Hartwell Lake Poker Paddle Aug. 14 to Benefit Alzheimer's

The Hartwell Lake Alzheimer's Memory Poker Paddle will be held Aug. 14 at Friends at the Cove, 1500 Providence Church Road in Anderson. Beginners and experienced paddlers are welcomed. Participants can bring their own canoe or kayak or may rent a canoe from Grady's Great Outdoors. Prizes will be awarded, including a grand prize of a new kayak.

Register Online at http://alz.kintera.org/pokerpaddle

For more information contact Wendy at 864-356-2451 or Alzpaddle@yahoo.com

Color Purple Comes to Clemson

The unforgettable story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over adversity

and discovers her own unique voice in the world, comes to life on the Brooks

Center stage in the Broadway hit "The Color Purple" at 8 p.m. Sept.

7.

Read the entire news release at:

http://www.clemson.edu/media-relations/article.php?article_id=2996

Lake Hartwell Triple Crown Set for Aug. 13-15

     More than 150 athletes will take to the waters of Lake Hartwell Aug. 13-15 for the Lake Hartwell Triple Crown Water Cross, part of the Toyota Upstate Watercraft Promotions-International Jet Sport Boating Association (UWP-IJSBA) national tour.

     The events will take place at the Big Oaks Recreation Area in Hartwell, Ga., and the action is free for spectators, who can view the races from land or water. Races will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14-15. 

     For more information, visit http://www.mylakehartwell.org or http://www.uwpinc.com. 

Racers from around the world will race personal watercraft through a closed course at speeds up to 80 miles per hour. A.J. Handler, director of Upstate Watercraft Promotions in Penfield, N.Y., describes the event as “NASCAR on the water.”

     “You’re going to get to see some of the fastest professionals in the country, from as far away as Washington state, Nevada and Ontario, Canada,” Handler said. “Some of the best athletes in the country are competing in this event. If you love NASCAR, you’re going to love the racing here.”

Handler said Lake Hartwell is the perfect location for the event.

     “It’s a beautiful lake,” he said. “And we’re being welcomed by the community, which is great.”

In addition to racing, the tournament will feature a freestyle segment, which Handler says is always a crowd favorite. Athletes will take to the air, performing choreographed, acrobatic routines for a panel of judges.          The freestyle competition will be held at noon Saturday and Sunday.

Local amateur riders will get their chance to compete on the course in a corporate challenge on Friday, Aug. 13, at 11:30 a.m. Local companies will organize teams to race on the professional course.

     The weekend also includes a beach volleyball tournament and local vendors.

     The Lake Hartwell Triple Crown event is one of six events on the Toyota UWP-IJSBA Tour. Other races are schedules in Florida, New York Wisconsin and West Virginia. Racers accumulate points to qualify for the International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals in Lake Havasu, Ariz. 

     “The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce is excited and encouraged by the collective interest in marketing Lake Hartwell’s businesses, attractions and assets,” said Wendi Bailey, president of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce. “We applaud and support the entrepreneurial spirit and the passion to make our Lake Hartwell region better than it is today.”

      Kathy Benson, executive director of the Anderson Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she is expecting 7,500 spectators to come out to the event, something that will help boost the economy on both sides of the state line.

Rescheduled Council Meeting Tonight

Anderson County Council will meet tonight at the historic courthouse at 6 p.m. This meeting was rescheduled from Aug.5.

A presentation of the regional economic strategies for 2010 is among the agenda items. Full Agenda here.

Applications Being Taken for ATAX Grants

     Applications for the 2010-2011 Anderson County Accommodation (ATAX) Grant funds are now available. Eligible organizations may pick up the application at the Anderson County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Office located in room 11 of the historic courthouse, 101 South Main Street. Deadline for submission is 4 pm on August 27, 2010.

     ATAX Grants are provided through revenue received by the County for its share of the 2% lodging tax levied by the State of South Carolina. An Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, mandated by the State and composed of seven representatives of the hospitality industry, reviews applications for funding and makes recommendations to Anderson County Council for the awarding of these funds. By law these monies may only be used for activities related to travel and tourism.

     Eligible organizations are any government agency; board; commission; or pubic subdivision not specifically designated as a state agency and any non-profit or organization exempt from federal taxes. All applications must provide a federal identification number.

School Dist. 3 Board Meeting Tonight

     The Anderson County School Dist. 3 Board of Trustees will meet Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in the district administration in Iva. The agenda includes a end of year financial report review.

Sheriff's Department Seeks Missing Anderson Man

     The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating James McBee.  On Friday, August 6, 2010 Mr. McBee walked away from the Village Community Care Center Home located at 1250 Salem Church Road in Anderson, SC. 

 

     Mr. McBee is described as a 56 yoa black male, approximately 5-10/210, with balding/short hair.  Mr. McBee was last seen wearing a green shirt, dark green pants and blue shoes.

 

     Mr. McBee suffers from mental illness and does not have his medications. Mr. McBee has family in Greenville SC and may possibly be trying to return to Greenville, where he has frequented area shelters in the past.  As you may recall, Mr. McBee walked away from Village Community Care on July 30, 2010 and was later located on Rutherford Road in Greenville on August 3, 2010.  McBee has been entered into the NCIC network.

 

     Anyone with information concerning Mr. McBee’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Anderson County Sheriffs’ Office at 864-260-4400.

Dist. 5 Outpaces State Average on PASS

     Anderson School District Five outpaced the state average in all five subjects and all six grades tested on the 2010 administration of the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS).

     The test was administered to students in grades 3 through 8 in five subjects: English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Writing. A higher percentage of District Five students passed their tests in every grade and every category compared to state averages. 

     “These scores, along with other testing done through the course of the year, allow us to chart our progress and give us the opportunity to find areas where we need to focus extra attention,” said District Five Superintendent Betty Bagley. “We want to use this information to refine our curriculum and teaching strategies in ways that will make our students more successful in all five subjects.”

      Last year the PASS test replaced the ten-year-old Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests (PACT) as the state’s accountability measurement of student achievement. South Carolina and federal laws require end-of-the-year accountability tests for grades 3-8 that are based on state academic standards. 

       Anderson School District Five outpaced the state average in all five subjects and all six grades tested on the 2010 administration of the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS).
The test was administered to students in grades 3 through 8 in five subjects: English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Writing. A higher percentage of District Five students passed their tests in every grade and every category compared to state averages. 
      “These scores, along with other testing done through the course of the year, allow us to chart our progress and give us the opportunity to find areas where we need to focus extra attention,” said District Five Superintendent Betty Bagley. “We want to use this information to refine our curriculum and teaching strategies in ways that will make our students more successful in all five subjects.”
      Last year the PASS test replaced the ten-year-old Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests (PACT) as the state’s accountability measurement of student achievement. South Carolina and federal laws require end-of-the-year accountability tests for grades 3-8 that are based on state academic standards. 

Town Hall Meeting for Veterans Scheduled Aug. 18

The Anderson Community Base Outpatient clinic will hold a public Town Hall Meeting on August 18, 2010. The meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Anderson County Civic Center, 3027 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Anderson, SC.  This meeting is designed for Veteran patients and their family members who are enrolled for care at the Anderson VA Outpatient Clinic.  Veterans in the community with questions or concerns are encouraged to attend.

Author to Speak to Christian Writers' Group

Debut author Jennifer Hudson Taylor, will give a workshop on The Art of Research for Today & Yesterday at SC Upstate American Christian Writers' Chapter. She’ll also sign copies of her novel, Highland Blessings, a Scottish Medieval Romance in Christian Fiction. The workshop is free and visitors are welcome to attend.

Date: Saturday, August 28, 2010

When: 2:30 PM

Where: Anderson County Library, 300 N. McDuffie St., Anderson, SC 29621

Who: Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor

What: Author will give a workshop on The Art of Research for Today & Yesterday, sign books, discuss her road to publication, and offer a Q&A session

Jennifer Hudson Taylor is the author of historical and contemporary Christian fiction set in Europe and the Carolinas. Her fiction has won awards in the American Christian Fiction Writers' Genesis Contest. Her debut novel, Highland Blessings, was released May 2010. Other works have appeared in national publications, such as Guideposts, Heritage Quest Magazine, Everton’s Genealogical Publishers, and The Military Trader. Jennifer graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Journalism. When she isn't writing, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, genealogy, and reading. She resides with her husband and daughter in the Charlotte area of NC. 

Jennifer's fiction is represented by Literary Agent, Terry Burns with Hartline Literary Agency.

Highland warrior Bryce MacPhearson kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. When he forces Akira to wed him, hoping to end a half-century feud between their clans, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment. . .Yet her strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce. But there is a traitor in their midst . . . and murder is the ultimate weapon.

Online Press Kit: http://jenniferhudsontaylor.com/blogspot.com

Email: jt4novels@yahoo.com 

Website: www.jenniferhudsontaylor.com

East-West Connector Meeting Tonight

An EAST-WEST CONNECTOR INFORMATIONAL MEETING will be held tonight at 6:30 at the Civic Center of Anderson. The public is invited.

First Quality Begins Construction, Hiring

     Last week, First Quality Enterprises took ownership of the former Shaw Industries property and began construction of its new facility in Anderson.  In May, First Quality Tissue announced it would establish a manufacturing facility utilizing a state-of-the-art Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) technology and a complete line of converting equipment, significantly expanding its capacity and commitment to the tissue and towel industry.            The company plans to invest $1 billion and create 1,000 new jobs to support its new production facility in Anderson County, South Carolina.

In addition to First Quality's plans to create 1,000 new direct jobs over time, construction of the new facilities will generate an immediate impact with an additional 550 construction jobs.

     First Quality Tissue expects the initial operations to commence in 2011 and will begin the hiring process in the third quarter of 2010.  The company anticipates hiring 200 positions at that time.  readySC™ will assist with hiring and training of new employees for the new Anderson County facility.  Individuals interested in applying for positions should visit the S.C. Tech Jobs Web site at www.sctechjobs.com in the months ahead.

Last week, First Quality Enterprises took ownership of the former Shaw Industries property and began construction of its new facility in Anderson.  In May, First Quality Tissue announced it would establish a manufacturing facility utilizing a state-of-the-art Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) technology and a complete line of converting equipment, significantly expanding its capacity and commitment to the tissue and towel industry.        The company plans to invest $1 billion and create 1,000 new jobs to support its new production facility in Anderson County, South Carolina.
In addition to First Quality's plans to create 1,000 new direct jobs over time, construction of the new facilities will generate an immediate impact with an additional 550 construction jobs.
     First Quality Tissue expects the initial operations to commence in 2011 and will begin the hiring process in the third quarter of 2010.  The company anticipates hiring 200 positions at that time.  readySC™ will assist with hiring and training of new employees for the new Anderson County facility.  Individuals interested in applying for positions should visit the S.C. Tech Jobs Web site at www.sctechjobs.com in the months ahead.

Missing Anderson Man Found In Greenville

The Greenville City Police Department located Missing Anderson Man James McBee on Rutherford Road in their jurisdiction around 4:30am this morning. McBee was in good health and transported back to Village Community Care in Anderson. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the members of the media community for disseminating the information regarding this incident.