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The Autism Gap: The fight for insurance

Submitted by Jaye Watson, 11Alive Reporter
Tuesday, February 19th, 2013, 2:39pm
The Autism Gap: The fight for insurance

ATLANTA -- Eight year old Ava Bullard is playing with her sisters, riding their bikes on their long country driveway. It is a simple act that defies those who said she would never talk, those who said she wouldn't function in the real world.

Ava was not a typical baby, or toddler.

Her mother Anna says, "You couldn't interact with her."

MORE | Complete coverage of The Autism Gap

Ava did not play with toys. Did not speak. Could not dress herself. Did not interact with her parents or sisters. Slept two hours a night. She was in her own world.

Anna says, "It's like she looked straight through me. She would just...it's like you weren't there, if you were in the room with her."

Anna Bullard took Ava from doctor to doctor for months. One doctor told the family Ava was 'just weird.'

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Light Up Dunwoody Christmas Village opens Sunday

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Thursday, November 15th, 2012, 10:29am
Light Up Dunwoody Christmas Village opens Sunday

DUNWOODY, Ga. -- The holiday season has officially begun in Dunwoody.

The Light Up Dunwoody Christmas Village will open this Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. This annual spectacle offers plenty of family-friendly Christmas fun, such as lights, giveaways and refreshments.

At 5:45 p.m., the village will light its Christmas tree. Santa and his elves will be there, as will Santa's sleigh. Families are more than welcome to take pictures with Santa and in his sleigh.

For more information or to learn how to volunteer at Light Up Dunwoody, contact Pam Tallmadge at 770-393-9647 or pam@tallmadgega.us.

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MODA offers tips on caring for area rugs

Submitted by Sylvia Small on Monday, July 9th, 2:21 pm
MODA offers tips on caring for area rugs

By Janice Howell, vice president, MODA Floors & Interiors, www.ModaFloorsandInteriors.com

Area rugs need the same attention and consistent maintenance as your carpeting, ceramic tile or hardwood flooring. Knowing what’s expected of you regarding their upkeep can be a determining factor in the type of rugs you purchase.

Although a handmade rug is a work of art, it’s made to be walked on. So are all machine-made rugs. With usage, as the top layers of pile break, (in most cases wool), the pile looks shinier and smoother, and with light exposure the colors look more harmonious.

Here are a few steps to make sure that your area rug ages gracefully, naturally and beautifully.

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As Students End School Year, Boys & Girls Clubs Offers Way to Fight “Summer Brain Drain"

Submitted by msleff on Monday, May 28th, 5:47 am

ATLANTA -- This month, millions of kids begin their summer breaks, looking forward to vacations, pool time and carefree days. But studies and experience show a lack of mental stimulation causes them to unlearn much of what they were taught over the school year.  Boys & Girls Clubs across the country offer young people a safe, exciting place to spend their summer months, with staff and resources to fight the effects of this “Summer Brain Drain.”

The reality for today’s kids is that many will find themselves with few structured activities, caregivers who are working all day, and too much unsupervised television, video game and computer time.

President Touts Concerns Over Summer Learning

Also known as “summer learning loss” or the “summer slide,” this issue is a growing problem for American children.  In 2010, President Obama noted, “Students are losing a lot of what they learn during the school year during the summer.”

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Biking to Better Safety

Submitted by traceychristensen on Wednesday, May 23rd, 3:05 pm
Biking to Better Safety

May is National Bike Month, a celebration of cyclists and the pastime they enjoy. Whether you ride a bicycle to work or school, or for exercise, National Bike Month is a great reminder of how to stay safe while biking on the road.

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, in Georgia, as in most states, the bicycle is legally a vehicle, meaning that general traffic laws apply to cyclists. And because bikes share the road with cars and trucks, accidents can happen.

Sean Sue, M.D., an Emergency Medicine physician at  Piedmont Hospital, says the most important safety tip for a cyclist is to always wear a helmet. “Head injuries account for two thirds of all bicycle-related deaths,” he says. “Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by more than 85 percent.”

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When does the school year end?

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Monday, May 14th, 2012, 1:09pm
When does the school year end?

DECATUR, Ga. -- The last day of school is right around the corner for DeKalb County students.

Public schools, as well as Decatur City Schools, will dismiss for the summer on Thursday, May 24.

The last days of school in other metro Atlanta districts are staggered throughout the second half of May. They include:

Wednesday, May 16
Clarke County

Thursday, May 17
Hall County

Friday, May 18
Bartow County
Clayton County
Fulton County

Tuesday, May 22
Atlanta Public Schools
Barrow County

Wednesday, May 23
Carroll County
Gwinnett County
Newton County

Thursday, May 24
Cobb County
Rockdale County

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Last chance to vote on new DeKalb school calendar

Submitted by Jennifer Leslie, 11Alive Reporter
Thursday, April 12th, 2012, 9:28am
Last chance to vote on new DeKalb school calendar

DECATUR, Ga. -- The DeKalb County School District is considering a new school calendar that would include early dismissals every Wednesday.

Parents are being encouraged to vote online for one of three proposed calendars for the 2012-2013 school year.

All three calendars call for classes to end one hour earlier on Wednesdays.

One of the options is a modified school calendar that would start on August 1st. It would include four one-week breaks during the school year, with a two-week break at Christmas.

The proposals were developed by a calendar committee, formed at the request of DeKalb Schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Atkinson.

The committee included parents, teachers, principals, district office staff, and community partners. 

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