Focus Atlanta is a locally produced community affairs program.  It airs once a week on Sundays at Noon.  The half-hour program tackles subjects that affect our community in an unobtrusive and entertaining manner. While targeting the top 10 issues concerning citizens of metro Atlanta, we explore Atlanta's concerns about health, drug prevention, crime, cultural identity, AIDS and consumer relations.

Through interviews and packages we help the viewer learn more about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, nonprofit organizations, and ways they can become better citizens. We have featured authors, musicians, and artists as well as physicians, activists, and politicians. Some exciting past guests include Mayor Shirley Franklin, John Smoltz, Dawnn Lewis and Usher.

The Host of Focus Atlanta is Keisha Lancelin, CW69's Public Affairs Director. In addition to producing the program she maintains relationships with service organizations in an effort to establish CW69 as an ongoing venue of support to the community.


This Week On Focus Atlanta:

Shingles

Shingles, also called Herpes zoster, or zoster or is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes varicella or chickenpox.

It is a fairly common disease that affects 1 in 5 adults who have been infected with chickenpox in the past. According to some data, most occur as a sign of physical and mental fatigue.  The CDC recommends that all adults over the age of 60 get the Shingles vaccine. Researchers estimate the zoster vaccine (ie, Zostavax) could prevent 250,000 cases of shingles in the United States each year and significantly reduce the severity of the disease in another 250,000 cases annually.

Zostavax is given as a single dose by an injection under the skin, preferably in the upper arm which can be administered at your local Rite Aid Pharmacy.  Please visit www.riteaid.com for participating locations.

Free Tax Preparation

Because United States income tax laws are considered to be complicated, many people seek outside assistance with taxes.  59.2% of individual tax returns in 2007 were filed by paid preparers.  However, commercial tax preparers can be very expensive and there is no guarantee that they have any credentials or training by the IRS.   The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers tax help for taxpayers who qualify. The VITA Program offers free tax preparation to low- to moderate-income (generally, $49,000 and below) people at local community centers such as The Center for Working Families (TCWFI). Trained community volunteers at TCWFI may help with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, TCWFI offers free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper – even faster when tax refunds are deposited directly into one's bank account.  For more information about The Center for Working Families, Inc. visit www.tcwfi.org.

MLK Mural

On Jan 17, 2010 Mayor Kasim Reed dedicated a125-ft public art mural 'Dreams, Visions and Change" designed by nationally noted muralist and 20-year Morehouse College Art & Humanities teacher, Louis Delsarte.

The piece chronicles the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The City of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs received a Greenspace Bond that paid local artists to design permanent artworks such as this one located at the Martin Luther King Jr. Natatorium.

Though this piece is priceless it stands proudly in Downtown Atlanta off of Auburn Avenue for all to marvel … for free.

National Wear Red Day

Go Red For Women is a movement passionately dedicated to helping women fight back against heart disease. Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the No.1 killer of women in Georgia. Inspire friends, family and coworkers to wear red and speak up about heart disease on National Wear Red Day, February 5, 2010!  Macy's has stepped up to the plate to get consumers motivated about Heart Disease prevention in Women.  You can be apart of the movement in various ways with a visit to your local Macy's. (1) INC has designed a brilliant little Red Dress.  It retails for $69 and 10% of the proceeds go to the American Heart Association.  (2) Or you can just show up at your local Macy's February 3 – 5, 2010 and pay $2 to receive and extra 20% off of most purchases.  All proceeds from your donation go to the Go Red Movement.  For more information visit:  www.goredforwomen.org.

Click below for Keisha Lancelin's Bio: