Emory Johns Creek Hospital now offers its patients the latest technology in breast biopsy techniques, through MR guided biopsy. Performing a breast biopsy in real-time, guided by MR (magnetic resonance) imaging is an important advance in the diagnosis of breast cancer. “Our radiologists are able to streamline the diagnostic process, and in many cases, it’s possible to biopsy suspicious tissue that otherwise would have been very difficult to target,” according to Joanne Biafore, MD, Breast Imaging specialist at Emory Johns Creek. “There are times when an MR guided biopsy is preferred over a surgical biopsy because the area of concern isn’t easily seen on an ultrasound or stereotactic biopsy.”

“The addition of MR Guided Breast Biopsy is an important element of our already expansive Breast Imaging services,” said Mary Saltz, MD, Chief Radiologist at EJCH. “Our Breast Center is able to offer women comprehensive services for breast health, from screening mammograms, to advanced imaging procedures, the latest in surgical techniques, including conservation therapy, Mammosite Radiation therapy and reconstruction,” Saltz added.

Emory Johns Creek Hospital boasts a staff of more than 600 physicians in 43 specialties and provides a full range of services to area patients, including emergency, labor and delivery, the area’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, advanced surgery and diagnostics, bariatrics, sleep studies and the Heart and Vascular Institute.

For more information, please visit emoryjohnscreek.com

The Goddard School located in Alpharetta Participated in St. Jude Trike-A-Thon

The Goddard School located at 11250 State Bridge Road in Alpharetta was the host to a St. Jude Research Hospital Trike-A-Thon on October 2, 2009.

“We were all delighted to participate in such a wonderful event that raised money for deserving kids as they fight for their lives,” says Barone. “The teachers and children were anticipating a lot of fun and a great learning experience.”

The Goddard School offers a program that focuses on building a strong and balanced foundation of emotional, social, cognitive and physical skills for each child. Goddard provides children with a nurturing environment and a curriculum that encourages learning through play. Families have the convenience of extended hours from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the flexibility of either half or full-day schedules and Quality Assurance standards that are monitored corporately.

Parents are encouraged to drop in for a tour or call Tom Barone directly to arrange a personal appointment at 770-754-4796.

Six Fulton County schools gain AYP status

Six Fulton County schools have earned Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, status following successful re-test efforts over the summer. As a result, all of the district’s elementary schools have met AYP for the 2008-09 school year. Nearly 95 percent of all Fulton County schools have now earned AYP for the previous school year.

“This is exciting news – news that should be celebrated by every elementary school in Fulton County,” said Superintendent Cindy Loe, Ph.D. “AYP standards increase every year, making it more important than ever that our students and teachers put forward their best efforts to meet the challenge. This announcement shows that our schools are doing just that.”

Love T. Nolan Elementary School, Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School and Heritage Elementary School, as well as Elkins Pointe Middle School and Paul D. West Middle School, each made AYP after students re-took the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) during the summer. Tri-Cities High School regained AYP status after students performed better on sections of the Georgia High School Graduation Test following summer school.

The elementary and middle schools originally did not meet AYP benchmarks due to lower performance in math and/or reading among some student subgroups during the spring administration of the CRCT. After a 15-day summer school program for grades three, five and eight, students were allowed to re-take the math and/or reading sections of the test. Improved scores on the re-test resulted in the schools making their AYP goals.

Similarly, high schools are measured by their math and English/language arts achievement on the Georgia High School Graduation Test as well as for test participation and graduation rates. Following summer school re-tests, Tri-Cities High School met AYP benchmarks in English/language arts achievement.

Adequate Yearly Progress is a measure of how a school, school system or state is doing in achieving the goals set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In Fulton County, AYP is measured by specific test performance, participation rates and attendance levels, which are broken down by nine different subgroups of students. If even one of the nine subgroups does not meet the set benchmarks, the entire school or school system does not make AYP for that year.

Spend an Evening at The Manor…If You Dare

If you’re looking for screams and thrills this Halloween, visit the latest addition of Roswell’s spine-chilling and bloodcurdling adventures at The Manor Haunted House, sponsored by Roswell Recreation and Parks Department. The Manor will be open October 23-31 (closed on Sunday, October 25) beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Manor is located at 9001 Fouts Road in Roswell. Tickets are $10 per person.

The story of The Manor goes like this: In 1939, the Crawford family began a dream of a warm, welcoming Bed & Breakfast on the outskirts of a historic town in Georgia. Then, four years later, something happened, something went terribly, horrifyingly, grotesquely wrong. The family, their guest, their dream was never the same. Today, some of the Crawford family tries to continue the family business, but the spirits of the past lives.....on.

For the little ones, or those less brave, there will be a much less scary experience held from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. Tickets are $7 per person.

The Manor is currently looking for volunteers and individuals to work the event. Opportunities include actors, set designers, set decorators and general assistants. If you are interested in working, please contact Lauren Clowney at 770.594.6134 or lclowney@roswellgov.com.

Tickets are available at the door or pre-registration is accepted online at www.roswellgov.com. For online registration, please allow 24-hours for processing new households. Program numbers for online registration are 12014-01 for the regular admission and 12014-02 for the October 24, 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. admission.

For more details, visit www.roswellgov.com/themanorhauntedhouse, or call 770.641.3705.

Beasties at Barrington

Two nights of fun and slightly eerie folk tales await visitors at Barrington Hall on October 23rd and 24th. Stroll the grounds and encounter storytellers whose tales of old Roswell and of bygone days will delight the whole family. A great way to get into the Halloween spirit! Admission is $5 per person. Guides will take small groups every 15 minutes beginning at 7:00 p.m., last group will leave at 9:00 p.m. The tour is outside on the grounds of Barrington Hall and will consist of four stories. Allow one hour. For further information, call 770-640-3855.

A Fall Affair in the Garden October 24th 10:00am-3:00pm

All serious gardeners know that fall is the best time to plant your perennials, shrubs and trees. Join us for a relaxing autumn day dedicated to the joys of gardening. Vendors, discussions, presentations, plant sales and just plain fun centered on the historic 1850 boxwood garden at Barrington Hall. This event is free and open to the public. For further information, call 770-640-3855.

Volunteers Wanted at Barrington Hall

If you love history, interacting with people, beautiful architecture, decorative arts, antiques or if you love historic gardens…Barrington Hall may have a volunteer opportunity for you.

Volunteers bring life to Barrington Hall and are a vital part of our programs. They represent the face of Barrington Hall to our community and to our guests. We have numerous volunteer opportunities but our biggest need is people interested in conducting tours during the week. You have the opportunity to share the wonderful story of the house and the families who lived there with visitors from around the world.

After you sign up to volunteer, you will be given training. The hours are very flexible and based on your availability. Come have fun with us and volunteer at Barrington Hall. For more information call 770-640-3855.

Help RNE Win $20,000

Vote for Roswell North Elementary School the Great Schools Contest. RNE and its parents are trying win $20,000 to use toward technology upgrades at their award winning school. While they are gaining votes everyday, they are asking for the community’s help to push them over the top, competing with schools across the nation and in metro New York and other major cities. Residents are encouraged to vote from every email address that you have and also to ask your friends and family to do the same. The link to the contest is: http://www.care2.com/schoolcontest/1300990. While you are at GreatSchools.net check out RNE’s rating and what Great Schools.net has to say about RNE: “Roswell North Elementary School is among the few public schools in Georgia to receive a distinguished Great Schools Rating of 8 out of 10.”

Standing Bear, Jon Gardner, October Speaker for the Alpharetta Historical Society

The Alpharetta Historical Society (AHS) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization governed by the State of Georgia. It operates under a Board of Trustees consisting of elected trustees, officers and standing committee chairpersons.   

The AHS invites you to attend the General Meeting, on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the Alpharetta Adult Activity Center, 13450 Cogburn Road, Alpharetta, Georgia, 30004.

Since October marks the 10th year for celebrating Georgia Archives Month, this meeting will be a great time to honor the AHS – your local civic organization – with your presence at our upcoming meeting. Refreshments will be served.

The program will be led by our own “Standing Bear” (Jon Gardner), who is of Cherokee decent. Jon will be presenting the program on Native American and Cherokee history and will bring with him local artifacts found in the area. There will also be a blow gun demonstration. Shuttle service to and from the meeting will be provided at 7 p.m. from the Mansell House and Gardens, located at 1835 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. For more information, contact Vesta Smith at 770-653-6821.

The motto for the Alpharetta Historical Society is to “Preserve the Past, in the Present, for the Future”, helping inspire families, young and old, to find their passion through the life of yesteryear by maintaining and sharing its collections, preservation and dissemination of accurate historical information through activities and workshops.

Please join us Thursday, October 15, for a wonderful evening of learning about history and for fellowship with friends. Whether or not you are a member of the AHS, you are welcome to attend our gatherings.

For more information about the Alpharetta Historical Society and its activities, call 770-475-4663 or visit us on the Web site at www.ahsga.org.

Family Fun at the Alpharetta Artist Harvest

Are you looking for fun and inexpensive activities for your family to do on a crisp fall Saturday? Then pack up the kids and drop by the Second Annual Artist Harvest to be held at the Alpharetta Arts Center at Crabapple on Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

The Artist Harvest, sponsored by the City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department, is a special opportunity for your family to spend quality time together and celebrate the beautiful fall season. This event will feature activities for the kids including hands-on arts and crafts, caricatures, artist demos, games and more! Artwork created by students and staff will also be on display and some pieces will be available for purchase.

For more information, please contact Meryl Manfre, Arts Coordinator at 678-297-6165 or arts@alpharetta.ga.us. The Alpharetta Arts Center at Crabapple is located at 12624 Broadwell Road, Alpharetta. All activities are free.

Decorate A Pumpkin

Silly faces, scary scenes, and spooky creatures! These are just some of the creative ideas children of all ages can use to Decorate a Pumpkin! The Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor Decorate A Pumpkin on Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. at the Alpharetta Community Center (175 Roswell Street). Children must supply a pumpkin to decorate. Decorating supplies including paint, glitter, markers, stickers, and more will be provided. Children should dress in clothes that can get messy.

Pre-registration is required for this free event. All registered participants will receive a Halloween surprise.

For more information, call 678-297-6100 or accprograms@alpharetta.ga.us.