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

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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Bank Owned, Bank owned properties, foreclosure, Foreclosures

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Georgia State Parks are making it easy and affordable to enjoy time with family this holiday season, without the stress of houseguests and cleaning. Families can celebrate the holidays in Georgia’s great outdoors with a cornucopia of festive events, diverse recreational opportunities, and hotel-style lodge rooms with lower winter rates.


”Georgia’s State Parks are a practical choice for all types of holiday celebrations, from family reunions and getaways, to office parties and church retreats,” said Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Clark. “After the Thanksgiving feast is complete, our park guests can burn off those calories with an array of recreational opportunities. From hiking and biking trails to championship golf and playgrounds, there is something to fit every interest and fitness level.”

Traditional Holiday Events & Fun in the Great Outdoors


Families looking for budget-friendly activities during school break can participate in array of holiday events, from visits with Santa to Christmas tree displays. Below is a sampling of the holiday festivities, and a complete calendar is listed at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.


• Appalachian Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 26, 11 a.m.

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville

Experience a traditional Thanksgiving buffet with old-fashioned fun. Displays and Appalachian cultural demonstrations will be presented at the lodge. Reservations for the Thanksgiving buffet are required (space fills quickly). Ask about lodge room availability. $5 parking. (706) 344-1505.


• 2009 Festival of Trees

Friday, November 27 through Saturday, December 12,

Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen

View beautifully decorated trees throughout Unicoi Lodge. This event is hosted by White County Chamber of Commerce. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.


• Christmas Open House

Saturday, December 5, 4 p.m.

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville

Enjoy musical performances and gingerbread house creations, and then go for a winter hayride. Afterwards warm up by the fire and visit with Santa. Save time for a meal in the park’s mountain-view restaurant. $5 parking. (706) 265-1969.


• Deck the Halls of Unicoi

Saturday, December 5, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen

This celebration includes making holiday crafts, hayrides (weather permitting), visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a special meal in the park's restaurant, and an evening of live music in the beautifully decorated lodge. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.



Affordable Family Entertaining & Recreation

Large families interested in a casual affair can take the holiday reunion outdoors and rent covered picnic shelters or enclosed group shelters, allowing more time for connecting and less time in the kitchen. For those interested in leaving the food preparation behind, full-service catering and restaurants are available at five of Georgia’s State Park Lodges. Catering services accommodate banquets, receptions, private parties and even special food requests such as restricted and budget-friendly diets.


Diverse Lodging Options for Every Lifestyle

Families travelling for an extended holiday can choose from a variety of lodging options at Georgia State Parks. Accommodations include modern campsites, fully equipped cottages, memorable yurts and even hotel-style lodges, so those not excited about sleeping under the stars can still hit the trails by day and sleep in a comfortable bed by night. Lower winter Lodge-ical Rates begin at $59 at George T. Bagby State Park on Lake Walter F. George, Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae and Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona, and $69 at Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville and Unicoi State Park near Helen. Some blackout dates apply. Guests can call 1-800-864-PARK (7275) to book their vacations with the Lodge-ical Rate.
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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Georgia, holidays, state parks

Alpharetta Downtown Historic District will light up at the 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 5 pm on Sunday, December 6, 2009. The celebration will take place in the Milton Square City Park at Milton Avenue and Main Street.


Creating special memories for area families for over 30 years, the celebration began in 1977 with about 100 people gathered around a 6-foot live blue spruce tree. Alpharetta’s annual holiday event has grown to approximately 3,000 people celebrating the lighting of the 45-foot tree.

“The Christmas Tree Lighting has brought the Alpharetta community together for years,” said Mayor Arthur Letchas. “It is a perfect time to enjoy the simple traditions of holiday season.” The children’s classic book, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, will be read on the main stage by Mayor Letchas and his wife Sally.


An entertainment program will feature live music and caroling with James Casto. Plus enjoy holiday performances by City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department Rhythm n’ Shoes Dance Program, and Alpharetta Christian Academy Children’s Chorus.

Alpharetta’s Christmas tree will come aglow with 10,000 twinkling lights at approximately 5:40 pm, just before the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a City of Alpharetta fire truck, which has been a local tradition since the first event thirty-two years ago. The Christmas Tree Lighting will offer the opportunity for children to talk with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the park gazebo. A North Fulton Jaycee’s volunteer will be on hand to help take FREE online photos, or parents may bring their cameras to take photos.

On Milton Square City Park, entertainment will consist of strolling elves creating FREE balloon sculptures, bubbles, glow necklaces and holiday crafts provided by City of Alpharetta; and FREE face painting provided by Milton High School’s Interact Club. Dancing candy canes, marching soldiers, and the beautiful ballerina Clara from the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker will also entertain guests. Beware of the evil mice as they may make an appearance!

Black Magic Carriage horse drawn trolley rides are FREE and will take you to the 1935 Future Farmers of America Log Cabin where you will be greeted by the Alpharetta Historical Society volunteers available to give a tour of the historic site. The shops and restaurants of Historic Downtown Alpharetta will also feature holiday activities so make sure to visit the local businesses.

Starbucks will warm the evening with complimentary hot chocolate and coffee drinks. Smokejack, A Southern Grill will be available for dinner fare. Philly Pretzel Factory will be providing assorted savory and sweet pretzel creations with fifty percent of the proceeds from the evening donated to Toys for Tots!

The 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is free to the public. Free parking is available at City Hall and Milton Center (the old Milton High School). The event owes its success, in part, to the generous volunteerism of the Dr. James J. Awbrey IV, D.M.D and Staff, Milton High School Interact Club, Milton High School Key Club, North Fulton Jaycees, and Hopewell Middle School Jr. Beta Club. For more information, visit www.alpharetta.ga.us or phone 678-297-6078.

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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Alpharetta, christmas tree, christmas tree lighting

Production at Kia's new auto assembly plant in western Georgia officially begins Monday.


THE $3 billion plant in West Point will employ about 1,000 people by the end of the year.

It's expected to attract an extra 20,000 jobs to the area by 2012.

Troup County -- where the plant is located -- has had one of the highest rates of unemployment in the state because of textile mill closings.

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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Georgia, jobs, Kia

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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
---
Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Alpharetta, foreclosed homes, Foreclosures, milton, Roswell

She's expected to hit the Gulf Coast as a tropical storm and that means there could be plenty of flooding.


She's already devastated El Salvador, where 124 people were killed by flooding and mudslides. And cleanup is underway in Nicarargua after homes and schools along the atlantic coast were wiped out.

Now Hurricane Ida is set to hit the United Atates.

It's the first Atlantic hurricane to target the U.S. this year and she could be a problem. It's that possibility that has officials issuing warnings from Mississippi to the Florida panhandle and a hurricane watch has been declared in New Orleans.

Lousiana governor Bobby Jindal has already declared a state of emergency. It allows state officials to put the national guard and other resources on alert.

For now, forecasters are watching the more dangerous aspect of the storm -- flood levels.

Workers on important oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico are also keeping a close eye on Ida. Some energy companies have already begun to evacuate personnel from those platforms far off-shore.

In Louisiana, nearly 1400 residents are still living in federally issued trailers and mobile homes after Hurricane Katrina. FEMA is strongly encouraging those in temporary housing to evacuate to a permanent structure.
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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: hurricane, Hurricane Ida, Severe Weather, Weather

The recent election season was more spirited than ever, and colorful campaign signs still dot our yards and roadways. But with the elections over, now it’s time to pick up our signs. American Recycling, a subsidiary of Waste Pro, USA, is providing a quick and easy way for residents to dispose of their campaign signs and be environmentally responsible at the same time. If you’re not planning to return your campaign signs to the candidate you supported or retain them for your own use, simply drop them off at any of the city’s three fire stations by Friday, Nov. 13. American Recycling will pick up the signs for recycling at no cost to the city. We thank American Recycling for their partnership and generosity to the city, and we thank you for helping keep Milton green and beautiful.


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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: city of milton, milton, Milton Georgia, recycle

We have received an email from the Lake Lanier Community Preservation Association, which is a newly formed group of neighbors committed to sustained involvement in matters impacting North Hall and Lake Lanier. They have asked us to share information on this upcoming meeting about proposed northern connector routes in North Hall which could negatively impact Lake Lanier.


Below is an excerpt from their email with a link to their Web site.

Vicki Barnhorst

The Lake Lanier Association

The GHMPO Policy meeting is so important that we want to be sure that everyone knows it is this coming Tuesday, November 10th.

Nov. 10th GHMPO Policy Meeting: We need you there .. and bring a friend!!

Next Tuesday, Nov. 10th, the GHMPO Policy Committee will meet at 10 a.m. at the GA Mountains Center. This is the meeting where final action could be taken on the routes that we want withdrawn from the Northern Connector. We really need to have a strong showing to reinforce the action that we want the committee to take. The impact on elected officials of looking a large number of voters in the eye (especially when making a decision about destroying homes, neighborhoods, etc.) is not to be underestimated.

Remember, there is only one member of the Policy Committee who is appointed by Hall County. We do anticipate that some action, hopefully a formal motion, will be made for the committee to follow the Commissioners' recommendation and drop the routes, yet, it is not a given that they will.

Our intent is to solicit concerned citizens, like yourself, to be on hand to encourage them to disregard these routes now and in the future. So come if at all possible; if you absolutely cannot - find someone to come in your place.

Petition: We need more signatures... yours and your friends !!

Just like the meeting - numbers speak volumes to elected officials. We are targeting Tuesday's meeting to deliver the petition to the Policy Committee. If you have not signed - please do. It takes less than a minute. Just go to http://www.stopthebridges.com/, click the red button "sign the petition" and all you need to enter is your name and zip code and check a box to submit. There is a comment field as well if you want to say why you are opposed to the routes.

If you have signed already, please take a minute to either forward this email or send the link to the web site to friends, family, neighbors or others. The more signatures the louder the message we send.
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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
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Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: Northern connector, outer perimeter, outside loop

The Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Islands are back in three weeks, opening on November 21st. For those of you that haven't been, essentially the Islands deck out their roads in some fairly extravagant Christmas lights and displays. They also have a lot of things on hand for the kids when you've finished driving around:


About the Magical Nights

Rekindle an old tradition or create a new one at Lake Lanier Islands Resort‘s 17th annual Magical Nights of Lights celebration. Known as the world’s largest animated light extravaganza, the seven and a half mile driving tour features giant illuminated characters that are comprised of millions of twinkling and moving lights. After the tour, visit the Holiday Village for amusement rides, pony rides, marshmallow roasting, holiday shopping, and a visit with Santa Claus.


2009 Hours of Operation

November 21 – December 30, 2009, including holidays.

Nightly 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Getting into the Magical Nights

Cars (1-9 passenger capacity)

$40.00 Monday – Thursday excluding holidays and December 21-24 ($33.00 online anytime)

$60.00 Friday – Sunday, holidays and December 21-24 ($53.00 online anytime)

Vans (10-19 passenger capacity)

$90.00 ($83.00 online anytime)

Buses (20+ passenger capacity)

$250.00 ($243.00 online anytime)

What You'll See

Magical Nights of Lights features a new and improved holiday experience in its seven and a half mile long driving tour, along new and improved road configurations, comprised of giant illuminated and animated holiday characters and light displays. Children and adults alike will be dazzled by the festive splendor as they make their way through millions of twinkling lights, including The Twelve Days of Christmas, Santa’s Elves at Work, the North Pole Express, the Animated Sliding Penguin, Jack & The Beanstalk, Jet-Ski For Two, a virtual tunnel through Icicle Bridge and a stroll down Candy Cane Lane.

The annual live nativity scene presented by Blackshear Place Baptist Church, is complete with actors, live animals, a manger and First Century-like stable. The live nativity area features a place for people to stop and reflect, located midway through the Magical Nights of Lights drive.

Magical Nights of Lights Photos
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Brian and Jennifer Vanderhoff
North Fulton County REALTORS
Vanderhoff Real Estate
(770) 888-9269
---
Milton, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
North Fulton County, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
Forsyth, GA Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale
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Labels: christmas, Lake Lanier, lake lanier islands, light show