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While most of the big summer movies involve a heavy amount of special effects or computer animation, a few times a summer a comedy sneaks up, grabs the attention of audiences and tickles their funny bones. In recent years, the big comedies seem to all have connections to Judd Apatow and his crew. Todd Phillips (‘Old School,’ ‘Road Trip’) struck first this summer with ‘The Hangover,’ an entertaining film about a bachelor party in Las Vegas gone horribly wrong.

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Let me begin by saying that Pixar always impresses me even if it is in a small way. Their unique ideas (I.E rats that want to cook, toys that move around and speak when no humans are present) are always totally original and usually hilarious. However, Pixar’s last film, Wall-E, was in my opinion more aimed at adults and environmental groups then kids. But Pixar came back and gave us Up, an action comedy with heart. It is also the 2nd Pixar film to be rated PG. The first was The Incredibles back in 2004.

The Victorian Adventures History Day Camp will be offered at Southern Oaks again this summer, on a limited basis: two days per week, for three weeks.

The Fayette County Public Library welcomes teens seeking shelter from summer heat and vacation boredom, with a wide variety of things to do for ages 12 to 18 during the hot summer months of June and July. The theme for the 2009 Summer Reading Program for teens and adults is “Express Yourself @ Your Library.” Accordingly, this summer is chock-full of hands-on opportunities for creative expression. As always, the summer reading program also offers teens the chance to have fun reading and earn prizes for what they read.

Fayette Senior Services is proud to present "Powerful Tools for Caregivers," a 6-week educational program that is designed to teach family caregivers how to take better care of themselves as they care for others.

The public is invited to come aboard a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter Aircraft and meet the crew members who fly into hurricanes on Saturday, June 13 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. . In recognition of “Hurricane Awareness” and kick off of the 2009 Hurricane Season, the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City is teaming up with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron to bring a heightened awareness of inland tropical storm threats. The National Weather Service Office will also host an “Open House” to give area residents a chance to learn more about forecasts and warnings. In addition to learning about the various hazards, the public will be informed on how to monitor the tropics, track storms, receive warnings and take actions to protect life and property. The Red Cross and various Emergency Management agencies will be invited to participate in the event.

Pictured, from left, are Amy Melton--Whitewater Middle School; Kayla Davis - Flat Rock Middle; Hannah Hartman - Rising Starr Middle; Christopher Carden - Fayette Middle; Cassidy Sparkman - Booth Middle and Leslie Perez - Bennett’s Mill Middle. Photo/Special.

Fayette County Retired Educators Association (FCREA) recently honored one eighth grade student from each Fayette County middle school. FCREA is the local unit of Georgia Retired Educators Association (GREA). This year marks the first time in its history that FCREA honored a student from each middle school. Criteria for recognition included academic performance along with community involvement. FCREA  recognized the students, their parents, and school counselors during its annual awards ceremony May 21, 2009. The students received certificates acknowledging their achievements as well as gifts. FCREA is the local unit of Georgia Retired Educators Association. The mission of the organization is to unite retired educators in Georgia for fellowship, support, and educational/ community service and to improve benefits for all retired educators through cooperation with local, state and the national organization.

During the annual awards/recognition ceremony conducted by Fayette County Retired Educators Association (FCREA) Whitewater High School senior Wesley H. VanMeter received a scholarship from FCREA. This year marks the first year a student from Whitewater High School received this scholarship. FCREA is the local unit of Georgia Retired Educators Association (GREA). Membership in FCREA is open to anyone interested in education. All meetings are open to the public. Meetings are held during the school year September through May. Information about the organization is found on its website www.orgsites.com/ga/fayette_ga_retired_educators.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, Hood Avenue Primary students got to listen to stories read to them by their principal and assistant principal while they sat on the roof in their pajamas.

Approximately 550 student-created instructional books from Bennett’s Mill Middle are being used by children at Onono Memorial College, a school near Gulu, Uganda that serves students from 12-24 years of age.

What do strawberries and bananas have in common with Whitewater Middle students? The answer is DNA. As it turns out, the genetic material of the fruits is very similar to that of humans.

Busted for pot, Horgan hangs tough as contentious meeting looms

Editorial column: Talking pot, blowing smoke behind closed commission doors (CLICK HERE)

So far no one has filed an ethics complaint against Fayette County Commissioner Robert Horgan following his May 23 arrest for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and driving with an expired tag.

The Fayette County NAACP, however, is urging citizens to attend Thursday’s county commission meeting to express their views on the matter. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the county’s Stonewall government complex in downtown Fayetteville.

Backyard KidsTheatre announces their production of the classic “Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.” 

“Cinderella” is entirely creatively directed and performed by students, largely middle-school aged.  Although the directors, musicians, cast, crew, costume advisor, choreographers, etc. are all youth aged 7-17, audiences will be amazed at the talent.  Directed by 8th grader Chase Thomaston, music directed by Stephanie Earle, and starring Paige McCauley as Cinderella,

The performance will be held June 13 at 7 p.m., and June 14 at 3 p.m. at Heritage Christian Church in Fayetteville.  Tickets can be purchased for $8 from www.brownpapertickets.com/event/64423 (for early seating) or at the door.  

Eugene H. Foster, Tyrone, died June 6, 2009. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Wiley Foster. Services will be today, June 10, 11 a.m., at the Carl J.

Bertha Lou Stone, 103, College Park, died June 6, 2009. She was a faithful Christian who was devoted to her faith, her family, and her friends.