…..Two slaw dogs, Onion Rings, and a fountain Coke for me….

  After 45 years at the North Atlanta (Buckhead) location, a Varsity Junior closed on Sunday, August 22^nd.  Plans for a newly constructed restaurant and playground for the children could not be agreed upon by the City of Atlanta, so the location has been changed to Dawsonville and is slated to open before Christmas 2010.

   Community minded,  Junior League member, Susan Gordy, ran this location for many years.  She is credited for starting a very successful catering business  for The Varsity.  Hot Dogs and paper hats can be found at Real Estate Tuesday Caravans as well as wedding receptions….all over the Southeast. And it wasn’t unusual to see her behind the wheel of one of the catering vans, going down Lavista Road….

   Five other locations are still available, including the original Midtown location , credited as the World’s Largest Drive-In Diner, opened around 1929.

   But for many, the closing of the location just off Cheshire Bridge and Lindbergh is like saying “Good-bye” to an old friend….but I guess we should revise that to “See Ya Later”…..at another location soon….

    The Georgia Dome, the Centennial Olympic Park, and the World Congress Convention Center produce one of the largest entertainment, sports, as well as convention centers in the world.  There are over 1.5 million square feet of space found at the World Congress Center alone.

    Events to mention taking place in Atlanta include ING Marathon and Half Marathon and the International Auto Show at the World Congress Enter. The marathon took in neighborhoods such as: Sweet Auburn, Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Five Points, Piedmont Park, and Virginia-Highlands, as well as Georgia Tech campus and the Olympic Centennial Park.  18,000 participants from around the world took to the streets on Sunday morning, March 21.

      The 28th Annual Altanta International Auto Show held at the World Congress Center from March 19th to 28th.   27 manufacturers were represented with their  latest models and prototypes.  Antique cars, the collectible and the curious(?) was also displayed. Test drives were offered and fun was had by all.  A quote for a trade in was available, too, of course…

     The following are some of the sights to take in at the car show….enjoy.

STAY POSTED FOR UPCOMING EVENTS IN ATLANTA…..

     For first time buyers, in order to get the $8,000 tax credit, a property must be under contract by April 30th, 2010 and close by July 31, 2010.

     And for present home owners, the same dates apply to get a $6,000 tax credit to buy an additional property, and DO NOT have to sell their existing home.  This would give opportunity to be a landlord or have a secondary home. The home owner, though, must occupy the newly purchased home.

     For more questions about the Plan or other real estate needs, call the John and Lance Team of Prudential Georgia Realty today.  (404-272-3210)

(The above is believed to be true, but not guaranteed.)

       And what about this weather?  Three inches of snow here in Atlanta four weeks ago, temperature in the low sixties last week, and possible more rain and snow tommorrow(today).  What are your thoughts on global warming?

       Watching the Olympics brings back some great memories of the ’96 Olympics in Atlanta.  What a shot in the arm to this great city. Since the Olympics, the population has doubled and real estate has boomed…up to the “Fall” of 2008.  This city has felt the crunch, but not as much as most cities….And Corporations still continue to move into Atlanta: NCR (out of Daytona, Ohio) and Newell Rubber Maid (out of Wisconsin) to name a few.

       We, the John and Lance Team,remain hopeful for an early Spring market with residential  real estate.  We’ve already had one closing the first week of February and are looking for many more throughout the year.  Remember, when you list with us and Prudential Georgia Realty, your listing goes on over five hundred websites.  Even if you are not planning on moving, we certainly appreciate referrals to any of your family, neighbors and friends.

    Take in year round mountain views for our cabin, located on a ridge just minutes from Blue Ridge.  Lots of sights, antique shops, and restaurants in town, as well as lakes, streams and rivers. Or ride the train from Blue Ridge to McCaysville, round trip. 

   Get back to nature at Mtn. Peek ….and stay two nights and get the third night free…(see link on Mtn Cabin Rental).

Mountain Peek Cabin

    There are a few things to remember when composting….keep out any meat and meat by-products……and try to keep out oils, as well.

   Many folks “do-it-yourself” with a compost pile in their backyard…but there are several state-of-the-art systems that you can purchase at your local hardware store or gardening center. (See link on Composting supplies.)

   And for those of you who live in apartment and condo buildings….you might consider donating your compost materials to places such as Return to Eden…(see link on Organic market.)

    So…get those compost piles good and ready for the Spring….and keep in mind that that banana peel that you’re about to throw out would be great around your rose bush outside….Roses love potassium!

   Have a great day and  THINK GREEN!

….locally, nationally, and globally. 

  Ecology is one topic that has placed a high priority, currently.  Many people are doing their part to be “proactive” rather than “reactive” to the conditions and supplies of not so unlimited natural resources on our planet.  Buying Biodegradeable products, joining local Recycling programs, and consciously “leaving a smaller footprint” are a few of the many ways that folks are helping out.

   We recently joined in the recycling program in Dekalb County and have fun seperating the paper products from the plastic and metal products.  It’s amazing what little is left to take out to the curb as “trash”!  And a percentage of that can be added to a compost pile for the yard and garden (i.e. banana peels, potato skins, etc.)

  Check out what Dekalb county has in place with their program at:

www.co.dekalb.ga.us/publicwrks/sanitation.htm

Or Google the county that you live in and find out what recycling services are available.

What are you doing about it?  Suggestions, stories, and comments are welcome….

John and Lance