Chatter

Are these sentences fair?

ssimonton — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:21:37 +0000

Raquel Nelson’s four-year-old son was killed by a hit-and-run driver as she crossed four-lane Austell Road with her children last year.

The driver pleaded guilty and served a six-month sentence.

Nelson was also charged in her child’s death. She faces a longer sentence than the driver — up to three years. She was convicted of vehicular homicide and crossing outside a crosswalk.

Is this fair?

Calling all male mentors

Fran Jeffries — Tue, 31 May 2011 21:56:12 +0000

Some of us are fortunate enough to have great relationships with our fathers. But apart from our biological fathers, have there been other men in your life that have served a father-figure role, someone who shared advice with you, was there for you, who cheered you on? Maybe it was a coach, a cousin, a teacher, a neighbor, or a deacon at your church. If so, we’d like to hear from you about that stand up guy and about the positive impact that he had on your life. With Fathers’ Day approaching, we’re specifically looking for people who live in the metro Atlanta area and whose mentors/father figures live in the metro area as well. If you’re willing to share your story, please contact AJC reporter Rosalind Bentley at rbentley@ajc.com. You must include an email address as well as a phone number where you can be reached. We might feature you and your mentor in an upcoming issue of the Sunday Atlanta Journal Constitution.

When vacation time becomes sick time

Fran Jeffries — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:45:28 +0000

It’s happened to all of us. About to head off on vacation and suddenly you’ve got a cold — or worse. Or you’re due to be back at work from vacation and you’re too sick to return on time. You end up turning vacation into sick time, or using sick time on top of vacation. These days it seems to be happening more and more. Maybe it’s the tough economy ramping up stress at work; maybe it’s physiological (your immune system relaxes when you are less stressed – like when you take time off from work). Have you had an experience like this recently? We’d like to speak with you for an upcoming AJC story on this topic. Please send an e-mail about your experience, with your name and a phone number to reach you, to Rosalind Bentley at rbentley@ajc.com. Thanks.

Word to your mother

Fran Jeffries — Wed, 04 May 2011 21:16:10 +0000

Sunday is Mother’s Day. We know you’ll be showering her with gifts and well wishes on her special day. Now, here’s your chance to get a head start. Tell us why your mom is so special, and why you love her so much. Meanwhile, check out our mother-daughter look-a-like contest and pick a favorite.

Worst streets in town

jmoon — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:08:32 +0000

Atlanta says that sloppy paperwork and a lack of oversight by the city department responsible for roads are to blame for the many metal plates on Atlanta streets.

Are there any streets in the city that you dread driving on because of all of the potholes, or the metal plates covering the potholes?

Which of the city’s streets or intersections are the worst to drive on?

Did you enjoy your summer camp experience?

Fran Jeffries — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:11:12 +0000

Now that spring has sprung, parents, if they haven’t already done so, are lining up summer camps for their kids with a vengeance. Reporter Gracie Bonds Staples has some tips for picking the best camp for your kids. What do you recall about those summer camp days of your youth — food fights, campfires, and finding the original bffs…? We want your stories! Do you have nightmare camp stories or was it a pleasant experience? What was your favorite thing about summer camp? I’m sure parents who haven’t had to pick a camp before, or who want to find a better fit, would appreciate some input from you.

What would you do if you won $312 million lottery?

jmoon — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:53:15 +0000

The Mega Millions drawing tonight is now worth $312 million, $198 million if you take the cash payout.

What would you do if you won the big prize?

Would you help family and friends get on easy-street? Are there any family members you’d cut out completely?

Feeling generous? Which charities would you give to?

What would be your first big purchase? House? Plane? Space station? Hockey team?

We want your prom photos!

Fran Jeffries — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:51:02 +0000

The limos. The tuxes. The lovely gowns. Prom Season is in full effect. The AJC wants your prom photos to share with readers. We want photos you take at home before you go to the big dance, shots at the prom and the after-party. Please upload March 11-12 photos here, and March 18-19 photos here. Here’s a bucket for the March 24-25 proms and a bucket for April 1-2 ; April 8-9; April 15-16 and April 22-23; April 29-30 and May 6-7 prom photos. Here’s a bucket for all you folks whose prom falls May 13-14. And please include your NAMES and SCHOOLS you attend! Our featured couple is senior DeQuan Carithers and junior LaToya Riley before attending Mays High School Prom. If you have any questions or want help submitting photos, contact Fran Jeffries.

Are you sleeping enough?

jmoon — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:59:30 +0000

The CDC says that more than a third of adults sleep less than seven hours a night, and it affects their waking life.

Do you think you’re getting enough sleep?

How much are you getting on average?

Do you have any sleep secrets?

Tell us your prom stories

Fran Jeffries — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:40:55 +0000

Ah, the memories of prom. The beautiful dress, the lovely corsage, and of course, the handsome date. Was it all you dreamed it would be? A nightmare come true? Or just not that big a deal? We want your stories — the funny ones, romantic ones, and yes, even your horror stories. Let’s give this year’s prom goers a few tales as they gear up for their own big night in the next few weeks. And we want pictures! You can email your prom photos to producer Fran Jeffries at fjeffries@ajc.com. We’ll share them with our readers.