FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2001, 2:15 p.m. Contingency Plan Trims Holidays; Spirit Strong BARNES PLACE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) - Co-Director Timothy State successfully replaced a broken headlamp on the Sexy Chevy today. State as Auto Mechanic is just one of the unintended side effects of Co-Director Anthony Dornacher's pending unemployment. Dornacher's last day with American Express One is scheduled for February 8, 2002, on which day his department will be eliminated. As a result, the Co-Directors are creating a contingency plan. While Dornacher has been handed an official pink slip, his department did serve a function other than providing people with income. With the elimination of the department, a new, leaner department will be created in new, consolidated regional centers. Those regional centers have not yet been located. Once those locations are determined, positions will be posted and Donacher can re-apply for newly defined positions if he chooses. "Although Kathy Lee wasn't too hot on having her own clothing line once she realized she was running a sweat shop, if you catch my drift," pointed out State. HOLIDAYS TO BE TRIMMED "Obviously, we're anticipating making some cuts to prepare for the uncertainty of tomorrow," said Dornacher coming out of a budget meeting. "While all areas need to tighten up, some areas experience a greater impact." While the Ninth Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Canned Food Drive is still on, Christmas has been cancelled. No Tree. No Presents. Not a single luxury. "We are revising our strategic plans for the Holiday Lighting Ceremony right now," added State. The Ceremony will be scaled back this year from previous years. "Generally, we have to replace about 500 lights on an annual basis. This year, we've cut Light Enhancement from the budget, and guests may notice a meer 4,500 lights this year, as opposed to the 5,000-plus lights on display in year's past." Gone also are the cocktail-serving Ho-Ho boys. There have never been Santa-clad go-go boys, but the plan has always been to add scantily-clad beverage boys as soon as the student loans were paid off. That enhancement will obviously have to wait yet another year. "But what we will have is the same amazing mix of people you've come to expect, a moment and a space where you can gather in the companionship of your fellow neighbors and friends, gazing into the video fire place and ponder for a moment all the wonderful aspects of your life. And when the lights go on, if they go on, a celebration of all that you have to give and share with your family, your lovers, your community and the world. That is the meaning of the holiday season, and nothing can destroy that spirit," rambled State. "We're just hoping that, even though our dreams have been dashed and hopes destroyed (for the moment), people will still get in the spirit and think of the thousands of people across North Georgia who have even less than you or I might have," said Dornacher. Guests are encouraged to bring canned goods for the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB). A bin was delivered from the ACFB that will hold 350 pounds of food with hopes it will be overflowing by the end of the evening. To accomplish this goal, guests are asked to bring about $10 in packaged food items. Over the years, over two tons of food and more than $500 have been collected through the Ceremony for the ACFB. The ACFB gets food out to people who need it by distributing millions of pounds every year to non-profit agencies assisting hungry people in metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Food collected during food drives as well as donations from manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, caterers, and individuals is sorted and packed for distribution by staff and volunteers. The Food Bank provides an alternative to waste, by reclaiming, safely sorting and distributing a variety of food products. For more information on the Atlanta Community Food Bank, visit their web site at http://www.acfb.org. For more information on the Holiday Lighting Ceremony and the Atlanta Community Food Bank, or to RSVP, direct your browser to http://www.barnesplace.com/events/hlc2001/. --END--