Your kids have worked hard all year, but their teachers have worked hard too. So be sure to thank that favorite teacher!
Whether it's for Teacher Appreciation week or just an end-of-the-year "Thank You", your child's teacher will love a gift from the Great Harvest Bread Company. Just the other day, my daughter's teacher was telling me how much she loved the muffin tops and scones at Great Harvest.
Six-packs of Great Harvest's delicious cookies, a fresh loaf of bread, or gift cards are all a wonderful way to show your child's teacher how much you appreciate them!
Okay all you runners out there, get your running shoes laced up and ready to run for a good cause! McEachern Methodist Church in Powder Springs is hosting its first ever R.U.N. for MIssions.... (
Reaching the
Unreached
Now).
It will take place on Saturday, May 3, at 8 a.m. This is a 5K and 1-mile Walk/Run. All proceeds will benefit missions programs at McEachern Methodist....specifically the international mission trips to Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Kenya and the Czech Republic.
The cost of entry is either pledges totaling $20 or an entry fee: $20 for adults or $15 for children 12 and under. There are awards for the top male and female overall for each race, as well as many other age group categories.
z-19 and SLUP 4 (special land use permit) to rezone 4.77 acres located on the east side of Dallas Acworth Highway (92), south of US Highway 41. Present zoning R-30, proposed zoning O&I (Office Institutional) for a Climate Controlled Self Service Storage facility and offices. Future Land Use Plan = Rural Residential.
LUP 13 - a land use permit to allow student vehicle parking on 12.924 acres located on the south side of Due West Road, west of Carl Ridge Drive (across from Harrison High School). Present zoning of R30 would not change. Future Land Use = Very Low Density Residential.
CASES FROM LAST MEETING
- none
Communicating with County Zoning:
To be in the public hearing record, letters of support or opposition must be received in the zoning office by noon on the Wednesday prior to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners' public meetings. Materials received in time are placed in the case file as part of the public record. Materials that arrive too late for the Planning Commission Meeting will be added to the public case file before the Board of Commissioners meeting.
Email letters are acceptable.
The County Staff may not routinely copy and distribute copies of all zoning or variance related letters and email received by the Zoning Division to the Planning Commissioners or to the Board of Commissioners. If you want to be sure and address the Commissions you should address your letters and email to the appropriate Commissioners..
Please send a copy to the Zoning Division for the public file.
The public is invited to present their opinions at both public meetings. Additional materials, letters, petitions, etc can also be entered into the official record at the public hearings.
Of course, I will be glad to receive your suggestions at any time.
The final decision on all zoning cases is made by the Board of Commissioners at their next public zoning meeting. The vote of the Planning Commission represents a recommendation to the BOC. The Planning Commission also develops many of the "stipulations", with the help of staff, that go on to become part of the BOC's final vote.
The final decision on Variance Cases is made by the Planning Commissioners sitting as the Board of Zoning Appeals, with certain exceptions where the Board Of Commissioners has reserved the final decision.
The first Thursday of May has been designated as the National Day of Prayer in the United States. I decided to do a little research on how this day came about and found the following on Wikipedia:
On April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law. It was in 1972 that the National Prayer Committee was formed. It went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law decreeing that the National Day of Prayer should be held on the first Thursday of May.
That is a lot of bureaucracy to set aside one day of prayer. Praying is a lot simpler than that. It is a conversation between you and God. There are no "right" words to say, no formula you have to follow. It is you being open and honest with God. While we sometimes associate prayer with "requests", also remember it is a time to ask for forgiveness and offer praise and thanksgiving. I have found when I make the time to pray, I have a lot more peace than when I try to go it alone.
So while Thursday is a nationally designated day of prayer, I hope you will make it a daily offering to God.
Blessings,
Janet
Cobb County Clerk Carol D. Granger was named the 2008 Clerk of the Year by the Association County Clerks of Georgia today during its conference in Savannah.
I used to live in the same neighborhood as Carol and she is such a nice person. I was so happy to read about her receiving this honor. Congratulations, Carol!
Here is the rest of the news release from the Cobb County Communications Office:
Granger, who heads the Cobb County Clerk’s Office, has worked with Cobb County for nearly 30 years and was appointed to her current position in 1990.
“We are very proud of the hard work Carol has devoted to Cobb County and its residents,” Board of Commissioners Chairman Sam Olens said. “She clearly deserves this honor and we applaud the Association County Clerks of Georgia for recognizing this.”
Most recently, Granger oversaw the implementation of a paperless process that creates, tracks approval, publishes and provides search capabilities and archives of Board of Commissioner agendas. Twenty-two departments send their agenda items via computer to the clerk. They are then compiled and sent to the printer via computer.
Granger has also led the effort to improve Internet accessibility to official records for use by residents and county employees. Records include board and authority memberships, including terms of office and regulations, as well as all commission meeting minutes.
Prior to her being appointed to her present position, she served as deputy clerk to the Board of Commissioners, administrative aide to the county clerk and victim-witness coordinator in the Solicitor General’s Office.
She attended Kennesaw State College and is an active member of the Association County Clerks of Georgia, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the EXCEL Alumni Association. She is a past winner of the YMCA Woman of Achievement Award.
United Community Bank is having their Customer Appreciation Day at the Lost Mountain Store on May 2, 2008 from 9:00am - 4:00pm.
Peggy Pietras, who works at the bank, says that anyone in the community can come....it's not just for current customers. "We owe our success to you - our customer and our community. Join us as we express our thanks and appreciation for your business, trust and confidence."
They will be serving BBQ from Wallace's for lunch as well as refreshments. There will also be prizes and give-aways!
The people at the bank are so friendly and it's also a lot of fun to see the old memorabilia from the historic Lost Mountain Store, so drop in and
say hi this Friday.
We have so many people rush into our kitchen and grab an entree to take home for dinner, but we have been getting lots of requests for more choices and so - WE HEAR YOU!
Entree Vous is pleased to offer you Gabriel's desserts and breads from the Great Harvest Bread Company !
Dinner Complete!!!!!
Not only can you get a gourmet entree that feeds your entire family, you can also take home nourishing delicious breads. For dessert try Gabriel's famous red velvet cake, chocolate chunk cookies, brownies or lemon bars.
You are guaranteed to be a hero with the kids. We are so excited to be working with these great chefs to offer you more, more convenience, more flavor and most importantly more time with your family. Come by today to see what's for dinner.
What would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmmm, where's my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about being disconnected,
Because Jesus already paid the bill...and there are no dropped calls!
If you're looking for something fun to do today, head out to the Sun Valley Beach Music Festival. There will be live music including Classic Rock, Reggae, Blues and Jazz. There will also be local art displays, games, food and fun for the family!
This event is co-hosted by the West Cobb Business Association and Sun Vallely Beach. It's from 10:00am-6:00pm at Sun Valley Beach in Powder Springs. Click here for directions.
Most programmers and software analysts love writing innovative new software but hate the tedious testing process. I recently read an article about how a consultant group in Denmark has specialized in software testing by employing people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Because of their ability to focus on minutia and detail, some people with ASD do very well in this area of IT.
"The testing process—checking and rechecking outcomes, documenting test plans, and maintaining follow-through—makes use of the high intelligence, precision-oriented skills, deep concentration, and patience that can be positive features sometimes accompanying ASD," says Robert Austin of the Harvard Business School.
As a mother of a child living with autism, this article is very intriguing to me. It is true of my daughter that she is able to focus much better if material is presented on the computer. We've often said that maybe one day she'll grow up to do something in IT. It is difficult to know at her young age, but I could see where a software testing job would be a great fit for many people with ASD.
Thank you to everyone who turned out to support Gretchen Hyde and Lenae Ahearn who are in training to participate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Triathalon. Gretchen and Lenae enlisted Entree Vous to help them raise funds so that they can swim 3 miles, ride 18 miles and run 3 miles, all in support of their team Hero Trey. Trey is an 8 year old boy who loves baseall, but has been battling leukemia for months. They held a private fund raising party at Entree Vous where guests came in and assembled meals. Entree Vous donates a percentage of each purchase to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
A good time was had by all. Not only did everyone get to take home a freezer full of meals, but they did it for a good cause. If you would like information about holding a fund raising event at Entree Vous call Debbie or Kelley at 678-354-5221.
Look for more information on upcoming events like our upcoming wine tasting and Camp DOYAWANNACOOK for kids this summer. Be well!
Did you know that Jim R. Miller park in Marietta is the home of the world's largest Shrine Circus? Every year for ten days they feature top circus acts from around the world with daredevil acrobats and entertaining acts. There is also a carnival and a huge flea market and fun for the whole family.
The YAARAB Shriners is a philanthropic organization that sponsers the Shriners Hospitals for Children. These hospitals provide free medical care for children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. They also fund medical research and education. The money they make from the annual circus goes to this great cause.
We passed by the park yesterday on the way to my daughter's piano recital and they are already setting up the rides! This will be the 66th annual YAARAB Shrine Circus and it will run from Friday, April 25th through Sunday, May 4th. The carnival and flea market both open a day early on Thursday, April 24th.
Why Great Harvest? Terry grew up helping out in his grandfather’s nursery in Southern Indiana and it was a very community-based business. His passion has been to have a community based business on his own for a long time. Then Julie began milling her own wheat over 14 years ago for nutrition reasons, but it tasted great as well. Terry realized there had to be a bigger market for this. When his brother visited that Thanksgiving, he told him “You sound like the people from the Great Harvest Bread Company.” This intrigued Terry and he looked into the franchise. The great thing about Great Harvest is that it runs under a concept called “Freedom Franchise.”
Franchises agree to only use best quality wheat from their wheat supplier and keep their baker secrets secret. Other than that, they are totally free to do whatever they want concerning the store, marketing and sales.
They use no preservatives in their bread, but the shelf life is very long, 7-10 days guaranteed. The Honey wheat lasts even longer. He uses no dough conditioners….it’s all about the way they bake it and the superior ingredients.
Their breads also make great gifts, My husband and I have sent gift baskets all over the country from Great Harvest and people are always so excited when they receive these wonderful baskets. If you’ve read some of my other posts, you may know that I’m not really a great cook, but I love to give food as gifts at Christmas. Instead of baking myself (trust me, nobody would like that gift!) I purchase the specialty sweet breads from Great Harvest, put a ribbon on them, and give them out
to neighbors, teachers, and friends. It really makes a great gift that everybody loves!
One thing I like is that Terry firmly believes in the concept of community and the part of his motto that says to “Give Generously”. Ten percent of profits from Great Harvest go to charity, church, missions, etc, five percent of revenues goes back to the community in the form of donations and the free bread cards. They also make bread donations to MUST ministries and the battered women’s ministry.
Terry also loves to coach baseball and basketball and supports several local teams. And he is on the board of the Kennesaw Business Association which is sponsoring the “Big Shanty Festival” coming up this weekend. The
Kennesaw Business Association distributes money back to the community of Kennesaw and the school system, what a great way to give back!
If you haven't been to Great Harvest Bread Company, be sure to stop by and sample the free slices.....you'll love the bread AND the friendly faces!
Great Harvest Bread Company is located at 3894 Due West Rd, Marietta, GA, 30064. You can reach them at 770-421-9998 or visit their website at freeslices.com.
“Be loose and have fun, bake phenomenal bread, run fast to help customers, and give generously to others.” That’s the motto at Great Harvest Bread Company on Due West Road; where you can get fresh, great tasting breads, pastries and sandwiches.
When I met Terry Stickler, the owner of Great Harvest Bread, it was easy to see why they have such a fun motto. The staff are always friendly and everyone has a smile on their face. Terry is
passionate about making only the best bread with the best ingredients and this enthusiasm obviously spills over to every part of the business.
Terry and his wife, Julie, moved to West Cobb from Dallas, Texas fifteen years ago, but Terry grew up on a farm in Southern Indiana. One of the things that he loves about West Cobb is that there is a perfect mix of rural, beautiful land with the amenities of the city. He and his wife love to hike and run and he says when they first saw Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield, they knew they wanted to live somewhere in the West Cobb area.
Terry’s background is in consulting and technology, but he decided to leave the corporate world behind 5 years ago
when he opened Great Harvest Bread Company. He feels blessed that the community has opened it’s arms to the store. Although some of his friends wondered what he was thinking when he opened a bread company in the height of the “low carb” fad! Since then, however, health experts are now touting the benefits of whole grains….the foundation of Great Harvest Bread. In fact, they even mill their own wheat every day, so every single thing in their store is made 100% from scratch. When asked why they mill their own wheat, Terry says, “It’s simple…great taste and superior nutrition.”
About 350 pounds of wheat kernels are milled at Great Harvest every morning in the stone wheat mill. Terry educated me about why fresh milled bread is superior to store bought bread. The only way to get the full nutritional benefits of whole wheat is to mill it fresh and use it very quickly. Once you mill it, it begins to oxidize (like rust on steel). When you buy 100% “Whole wheat flour” at the store it's not
really 100% whole wheat because the wheat germ has been removed and chemicals added to keep it from becoming rancid. Great Harvest adds no chemicals or preservatives to their bread so you get only the freshest bread with all the nutritional benefits and great taste.
Come out to downtown Kennesaw this Saturday and Sunday for the Big Shanty Festival! There's a parade at 9:30am on Saturday, April 19th and the festival hours are 10:00am-6:00pm. Sunday hours are 12:00-5:00pm.
The Kennesaw Big Shanty Festival is host to one of the largest Arts & Crafts Shows in North Georgia!. It's really fun to browse through over 200 booths of the Southeast's finest artisans. Every time I've been I've seen beautiful and unique items. It's a lot of fun and the kids enjoy it as well. So, if you're looking for something to do this weekend, check it out!
You all know the saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Well God certainly has that ability, and sometimes when we least expect it!
April happens to be my birth month…which means that my car emissions inspection is due along with tax and tags. Well for the past year my engine light in the car has been on – fixed – then on again – fixed – you get the picture. Well, it is on again, which means that until it is fixed, my car won’t pass emissions. So, I finally remembered to call and make the appointment to take it in. However, I needed a ride back to the shop.
The gentleman (who I now know is Scott) who drove me "happened to be" active with the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes - www.fca.org/). This is what some would call a "coincidence", but I know better. His son attends Dominion Christian High School (www.dominionchristian.org) and he is playing in their golf tournament next week. He has promised to spread the word about the store both through the FCA and at the tournament and in general.
God put that gentleman in my life today. Isn’t that great!!!!!! As a new, non-franchised business, we still need the word to get out and, of course, pray that we follow God's lead (not that we ask him to follow ours!). And when these encouragements come along, my heart just sings!
Thanks to all of you who already know us, pray for us, and support us. If you haven’t had an opportunity to come in, we hope to see you soon!
There has been a lot of news in the marketplace about the housing industry. The rise in foreclosure activity and the bad investments in the subprime marketplace has caused the fall of the mammoth Bear Stearns as well as rocked the foreign and domestic markets . This year has been a wild ride in the stock market (which actually affects the mortgage rates more than the fed rising or cutting rates) , and yes a correction was needed in the loan market. However, I do think that the media is making it worse than it is and scaring consumers to stay put rather than move. In an article by George Well from the Washington Post he quotes "So far during this 'crisis', the homeownership rate has declined just three-tenths of 1 percent since it peaked in 2004. At 67.8 percent, it remains higher than it was when President Bill Clinton left office". I would encourage you that now is a great time to buy a new home and the rates right now are unbelievable on refinancing your home. We still have access to 100% financing and builders are more than wiling to deal. It's a great time to be in or get into real estate, and yes....we have a mortgage for that! Visit us at www.newloanteam.com
The other day I was doing some spring cleaning and trying to organize my closet. I had several pair of really cute flip-flops and sandals that I have purchased over the past couple of summers that I thought I was finally going to have to throw away. It was a shame because they were still in good shape except for the lining which had become dirty over time.
You ladies know what I mean - that nice imprint of your foot (or sometimes just your toes) on the inside lining of a sandal or flip-flop....whether it's leather, suede, felt or foam.
Then I had an idea! Since I was going to throw them away anyway it was worth a shot. I used a bottle of OxyClean and sprayed all my sandals and flip flops and I let it soak in for 15-20 minutes. Then I took a small brush and scrubbed all of them and rinsed them off in my laundry sink.
I set them all out on the driveway to dry in the sun. VOILA! Every single sandal and flip-flop looked new again!
My mother even commented on them when she came over - she thought I had bought all new shoes! So, don't throw out those old, dirty shoes....just Oxyclean them! What have you got to lose?
A few days ago I took my girls to meet a friend of mine and her two daughters and we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. On the way there I asked everyone what kind of ice cream they were going to get. My youngest excitedly called out "Choc-o-late! Choc-o-late! Choc-o-late!" When we got there I asked her again just to be sure and once again she shouted "Choc-o-late!" So I ordered for everyone and she got her cup of chocolate ice cream and she was very excited.
At the table everyone was enjoying their ice cream and my youngest already had a good portion of chocolate ice cream all over her face when she said "MMMMM.... ice cream is GOOD!" But immediately after saying that she happened to look over at one of the other girls who had a cup of vanilla ice cream. She watched her eating the vanilla for a few seconds and then proclaimed "I want VANILLA ice cream!"
Of course I didn't get her another cup, I just told her that she had made a choice and picked chocolate so she needed to eat her chocolate ice cream and she could get vanilla the next time.
Isn't it funny how even in this innocent change of heart about an ice cream flavor you can learn a life lesson? People very often are so happy with what they have until they look around them and realize that someone else has something different. Even if it's not something better, even if it's the same thing just with a slight difference.....suddenly what someone else has seems so much more enticing and fulfilling than what you have.
In this day and age, envy is easy enough to feed. All you have to do is turn on the television or go to the web to see a whole world of "bigger and better". And I guess it's human nature to compare yourself to people that seem to have so much more rather than look around you and see all the people that have so much less.
I want to encourage you today to take a look at your own life and be thankful for all that you have and all that you are. Don't be tempted to look around and see what "flavor of ice cream" everyone else has......enjoy your own unique flavor! And remember how good it is just to have the freedom to choose.
I am Tom Gray, the Southeastern Director for Links Players International and I want to introduce you to our ministry. It is appropriate that I am writing this article from seat 11-F on a flight to Lima, Peru, because Links is first and foremost a missionary organization. We are missionaries to country clubs and golf communities. We partner with Christians in those communities to establish Bible studies (we call Links Fellowships). Our prayer and hope is to bring the love of God and truth of Jesus to reach the up and outers. We know that Jesus said not many wealthy and not many wise in this world would enter the kingdom of God. We take that to mean that some will, even though they may be few. We have been commissioned by God to reach those few. We’re like the Marines in that way.
We are a catalyst to spur the building of God’s kingdom. When we reach people with the transforming love of God, we then want to teach them to live in this world as eternal investors, giving themselves to building God’s kingdom in the hearts and minds of others. We want to influence influencers to change the world.
I am en route to Lima to establish connections with people at three golf courses. Links will take teams to befriend the members of these clubs in the hopes of leading many there to the joy of Christ as well. Over the great (and I know, silly) game of golf, we’ll invite men and women around the world to receive Jesus Christ and begin to live whole-heartedly for Him.
If you would like more information about our ministry, you can visit our website at www.linksplayers.com or e-mail me with any questions you may have: tgray@linksplayers.com. I’d love to hear from you.
Get a Free Double Bowl Stainless Steel Undermount Sink(a $300 dollar savings) with a kitchen countertop installation. While Supplies Last. Countertop order must be placed between April15, 2008 and May 31, 2008 referencing offer #102WCL.
Call BarMar today for a free estimate 404.768.3822 or visit us at www.barmarstone.com/portals/0/freeestimatesheet.pdf to print our free estimate/instruction sheet.
Whitening, whether performed in the dental office or at home, involves the use of a peroxide-based gel to safely remove discolorations caused by medications, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Most people can expect significant brightening of their teeth using this simple and effective procedure. The fading of bleaching effects that occurs over the years can be touched up easily with short application of the whitening gel.
Living in poverty in India, Paul and Minnie struggled to make ends meet and Paul worked in a travel agency to support his young wife and their new son, Victor. One day Paul receieved a letter postmarked from Haysville, North Carolina, USA. He thought it was a mistake because he had never even heard of that town! But it was no mistake, it was from a man who had meet Paul at the travel agency in India two years prior. He had been so impressed with Paul's work that he wanted to invite him to move to the USA to work in his travel agency in North Carolina!
It took four more years, but Paul was finally able to bring his family to the USA. Through an amazing course of events, Paul and Minnie moved from India, to North Carolina, and ultimately to Powder Springs, Georgia. (Read more about their story in Paul's book "Life's New Dawn")
During the course of all this, in 1975, Paul devoted his life to Christ. He had been raised in a Christian home but had never accepted Christ as his personal Savior. After this, Minnie made a personal decision as well and became a Christian, turning from her Hindu faith.
Since then, they have lived their lives devoted to God and their family. They had two daughters after moving to the U.S., Monisha and Sabrina. Paul worked with United Airlines in Customer Service for 26 years before retiring in 2005. He was also licensed and ordained as a Baptist Minister and has served with several churches as well as volunteering in a prison Ministry in Douglasville for 17 years.
Paul and Minnie are dedicated to their loving family and were devastated in the fall of last year when they lost their only son, Victor. Victor was a remarkable man, he was a dedicated Christian and devoted father and husband. He was well loved in the West Cobb community and his loss is still felt deeply. Reverend Paul Kumar's latest book will be published in July of this year and it is dedicated to his son, Victor. Here is what Paul writes about this new book, "Life's Chosen Angel".....
"God gave us his only beloved Son Jesus (John 3:16) ....and as a father I had to give back my son to Him! For every one of us death is a real mortal enemy and is certain. It is also hard for any parent to bury their child. I did that to my young son in his death. Every Christian should rest upon the eternal hope in life after death to be in Heaven! My comfort is that my child rested on that hope in his faith and trust in Jesus Christ."
Reverend Paul Kumar is also available for speaking engagements for your church or small group. If you are interested in having Paul speak to your group and tell his amazing story, you can contact him at paulkumar@comcast.net .
Rev. Paul Kumar and his wife Menuka (affectionately known as "Minnie") have such an amazing story. They are two of the most remarkable and inspiring people that I know. Paul and Minnie recently met with me at A Cup of The Word Christian book store (where you can find Paul's books about his and Minnie's life). This is a picture of Minnie, Janet Huffman from A Cup of The Word, and Paul. We had such a good time and I learned so much about them and their fascinating journey.
Paul was raised in a Christian home in poverty stricken India. He was the only son to his devout mother, a teacher who raised her son with strict discipline in English schools instilling moral values and a pious reverance to the Christian faith. On the other extreme, Minnie was raised in a very wealthy Hindu home. She was like a princess, attended by many servants and her family lived in a gated estate home...an enviable position in a land of extreme poverty.
At age 26, Paul returned to civilian life after ten years of Naval service. It was then that he met Minnie and romance blossomed. They fell deeply in love and Paul asked Minnie to marry him, but it was not allowed for a Hindu woman to marry a Christian man. Minnie had a tough choice to make, for when she said "yes" to Paul she sacrificed everything she had known for true love. Her family disowned her and she had to leave all of her wealth and riches behind. With deep sadness, she gave up everything for the love of her life...including her relationship with her parents and her twin sister who never spoke to her again.
Since then, they have lived a life together with total devotion and romance through many trials and struggles and many triumphs and good times as well. They will soon celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.....what an amazing love story!
Six Flags has a great deal right now for Spring Break. If you purchase daily tickets online it's buy 1 get 1 FREE! It's available ONLINE only, however. Buy one ticket at the regular price of $49.99 and you get the other one free! This offer is only available until April 13th.
Most of you probably saw this, but I thought I'd post it in case anyone goes that direction:
Due to a gas line break, Sandy Plains Road is closed from Canton Road to East Lake Drive until Wednesday, April 9. Canton Road is open, but no eastbound traffic is permitted to turn from Canton Road onto Sandy Plains Road. Transportation crews are working to repair the roadway and detour signs are posted.
For all of you with young children that are still looking for things to do to fill the time during this Spring Break, here's a suggestion that is both fun and educational!
Tomorrow, April 9th, Barnes and Noble will have a story time for children at 11:00 am. The theme is "Let's Be Friends." They will also be reading a book about autism for Autism Awareness Month.
I have been known to go a bit crazy over a nice handbag and at Christmas kindly asked my mother for a Kate Spade! She of course went to the website and kindly replied to my desire with "Definitely Not!" She did not think it was necessary to spend $50 on a bag, much less $500.
While on Spring Break, I consulted The Martha Stewart Show daily to se how I stack up in fashion, organization, and cuisine with Martha; I like many of you I am sure, fell short of her "good thing" standard. She did however bring up expensive bags and their usefulness in everyday life. Martha told an anecdote of her favorite bag that was some 15 years old and still going strong! She paid upwards of $1,000 then, above many of our price ranges, but now her bag was worth several thousands more!
Although I saved my money and finally bought the bag of my dreams, that is not practical for all of us. If you have a
bag hag inside of you that must be expressed log onto www.bagborroworsteal.com and you can rent, yes rent, the bag of your dreams. When you have grown tired of your thousand dollar shoulder jewelry, then trade it in for a new style and designer! Their website includes all the BIG name designers like Fendi, Burberry, Chloe, Coach, Luis Vuitton, Dooney and Burke, etc. Even more amazing than just being able to rent (borrow) the bag of your dreams, if you fall in love with it and cannot give it back there is a "steal" program where you can buy it and keep it!
Do not be afraid to express your inner
bag hag this summer.
Have you ever heard the term "Builder Grade Granite"? This is a made-up term. Granite is a natural stone that comes from the earth. There is no substandard grade of granite that builders buy. Granite is a natural resource and is limited in supply. Those stones that many labled as builder grade are no lesser a stone than any other type of granite. They are more plentiful, readily available and are therefore less expensive. The standard rule of supply and demand applies. Builders will typically purchase those stones because they are less expensive not because they are a lower quality.
Granite and all natural stones vary in price due to the availability and ease or expense of extraction. So the next time you hear someone talk about "builder grade granite" you'll know the truth.
One of my family's favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon is to ride around and look at all the beautiful neighborhoods and homes in West Cobb. "Going for a ride" as we call it generally involves a DVD for the kids, a Diet Coke for the grown-ups and Dairy Queen Blizzards for all!
Once we have the necessary supplies then we just ride. Sometimes we ride through older neighborhoods admiring the mature landscapes, sometimes we ride through new subdivisions stopping occassionally to walk through model homes. Sometimes we're looking for specific things like paint colors, decorating ideas, or landscape designs. Many times we're just admiring the pretty homes and land.
Most recently, we piled in the van for one of these excursions around West Cobb and came across a neighborhood called Anderson Farm at Keeler Woods in Marietta. This neighborhood has homes starting around one million (chump change right? LOL!). These massive homes were beautiful but what I thought was amazing was the view.....when you pull in the neighborhood there is a fantastic view of Kennesaw Mountain. I'm sure it's even prettier when there are leaves on the trees!
We actually got out and looked through a couple of the homes because they were open. This home had something you don't see too often, a curved staircase! It was
absolutely beautiful....but I could not imagine having something like that in my home because, well, I'm a bit of a klutz!
In one home my daughter and I got separated and it took a while to find each other. When we did we were laughing so hard and trying to imagine what it would be like to live in a home so large you actually got lost!
I found out later that this beautiful tract of 100 acres had belonged to Jeannie Tate Anderson, a Marietta civic leader. It is within Marietta City limits and not only has incredible mountain views, it also borders the National Park. I could imagine that you would feel like you lived in the mountains in a place like that!
If you ever just go out for a fun ride around West Cobb, be sure to check it out.
The Planning Commission met April 1st with the following results in District 1. More complete results will be available in the official minutes which will, of course, govern. The cases, unless held or continued to our next meeting, proceed to the Board of Commissioners for final decision at their April 15th meeting
NEW CASES
LUP 9 - a land use permit to allow more than two unrelated persons (rental KSU students) to reside in a single family home located at the southeast intersection of Shiloh Trail East and Creekwood Drive (in Pinetree Country Club). Present zoning R20. Future Land Use Plan = Low Density Residential.
- denied unanimously
- considerable citizen opposition at the hearing
LUP 10 - a land use permit renewal for a plant nursery located on the south side of Dallas Highway, north of Poplar Springs Rd, west of the intersection of Dallas Highway and Poplar Springs Rd. Present zoning R30 would not change. Future Land Use Plan = Very Low Density Residential.
- approved unanimously on the consent agenda
- an inconsistency in records concerning a direct driveway access to Dallas Highway will be reconciled with GA DOT (state route)
CASES FROM LAST MEETING
- none
Communicating with County Zoning:
To be in the public hearing record, letters of support or opposition must be received in the zoning office by noon on the Wednesday prior to the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners' public meetings. Materials received in time are placed in the case file as part of the public record. Materials that arrive too late for the Planning Commission Meeting will be added to the public case file before the Board of Commissioners meeting.
Email letters are acceptable.
The County Staff may not routinely copy and distribute copies of all zoning or variance related letters and email received by the Zoning Division to the Planning Commissioners or to the Board of Commissioners. If you want to be sure and address the Commissions you should address your letters and email to the appropriate Commissioners..
Please send a copy to the Zoning Division for the public file.
The public is invited to present their opinions at both public meetings. Additional materials, letters, petitions, etc can also be entered into the official record at the public hearings.
Of course, I will be glad to receive your suggestions at any time.
The final decision on all zoning cases is made by the Board of Commissioners at their next public zoning meeting. The vote of the Planning Commission represents a recommendation to the BOC. The Planning Commission also develops many of the "stipulations", with the help of staff, that go on to become part of the BOC's final vote.
The final decision on Variance Cases is made by the Planning Commissioners sitting as the Board of Zoning Appeals, with certain exceptions where the Board Of Commissioners has reserved the final decision.
I was saddened this morning to read that Charlton Heston passed away last night, he was 83 years old.
Heston is, of course, known for his portrayal of such great epic characters as Ben Hur, Moses, John the Baptist, Michelangelo and El Cid. He won an Oscar in 1959 for Ben Hur, but I remember him best for being "Moses" in The Ten Commandments. I remember as a child thinking that he WAS Moses when I saw the movie one Easter. Even Heston often remarked "I have a face that belongs in another century."
Heston was a conservative Republican and is most recently known for his affiliation with the NRA. One line he was famous for during this time always makes me laugh, he said to then-President Clinton: "America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don't trust you with our guns." But many may not know that he was also a very vocal supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement and spoke out against racism at a time when many Hollywood actors would not.
In 2002, he revealed that he had symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. At that time he said "I must reconcile courage and surrender in equal measure."
He was a true celebrity, the epitome of greatness on screen. But he was above all a family man, he died with his wife Lydia by his side, they had been married since 1944. He once said, “I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people." While his great characters will live on forever on film, this great man will be missed.
Our second annual Cillies Clothing photoshoot was completed in March. We had great models and the clothing is awesome. I would suggest you visit Cillies for some trendy but affordable clothing. You'll also see a gallery of our work on the walls. The Cillies Clothing store is located across the street from the Avenues at West Cobb and in Athens.
Spring is here in Atlanta and that means a “spring market” has sprung! A client asked me yesterday, “What is ‘spring market’ and is it really true or just real estate hype?”
Typically, real estate markets experience a strong percentage of their sales during the spring and summer months. This is primarily due to favorable weather in most parts of the country; thus, the term “spring market”. As we experience such mild winters here in the Southeast, our spring market does begin a bit earlier in West Cobb than in other parts of the country. With low interest rates this year, expect the market to gain momentum early in the season.
While the thought of an increased pool of buyers this spring may put you at ease, don't forget, there will be more competition as more of your neighbors put their houses on the market, too. Don’t let the increased competition stress you out! Make your own house sparkle and it will outshine the competition.
I just returned from an amazing performance of the Theatre Project's production of The Captain's Tiger.
While I admit a bit of hesitation when purchasing the tickets due to my lack of knowledge of the story I am so very glad that I attended. The weather was quite cold but the story warmed my heart. Definitely not a play to be enjoyed by children, childcare was provided onsight making date night so much easier. Minimal scenery made it so much more possible to imagine the many locations visited by the characters. A beautiful play and a reminder to appreciate that with which we are blessed. The play continues through this weekend and Thursday through Sunday of next week. Don't hesitate, buy tickets now!
Many people we know go out of town every year for Spring Break...to Florida, or Hilton Head or some other beachy, exotic location. But our family is staying right here in Cobb County this year. So what in the world do you do with bored kids for a whole week? Here are a few options I came up with: (the last 5 are not actually in Cobb, but they are nearby...)
A study performed by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management ranks Granite as the easiest countertop surface to keep clean retaining the least amount of bacteria with normal washing.
THE REDUCTION OF
E. COLI ON VARIOUS COUNTERTOP SURFACES O. Peter Snyder, Jr., Ph.D. Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management March 22, 1999
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to determine the cleanability of six countertop surfaces.
These materials are commonly used in home kitchen countertop construction. Today, it is understood that many food items that we purchase are highly contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, and it is necessary for the home cook to make these foods safe. Often, the first step in food preparation is cutting and manipulating the food to get it ready. It is essential that the countertop be cleaned after raw food has touched the surface. Otherwise, there can be cross-contamination, and the people eating the food prepared on the cross-contaminated surface can become ill. This study identifies the cleanability of these six different countertop materials.
Methods
The countertop materials were supplied by Porter Novelli (1120 Connecticut Avenue NW; Washington, DC 20036-3902). The countertop sources are as follows.
1.
Laminate: Wilson Art #4557-60; color-dakota ridge
2.
Wood: maple, class 65 woods
3.
Tile: Daytona tile, grade 5 (no stock information; made in Italy); ceramic clay tile fired from 9-1,300ºC with a single glaze
4.
Concrete: custom sample; no specific information
5.
Stainless steel: type 304, number 4 finish
6.
Granite: custom sample; Lelajaross, 2-cm-thick sample
The procedure for doing the experiments was as follows.
E. coli ATTC# 25922, a non-pathogenic
E. coli, was used as the marker organism. It was grown overnight at 35ºC in a static culture of M broth (Intermational Bioproducts; 14780 NE 95th Street, Redmond, WA 98052) to an inoculum of approximately 1,000,000,000 organisms per ml.
An area of 81 square inches of each countertop was inoculated with 1 ml of this culture in M broth. The cleaning procedure was as follows. First, the surface was washed with a dishcloth and 2 liters of detergent (Jefco Yellow Dishsoap; Unisource / Jefco Group, Inc.; 1040 North Halsted Street; Chicago, IL 60622) water in a stainless steel bowl. The surface was then rinsed, using a second bowl with 2,000 ml of clear water and a second dishcloth. The cleaning process entailed rubbing the dishcloth left to right over the surface, rinsing it out, then, rubbing up and down and rinsing it out. The rinse step followed the wash step, using the same left-to-right and up-and-down strokes.
After the surfaces were washed and rinsed, they were swabbed, using a sponge swab over the entire 81 square inches of inoculated surface to find the mean reduction. The sponge swab was cultured using Violet Red Bile agar plates (International Bioproducts) and incubated overnight at 35ºC.
Following the wash and rinse, the surfaces were wiped with a 10% solution of white household vinegar (1 cup 5% vinegar in 9 cups tap water). The surfaces were allowed to dry for 15 minutes. They were then sponge-swabbed over the 81 square inches once more, and cultured, using VRB agar to determine how many
E. coli had been destroyed by the vinegar.
Results
The results of the experiment are shown in Table 1 as logarithms of counts per 81 square inches of surface. In the column, "Real number," the logarithms of the average are converted to real numbers. In each experiment, the first column presents the log mean count of the organisms recovered. The second column under each experiment shows the log reduction in bacteria due to the wash-and rinse process or due to the vinegar application. The results are also shown in Figure 1.
The retention of the
E. coli was from most retained to most removed as follows.
For the
laminate, washing and rinsing reduced the bacterial counts by about 285 to 1, as shown in the summary column. When the vinegar was applied, the overall reduction was increased to about 500,000 to 1.
For the
wood, washing and rinsing reduced the bacterial counts by about 500 to 1, as shown in the summary column. When the vinegar was applied, the overall reduction was increased to about 2,000 to 1.
For the
tile, washing and rinsing reduced the bacterial counts by about 900 to 1, as shown in the summary column. When the vinegar was applied, the overall reduction was increased to about 233,000 to 1.
For the
concrete, washing and rinsing reduced the bacterial counts by about 2,400 to 1, as shown in the summary column. When the vinegar was applied, the overall reduction was increased to about 30,600 to 1.
For the
stainless steel, washing and rinsing reduced the bacterial counts by about 4,000 to 1, as shown in the summary column. When the vinegar was applied, the overall reduction was increased to about 230,000,000 to 1.
For the
granite, washing and rinsing reduced the bacterial counts by about 36,000 to 1, as shown in the summary column. When the vinegar was applied, the overall reduction was increased to about 80,000,000 to 1.
Discussion
This experiment has shown that every countertop will have a different cleanability. This experiment was done with new samples. When some of these samples become worn, the reduction will probably not be as significant, except for stainless steel, which should change the least.
While granite showed the greatest reduction in washing, overall, after the vinegar sanitizing, the stainless steel had the greatest reduction.
Conclusion
It is very important in food safety for the designer to consider the countertop material. In this case, the stainless steel counter showed the greatest overall reduction after the wash, rinse, and sanitize processes.
Table 1. Log Reduction Comparison of Non-pathogenic
Escherichia coli on Surfaces [CFU / 81 sq. in.] as Affected by Surface Composition, Washing and Rinsing, and Sanitizing with Vinegar
Did you every notice how you feel so much better after a good laugh? I know I do. Of course, I also sometimes think I am one of the funniest people around. However, did you know that we have an actual Christian comedienne in West Cobb? She is Anita Renfroe and is a "12-year overnight sensation". Check out her website - www.anitarenfroe.com.
I heard her this morning with Kevin and Taylor on 104.7 The Fish (www.thefishatlanta.com). It was great to wake up laughing!
She has books, DVDs, greeting cards, perpetual calendars, etc. We have many of her products at A Cup of The Word (http://www.westcobblife.com/a-cozy-christian-book-store-in-west-cobb-county.html). And if we don't have one of her products, please ask us. We would be happy to see if we can order it for you!
I was blessed to meet Anita at the International Christian Retail Show last summer. And have since met her delightful mother.
I was also fortunate to go to the taping of her new DVD - It's Probably Just My Thyroid. It will be out later this month. And, yes we will have that available when it comes out. Anita has a great ministry. Please pray for her today!
At last Spring is here, and the warmer weather beckons us all outdoors. With schools closed next week many of us are headed out of town. Why not take meals with you - or stock up the fridge for when you get back. Entree Vous is having a few specials that you need to know about:
No Pick Up Fee - if you place your order on line and pick up by this Saturday ( April 5th) we will waive your pick up fee. Just use the code PU in the promo code area when you place your order. We will be open until 3:00 this Saturday
OR
Save big with items from our freezer sale. We have some wonderful entrees from past menus that we are offering at a 20% discount. There are some favorites available:
Chicken Enchiladas
Honey Ginger Pork Chops
Cajun Shrimp
Raspberry BBQ Chicken
Mesa Verde Flank Steak
These items cannot be ordered on line, just stop by the kitchen and purchase one of these delicious entrees at 20% off. Quantities are limited so hurry in!
Entree Vous will be closed for Spring Break from April 7-12. We hope that everyone has a fun and safe break from school.
There's no need to get an "Extreme Makeover"....when you can get the very best cosmetic dentistry right here in West Cobb!
The latest advancements in modern dentistry have resulted in cosmetic procedures that can do much to produce dazzling smiles. Teeth can be reshaped, brightened, or lengthened and spaces can be eliminated. Procedures to achieve these goals include teeth whitening, bonding, veneers, and crowns.
I'll be posting more about each of these procedures over the following weeks.
Contact our office in Powder Springs if you'd like to find out more about any of these procedures or to schedule a consultation: 770-943-3344
Today I was in Marietta near my husband's office and I stopped in to see if I could get him to take me to lunch. My little plan worked and he took me out to this neat cafe called "Canvas" across from Kennestone Hospital.
I've often driven by and wondered about Canvas, there are usually a lot of satisfied-looking customers going in and out of there! So I was happy to get a chance to see what it was all about.
From the moment we walked in we were greeted with a smile and the young man at the counter was so friendly! He offered us a free sample of the Red Curry Chicken Salad.....which I then ordered and it was delicious! My husband had the Chicken, Bacon, and Avocado warm sandwich. It looked so good I had to sneak a bite, and it was yummy too (how could it not be with those ingredients?) And the prices were all very reasonable as well.
While we were waiting, they gave us a sign with our number to put on the table. They bring the food out to you....I love that! We noticed that there was a Bible scripture on the little sign, I guess that's another meaning for their slogan: "Inspired" Foods and Coffees.
The desserts all looked incredible as well. It was so tempting but I had to just "walk away" and it was SO hard! But I sure would've loved to try the pound cake and the pastries....they looked amazing.
Next time you're in Marietta, stop by for lunch. I think you'll enjoy it!
You will probably be seeing a lot about Autism on the TV and Web over the next month because April is "Autism Awareness Month." With the numbers of autism skyrocketing to 1 in 150 children, most people know
someone that is affected by the disorder.
Our family deals with Autism on a daily basis. Because of Autism, my youngest daughter faces many challenges that other children do not. But we are so thankful because she is doing so well....much better than we had dared to hope! Much of that is due to the support we get from our wonderful family, friends, teachers and therapists who are such a blessing to us.
Raising awareness is very important because early intervention is so crucial for children with autism. I have seen the level of public awareness about Autism grow so much in the years since my daughter's diagnosis. Autism is still such a mystery in many ways and every child with Autism is unique, but at least most people know what it is now. And there have been many advancements in the areas of research and treatment.
On April 12, I'm going to be walking in the 2008 Georgia Walk for Autism in Atlanta sponsored by Autism Speaks and The Marcus Institute to raise money for the cause of research and awareness.
I'm walking with a team of devoted parents and teachers from West Cobb. Our team name is "Ordinary Miracles." I love the team name because there are so many developmental milestones that most parents take for granted as "ordinary" but our children struggle so hard to obtain.......so they truly are miracles!
If you would like to contribute to this important cause, you can click on this link to support our team.
I don't know what the future holds for my girl, but I hope that by raising awareness and money for research the world will be a better place for people with autism and for children of future generations.
I'm so thankful for both of my girls and I'm so proud of them. Below is a special poem written by my oldest daughter (age 10) about how we can "make a difference"......
I can make a difference by helping the world understand Autism.
Kids with Autism are like you and me,
They just see the world a bit differently.
They also have feelings just like us,
But they can't explain them so they fuss.
Since they can't talk well, life is rough,
But their hearts are still full of lots of love.
They still have heads, shoulders, knees, and toes,
And eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.
Autism is like a puzzle, it's very hard to solve,
But I'm sure if we all understood we would all get involved.
It's also hard for family members too,
They can't do the things that all of you do.
God sent these special kids down, as you can see,
To give us all some responsibility.
My little sister has Autism and our lives are sometimes tense.
But helping the world understand Autism is how I can make a difference.
This week it looks like rain, rain, and more rain. Right now one of the largest trends in fashion are
wellies aka rainboots. Although kids have some very festive colors and prints, the designers of this current trend have also included a few chic options for those who seek a little "umph" but not quite a rainbow across their shins. These great boots come in so many "flavors" and are a great way to add a
POP of color to any outfit. Mine happen to be yellow plaid and every time I wear them I get compliment and jealous stares as I trample through puddles others tip-toe around!
A great addition to these boots is a nice trench coat. This can accommodate you for the gamut of temperatures that accompany spring. These trenches are stylish and functional, by adding an extra light layer to your outfit for morning and a nice "arm candy" for the afternoon.
These tips are not just for young women, but transcend generations livening up our
West Cobb Life!
Your kids have worked hard all year, but their teachers have worked hard too. So be sure to thank that favorite teacher!
United Community Bank is having their Customer Appreciation Day at the Lost Mountain Store on May 2, 2008 from 9:00am - 4:00pm. 
say hi this Friday.
I saw this the other day and wanted to share.....
If you're looking for something fun to do today, head out to the Sun Valley Beach Music Festival. There will be live music including Classic Rock, Reggae, Blues and Jazz. There will also be local art displays, games, food and fun for the family! 
Why Great Harvest? Terry grew up helping out in his grandfather’s nursery in Southern Indiana and it was a very community-based business. His passion has been to have a community based business on his own for a long time. Then Julie began milling her own wheat over 14 years ago for nutrition reasons, but it tasted great as well. Terry realized there had to be a bigger market for this. When his brother visited that Thanksgiving, he told him “You sound like the people from the Great Harvest Bread Company.” This intrigued Terry and he looked into the franchise. The great thing about Great Harvest is that it runs under a concept called “Freedom Franchise.”
Franchises agree to only use best quality wheat from their wheat supplier and keep their baker secrets secret. Other than that, they are totally free to do whatever they want concerning the store, marketing and sales.
to neighbors, teachers, and friends. It really makes a great gift that everybody loves!
Kennesaw Business Association distributes money back to the community of Kennesaw and the school system, what a great way to give back!
“Be loose and have fun, bake phenomenal bread, run fast to help customers, and give generously to others.” That’s the motto at Great Harvest Bread Company on Due West Road; where you can get fresh, great tasting breads, pastries and sandwiches. 
passionate about making only the best bread with the best ingredients and this enthusiasm obviously spills over to every part of the business.
when he opened Great Harvest Bread Company. He feels blessed that the community has opened it’s arms to the store. Although some of his friends wondered what he was thinking when he opened a bread company in the height of the “low carb” fad! Since then, however, health experts are now touting the benefits of whole grains….the foundation of Great Harvest Bread. In fact, they even mill their own wheat every day, so every single thing in their store is made 100% from scratch. When asked why they mill their own wheat, Terry says, “It’s simple…great taste and superior nutrition.” 
About 350 pounds of wheat kernels are milled at Great Harvest every morning in the stone wheat mill. Terry educated me about why fresh milled bread is superior to store bought bread. The only way to get the full nutritional benefits of whole wheat is to mill it fresh and use it very quickly. Once you mill it, it begins to oxidize (like rust on steel). When you buy 100% “Whole wheat flour” at the store it's not
The other day I was doing some spring cleaning and trying to organize my closet. I had several pair of really cute flip-flops and sandals that I have purchased over the past couple of summers that I thought I was finally going to have to throw away. It was a shame because they were still in good shape except for the lining which had become dirty over time. 
A few days ago I took my girls to meet a friend of mine and her two daughters and we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. On the way there I asked everyone what kind of ice cream they were going to get. My youngest excitedly called out "Choc-o-late! Choc-o-late! Choc-o-late!" When we got there I asked her again just to be sure and once again she shouted "Choc-o-late!" So I ordered for everyone and she got her cup of chocolate ice cream and she was very excited.
Rev. Paul Kumar and his wife Menuka (affectionately known as "Minnie") have such an amazing story. They are two of the most remarkable and inspiring people that I know. Paul and Minnie recently met with me at 
Six Flags has a great deal right now for Spring Break. If you purchase daily tickets online it's buy 1 get 1 FREE! It's available ONLINE only, however. Buy one ticket at the regular price of $49.99 and you get the other one free! This offer is only available until April 13th.
For all of you with young children that are still looking for things to do to fill the time during this Spring Break, here's a suggestion that is both fun and educational!
One of my family's favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon is to ride around and look at all the beautiful neighborhoods and homes in West Cobb. "Going for a ride" as we call it generally involves a DVD for the kids, a Diet Coke for the grown-ups and Dairy Queen Blizzards for all!
Most recently, we piled in the van for one of these excursions around West Cobb and came across a neighborhood called Anderson Farm at Keeler Woods in Marietta. This neighborhood has homes starting around one million (chump change right? LOL!). These massive homes were beautiful but what I thought was amazing was the view.....when you pull in the neighborhood there is a fantastic view of Kennesaw Mountain. I'm sure it's even prettier when there are leaves on the trees!
absolutely beautiful....but I could not imagine having something like that in my home because, well, I'm a bit of a klutz!
I was saddened this morning to read that Charlton Heston passed away last night, he was 83 years old.
Today I was in Marietta near my husband's office and I stopped in to see if I could get him to take me to lunch. My little plan worked and he took me out to this neat cafe called "Canvas" across from Kennestone Hospital. 
You will probably be seeing a lot about Autism on the TV and Web over the next month because April is "Autism Awareness Month." With the numbers of autism skyrocketing to 1 in 150 children, most people know
