Beauty and The Beads

In order to plan for future growth and to modernize the operations of the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society, a community-wide effort was undertaken during the past three years led principally by Vidal Davis and helped by many others to raise funds to build and operate a modern state-of-the-art facility.

The NACHS faces many challenges and it has become clear that the current facilities have badly outgrown their ability to accommodate the needs of the animals and staff. Through the hard work of Vidal and the membership of the NACHS, more than $500,000 has been raised to construct the new facility. These generous donations and pledges were made based on specific building plans and assurances from the NACHS.

It now seems that some of the members of the board of directors of the NACHS have recently changed the proposed plans and location for the new animal shelter. I, along with many others, are concerned and feel we need to call a public meeting to discuss why these changes are being made. The meeting should include the NACHS board, the full membership and anyone who donated money to the building fund based on public plans presented for the last three years.

Various members and donors have made requests to the board to have such a meeting, but these requests have been denied. We understand that at least three of the 10 board members have recently resigned because of the new change in direction and issues.

The board should be required to report to the membership on at least an annual basis. It is now time to report. To have a public meeting is not a personal attack on the board. Many of them have spent years taking care of animals, spending their own money, many hours of personal time and always with love in their hearts for the animals and the society.

However, now there is a need for additional fiscal oversight and management on the board. It is imperative that the NACHS is in compliance with its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status of having an audit annually, by-laws, election of officers and many other requirements.

The more than half million dollars that have been raised so far were given for the specific purpose of a new facility based on the building plans that have been presented and not for current operating expenses. If the plans are changed, a decision of this magnitude should be made by the general membership. Some donors have stated they may want their money back under these circumstances. One pledge was for $100,000 if the facility was built, but more importantly, if the NACHS could show ongoing management and prepared plans for continued operations with on-site management. This was rejected by the current board. Now, with the recent changes, that pledge has been withdrawn.

Many of us donated funds thinking the original proposed plans for a new state-of-the-art shelter was a forward-thinking idea that would facilitate bringing our area into the new century.

The City of Natchez also appropriates $15,000 a year, and Adams County appropriates $20,000 a year so the taxpayers of Adams County have a right to see an audit and that promises are kept.

Rather than scaling back on the facility’s plans, we should be thinking of expanding so the humane society doesn’t have to kill an average of nearly 100 animals a month. With all of the effort about regionalism, why not a Miss-Lou Humane Society? Across the river, we have two progressive, strong, successful and respected mayors in Hyram Copeland and Glen McGlothin that may be interested in joining with us.

The new shelter is designed to last for at least the next 50 years. If it is cut back, then in a few short years we will be back to where we are now.

Adults and students won’t volunteer because “it stinks” and due to the rundown deplorable conditions of the present building. These conditions are not the fault of the present staff, but of a facility that was never designed for this purpose and outlived its usable life years ago.

We need to act fast before the donor base for the humane society is weakened because of lack of confidence and lack of trust in the words of the board.

We call for a public meeting.

Build it right and the money will come.

Tony Byrne is a Natchez resident.

?We said our goodbyes and I thought that it would be our final goodbye,? Kephart said. ?(When Pearson called), I was like ?Oh no!? ?

Though not an ideal situation, Kephart was glad to be able to reconnect with Pearson after initially doubting she?d ever see him again.

?It?s fun when you can see those kind of people again,? she said.

Pearson said people?s willingness to help him out says more about the area than the fact that his things were stolen.

?One person may have stole my stuff, but all these people are helping me,? Pearson said.

Pearson plans to fly back to California, restock his equipment and continue the next leg of his journey as planned.

?I didn?t want to lose this trip,? Pearson said. ?It?s really just a personal adventure and I was having fun.?

Ellering hopes that someone in the community will help Pearson get his kayak back so he can return to the water.

?I just feel so bad, you come to our city and your stuff gets stolen,? Ellering said. ?I?d love to get this guy?s stuff back.?

Anyone with information can call St. Cloud police at 251-1200.

It was Kevin Garnetts finest performance of the entire Eastern Conference semifinals, and hands down one of his best showings in a Boston uniform. It was a throwback game, an ode to his days as the NBAs Most Valuable Player, as he carried the Celtics in a critical Game 3 against the Miami Heat. With his team facing a 2-0 series hole, Garnett went to work in the post and torched the Heat for 28 points, with 14 of them coming in a pivotal third quarter that saw the Celtics turn a two-point deficit into an 11-point advantage heading into the final frame. Garnett shot a blistering 9-of-13 on field goals taken less than 10 feet from the rim, routinely exploiting the helpless defense of Chris Bosh and Joel Anthony.

April 24: Celtics 101, Knicks 89 (Game 4) — 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks

With the Celtics a game away from a successful first-round sweep of the New York Knicks, Garnett followed up a quiet first half in which he scored only six points by exploding for 20 more over the final 24 minutes, as the Cs closed the book on Broadway and sent the Knicks packing for the summer (actually, they were probably already packed at that point). Garnett scored 12 points in the third quarter, including eight straight at one point that pushed Bostons lead to a convincing 22. New York would rally in the fourth quarter, but Garnett would bury two crucial mid-range jump shots off of pick-and-pop plays with Rajon Rondo to help silence the Knicks for good.

March 21: Celtics 96, Knicks 86 — 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals

In three regular season games against the Knicks, Garnett averaged 22.7 points on 62.5 percent shooting to go along with 11.3 rebounds — some of his finest numbers against any one opponent. In the third meeting between the two clubs the intensity reached new heights and the Knicks put the Celtics in a 15-point hole midway through the second quarter. But after trailing by 14 at halftime, Garnett helped the Celtics respond in the third frame, as he scored Bostons first eight points of the second half and 10 overall in the third quarter as the Cs slashed their deficit to just six going into the final frame. Paul Pierce was the Celtics closer with 13 points over the final 12 minutes, but Garnett was the perfect setup man, helping to put Boston back in a manageable spot for when Pierce came alive.

March 2: Celtics 115, Suns 103 — 28 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks

This was a response game of sorts for Garnett. After getting ejected in the fourth quarter of the Celtics 88-71 loss to the Suns back in January after a dust-up with Channing Frye, Garnett retaliated in the finest of manners: By thoroughly dominating with his play on the court. As tough as Frye tried to act back in January, there was nothing he could say on this night, as Garnett abused him to the tune of 28 points. Garnett buried his first five shots, scoring 12 points in the opening frame in less than 10 minutes of action. His expected intensity was present from the start, and lasted all the way to final buzzer, as he drew a technical foul with 16 seconds remaining after exchanging words with Suns coach Alvin Gentry. Gentry might have gotten a few choice words in, but a dominant Garnett and the Celtics walked away with the victory.

Jan. 30: Celtics 109, Lakers 96 — 18 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists

The game marked the Celtics first trip to the Staples Center since their devastating Game 7 loss to the Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals, and a win would further help the ongoing healing process. Garnett served as an integral part of Bostons solid 13-point victory, as he closer resembled the 2008 version of himself who owned Pau Gasol in the post, as opposed to the 2010 version who was unable to dominate the Lakers All-Star forward in the same fashion. Not even a second-quarter gash to the top of the head that required the worlds largest Band-Aid was enough to slow Garnett down. If anything, the shot to the head woke a sleeping beast, as Garnett scored 14 of his 18 points after he returned from getting bandaged up in the locker room. It was one of Garnetts most efficient efforts in a game that held just a little bit more meaning than your average regular-season affair.

Greg Payne is a student intern for ESPNBoston.com

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which holds the trademark rights to the original iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, said in a statement this afternoon that it was upset to learn Wellington Airport had ressurected plans to proceed with its Wellywood sign.

The chamber said it had assumed the initiative had been dropped, but learned through media enquiries that it was back on. It had expected a direct approach from Wellington Airport.

Chamber president and chief executive Leron Gubler said As a matter of courtesy, we would have expected at a minimum a response from the airport authority as they had promised … We will now again refer this to our legal counsel for advice.

Mr Gubler said his organisation was not without a sense of humour, but that if Wellington Airport did not seek the chambers cooperation, the lawyers can sort it out.

Lawyer Rick Shera expects the chamber to take advantage of untested provisions in our Trade Marks Act:

We introduced changes to our Trademarks Act quite a few years ago to protect marks that are well known in NZ. One argument will be whether Wellywood, as the Act says, takes unfair advantage of, or is detrimental to, the distinctive character or the repute of Hollywood, the Lowndes Jordan partner told NBR.

Councillor mulls High Court action
Meanwhile,Wellington City Councillor and former chair of the Wellington Airport Authority Helene Ritchie, is calling for a judicial review in the High Court of the decision to approve the Wellywood sign without consulting the public.

If nothing happens, the concillor will consider taking her own High Court action.

Ms Richie said the sign was tacky, and an insult to the city.

The Airport Company should give in and stick to its core business, the councillor said.

Failing that it will face a very angry public, and the expensive possibility of American litigation by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce lawyers.

The Wellington City Council holds a minority stake in the airport. The majority of shares are owned by Infratil.

RAW DATA: The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce statement, May 24

In March 2010, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, holder of the trademark to the world-famous Hollywood Sign, began receiving press inquiries about a proposed creation of a sign at the Wellington, New Zealand, airport that would mimic the Hollywood Sign.

In response to the proposal, the Chambers attorney sent a letter dated March 12, 2010 to Steven Fitzgerald, CEO of the Wellington Airport (WIAL). The Chamber affirmed its rights to the Hollywood Sign trademark and urged the Airport Authority to seek permission from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, if it was determined to proceed with the proposed sign.

On March 17, 2010, the Chamber received a letter from Mike Brown, Airport Planner in Wellington, acknowledging receipt of Chamber letter. Mr. Brown stated that WIAL would consider the issues raised and would respond shortly.

Since no further correspondence was received, and with reports of strong opposition from the Wellington community, the Chamber assumed that WIAL had dropped plans for the sign. On May 20, the Chamber learned through media inquiries that WIAL announced that it is going forward with a sign. In response to press inquiries, Chamber President amp; CEO Leron Gubler has issued the following statement: The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is disappointed to learn that WIAL is moving forward with the construction of a Wellywood Sign. As a matter of courtesy, we would have expected at a minimum a response from the Airport authority as they had promised. We believed the project was abandoned. We will now again refer this to our legal counsel for advice.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce saved the Hollywood Sign years ago, set up a Trust to protect and to maintain it, licenses use of its image to fund the Trust, and is responsible for its continued existence as an iconic symbol of the US, if not the global entertainment industry. We are not without a sense of humor, nor without legal rights. We hope that if the Wellington Airport wants to mimic our Sign in this fashion, it will proceed in cooperation with us and will recognize that the holder of the rights to the Sign and the party responsible for its continued existence is a nonprofit entity that works hard to raise funds so that the Sign even exists to be mimicked.

We hope that this time our overture to WIAL to that end will be responded to in like spirit. Otherwise, the lawyers can sort it out, but that seems a shame, particularly in regard to a project that appears to be controversial in Wellington already.

Johns Creek, Ga. The leader of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and two local legislators spoke to the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce about bills affecting the business community.

Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Clark said on May 19 the chambers main concern was competitiveness, both Georgias competiveness with other states in attracting businesses and creating a competitive business environment within the state.

He then described several bills that were of interest to the business community, including a bill that would permit public-private partnerships to develop water resources. The communities north of Interstate 20 are particularly needful of water, and public-private partnerships are a tool in the toolbox if money is short. He said the law does not permit anyone to get around environmental laws.

The state also refined its ethics laws, so anyone talking to a legislator or doing business with any government no longer has to register as a lobbyist.

We brought that up to the speaker, we brought that up to the Senate, he said.

Two weeks of effort later, the unintended consequences of the earlier bill were reversed.

Other bills of interest to business included a bill that moderated an unemployment-insurance increase and one to allow people to purchase insurance policies across state lines.

Senate Bill 10 allows cities and counties to vote on allowing retail alcohol sales on Sunday.

For the Georgia Chamber, this was a bill about fairness and equality, he said.

However, House Bill 234, the tax reform bill, ultimately failed. Clark said the chamber looked at tax reform from an economic development point of view. He said Georgia taxes energy used in manufacturing, which is a burden on businesses. He suggested cutting or eliminating the state income tax to better compete with Florida. Another bill did extend tax credits to those encouraging tourism in Georgia.

One of the years major accomplishments was saving the HOPE scholarship.

I want to give a lot of credit to Gov. Deal, Clark said.

He said Gov. Nathan Deal built a coalition to keep the scholarship viable long-term. Although some students may need to pay up to $300 per semester, the pre-kindergarten program was saved and even gained students.

For the first time, all of our valedictorians and salutatorians will get a full ride, he said.

About the controversial immigration bill, he attributed the need for the bill to the federal governments failure to deal with illegal immigration. He said the chambers concern was the impact on business and pushed to exempt businesses with fewer than 10 employees from the requirement to use eVerify.

The Georgia Chamber will be sending business owners a survey as part of a statewide competitiveness initiative. Clark and others will travel the state to see what should be incorporated into a jobs bill.

The chamber also launched the Georgia Transportation Alliance.

We saw the need out there, he said.

The business community wants a seat at the table when transportation improvements are planned. Clark endorsed the additional sales tax for transportation improvements, which will be voted on in 2012.

Spending increases
WASHINGTON — Consumers spent more in April but much of the increase was eaten up by higher food and energy prices. After discounting for the jump in prices, spending barely budged and after-tax incomes were flat for a second straight month. Consumer spending rose 0.4 percent, reflecting a surge in the category that covers food and gasoline, areas which showed big price gains last month, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Excluding price changes, spending rose a much smaller 0.1 percent.

A group of Elizabeth Township residents braved the afternoon heat in a country cemetery Saturday to pay homage to 37 Civil War veterans whom time almost forgot.

When the Elizabeth Township Historical Society began its work two years ago, many of the old headstones at Old Greenock Cemetery were unreadable. Others had sunk or were leaning. Some were lost to a tornado in 1944.

They went across the river. Who knows where they ended up, historical society President Ronald Morgenstern said.

On Saturday, the veterans graves at the cemetery, an acre of shaded greenery on a sharp bend in Greenock Buena Vista Road, were all marked with new flags and flowers for the ceremony dedicating granite replacement markers on their graves.

Beside each grave stood an empty chair with a card telling of the veteran and his service.

As the historical society dedicated the headstones, volunteers stood, one by one, and read each veterans history. Among them: coal miners, laborers and farmers who left their homes to bear arms at Bull Run, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

Jena Lucza, 14, sat proudly by Private Oliver M. Heaths stone. Later, she read his story, telling of the man who fought at Gettysburg and watched Lees surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.

He was my adopted grandfathers grandfather, Lucza said shyly, adding that she had come because her adopted grandfather, Bill Heath, is in a nursing home and could not attend.

The tombstones in front of us are not just stone, said Capt. Russell J. Hoffman of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, the keynote speaker. Rather, he said, they are a reminder to dictate to all that pass by that a veteran lies here.

Morgenstern, 84, a World War II veteran, researched local history and recruited volunteers for the work.

He said the ceremony, which included a contingent of Civil War re-enactors, patriotic messages, a rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic and a 21-gun salute, was the culmination of a two-year project.

Donors and local businesses paid for the stones and volunteers helped to place the markers during the past few weeks, Morgenstern said.

We spent about $128 on cement, said Morgenstern, standing near three graves of brothers who served in the US Colored Troops. The three brothers are among six Colored Troops buried there.

One grave in Greenock Cemetery belongs to Edward S. Cloman, one of the soldiers who chased John Wilkes Booth after he shot President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

MANALI: If you have become bored with common games and outings, angling in the cold waters of Himachal Pradesh could make a big difference. Pick up your fishing rod and try your luck with a gate pass to anglers paradise for only Rs 100 per day.

Introduced in India by Britishers in early 19th century, adventure angling is becoming a popular water sport among tourists in Himachal Pradesh. HP fisheries department has made adequate arrangements for the sport which is being increasingly recognized by medical authorities in western countries for its health benefits, as, lured to chase more and more fish, the anglers sometimes end up walking more than 20 km a day.

Himachal has 2,400 km-long streams of fresh trout waters. Beas, Sutlej, Tirthan, Sainj, Ravi, Uhl, Pabar, Baspa, Giri, Lambadug, Nugal, Rana, Bata, Gai and Baner are the major streams with an abundance of trout, mahseer, nemacheilus, spp, barlius sp, schizothoracids crossocheilus sp, etc., sources said.

Fisheries department director BD Sharma said that interested anglers would have to get license only for rod and line in trout waters while in 600 km-long streams of general water, both rod and line as well as cast netting is allowed without license. We have identified 32 to 40 km of angling reserve area as potential fishing spots for both brown and rainbow trout and mahseer, where one can enjoy fishing. Anglers are permitted to catch a maximum of six trouts a day on each license and trout should not be less than 40 cm in size, he said.

Sharma added that both domestic and foreign tourists were increasing taking more interest in this western sport and the department has made norms easy for tourists to get a license. We are trying our best to provide global tourists an unforgettable angling experience which would help increase government revenue. We are receiving a number of applications for angling license. Tirthan and Sainj rivers in Kullu are famous among foreign tourists, he said.

A tarantula, among many other pets, has taken shelter at the Edmonton Humane Society until its owners, who have had to relocate, will be able to care for it again.

By Doug Smith
Sports Reporter

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MIAMI–In a game of grit and determination and toughness, a night that was supposed to be decided by those who do the dirty work with little recognition, a guy hardly known for those attributes carried the Miami Heat.

A guy by the name of Chris Bosh, who came up with the best — and most unlikely — game of his NBA playoff career when his team needed him the most.

Far more finesse than power, not known for getting his hands dirty and considered very much “the other guy” on his team, Bosh exploded for a game-high 34 points as the Heat beat the Chicago Bulls 96-85 before a rabid crowd at the American Airlines Arena.

Yes, Bosh’s more heralded teammates did their part — Dwyane Wade had 17 points and LeBron James added 22 — but it was the unexpected production of Bosh that kept the Heat in the game for most of the night.

And while he kept his emotions in check and didn’t get into any significant physical confrontations, Bosh did let loose one of those primal screams of his after a fourth-quarter basket that got the team — and crowd — going.

“I was really trying to just conserve (energy) and expend it all playing and once we got into it, it got a lot better,” he said. “We kind of built the lead a little bit, got it to six or eight points and I thought ‘okay, now we’ll get the crowd into it.’”

For once, they were all looking at him rather than his more famous teammates, a fact Bosh is getting used to.

“It was extremely difficult, there was a point where I really didn’t know how I was going to be able to be effective,” he said. “I still have to have that aggressiveness as I had then, I’m not going not get as many play calls . . . but I have to have that swagger and believe in myself.”

As expected, a large portion of the game was played in little more than hand-to-hand combat as two defensive giants tried to get in each other’s way.

But for all the wrestling and jostling that was going on — hardly aspects of the game associated with Bosh — the ex-Raptor was his usually effective self.

He didn’t power his way to the basket often but he used his quickness and jump shooting to carry Miami for about three quarters.

“He came in with a very aggressive mindset, we tried to help him a little bit to give us a bit more variety with our offence,” said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. “Ultimately, it’s about reading the game . . . and he put his imprint on the game right from the beginning.”

And when James and Wade did just enough to have a large impact — Wade had eight of his points in the second half, and James had a game-sealing three-point play with about five minutes left — the Heat were able to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

While the Heat’s best players were playing near the top of their games, the same couldn’t be said for Chicago’s.

Derrick Rose had 20 points but was far from his dominant self. Carlos Boozer had 26 but he couldn’t contain Bosh at the other end.

The Heat and Bulls are two of the best half-court defensive teams in the league and there is nothing easily gained against each team’s set defence.

“It is a battle, it is a scrap, it is a fight on every single possession,” said Spoelstra.

The Heat used stifling defence to limit Rose’s effectiveness early. The MVP had 11 points in the first half but had to take 12 shots to get them, and he played 17 first-half minutes without a single assist.

Miami’s strategy was to make him face different styles of defence.

“Every pick and roll, they were doubling,” said Rose. “I have to find some way to beat it. I’ve been trying to beat it with the pass. I have to be more aggressive.”

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