Lynn Pugh from Cane Creek Organic Farm from North Fulton on Vimeo.
Cane Creek Farm, a 17 acre organic farm in Cumming, is offering a class for families to learn how to farm a 16-square-foot bed by planting, maintaining, and harvesting the crops. The selection of fruits and vegetables to be planted will be decided on by each individual family under guidance from the farm staff.
Cane Creek Farm uses sustainable farming practices without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The Plant a Family Garden class will meet on May 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. and class members will have access to their family plot on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the growing season.
For a $50 fee per family, everything is included, providing an opportunity for the youngest to the oldest to garden together. The participants will be given instruction on soil development, plant selection, maintenance, and harvesting.
Lynn Pugh, who owns and operates Cane Creek Farm, is a former educator who wants children to be an integral part of the future of farming.
"I love to see the look on a child's face when they are able to eat something they grew themselves," said Pugh. "I believe it strengthens the entire family to farm together."
There are a limited number of family beds available, so please enroll your family in the Plant a Family Garden class today. Register by mailing a check for $50 to Cane Creek Farm, Plant a Family Garden, 5110 Jekyll Road, Cumming, Ga 30040.
Please provide names and ages of all family members to be included in planting your family bed. For more information and to learn more about programs offered throughout the year at the farm, go to www.canecreekfarm.net.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Cumming organic farm offers class for families
Roswell in tough spot over Holcomb intersection plans
Roswell wants to move forward with Ga. Department of Transportation plans to improve traffic flow and safety at the city's busiest intersection -- Holcomb/Crossville Road at Ga. 9 -- but local business owners say they will be out of business if the GDOT design is carried out.
GDOT insists on putting a median that would run through the intersection north to south along Ga. 9. An east-west median already exists along Holcomb/Crossville Road. Business owners and mall operators at the intersection said the medians are the kiss of death for the stores that would be "walled off" by the two sets of medians.
The second median on Ga. 9 would effectively prevent any left turn out of the businesses and malls on the four corners of the intersection. The medians would also wall them off from traffic coming to them from the opposite side of the street.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Cyclists to race in Cumming for Georgia Cup
More than 400 cyclists will be riding in Cumming May 10-11 for the Georgia Cup Race, an event that is the nation's largest in the ProAm cycling series.
The weekend of bicycle racing will begin at Saturday at 8 a.m. for the Time Trial at the Cumming Fairgrounds. The 3.47-mile out and back features the rolling hills along Castleberry Road.
A 16-mile Road Race begins at Otwell Middle School at noon. The course follows Bettis Tribble Gap Road with power climbs and fast flats. A Circuit race will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Cumming Fairgrounds. Racers will make a four-corner circuit with two technical turns on a 1.1 mile course.
Registration is available beginning May 1 at 11:59 p.m. through Omnium Race Registration. On-site registration will be that Friday at Reality Bikes, in Tri County Plaza, Cumming.
- www.NorthFulton.com
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
NOW PLAYING: 'House' finally comes home
I really don't like network TV. Hate is too strong of a word here, but for the most part I don't think about it at all. It really irks me when you have shows like "Lost" that seem like more of an event than a show, where if you miss like 10 minutes of one episode you're screwed for the season. Then there's the people talking about it constantly, my God.
There's really only one show that is on my radar on the major networks, and finally (finally!) it's back with new episodes after that agonizing strike: "House." This show simply has the best character on TV, Hugh Laurie, playing the titular pill-popping, wise-cracking, genius doctor. It's probably not the best show on television given its formulaic nature – that honor probably goes to one of several contenders on HBO – but it is still excellent nonetheless.
Laurie is simply brilliant when he takes on his alter ego Gregory House. For starters, there's the voice.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Alpharetta budgets for high fuel costs
Alpharetta's last unleaded gas purchase cost the city $2.79 a gallon, and that was just a few weeks ago. So it really hasn't felt the pinch of higher gas prices. The city's Finance Department reports it has not made budget adjustments related to fuel costs.
We participate in that cooperative fueling center with Fulton County, the Board of Education and Roswell," said James Drinkard, assistant city administrator. "We're paying at a bulk rate for fuel. We're not paying the same rates that the average citizen is paying at the pump," he said.
The last bulk purchase was made March 24, at which time the city also paid $3.51 per gallon for diesel fuel. Alpharetta's Engineering/Public Works Department also has been working to improve route efficiencies as work crews respond to various job sites in the city.
"And that's been an ongoing project that they've been working on about a year now," Drinkard said. The efficiencies of time also net fuel savings, since the vehicles spend less time en route to work sites. He said the Public Safety and Public Works departments operate the largest numbers of vehicles in the city's fleet. Neither department needed to make any operational or budgetary changes resulting from rising fuel costs.
- www.NorthFulton.com
Monday, April 28, 2008
A transition year for the Tour de Georgia
After months of anticipation and hours of setting up the facilities that morning, Suwanee's participation in this year's Tour de Georgia was finished in a span of about 15 minutes.
Before throngs of fans, the riders bunched up near the starting gate anxiously awaiting the word to go. The gate went up and they were off to start stage 5. They made their way through Suwanee's Town Center Park, went north and looped back down Buford Highway a few minutes later to head south to McGinnis Ferry Road.
Then, the tour began packing up to make its way to the next starting point in Blairsville.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Alpharetta tightens scalping rules as concerts near
Scalpers beware: Alpharetta is changing its ordinances to match state law, which prohibits scalping near a venue. Visitors to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park probably won't see too many people asking them if they need tickets, the watch words of a scalper.
"Certainly we are not expecting a lot of problems," said City Attorney Sam Thomas. He said city officials don't necessarily expect to have to charge someone with a violation of the law, but it is needed on the books so they can deal with potential problems. Council also adjusted its open container and disorderly contuct ordinances to prepare for concerts. The change was part of several adjustments to the City Code made with the amphitheater in mind.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
2008 Tour de Georgia final results
Overall General Classification – FINAL RESULTS
1. SIVTSOV Kanstantin (BLR) High Road - 22.44'44"
2. LOWE Trent (AUS) Slipstream Chipotle - 22.44'48"
3. LEIPHEIMER Levi (USA) Astana - 22.44'58"
STAGE 7 official results
1. Gregory Henderson (NZL), High Road - 2.23'53"
2. J.J. Haedo (ARG), CSC - 2.23'53"
3. Andrew Pinfold (CAN) Symmetrics - 2.23'53
For complete stage results click here.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tressler announces candidacy for Forsyth County Commissioner
CUMMING - Julie Tressler announced April 25 that she will file a statement of organization next week to seek the Republican nomination for the office of County Commissioner in Forsyth County's Fifth District.
Incumbent Commissioner Linda Ledbetter, who currently represents Forsyth County's Fifth District, announced she will not be seeking reelection.
Tressler serves as the PTO president for Cumming Elementary, has been nominated for the 2008 Mentor of the Year award and has served as a coordinator for the Forsyth Fusion Soccer Club. She also helped guide the Forsyth County School System's SPLOST campaign in 2006.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Best place to buy a home? Alpharetta
ATLANTA -- According to a new article out this month on CNNMoney.com's "100 Best" series, Alpharetta was named one of six suburbs across the country in major metropolitan areas in which home prices are likely to rise the most and fall the least in the next 12 months; this was reported in the category of "Best Places to Buy a Home."
The six suburbs selected were also considered to be the "most recession-resistant."
The average home price in Alpharetta is $359,950. The story states frenzied home building in Alpharetta has been stalled, which should start to reduce the area's large supply of vacant housing and therefore propelling housing prices upward.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Johns Creek thanks Fulton Police
With the launch of the city's own police department at 12 a.m. Sunday, April 27, Johns Creek City Council members and Mayor Mike Bodker extended their thanks to the Fulton County Police Department, who have served the area for 33 years.
"For 33 years, the men and women of the Fulton County Police Department have faithfully protected the lives and property of the people who live and work in what is now the City of Johns Creek," Bodker said. "They have provided exemplary service and established a level of quality that sets the standard for law enforcement in this community. We owe them a great debt of gratitude."
Click here to read the rest of the article.
NOW PLAYING: What Scott's Listening To
Artist: My Morning Jacket
Song: Evil Urges
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
NOW PLAYING with Scott Sowers: Is professional cycling dead?
We're lucky here in Georgia. Aside from the great weather and generally friendly people, we're privy to perhaps the premiere competitive cycling event in the country, the Tour de Georgia. Since the first peloton emerged in 2003, this Tour has drawn thousands of people to come watch the world's premiere cyclists in one of the biggest tune-up races before the Grand Poobah of them all, the Tour de France.
But as we descend on Tour week and wait eagerly for it to make its way to our neck of the woods on Friday, I'm struck with the question, is professional cycling dead in this country?
Click here to read the rest of the column here.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Mike Evans resigns from Georgia DOT Board
Georgia Department of Transportation Board Chairman Mike Evans resigned from his position on the board April 17. The chairman cited an ongoing relationship with GDOT Commissioner Gena Abraham as his reason for quitting.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Movie Review: Nim's Island
Review by Lisa Miller
Though not without charm, "Nim's Island" is heavily influenced by latter-20th century family films relying on overly manufactured characters and emotions. Eleven-year-old Nim (Abigail Breslin) and her father Jack (Gerard Butler), are the happy residents of an uninhabited, volcanic island located somewhere in the South Pacific. Pleased to perform full time marine research far from the distractions of civilization, Jack is also in mourning. The film's introduction, a stylized graphic featuring Nim's parents, explains that when Nim was small, her oceanographer mother was swallowed by a blue whale -- at least that's how her father tells it.
Similar to many stories casting a child as the central character, Nim is obliged to grow up before her time. She cooks yummy dinners (with meal worms!), organizes the household and functions as her father's companion. But Nim's longing for childhood activities is expressed in her chatty friendships with island animals and by her fixation on the Indiana Jonesy adventures penned by Alex Rover. Quick as she can get her hands on Rover's latest tome, Nim hunkers down in bed to read, and is transported into the midst of Rover's swashbuckling adventures.
Click here to read the rest of the review at NorthFulton.com
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
moe. coming to Alpharetta's amphitheatre
moe. coming to Alpharetta's amphitheatre
A Buffalo, N.Y., band is the latest group to schedule a concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park. On Saturday, June 21 starting at 6:30 p.m., moe. and special guest Keller Williams will perform. Tickets for the moe. concert will go on sale Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets, at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone 404-249-6400.
The band, popular in Atlanta, was formed in 1991. Its latest album, Sticks and Stones, was released in January on Fatboy Records. Visit the band's Web site at www.moe.org, or www.vzwamp.com for more information.
The 12,000-seat amphitheatre is expected to hold approximately 55 events during its inaugural year including concerts, community events and movie nights. It is the outdoor home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
"What Scott's Listening To"
What I'm Listening To
Quadrophenia - The Who
Live Rust - Neil Young
A Ghost is Born - Wilco
Decoration Day - Drive-By Truckers
De Stijl - White Stripes
NOW PLAYING with Scott Sowers
The final bars of Luther Vandross' "One Shining Moment" are on TV meaning we're at the very precipice of the latest college basketball season. The victorious Kansas Jayhawks have finished cutting down the nets and now we're on to the late local news, followed by Letterman (I assume, that is, I never watch him).
Sigh.
It's the end of the greatest three week run in sports. Where the Cinderellas see how long they can stay at the ball, the pretenders are bounced out and the one true contender is crowned as the best of them all. College basketball's tournament involves more pageantry than almost any other sport in this country.
It's an event that truly brings the country together in the name of gambling, ducking out of work early to watch some games and getting caught up in the thrill of a potential buzzer beater sinking a powerhouse (like Davidson almost did against Kansas in the Elite Eight). Now we've got a little less than a year to wait it out until we can do it again.
But one thing that this year's Dance showed us was something that I've been saying for years: that the officiating in the ACC during the regular season is killing its better teams during the tournament. Duke is the prime example of this.
They have been accused ad nauseum of getting the benefit of the doubt more often than not. Their physical play during conference games on the defensive end does not get fouls called on them, while there is a propensity for them to head to the line when on offense.
And that doesn't make sense.
Click here for the rest of the column...
PHOTO GALLERY: Forsyth Teacher of the Year finalists
Suzy Besson-Martilotta of Chattahoochee Elementary was selected as the elementary school teacher of the year, Mark Fisher of Otwell Middle School was selected as the middle school teacher of the year and Vince Cardosa of Forsyth Central High School was selected as the high school teacher of the year. Photos by Logan Thomas
Click here to see the rest of the gallery.
Monday, April 7, 2008
"Men, It's Not Your Place To Tell Clinton To Quit the Race" by Connie Schultz
Someone tell me, please, how grown men in 2008 can believe it's their right -- their duty, even -- to tell a woman when she should rein in her ambition and go home.
Male columnists, male politicians, male talking heads, male "surrogates" -- all of them harrumphing that it's time for Hillary Clinton to stop it, just stop it, with all this talk of being president.
Who cares if the race is close? So what if millions of Americans believe their yet-to-be-cast votes matter? Voters, schmoters. When was this ever about them?
Hillary Clinton, they insist, must quit.
Well, boys, you'd better sit down for this one: This is no longer the playground of your youth. The girls aren't sitting in the stands keeping score and cheering whenever you're at bat. In fact, the girls aren't girls at all anymore. We're all grown up, and we are so done with this notion that the trajectory of our lives must end at the border of your comfort zone.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS COLUMN...
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Now Playing: Confessions of a former baseball hater
Well it's March and we're talking baseball. More astounding, I'm talking baseball. They did it. I can't believe it. I'm slowly turning into a baseball fan. I've been a lifelong non-fan of the sport, going out of my way to belittle it and bemoan its incessant coverage on TV and sports talk radio.
But here I am ready to declare myself as an Atlanta Braves fan.
I've always liked the Braves. Growing up in the South you have to have some sort of affinity for the team that could claim an entire region of the country as its fans. I enjoyed going to games from time to time when my family visited Atlanta, but I hardly ever got into them. People said I was crazy for being such a diehard sports fan, yet not a fan of baseball.
Then, something happened. Click here for full article.
What I'm listening to now:
The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley
Attack & Release - The Black Keys
Revolver - The Beatles
Accelerate - R.E.M.
Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs
