Newcomer Magazine Atlanta | August/September 2012

Relocation, Lifestyle & Living in Atlanta

August/September 2012

Atlanta’s Arts and Culture Exploring the City’s Best Theaters, Museums and Entertainment

Plus!

What a Bargain!

Family Fun That Won’t Break the Bank PARKS MUSEUMS PUPPET SHOWS HISTORIC SITES …and more!

Exploring Hall County

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Early Learning

Business, Education and Recreation

Building Creativity One Brick at a Time

Why a Head Start is Essential

™

August/September CONTENTS FEATURES Summer Fun on a Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Arts and Entertainment Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Exploring your new home doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Check out these family-friendly attractions that won’t strain your wallet.

Experts say a child’s education should begin as soon as possible. What to look for in an early learning facility.

Everything you need to know about Atlanta’s thriving cultural scene, from the best places to see a show to the top comedy clubs and more.

Early Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Travel Through Time in Statesboro . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Steeped in tradition with the energy of a college town, Statesboro is a charming mixture of old and new just three hours from Atlanta.

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In Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Relocation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

The inside scoop on news, events and happenings around Atlanta.

Homes and Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

A comprehensive guide to help you find your way before, during and after your move, including counties, neighborhoods, relocation tips, a map to metro Atlanta and much more.

With a bustling business community and small-town charm, Hall County presents an appealing alternative to big-city living.

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Neighborhood Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Get caught up on the best exhibitions, theatrical productions, special events and live music across the metro area.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gainesville offers affordable housing, plentiful recreation and proximity to Lake Lanier.

Hidden Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

School Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Atlanta International School prepares students for the future with a multilingual curriculum and a challenging approach to education.

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The brand-new LEGOLAND Discovery Center is an interactive playground filled with family fun and educational opportunities.

PHOTOS: (Far left) Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Ga. and (Far Right) © Brinkhoff/Mögenburg 2011 London Cast

DEPARTMENTS

We wish to thank all the people who made this publication possible through their valuable time and dedication. We graciously thank our advertisers for their support of Newcomer magazine. ­—PK publisher/president

Patrick Killam

pkillam@killampublishing.com editor

Kevin Forest Moreau editor@killampublishing.com marketing & promotions

Jeff Thompson publishing intern

Grace Reed contributing writers

Daniel Beauregard, Dawn Sloan Downes, Lindsay Oberst, Sheena Louise Roetman, Cady Schulman, Muriel Vega director of sales & marketing

Patrick Killam

pkillam@killampublishing.com account director

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advertising@killampublishing.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 770-992-0273 font: mawns handwriting

Scan this code to check out past issues of Newcomer.

Newcomer magazine, August/September 2012 Volume 16, Issue 3. Submissions, photography or ideas may be sent to Killam Publishing, Inc., 200 Market Place, Suite 230, Roswell, GA 30075. Submissions will not be returned unless otherwise requested and accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Newcomer magazine reserves the right to revise any necessary submissions. Reproduction in whole or in part of any elements of this publication are strictly prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. © 2012 Killam Publishing, Inc.

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inFOCUS n e w s b i tes fr om a ro un d AT LANTA

Celebrating Suwanee has come a long way since 1970, when the small agricultural-based town numbered some 615 residents. Now a bustling city of more than 16,000, this thriving Gwinnett County community celebrates its growth each year with the popular Suwanee Day festival. Join the free party on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Town Center Park for a day of arts and crafts exhibitors, children’s activities, food vendors, a 5K race, live music, fireworks and more. 770-945-8996, www.suwaneeday.com.

Good vs. Medieval

PHOTO: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Suwanee

PHOTO: Matt Hackney

The times, they are a-changin’. Medieval Times, the popular “dinner and a tournament” destination, is unveiling a brand-new show at its Atlanta Castle on July 19.

Nearly two years in the making, the live production promises all the things visitors love about the attraction: jousting, sword fights, horsemanship, falconry and a pulsepounding storyline set in the Middle Ages with a sweeping, cinematic score. Even the utensil-free meal has received an upgrade! For tickets, call 888-935-6878 or visit www.medievaltimes.com/atlanta.

Songs of the South Now in its tenth year, the Morris Museum of Art’s Southern Soul & Song concert series returns to Augusta this September with a roster of music legends and rising stars reflecting the museum’s mission to showcase the art and artists of the American South. This year’s performers include Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (Sept. 14), the Steep Canyon Rangers (above, Nov. 16) and Suzy Bogguss (Dec. 14). The series takes place at the historic Imperial Theatre through February 2013.

For more information, visit www.southernsoulandsong.org.

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Based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, the national touring production of the 2011 Tony Award-winning War Horse gallops into the Fabulous Fox Theatre on the heels of last year’s critically acclaimed Steven Spielberg film. The play follows Albert, an English lad who enlists in the military during World War I in search of his beloved horse, Joey. The play runs Sept. 25-30. For tickets and other information, call 800-278-4447 or visit www.broadwayinatlanta.com.

PHOTO: © Brinkhoff/Mögenburg 2011 London Cast

PHOTO: Courtesy of the Steep Canyon Rangers

What a Ride

infocus Expanding Educational Opportunities

PHOTO: Steve Gullick

PHOTO: Courtesy of Brandon Hall School

In the spirit of giving back to the community, Georgia’s Own Credit Union (www.georgiasown.org) awarded scholarships of $1,750 to Miles Martin and Mendez Dion Elder, Jr., participants in the L.E.A.D. Ambassadors program, at Turner Field in June. In other education news, Brandon Hall School (www.brandonhall.org) recently announced a partnership with Shanghai World Foreign Language Middle School (below) that will allow students to achieve a dual diploma in both China and the U.S. Congratulations to all!

Turn up the Volume After a six-year absence, Music Midtown, Atlanta’s premier music festival, returned in 2011 as a starstudded one-day event. The response was so overwhelming that this year’s festival has expanded to two days, with a lineup of heavy hitters that includes Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters (pictured), Florence + the Machine, the Avett Brothers, T.I., Ludacris, Garbage and Adam Ant, among others. Sept.

21 and 22 at the Meadow at Piedmont Park. www.musicmidtown.com.

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Summer Steals

and Deals!

Exploring Atlanta on a Budget

by Dawn Sloan Downes

You’re getting settled into your new home, school doesn’t start for a couple of weeks, and the kids are tired of opening boxes. In other words, it’s the perfect time to start exploring Atlanta. You’re probably still having a hard time laying your hands on that box of wedding photos, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the city’s best activities and attractions. And since your wallet is likely feeling the effects of the big move, we’ve concentrated on inexpensive options the whole family can enjoy, broken down by price point to help you stay within your budget as you see the sights.

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Fun for Free Centennial Olympic Park Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta’s tourist district, this historic spot is a great place to meet friends, people-watch, picnic, and let the kids splash in the Fountain of Rings. Synchronized water shows featuring a variety of family-friendly tunes are held daily at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. www.centennialpark.com.

The Park at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport

The Atlanta Botanical Garden.

The Center for Puppetry Arts.

The Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park.

PHOTOS: (Top to Bottom) Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Ga.; Courtesy of the Atlanta Botanical Garden; Courtesy of the Center for Puppetry Arts; © 2012, Kevin C. Rose/AtlantaPhotos.com.

The Sky Hike at Stone Mountain Park.

This hidden gem of a park combines two of childhood’s passions: watching planes take off and land while happily running about a playground that features swings, a climbing tower and slide, monkey bars, and cute airplane bouncers. A covered picnic pavilion provides a shady spot for lunch and a viewing stand provides kids and parents a great view of the runway. The airport also features two restaurants—the Downwind Restaurant and the aviation-themed 57th Fighter Group—with kid-friendly menus. www.pdkairport.org.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Enjoy Mother Nature while learning about this battlefield, home to some of the fiercest fighting of the Atlanta Campaign, one of the key battles of the Civil War. Take a self-guided cell phone tour of the battlefield and see cannon emplacements and other relics of the battle that raged from June 19 to July 2, 1864. The park also offers hiking on 18 miles of trails, as well as ample opportunities for bird and wildlife watching and photography. A museum also houses relics of the war and offers the opportunity to learn more about this key physical barrier that stood between the Federal army and its destruction of Atlanta. www.nps.gov/kemo.

$10 and Under Cochran Mill Nature Center Fifty heavily wooded acres of adventure await just 20 minutes south of Atlanta. For $3 per adult and $2 for children 3-12, families can hike and explore along forest trails, catching glimpses of birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. A trip around the pond or into the bog garden will offer fish, turtle and frog sightings, as well as a chance to see carnivorous plants up close. The center is also a rehabilitation facility for wounded wildlife and features a Birds of Prey center where visitors can observe hawks, owls and vultures. The center’s reptile exhibit is one of the largest in Georgia. www.cochranmillnaturecenter.org.

Piedmont Park Aquatic Center Keep cool on the cheap and enjoy a day of fun and giggles. The newly renovated swimming pool and aquatic center at Piedmont Park features a beach entry pool with a current channel for floating, spray fountains, lap lanes for serious swimmers, plus a concession stand. Admission is $4 for adults 17 and up, $2 for children 6 to 16, $1 for children under 6, and $2 for senior citizens 55 and up. www.piedmontpark.org.

Stone Mountain Park Bring your kids and their friends for a day of hiking and exploring on wooded trails. Identify local species in the songbird habitat, fish in Stone Mountain Lake, explore the Sky Hike and Geyser Towers adventure courses, bicycle around Robert E. Lee Drive, and end the day by taking in the Lasershow Spectacular. Admission is $10 per vehicle; note that additional attractions and events may cost extra. www.stonemountainpark.com. X www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 11

$20 and Under Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta Let your little ones’ imaginations run wild as they learn how the world around them works, learn where our food comes from, go exploring in the Big Adventure exhibit, dance and play with the Imaginators, and have such a great time they never even realize they’re having an educational experience.

Admission is $12.75 per person over 2 years. www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Center for Puppetry Arts Introduce your children to the magical art of

puppetry! Enjoy engaging performances that delight both children and adults, and visit the Center’s puppetry museum to view its permanent collection, which holds more than 1,000 puppets, as well as special exhibits celebrating a variety of puppetry styles, puppets from other cultures, and even Jim Henson and the Muppets.

A guided tour combo including a performance, create-a-puppet workshop, museum admission and tour, is $18. 50. www.puppet.org.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Explore elegant formal gardens, learn about native plant species, discover surprising art installations, frolic in the children’s garden and explore exotic flora from around the world at the Fuqua Orchid Center. Before you leave, take a break for lunch in the Sun in My Belly Cafe. Admission is $18.95 for adults 13 and up, $12.95 for children 3-12, and free to kids 2 and under. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

GONE WITH THE WIND COLLECTION

MONDAY-SATURDAY

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Closed Sunday

MARIETTA

GONE WITH THE WIND Original Gone With the Wind memorabilia on display from the private collection of Dr. Christopher Sullivan.

GIFT SHOP, FACILITY RENTALS ANNUAL EVENTS

770-794-5576 www.gwtwmarietta.com 12 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

PHOTO: Cobb Convention & Visitors Bureau

M U S E U M

Scarlett on the Square

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HOMES

AND

COMMUNITIES

Hall County An Oasis of Recreation, Education and Business

by Sheena Louise Roetman

Unwind at one of Chateau Elan’s three beautiful public golf courses.

Hall County has experienced tremendous growth over the last 12 years, gaining more than 40,000 residents between 2000 and 2010.

And it’s not hard to see why. Just an hour’s drive or less from Atlanta, Hall County boasts a wealth of natural attractions, a top-notch health care system and a thriving business community.

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ABOVE: Rent a boat or have fun on the beach at Lake Lanier.

CENTER: Brenau University.

Hall County is home to 70 parks, more than any other county in the United States, and boasts many recreational programs for kids and adults.

TOP PHOTO: © Lake Lanier

COMMUNITY LIVING One reason residents have flocked to this corner of Northeast Georgia is its affordability. According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, the median home value in Hall County was $175,200 between 2006 and 2010. And a CBS Moneywatch study released last year ranked the GainesvilleHall County area second among metro areas with the highest rates of home value appreciation, at 8.4 percent.

Another reason for the area’s popularity is its appealing mix of small-town charm and modern amenities. That’s especially true in Gainesville, the county seat since 1821. Its walkable, historic downtown is home to more than 50 small businesses, restaurants and shops, and regularly hosts festivals, art shows, farmer’s markets and concerts. Its Northeast Georgia Medical Center,

meanwhile, is nationally recognized for its cardiac care; the hospital was also named one of the top 100 in the country by Thomson Reuters in 2009.

In 2011, Gainesville was named one of the top 10 affordable places to retire by AARP Magazine, which made note of its inexpensive housing (average price: $141,800), 7 percent sales tax, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and other natural attractions.

“We’re surrounded by Lake Lanier,” says Mayor Danny Dunagan. “We’re in the foothills of the mountains, in close proximity to the airport and Atlanta. And the climate is outstanding.

Gainesville is large enough to give you everything you want in terms of shopping, medicine, the arts, activities for children, yet still small enough to have that small-town feel.”

Flowery Branch, another Hall County city on the shores of Lake Lanier, offers a similar experience. In the city’s downtown district, buildings dating back to the late 1800s and an historic train depot coexist with charming shops and restaurants. The chewing-gum company Wrigley maintains a plant here, and the Atlanta Falcons’ headquarters and training camp are based in the city as well.

Oakwood, home of Gainesville State College, and the town of Clermont are also located in Hall County. In addition, the county is home to parts of Braselton, Buford, and the communities of Gillsville and Lula.

PARKS AND RECREATION Lake Sidney Lanier, more commonly known as Lake Lanier, is one of Hall County’s biggest

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draws. Created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956, this 37,000-acre reservoir attracts more than 7.5 million people every year for boating, horseback riding, camping, hiking, zip-line courses and other recreational activities.

Many visitors head to the Lake Lanier Islands Resort, a 1,500-acre destination that offers golf, a spa and Lanier World, filled with restaurants, rides, a beach and a waterpark. Lake Lanier also hosts two of the largest freshwater marinas in the world: Holiday Marina in Buford and Aqualand Marina in Flowery Branch. Another attraction is Chateau Élan, a nationally known winery and resort that includes a spa, golf course, restaurants and homes.

The county is home to 70 parks, more than any other county in the United States, and boasts many recreational programs for kids and adults.

The Francis Meadows Aquatic Center includes both indoor and outdoor pools, a children’s spray area and splash pool, water slides and an indoor competitive pool. Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve is a 2,500-acre park with hiking,

horseback riding and biking trails, a wildlife garden, science center and other activities. And the Chattahoochee National Forest and Tallulah Gorge State Park are both within an hour’s drive.

EDUCATION AND BUSINESS Hall County is home to two of Georgia’s top school systems—the Hall County School System and the Gainesville charter school system—and six independent schools, most notably Riverside

Military Academy, one of the only allboys private military college preparatory schools left in the country.

The county is also home to Gainesville State College, Brenau University and Lanier Technical College.

And it’s only an hour west of the University of Georgia in Athens, as well as the many colleges and universities in metro Atlanta, including Georgia State University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and Agnes Scott College.

And all of those schools help attract many businesses looking for a well-educated workforce.

Asked to summarize the state of the economy in Hall County, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kit Dunlap says, “It’s doing very well,” driven by a strong manufacturing presence, with more than 300 companies turning out everything from textiles to automobiles to consumer goods.

More than 45 Fortune 500 companies have a presence in the area as well.

In 2010-2011, more than 1,400 new jobs were created in the county, which enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. X

PHOTO: Gainesville Tourism and Trade

continued on page 18

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With 225 stores, there’s something for everyone at the Mall of Georgia.

Dunlap points to several reasons for the county’s strong business presence.

“Obviously, being an hour away from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is important,” she says, noting that proximity to ports like Savannah and Charleston helps as well. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce works tirelessly to attract new business to the area, and maintains an existing-industry program attuned to the needs of the businesses it already has.

And residents looking to spend some of the money they make in Hall County aren’t lacking for shopping options: Gainesville’s Lakeshore Mall and the 225-store Mall of Georgia in Buford abound with choices.

Nearby, the Tanger Outlets in Commerce and North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall in Dawsonville also offer a wealth of selection.

Combining a peaceful quality of life with a quality education and healthcare and a thriving business scene, Hall County offers a retreat from the hassles of big-city living without sacrificing any of the conveniences or amenities.

Truly, there’s something for everyone.

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ESSENTIAL INFO Hall County Government www.hallcounty.org Hall County Schools www.hallco.org Hall County Parks and Leisure www.hallcounty.org/parks Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce www.ghcc.com City of Gainesville www.gainesville.org Gainesville City Schools www.gcssk12.net Gainesville State College www.gsc.edu Brenau University www.brenau.edu Lanier Technical College www.laniertech.edu City of Flowery Branch www.flowerybranchga.org Lake Lanier Islands Resort www.lakelanierislands.com Northeast Georgia Health System www.nghs.com Riverside Military Academy www.riversidemilitaryacademy.com

PHOTO: Courtesy of Mall of Georgia

This thriving business community enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in Georgia.

Artwork in this proof is for accuracy of content and general display. This proof is printed at a reduced resolution. Color, while representative of the final, is approximate, as is the size of the ad which may appear larger or smaller than in the final publication.

make changes and SEND ANOTHER PROOF. ove ad is OK to PUBLISH WITH CHANGES AS SHOWN. ove ad is OK to PUBLISH AS IS.

Signature: Date:

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neighborhood

spotlight Gainesville

by Muriel Vega

N Lake Lanier Islands Resort

Housing

Culinary Treats

Whether you’re looking to retire or start a new family, Gainesville offers a variety of housing options. Less than a year old, Latham Creek Manor offers homes starting in the $130s—with some of the ranch-style homes offering between 1- and 2-acre lots. With Brenau University and Gainesville State College nearby, rental options are plentiful. The Lenox Park Apartments (770287-1972) are close to all of the city schools and boast a clubhouse complete with a pool and charcoal grills. Another option is Park Creek Apartments (770-287-1414), a gated community near public transit.

Recess Southern Gastro Pub (678-450-0444) is a popular choice for dinner with an expansive menu. Atlas Pizza (770-531-1144) is a local favorite for pies, wings and sandwiches—make sure to try the White Pizza. Grab one of the delicious po’ boys at the Atlanta Seafood Market (770-287-8277) and take home some fresh seafood. Scott’s on the Square (770-536-1111) and Luna’s Restaurant and Piano Lounge (770-531-0848) offer fine dining in casual, comfortable settings.

Local Treasures

PHOTO: Gainesville Tourism and Trade

Park Creek Apartments

Browse the dozens of shops and restaurants in charming, historic Downtown Gainesville, tee up at the public Chattahoochee Golf Club (770-532-0066), or walk the Rock Creek Greenway, a 2-mile trail connecting downtown to Lake Lanier. The area’s natural attractions, including Lake Lanier and the Blue Ridge Mountains, draw outdoor enthusiasts year-round: Camp overnight and stretch out on a 40,000 square-foot beach looking out on the lake at River Forks Park (770-531-3952) or venture to Lake Lanier Islands Resort (770-945-8787) in nearby Buford for waterskiing, horseback riding and a water park, among other activities.

Chattahoochee Golf Course

Atlas Pizza

The Inside Track Gainesville is known as the “chicken capital of the world” for its thriving poultry industry. It is illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork inside city limits.

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Arts and Entertainment The Quinlan Visual Arts Center (770-5362575) exhibits local artists and offers art classes.

The Brenau University Galleries (www.brenau.edu) showcase works by students as well as national and international artists. The Georgia Mountains Center (770-534-8420) hosts concerts and other events. The downtown square hosts events like the Art in the Square festival (Sept. 15-16). Interactive Neighborhood for Kids (770-536-1900) is a hands-on children’s museum where children can role-play and climb aboard a real 1927 fire truck. The Beulah Rucker Museum and Education Center (404-4016589) highlights the efforts of Beulah Rucker Oliver to provide educational opportunities to the African-American youth of North Georgia. n PHOTO: Gainesville Tourism and Trade

PHOTO: Lake Lanier Islands Resort

estled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gainesville continues to attract new residents and businesses with affordable housing, plentiful recreation and proximity to Lake Lanier. Last year, Gainesville was named a top 10 affordable city for retirement by AARP Magazine and a top 15 “most fun and affordable” city by Bloomberg Businessweek.

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EDU C ATIO N

INS IG H T

Giving Your Child a

HEAD START The Importance of Early Education

by Daniel Beauregard

In decades past, it was common to leave a child at a day care or preschool and expect little more than that the staff keep him or her occupied while the parents were at work. But as educators learn more about what and how children learn in their first few years, early education has come to mean much more than simply dropping a child at a day care doorstep. X 22 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

M

any experts consider the early years, from birth to age 4, to be the most important developmental phase of a child’s life.

As a result, it’s vital that children begin their education as quickly as possible. Many early education facilities have standards to maintain, including a curriculum that grows more rigorous each year.

“We’re trying to help parents move away from this idea of day care and child care,” says Dr. Laura Johns, director of quality initiatives for Bright from the Start, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. “Every time you put your infant in an early care education program, it’s to stimulate their whole growth, and parents need to understand that the brain is developing at a rapid rate. In fact, we learn more between those ages than any other time in our lives.”

“I always say that we are only as strong as our infant care program, and the reason for that is that’s where it all happens,” says Landy Gonzales, executive director of The Goddard School on Windward Parkway in Alpharetta.

“That’s when we’re looking to make sure all the lights are on and the baby is growing according to plan.”

Education and early childhood experts say parents should start looking for an early care center as soon as they’re expecting, so they can get on the waiting list of a high-quality program. Many early care centers take children as young as six weeks, which is usually when parents are returning to work after maternity leave.

Stages of Development There are four stages of development children go through that both parents and educators should watch for. The curriculum of any quality early care or pre-K program should feature learning activities that correspond to these developmental stages.

Cognitive: Teachers read to children, sounding out the words and showing them objects to illustrate their meaning. For toddlers, teachers may engage in hands-on problem-solving activities, such as putting blocks through a cube sorter, asking open-ended questions or coaxing them along the way, which improves literacy and problem-solving skills.

TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM: Field trips are one of the most common forms of experiential learning. TOP RIGHT: Students at Brandon Hall School interact with their community through volunteer work.

We learn more between birth to age four than any other time in our lives.

Social: Facilitating a child’s social learning can be as simple as looking into his or her eyes and mirroring the emotions they’re experiencing. The teacher can engage directly with the child, eliciting a back-and-forth interaction between the child’s gestures and the teacher’s responses. With toddlers, this form of interaction may look different. At that age, the social domain of learning focuses more on teaching them how to get along with preschoolers and to take turns and positively engage with each other.

Emotional: Teachers give positive feedback to young children or toddlers and teach them words that validate their emotions: If a child or toddler is crying, teachers can help them

understand the words—such as sadness or loneliness—behind their feelings.

Physical: To encourage healthy living from an early age, teachers engage with their students in activities that hone fine motor skills and teach them how to use their fingers to develop writing skills. Toddlers engage in activities such as running outside, jumping and throwing balls to further develop motor skills.

Accreditation Although each program is different, many agencies, such as Georgia’s Bright from the Start or the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), support programs

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Mill Springs Academy

Success in School … Success in Life

M

ill Springs Academy, located on an 85-acre campus in the hills of Alpharetta, is an accredited college-preparatory school dedicated to the academic, physical and social growth of students who have not realized their full potential.

Mill Springs helps students of average to superior ability in grades 1-12 reach their potential by raising expectations, facilitating self-motivation, and providing the skills and instilling the values they need to succeed in life. Students in grades 4 through 12 are equipped with laptops to help them navigate today’s digital landscape. Small classes and an individualized curriculum enable them to capitalize on their strengths while learning compensatory strategies.

Mill Springs offers a range of college-preparatory and fine arts options, as well as college and fine arts placement support.

The school boasts a competitive sports program and an extended-day recreational program. Mill Springs Academy participates in the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program.

For more information, contact Mill Springs Academy at 770-360-1336 or visit www.millsprings.org.

with a rigorous curriculum and a list of definitive yardsticks, including ratings systems to make sure each program is highly maintained.

“We really put a huge effort on helping family child-care programs and center-based programs understand the components of quality education,” Johns says. “Each one should have intentional teaching practices, lesson planning and learning objectives for all age groups, infancy through preschool.”

Early care and pre-K facilities follow minimum state requirements, but both NAEYC and Bright from the Start take those one step further, ensuring parents get the best early education possible for their child, and remain well-informed along the way.

Bright from the Start oversees the licensing and inspection of approximately 6,000 child care centers throughout the state. This year it unveiled Quality Rated, a volunteer certification program open to any licensed child care center. Quality ratings are awarded to those schools that go beyond Georgia’s minimum licensing requirements.

Centers that receive Quality Rated certification or NAEYC’s accreditation adhere to such standards as a lower teacher-to-student ratio, higher credentials and qualifications for teachers, engaging parents in support and offering regular assessments, and supporting health, safety and physical activity.

But those aren’t the only rigorous accreditation programs available.

The Primrose Schools, with child care education centers open or in development in 21 states, are accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement or, here in the South, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), which also accredit public schools, independent schools and colleges.

Some centers, like The Goddard School, have their own quality assurance programs to ensure accountability. At each of Goddard’s locations, for example, the executive director is required to remain on-site.

“I review curriculum and work with my teachers in the classroom every single day, which really makes a big school seem so much smaller,” Gonzales says.

Enrolling a child in a safe, accredited facility as soon as possible is one of the most important things a parent can do to help that child develop fully, laying the foundation for a successful education.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FACILITY If you’ve got a child on the way or have just moved to the area, here are some things to keep in mind as you look for an early care center.

Talk with the teachers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Does the center employ qualified staff? Does it communicate regularly with the family about the child’s progress? Does the curriculum foster all areas of a child’s development?

Treat each visit like a job interview. Ask for references and speak with other parents whose children are enrolled. Remember, the center should be doing its best to court you, not the other way around.

Observe what goes on in the classroom. Speak with the teachers and children about what they do each day. Is the center a safe and healthy environment?

Show up unannounced. You should continue to do this throughout the early stages of your child’s education to make sure the center is up to your standards.

24 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

The Heiskell School

Come See What Other Families Have Discovered

The Heiskell School’s accelerated academic program and its focus on building Godly character have had a life-changing impact in the lives of children for more than 60 years.

INSPIRING STUDENTS WITH THE PASSION TO EXCEL We strive to help children reach their highest potential, while developing a life-long love of learning in a warm and nurturing environment where students matter most. p Private non-parochial Preschool, Elementary and Middle Grades p Challenging Hands On Academics p SACS, GAC and NAEYC accredited

Learn More, visit www.McGinnisWoods.org -C'INNIS &ERRY 2OAD !LPHARETTA '! p 770-664-7764

OPEN HOUSE /&! 6ķ 2$201 ĉĈķ ĊĈĉĊ Ĵ /&! 6ķ 1, "/ ĉđķ ĊĈĉĊ 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Campus Tour and Orientation Meeting

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3260 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305

ČĈČŖĊĎĊŖĊĊċċ Ĵ 444Ķ%"&0("))Ķ+"1 www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 25

PHOTOS: Billy Howard

schoolSPOTLIGHT

Atlanta International School Preparing Students for a Global World

by Cady Schulman

S

ince first opening its doors in 1985, the Atlanta International School has dedicated itself to providing an international approach to education similar to those found in other major cities throughout the world. With Atlanta continuing to welcome residents from other countries, and the ability to speak multiple languages growing in importance, the school’s focus on preparing children for life in a global world has never been timelier.

“A city, state, or region can’t exist in isolation,” says Headmaster Kevin Glass. “Ultimately, we’re competing in a global society. In order to be successful, it takes a special sort of mindset.” For a worldwide transportation hub such as Atlanta, he says, “to not have an international school that gets that and supports it … would be a disaster.” Half of the school’s student, teacher and parent population is international, he says, representing 95 nationalities.

The school offers instruction in three languages—French, German and Spanish—and students begin a dual-language program with their chosen language in primary school. Sixth- and seventh-graders are required to take Latin or Chinese courses, as well. By middle school, language and literature studies courses are conducted in the students’ second languages.

And with the opening of the school’s Early Learning Center, scheduled for August, 3- and 4- year-old students will begin the process of becoming immersed in a second language. This full-immersion method enables students to begin thinking in two languages at an early age. Research shows that learning and cognitive development are increased when students are exposed to a language-rich environment as early as possible.

“When you’re trying to problem solve or pick up a really difficult concept, our kids are able to use two completely different parts of their brain,

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and do this in two different languages subconsciously inside their heads,” says Glass. “Their chances of solving that problem or thinking about a subject more deeply are enhanced.”

Language isn’t the only focus at Atlanta International School. The institution is one of a handful of schools in the world to offer the International Baccalaureate program, which encourages the development of critical-thinking skills and an international perspective, to all its students. Glass describes the school’s approach as “thinking outside of the box from the youngest of ages and doing it in different languages.”

Atlanta International School also focuses on the arts, with programs in theater, visual arts and music. The secondary school boasts an Art, Science and Design Center, and the school seeks to concentrate higher-order braindevelopment thinking skills around innovation, science and engineering.

In its 26 years, Atlanta International School has grown from 51 students to 1,020. The school is now close to capacity, though Glass says it could likely hold 30-40 additional students in the next couple of years.

“Ultimately, the school has pretty much grown exponentially, reflecting Atlanta’s growth,” he says. “As Atlanta has grown and developed into a global hub, our school has grown and developed. I think the demand is only going to increase as people become increasingly aware of what it’s going to take to be competitive in a global society.” n

The Specifics Grades: 3K-12 Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Tuition: $19,080-$21,780 Location: Buckhead

Contact: 2890 N. Fulton Drive NE Atlanta, GA 30305 404-841-3840 Web: www.aischool.org

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“War Horse,” a Broadway in Atlanta production, is one of the many acclaimed national touring shows hosted by the Fox Theatre.

SHOW STOPPERS

Exploring Atlanta’s Arts & Entertainment Scene

As befits the crown jewel of the Southeast, Atlanta is a thriving hub of art, entertainment and culture. Whether you’re in the mood for a toe-tapping musical, a soul-stirring theatrical production or an enjoyable museum outing, the metro area is filled with options. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest players on Atlanta’s cultural landscape.

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PHOTO: © Brinkhoff/Mögenburg 2011 London Cast

By Kevin Forest Moreau

TOP: Spivey Hall, renowned for its acoustics, is one of Atlanta’s leading jazz and classical music venues.

CENTER: The Rialto Center for the Arts.

PHOTO: (Top) Courtesy of Spivey Hall

SEE A SHOW COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

TAKE IN A PLAY ALLIANCE THEATRE

This Northeast Atlanta facility, opened in 2007, boasts a 2,750-seat theater that serves as home to both the Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Opera. It also hosts touring shows like Young Frankenstein and presents concerts and comedy shows as well. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

Film Festival screens classic movies and recent blockbusters. www.foxtheatre.org.

FERST CENTER FOR THE ARTS

RIALTO CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Located on the Georgia Tech campus, this 1,159-seat space has been presenting theater, dance and comedy performances for 20 years.

Upcoming shows include Indecision 2012: The Daily Show Live! (Sept. 28) and jazz pianist Keiko Matsui (Oct. 5). www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu.

Georgia State University’s 833-seat venue in downtown Atlanta is known for showcasing leading national and international jazz and world music artists. The Center’s annual Rialto Series also presents dance and comedy shows as well as performances by the Georgia State School of Music. www.rialtocenter.org.

FOX THEATRE Constructed in the late 1920s, this 4,678-seat auditorium, with an interior resembling an Arabian courtyard looking up at a star-filled sky, hosts popular touring productions such as Jersey Boys and Peter Pan (courtesy of Broadway in Atlanta and Theater of the Stars, respectively), as well as concerts, dance performances and plays. Each summer, the Coca-Cola Summer

SPIVEY HALL Since 1991, this intimate, 400-seat space on the Clayton State University campus has established itself as one of the area’s leading venues for jazz and classical music. Spivey Hall is especially renowned for its acoustics, and has been hailed as one of the best performance venues in the nation. www.spiveyhall.org.

This Tony Award-winning institution is known for staging new and celebrated works. It also enjoys a reputation for launching Broadway shows and touring productions including The Color Purple and Sister Act. Earlier this year, it staged the world premiere of the musical Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a collaboration between Stephen King, John Mellencamp and Grammy Award-winning producer T-Bone Burnett. www.alliancetheatre.org.

ATLANTA SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Based in the New American Shakespeare Tavern in Midtown Atlanta, this troupe distinguishes itself with its quest for authenticity, presenting each play with an eye toward the creator’s original intent. Actors wear handmade period costumes, and all sound effects and music are created live, on period instruments. www.shakespearetavern.com.

GEORGIA SHAKESPEARE From its home in the Conant Performing Arts Center on the campus of Oglethorpe University, this 27-year-old company presents a mix-

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TOP: The Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker” is a holiday tradition. BOTTOM: (Left) Theatrical Outfit’s “A Wrinkle in Time”; (Right) The Atlanta Opera’s “La Boheme.”

THEATRICAL OUTFIT Founded in 1976, Theatrical Outfit produces classic and contemporary works that stimulate discussion and often address themes and ideas relevant to life in the American South. Recent works include C.S. Lewis On Stage, A Wrinkle in Time, Red and Freud’s Last Session. The company’s home, the Balzer Theater at Herren’s, is also the site of Herren’s, the first Atlanta restaurant to desegregate during the civil rights movement. www.theatricaloutfit.org.

EXPLORE THE PERFORMING ARTS ATLANTA BALLET The nation’s oldest professional dance company, the Atlanta Ballet strives to stage exciting, boundary-pushing works. The company’s 83rd season kicks off later this year with its signature performance, Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker, a holiday tradition. Other highlights include Dracula, Carmina Burana and Love Stories, which explores the concept of love through inventive choreography. www.atlantaballet.com.

ATLANTA OPERA For more than 30 years, this renowned company has drawn audiences from across the Southeast with memorable performances and some of the finest singers, conductors and designers in the nation and the world. Its 2012-2013 season

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includes Carmen, La Traviata and The Italian Girl in Algiers. www.atlantaopera.org.

ATLANTA SYMPHONY The Atlanta Symphony is hailed as one of America’s leading orchestras, known for its impresssive performances and Grammy Award-winning recordings. Led by music director Robert Spano, the ASO logs more than 200 concerts each year at Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Arts Center as well as other stages locally and across the globe.The symphony’s productions range from classic and contemporary works to concerts with pop and rock entertainers. Upcoming highlights include the music of ABBA (Aug. 4) and the kickoff of the symphony’s 68th season with acclaimed violinist Midori (Oct. 4-7). www.atlantasymphony.org.

PHOTOS: (Top) Charlie McCullers, Courtesy Atlanta Ballet, (Bottom Left) Josh Lamkin and (Bottom Right) Tim Wilkerson

ture of favorite and lesser-known works by the Bard in addition to thought-provoking plays by other artists. The company’s “Shakespeare in the Park” production, newly relocated to the Legacy Fountain in Piedmont Park, is a highlight of the season. www.gashakespeare.org.

The Atlanta History Center explores the city’s rich past.

DISCOVER NEW WORLDS ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER Located on a sprawling 33-acre complex in Buckhead, the Atlanta History Center aims to preserve the city’s rich past. Attractions include the elegant Swan House mansion, the Smith Family Farm, museums devoted to Atlanta history and the 1996 Olympics, and six lush gardens. The Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown, where the author wrote Gone With the Wind, is also part of the History Center. www.atlantahistorycenter.com.

BOOTH WESTERN ART MUSEUM The second-largest art museum in the state, this Cartersville attraction houses the nation’s largest permanent exhibition space for Western art.

Guests can explore historic and contemporary works as well as artwork from the Civil War, Western movie posters, presidential portraits and much more. www.boothmuseum.org.

GONE WITH THE WIND MUSEUM This fascinating museum on the historic Marietta Square is dedicated to both the world-famous novel and its classic movie adaptation. Highlights include several of Margaret Mitchell’s personal volumes of the book, as well continuted on page 32

FURTHER OUT These four arts attractions outside the metro Atlanta are worth the drive.

PHOTO: Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS Statesboro’s cultural heart includes a theater and an exhibit area, and hosts youth programs and special events throughout the year. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.

FOXFIRE MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER This Mountain City museum preserves and documents the different aspects of southern Appalachian culture. www.foxfire.org.

MORRIS MUSEUM OF ART This impressive Augusta museum is dedicated to the art and artists of the American South. www.themorris.org.

THE TELFAIR MUSEUMS The three museums that make up this Savannah institution display works from the 17th century through the present. www.telfair.org. www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 31

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

as movie posters, programs, conceptual art and other movie memorabilia, including the original honeymoon gown worn by Vivien Leigh. www.gwtwmarietta.com.

Part of the Woodruff Arts Center, which also includes the Alliance Theatre and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High has long enjoyed a reputation as the Southeast’s leading art museum. Current exhibits include Picturing New York/Picturing the South and Rising Up: Hale Woodruff’s Murals from Talladega College. www.high.org.

Established in 1992, the Fernbank Museum provides an entertaining and educational look at natural history. Permanent exhibits include A Walk Through Time in Georgia and Giants of the Mesozoic, which spotlights some of the world’s largest dinosaurs.

There’s also an IMAX theatre, with an ever-changing lineup of fascinating documentary films.

Weekly Martinis & IMAX events offer live music, food and cocktails in this one-of-a-kind setting. www.fernbankmuseum.org.

MICHAEL C. CARLOS MUSEUM

FERNBANK SCIENCE CENTER

HIGH MUSEUM OF ART

BRING THE FAMILY CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS For more than 30 years, this Midtown attraction has delighted kids of all ages with puppet workshops, puppet shows for different age groups, and a museum dedicated to this ancient and enduring art form—including special exhibits on the work of Jim Henson. www.puppet.org.

Not affiliated with the Fernbank Museum, the Science Center is a part of the DeKalb County school system. Highlights include the 65-acre Fernbank Forest, a rose garden, a planetarium and observatory, a large solar panel, a library, a meteorology and seismology lab, an aerospace education lab and a two-story exhibit hall filled with educational displays. www.fernbank.edu.

PHOTO: Kathryn Kolb/Courtesy of Center for Puppetry Arts

This museum on the Emory University campus houses the largest collection of ancient art in the Southeast, with objects from ancient Egypt, Nubia, Rome, Greece, Africa, Asia, the ancient Americas and other places, as well as works on paper from the Renaissance to today. The Carlos is also devoted to lectures, workshops, festivals and other educational programming. www.carlos.emory.edu.

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IMAGINE IT! THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA This downtown museum encourages creativity and learning with interactive attractions that allow toddlers and young children to explore a fun crawl space, play in a magical forest, work on a farm and steer a crane, among other adventures. www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

TELLUS SCIENCE MUSEUM At this 120,000 square-foot museum, budding scientists can stare into the jaws of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, pan for gems and explore 100 years of transportation technology. The museum also features a 120-seat planetarium and an observatory. www.tellusmuseum.org.

HAVE A LAUGH DAD’S GARAGE For almost 20 years, this theater company in the Inman Park neighborhood has staged original productions and improvisational comedy shows and workshops. www.dadsgarage.com.

LAUGHING SKULL LOUNGE This small space, connected to the Vortex Bar and Grill on Peachtree Street in Midtown, enjoys

the distinction of being the smallest comedy club in the nation. The intimate space attracts nationally recognized stand-up comedians, including Margaret Cho, Emo Philips and Paul F. Tompkins. www.laughingskulllounge.com.

INTERACTIVE ART

THE PUNCHLINE Billed as Atlanta’s premier comedy club, this Sandy Springs mainstay has hosted such names as Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Larry the Cable Guy. Upcoming events include Colin Quinn (Aug. 3-4) and Kevin Nealon (Sept. 28-29). www.punchline.com.

VILLAGE THEATRE A relative newcomer to Atlanta’s comedy scene, the Village Theatre has quickly become a favorite destination for improv and stand-up comedy since 2008. It also offers comedy workshops from its new performance space near downtown. www.villagecomedy.com.

WHOLE WORLD IMPROV THEATRE This award-winning Midtown institution is Atlanta’s best-known improv comedy troupe.

Whole World offers classes and workshops for adults and children, including a summer improv camp. www.wholeworldtheatre.com.

Just a half-hour north of Atlanta sits a one-of-a-kind public art project worth exploring. The 2012 Suwanee SculpTour is a walkable outdoor exhibit in and around downtown Suwanee, featuring 15 original sculptures made from steel, wood, bronze and aluminum and weighing in excess of a cumulative 4,600 pounds.

This award-winning interactive exhibit allows viewers to vote for their favorite piece to be added to the city’s permanent collection. An audio tour is available via podcast on iTunes. For more information, visit www.suwanee.com.

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Yesterday

& Today

LEFT: The Averitt Center for the Arts. ABOVE: Downtown Statesboro exudes a Southern, small-town charm.

The Past Comes Alive in Charming Statesboro Located in South Georgia, approximately 45 miles from Savannah and three hours from Atlanta, Statesboro is an alluring mixture of young and old. The only city to bear its name in the United States, it’s a vibrant center of art and culture. Steeped in tradition with the energy of a college town, it offers a great, budget-friendly getaway brimming with history and a strong dose of Southern charm.

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PHOTOS: Frank Fortune

By Muriel Vega

Gateway to History Statesboro’s historical ties run deep. Incorporated in 1803, it’s also home to Georgia Southern University, which was founded in 1906. More than 80 years ago, blues musician Blind Willie McTell sang “Statesboro Blues” on the steps of the Jaeckel Hotel; the song was later made famous by the Allman Brothers.

Today, the peaceful path that bears his name, the Blind Willie McTell Trail, offers a relaxing stroll through 7,415 square yards of manicured park lawns, picnic tables and original artwork created by university students. The trail runs from downtown’s Triangle Park to the university campus, allowing visitors to wander and enjoy the scenery without using city streets.

The aforementioned Jaeckel Hotel has its own stories to tell. Opened in 1905, it played host to such luminaries as Henry Ford and William Jennings Bryan. Today, the building serves as Statesboro’s City Hall. On the lawn in front, a historical marker commemorates Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s brief stop in Statesboro during his infamous “march to the sea.”

Visitors can look even further into the past at the Georgia Southern University Museum. The Hall of Natural History showcases a 78-million-year-old Mosasaur fossil skeleton, a 42-millionyear-old whale skeleton, a mastodon skull and other wonders. A second gallery rotates exhibits such as a look at the archaeology of a Civil War prison camp.

912-478-5444, www.georgiasouthern.edu/museum.

Arts and Attractions Looking for relaxation and recreation? Mill Creek Regional Park is a beautiful, sprawling 155-acre hub of activity, with more than 300 hardwood trees and a bounty of baseball, softball, soccer and football fields, two playgrounds and a 1.25-mile walking trail. www.bullochrec.com. The park is also home to Splash in the Boro, an extensive water park with water slides, a “river” for tubing, pools, areas for boogie-boarding and mat racing, children’s activities and a “Winter Dome” that offers swimming lessons, lap swimming and more. 912-489-3000, www.splashintheboro.com.

Observe eagles, pythons, reptiles and many other species up close at the Georgia Southern University Wildlife Education Center. Stretching across more than five acres, the center boasts a number of animal habitats and exhibits, self-guided nature walks and an amphitheater, among other features, as well as a 12-acre wetlands preserve. 912-478-0831, www.georgiasouthern.edu/wildlife.

Nearby, the Georgia Southern Botanical Garden offers nearly 11 acres of natural beauty, including native plants, a children’s vegetable garden and walking trails. 912-871-1149, www.georgiasouthern.edu/garden.

For the performing arts, look no further than the Averitt Center for

TOP: The Statesboro Farmers Market runs from April through November.

BOTTOM: (Left) The Georgia Southern Botanical Gardens; (Right) Splash in the Boro offers family fun.

the Arts, housed in two beautiful architectural landmarks—the former Bank of Statesboro, which closed its doors in 1932, and the onetime Georgia Theater, a movie house dating back to 1936. With three different galleries and juried exhibitions, the bustling center presents artist shows, touring productions of Broadway shows and other events throughout the year. 912-212-2787, www.averittcenterforthearts.org.

Downtown Main Street is home to local businesses and restaurants, as well as the Statesboro Farmers Market from April through November. Stop by Sugar Magnolia Bakery for some brunch on the weekends, including homemade biscuits and challah French toast.

912-764-2090, www.sugarmagnoliabakery.com. For dinner, the Beaver House Restaurant is a good choice and a local favorite. Located in an historic home attached to the distinctly Southern Beaver House Inn downtown, it serves a traditional Sunday dinner twice daily—and is reportedly haunted by friendly spirits. 912-764-2821, www.beaverhouseinn.com. X www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 35

Where to Stay Statesboro offers a variety of both historic bed and breakfasts and budget-friendly inns. Georgia’s Bed & Breakfast exudes the perfect blend of Southern Hospitality and elegance: Wake up in one of its four individually decorated guest rooms (all with private baths) to the delightful aromas of a complimentary home-cooked breakfast. 912-489-6330.

The Historic Statesboro Inn and Restaurant features two late 19thcentury homes, the Main Raines House and the Brannen House, both on the National Registry of Historic Places and modernized with free Wi-Fi and other conveniences. 912-489-8628, www.statesboroinn.com.

With or without its unique name, there’s no other city like Statesboro in all of Georgia … or anywhere else. Brimming with historical details while rooted firmly in the present, it offers so much to see, do and experience that you’ll never find yourself singing the blues.

PLANNING YOUR VISIT Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau 912-489-1869 www.visitstatesboroga.com

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport 912-964-0514 www.savannahairport.com American Eagle, Delta, United Airlines and US Airways

Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport 912-764-9083 Private aircraft

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Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.

Atlanta’s majestic skyline.

Suwanee’s Town Center.

PHOTOS: (Top and second from bottom) © 2010, Kevin C. Rose/AtlantaPhotos.com

SHARPSBURG

What you need to know before, during and after your move INDEX 38 42 Tips on Getting Started 40 44

Counties, Neighborhoods, Utilities, Hospitals, Education

51 Metro Atlanta Region Map 47

GETTING STARTED

HERE MARTA

TO

THERE 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.

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.

Car Tag

MARTA Rail Service

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 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 state-designated 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) 1-877694-2511, by dialing 511, or by visiting www.georgia-navigator.com.

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GETTING STARTED

Relocating

to a New City Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life—but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips to help you keep your sanity.

1 MAKE A LIST Do you need to find a mover?

Do you have everything you need to enroll your child in a new school? How will you transport the family pet?

2 DO YOUR HOMEWORK Learn which services (water, sanitation) are provided by the city.

Research parks, restaurants, theaters and other ways to spend your downtime. Bookmark online resources on schools and neighborhoods.

3 GET THE LAY OF THE LAND Spend a weekend driving to and from work, familiarizing yourself with major roads, highways and landmarks.

These tips were provided by the City of East Point.

East Point’s Economic Development Department is available to provide useful information and answer your relocation questions. 404-270-7057, www.eastpointcity.org.

NEED TO KNOW Voter Registration

U.S. citizens citizens at at least least 18 18 Registration applies to U.S. have up up to to 30 30 days days before before an an years of age. You have Register at at your your local local Voter Voter election to register. Register most public public libraries. libraries. Refer Refer Registration Office and most to the AT&T directory directory for forlocations, locations,orordownload downloada aregistration registrationform formatatwww.sos.georgia.gov. www.sos.georgia.gov.

Making a Phone Call All phone numbers in the metro Atlanta area include the area code plus the sevendigit number.

To make a phone call, dial one codes (404, (404, 770, 770, 678 678 and and 470) 470) of the four area codes number. In In general, general, 404 404 isis and the seven-digit number. areas and and 770 770 for for suburbs; suburbs; designated for intown areas area codes codes overlay overlay both both areas. areas. the 678 and 470 area can choose choose from from any any area area Cell phone subscribers can code when signing up for service.

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.

www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 39

COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION public schools Cherokee County Schools Board of Education 770-479-1871

Cherokee County QUICK INFO

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. Georgia National

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 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 ETC Communications 678-454-1212 TDS Telecom-Nelson Ball Ground 770-735-2000 Windstream

800-501-1754

Water Cherokee County Water Authority City of Ball Ground City of Canton City of Waleska

770-479-1813 770-735-2123 770-704-1500 770-479-2912

City of Woodstock

770-926-8852

Cable TV 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

Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development

1560 1460 1509

pRivate schools Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.

Sawnee EMC

County Neighborhoods

Schools

www.cherokeega.com www.canton-georgia.com www.woodstockga.gov www.cityofballground.com www.hollyspringsga.us www.cityofwaleska.com www.cherokee.k12.ga.us

Median household income: $63,518 Median age of residents: 34 Population: 210,529 Sales tax: 6% Chamber of Commerce 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

Cagle Dairy Farm, Canton

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,

40 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

Ridge Mountains and along the banks of the Etowah River, Canton is prime location for development.

Woodstock

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

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. N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com

www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 41

COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION

pUBLIC schools Cobb County Schools Board of Education 770-426-3300 Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Magnet Charter Special Per-pupil expenditures

770-422-3500

Elementary Schools 7 Middle Schools 1 High Schools 1 Sixth-Grade 1 Magnet 1 Per-pupil expenditures $9,061 School and bus information 678-594-8000 Avg. SAT Scores

Cobb Co. Marietta City Georgia National

1534 1514 1460 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 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 Cobb County Water Systems Marietta Water Powder Springs Water Smyrna Water

770-944-4300 770-423-1000 770-794-5100 770-943-8000 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

White Water

Cobb County

Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development

Marietta City Schools Board of Education

71 25 16 6 6 4 $8,816

Neighborhoods

Kennesaw

One of Family Circle magaCobb County came zine’s “Ten Best Towns for Famiinto being in 1832 when lies,” Kennesaw takes pride in its the state redistributed land small-town atmosphere and boasts County www.cobbcountyga.gov once part of the Cherokee abundant parks and green space, Neighborhoods www.austellga.org Nation. Named after Thomas exceptional recreational programs

www.mariettaga.gov Welch Cobb, the county and top-notch schools, includ www.ci.smyrna.ga.us experienced a devastating ing Kennesaw State University.

www.kennesaw-ga.gov setback during the Civil

www.cityofpowdersprings.org Kennesaw’s Historic Downtown War when most of it was features shopping, dining and atSchools www.cobb.k12.ga.us destroyed during the Battle tractions such as the Smithsonian www.marietta-city.org at Kennesaw Mountain. affiliated Southern Museum of Median household income: $65,123 Today, Cobb County, Civil War and Locomotive History, Median age of residents: 35 located north of Fulton the Smith-Gilbert Arboretum and Population: 698,158 County, is one of the fastnearby Kennesaw Mountain NaSales tax: 6% est-growing counties in the tional Battlefield Park.

Chamber of Commerce nation. With a diverse ecoCobb County nomic base that includes 770-980-2000, www.cobbchamber.org Rapidly defining what’s new jobs in the service, retail, Property Taxes and progressive in quality of life aerospace and technology The property tax is $28.75 per $1,000 of assessed and citizen services, Smyrna sectors, Cobb County offers value. Tax Commissioner: 770-980-2000 delivers an amazing sense of style a quality of life unsurpassed and love of life. The new Market in the Southeast. More than $770 million has been spent on apartments and condos near Cum- Village, home to fabulous restaurants, transportation improvements in re- berland Mall, secluded subdivisions bars and upscale shops and services, cent years, allowing residents easy in East Cobb and horse ranches in is the final piece of a master plan for access to Atlanta and the commer- the northwest corner of the county. success. Call it “Main Street USA” or cial districts of Vinings Overlook, The small towns of Marietta, Vin- “Disneyland,” but don’t overlook its Cumberland Parkway and the pres- ings, Smyrna and Austell still retain charm and ability to offer the best in tigious “Platinum Triangle” in the their Southern charm amidst urban fresh, trendy lifestyle options. N Galleria area. settings. According to the Census For more counties and neighborhood A variety of housing options ex- Bureau, the median value of homes information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com ist in Cobb County, including luxury in 2006 was $205,200.

42 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

QUICK INFO

Smyrna

COUNTY INFORMATION

DeKalb County

Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development

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.

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

Emory University

QUICK INFO County

www.co.dekalb.ga.us

DeKalb County prosNeighborhoods www.decaturga.com pers in part due to its ex- www.druidhills.org cellent transportation sys- www.dunwoodyga.org tem. Five major road ar- www.candlerpark.org teries traverse the county: www.stonemountaincity.org Interstates 20, 85, 285, Schools www.dekalb.k12.ga.us 675 and US Highway 78.

www.csdecatur.net Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is only six Median household income: $51,753 miles from DeKalb’s south- Median age of residents: 35 Population: 739,956 ern border and the DeKalb Sales tax: 7% Peachtree Airport, a general aviation field, is report- Chamber of Commerce DeKalb County ed to be the second busiest 404-378-8000, www.dekalbchamber.org airport in Georgia. DeKalb County is also a leader in Property Taxes the biomedical commu- The property tax rate is $41.50 per $1,000 for unincorporated DeKalb County. Tax Commissioner: nity with The Center for 404-298-4000 Disease Control headquartifs have been preserved, attracting tered there.

The median value of homes in unique shopping, entertainment and 2006, according to the Census Bu- dining that includes By Hand South, Square Roots, Eddie’s Attic, Waterreau, was $190,100.

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. N For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com

EDUCATION pUBLIC schools DeKalb County Schools Board of Education 678-676-1200 Elementary Schools 83 Middle Schools 20 High Schools 20 Per-pupil expenditures $9,896 School & bus information 678-676-1300 City Schools of Decatur Board of Education

404-370-4400

Early Learning 1 Elementary Schools 4 Middle Schools 1 High Schools 1 Per-pupil expenditures $13,444 School & bus information 404-370-8737 Avg. SAT Scores DeKalb Co. City of Decatur Georgia National

1334 1577 1460 1509

pRivate schools Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.

UTILITIES & CONTACTS Electricity Georgia Power

404-395-7611

Snapping Shoals EMC

770-786-3484

Walton EMC

770-972-2917

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

Bellsouth

404-780-2355 Water

DeKalb County Water System 770-621-7200 Cable TV Charter Communication

877-728-3121

Comcast Cablevision

404-266-2278

Hospitals Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston

404-785-6000

DeKalb Medical Center

404-501-1000

Emory University Hospital

404-712-2000

Piedmont Hospital and Medical Care Center

404-605-5000

www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 43

COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fayette County Schools Board of Education 770-460-3535

Avg. SAT Scores

Fayette Co. Georgia National

1550 1431 1483

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.

UTILITIES & CONTACTS HOME SERVICES ELECTRICITY Georgia Power Company 888-660-5890 Coweta-Fayette EMC 770-253-5626 GAS Georgia’s natural gas market is deregulated.

For a list of providers for this county, visit www.newcomeratlanta.com.

TELEPHONE AT&T Residential

888-757-6500

WATER Fayette County Water 770-461-1146 Comcast

CABLE TV 404-266-2278

HOSPITALS Fayette Care Clinic 770-719-4620 Piedmont Fayette Hospital 770-719-7000

Fayetteville

Old-fashioned community pride mingles with a progressive sensibility on the streets of historic downtown Fayetteville, where antique stores and boutiques sit side by side in refurbished buildings.

Boasting a population of approximately 16,000 residents, Fayetteville is home to the Fayette County Historic Society, Research Center and Museum. A haven for family fun, Dixieland Fun Park offers an assortment of activities for young and old alike. The HollidayDorsey-Fife Museum provides a fascinating link to the past thanks to its association with several historical figures, including Margaret Mitchell and "Doc" Holliday. The 1,500-seat Southern Ground Amphitheater attracts national touring acts with its annual summer concert series.

17 6 5 1 1 $8,359 770-460-3520 Photo: Courtesy of the City of Fayetteville

Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Alternative Open Campus Per-pupil expenditures School & bus information

Fayette County

Neighborhoods

Starr's Mill in Fayetteville

Located southwest of Atlanta, the land comprising Fayette County was ceded from the Creek Indian Nation in 1821, thus creating Georgia’s 49th county. The county seat, the city of Fayetteville, was established in 1823 and contains the oldest courthouse in the County www.fayettecounty.ga.gov state, built in 1825 and located Neighborhoods www.fayetteville-ga.gov The area now known as on Fayetteville’s historic town www.peachtree-city.org Peachtree City was originally square. Both the county and city Schools www.fcboe.org settled by Woodland Era were named for the Marquis de Indians several thousand LaFayette, who fought alongside Median household income: $82,216 Median age of residents: 42.4 years ago, and ceded to George Washington in the Population: 107,104 the Federal government Revolutionary War. Sales tax: 6% in 1821 by Chief William Author Margaret Mitchell Chamber of Commerce McIntosh, Jr. spent many summers at her 770-461-9983, www.fayettechamber.org Comprising some grandfather’s home in Fayette 12,000 acres, Peachtree County, which helped to inspire Property Taxes Per $1,000 of assessed value is: City was chartered in the locations in her novel Gone With Unincorporated Fayette County, $30.70; 1950s as a masterplanned the Wind.

Fayetteville, $31.64; community of five separate Today, the 199-square mile Peachtree City, $34.54. villages. Today, the area area is renowned as a thriving Tax Commissioner: 770-461-3611 is linked by a 90- mile economic center that features network of trails and golf numerous attractive incentives for businesses, including the 2,200From 1984 to 1994, Fayette cart paths connecting homes, acre Peachtree City Industrial Park, County was the fifth-fastest growing businesses, schools and parks. Gol carts, bicycles and walking are the which features its own Foreign Trade county in the U.S. Zone, which allows merchandise to Fayette County boasts several preferred modes of transportation enter from or exit to foreign countries golf courses and two amphitheaters, among its 35,000 residents, who without a formal U.S. Customs entry among other attractions serving a enjoy its wooded scenery and or payment of duties. In addition, family-oriented population of more wealth of parks, playgrounds and Fayette County maintains a rural, than 106,000 residents. Single-family recreational areas N . small-town allure, and has been housing in Fayette County ranges For more counties and neighborhood recognized as one of the nation’s from the $50,000s in moderateinformation, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com most attractive communities for income areas to more than $2 million corporate family relocation. in affluent neighborhoods.

44 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

QUICK INFO

Peachtree City

COUNTY INFORMATION

Fulton County

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fulton County Schools Board of Education 404-768-3600

Buckhead is also the epicenter for the city’s entertainment and dining industries.

With more than 200 restaurants, luxury hotels and nightspots, it has long been a young professional’s paradise. The area also offers numerous antique stores, art galleries and mall shopping at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.

Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Charter Per-pupil expenditures

Downtown Atlanta skyline

QUICK INFO

Neighborhoods

Buckhead

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.

County www.co.fulton.ga.us Neighborhoods www.alpharetta.ga.us www.buckhead.net www.virginiahighland.com www.eastpointcity.org www.collegeparkga.com www.hapeville.org www.ci.roswell.ga.us www.sandyspringsga.org Schools www.fultonschools.org www.atlanta.k12.ga.us Median household income: $57,586 Median age of residents: 35 Population: 963,676 Sales tax: 7%, Atlanta City: 8% Chamber of Commerce 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

Photo: Georgia Dept. of Economic Development.

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.

EDUCATION

one of Atlanta’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

Alpharetta

Once a small farming community, Alpharetta has greatly boomed within the last 20 years to become

For more counties and neighborhood information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com

58 19 16 6 $9,746

Atlanta City Schools

404-802-3500

Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Charter Non-Traditional Per-pupil expenditures: School & bus information:

55 16 22 7 2 $13,710 404-753-9815

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

Fulton County

WATER

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

www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 45

COUNTY INFORMATION EDUCATION pUBLIC schools Henry County Schools Board of Education 770-957-6601 Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Alternative Per-pupil expenditures School & bus information

Neighborhoods

29 12 10 1 $7,910 770-957-2025

Avg. SAT Score Henry Co. Georgia National

McDonough

1410 1460 1509

pRivate schools Visit our Web site at newcomeratlanta.com for a list of private schools in this county.

UTILITIES & CONTACTS Electricity 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.

McDonough’s town square

Henry County 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.

Named after Patrick Henry, orator from the Revolutionary War, Henry County is one of 17 County www.co.henry.ga.us counties created from the Creek Neighborhoods www.cityofstockbridge.com Indian land secessions. The Schools www.henry.K12.ga.us county is known as the “Mother Median household income: $63,395 Host of the LPGA of Counties” because much of Median age of residents: 32 Chick-fil-A Charity Chamits land was taken to develop Population: 191,502 pionship each year in April, surrounding counties, including Sales tax: 7% Stockbridge is a golfer’s parFulton, DeKalb and Clayton.

Chamber of Commerce adise. Eagle’s Landing, the Today Henry County is Henry County community surrounding made up of the cities of 770-957-5786, www.henrycounty.com the 18-hole Eagle’s LandMcDonough, Stockbridge, ing golf course, is home to Locust Grove and Hampton.

Property Taxes some of the most beautiful It is one of the fastest-growing The property tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value is $37.51 for unincorporated Henry County. and exclusive neighborcounties in Metro Atlanta with Tax Commissioner: 770-288-8180 hoods south of Atlanta. The more than 198,000 residents.

51,000-square-foot, plantaThe county continues to flourish as a major industrial and retail hosts the LPGA Chick-fil-A Char- tion-style clubhouse on the property exemplifies Georgian charm. Home center. Tanger Outlet Center in ity Championship.

Locust Grove is a favorite attraction With the county’s rich resources prices range from the hundredamong Atlanta’s shoppers. and convenience to I-75, housing thousands to the millions.

Incorporated in 1920, StockHenry County is known best, has continued at a steady growth however, as the home of Atlanta Mo- with such planned developments bridge began as a settlement in tor Speedway and Eagle’s Landing as Heron Bay Golf & Country 1829 and celebrates its heriCountry Club. Located in the county Club and Crown Ridge cropping tage each May with Ole’ Stocksince 1959, the speedway attracts up everywhere. The median value bridge Days. N people from all over the state for of homes in 2008 was $150,189, For more counties and neighborhood its two annual NASCAR races. making Henry County a very information, visit our Web site at www.newcomeratlanta.com Eagle’s Landing in Stockbridge affordable place to live.

Stockbridge

AT&T

Telephone 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

46 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

METRO ATLANTA

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www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 47

upcomingEVENTS

The Art of War, Atlanta Cyclorama Internationally known artist Kara Walker discusses the challenges, themes and inspirations of her work. Aug. 10, 404-658-7625, www.atlantacyclorama.org.

Slavery, The Civil War, and African American Mental Health, Atlanta Cyclorama

PHOTO: Courtesy of Callaway Gardens

Dr. Joy Degruy discusses her book, “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing.” Aug. 24, 404-658-7625,

Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, Callaway Gardens

www.atlantacyclorama.org.

American Legacy: Our National Parks, Booth Western Art Museum View 100 paintings of some of the nation’s most beautiful national parks, painted by artists on location at each park. Through Aug. 26, 770-387-1300, www.boothmuseum.org.

Decatur Book Festival, Decatur Square The nation’s largest independent book festival celebrates its seventh year with more than 300 authors participating in readings, talks, panel discussions and book signings. Aug. 31-Sept. 2,

Theater & Concerts

The Indigo Girls, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Peter Pan, Fox Theatre

404-876-5859, www.concertsinthegarden.org.

www.decaturbookfestival.com.

Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby reprises her signature role as the boy who refuses to grow up in this magical Theater of the Stars production.

Exhibits & Events

Dragon*Con, Downtown Atlanta

Aug. 7-12, 855-285-8499, www.theaterofthestars.com.

The Addams Family, Fox Theatre Revisit old friends Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Wednesday and Pugsley in this lively musical based on the enduring characters you know and love from television and film.

Aug. 14-19, 855-285-8499, www.theaterofthestars.com.

The Grass Roots, Southern Ground Amphitheater

The Grammy Award-winning duo, who began their career in Decatur, perform. Sept. 14,

.

Night at the Museum IV, Tellus Science Museum This fascinating Cartersville museum comes alive with actors portraying scientists, authors and adventurers—both real and fictional. All children receive a free autograph book to collect signatures from some of the biggest names in science and science fiction. Aug. 4, 770-606-5700, www.tellusmuseum.org.

The Southeast’s largest science-fiction, fantasy and pop-culture convention returns, spread out over five hotels in downtown Atlanta. Featured guests include more than 250 authors, artists, actors, illustrators and musicians. There are also vendors, panel discussions and more. Aug. 31-Sept. 3, www.dragoncon.org.

Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival, Callaway Gardens

The latest incarnation of the classic rock band responsible for such hits as “Midnight Confessions” and “Let’s Live for Today” performs. Aug.

Close out the summer with a breathtaking display of balloons in flight on Saturday and Sunday.

Round out the weekend with a farmers market, exhibits, entertainment, a car show, demonstrations and more. Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 800-225-5292,

18, 770-719-4173, www.southerngroundamp.com.

www.callawaygardens.com.

The King and I, Fox Theatre

Picturing New York/Picturing the South, High Museum of Art

A British governess is brought to the court of Siam to tutor the children of the king in this enchanting love story featuring such classic songs as “Getting to Know You” and “Shall We Dance.”

This exhibit pairs nearly 150 photos of New York from the Museum of Modern Art with additions to the High’s “Picturing the South” series, featuring new commissions from photographers Martin Parr, Kael Alford, and Shane Lavalette. Through

Sept. 5-11, 855-285-8499, www.theaterofthestars.com.

Sept. 2, 404-733-5000, www.high.org.

The popular high-energy band led by Banks Burgess and Paul Shane for almost 40 years wraps up the 16th edition of the “Concerts by the Springs” free outdoor music series. Sept. 9, 404-851-9111,

Superior Plumbing North Georgia State Fair, Jim R. Miller Park

www.heritagesandysprings.org.

The Indigo Girls, Atlanta Botanical Garden

48 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

PHOTO: Jeremy Cowart

Banks & Shane, Heritage Green

The largest fair in metro Atlanta returns for an 80th year with concerts from Newsboys, Steve

Holy and Sara Evans, among others. Other attractions include horse shows, an Atlanta puppet show, alligators, a BMX bike stunt show, a petting zoo and more than 40 amusement rides and games. Sept. 20-30, 770-423-1330, www.northgeorgiastatefair.com.

Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, Richard B. Russell Regional Airport This inaugural air show features high-flying fun from the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the Black Diamond Jet Team, OTTO the Helicopter, hangglider Dan Buchanan and comedy stunt flyer Kent Pietsch. The event also features a barbecue classic and auto show. Sept. 28-30,

The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm, Imagine It! The Children’s Museum This Scholastic exhibit takes children into the world of weather with three interactive environments that explore how weather is created, experienced and measured. Oct. 6-Jan. 27, 2013, 404-659-5437, www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Enjoy more than 70 specialty beers at this third annual event, which also features great food Ages 21 and up only. www.hssbeerfest.com.

For the third year, this market supports and promotes local farmers, home growers and purveyors of foods prepared with local products. Through

Sandy Springs Festival, Sept. 22-23

October, www.cityofpowdersprings.org.

days of great food and live entertainment.

Foxfire Mountaineer Festival, Rabun County Civic Center

Get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the world’s first and most famous 24-hour news network.

Watch the CNN newsroom in action and have your picture taken while reading the day’s news.

Ongoing, 404-827-2300, www.cnn.com/tour.

nature event has drawn thousands for two

ists’ market, a collector car show and a business and civic expo. www.sandyspringsfestival.com.

Elegant Elf Marketplace, Nov. 9-10 Browse among unique products and gifts from more than 60 international artists and

Suwanee SculpTour, Suwanee Downtown Suwanee’s walkable outdoor exhibit of original sculptures returns for a second year, featuring 15 all-new sculptures created by 11 artists, representing Georgia and five other states.

Ongoing, www.suwanee.com.

For more than 25 years, Sandy Springs’ sig-

Highlights include 5K and 10K races, an art-

Inside CNN Studio Tour, CNN Center

Oct. 6, 706-746-5828, www.foxfiremountaineer.org.

Heritage Sandy Springs Beer Fest, Aug. 11 from area restaurants and live entertainment.

Powder Springs Farmers Market, Downtown Powder Springs

www.wingsovernorthgeorgia.com.

Have an old-fashioned good time at this event filled with exhibits and demonstrations of different aspects of southern Appalachian culture such as woodworking, broom-making, pottery, folk art painting, blacksmithing and more. The festival also features a raffle and live auction, food, live bluessgrass and gospel music, and events including archery, three-legged races and sack races.

Sandy Springs Event Calendar

vendors in a festive “winter wonderland” setting. The event also includes holiday decorating demonstrations and a “Breakfast with the Elves” on Saturday morning. www.sandyspringssociety.org.

www.newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 49

hiddenATLANTA

LEGOLAND O Discovery Center

ne of Atlanta’s newest family-friendly attractions, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a dream come true for adults and children alike—a dream constructed out of more than 2 million colorful LEGO bricks. Opened in March of this year, this 35,000-square foot space at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead is an interactive playground that sparks kids’ creativity at every turn, and offers a little education along the way.

Designed for children ages 3 through 10, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center is filled with wonders like the 4D Cinema, which lets viewers become part of the story unfolding onscreen as they experience bursts of wind, rain, snow and even lightning. At the Build

by Lindsay Oberst and Test zone, kids create their own vehicles and test them on a speed track, while at the Earthquake Tables, they construct towering buildings and then stand back and watch as the plates shift, testing the strength of their creations.

Little visitors can also perform on the karaoke stage at LEGO Friends, see how these beloved bricks are made in the LEGO factory, and participate in adventure areas like Kingdom Quest, Merlin’s Apprentice and the LEGO Fire Academy.

Adults will appreciate the educational benefits of the center, which offers school trips that get students excited about using math and introduce them to basic concepts of physics and engineering. Grown-ups will also get a kick out of MINILAND, featuring miniature versions of such local landmarks as the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Stone Mountain, the Margaret Mitchell House and Centennial Olympic Park. And the second Thursday of each month brings Adult Night, allowing visitors without children to check out the attraction and participate in building challenges with the center’s Model Builders.

The staff recommends two to three hours to take everything in, but you might want to budget a little extra time to hit the on-site café—and the LEGOLAND shop, bursting with more than 900 products including the latest LEGO sets. Of course, no matter how long your visit, your little ones will be shouting “When are we coming back?” before you’ve even left.

For hours, ticket prices and other information about LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta, call 404-848-9252 or visit www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/atlanta.

50 | Newcomer Magazine | www.newcomeratlanta.com

PHOTOS: (Left) Ben Evans/Photo Images by Ben and (right) LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Building Creativity and Family Fun