The West end of Atlanta is one of the city’s historic and in some ways vibrant districts. the sector has approximately 33,000 residents surrounding its main zip code, 30310. the branches of three major banks, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America are within two city blocks of each other.

Nestled at the sector’s east gate is the West end MARTA station which can whisk its riders to Atlanta Jackson-Hartsfield International Airport within 25 minutes. A three minute car ride north of the station takes you to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

The Hammonds House Museum sits next to a busy branch of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library. Wren’s Nest, historic home of Joel Chandler Harris and author of the Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus tales is but a brisk five minute walk from the library. another cultural hub, the West end Performance Arts Center, also sits nearby.

While the sector has an abundance of culture, its potential is grossly offset by a lack of equally vibrant commercial activity. One can tire quickly from too many hair salons and fast food joints. Residents of nice gated apartment complexes have views of rundown, strip malls, with uninviting store fronts.

City leaders have noticed, and while the cynic may have no expectation of action, policy makers are implementing a visioning process that will hopefully incentivize the community to make more of an investment their neighborhoods and businesses. As one city council member staffer recently told me, if we seed the West end properly who knows what may grow.

One of those seeds could be the linking of broadband to job creation and the West end desperately needs job creation. Ninety-two percent of West End’s residents are black. Approximately 30% of the West end lives below the poverty line. the sector’s median household income of $24,604 pales when compared to that of its affluent Buckhead neighbors to the north where the median household income is $94,740 and 79% of residents are white. just over seven percent of West end residents have bachelor degrees and approximately four percent have graduate or professional degrees. In Buckhead, 39.8% of residents have bachelor degrees while 21.7% have graduate or professional degrees.

While not a panacea, businesses that use broadband to deliver services could help provide employment relief to areas like the West end. Time Warner Cable and the National Urban League released a report outlining how broadband could contribute to increased economic activity and job growth particularly in African American communities.

One recommendation in their report calls for creating workforce training in broadband sectors that incorporate job placement. new businesses and more jobs result when the right talent mix is in place.

Another recommendation calls for providing incentives for brick and mortar and broadband businesses to locate in hard hit areas. For example, promoting existing brick-and mortar businesses already in the area can help attract broadband businesses, according to the report. That ties in with what city leaders’ desire for local businesses to emphasize better customer service and contact with potential customers.

Time Warner and the National Urban League also recommend fast tracking the approval of broadband businesses in hard hit neighborhoods. Buckhead has at least four e-commerce businesses while West end has none.

The e-commerce pie is big and getting bigger. JP Morgan Chase estimated that global e-commerce revenues in 2011 reached $680 billion, while U.S. e-commerce retail revenues alone would hit $187 billion.

The West end and other African American communities run and not walk with regards to implementing progressive broadband strategies.

Alton Drew is a political economist and commentator. In addition to being a contributing writer at Politic365.com, Mr. Drew blogs at Law and Politics of Broadband, Paying for Dodd Frank, and the American Centrist. Follow him on Twitter @altondrew, become a friend at https://facebook.com/alton.drew, or visit his website at altondrew.com.

Organizers of the 2011 Download Festival have followed up last week’s announcement at System of a down will headline the event with news that American rock band Linkin Park will also be making an appearance. the Download Festival will take place June 10-12, and more than 100,000 music fans are expected at Donington.

SEE ALSO: Pink Floyd reunion gig cancelled

Linkin Park burst onto the scene in 1996 and has gone on to win two Grammy Awards. the band has sold more than 50 million records all around the world. its fourth album, A Thousand Suns, topped the charts in 10 countries and made it to the number two spot in the UK.

“We are very excited to be playing Download again next year,” said Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington. “It’s one of the best festivals in the world and it’s always an honour to play in front of such a great crowd. We can’t wait!”

Rob Zombie, Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, will also perform at the Download Festival 16 years after he last played the venue with White Zombie. Zombie founded the band and has since found success as a movie producer and director, most notably for “House of 1000 Corpses” and “the Devil’s Rejects.” the musician’s new album, “Hellbilly Deluxe 2,” debuted earlier in 2010.

Tickets for the event, including camping passes and RIP packages, can be found online at downloadfestival.co.uk. An early bird special featuring three day and five day camping tickets expires at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20. Ticket prices for the 2011 event remain the same as those paid in 2010.

What would you like to say? You May also Like

By Official ReleasePosted Apr 27 2012 2:33PM

NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers’ Frank Vogel and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Lionel Hollins today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

Vogel led Indiana to an Eastern Conference- best 12-3 (.800) record including a league-leading 5-0 mark on the road, the Pacers longest winning streak away from home since 2003-04. the Pacers’ 12 victories were the team’s most wins in a month since November 2003 (13-2). during April, the Pacers averaged 102.7 points — nearly six points above its season average — and ranked sixth overall in Plus-Minus Score Differential (+5.7).

Hollins guided the Grizzlies to a 13-3 record in April, tying the franchise mark for the most wins in a month (March, 2004). among the Grizzlies’ 13 victories were wins at Oklahoma City, which snapped the Thunder’s six-game winning streak, and at Miami. Memphis’ season-ending home victory against Orlando was the team’s franchise-tying 11th straight win at FedExForum, and clinched homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Atlanta’s Larry Drew, Boston’s Doc Rivers, Denver’s George Karl, new York’s Mike Woodson, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, and Utah’s Tyrone Corbin.

We watched “The Announcement “Tuesday night on TV. looking at those five young University of Kentucky basketball players and their coach, we were reminded of how quickly things can change and how quickly an NCAA basketball championship team can be back to square one.

It just so happened that the Announcement was made on April 17, this year’s tax filing deadline. (We should have had at least one of those guys stay just to offset the pain of the tax filing deadline!) And just as things will change for the Wildcats on the court next year, things will change for all of us come tax time next year.

Just a few of the things you need to know – or reload into your brain system:

1. the Bush era tax cuts are set to expire at the end of this year. If not extended, that means that the lower income tax rates, 15 percent maximum rates on dividends and capital gains, and the repeal of the limits on personal exemptions and itemized deductions will be gone. Saying goodbye to the lower income tax rates will mean that more of your income will be taxed at a higher rate, sooner. Your income is taxed incrementally – assuming you are married for tax year 2012, the first $17,400 of taxable income will be taxed at the 10 percent rate. any taxable income from $17,400-$70,700 will be taxed at 15 percent, and so on. As a comparison, the lowest bracket in 2000 was 15 percent and you moved into the 28% bracket at $26,250. so, you need to keep an eye on what Congress does with the tax brackets, dividend and capital gain rates, and limits on personal exemptions and itemized deductions because the impact could be significant.

2. each dependent was worth $3,700 as an exemption in 2011. in 2012, that amount goes up to $3,800 (Woo-Hoo!).

3. the standard deduction amount varies by your tax filing status. If you are single, your standard deduction was $5,800 in 2011. it will be $5,950 in 2012. Compare your itemized deductions (mortgage interest, real estate taxes, etc.) to the standard deduction allowed to determine whether or not to itemize your deductions.

4. You are able to contribute $17,000 to your 401(k) – that is an increase of $500 from last year’s limit. the “catch-up” limits for those age 50 or older remain the same at $5,500. You may be eligible for a “Saver’s Credit” of up to $1,000 if your adjusted gross income falls within certain ranges.

5. the maximum credit for each qualifying child for the child tax credit remains unchanged at $1,000. the income brackets for figuring the phaseout of this credit remains unchanged.

6. Elementary and secondary school teachers were able to claim $250 in expenses against their gross income. That adjustment is gone for 2012.

7. the maximum interest deduction for education loans remains unchanged at $2,500, as does the modified adjusted gross income phaseout range.

8. the annual contribution limit for Coverdell educations savings accounts (K-12 plus college expenses) remains at $2,000. This limit is phased out based on your income, and those limits remain unchanged.

9. the maximum deduction for qualified higher education expenses was $4,000 for 2011, subject to phaseout based on modified adjusted gross income. That deduction is gone for 2012.

As I said earlier, be sure to keep your eye on what Congress does on the Bush-era tax cuts. That vote by Congress will probably be delayed until after the election, so you will still have time to adjust withholdings for 2013 if needed.

One last caution: After considering all these numbers, don’t become overloaded as opposed to reloaded! It’s never too early to get started preparing for another year.

Christina Harrison and Judy Howell, H2 Investments, are affiliated with First Kentucky Securities Corporation (member FINRA, SIPC). They have over 25 years of experience assisting individuals in meeting their investment and retirement goals.

If there is in fact a linkage between illegal immigration and inflation, and as I do accept the distinct probability that there is one, this is how I think the issue can be reduced to almost zero.

As an immigrant that patiently stood in line for 10 years to become a citizen of the United States. My tolerance for those that jump the line, and who effectively are committing a felony by being here is: ZERO, NADA, ZIP, AUCCUNE, NOT a BLOODY WIT!.

However you want to say it, they are breaking the law. they MUST go back to their home county, and apply for visas to come back.

As a LEGAL immigrant, I was constantly on guard to maintain an absolute compliance with the law at all times, (as I was very aware of the privilege of being here). as a citizen I fully support the rule of law.

Yet I constantly hear of illegal aliens being arrested time and time again.

Is there some sort of “catch and release” program of which I am perhaps unaware? Is this some kind of sport the various levels of police agencies play?

If the present administration is able to circumvent the laws to perform “extraordinary rendition” with people from other countries, taking them to foreign prisons for “a chat”, why are we unable to deal with criminal aliens effectively within our own borders?

I do not advocate a door to door search in any way, but if the basic reasons that most illegal aliens come here were to be as close to impossible to get, (namely, shelter, work, medical care, education, even a driver’s lic.) most if not all would leave for greener pastures.

For the ones that remain, as soon as they’re detected, they’re deported. No big deal made about it, simply arrest them on the spot, and quietly remove them to an I.C.E. center for deportation.

No contact with the outside world, and scoop the rest of the family from where ever the individual was living (I don’t think that it’s necessary to separate families, after all…they came here together.)

No appeal, and no re-entry. Ever.

Harsh? oh yes, very harsh, but the “Send me your tired, your poor, etc” on the statue of liberty, says nothing about your felony committing illegal line jumpers.

Do it right, or don’t do it. seems simple enough to me. I’d love to see everyone that comes here see the fullest realization of their dreams, all I ask is that they do it right, and legally.

M. Terry.“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”~George Washington

• The disabled girl’s remains were found after she went missing in North Carolina
• They were found November 11, just over a month after she was reported missing
• Authorities say the stepmother married Zahra’s father before divorcing her previous husband

(CNN) — The stepmother of a disabled girl whose remains were found after she went missing in North Carolina has been indicted on a bigamy charge.

Elisa Baker, the stepmother of Zahra Baker, 10, is accused of marrying the girl’s father before divorcing her previous husband, a Catawaba County court official said Tuesday.

The family made international news late last year after the freckled-faced young girl went missing from their home in Hickory, North Carolina.

The girl lost part of her left leg at age 5 and lost hearing in both ears while being treated for cancer.

Father accused of dismembering child Police: Blood in Zahra Baker’s home

Police found Zahra’s remains on November 11, just over a month after she was reported missing.

Elisa Baker was charged with obstruction of justice after she admitted to planting a fake ransom note.

Documents released after Zahra’s remains were found tell a grisly story.

The stepmother told police the girl was killed two weeks before she was reported missing, according to search warrants.

She said the disabled girl’s body was dismembered and disposed of in various locations, documents show.

A search warrant dated October 27 shows police were looking for latex gloves used to dismember Zahra and trash bags used to store the remains.

No one has been directly charged in the girl’s death.