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The Millen News, Wednesday, February 4, 2009 — Page 3 Jim Hite WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? Item: 503,000 workers lost their jobs in November, 2008, big gest monthly employment decline in 34 years. Item: Thirty states have nearly exhausted unemployment ben efit funds; Indiana and Michigan already have. Item: Unemployment ranged above 7% nationwide, over 12% if discouraged and part-time workers are included. Item: Jenkins County unemployment is above 11%, second in Georgia. Item: 1.2 million jobs have been lost since the beginning of the recession in December, 2007; three million are projected to be lost by mid-2009. The source for the above is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis tics, for Jenkins County The Millen News. And I am sure all of you can add to this list from your own knowledge and/or experience. Now, let’s take a look at some of the impressions that one can have from media reports during the same period. The U.S. auto industry is in trouble and seeks millions/billions from the U.S. government. The U.S. banking industry is in trouble and seeks millions/billions from the U.S. government. The U.S. housing market is collapsing and seeking millions/ billions from the U.S. government. And the list goes on. You get the idea. However, let’s look at some addenda to the above. Auto indus try executives come to Washington to seek this financial aid in executive jets. Industry, Banking, and Wall Street firms’ execu tives come to Washington to seek this financial aid while giving millions to the CEOs whose leadership contributed to the crisis. These same business institutions cut thousands of jobs and give their leaders raises and million-dollar severance packages. Again, the list goes on. Here’s a final news item about corporate greed seeking mil- Farm & Home lions of taxpayer dollars. This time, it’s from the world of sport. Since 1992 when the Baltimore Orioles soaked taxpayers for Camden Yards, baseball owners have received public funding (read: taxpayer money) to build new parks of their own. The lat est include the new stadiums for both the Mets and the Yankees. According to New York City’s Independent Budget Office, a quarter billion dollars is being sought to complete the Mets’ new digs. But let’s zero in on the Yankees, avoiding anything in Joe Torre’s new book. The Yankees recently signed C.C. Sabathia, MarkTeixeira and A.J. Burnett for some $423.5 million. The team’s generosity seems to have left it short of cash, for the team ownership is now seek ing $259 million in tax-exempt bonds on top of $940 million received so far to pay for a state-of-the-art big screen and finish the luxury suites. Did you read this? They paid nearly a half-billion to three play ers who have enjoyed multi-million dollar contracts in years pre vious, yet seek over a quarter billion from taxpayers for luxury boxes! Anything wrong with this picture? Maybe it’s all in how you look at this, but think. The unem ployment rate is at a 16-year high, jobs are being lost at the fast est rate since WW II, cities and states are struggling for enough money to provide even the most basic services. Maybe C.C., Mark, and A.J. could donate to the cause - don’t hold your breath! So in New York today, you (the taxpayer and fan) can get a 20- game ticket for $7,000 a seat. Or you can take a family of four to the game for just under $2,000, not including food, drinks and souvenirs. And that’s in a stadium you’re already paying for! Ag Line: Time to Soil Sample By Wade Parker County Extension Coordinator Why is my grass dying? I have fielded that question many times! If you are having trouble with your yard or even an agri cultural crop, taking a soil sample is a good place to start in trying to fix the problem. The results of soil sample(s) will tell us the level of nutrients in the soil. You will know how much Phosporus, Potassium, Calcium, etc., is available and you will find out what the soil pH is. If your pH is too low or too high, then the available nutrients will be restricted. The results of the soil sample will tell you exactly how much fertilizer and lime need to be ap plied. The winter is the most ideal time to pull a soil sample. I say this because it takes approximately six months for any applied lime to react. In other words, if you pull a soil sample and the pH is 5.0, then you must apply 50 lbs of lime/sqft. This will allow plenty of time to correct the problem. Applying fertilizer does not take this long to react, but you still need time to do any nutrient planning. The results of a soil sample are no better than the technique used to pull it. In other words, if you don’t use the proper pro- College will retain ‘Southeastern Technical College 1 as name The Boards of Directors of Southeastern Technical College and Swainsboro Technical Col lege held a joint meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, to discuss the merger between the two col leges. Held at Swainsboro Tech’s campus, the boards voted unanimously to retain the name ‘Southeastern Technical College.’ “I am convinced our commu nities will see a spirit of unity as we move forward to insure our combined efforts are finan cially effective and academi cally sound,” said Lisa Adams, chairman of Southeastern Tech nical College’s Board of Direc tors. "Our combined boards felt the name Southeastern Techni cal College would provide the regional identity we needed for the merged service area. We are satisfied this merger will ben efit both communities and the students we serve. We all know that change can be challenging, but our combined boards and administration are doing every thing possible to make sure any changes are in the best interest of the people we serve. We are in the business of personal de velopment and our goal is to make an even greater impact on our communities than we could have each done separately.” “Given the knowledge of costs andjob savings, members of Swainsboro Technical College’s Board of Directors all agreed to Southeastern Techni cal College as the name for the new combined colleges.” said Kenny Griffin, chairman of Swainsboro Technical College’s Board of Directors. The merged college will serve Candler, Emanuel, Jenkins, Johnson, Montgomery, Tattnall, Toombs and Treutlen counties. The two colleges will officially merge on Wednesday, BI-LO donates to Jenkins County Family Enrichment Jenkins County Family En richment Center (JCFEC) will be receiving $414.87 from BI- LO Charities to support their efforts for all families in Jenkins County to be educated, thriving and self-sufficient. This year, the BI-LO Charity Classic Golf Tournament cel ebrated its 25 th anniversary and raised a record-breaking $5.6 million. JCFEC is one of sev eral organizations in the com munity that have been chosen to be a beneficiary. For all that JCFEC does to make the community a better place; BI-LO Charities has awarded them a $414.87 grant. JCFEC plans to use this fund ing to help increase the high school graduation rate, decrease the number of students retained, decrease teen pregnancy, de crease truancy, decrease inci dents of child abuse and/or ne glect and increase the number of individuals to become Certi fied Work Ready. “We are proud to be a part of the Charity Classic tournament, which gives us the ability to support some of the most vital organizations in our commu nity, and we are honored to award grants to organizations February Special & U*M. Owner/Stylist % 47B.56fl.1475 MoHij Tile., Thu, & Fn• Lsijs^spooininififife 115 N« Mssonic St. Wed. 9-12 Sat 8:30-12 upon request Millen, Georgia 30442 Ingnsta Dental Center I. Michael Scott DMD Emergency Extractions $75-$125 Dentures Full Set Starting At Extractions w/Dentures: $575 • Porcelain Crowns $495 Simple $30 • Surgical $75 Full Mouth X-Ray $35 NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Locally Owned • We accept Cash, VISA, MC, Discover, AM.EX. GA & SC Medicaid 12th & Greene Street, Downtown Augusta • Across from Greyhound IMMEDIATE DENTURES • Teeth extracted _ . Open Mon-Fri 7:45 AM 706-721-4288 • Dentures or Partials immediately • You never go without your teeth • All surgical & extractions done in our office cedure, the results will be skewed. The actual soil sample should be taken with a soil probe. A soil probe is a long galvanized cylinder that is pushed into the soil with a handle. The probe should be inserted into the soil approximately six inches and once the probe contains soil, the soil should be emptied into a plastic bucket. Do not use an aluminum or galvanized bucket, as these will lead to metal contamination. In a yard setting, I would probe several areas of the yard. Once you have sampled several areas, empty the soil into a sample bag. The Extension Office has everything you need to pull a soil sample. We have a probe that can be loaned and the sample bags. The turn around time for soil samples is usually 4-5 days. If you bring in five or more samples, the cost is $7/sample. The cost for 1-4 is $8/sample. The variation is due to shipping costs. Pulling a soil sample is an economical way to determine the pH and nutrient content of a given soil. The results can also aid in trouble shooting a problem in a yard or field. If you are inter ested in using our soil sampling services, come by the office and we will get you in gear! The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers edu cational programs, assistance and materials to all people with out regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disabil ity. CLEARANCE SALE Nubian - Urban Beauty - Joie-loie Buy 1 Get 1 equal or lesser value FREE All Hair $11.99 and up $2 off Wigs 20% off Esquire Fashions 507 E Cotton Ave. July 1. Members of Swainsboro Technical College’s Board of Directors are: Kenneth Griffin, chairman; Jennie Wren Den mark; Pamelia Dwight; Pam Brantley; Wayne Herringdine, vice chairman; Erma Jenkins; Rhonda Norris; Richard Price; and Don E. Wilkes. Members of Southeastern Technical College’s Board of Directors are: Lisa C. Adams, chairman; Marsha Cunningham, Andy Kimbell, Cheryl Gay, vice chairman; Pollyann Martin; Martin Moses; and Charlton Rogers. like JCFEC, which has changed so many lives for the better,” said Carol Browning, director of Bi-LO Charities. Modern Woodmen Touching lives. Securing futures,® FRATERNAL FINANCIAL depends on where you're sitting TODAY. There's still time to make IRA contributions for the 2008 tax year. April 15th. Tax deadline. Can you really afford to wait to save for your retirement? You're probably wondering if Social Security or a 401 (k) will cover your retirement needs. That's exactly why you need to look at opening or adding to an IRA today. An IRA can help you take the right steps toward financial security and your retirement goals. Saving today means a better retirement tomorrow. Now that's smart money, no matter where you sit. Contact your Modern Woodmen representative to find out how an IRA can work for you. Linda Bragg, FIC 121 Terri Dr. Millen, GA 30442 478-982-1824 706-871-0914 Linda.F.Bragg@mwarep.org Shown are, from left: Buddy Saxon, Mandy Underwood and Erica Robinson. (Photo contributed) i f ”Now Serving Tueulay-Sattirday JO a*nu - 7:00 fun. 'ty Espresso Coffee: Cappuccino latte & Italian Maechiato ? A Food: Soup, Sandwiches, Hatcher's Press Hamburgers Hotdogs, Nachos £ More (titlot CllittM ■ WtMiy 47 pj, (with Raid v "..t * m m Adult Meal ~^jf t * — Check Out Our Website: ahtiquesahdsoda$hop.com [>L Any Combo & Off Free Coffee All Day We Alto Have Fathlon Jewelry & Animal Print P«kef book* (IS Cot ion Ave hue, Kitten 47S-SH-1I00