Moving to Atlanta? We’ll tell you what every new Atlantan needs to know. Get the scoop on area arts, entertainment, shopping, neighborhoods, and even how to get there.
Gwinnett County Living
When you’re looking for a new community to call home, consider Gwinnett County. With strong schools, award-winning Parks and Rec, and world-class employers, it’s not hard to see why Gwinnett is great.
Finding Balance in Academics
As you consider new schools for your child, make sure your education choices allow balance among extracurricular pursuits, schoolwork and free time.
Local Adventure Getaways
After the adventure of moving to a new city, you may be ready for an adventure of a more pleasurable kind. From Smoky Mountain thrills to Okefenokee chills, plenty of excitement is just a drive away.
Here’s the inside scoop on this summer’s hottest news, events and happenings around Atlanta and beyond.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Located just 30 miles north of downtown Atlanta, Suwanee has twice made Money magazine’s list of 100 Great American towns. Find out what all the greatness is about.
Explore some great destinations, events and attractions that make Georgia so unforgettable.
With Top Chef-winner Richard Blais at the helm, Flip Burger Boutique delivers great flavor with a side order of fun.
Relocation Guide
A comprehensive guide to help you find your way before, during and after your move: counties, neighborhoods, relocation tips and more. Upcoming Events
Summer is upon us, and it’s time for impressive exhibitions, theater productions and live music around the metro area.
The Monastery of the Holy Spirit offers a peaceful retreat east of the city, in Rockdale County.
On the Cover: Atlantans who find adventure on a golf course will enjoy Ross Bridge, one of the longest courses in the world and the newest addition to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
Photo: Michael Clemmer – Golf Landscape Photography
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In a new exhibit that exercises both body and mind, children will discover the connection between science and athletics in TEAM Up! at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta from June 11—September 11. By slinging fastballs, perfecting bounce passes and keeping balance on pommel horses and balance beams, kids will learn how the principles of geometry, physics, friction and force affect how they play their favorite sports. Call 404-659-KIDS or see www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org.
For US THE LiviNg
The Booth Western Art Museum’s current special exhibit, on display now through September 4, takes an artistic look at the Civil War. Mort Künstler’s Civil War Art: For Us the Living features more than 40 of Künstler’s major paintings—plus dozens of sketches—that serve as an important visual history of some of the nation’s darkest times. For more information on Cartersville’s Booth Western Art Museum and this exhibit, see www.boothmuseum.org.
A 30-year East Point tradition, the city’s Salute to the Red, White and Blue 4th of July Hometown Celebration will bring musical performers, plenty of food and a professional carnival—carousel, Ferris wheel, games and all—for a week of family-friendly fun in downtown East Point. The carnival begins June 29 and culminates with South Fulton County’s largest pyro digital fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. on the 4th of July. For more information, see www.downtowneastpoint.com.
99X Unplugged in the Park
Atlanta’s favorite low-key, free concert series returns with a lineup including Sonia Leigh, Angie Aparo, Josh Joplin and more. Held at the Garden Tent at Park Tavern every Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m., 99X’s Unplugged in the Park features both established artists and local up-and-comers, all under Park Tavern’s air-conditioned tent. For more information, including a complete list of performers, call 404-497-4700 or see www.99x.com.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Salute to the red, White and Blue
inFOCUS
A Medium for Modernism
Featuring many original watercolors never before displayed, John Marin’s Watercolors: A Medium for Modernism represents the first comprehensive exhibit addressing Marin, named the country’s no. 1 artist by Life magazine in 1948. Known for his avant-garde approach to watercolors, Marin’s paintings mostly reflect bustling city life and Maine’s dramatic coastline. This exhibit will be on display at the High Museum of Art from June 26-September 11; for more information, see www.high.org.
PHOTO:
The Inside SCOOP
What Every New Atlantan Needs to Know
by Whitney Brennan
As a new or future Atlanta resident, you’ve picked a great city to call home. But undoubtedly, you are experiencing some stress and anxiety as a result of preparing for your new life in an unfamiliar place. A new job, a new school for your children, new people, new places. But rest assured: Atlanta is a great place for everyone, and no matter your situation, Atlanta is sure to feel like home.
Georgia Aquarium is the world’s largest aquarium, with 10 million gallons of water.
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre offers an unparalleled outdoor performance experience.
The city is a thriving, vibrant area, offering plenty to do, incredible neighborhoods to call home, fantastic job opportunities and top-notch health care. In fact, there is so much to know about Atlanta that you may need some help navigating this metropolis. Where can you shop, see a play or concert, browse artwork, watch a baseball game? What is The Hooch, the Perimeter, Tech or The Ted? The following answers these questions and more, offering insight into such topics as Atlanta’s entertainment options, neighborhoods and health care. It’s what every new Atlantan must know.
Arts, Entertainment & Shopping
Atlanta is home to some world-class attractions, entertainment venues and shopping destinations. Whether you’re into theater shows, concerts, exhibits, history, animals or sports, Atlanta has you covered.
Shopaholics enjoy the fact that there are more than 15 major shopping malls in Metro Atlanta. Buckhead’s Phipps Plaza, once named a “Southern Best” in Southern Living magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, features over 100 specialty stores, including Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture and Gucci, as well as four full-service restaurants. With 225 stores, the Mall of Georgia is the largest mall in the state—and one of the largest in the country. Located just half an hour
from the city of Atlanta in Buford, the Mall of Georgia features such stores as Coach, Armani Exchange and Williams-Sonoma.
After a shopping excursion, why not enjoy a concert or theater production at one of Atlanta’s world-class venues? The Arabian palace-style Fox Theatre downtown is itself a must-see, but the venue often hosts world premieres, innovative adaptations of classics, as well as exciting concerts. Upcoming shows include Fiddler on the Roof and Guys & Dolls. Located on 45 wooded acres in Alpharetta, the state-of-the-art 12,000seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre offers an unparalleled outdoor performance experience. Since its opening in 2008, the venue has seen the most popular touring summer concerts.
Metro Atlanta also offers plenty to do for history and art buffs as well. The Atlanta History
Center boasts one of the Southeast’s largest history museums, as well as permanent, temporary and traveling exhibitions and historic homes and gardens. Temporary exhibit World War in Our Backyards: Discovering Atlanta, 1861-1865 challenges visitors to consider their personal connections to a war that was literally fought in all of our backyards. The High Museum of Art has more than 12,000 works of art in its permanent collection—19th- and 20th-century American and decorative art; European paintings; modern art and photography; and more. The exhibition Special Editions: Recent Acquisitions of Contemporary Prints, running through Aug. 21, highlights recent print acquisitions for the High’s contemporary collection.
For those who may be more into wildlife, Atlanta is home to the world’s largest aquarium. Boasting 10 million gallons of fresh and marine water and the largest collection of aquatic animals, the Georgia Aquarium houses aquatic life from whale sharks to piranha and African penguins to sea otters, and new in 2011, dolphins. A short drive away in Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta offers more than 200 species of animals. The clouded leopard, giant panda, African lion, American alligator and Komodo dragon are just a few of the zoo’s residents. Atlanta is home to the only giant panda cub born in the U.S. in 2010.
Turner Field is home to the Atlanta Braves.
Phipps Plaza features over 100 stores.
Atlanta pleases sports lovers as well. Baseball fans can visit state-of-the-art Turner Field for an Atlanta Braves game; football fans can enjoy a thrilling Atlanta Falcons game at the Georgia Dome, the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world; and those looking for basketball or hockey can find it at Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers. And all three of these world-class venues offer fun and activities in addition to the games.
Navigating Neighborhoods
Atlanta has come a long way from its beginnings 170 years ago as a railroad village called Terminus. Today, “Atlanta” refers to a metro area encompassing more than 20 counties, but the city itself also has a collection of intown neighborhoods that have developed such a unique character and charm that it’s easy to forget that these vibrant communities are not cities, but neighborhoods of Atlanta. The following are just some of these great intown neighborhoods.
Some of the finest examples of period architecture can be found in Atlanta’s Ansley Park Developer Edwin P. Ansley modeled his Ansley Park on park designs by famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The neighborhood, featuring wide winding streets, offers a suburban lifestyle in the heart of the city. Also recognized for its architecture is Atlanta’s beautiful Inman Park neighborhood. As Atlanta’s first trolley suburb, Inman Park has a rich history, and its caring citizens work hard to preserve its beautiful Victorian-era homes. The more than 1,400 retail stores in Buckhead generate more than $1 billion in sales every year. The upscale neighborhood also boasts multi-million-dollar estates. The Greenwich Village of Atlanta, trendy Virginia Highland is home to an ever-growing number of nightclubs, galleries and boutiques, as well as
renovated turn-of-the-century houses and exclusive gated communities.
Getting Around Atlanta & Beyond
Because Atlanta is a metropolis—with over 5 million people—traffic congestion is an everyday part of life for most residents. However, metropolis status also has its advantages, including the fact that there are various ways to travel and alternate transportation options. Atlanta’s regional transit system includes Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), which offers both bus and train service for $2 one way including transfers. The three other major transit options include Cobb Community Transit, Gwinnett County Transit, and Xpress, a luxury coach service for 12 metro counties. (Tip: Some employers will pay for their employees to use mass transit.) Those who may want to carpool can find a partner through The Clean Air Campaign. And for those who need to travel outside Atlanta by air, Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport, HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport
High-Quality Health Care
Atlanta is well known for hospitals and medical facilities boasting first-rate technology and care. The area is home to world-renowned U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation and top research medical universities, including Emory University and the Morehouse School of Medicine Grady Memorial Hospital has one of the top trauma and burn centers in the nation, while Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is renowned for its exceptional care for children. Atlanta is also home to The Shepherd Center, one of the nation’s largest catastrophic care hospitals treating patients with spinal cord
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s busiest airport.
injury and disease, brain injury and degenerative, neuromuscular and urological disorders. Children’s Healthcare, The Shepherd Center and Emory University Hospital were among the U.S. News Best Hospitals 2010-2011.
KNOW THE LINGO
Be “in the know” with these Atlanta terms and phrases:
Big Chicken: An Atlanta landmark, this 56-foot metal rooster that soars above a KFC in Marietta has been in existence since the ‘60s.
The Connector (or Downtown Connector): The stretch of highway where interstates 85 and 75 overlap.
The Hooch: The Chattahoochee River serves as a source of power, drinking water and recreation.
ITP/OTP: Inside the Perimeter/Outside the Perimeter—meaning inside the I-285 loop (the more urban areas) or outside (suburbia).
King and Queen Buildings: Located at the I-285/ Ga. 400 merge, the designs of the two towers resemble chess pieces.
The Perimeter: I-285, which circles the city of Atlanta and is meant to be used as a bypass.
Spaghetti Junction: Complicated intertwining of I-85 and I-285 loops and bridges.
Tech: Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, one of the oldest, most respected polytechnic universities in the country.
The Ted: Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
Ansley Park offers a suburban lifestyle in the heart of the city.
While the world heralds the Atlanta area as a business mecca with considerable opportunities for jobs and economic growth, few parts of the metro area embody those characteristics more than Gwinnett County. In fact, when you’re searching for a community where your family can put down roots, Gwinnett certainly is worth a look.
winnett County has long been recognized as the fastest growing county in the state of Georgia and, for much of the 1980s, was also the fastest growing county in the United States. According to the 2010 census report, Gwinnett County’s popula-
tion grew by nearly 37%. While much of the county’s growth in the 1980s and early 1990s was unchecked, wise county and city leaders took control of that growth over the last two decades, balancing economic development with long-term environmental, aesthetical, and other
TOP: Gwinnett County Public Schools has been honored with the Broad Prize. BOTTOM: Gwinnett Medical Center is a leading care provider as well as a top employer. RIGHT: The City of Suwanee has garnered numerous awards.
quality of life concerns to build a county known for its strong school system, great jobs, affordable housing, and—in many of its communities—a way of life that hearkens back to days gone by.
Gwinnett County was officially founded in 1818, with the town of Lawrenceville named as the permanent county seat in 1821. As the great Southern Railway cut its busy path through the county, towns like Suwanee, Duluth, Lilburn, and Norcross grew up out of the commercial development along the line and flourished, connecting the county’s rural roots with the new growth and prosperity of industrial development. Today, the county still prospers as home to major national and international corporations. According to Adrienne Saputo, Marketing Manager of Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett County is now home to over 1,300 high-tech companies—more than any other county in Georgia. Additionally, over 275 of the state’s leading bioscience companies call Gwinnett home.
“Our highly-trained, diverse
workforce, a moderate cost of doing business, and our proximity to six of the state’s leading research colleges and universities, have consistently made Gwinnett County one of the top three leaders in job growth in the state of Geor-
gia since 2000,” adds Saputo.
Gwinnett County offers more than just great job opportunities and a uniquely diverse community. Many Gwinnett residents proclaim their love of the laid-back lifestyle and access to a quality of life not offered by other parts of the metro area. Great schools top the list of those quality of life issues.
Gwinnett residents proclaim their love of the laid-back lifestyle and access to a quality of life not offered by other parts of the metro area.
Gwinnett County recently became the largest school district in the state, educating 161,000 students in the 2010/11 school year. The district is comprised of 18 school clusters plus a set of charter, magnet, and concept schools including the Gwinnett Online Campus. In spite of its size, the district offers some of the best schools in the state, recently winning the Broad Prize for Urban Education—popularly known as the “Nobel Prize of Public Education”—which honors the top five large urban school districts that exhibit the strongest student achievement and improvement while narrowing achievement gaps between income and ethnic groups.
In recent years Gwinnett voters approved local option sales tax referendums to support both their public libraries and their parks and recreation
Gwinnett County has one of the most outstanding Parks and Recreation departments in the country.
PHOTO: Gwinnett County Communications Division.
system. In fact, Gwinnett County has been recognized as having one of the most outstanding Parks and Recreation departments in the United States with over 8,000 acres of greenspace, 39 parks, including two skate parks and nine water parks and aquatic centers. The county even boasts a park designed especially for children with special needs. An extensive list of youth sports is also offered. The Parks and Recreation Department even hosts a Disc Golf challenge each summer to raise funds which will offset the costs of activities for low-income children and senior citizens who wish to take part in parks activities but cannot afford the fees.
Gwinnett’s towns and cities offer their own charming ways of life as well. In Suwanee, residents enjoy plays, concerts, festivals, and movie nights on the Town Center, the thriving heart of the community anchored by a seven-acre park.
According to Lynn DeWilde, marketing director for the City of Suwanee, 2011 marks the tenth anniversary of a $17.1 million voter approved bond referendum to fund public greenspace and parks. In all, seven parks have been funded and built, including the Town Center, an urban playground, a community garden, and a lake surrounded by walking trails.
The Arena at Gwinnett Center brings hockey games and music concerts to the area.
Big Splash is a big hit with families in Suwanee’s Town Center.
PHOTO: (Bottom) Gwinnett County Communications Division.
Duluth offers events for all ages.
The City of Suwanee has also committed to public art, encouraging developers to use one percent of a project’s development costs to create public art within all new developments. Also, through March 2012 the city will host SculpTOUR, a walking tour of public art placed throughout Town Center and the city’s historic downtown. Residents can vote for the work of art they love most and the winning sculpture will be purchased by the city for permanent display.
Duluth’s Taylor Park features live music and other family-friendly performances in the amphitheater.
The City of Duluth has also earned recognition for its commitment to the arts. Each year the city hosts the Duluth Fall Festival which attracts over 100,000 visitors for a weekend of art and music held on the Town Green, an elaborate series of terraced greenspace that culminates at the foot of a Victorian-inspired arts pavilion. The Town Green is in the heart of Duluth’s downtown, surrounded by shops and restaurants adjacent to the town’s Taylor Park. Friday evenings find families enjoying the city’s “Flicks
on the Bricks” program and residents can enjoy weekday “Brown Bag Lunches” featuring live music and other familyfriendly performances in the amphitheater.
When it comes to finding a home in Gwinnett County the offerings are plentiful, from multimillion dollar estates in the Sugarloaf area to the more moderately priced Suwanee Station townhomes located near the area’s town center and featuring two- to three-bedroom homes beginning in the $150s, a junior Olympic swimming pool, eight lighted tennis courts with an onsite tennis pro, a fitness center and an amphitheater.
Families looking for single-family developments might find what they’re looking for in the John Thomas Homes development Baxley Ridge located in Duluth’s esteemed Peachtree Ridge school district. Set upon one of Gwinnett County’s highest elevations the development features three- to six-bedroom homes beginning in the $210s, many of which feature an unusual porte-cochere style. The Lakes at Sugarloaf, a
Beazer Homes development, offers 100% Energy Star homes with three to six bedrooms in a gated community beginning at $242,900.
Families eager to find an energetic, familyfocused community that provides them with easy access to the city while allowing them to live in “Mayberry-like” confines won’t go wrong establishing their new home in Gwinnett County. The mantra once spouted by civic leaders and residents throughout the 1980s and ‘90s still holds true today: Gwinnett is, indeed, great!
SpOTlIghT neighborhood Suwanee
The I nSI de TrACK
The City of Suwanee hosts nearly 30 events every year including Suwanee day, which brings hundreds of exhibitors and about 40,000 people to Town Center Park each September.
LLiving up to its motto, Suwanee certainly “exceeds expectations.” The community has twice made Money magazine’s list of 100 Great American Towns, breaking into the top 10 best places to live list in 2007. Over the past few years, this friendly, vibrant community has continued to boost its livability, building several new parks and a Town Center, which stands as a functional and appealing community focal point. Located 30 miles north of downtown Atlanta, Suwanee is committed to maintaining the highest quality of life for its residents.
Culinary Treats
For a little French flair, visit Gourmandises (770-945-6599), a neighborhood bistro serving gourmet food made from the freshest ingredients including out-of-this-world pastries and fluffy, light quiches. Try Ippolito’s (678-985-4377), a small, comfortable neighborhood restaurant with great service, for delicious, authentic Italian food—and be sure not to miss the homemade garlic rolls! Visit Mango Cuban Restaurant (770-831-6664) for generous portions of richly flavored Cuban-inspired cuisine in a fun, casual atmosphere. And be sure to try the signature Wild Pie at Olde Towne Tavern & Grille (770-9453737), home to Gwinnett County’s only outside bar with great views of Town Center Park.
Local Treasures
Create personalized pottery at peace, Love & pottery (678-714-5683) or celebrate every occasion in style at La Ti Da (678-482-7777) offering whimsical gifts and more. As an alternative, visit Georgia’s largest organic community garden, Harvest Farm, which is part of the city’s White Street Park. In addition to the 76 farm plots, the park features a barn that functions as an educational/community center, natural outdoor amphitheater, and looping trail. Or enjoy fun in the fountain at Town Center Park. Open April 1- Oct. 31, Big Splash is the largest interactive fountain in Gwinnett County.
Housing
With a 2010 average home sale price of $260,789, the community offers a variety of housing options to fit an array of lifestyles. Many newer neighborhoods in Suwanee feature traditional designs, including multi-family as well as single-family units, and are part of planned mixed-use developments. Among Suwanee’s newest neighborhoods are Highland Station, Madison park at Town Center, McGinnis Reserve, Stonecypher, Suwanee Station, Three Bridges, and Village Grove. And just outside the city limits, The River Club, an elegant, gated, nature reserve community with a Greg Norman golf course, sits alongside the Chattahoochee River.
People
Over the past two decades, thousands have discovered the charm of living in Suwanee. 97 percent of Suwanee residents find the community an excellent or good place to live. Census figures for the past decade indicate that Suwanee remains one of the fastest-growing cities in Gwinnett County, with a 2010 population of 15,355. Suwanee is home to several progressive, high-tech national firms, including Dish Network, Echo Star, Hewlett-Packard and Mitsubishi Electric. The city also serves as a model for, and has received numerous awards in, the areas of open space preservation, creation of parks, downtown revitalization, and smart-growth management. N — Julie Edwards
Harvest Farm
Town Center Park
Town Center
Big Splash
Gaining perspective on your child’s academic pursuits FindingBalance the
Tby Wendy Dunham
oday’s society and culture have altered family life, many say tipping it out of balance. Parents and teachers put pressure on kids to achieve academically. More children are being enrolled in organized sports and extracurricular activities at times when, traditionally, they would have been enjoying unstructured down time, play time, and family time. When these after-school activities and the ever-increasing amounts of homework are done, what time is left for relaxation?
On top of this, moving into a new school and a new community can bring additional stress. Students might feel added pressure to get up to speed and perform well academically in a new class. Parents might over-do it when they urge their children to take part in extracurricular activities in hopes of helping them make new friends.
It’s not that sports, extracurricular activities and homework are bad for kids; in fact they need and benefit from them, but in moderation. While you’re in the process of making education choices for your children, don’t forget to
factor extracurricular activities, homework and unstructured time into your decisions. Striking that balance is becoming harder for parents, and it’s a fine line to walk as you choose a school.
Gina Kantor, a second grade teacher at Garrison Mill elementary in Marietta, thinks kids are on a treadmill. “Down time is crucial for creative expression. It provides the opportunity for imaginative play,” she says. “We want to foster children who will mature into adults who can think outside of the box. Down time also gives a child an opportunity to relax and regroup, giving him or her a better chance of being centered. This reduces impulsive behavior and increases the likelihood of a child responding rather than reacting to a situation. It is so much harder today to raise well-rounded, centered, fit, prepared, and creative young people.”
“Children need unplanned time to practice exercising choice, renewing their senses, and for simply being,” adds Jay Underwood, Head of School for High Meadows School in Roswell. “When our hearts beat there is space in between; when we breathe our lungs expand
sial. Ofiara agrees with research findings that recommend the ideal amount corresponds to 10 minutes per grade level. First graders do 10 minutes per night, second graders do 20 minutes, and so on.
“Short periods of meaningful homework are very beneficial,” says Cook. “If a child is strug-
gling on a particular subject, extra work on that topic can only help. But it should not last for several hours a night nor interfere with family time.”
“Homework topics should be connected to what the child is doing in class to make it beneficial,” adds Dess. “Right now I believe young people are getting too much homework.”
Achieving balance takes effort. Ofiara says parents should observe what is going on, read cues from their children, and make changes if necessary. “Are you stressed out from driving your kids all over? Are your kids crying because they have too much homework? Are they having tantrums?” she asks. “If family life is stressful then you must change it by slowing down the pace.”
Ultimately, parents must be the ones to make wise choices for their children.
“Parents must reject the notion that children must act, play, compete and perform in multiple areas to ‘keep up,’” warns Jerri King, head of School at First Montessori School of Atlanta. “Research, trends observed by family therapists, and the common practices in college acceptance do not support the perceived benefits of over-involvement. While children may have the tendency to over-commit, balance is sustained when adults provide the necessary limits and
EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
expectations regarding school work and extracurricular activities.”
Today, Dess sees more young people stressed out and anxious than ever before. “Parents can help by identifying and recognizing their child’s gifts, no matter what they are. They should expose them to new opportunities, but listen to who they are and not push them into something they don’t enjoy. If we balance emotional and social well-being with academic performance, then academic performance will benefit.”
FINDING BALANCE
Looking for balance for your child at school? Here are some questions to ask:
What are the school’s expectations about extracurricular involvement?
How much homework is given each night to my child’s grade level?
Will the homework be related to what my child is learning in class?
Is homework given over breaks?
Is any unstructured time provided for in the school day?
Thrilling Destinations
Just a Short Drive Away
by Susan Flowers
Adventures of both the manmade and the natural variety are waiting to be explored in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains beyond.
PHOTOS:
(Top left) Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and (bottom)
Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.
canoes at some points. Visitors can also be subjected to extreme temperatures and precipitation. Canoers can camp at any of nine designated campsites located throughout the refuge.
Not up to paddling through the Okefenokee? You may enjoy taking a guided boat tour. Tours available include a 90-minute trip through the Suwannee Canal and Chesser Prairie, conducted by concessioner Okefenokee Adventures. You can also arrange for an extended or overnight excursion through the company.
Whether rolling down a hill, zipping above a park, or rafting through a river is your thing, the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas have what you want.
Hikers will also enjoy their visit to the refuge as they cover one of eight authorized trails. Take in nature’s wonders as you observe birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat, and enjoy plant life that will surround you at every step. Walk the .2-mile Upland Discovery Trail and take advantage of your chance to photograph a colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers, or immerse yourself in the forests of the 4-mile Long Leaf Interpretive Trail. You may also enjoy cycling on the swamp’s paved roads, although bicycles are not permitted on hiking trails.
Fishermen can enjoy the refuge throughout the year—but you may have to compete with an alligator for your catch! The refuge features shallow water prairies, lakes and ponds, and fishing from boats, kayaks and canoes is permitted in various areas.
Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
From whitewater rafting to trout fishing and hiking, the area around Gatlinburg, TN, affords rich opportunities for those who love the outdoors—and it’s only a four-and-a-half-hour drive north of Atlanta.
Hikers can explore the Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s more than 800 miles of maintained trails. Black bears, elk and deer are among the wildlife that vacationing Atlantans might see as they trek through the wilderness. Visitors can also count on being dazzled by the park’s array of wildflowers, many of which bloom year-round.
According to the National Park Service, many hikers choose trails that allow up-close views of the park’s spectacular waterfalls, which include Grotto, featuring direct access from the Trillium Gap Trail; Ramsey Cascades, at 100 feet, the park’s tallest waterfall; and Rainbow, which frequently offers a rainbow in the mists of its 80 feet of falling water.
Not interested in hiking? You may enjoy horseback riding through the park’s many horse trails, or cycling on the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop, with its numerous views of wildlife and historic sites. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with 60 species living there year-round, according to the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. Campers, whether
PHOTOS: (Top left, right and inset) Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and (bottom) Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.
For those who find their adventure on a golf course, Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail offers 26 courses across the state.
backpacking or traveling in a recreational vehicle, will find sites to accommodate a variety of needs.
With over 2,000 miles of streams, the park also offers abundant opportunities for fishing. Fishermen will also enjoy a visit to some of nearby Gatlinburg’s many rivers and streams, populated by fish from the city’s fully stocked trout-rearing facility. (When making your plans, remember that trout are released every Thursday, and no fishing is allowed on that day.)
Golfers who visit the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area won’t be disappointed. The Bent Creek Golf Course offers a front nine in the valley and a back nine in the mountains, punctuated by a stream which runs all the way through the course. And the recently renovated Gatlinburg Golf Course features a challenging course in a setting that’s a feast for the senses.
For a more adrenaline-charged getaway, you may want to try whitewater rafting down the Big Pigeon River. With 12 Class III and 3 Class IV rapids, the river provides a thrilling, challenging ride.
Adventure can also be found in Pigeon Forge. Nearby Dollywood has one of the best roller coaster collections around, according to Tom Adkinson of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. A recently
added zip line can carry visitors over the entire park for an aerial view. Also in Pigeon Forge is Zorb Smoky Mountains, which allows visitors to be pushed down a 750-foot mountainside track while inside an 11-foot sphere. The city is also home to the country’s first indoor skydiving attraction, Flyaway. Using a vertical indoor wind tunnel powered by an airplane propeller, this attraction lets you experience the thrill of this extreme sport. The city’s Parkway offers excitement as well, with go-karts and small bungee jumping.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama
For golfers, there’s no greater adventure than playing on that perfect course—and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has everything any golfer could ever want.
A HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE
For adventure of a different kind, you may wish to visit one of several casinos within driving distance of Atlanta. Harrah’s Casino and the Cherokee Tribal Casino in Cherokee, NC, are around three-and-a-half hours’ drive away, with dining options including the Paula Deen’s Kitchen restaurant at Harrah’s. Visitors can stay at the 21-story Harrah’s hotel or any of several other hotels in the area. At six-and-a-half-hours’ drive away, Biloxi, MS, offers a range of casinos, including the Beau Rivage, the IP Casino Resort & Spa and the Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel & Spa. Biloxi also offers numerous options for lodging and dining.
The trail actually consists of 26 courses, with 468 holes at 11 locations across Alabama, ranging from the northern sections of the state to near the Gulf Coast. Designed by course architect Robert Trent Jones as his masterpiece, the trail has been chosen as the best golf value in the country by the readers of Golf Digest, who also ranked it in the top eight for quality. No less an
authority than the New York Times has said that the trail offers “some of the best public golf on earth.”
What inspires all this adulation? Stops including Hampton Cove, featuring three 18-hole courses dotted with thousands of Japanese black pines, massive oaks, dogwoods and crepe myrtles, and Ross Bridge, the third longest course in the world. Landscaping at all of the trail’s courses is exquisite, and golfers can count on challenges at every stop.
For Atlantans, the trail is easily accessible. Its eight stops are each within 15 minutes of an interstate, and all are no more than a two-hour drive from another stop. Courses are located in or near Anniston, Auburn, Birmingham, Dothan, Greenville, Huntsville, Mobile, Point Clear, Prattville (near Montgomery), Hoover and Muscle Shoals/Florence. Green fees range from $50 to a peak of $64.
Excellent lodging and restaurants are available throughout the trail. Relax and enjoy fine dining at any of eight world-class Marriott and Renaissance hotels, including the nautical-themed Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile and the Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National in Opelika. Enjoy a little pampering after your day of golf
at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Resort & Spa, the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa in Florence and the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the convention center in Montgomery.
Huntsville, Alabama
Whether you dream of soaring into space or exploring underground caverns, Huntsville, AL—less than four hours northwest of Atlanta—has the right getaway for you. For would-be astronauts, the U.S Space & Rocket Center has attractions running the gamut from space program artifacts to Space Camps. Visitors can take in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration and gaze in wonder at the Saturn V rocket housed there, while Space Camp allows everyone from grade schoolers to grownups the opportunity to learn about manned space flight.
Adults can enjoy a weekend program that gives a real insider’s look at space shuttle simulators, mission control and the International Space Station. You may also choose a six-day adventure that focuses on astronaut training, including jet fighter simulators and SCUBA diving with an underwater astronaut trainer. The course concludes with (continued on pg. 32)
Space Camp in Huntsville is a thrill for adults as well as children.
PHOTO: Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Huntsville.org.
Explore these great destinations, events and attractions that make Georgia so unforgettable.
TRAVEL GUIDE BRUNSWICK, Georgia
Brunswick and Georgia’s Golden Isles
Brunswick and Georgia’s Golden Isles offer the ideal coastal getaway. Sundays through September mean Jazz in the Park at St. Simons Lighthouse. June through mid-August, visitors to Jekyll Island can learn about sea turtles and their habitat on evening shoreline walks.
Golfers will love Brunswick’s Heritage Oaks Golf Club featuring championship tees on a 72-par course. Luxury seekers will feel right at home on Sea Island, home of The Cloisters, an exclusive resort with a full-service spa, private beaches, kids’ programs, and theme weekends.
A less-hurried, more environmentally-friendly vacation awaits on Little St. Simons. With only 20 of its 10,000 acres developed, this privately owned island is an environmental gem, virtually untouched for centuries, featuring one of the only growing beaches on the east coast. For more information call 800-933-2627 or visit www.goldenisles.com.
Albany
On the banks of the Flint River in Southwest Georgia, Albany offers visitors a medley of attractions. The Albany Civil Rights Institute illustrates how ordinary individuals changed long-standing practices of slavery, racism, and segregation through non-violent protest.
Described as “a Ray Charles concert on the banks of the Flint River,” Ray Charles Plaza is centered around a lighted, rotating sculpture of Charles playing the piano while his music continuously emanates from the park’s sound system.
Other notable sites include the nearly 800-acre Parks at Chehaw, featuring a Wild Animal Park and a Creekside Park; the Albany Museum of Art, housing the Southeast’s largest collection of subSaharan art; and the Flint Riverquarium, built around a blue-hole spring and telling the story of the Flint River and its wildlife. To learn more call 866-750-0840 or visit www.visitalbanyga.com.
Cartersville and Bartow County
Bartow’s Barnsley Gardens resort offers a full-service spa and golf on one of Golf Magazine’s 2010 Silver Medalist courses. Summer concerts the first Saturday of every month through August set against the backdrop of Cartersville’s charming square are fun for all, and The Clarence Brown Conference Center offers a range of events.
Tellus Science Museum gives hands-on science experimentation for the whole family. “Night at the Museum” on August 6th, offers a chance to meet favorite characters from science fiction and science fact.
Art and history lovers will enjoy the Booth Western Art Museum and the Bartow History Museum, both of which feature extensive Civil War collections. Mother Nature prompts guests to spend some time swimming, boating, and hiking along the 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona. To learn more call 800-733-2280 or visit www.notatlanta.org.
Booth Western Art Museum
Douglasville
There’s always something to do in Douglasville. Nature and history lovers enjoy Sweetwater Creek State Park with its fishing, hiking, and Civil War ruins. Shoppers enjoy Arbor Place Mall, the largest indoor shopping venue west of Atlanta. Everyone can enjoy one of the town’s many festivals.
May brings Taste of Douglasville with food samples from favorite local restaurants, as well as arts vendors and local talent. June begins Friday Night Flicks, with a free movie on the plaza and the Black History Exhibition known as Juneteenth. The Fourth of July boasts a parade, barbecue and fireworks. A charity bike ride in October invites riders to explore various bike loops. In December, the Douglasville Holiday Weekend features a parade, Santa Claus and tree lighting. For more information call 770-947-5920 or visit their website at www.visitdouglasville.com.
Fitzgerald
This charming south Georgia hamlet offers a wealth of opportunities for Civil War aficionados including the Blue and Gray Museum, Evergreen Cemetery, Grand Plaza Park with its Confederate and Union topiaries, and the Jefferson Davis Historical site—a 13-acre wooded park marking the site of the capture of the President of the Confederacy.
Kids will love a trip to the Fire Engine Museum, where they can slide down an antique fire pole and see the evolution of fighting fires from the 18th century to now. The whole family will get a kick out of the town’s most unusual residents, a flock of wild Burmese chickens who roam about downtown Fitzgerald and serve as the inspiration for the town’s Wild Chicken Festival held each spring. Take in a show at The Grand Theatre, a restored 1936 Art Deco facility that welcomed a historic 1926 Barton Theatre Organ earlier this year. To learn more call 800-386-4642 or visit www.fitzgeraldga.org.
Statesboro
Home to Georgia Southern University, Statesboro offers more than just football and tailgating.
The Georgia Southern Botanical Garden features a unique view of coastal plains botany and features a native plant garden and an endangered plant exhibit. The Georgia Southern Wildlife Education Center features an extensive reptile and amphibian exhibit with Georgia snakes, alligators, and frogs, while the Lamar Q. Ball Raptor Center lets visitors get a view of native eagles, hawks, kestrels, and other birds of prey.
Wine enthusiasts will want to visit the Meinhardt Vineyards and Winery where they can enjoy wine tastings and tours. September brings the annual Grape Stomp and Muscadine Festival, where festival attendees can crush grapes themselves and see how muscadine wine is made. Call 800-568-3301 or visit www.visitstatesboroga.com for more.
Thomson-McDuffie
In the heart of Georgia’s Lake Country, Thomson offers outdoor enthusiasts plenty of opportunities for bass fishing, boating, hunting, or simply enjoying the great outdoors.
August’s Arts in the Alley Festival provides a mix of musical and dance performances, and visual arts. Visitors will also love cooling off at the Tom Watson Watermelon Festival in August, which features music, art, and of course, lots of watermelon and unusual watermelon recipes. October offers Scarecrows On Main, a delightful display of fall’s favorite icon, plus Thomson’s annual geocaching event, the Thomson Treasure Hunt. November, however, holds the premier event of the region with the annual Belle Meade Hunt, where visitors can ride on a Tally-ho wagon, following hunters and hounds in the world’s largest simulated foxhunt. To learn more call 706-597-1000 or visit www.exploremcduffiecounty.com
A Mosasaur fossil at GSU Museum
Flip Out Flavor Fun at Flip Burger Boutique
by Katie Kelly Bell
It’s been an exciting year for Atlanta’s foodies. Of late, the restaurant scene is buzzing about the city’s new celebrity chef: Richard Blais, who is this season’s Top Chef All-Stars winner. He’s also the inventive genius behind all the fun at Flip Burger Boutique. Any newcomer to Atlanta should make a point of visiting the only restaurant in the city to have a Top Chef winner. And what fun it is. From Krispy Kreme milkshakes to buffalo sweetbreads with blue cheese foam, Flip is anything but your average burger joint.
Decked out in whites and reds, the interior has a bit of Jetson’s meets Space Odyssey feel. Look up and you’ll see the light fixture is attached to an identical table suspended from the ceiling. Other tables are stacked closely together, all the better to promote the restaurant’s convivial atmosphere. Don’t come expecting a quiet date night over burgers. Flip has an electric, playful energy from the tricked out booths to the food and drink.
Let’s just start with the liquid nitrogen … not typically something you’d find behind the counter at a restaurant; but it’s all the sci-fi you need to craft thrilling milkshakes that arrive at your table literally smoking cold. Blais reaches for the familiar, with shakes like Captain Crunch, Krispy Kreme doughnut, apple pie, Nutella and burnt marshmallow, and for those who like a beverage adventure: foie gras. Sure, you can get your Sweetwater on draft, Cheerwine, mango martini, or Pinot Grigio by the glass, but a visit here just wouldn’t be complete without a milkshake.
A turkey burger comes with avocado and cheese … rather ordinary really, until you taste the pomegranate ketchup. It’s those inspired touches that make eating here so entertaining and tasty. We loved the southern with its chicken fried chicken, pimento cheese and sriracha ranch sauce. Add on a side of house-made onion rings or fries and you’re set. Want something else? How about the lamburger with coriander lamb, citrus yogurt and goat cheese, fauxlaffel with fried chickpea, tzat-siki and salsa, or blackened
ABOVE: A bit “Jetson’s meets Space Odyssey,” Flip has an eclectic, playful energy. LEFT: The chorizo burger features spicy pork, hash browns and a fried egg.
What to go with that milkshake? The menu is divided into beef burgers (comprised of brisket, short rib or hangar steak) and Flip burgers (crafted from just about anything). The beef burger is a good place to start if you want something traditional. With the buffet of house-made condiments (smoked mayo, borscht slaw, horseradish mayo, coco-cola ketchup, sriracha ranch dressing, to name a few), you won’t be disappointed. But why settle on that when you might enjoy something like the d’Lux with black diamond steak, truffle herb butter, roasted mushrooms, foie gras and a red wine reduction? Our local burger was one of the highlights, with local grassfed beef, tomme cheese, beef bacon and a coca cola ketchup with pickled peach and pecans. It’s a mouthful, and will take a bit of a bite from the wallet at $14, but the flavors just played so nicely to the lean quality of the beef. The rBQ arrived as a ground burger topped with a stack of pulled brisket, coleslaw, rBQ sauce and a dollop of smoked mayo—who’d a thunk it? Brisket on a burger—what a treat. If the beef is not your thing, you’ll find plenty to amuse you on the ‘flip’ side.
Atmosphere: Buzzy casual
Recommendations: d’lux or local burger, krispy kreme milkshake, blackened shrimp burger and the southern burger.
shrimp with cajunnaise, sweet & sour tomato and fried lemon? The fun at Flip is the playful interplay of flavors. Throw in a side of candycane beets, vodka onion rings, fried pickles or caramelized brussel sprouts (not everyone loves fries) and you get the idea. There really isn’t an ingredient that Blais is afraid to try, which is why this concept works; taking an ordinary burger to a totally new level just by being bold with flavor and concept. It’s the kind of intrepid thinking of a winner, a Top Chef winner at that. N
Photos: Courtesy of t he Reynolds Group
Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.
majestic skyline.
Suwanee’s Town Center.
GETTING STARTED TO
HERE THERE GETTING STARTED
Mass Transit
One way to avoid long commutes is to take advantage of the city’s local transit system, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Offering both train and bus service, MARTA is a convenient way to travel to downtown or the airport. The fee for traveling one way is $2.00 including transfers, and payment is even easier now with the Breeze limited-use and extendeduse cards. Weekly and monthly passes can be obtained at discounted rates. For fares, schedule and route information call 404848-5000 or visit www.itsmarta.com.
Driver’s License
Out-of-state drivers are required to obtain a Georgia driver’s license within 30 days. To obtain your license, you will need to provide the following: 1) Previous driver’s license; 2) Two pieces of identification; 3) An eye exam at the time of issue; 4) A $20 fee (in cash) for a five-year license, or a $35 fee for a 10-year license. Licenses are issued through the Georgia Department of Driver Services at several sites across Atlanta. Call 678-413-8400 or visit www.dds.ga.gov.
Car Tag
You must register your car within 30 days of residency. Bring with you the following information: 1) Car title, name and address of lienholder, or copy of lease agreement; 2) Current tag registration; 3) Mileage reading of vehicle; 4) Proof of insurance; 5) Emission certificate (if applicable).
There is an approximate $20 fee for your tag. In January 2006, the state began charging sales tax on vehicles. Your tag office will
MARTA
MARTA Rail Service
provide the amount of sales tax on your vehicle. For information on a specific county, contact the county’s Tax Commissioner’s Office.
Vehicle Emission Inspection
Vehicles dating from 1985 through 2006 model year must be checked each year for emission standard compliance. Visit a statedesignated inspection station for the service. Call 800-449-2471 or visit www.cleanairforce.com.
Driving Tips
Georgia 400 is the only toll road in Atlanta. If you travel it daily, obtaining a Cruise Card is recommended. Purchased in advance, the Cruise Card allows drivers to bypass the tollbooth and avoid long lines. Call 404-893-6161 or visit www. georgiatolls.com to purchase a card.
The Georgia DOT provides daily updates of road work, road closings and traffic delays, which are helpful when commuting. Updates can be obtained by calling (toll free) 1-877-694-2511, by dialing 511, or by visiting www.georgia-navigator.com.
NEED TO KNOW
Voter Registration
Registration applies to U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age. You have up to 30 days before an election to register. Register at your local Voter Registration Office and most public libraries. Refer to the AT&T directory for locations, or download a registration form at www.sos.georgia.gov.
Making a Phone Call
All phone numbers in the Metro Atlanta include the area code plus the sevendigit number.
To make a phone call, dial one of the three area codes (404, 770, 678) and the seven-digit number. In general, the 404 area code is designated for intown areas, the 770 area code for suburbs, and the 678 area code is normally used for cell phones, fax numbers and some suburbs.
Registering for School
By law, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enter kindergarten and 6 years old on or before September 1 to enter the first grade. To enroll your child in either kindergarten or first grade, you will need to provide the child’s social security number; a vision, hearing, and dental screening from a family practitioner or local health clinic; and immunization records on Georgia State Form 3231.
COUNTY INFORMATION
EDUCATION
public ScHOOlS
Cherokee County Schools Board of Education 770-479-1871
Elementary Schools 22
Middle Schools 7 Intermediate Schools 1 High Schools 6 Alternative 1
Evening 1
Per-pupil expenditures $8,578
School & bus information: 770-720-2112
Avg. SAT Scores
Cherokee Co. 1560
Georgia 1460
National 1509
pRivATE ScHOOlS
Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS
HOME SERvicES
Cobb Energy (Electricity, Security, Telephone and Satellite TV) 770-429-2222
ElEcTRiciTy
Amicalola EMC 706-276-2362
Cobb EMC 770-429-2100
Georgia Power 888-660-5890
Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363
GAS
Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit www.newcomeratlanta.com.
AT&T
TElEpHONE
888-436-8638
ETC Communications 678-454-1212
TDS Telecom-Nelson
Ball Ground 770-735-2000
Windstream 800-501-1754
WATER
Cherokee County Water Authority 770-479-1813
City of Ball Ground 770-735-2123
City of Canton 770-704-1500
City of Waleska 770-479-2912
City of Woodstock 770-926-8852
Charter Communications 888-438-2427
Comcast 404-266-2278
ETC Communications 678-454-1212
HOSpiTAlS
Northside Hospital-Cherokee 770-720-5100
Wellstar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000
Cherokee County
Located northwest of Atlanta, Cherokee County gets its name from the original inhabitants of the area, the Cherokee Indians. The county seat, then called Etowah, was established in 1833 and renamed Canton in 1834. Today, the city is enjoying its greatest economic boom in its history since more than $60 million was invested in residential and commercial development in 1998. Despite developing its own industrial base, Cherokee County remains idyllic and serene. Farming, especially poultry processing, remains a leading industry.
Canton and the neighboring community of Woodstock have seen tremendous growth as subdivisions crop up to accommodate newcomers. In fact, nearly 60 percent of the county’s population are commuters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median value of homes in 2006 was $194,900. Homes for well over $1 million can be purchased in such neighborhoods as Bradshaw Farms, Bridge Mill and Town Lake Hills.
Interstate 575 and Ga. Highway 92 traverse the county, affording residents easy access to Atlanta and the nearby attractions of Town Center Mall, Lake Allatoona and the North Georgia Mountains. Other great places to live,
Cherokee County 770-345-0400, www.cherokeechamber.com
property Taxes
Per $1,000 of assessed value is:
Unincorporated Cherokee County, $26.80; Incorporated Cherokee County, $24.06. Tax Commissioner: 678-493-6400
work and play in Cherokee County include the cities of Ball Ground, Holly Springs and Waleska.
Neighborhoods Canton
Canton was incorporated in 1833 and renamed in 1834 at the request of two founding fathers who had visions that the town might become a silk center similar to what existed in Canton, China. Canton did become famous for its “Canton Denim,” known worldwide for the high-quality denim produced by Canton Cotton Mills.
Today, Canton is attracting new industry and residents. As a result, the city is re-investing in its downtown. As part of its “Streetscapes” program, downtown Canton will be restored to its historic look and features a newly designed theater on Main Street. Located at the foothills of the Blue
Ridge Mountains and along the banks of the Etowah River, Canton is prime location for development.
Woodstock
Twelve miles south of Canton, Woodstock is the fastest-growing city in Cherokee County. With a growth rate of 70 percent over the past 10 years, the city has doubled in size. Residents enjoy easy access to Interstate 575 and Ga. Highway 92, allowing short commutes to Cobb and Fulton counties.
While affording convenience to big-city attractions, Woodstock still maintains its small-town appeal. Buildings dating back to 1879 characterize the downtown, where antique and other specialty shops are located.
Various golf courses are located in Woodstock, including Arnold Palmer’s Eagle Watch, a course with wooded countryside views that is considered to be one of the top places to play in Atlanta. The 11,860-acre Lake Allatoona provides additional recreation. Woodstock is also convenient to more than 13 state parks.
For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com
Cagle Dairy Farm, Canton Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
Clayton County
Life in Clayton County revolves around transportation, much like it did when the Central Railroad passed through the county seat of Jonesboro carrying goods and people.
Today, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport employs more than 35,000 people, one-third of whom
Neighborhoods
Jonesboro
Clayton County is steeped in history, especially Jonesboro, the fictional setting for Margaret Mitchell’s legendary Civil War
live in Clayton County. Many of the county’s almost 267,000 residents have lived in the area for generations. Unlike in other Metro Atlanta counties, nearly half of them also work in the county.
QUICK INFO
COUNTY INFORMATION
novel, Gone With the Wind. In truth, the farming community of Jonesboro was all but destroyed in the decisive Battle of Jonesboro.
Today, this community of more than 4,000 residents maintains its small-town atmosphere despite its proximity to Atlanta and major freeways. Jonesboro’s Main Street buildings, some dating back to the mid-1800s, have been renovated and now house antique shops, gift shops and government offices.
Many residential homes have also been restored, including the historic Ashley Oaks Mansion (1879) and Stately Oaks (1939). Open to the public, these antebellum gems transport visitors to the Gone With the Wind era.
Morrow
county www.co.clayton.ga.us Neighborhoods www.cityofmorrow.com www.jonesboroga.com Schools www.clayton.k12.ga.us
Median household income: $43,674
Just 15 miles south of downtown Atlanta, Clayton County, one of the smallest counties in Georgia, offers residents many natural retreats, including the Reynolds Nature Preserve, the Newman Wetlands Center, Lake Blalock and Lake Shamrock. The county also boasts several private and public golf courses. World-renowned Spivey Hall, located on the campus of Clayton State University, attracts acclaimed performers and is one of the world’s foremost acoustical facilities. The 2006 median value of homes, according to the Census Bureau, was $133,700. Milliondollar homes can be found in the Lake Spivey area.
Median age of residents: 32
Population: 273,718 Sales Tax: 7%
chamber of commerce
Clayton County 678-610-4021, www.claytonchamber.org
property Taxes
The property tax rate is $32.52 per $1,000 of assessed value. Tax Commissioner: 770-477-3311
A passenger traveling north from Jonesboro to Atlanta in the mid-1800s would have invariably passed through a small farming community known as Morrow Station. Once depicted as “the whistle stop” south of Atlanta, today Morrow is a booming city of more than 5,000 residents with a thriving industrial, commercial and retail base that includes Morrow Industrial Park and Southlake Mall.
For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com
Stately Oaks quilt show
Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
COUNTY INFORMATION
EDUCATION
pRivATE ScHOOlS
Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS
HOME SERvicES
Cobb Energy (Electricity, Security, Telephone and Satellite TV) 770-429-2222
ElEcTRiciTy
Acworth Power 770-974-5233
Cobb EMC 770-429-2100
Georgia Power 888-660-5890
GreyStone Power Corp. 770-942-6576
Marietta Power/ Columbia Energy 770-794-5100
GAS
Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit www.newcomeratlanta.com.
TElEpHONE
AT&T 888-436-8638
Comcast 404-266-2278
MCI Worldcom 770-541-7235
Outside Georgia 800-356-3094
WATER
Austell Water 770-944-4300
Cobb County Water Systems 770-423-1000
Marietta Water 770-794-5100
Powder Springs Water 770-943-8000
Smyrna Water 770-319-5338
cAblE Tv
Bellsouth Multimedia 770-360-5000
Charter Communications 888-438-2427
Comcast 404-266-2278
HOSpiTAlS
Emory Adventist Hospital 770-434-0710
WellStar Cobb Hospital 770-732-4000
WellStar Kennestone Hospital 770-793-5000
WellStar Windy Hill Hospital 770-644-1000
Cobb County
Cobb County came into being in 1832 when the state redistributed land once part of the Cherokee Nation. Named after Thomas Welch Cobb, the county experienced a devastating setback during the Civil War when most of it was destroyed during the Battle at Kennesaw Mountain.
Today, Cobb County, located north of Fulton County, is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. With a diverse economic base that includes jobs in the service, retail, aerospace and technology sectors, Cobb County offers a quality of life unsurpassed in the Southeast. More than $770 million has been spent on transportation improvements in recent years, allowing residents easy access to Atlanta and the commercial districts of Vinings Overlook, Cumberland Parkway and the prestigious “Platinum Triangle” in the Galleria area.
Median household income: $65,123
Median age of residents: 35
Population: 698,158
Sales tax: 6%
chamber of commerce Cobb County 770-980-2000, www.cobbchamber.org property Taxes
The property tax is $28.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. Tax Commissioner: 770-980-2000
One of Family Circle magazine’s “Ten Best Towns for Families,” Kennesaw takes pride in its small-town atmosphere and boasts abundant parks and green space, exceptional recreational programs and top-notch schools, including Kennesaw State University. Kennesaw’s Historic Downtown features shopping, dining and attractions such as the Smithsonianaffiliated Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, the Smith-Gilbert Arboretum and nearby Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
Smyrna
A variety of housing options exist in Cobb County, including luxury
apartments and condos near Cumberland Mall, secluded subdivisions in East Cobb and horse ranches in the northwest corner of the county. The small towns of Marietta, Vinings, Smyrna and Austell still retain their Southern charm amidst urban settings. According to the Census Bureau, the median value of homes in 2006 was $205,200.
Rapidly defining what’s new and progressive in quality of life and citizen services, Smyrna delivers an amazing sense of style and love of life. The new Market Village, home to fabulous restaurants, bars and upscale shops and services, is the final piece of a master plan for success. Call it “Main Street USA” or “Disneyland,” but don’t overlook its charm and ability to offer the best in fresh, trendy lifestyle options. N
For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com
White Water
Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
DeKalb County
Located east of Fulton County, DeKalb County is the second largest county in the state with a population of about 705,000. DeKalb County contributes to Atlanta’s status as an “international city” with its businesses and residences representing more than 30 different countries and 120 languages.
Neighborhoods
Decatur
As the county seat, Decatur revolves around the Courthouse Square. In recent years, the square has undergone a renaissance as small storefront mo -
shed and Supper Club. The square also plays host to numerous festivals, town celebrations and neighborhood parties.
QUICK INFO
DeKalb County prospers in part due to its excellent transportation system. Five major road arteries traverse the county: Interstates 20, 85, 285, 675 and US Highway 78. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is only six miles from DeKalb’s southern border and the DeKalb Peachtree Airport, a general aviation field, is reported to be the second busiest airport in Georgia. DeKalb County is also a leader in the biomedical community with The Center for Disease Control headquartered there.
county www.co.dekalb.ga.us Neighborhoods www.decaturga.com www.druidhills.org www.dunwoodyga.org www.candlerpark.org www.stonemountaincity.org
Schools www.dekalb.k12.ga.us www.csdecatur.net
Median household income: $51,753
Median age of residents: 35
Population: 739,956 Sales tax: 7% chamber of commerce DeKalb County 404-378-8000, www.dekalbchamber.org
property Taxes
The property tax rate is $41.50 per $1,000 for unincorporated DeKalb County. Tax Commissioner: 404-298-4000
The median value of homes in 2006, according to the Census Bureau, was $190,100.
Decatur is home to a diverse population, attracting young professionals, families and retirees. With Agnes Scott College, a prestigious women’s college, and just outside the city limits, Emory University, Decatur is a college town amidst a big city. Older brick homes, smaller bungalows and cottage homes distinguish the community and the surrounding neighborhoods of Avondale Estates, Oakhurst and Candler Park.
Dunwoody
In the northern corner of the county is Dunwoody, a popular neighborhood among established professionals and young, upwardly mobile professionals raising families.
It is often referred to as the “tennis set” neighborhood because of its numerous recreational outlets that include Lynwood Park and Recreation Center, as well as Blackburn Park and Tennis Center. Cultural attractions include the Dunwoody Nature Center and the Spruill Gallery.
A variety of housing is available in Dunwoody, including apartments, townhomes, ranch-style homes, bungalows and mini-mansions with manicured lawns. Nearby Perimeter Mall provides shopping, dining and family entertainment. With its proximity to all major expressways and North Fulton’s booming business opportunities, Dunwoody is a hot-spot for families.
tifs have been preserved, attracting unique shopping, entertainment and dining that includes By Hand South, Square Roots, Eddie’s Attic, Water-
For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com
Emory University
Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
COUNTY INFORMATION
public ScHOOlS
Fulton County Schools
Board of Education 404-768-3600
Elementary Schools 58
Middle Schools 19
High Schools 16
Charter 6
Per-pupil expenditures $9,746
Atlanta City Schools 404-802-3500
Elementary Schools 55
Middle Schools 16
High Schools 22
Charter 7
Non-Traditional 2
Per-pupil expenditures: $13,710
School & bus information: 404-753-9815
Avg. SAT Scores
Atlanta (City) 1285
Fulton Co. 1584
Georgia 1460
National 1509
pRivATE ScHOOlS
Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.
UTILITIES & CONTACTS
HOME SERvicES
Cobb Energy (Electricity, Security, Telephone and Satellite TV) 770-429-2222
ElEcTRiciTy
City of College Park 404-669-3772
City of East Point 404-270-7093
City of Fairburn 770-964-2244
City of Palmetto 770-463-3377
Georgia Power Company 404-395-7611
GreyStone Power Corp. 770-942-6576
Sawnee EMC 770-887-2363
GAS
Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit www.newcomeratlanta.com.
TElEpHONE
AT&T 888-436-8638
Outside Georgia 800-356-3094
WATER
Fulton County 404-730-6830
cAblE Tv
Charter Communications 877-728-3121 Comcast 404-266-2278
HOSpiTAlS
Atlanta Medical Center 404-265-4000 Center for the Visually Impaired 404-875-9011
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding 404-785-9500
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite 404-785-5252
Emory Crawford Long Hospital 404-686-2513
Fulton County Health Dept. 404-730-1211
Grady Memorial Hospital 404-616-4307
North Fulton Regional Hospital 770-751-2500
Northside Hospital 404-851-8000
Piedmont Hospital 404-605-5000
Shepherd Center 404-352-2020
South Fulton Medical Center 404-466-1170
St. Joseph’s Hospital 404-851-7001
Fulton County
At the center of the Metro Atlanta area is Fulton County. Bordered on the west by the Chattahoochee River and encompassing Interstates 85, 75, 285 and Ga. 400, Fulton County is at the hub of the area’s financial, transportation, retail, communications and cultural services. Most Fortune 500 corporations maintain national or regional facilities in the area; many are headquartered here, including Coca-Cola, Equifax, United Parcel Service, Home Depot, Delta Airlines and Turner Broadcasting System.
More than 3 million live and work in Fulton County. Older, innercity neighborhoods, such as Inman Park, Candler Park and trendy Virginia-Highland offer eclectic living amidst unique boutiques and restaurants. Midtown is at the heart of the city’s cultural life, home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art, Alliance Theatre and the historic Fox Theatre. Many outdoor festivals are held at Piedmont Park.
According to the Census Bureau, the median value of homes in 2006 was $270,000. Homes in the millions can be found in such affluent neighborhoods as Buckhead, Sandy Springs and Alpharetta.
Neighborhoods
Buckhead
Buckhead is also the epicenter for the city’s entertainment and dining industries. With more than 200 restaurants,
Sales tax: 7%, Atlanta City: 8% chamber of commerce
Considered Atlanta’s “silk stocking district,” Buckhead is “where old money lives and new money parties,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With its one-of-a-kind Georgian and Neoclassical mansions and uniquely styled homes from the 1950s and 1960s, Buckhead is a favorite locale among architecture and history buffs. It is home to the Governor’s Mansion, the historic Swan House and the Atlanta History Center.
www.newcomeratlanta.com
Greater North Fulton 770-993-8806, www.gnfcc.com Metro Atlanta 404-880-9000, www.metroatlantachamber.com South Fulton 770-964-1984, www.sfcoc.org
property Taxes
The property tax rate per $1,000 is: $30.49 for the City of Atlanta; $28.03 for incorporated Fulton County; $33.69 for unincorporated South Fulton and $31.90 for unincorporated North Fulton County County. Tax Commissioner: 404-730-6100
Alpharetta
Once a small farming community, Alpharetta has boomed within the last 20 years to become one of At-
lanta’s most affluent neighborhoods. Homes range from elegant subdivisions to those with acreage. The Country Club of the South is a planned community home to several sports stars, high profile executives and celebrities. A successful combination of old and new, Alpharetta has become a haven for singles, families and professionals wanting a bit of country living with all the amenities that city dwelling offers. While many residents shop at nearby Northpoint Mall and Gwinnett Mall, many still enjoy the old stores on Main Street— a visit to the Alpharetta Soda Shoppe is a special treat N
For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com
Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development.
Downtown Atlanta skyline
Gwinnett County
Originally part of Georgia’s Native American territory, Gwinnett County was created by the State Legislature in 1818 and named after Button Gwinnett, the third signer of the Declaration of Independence and a former state governor.
While the county was once largely rural with small towns, country stores, farms and forests, today it is home to more than 245 international companies and 450 high-tech firms. With an average of 260 new professional and industrial companies relocating to the county each year, attracting more than 6,000 new jobs, Gwinnett County remains in the top 10 ranking for growth nationwide. The county supports many cultural events, restaurants and shopping opportunities, including the Mall of Georgia.
QUICK INFO
COUNTY INFORMATION
Some of Duluth’s neighborhoods include Edgewater Estates, Sweet Bottom Plantation, and Riverbrooke. Affluent estates with antebellum architecture can be found as well as apartment communities, older brick, ranch-style homes and subdivisions. Duluth still retains some of its original small-town businesses, along with chain businesses, many accessible by Ga. 400 and I-85.
Suwanee
Suwanee is named after the Shawnee Indians who settled here in the latter part of the 18th century. Following the official founding of the city in 1837, Suwanee became a railroad stop along the Southern Railroad route. It remained a small country town well into the ’70s when construction of I-85 and U.S. 23 brought easy access to the region.
Gwinnett County 770-232-3000, www.gwinnettchamber.org
property Taxes
Gwinnett County remains affordable for renters and first-time home buyers, many of whom find homes in the communities of Doraville, Lawrenceville and Snellville. The median value of homes in 2006, according to the Census Bureau, was $193,100.
Neighborhoods
Duluth
Amidst the pristine setting of Gwinnett County, Duluth has some of the most exclusive neighborhoods
The property tax in unincorporated Gwinnett County is $31.77 per $1,000 of assessed value. Tax Commissioner: 770-822-8800.
in Metro Atlanta and is home to some of the best golf courses and private tennis clubs. There are numerous parks for recreation and participatory sports, including Bunten Road Park and “Shorty” Howell Park. Two major malls, Gwinnett Place and Northpoint, are located near Duluth. The Southeastern Railway Museum, which preserves and operates old railroad equipment, is a must-see for any railroad aficionado.
Since then, Suwanee has experienced tremendous growth, from 2,000 residents in 1990 to more than 10,000 today. To help manage growth, the city has developed a comprehensive development plan that promotes pedestrian-oriented development and mixeduse zoning. Designated a Tree City USA for more than 10 years, the city is committed to preserving 27 percent of its land as green space.
Such foresight has allowed Suwanee to retain its old-fashioned charm while providing contemporary convenience. Only 35 miles from downtown Atlanta, Suwanee is close to big-city attractions, business districts and shopping. Many antique shops and historic structures, including several Victorian and regional farm-style homes, are located near downtown Suwanee. N
www.newcomeratlanta.com
Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
Mall of Georgia
COUNTY INFORMATION
EDUCATION
public ScHOOlS
Henry County Schools Board of Education 770-957-6601 Elementary Schools 29
Schools 12 High Schools 10 Alternative 1
Per-pupil expenditures $7,910 School & bus information 770-957-2025
Avg. SAT Score
Henry Co. 1410
Georgia 1460 National 1509
pRivATE ScHOOlS
Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county. ElEcTRiciTy
UTILITIES & CONTACTS
Central Georgia EMC 770-775-7857
Georgia Power 770-395-7611
Snapping Shoals EMC 770-786-3484
GAS
Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated. For a list of providers for this county, visit www.newcomeratlanta.com.
TElEpHONE
AT&T 888-436-8638
WATER
City of Hampton 770-946-4306
City of Stockbridge 770-389-7900
Henry County Water System 770-957-6659
Locust Grove 770-957-5043
McDonough 770-957-3915
cAblE Tv
Charter Communications 888-728-8121
Comcast 404-266-2278
HOSpiTAlS
Henry Medical Center 678-604-1000
Southern Regional Medical Center 770-991-8000
Sylvan Grove Hospital 770-775-7861
Neighborhoods
McDonough
town square
Henry County
Named after Patrick Henry, orator from the Revolutionary War, Henry County is one of 17 counties created from the Creek Indian land secessions. The county is known as the “Mother of Counties” because much of its land was taken to develop surrounding counties, including Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton.
QUICK INFO
Incorporated in 1823, McDonough was named after Commodore McDonough of the War of 1812 and is the county seat. Many historic structures with architecture dating back to the 1800s can be seen in and around McDonough’s town square. McDonough, in an effort to bring its residents a sense of community, created its Main Street Program, which revitalized its Main Street. Today, the street is not only home to intimate boutiques and family-friendly restaurants, it is also home to a variety of free community events throughout the year on the town square, including Music on the Square summer concerts, Santa on the Square at Christmas, classic car shows and chili cook-offs.
county www.co.henry.ga.us Neighborhoods www.cityofstockbridge.com Schools www.henry.K12.ga.us
Median household income: $63,395
Median age of residents: 32 Population: 191,502 Sales tax: 7%
Today Henry County is made up of the cities of McDonough, Stockbridge, Locust Grove and Hampton. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in Metro Atlanta with more than 198,000 residents. The county continues to flourish as a major industrial and retail center. Tanger Outlet Center in Locust Grove is a favorite attraction among Atlanta’s shoppers.
Henry County is known best, however, as the home of Atlanta Motor Speedway and Eagle’s Landing Country Club. Located in the county since 1959, the speedway attracts people from all over the state for its two annual NASCAR races. Eagle’s Landing in Stockbridge
chamber of commerce Henry County 770-957-5786, www.henrycounty.com
property Taxes
The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is $37.51 for unincorporated Henry County. Tax Commissioner: 770-288-8180
hosts the LPGA Chick-fil-A Charity Championship.
With the county’s rich resources and convenience to I-75, housing has continued at a steady growth with such planned developments as Heron Bay Golf & Country Club and Crown Ridge cropping up everywhere. The median value of homes in 2008 was $150,189, making Henry County a very affordable place to live.
Stockbridge
Host of the LPGA Chick-fil-A Charity Championship each year in April, Stockbridge is a golfer’s paradise. Eagle’s Landing, the community surrounding the 18-hole Eagle’s Landing golf course, is home to some of the most beautiful and exclusive neighborhoods south of Atlanta. The 51,000-square-foot, plantation-style clubhouse on the property exemplifies Georgian charm. Home prices range from the hundredthousands to the millions.
Incorporated in 1920, Stockbridge began as a settlement in 1829 and celebrates its heritage each May with Ole’ Stockbridge Days. N
For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com
McDonough’s
upcomingEVENTS
Theater & Concerts
Concerts by the Springs, Sandy Springs
War in Our Backyards, Atlanta History Center
The Wiggles, Cobb Energy Centre
RSVP now for the biggest birthday bash of the year—the Wiggles Big Birthday! Sing along with your favorite Wiggle and dance along in the aisles; it’s encouraged! Portions of ticket sales will benefit Reach Out and Read, a charity that encourages families to read together. Cobb Energy Centre, July 12, 2:30 and 6:30 p.m., 1-800-7453000 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Martha Speaks, Center for Puppetry Arts
PHOTO: Courtesy Atlanta History Center
Based on Susan Meddaugh’s book series about a dog named Martha who gains the power to speak, Martha Speaks is a lively rod puppet show by Paul Mesner Puppets of Kansas City, MO. Center for Puppetry Arts, July 19-31, www.puppet.org.
Grandaddy’s Watch, Booth Western Art Museum
Sandy Springs’ celebrated outdoor concert series, Concerts by the Springs, continues its 15th annual season with concerts from Banks & Shane, Haywire, and The Breakfast Club. Concerts are free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to arrive early to snag the best spot. Table seating for six is also available for a fee. Sandy Springs’ Heritage Green, June 5, July 10 and August 7, www.heritagesandysprings.org.
Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival, Fox Theatre
This summer, come see a movie at the only theater in town offering an organ show --featuring Mighty Mo-- and vintage cartoon before the main attraction. The Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival returns to Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre with a mix of current blockbusters and cinema classics, including The Social Network, True Grit, Rango and To Kill a Mockingbird. Fox Theatre, June 9, 10 and 11, 404-881-2100 or www.foxtheatre.org.
Luther’s Mountain, Booth Western Art Museum
Enjoy dinner and live entertainment by Luther’s Mountain, a bluegrass and gospel band, at Cartersville’s Booth Western Art Museum. Held in the museum’s ballroom, it’s sure to be a night of great food and music. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers; cash bar. Booth Western Art Museum, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m., www.boothmuseum.org.
See the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra perform your favorite orchestral and choral selections of both classical and popular music. Concerts are free to the public and start at 7:30 p.m.; the Green is also the perfect spot for a pre-concert picnic. Downtown Duluth, June 17 and July 15, www.duluthga.net.
Rock of Ages, Fox Theatre
With a soundtrack featuring the very best of the ‘80s, Rock of Ages tells the arena-rock love story of a small-town girl’s whirlwind romance with a big city rocker. Die-hard Journey, REO Speedwagon, Asia, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake and Styx fans, get your tickets now. Fox Theatre, July 5-10, 1-800-745-3000, www.rockofagesmusical.com or www.foxtheatre.org.
PHOTO: Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources
tonwillow Church Civil War Dinner Theatre’s Grandaddy’s Watch, which highlights common misconceptions about the Civil War. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the performance fol-
Enjoy dinner and a live performance of Butlows at 7 p.m. Booth Western Art Museum, July 21, 7 p.m., www.boothmuseum.org.
Cirque de la Symphonie, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
Combining the breathtaking aerial gymnastics of Cirque du Soleil with the world-class accompaniment of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Cirque de la Symphonie promises to be an awe-inspiring spectacle of movement and music. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, July 30, 8 p.m., 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org
Exhibits & Events
Modern by Design, High Museum of Art
Modern by Design features almost 150 works by more than 120 artists chronicling the 20th century modernism movement. Pieces ranging from furniture and product design to glass and ceramics will be displayed, as well as a companion installation featuring the High’s growing contemporary design collection. High Museum of Art, June 4-August 21, www.high.org.
Rockfest, Tellus
With vendors selling minerals, gems, jewelry and fossils and educational activities for kids, Rockfest 2011 has something for every member of the family. Try your hand at dinosaur Bingo or decorate your own reusable bag. Tellus Science Museum, June 11, and June 12, 770-606-5700 or www.tellusmuseum.org.
Basic Canoe Clinic, Panola Mountain State Park
Turtle Tours, Heritage Sandy Springs
The perfect activity for children ages 2-5 and their parents, “Turtle Tours” teaches children important history lessons through crafts, hands-on exhibits and stories. Sandy the chipmunk and Spring the turtle will tackle tools and community helpers. Tours last 30 minutes and are free, but donations are encouraged. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum, June 11 and July 9, www.heritagesandysprings.org.
Atlanta Fest 2011, Stone Mountain Park
Returning for its 25th year of music and ministry is Atlanta Fest 2011, the South’s premier Christian music festival. This year’s artists include Switchfoot, MercyMe, David Crowder Band and Casting Crowns. Also appearing speakers Scott Dawson and David Nassar. Stone Mountain Park, June 15-18, 1-800-965-9324, www.atlantafest.com.
My Princess, Medieval Times
For daughters who dream of being princesses and fathers who dream of making their daughters happy, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament offers My Princess Daddy Daughter Date Night, a ticket upgrade package that includes special pre- and post-show activities. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, June 17, 7:30 p.m., www.medievaltimes.com.
Father’s Day Nightcrawler, Zoo Atlanta
Celebrate Father’s Day the Zoo Atlanta way with After Dark Family Nightcrawler, the only sleepover in the city where you ensure a healthy wetland habitat for alligators, turtles and more. Take exclusive tours, participate in hands-on activities and have breakfast on the zoo the next morning. Children must be 6 or older. Zoo Atlanta, June 18, www.zooatlanta.org.
Toast @ Town Center, Suwanee
On the fourth Thursday of each month, Suwanee’s Town Center transforms from city mainfare to a bustling street festival featuring special deals, entertainment and in-store events from area merchants. Suwanee Town Center, June 23 and July 28, 6 to 10 p.m., www.suwanee.com.
Basic Canoe Clinic, Panola Mountain State Park
Held on Stockbridge’s scenic Alexander Lake, this basic canoe clinic teaches adventurers how to safely use a canoe. This clinic is taught by a certified park ranger, and participants must register in advance. Panola Mountain State Park, June 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 770-389-7801, www.georgiastateparks.org.
War in Our Backyards, Atlanta History Center
Take a historical look at the Civil War’s impact on modern Atlanta through War in Backyards: Discovering Atlanta, 1861-1865, which uses period sources, eyewitness accounts and the latest interactive technology to unearth hidden reminders of the Civil War via 3D maps. Atlanta History Center, through October 1, 404-814-4000, www.atlantahistorycenter.com.
Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival, Fox Theatre
PHOTO: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
The Monastery of the Holy Spirit
A Peaceful Retreat
by Margaret Tate
The sign that marks the entrance to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit near Conyers, Georgia, approximately 30 miles east of Atlanta, is modestly small, considering that this community of Cistercian monks is one of Rockdale County’s largest tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 70,000 visitors a year.
Utilizing the 2,000-acre wooded tract of land on which the Monastery is located, the monks have provided for themselves since the monastery was founded in 1944 by a group of monks who came from Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. In the early years, they sold hay and beef cattle. Today, they grow bonsai trees and make fudge and fruitcake to sell in the Abbey Store, which also offers food from other monasteries, along with religious-themed books and art. The monks have a small stained-glass operation, and they also have a Retreat House that can accommodate groups and individuals for rest, reflection and renewal.
“It’s other-worldly here,” says Brother Callistus, who serves as spokesperson for the Monastery. “It’s a curiosity for people. When you have a place where people live a life totally dedicated to the worship of God, an environment is created around them with certain qualities like silence and solitude, green space, conservation, nature. These qualities draw not only the curious, but also those who want to partake of some of those elements, some of that peace that’s almost palatable.”
Brother Callistus recommends allotting at least an hour for a leisurely tour of the Monastery, but he says many people make a day of it, bringing a picnic and enjoying walking trails. Many visitors come specifically to see the Monastery’s historic church, which the founding monks built themselves, and are invited to worship and pray with the monks in this awe-inspiring Norman-Gothic cathedral. Groups are encouraged to make reservations.
The Monastery is open to visitors year-round, but the best times to visit are in the spring and fall. The Web site for The Monastery of the Holy Spirit provides directions and a schedule of events, which mainly revolve around worship, with special concerts from time to time.
“The Monastery is not the typical type of place where you come for activities,” Brother Callistus emphasizes. “It’s more of a learning experience for people, something that came right out of the history books and medieval days.” For more information, call 770-483-8705 or visit www.trappist.net. N
