalies are exempt from this rule.

The Thrashers roster will be highlighted by the team’s third overall selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, defenseman Zach Bogosian, as well as former Pittsburgh Penguins first-round selection Angelo Esposito. Newly appointed Chicago Wolves Head Coach Don Granato and Gwinnett Gladiators Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Pyle will coach the Thrashers prospects.

At the conclusion of the tournament, players will be selected to participate in the Thrashers main training camp, which begins with physicals and medical testing on Sept. 19th at the Duluth IceForum. On-ice workouts begin on Sept. 20th and are open to the public. A complete training camp schedule will be released at a later date.

Thrashers Traverse City Prospect Evaluation Tournament Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 13
· Practice (8:30-9:15 a.m.); Game vs. Tampa Bay (3 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 14
· Practice (9:30-10:15 a.m.); Game vs. NY Rangers (2:30 p.m.)
Monday, Sept. 15
· Practice (10:45-11:45 a.m.)
Tuesday, Sept. 16
· Practice (11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.); Game vs. Detroit (7 p.m.)
Wednesday, Sept. 17
· 7th Place Game (2 p.m.)
· 5th Place Game (2:30 p.m.)
· 3rd Place Game (6 p.m.)
· Championship Game (6:30 p.m.)

Season Tickets for the Atlanta Thrashers start at $10 per game and are available for the 2008-09 season by calling (866) 715-1500 or visiting atlantathrashers.com. Individual tickets for all regular-season Thrashers games at Philips Arena will go on sale Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. and 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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Green Bay Packers Kick-Off New Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange Service for Fans

(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Green Bay Packers, in partnership with Ticketmaster (Nasdaq:TKTM) today announced the creation of a Ticket Exchange service that will provide fans looking to buy or sell Packer tickets a safe, convenient and league-endorsed resale platform. Through the groundbreaking agreement, Ticketmaster will operate the official Packer ticket exchange that will be accessible from Packers.com/Ticketexchange and Ticketmaster.com.

"This is another excellent addition to the online resources we offer our ticket holders and fans," said Mark Wagner, Packers director of ticket operations. "Our ticket holders already have been taking advantage of our online account management system, and Ticket Exchange now offers a convenient, team-approved method of selling their tickets to other fans."

"Packers fans expect and deserve to be able to buy and sell their tickets in a safe and easy way," said Eric Korman, Executive Vice President of Ticketmaster. "We're excited to extend our relationship with the Green Bay Packers team as their official resale partner. This is a great win for Packers fans who will benefit from the security and simplicity of our Ticket Exchange platform."

A particular feature, called "Ticket Forwarding," allows ticket holders to forward tickets to their friends, family and clients via e-mail. The process can be done up to two-and-one-quarter hours before the game and avoids the need for overnight or in-person delivery. This is accomplished by the use of a unique barcode on each ticket that will be scanned at Lambeau Field gates this season. During the forwarding process, the barcode on the original season ticket is cancelled and a new one is issued electronically. The recipient is sent a new ticket via TicketFast(r) with a unique barcode that can be printed right away.
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Monday, September 1, 2008

Flat Rock and Sandy Creek to host Great Pumpkin Race II

Flat Rock Middle School and Sandy Creek High School have joined forces once again to host a 5K and 1-Mile fun run/walk on Saturday, October 11, 2008. The cost for participating is $15 until October 1st. After October 1, the fee will rise to $20. Race warm-ups will begin at 8:00 am at the Sandy Creek cross country course. All participants will receive a t-shirt and will be eligible to win a bevy of door prizes. Awards to the top three male/female finishers in each age group in the 5K race will also be provided. For more information, visit the Flat Rock website at www.flatrockms.org, or email the race organizers at foley.matt@fcboe.org. Proceeds from the race will benefit an educational program at both schools.
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