- Created on 11 June 2013
Atlanta Braves Announce Fifth Annual All-American Blood Drive
The Atlanta Braves Tuesday announced the fifth annual All-American Blood Drive, in conjunction with the American Red Cross. The blood Drive is co-sponsored by WSB-TV, 680 The Fan and ROCK 100.5. This year it will be held on Monday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Turner Field's 755 Club with free parking available in the green lot at Turner Field the day of the blood drive.
All donors will receive:
A pair of tickets to watch the Braves take on the Miami Marlins on August 10
A commemorative t-shirt
A buy one, get one ticket offer to select Braves games
A chance to win a Braves Family Four Pack, which includes four game tickets and a batting practice field visit, autographed baseball memorabilia, tomahawk or Braves insulated pilsner beer.
"Summer is a challenging time to collect enough blood to meet patient needs," said Jerry J.K. Tillery, CEO of the American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region. "Patients don't get a summer holiday or vacation from needing blood, and we need all eligible donors to help us ensure a sufficient blood supply is available."
The Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region provides blood to patients in more than 120 hospitals. Approximately 1,200 people need to give blood or platelets each weekday to meet hospital demands.
The American Red Cross reminds those thinking about donating, blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people who are 17 years of age (or 16 with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood to the Red Cross. Donors who are 18 years and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code BRAVES. For more information about the Atlanta Braves, you may also visit www.braves.com.
- Created on 11 June 2013
Common Cause Georgia Kicks Off Petition Drive For Citywide Vote on New Atlanta Falcons Stadium
On the steps of City Hall Tuesday, members of Common Cause Georgia (CCGA) gathered to announce their petition drive for a public referendum on a proposed new $1 billion Atlanta Falcons stadium.
The stadium has already received approval votes from the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, Atlanta City Council and Invest Atlanta, but Common Cause is looking to amend the city charter to block more than $200 million from Atlanta's hotel/motel tax from going toward the stadium.
"We just want to hold our government [accountable]," said William Perry, executive director of CCGA. "It's not about if we think the new stadium is a good idea or bad idea, it's about giving the citizens the right to vote on it."
Common Cause has been engaged in a contentious back and forth with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who has accused the organization of attempting to derail progress and singling out his administration like no other in history.
"William Perry is sacrificing the reputation of a once venerable and well-respected organization for the sake of furthering his own personal ambition," Reed said in a statement about CCGA's petition. "His attempt to derail the stadium development is a losing proposition."
Common Cause pressed on despite the mayor's objections and today held a petition kick off featuring State Senator Vince Fort, Atlanta Citizens Review Board member Maceo Williams and a number of CCGA supporters. After the kick off, the group began canvassing local neighborhoods to get signatures from Atlanta citizens who want to see the issue put to a vote.
"The challenge is not finding enough people to sign," said Perry, "literally the challenge will be finding the man power and woman power to help hit the streets. If we can do that this will be an easy task to accomplish."
CCGA received an official copy of the requested petition from Atlanta Municipal Clerk Rhonda Johnson at 9:30 a.m. and will have 60 days to get the 35,000 signatures from registered Atlanta voters needed for a referendum.
"We try to do everything we can to promote transparency with our government and with the voters of Atlanta," Ryan Splitlog, Assistant Director of CCGA, told the Daily World. "I think we see stadiums being built across the country and those specific citizens are allowed to have a referendum to vote yes or no, we just want that same right."
Prior to the announcement of a deal between Reed, Gov. Nathan Deal and Falcons owner Arthur Blank, public opinion of the proposed stadium had been mostly negative. Around the state, polls showed 70 percent of the public opposed to the idea of using public funding for the stadium.
A 2012 poll by the by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research for the AJC found disapproval expressed by 75 percent of men, 61 percent of women, 59 percent of Democrats, 71 percent of Republicans and 70 percent of independents.
Reed announced an initial bonding capacity contribution from the city of no less than $200 million, but published reports suggest the cost could be more than $900 million contributed from the public to the stadium. The actual agreement calls for 39.3 percent of 7 cents collected from the hotel-motel tax over a 30 year period.
If the hotel-motel tax generates more than the estimated $200 million, the excess taxes would go into a fund that is held directly by the Falcons that would legally be mandated to pay for other debt on the project or for refurbishment and capital improvements to the stadium.
(Photo: Common Cause Georgia Executive Director William Perry speaks during press conference; far left State Sen. Vince Fort; right of Perry Common Cause Ryan Splitlog. Photo courtesy of Common Cause Georgia.)
- Created on 11 June 2013
Hawks Name CSKA Moscow's Quin Snyder Assistant Coach
The Atlanta Hawks have named Quin Snyder as Assistant Coach, Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer announced Monday. Snyder joins Atlanta from CSKA Moscow, where he spent last season as an assistant coach.
"Quin is an excellent addition to our staff. He has a very strong knowledge of the system that we will implement and his extensive experience will enhance the development and knowledge of our players," Budenholzer said.
Prior to his stint in Russia, Snyder worked as an Assistant Coach for the Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) and Philadelphia 76ers (2010-11). From 2007-10, Snyder was Head Coach of the Austin Toros (the NBA Development League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs), recording a 94-56 (.627) mark, while leading the Toros to three straight playoff appearances and the 2008 NBDL championship game. He was the 2008-09 D-League Coach of the Year.
"I am excited to join Bud's staff with the Hawks," Snyder said. "They are creating a system and a culture that I strongly believe in and have seen its success. I look forward to being a part of the organization and contributing to our players' every day improvement."
Snyder got his first head coaching job at the University of Missouri, where in seven seasons, he led the Tigers to a 128-96 (.571) record, and four NCAA Tournaments including an Elite Eight appearance. He is also a former assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers and at Duke. The former Duke guard (1985-89) played in 136 games over four years with the Blue Devils, averaging 6.2 points. He is a native of Mercer Island, Wash.
- Created on 11 June 2013
Chipper Jones Tweets 'Heatfelt' Apology For Comment About 'Illegals' and 'Gators'
Former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, whose Twitter account has landed him in hot water before, apologized earlier on Twitter for what the future hall of famer called a joke he tweeted Saturday.
Jones’ remark was in reference to gators, the Rio Grande, and illegal immigrants.
On Saturday, Jones tweeted, “Y'all think if they took all them gators they trap in Fla and La and put them in the Rio Grande, it wud stop the illegals from crossing? Jk”
The tweet was retweeted more than 2,000 times and become fodder for both social media sites and mainstream news organizations including USA Today and Fox Sports.
He initially defended the tweet and his use of the shorthand Jk (just kidding) at the end of the tweet. Shortly after sending the “illegals” tweet, Jones wrote, “Man it’s hard to argue with ignorant, misinformed people! I guess that’s what the ‘block’ button is for” on Saturday.
But by the next day Chipper had changed his tune.
Jones tweeted an apology on Sunday to no one in particular for the joke, writing, “ I realize that my tweet yest was offensive and distasteful. An attempt at humor was a terrible mistake. Please accept my heartfelt apology!”
- Created on 11 June 2013
Amid Reports of Tebow Signing, Patriots Ready For First Practice
(CNN) -- The New England Patriots will open the door to the media at 10:15 Tuesday morning. That line likely will be a lot longer than usual.
With multiple media reports saying Tim Tebow is set to sign with the team, there will be many reporters angling for their first look at the polarizing backup quarterback in a new jersey.
NFL.com, ESPN and other media outfits cited league sources in saying the 25-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner had come to terms with the Patriots on Monday. ESPN reported Tebow is expected to join the Patriots for a mandatory three-day training camp in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The Patriots declined to comment on the rumor, saying head coach Bill Belichick would have a 10:45 a.m. news conference.
"I am sure it will be addressed then," team spokesman Stacey James wrote in an e-mail.
In three NFL seasons, Tebow, who was waived by the New York Jets in April, has played 35 games and completed 48% of his passes. He has been praised and panned for being outspoken about his Christian faith, including taking a prayerful position at games that has led to a Internet photo craze known as "Tebowing."
Critics have said he doesn't throw well enough to be an NFL quarterback.
If he does sign with the Patriots, he will be reunited with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was the head coach of the Denver Broncos when they drafted Tebow in the first round in 2010. He will also get an opportunity to learn from starting quarterback Tom Brady, who in 14 years has won three Super Bowls and been the NFL's most valuable player twice.
Tebow played for the New York Jets in 2012, rarely taking snaps but sometimes playing other positions in specialty formations on offense. He also played on the punting unit.
The Patriots released Mike Kafka, a backup quarterback, on Monday.
NFL players often have to pass a physical before they sign with a team.
