I am very excited this month to announce the beginning of three new columns for Alle-Kiski Today readers to enjoy and benefit from.

The first, titled, "Alle-Kiski Drug Prevention - 2004" will offer tips and information on fighting the scourge of drug abuse. The articles are composed in partnership with the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. I am particularly impressed with the practical nature of these articles. I believe you will find them very informative and helpful.

The second new column, titled, "Our Environment" offers info on environmental protection and conservation. This column will use information garnered from government organizations as well as local sources offering some very real options for us to consider regarding the practice of stewardship of our natural resources.

The third new column for Alle-Kiski Today is titled, "the Dedicated". The Dedicated will feature people and organizations of our region dedicated to the protection and or betterment of our communities, service organizations, schools and churches, people who make a difference in our everyday lives.

This month our cover features Grace Haywood. A few months ago, while returning from a story I was covering in Fox Chapel, I stopped into the New Kensington Giant Eagle to grab a quick snack. On my way out the door I spied a kindly looking lady in a small chair next to the door collecting for the Salvation Army. I dropped a few coins into her bucket and she thanked me in a very quiet polite manner. I had no idea who she was but I noted that she was there late in the evening, about 8:30 or so. I thought, "what a great lady"! Little did I know that I had just bumped into Grace, a very well known, and loved local woman. Be sure to take a moment to read about how she, Makes Life Count, in this month's Alle-Kiski Women.