A delegation of 28 Chinese citizens from Beijing, China visited Columbus on January 9 & 10, 2012 as part of an International Center exchange program with the University of Georgia. A reception was held for the group at the Wyndham Garden Inn, they visited a City Council Meeting, and had a round table discussion with City leaders during their tour.

City Manager Hugley had an opportunity to visit and teach a class on U. S. Government Reform and Management Innovation in Beijing and other areas in China in June 2011. Hugley said "they're serious about relationships and sharing and learning from others."

Chipper won the Pet of the Week contest, on Jan. 3, 2012.   Chipper's proud owner is Christi Pollock McClellan, employee in the Finance Department since 1998.

Chipper is a two yr old miniature pinscher. Although he is not deaf; he has learned to obey commands by hand signals. If you tap your fingers to your shoulder, he will come to you. If you hold your hand out as if saying "stop", he will stay in place.. point down, he will lie down.   His favorite toy is his green squishy ball, which is featured in the photo.   At times, he can be challenging because he is so smart but we love him!!

WLTZ TV-38 sponsors the Pet of the Week contest.

The CCG purchased 10 pieces of professional grade exercise equipment with a wellness grant it received in 2011. Elliptical fitness cross trainers and recumbent bikes have been placed in the following work areas:

Government Center - Plaza Level

Government Center - West Wing- 1st Floor

Annex- 2nd Floor

Public Services - Driver's Training Room

All employees may use the equipment before work, during work breaks, and after work. The exercise equipment is for employee use only, and not for public use. Use of the equipment is on first-come, first-serve basis. We expect to purchase additional equipment this year with the wellness grant that will be placed in other work locations.

This is a project of the Employee Wellness Committee and the CCG.

Wellness Committee Members: Deputy Donald Cliatt, Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Joyce Dent-Fitzpatrick, CPD, Patty Glaser, Metra, Chatt Hall, Trade Center, Oscar Harris, CFEMS, Bob Heider, Public Services, Sgt. Loretta Holland, MCP, Reather Hollowell, HR, Jo Ann Jones, Tax Assessor's Office, Elaine Miller, Cooperative Extension, Antonio Owens, Parks & Recreation, John Redmond, Auditor, Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council, Sofia White, HR.  

No matter how well our local government prepares, an

Shondra Hogan

emergency or disaster can overwhelm Fire, Ambulance or Police services. The Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) Program is a nine week disaster preparedness course cosponsored by the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office and the West Central Health District of Georgia. C.E.R.T. participants receive basic disaster responsetraining in fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. If a disaster strikes, C.E.R.T. members are able to give immediate aid to family members, neighbors and

Susan Lathan

associates while waiting for help.

The skills gained in C.E.R.T. are useful for almost anyone but can be especially valuable to those involved with neighborhood watch, community organizations, communities of faith, school staff, workplace employees, scouting organizations or any group that meets regularly for a common purpose.

You can be prepared to help your family, your co-worker or neighborhood when disaster strikes by signing up to attend the next session. It is a nine week program that meets once a week. Each class lasts two to three hours and are usually held in the evenings. Registration forms can be obtained by calling the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office at (706) 653-4220 or by sending an email to: mcsocert@columbusga.org.

1. Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries and

   Hearth Healthy Foods

   strawberries.
2. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna
3. Soy foods, such as soybeans, tofu. soy milk and soybean oil
4. Whole grains, such as breads, cereals and oatmeal
5. Nuts, such as almonds, pecans and walnuts
6. Olive oil
7. Beans, such as pintos, garbanzos, lentils, kidney beans
8. Other fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach and grapefruit
9. Margarines, such as those fortified with stanois or sterols
10. Teas, particularly green and black teas

Suggestions: Layer ladyfingers, light Cool Whip and

blueberries. Marinate salmon in a lime, onion, garlic and soy mixture for 15 minutes then grill. Mix chocolate soy milk with a banana and ice then blend for a healthy smoothie. Use oats instead of breadcrumbs in recipes such as meatloaf. Stuff spinach, pine nuts and raisins in a winter squash and bake.

And the survey said!!!!.....read more

• Since I quit smoking in 2011 (and gained 20 pounds) my News Years Resolution is to lose the weight and get active!
• My resolution for 2012 is to live my life in such a manner that a year from now I'll be able to look back and say "Wow!       That was a great year!"
• My New Year's Resolution is to take better care of myself and to spend more quality time with my family.
• To be a better role model for the young men and women who come through this program.
• To develop more patience with myself and for my clients.
• To be an even more effective employee than I already am.
• To stop worrying so much, to laugh more, take more trips, and just live a happy life.
• To lose the weight I gained after last year's resolution to lose weight. Bobby Peters, Superior Court Judge.
• Tougher penalties for parole violators and oh yeah, world peace!
• A stronger, deeper relationship with Christ, and staying fit.
• Loosing weight and eating better.
• Lose weight through eating less and exercising more. Pay off credit card and save more money.
• To be Woman of God that God has called me to be, and be a soul winner for the Kingdom of God.
• Save money, get healthier, pay off bills.
• Get Organized In My Life And Slow Down And Enjoy Life.
• To allow GOD to make an impact on those I come in contact with. Through me, HE can make a difference. To help those that are in need. To finish projects that I have started previous to 2012.         To have us (me and my husband of 19 years) time. To have family time. To enjoy the things that most take for granted and thank GOD daily for everything. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!
• Not to make any, that way I won't disappoint myself!
• To have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord.       Change of lifestyle for a better health.
• To stay away from the negativity brought on by a co-worker.
• To quit Smoking it is really a very important and necceary thing that I really need to do.
• To be more active. I plan to do more hiking, camping and kayaking. I will hike at 4 new mountains/trails/waterfalls, I will kayak in 4 new rivers and I will camp at 6 new lakes. By knew I mean ones I have never hiked, kayaked or camped before.
• To spend less time, money and energy doing "favors" and other things for other people! I know this may sound ugly but I don't mean it to be. I've always been more of a giver than a taker but in the end I usually end up being taken advantage of. It would be nice to "take" just a little every now and then from those I always seem to be giving to.
• To run 5 races in the category of 10K or greater.
• To become healthy again!
• My goal is to improve my health and wellness.
• Spend as much time as possible with my family, lose weight, de-clutter and organize my house
• Loose weight and get closer to God
• To be a better me.
• My New Year's Resolution for 2012 is to truly stand on the word of God and receive and walk in all the many blessings that he has in store for me. This is my year of restoration, for everything that the devil has taken I am taking it back and receiving my harvest.
• I know longer make New Year's Resolutions but one of my primary goals in life is to have a closer intimate relationship with Christ and to consistently do the great commission we have been mandated to do. To love smarter and harder then I did in 2011. Also, to take care of my earthly vessel and mind. And to learn to do more with less, managing my time and money more wisely.
• Stop Spending, only buy essentials, everything is going up except wages, since 2008. Got to get a hold of budget, getting way behind and hope to avoid Bankruptcy.
• Strive to be more healthy and active.
• To maybe find a 3rd job, so I can make ends meet.
• I am praying for a cost of living raise, and maybe pay off some of my bills.
• My new year's resolution is to be a better person.       I cannot change others but I can change myself. I want to be a more productive employee, a better parent and Christian, a more thoughtful friend and an overall positive person.
• To try to improve. That includes health, work, money, relationships and learning new things.
• Stop smoking
• I will become better organized. I now have a large calendar, on my kitchen counter, to list the things I need to do, buy, repair, dr. appts., etc. 2. I will have patience with EVERYONE (especially with those who really get on my nerves) 3.       I will take time out for myself everyday. I will either exercise, listening to favorite music, read, or anything that will improve ME.
• The same as last year, to grow and improve in all aspects of my life.
• My new year's resolution is to become more active and more conscious about what I eat.
• Be more real, raw and to the point with all around me
• Lose weight & exercise more.
• To be a healthier person and to help my family be healthier
• My resolution is to be more involved in my church, pay my bills on time and have some money in the bank!
• Not to make any New Year's resolutions.
• To "Let Go And Let God"
• To not dwell on the mishaps of 2011 and plant a greater harvest for 2012 and beyond.