FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 2003, 12:30 a.m.

Systems Go for Saturday's Holiday Lighting Ceremony

BARNES PLACE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) - T'was the week before the Holiday Lighting Ceremony, and all through Barnes Place, not a light bulb was burning, not a strand, not a trace. But that was fixed tonight as technicians and engineers installed all 5,000-plus holiday lights at Barnes Place in record time, and moved immediately to light and sound checks. With only one minor snag, all systems are go for this Saturday's "Babes in SpamLand", the 11th Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Canned Food Drive. As usual, cocktails begin at 7:05 p.m. with the Holiday Lighting Ceremony taking place at 8:05 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. Guests should bring the beverage of their choice and canned goods for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

"This year has been a major pain, especially with the Department of Homeland Security investigating power fluctuations in the area that weekend," said Director of Ambiance and Entertainment Timothy State. "But once we got to the sound check, the holiday feeling began pumping through my veins. We are ready. Couldn't be more ready. I can't believe we have to wait five more days."

"All I have to say is that the power grid at Barnes Place is solid and secure," said Director of Catering and Guest Relations Anthony Dornacher. "If Homeland Security is concerned about a repeat of that Northeast blackout, Barnes Place will not be Ground Zero. A team of straight men have calculated the circuit loads over and over, and we're well under our capacity."

Chief Engineer Nelson Burke estimates Barnes Place operates at about 65% capacity when it comes to holiday lights. "A few years back, we had that near melt-down when we forgot to look at the schematics before installation. At that time, we calculated exactly how many light bulbs can be plugged end-to-end, and then into one power strip."

State also pointed out the use of higher quality lights helps to keep the lighting system in check. "The children of China manufacture much better lighting than the children of Taiwan. It's just a known fact. Today, I only buy Chinese." While the ceremony is in its eleventh year, almost all the strands were upgraded for the 10-year anniversary. The average age of light strands is less than four years.

But when it comes to capacity for canned goods, Barnes Place guests have brought donations that burst at the seams. "We've been overflowing with donated food, and this year, we've worked with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to expand our food capacity," said Dornacher. "Last year, our official count was 750 pounds of food and each barrel only holds 350 pounds, which is enough food to make 200 meals. We'll have two barrels this year."

The co-directors suggest guests think about feeding a family of four for a day when coordinating their food donation. For more information on what food to donate, direct your web browser to: http://www.barnesplace.com/events/spamland/donate.html. Keep in mind, if you show up with a six-pack of beer to drink for yourself and just one can of food, you will be made fun of.

It's not too late to RSVP for Saturday's event. Guests should bring canned goods for the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the beverage of their choice for their own consumption. Direct your browser to http://www.barnesplace.com/events/spamland/ for more information or to RSVP.

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