Brian Vanderhoff's North Fulton Real Estate Blog: April 2009

Harvard Medical School has written an article that explains the disease, its origins, treatment and dangers. Plus, learn about symptoms of the flu and precautions to help keep you healthy. Their article answers all your FAQs about swine flu to debunk rumors and help you rest easy.

By Harvard Medical School

An epidemic of swine flu has recently developed in Mexico and the United States, says the CDC. Swine flu has killed many people, and the outbreak has features that suggest it could become a global pandemic. A pandemic is an epidemic that spreads around the whole world. Pandemics also often cause more severe disease than epidemics.

As of Sunday, April 26, the United States has declared a public health emergency, and suspect or confirmed cases are being reported from many parts of the world. If a pandemic happens, it could be very serious for human health and the global economy (which definitely does not need any more bad news right now).

Q: What are "swine flu" and "bird flu"?

A: Flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus. Humans, pigs, birds, and other animals all can be infected by influenza viruses. Typically, influenza viruses can infect only one species, so the influenza viruses of humans are different from those of pigs and birds. However, sometimes a virus can infect more than one species. For example, pigs sometimes can be infected not only with pig influenza viruses, but also with human and bird influenza viruses. Then these viruses can sidle up to one another and swap genes, creating new viruses that have a mix of genes—from human, pig, and bird viruses. That is what has happened with this new swine flu virus.

Sometimes this swapping of genes allows a virus that was originally able to infect only pigs or only birds to also infect humans. When that happens, we refer to the illness as "swine flu" or "bird flu." This current virus could actually be called "swine/bird flu," since it has some genes from pig flu viruses and other genes from bird flu viruses. However, for simplicity sake, it is just being referred to as "swine flu."

Q: Are swine flu or bird flu viruses dangerous?

A: Most viruses that cause swine flu or bird flu are very hard to pass from one human to another: they don't cause epidemics. Sometimes, however, further changes in genes create a virus that can spread rapidly among humans, and can produce a more severe illness. One reason this illness is more severe is that the virus is so new. The regular flu that comes each year is caused by a regular human influenza virus that often has similarities to the viruses that have caused the flu in years past, so people have some degree of immunity to the latest virus. The unusual swine flu or bird flu viruses that develop the ability for person-to-person spread are so different that people have little or no immunity to them. That is what some experts worry may be happening with swine flu.

Q: How bad can a global pandemic be?

A: The worst global pandemic in modern times was the influenza pandemic of 1918 to 1919. It affected about a third of the human race, and killed at least 40 million people in less than a year—more than have been killed by AIDS in three decades. The world economy went into a deep recession. The average length of life dropped for 10 years. In other words, global pandemics can be a really big deal. On the other hand, other pandemics have been considerably less serious than the 1918 to1919 influenza pandemic.

Q: Can this new swine flu virus be easily transmitted from person to person?

A: Unfortunately, the new swine flu virus can be transmitted between humans. It is not clear yet how easily it is transmitted, nor how it is transmitted. Almost surely it is transmitted by sneezing and coughing, and by skin-to-skin contact (like shaking hands or kissing) with an infected person.

Q: How sick do people get from this virus?

A: Most people infected with the virus have recovered from the illness. In fact, all of the people in the U.S. have recovered.

However, in Mexico, some people have kept getting sicker, and eventually died. The regular flu viruses that come each winter can occasionally cause severe illness and death. Most often, this happens in very young children or frail elderly people. What worries some experts is that many of the deaths in Mexico have been in young, healthy adults. In past pandemics, like the influenza pandemic of 1918 to 1919, it was also young, healthy people who were most likely to die. Experts are puzzled as to why the infection currently appears to be worse in Mexico than in the U.S.

Q: Are there treatments?

A: As of now, the new virus is killed by two antiviral medicines—oseltamivir and zanamivir. Based on experience with other flu viruses, treatment would be most effective if given within 2 days of the onset of symptoms. As long as this current swine flu virus is infecting people, it is likely that health authorities will recommend that people with more severe illness take these medicines.

On the other hand, there is no proven benefit from using the medicines before symptoms develop, and there is proven harm: unnecessary widespread use of these drugs could produce drug-resistant viruses.

There is no vaccine yet for the new virus, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed doubt that this year's regular flu vaccine will offer protection.

Q: How do I know if I've caught swine flu?

A: The initial symptoms of this flu virus are like those of the regular, annual flu viruses: fever, muscle aches, runny nose, and sore throat. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may be more common with this swine flu than with the regular flu. If this epidemic hits your community and you develop flu-like symptoms, it is likely your doctor will take samples from your throat or material you cough up and send them to the state public health laboratory for testing.

Q: How do I protect myself?

A: To protect yourself from catching swine flu, take the same steps you would to prevent getting any cold or flu:

Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand cleaners frequently.

When you greet people, don't shake hands or exchange kisses.

Avoid contact with people with flu symptoms.

And to protect others, if you develop sneezing and coughing, be sure to use tissues to wipe your nose and cover your mouth, and to throw the tissues in the trash or toilet bowl.

Q: How long are people contagious?

A: Adults should be considered contagious until at least 7 days after the start of symptoms; with children, it may be 10 to 14 days.

Q: Can you get swine flu from eating pork?

A: Absolutely not. But, as you probably know, you need to cook pork thoroughly to avoid getting other illnesses that can be spread by undercooked meat.

Q: Will there be unusual restrictions on our lives if there is a global pandemic?

A: If there is a global pandemic, for some period of time, governments may well restrict travel (indeed, some governments already have). Governments also may close schools and public places, require as many people as possible to work from home, tell any people who develop symptoms to isolate themselves at home, and tell people to seek medical attention immediately if more serious symptoms develop. What are those symptoms?

For adults, teens, and kids age 3 to 12, the most worrisome symptoms are:

Shortness of breath

Persistent vomiting

Confusion

Dizziness

For children younger than 2, the most worrisome symptoms are:

Very rapid breathing

Not interacting normally, not eating or drinking normally, being unusually irritable, or appearing unusually sleepy

High fever and rash

A bluish color of the lips and skin

Labels: Georgia, harvard medical school, questions and answers, swine flu

Marietta's Merchant's Walk
Johnson Ferry Road @ Roswell Road

Saturday, May 2, 2009
* Sand Art, Spin Art & Face Painting *
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

* Tastes from the Area's Finest Restaurants *

** Fine Art & Crafts **
(New Art focus for 2009)

** 6 HUGE Inflatables **
* Performances by Jazz Bands *

* Silent Auction *

* Beverage & Dessert Booths *

* "Best of Taste of East Cobb" Voting Contest *

Tastes are $1 to $5
Free Admission
Cash only event

Rain or shine! -- We're under Tents!

Labels: johnson ferry, marietta, merchants walk, roswell road, taste of east cobb

Forget Winter. See what's hatching at Tanglewood Farm this Spring! Wander through our Wild West Town teeming with miniature animals and you'll see our darling baby miniature chicks and ducklings waddling after their mamas. Let your kids meet our kids as they visit with our baby miniature goats. Then introduce your little lambs to our little lambs - newborn miniature sheep. Bring your basket to collect chocolate eggs and meet real miniature Easter bunnies. Take a pony ride or a hay ride and see, pet and feed more than 100 miniature farm animals that call Tanglewood their home.

When: April 1-30
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10AM to 2PM
Last tickets sold at 1PM;
Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 5pm
Last tickets sold at 4PM;
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
No reservations required for individuals and families.
Reservations preferred for groups of 20 or more.

Where: Tanglewood Farm, 171 Tanglewood Drive, North Alpharetta/Canton, GA 30115

Cost: Tour: $10 per person (free for infants under one)

Labels: Alpharetta, Canton, Georgia, springfest, tanglewood farm

Gov.’s Scholarship Program was eliminated from budget

The state is notifying some of its top students that a four-year scholarship designed to entice them to attend college in Georgia has been wiped out.

The Governor’s Scholarship Program, a precursor to the state’s popular HOPE scholarship, was quietly eliminated in the budget lawmakers passed April 3 on the final day of the 2009 session.

Within a week of the vote, the Student Finance Commission began notifying about 1,500 students that they wouldn’t get the aid next fall.

Students and parents had no idea the money wouldn’t be coming.

“I was kind of shocked when I heard about it,” said Joey Krumpach, 19, a freshman at Georgia Gwinnett College who received the scholarship this year after being valedictorian of his high school.

Steven Longo, a Lawrenceville project manager whose daughter Julie receives the scholarship, said the award was supposed to be for four years.

“I think they are sending a bad message,” Longo said.

The Governor’s Scholarship was started in the mid-1980s as an incentive to keep Georgia’s top students from leaving the state to attend college.

It goes to valedictorians and other top students. At its peak in the 1990s about 3,000 students were getting more than $4.5 million in awards.

However, the program has been whittled back, and the state spent only about $1.3 million this year. For most students, it amounted to $900.

Governor’s Scholarship recipients also get HOPE scholarships, which pay their tuition and provide book and fee money. The Governor’s Scholarship helped pay for room and board and other expenses.

Tim Connell, president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission, questioned whether the scholarship was keeping top students in Georgia.

Connell recalled the annual ceremony Gov. Sonny Perdue has at the Governor’s Mansion for top students. When the students were asked where they planned to attend school, Connell said about 40 percent indicated they were heading out of state.

“It kind of brought into question what was the purpose of the scholarship,” he said. “$900 is probably not having a significant effect on decision making. It’s not enough to say, ‘Instead of going to Harvard or going to Vanderbilt or going to Duke, I am going to the University of Georgia.’

“It’s probably became more of an ‘attaboy’ for valedictorians.”

Krumpach, who is taking technology classes at Georgia Gwinnett, said the scholarship did help persuade him to stay in Georgia. “It was the best education for the money,” he said.

In the midst of a fiscal crisis that forced massive budget cuts, Perdue recommended the program be eliminated and the Legislature obliged. Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta), a former teacher and member of the House Education Committee, said she didn’t realize the program had been eliminated until someone sent her a copy of the Student Finance Commission letter being mailed to students.

She said the state made commitments to the scholars.

“We need to make it a priority to reward these deserving students and keep them in the state,” she said. “I think it’s one of those places where priorities become very clear.”

Democrats have argued that Perdue and the Republican majority haven’t made spending on education a priority. However, K-12 education took a smaller budget hit this year than almost any other area in the budget.

Bert Brantley, the governor’s spokesman, said many top students are already getting a number of other scholarships, including HOPE.

“When you’re looking for things to cut back on, you’re looking for what has the most benefit,” he said. “For a lot of kids, this is just over and above what they are already spending on tuition and books.”

Labels: eliminated, Georgia, hope scholarship

So far no impact on Delta, AirTran service to Mexico

Although there have been no cases of swine flu in Georgia, state public health officials are stepping up their monitoring system and prevention efforts.

Doctors are being urged to consider the possibility of swine flu in patients with flu-like symptoms who have visited Mexico or the five states with confirmed cases, plus those who have come in contact with sick people from those areas.

Belen Moran, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Division of Public Health, said the agency is coordinating with all 18 public health districts, the state Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Poison Center and hospitals.

The state public health lab has tested all influenza virus discovered this flu season, and as of Friday no swine flu had been found. Officials are recommending that people wash their hands often with soap and water, and stay home if they’re sick.

“We don’t have any cases in Georgia, but we don’t want people to take that for granted,” Moran said.

Meanwhile, Delta and AirTran, which have regularly scheduled flights between Atlanta and Mexico, haven’t changed screening procedures for flights to the country where dozens have been killed by swine flu.

But the airlines are in constant contact with the CDC about the situation.

Delta flies to Mexico three times a day from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, while AirTran flies three times a week.

“We are working directly with the CDC but at this point there has been no specific directive and no impact to our operations,” Delta spokesman Anthony Black said Sunday afternoon. “The report I’ve gotten is that operations are running normally.”

AirTran spokesman Christopher White said flight attendants are trained to “be on the lookout for any group of passengers with special symptoms,” adding that the airline is operating “at a normal state of alert.”

The swine flu outbreak might soon lead the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend against travel to Mexico. So far, the CDC has issued a travel alert regarding Mexico.

“We might be getting to the point soon where we’re recommending against travel to Mexico — I don’t know that we’re there quite yet,” CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said.

For those traveling to areas where swine flu has circulated, the agency also might issue yellow warning cards. The cards advise travelers to watch for the flu’s symptoms and see a doctor immediately if they exhibit any.

“Those are steps we might be taking here in the next few days,” Skinner said.

The CDC has confirmed eight cases in New York City, seven in California, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said eight students at a private Catholic high school likely got infected during a spring break trip to Mexico.

For more information on local prevention efforts, log on to http://www.health.state.ga.us/.

Labels: Georgia, mexico, monitoring, swine flu

OPEN SUNDAY 2 - 4
APRIL 19
11225 Hambleton Way, Johns Creek

FANTASTIC 5BR / 4BA Traditional in Huntington Subdivision - This home has it ALL!

New Hardiplank siding and carpet, hardwoods Kitchen, entry and hall. Kitchen has been updated with granite countertops, slate tile backsplash and antique stained cabinets. All secondary bedrooms are large - hard to find these days! This home is immaculate, neutral colors and ready for move in! Basement has TONS of room, and great Shop for Dad and Pool table stays!!!

If you would like to see more pictures of this home please visit the Featured property page on this site.

Labels: 349999, Georgia, hambleton way, huntington, Johns Creek, open house

A new driver education course is being offered this summer in Roswell, allowing teenagers in North Fulton to take driver’s education in conjunction with the city’s Recreation department. The SafeTeen Georgia driver education program is being taught at Hembree Park in June. It is a new addition to the city’s summer program.

Parents and teenagers can sign up for the course online at www.SafeAmerica.org. Scholarships are available, provided by American Family Insurance through the Safe America Foundation. Verizon Wireless and Security Bank of North Fulton are major sponsors of the program in Roswell.

This first-ever program was created by five members of the 2009 class of Leadership North Fulton. “Many of today’s adult drivers learned through a driver education program offered when they were a teenager. Our hope is to provide that same opportunity for today’s teenagers in North Fulton, through a community-based program that promotes safety and instills effective driving habits,” said Lenny Forti, principal of Sweet Apple Elementary School in Roswell and a member of Leadership North Fulton.

The SafeTeen Georgia driver education program is one of six community-service projects being conducted by Leadership North Fulton in 2009. Jennifer Hall, Tina Sanderson, Greg Heenan, Patrick Hill and Lenny Forti are all part of the Leadership North Fulton team that is creating the Driver Education program in Roswell. Since last fall, the team has been coordinating with the Safe America Foundation.

“The Leadership North Fulton Class of 2009 should be applauded for their outstanding efforts in bringing the SafeTeen Georgia driver education program to the City of Roswell, making driver education available to all Roswell residents,” said Safe America Foundation President and CEO Len Pagano. The SafeTeen Georgia training program was created by Safe America Foundation in response to Joshua’s Law, which now requires 16 year olds to complete a formal driver education course prior to obtaining a license. The course uses first-responders as driving instructors. Safe America Foundation is a non-profit foundation formed in 1994 and is dedicated to saving teen lives through driver education and training.

“The City of Roswell is proud to host the first SafeTeen Georgia driving course for North Fulton,” said Mayor Jere Wood. “It's vitally important that teenagers learn the rules of the road. They'll listen to Roswell's Police and Firemen, who can speak from personal experience about the importance of safe driving.”

Classes Held at Hembree Park

Classes will be taught in early June at the Hembree Park Recreation Center. The class is licensed by the State of Georgia Department of Driver Services and will be taught by area firefighters and other emergency first-responders. Each student will attend 30 hours of classroom training, which includes the state-required Alcohol and Drug Awareness training. Students also will complete at least six hours of private, individual behind-the-wheel training with a licensed driver training instructor.

Teens must be 15 years of age by the date of the first class and have a learner’s permit before they can take the behind-the-wheel training. The behind-the-wheel training is performed in individually scheduled two-hour increments which must occur within the six months following the classroom training.

Graduates of the program are eligible for a 10 percent reduction in insurance premiums to drivers under 25 years of age, if otherwise qualified; and parents are eligible for a $150 Georgia income tax credit.

Parents and students wanting more information or to register for the driver education class can call the Safe America Foundation at (770) 973-7233, or go online at www.safeamerica.org.

Labels: hembree park, leadership of north fulton, Roswell, safeteen georgia driving course

Four members of the Alpharetta City Council have come together to sponsor a scholarship contest based on gathering the ideas of Alpharetta’s youth on how to stimulate the local economy. Council Members D.C. Aiken, David Belle Isle, Doug DeRito, and John Monson are leveraging funds from their annual budgets to fund the scholarships.

The Alpharetta Stimulus Idea Scholarship Contest encourages students to bring forward ideas that stimulate the economy, reduce costs, improve efficiencies or provide for the general improvement of the local economy. The ideas can be for public, private or a combination of public and private initiatives.

Three ideas will be selected and awarded first, second, and third prizes, respectively. The first prize applicant will receive a $1,000 scholarship, second prize will be awarded $500, and third place will receive $250.

“It is important that Alpharetta’s youth take an active role in understanding our economy and the challenges we face at this unique time in our country’s history,” stated John Monson, the Council Member who first presented the idea for the contest. “We believe in the resource we have available in our young men and women and seek to utilize that resource, while also providing a unique learning experience along with a compelling reward for students’ hard work.”

The City of Alpharetta Stimulus Idea Scholarship Contest is open to 2009 academic year high school juniors and seniors who are residents of the City of Alpharetta and who have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA during the current academic year. Students who are children of or under the guardianship of employees or officials of the City of Alpharetta are not eligible for participation.

Students interested in submitting ideas for consideration can obtain an application packet here, or by sending an email to jdrinkard@alpharetta.ga.us. The deadline for submitting an application is 12:00 PM on Friday, May 1, 2009.

For application visit: http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/files/docs/pdfs/External_Press/2009/Stimulus%20Idea%20Scholarship%20Application%20Packet.doc

Labels: Alpharetta, alpharetta stimulus idea scholarship contest, council members, scholarship contest

The Emory Center for Lifelong Learning (ECLL) is sponsoring its next complimentary open house for those interested in career change and career management on Sunday, May 3 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. ECLL will also offer three complimentary career seminars in May, covering topics essential to every job seeker.

“The last open house event was such a success, we decided to offer those who were unable to attend or who just hadn’t heard about the event another opportunity to learn about their career enhancement options,” ECLL Executive Director, Steve Stoffle commented. Over seventy people attended Emory’s March Professional Learning Open House, titled “Reinvent your Career.” Attendees received detailed information about their choice of the ten different career tracks the center offers, including: Paralegal Studies, Six Sigma Green Belt, Web Design and Development, Graphic Design, Computer Forensics, Certified Technical Trainer, Certified Financial Planning, Management, Human Resource Management, and Career Development and Preparation. In addition, participants were able to speak with Evening at Emory staff about the variety of career enhancement courses they offer, including grant writing, ESL, test preparation, and foreign language classes.

Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) representatives attended the event, answering questions about the free career services they offer. GDOL Commissioner Michael L. Thurmond was pleased to hear about Emory’s open house event, saying that it presented “an excellent opportunity for the employed and unemployed to access valuable career training.”

GDOL representatives also plan to attend ECLL’s May 3 open house, which will follow a similar format to the last event. Participants will first hear from ECLL Executive Director about ECLL’s role in supporting Atlantans through professional and career training programs. Next, participants will have a chance to learn more about two programs of their choice in thirty-minute breakout sessions. The event will end with an informal meet and greet with program staff and subject-matter experts, available to answer additional questions. Refreshments will be provided. The open house is free to the public, but registration is requested. Visit www.cll.emory.edu/events/openhouse-spring to register.

In addition to the open house, ECLL will offer three complimentary career seminars in the month of May. “After attending the Department of Labor’s Job Fair, we saw how positive and determined people were, despite the current economic situation,” Emory Professional Learning (EPLP) Program Manager, Doug Solomon, said. “We want to do more for those who are currently unemployed.” ECLL is excited to offer the following complimentary career seminars to the community, providing their expertise to all Atlanta job seekers:

· May 7th, Interviewing Skills: Position Yourself as the Solution, Gary Cruze, Senior Instructor

· May 14th, Networking: The Key to Growing your Circle, Nicole Foerschler, Program Development

· May 28th, Resume Writing: Does your Resume Have What it Takes?, Jon Horn, Program Director

There are no fees for the seminars, but registration is required. Visit www.cll.emory.edu/career-seminars for more information or to register. All seminars will be held from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

According to Stoffle, while the ECLL team “encourages pursuing job and career training to improve your position in the job market, we understand that availability of funds can limit educational options.” This understanding led ECLL to seek support from Georgia’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program for their Certificates in Paralegal Studies, Financial Planning, and Web Design and Development. “Several of Emory’s other course offerings are currently being considered for WIA approval to help further support the community,” EPLP Program Manager Jennifer John explained. If an individual meets WIA eligibility requirements, they may receive grant-based funding towards completion of one of the above programs at Emory. Continuing education loans are also available through Sallie Mae. For more information about funding options, call 404-727-5413 or email jjohn2@emory.edu.

For more information about Emory’s Professional Learning Open House: Reinvent your Career, visit www.cll.emory.edu/events/openhouse-spring.

About The Center for Lifelong Learning

The Center for Lifelong Learning (ECLL) is Emory University's non-credit continuing education department. Their goal is to extend Emory's ideal of the learning community beyond the core partnership of faculty and degree-seeking students by providing learning experiences to the community. To support this goal, ECLL offers students the opportunity to learn, and to empower and enrich their lives through classes offered year-round at Emory’s Briarcliff campus, and now also in Alpharetta.

To learn more about ECLL or to register for a class visit the website at cll.emory.edu or call 404-727-6000.

Labels: career services, ecll, emory, event, georgia department of labor

The State Capitol in Atlanta will be the backdrop for the Atlanta Tea Party Rally on April 15. The rally will be part of a nationwide network of tea party rallies occurring across America to communicate anger and opposition to the irresponsible budget and tax policies currently proposed and discussed by politicians in Washington, D.C.

Labels: april 15, Atlanta, atlanta tea party, rally, tax day

A city-wide volunteer effort to clean up Birmingham Park will begin on April 25. This project, spearheaded by Milton Grows Green and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is part of two national clean-up programs, "The Great American Cleanup" and "Day of Service."

Residents are encouraged to join in this major park clean up by contacting cleanupmilton2009@cityofmiltonga.us. Among the projects scheduled are the clean-up and repair of a house in the park, clearing fences from prior farming use, clearing fallen trees and limbs for chipping, mowing and clearing pastures, repairing Old Bullpen Road, and the clearing of a dump beside that road.

Projects are available for all skill and fitness levels. Youth may participate with adult supervision at non-dangerous sites. Individuals are encouraged to sign up to work a half or whole day on projects appropriate for their fitness and capabilities under the close supervision of team leaders at each project location.

These programs are sponsored by a number of local and national groups including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Boy Scouts of America, Keep America Beautiful and its Georgia affiliate, the City of Milton and Milton Grows Green.

Other civic, religious and environmental groups in the Milton area have agreed to participate in the April 25 clean-up including the Milton Business Alliance, The Birmingham Hopewell Alliance and student groups from Hopewell Middle, Northwestern Middle, Alpharetta High, Milton High and St. Francis High Schools. Additionally, boy scout troops and environmental volunteers from past clean-up projects, including Rivers Alive and "Bring One For the Chipper" Christmas Tree recycling program, will participate.

Area churches of various denominations, including Bethany Baptist Church, Community of Christ, and Stonecreek Church will also be providing volunteers at the 202 acre park.

"Besides accomplishing great work, this project offers a wonderful opportunity to create and strengthen relationships, and create a framework for a stronger community," said Jim Brown, project coordinator for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Marc Arrington, Milton Grows Green's project supervisor for the Great American Clean-up, noted that "while we are involved in several projects that are part of the Great American Clean-up, we are gratified to be working with the Day of Service volunteers and others on cleaning up Birmingham Park, which should make it more accessible to Milton's citizens."

Labels: birmingham park, city of milton, clean up, milton gros green

Schedule
Sat, 4/18 12 Noon - 10:00 pm
Sun, 4/19 12:30 pm - 8:00 pm

A weekend to celebrate natural resources and learn about environmental concerns. Food, art, environmental expo, beer and live music. 5K Run/Walk April 18. Benefits the Candler Park Association.

Candler Park
1500 McLendon Ave. N.E.
Atlanta GA

Cost: Free - Free admission. $5 wristband for ages 21 and older who want to purchase beer

Labels: Atlanta, candler park, earth day celebration, Georgia, sweetwater 420 festival, sweetwater brewery

Schedule
Fri, 4/17 12 Noon - 8:00 pm
Sat, 4/18 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun, 4/19 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location - Dahlonega Public Square

Festival promotes the tradition of bluegrass and old-time mountain music. Also, music workshops, a Sunday morning gospel jam, dancing, live auction, family activities and food. Headlining the stage performances is The Claire Lynch Band

Labels: bear on the square mountain festival, dahlonega, public square

Schedule
Fri, 4/17 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sat, 4/18 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Barbecue cook-off, bluegrass music, Robinson's Racing Pigs, arts and crafts. Meet "Barney Fife" and "Gomer Pyle." Music by Adam Ryan Jones, Due South, the Incorrigible String Band, Rolling Nowhere and more. The Thomas Tillman Band in concert Friday, April 17.

Location
Nash Farm
4361 Jonesboro Road
Hampton GA

Labels: 2009, nash farm, simply southern jubilee bbq and bluegrass

Schedule
Thu, 4/16 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri, 4/17 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sat, 4/18 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sun, 4/19 12 Noon - 6:00 pm
Thu, 4/16 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri, 4/17 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sat, 4/18 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sun, 4/19 12 Noon - 6:00 pm

Carnival rides, food booths, face-painting, a petting zoo and bike race. Presented by Dunwoody Preservation Trust. Dunwoody Arts and Crafts Guild presents an art show (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19) in conjunction with the carnival.

Location
Brook Run Park
4770 North Peachtree Road
Dunwoody GA

Labels: brook run park, dunwoody, Georgia, lemonade days

What would spring be without Newtown Park's annual Spring Egg Hunt! It's free and open to children, ages 1-10.

Thousands of filled eggs will be "hidden" on the Park's main soccer field at 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022 (directly across the street from Johns Creek Fire Station #3).

The Hunt begins promptly at 11 am, but pre-Hunt activities (face painting, moonwalk) start at 10 am, including having your picture taken with the Easter Bunny.

During the Hunt, there will be separate areas designated for different age groups and special prize eggs will be hidden in each age group area. Parents/adults must remain out of the hunt area, except for the younger age groups.

Please bring your own basket to collect your eggs. Contact Johns Creek Recreation & Parks at 678-512-3200 for more information.

Labels: childrens easter egg hunt, city of johns creek, newton park

Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 2009
10am – 6pm
Two South Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009 (directions & parking below)

Presenting the work of artists from throughout the U.S., Arts Streetfest is a yearly celebration of the arts in the Alpharetta Historic District. We will close downtown streets and fill them with original high-quality art from artists throughout the U.S. Please scroll through a preview of the 2009 show representing 50 of 103 participating artists.

Aspiring young artists can explore Going Green with FREE art projects, have fun with mixing pigments, paint ceramics, and much more. Complimenting the event will be Art Beyond Borders from April 10-25; Alpharetta Farmer's Market April 18 from 8am-12:30pm; and vosot our charming downtown shops and restaurants. This colorful festival features live jazz and acoustical music, cultural arts performances, and festival cuisine.

Parking available at Alpharetta City Hall and Milton Center. For more information contact 678-297-6000 x-1008.

Thank You Sponsors! Costco, Revue & News with APPEN Newspapers and The New York TImes.

Please come and join us for a downtown weekend of arts in Alpharetta!

ROAD CLOSING - Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19
MILTON AVENUE -- At 5 p.m. Friday until approx. 12 a.m. Sunday, Milton Avenue from Main Street west to the intersection of Roswell St.-Canton St. will be completely closed.

Labels: alpharetta arts streetfest, main street, streetfest

The City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department will host the 11th annual Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, April 25, 2009, from 10am-2pm at North Park. Children can see, touch and explore their favorite big trucks and vehicles. “Kids’ Zone” activities for children include inflatables, face-painting, and free animal balloons! Food vendors will sell food and drinks. Touch-a-Truck T-shirts in infant, toddler, and youth sizes will be sold! Parking and admission are free.

For more information, call 678-297-6133 or email wprcprograms@alpharetta.ga.us

Labels: alpharetta recreation and parks, city of alpharetta, Touch a Truck

The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park will begin its second season April 10 and has seven Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts lined up. Also slated to perform this spring and summer are Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Styx and REO Speedwagon as well as Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago.

n Good Friday Concert: Chris Tomlin, Israel Houghton and New Breed, Louie Giglio, Matt Redman and Christy Nockels. 7 p.m. on April 10.

n Dave Matthews Band: with the Avett Brothers. April 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m.

n Kenney Chesney: with Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. May 28 at time to be announced.

n Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago: June 6 at 8 p.m.

n Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Opening Night: with excerpts from “Barber of Seville” and “Carmina Burana.” June 20 at 8 p.m.

n Styx and REO Speedwagon: presented by VH1 Classic and Rock Band. June 21 at 7 p.m.

n Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Magnificent Mozart including the overture to “Marriage of Figaro.” June 27 at 8 p.m.

n Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: “A Yankee Doodle Dandy Celebration.” July 4 at 8 p.m.

n Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: “Star Wars” and music from Strauss, Johns Williams and Holst. July 11 at 8 p.m.

n Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: “Beethoven Blockbusters.” July 25 at 8 p.m.

n Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Rodgers and Hammerstein: On Stage and Screen, Turner Classic Movies Night. August 1 at 8 p.m.

n Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: “Grand Passions.” Ilyich Rivas makes his U.S. debut with an American orchestra. August 15 at 8 p.m.

n O.A.R.: with Matt Dennon. August 21 at a time to be announced.

The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park is at 2200 Encore Parkway in Alpharetta.

Information: 1-800-745-3000 or visit http://www.vzwamp.com/.

Labels: Alpharetta, Concert, Georgia, Season, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre