Travis: How do teachers savor their summer? Let’s count the ways

In just a few days, the school year for Newton County children will be over. We'll see pictures of them rushing out of the schools' doors, cheering.

Yarbrough: They’re schools, not businesses, as teachers know well

Dear Public School Teachers in Georgia:

McCoy: Where am I? Brain is not playing fair

It's not cool to keep silent

I remember the first time I ran away from home. I was in sixth grade and I had been wronged in some way. I was sure my parents loved my sister more or denied me some privilege, and I was having none of that. I stayed home when my parents left for work, skipped school, packed a bag and took my bike to this little secluded spot by the river, thinking that was an awesome place to live. I was home before my parents.

Credit report coding trips up buyers

Are large numbers of homeowners who have negotiated short sales with lenders at risk because of a startling omission in the American credit system? Do their credit reports and scores indicate that they were foreclosed upon, rather than having negotiated a mutually agreeable resolution with their lenders?

Sometimes, perspective changes things

Single and lonely in a new neighborhood, a guy invites his neighbors to a drop-in party. With ample food and drink, he sits alone as party time comes and goes.

Who's teaching students to hate U.S.?

Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who are accused of setting the bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon, attended the University of Massachusetts. Maybe they hated our nation before college, but if you want lessons on hating America, college attendance might be a good start. Let's look at it.

Where am I? Brain isn't playing fair

Last week, while out of town and staying in a hotel, I had a most exasperating experience.

Property tax proposal doesn’t add up

The word tax is a three-letter word that might as well be a four-letter word these days.

Cushman: Crisis management

My graduate course in crisis management was the 2012 Republican presidential primaries as a senior advisory and national media surrogate for Newt Gingrich.

Crosswalk confusion is rampant

I try to walk at least five days or more a week for close to an hour.

Dalton mayor mulls run against Deal

David Pennington, the mayor of Dalton, is making noises about challenging incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal in the 2014 Republican primary. Say what?

Carter: Character, integrity are true pillars of society

I was conversing with a couple of friends this week, each of whom expressed frustration and disappointment at having been wronged recently in a business transaction.

McCoy: Men, watch your step at weddings

If you're a man who's been invited to a wedding, you need to heed my advice so you know what to do at these alien affairs.

How home sellers shoot themselves in the foot

With full-fledged sellers' markets underway in dozens of metropolitan areas around the country, new research has found curious statistical patterns emerging: Even in cities where listings get multiple offers within days or hours, significant numbers of homes are sitting on the market for six months, 12 months or more with no takers.

More to winning than final score

College football is not life-or-death. Life and death are life and death. Football is a game.Yet, there are those rare times when the sport can tell us a lot about life - and death - and remind us that there is more to winning than the score.

Tudor: This is the boss calling

During the last few weeks I have sought to help readers understand the importance of becoming more engaged in the legislative process and a few hints on how to be more effective. I hope that as a result, some of you have taken the time not only to determine who is representing you in the General Assembly, but to consider letting them know how you feel on certain issues.

Cushman: Budget numbers don’t add up

President Obama's budget increases the 2012 deficit by a third. Yes, that's correct.

Morgan: Image of Georgia a state of mind

The Georgia immortalized by Ray Charles' matchless rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" is hard to quantify.

Durusau: Guns and Bibles

It doesn't happen very often, but every now and again I will agree with a Republican proposal.

Yarbrough: A public relations train wreck

Things are in a mess under the Gold Dome and I may be responsible.

Giddens: Keeping HOPE

The anguished call came in the night three Christmases ago, a voice mail message left by the son with whom I share a name.

Harwell: Happy Valentine’s Day

Well, we've survived the great blizzards of 2011. The sky is blue, the temperature is rising, little buds have appeared on the end of tree branches, and Monday is Valentine's Day. Things are looking up.

Get on the Main Street

On Thursday, this community has the opportunity to be part of local training hosted by the Department of Community Affairs's Office of Downtown Development. The department staff will introduce downtown stakeholders to the Main Street Four-Point Approach to downtown revitalization. It is an opportunity to learn how the concepts of design, economic restructuring, organization and promotion mesh to form the Main Street program.

Be prepared and leave the herd behind

If anyone has visited the state capitol during a time when the General Assembly is in session you've probably seen the herd.

False defense of the indefensible

The Newton County commissioners' $57.6 million sales tax proposal raises this interesting question: Why are these officials and the bankers, auto dealers and big land owners behind them so determined to defend the indefensible by skirting the law and trashing the truth?

Morgan: Of Love, loyalty and Sinatra

It's the season of hearts and flowers, wine and chocolate, mushy cards or, better yet, jewelry.

Giddens: Why can’t we be friends?

The conversation is engaged and ongoing at our Facebook site, and we thank you. It's where issues and fun stuff gets discussed, news tips are shared, rumors are squelched or confirmed, and you can talk with us or amongst yourselves. It's an electronic community forum, and we're grateful for your interest and input. Items that may not make it into print can be answered here. For instance, last week folks were curious about why emergency ...

Yarbrough: Some thoughts at random

State Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna) is one of the more able members of the Georgia General Assembly and a serious young man not given to hyperbole.

Giddens: Grave concerns a lifetime interest

I spent part of the chilled, gloomy first day of February in an appropriate place, Oxford's historic cemetery.