spring race fast approaching

From staff reports

HAMPTON, Ga. “ To promote the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 6-8, the Atlanta Motor Speedway staff and pace car will be making promotional appearances at multiple Atlanta-area events in the coming weeks that include ticket giveaways.

Racing fans can look for the Atlanta Motor Speedway pace car and promotional display at the Atlanta Camping and RV Show from Jan. 23-25 at the Atlanta Exposition Center, and the AMA Supercross event on Feb. 21 at the Georgia Dome.

At each event, the Atlanta Motor Speedway staff will display the official Atlanta Motor Speedway pace car, have fan giveaways, and one fan at each event will win an Ultimate NASCAR Experience at the Kobalt Tools 500.

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DNR SEEKING COMMENTS: SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. - A draft plan that targets more than 180 invasive species threatening Georgia’s rich variety of native wildlife is available for public comment.

While copies are available at www.georgiawildlife.com (click the “Conservation” tab to reach the link) or from the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division office in Social Circle (770-761-3035), a public comment meeting is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the WRD’s Division’s Conservation Center in Social Circle.

The deadline to submit comments is Feb. 16. Send written comments to jon.ambrose@gadnr.org or Jon Ambrose, Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, 2070 U.S. Highway 278 S.E., Social Circle, Ga.30025.

The Georgia Invasive Species Strategy describes the complex scope of problems posed by non-native plants, animals and disease-causing organisms and proposes ways to lessen the impacts in a state ranked sixth in the nation in biological diversity.

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ATLANTA HAWKS ANNOUNCE ESSAY CONTEST: ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks have announced plans for the “What Keeps You Moving” Essay Contest, which tipped off Jan 16. The contest is part of the Hawks’ Read to Achieve program sponsored by Philips and Sprite.

One Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to have Hawks center Al Horford visit their physical education class at school. The winner will also receive four tickets to the Hawks’ Read to Achieve Day game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 15 (1 p.m., tipoff). Five runners-up will receive two tickets to the game, along with a Hawks prize pack.

The essay contest is open to all area elementary school students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students are asked to submit a 350-1000 word essay (typed and double-spaced), telling Horford about what keeps them moving and their motivation for physical fitness, postmarked by Feb. 6. Essays will be judged on creativity, grammar, content and overall impression.

Entries should be mailed to the Atlanta Hawks Community Development Department at 101 Marietta Street, Suite 1900, Atlanta, GA 30303. Visit www.hawks.com for complete rules and procedures.