Atlanta At Home

Atlanta Lingo

Are you new to the Atlanta area, perhaps just visiting for the weekend, or planning to relocate here?  Be sure to learn the local lingo before visiting!

Y’all: This word is used to mean “You all” or “you guys”.

The Big Chicken: This large steel chicken (56 feet tall!) is located at the corner of Highway 120 and U.S. 41 in Marietta, Georgia.  This is used as a landmark for giving directions.

The Connector: The interstate that runs through downtown Atlanta.  This is created by the merging of I-85 and I-75.

The Hooch: The Chattahoochee River.  The Hooch provides power and water to North Georgia.  It is also used for recreation and you may also hear, “Shoot The Hooch” meaning to raft down the Chattahoochee River.

The Dome: The Dome is located in downtown Atlanta and is host to multiple sports events including the Atlanta Falcons and The Atlanta Force.

The Ted: This is the nickname for Turner Field, home to the Atlanta Braves. The stadium is named after Ted Turner the previous owner.

King and Queen Buildings: These two office towers are located in the Perimeter area and are aptly named for their architectural crowns.

Perimeter: Interstate 285.

Spaghetti Junction: These are the bridges that connect I-85 and I-285.  They are named this because of the layers of loops and bridges that cross.

Underground Atlanta: A shopping area located in and below downtown Atlanta.  Known for shopping and restaurants.

The Varsity: A restaurant serves world famous hot dogs. The Varsity was built in 1928 and is known for it’s saying, “Whadda Have?” You don’t want to miss their Orange Dream drink!

You can visit our webpage, www.AtlantaAtHome.com and visit the “Community Links” page to see many of the attractions mentioned in this post! 

Atlanta Utility Provider Guide

Natural Gas

Georgia Natural Gas

            888-442-7489

            GeorgiaNaturalGas.com

SCANA Energy

            877-467-2262

            Goscana.com

Electricity

Cobb EMC

            770-429-2100

            Cobbemc.com

Georgia EMC

            800-544-4362

            Georgiaemc.com

Greystone Power Co.

            770-942-6576

            Greystonepower.com

Jackson EMC

            706-367-5281

            Jacksonemc.com

Suwanee EMC

            770-887-2363

            Suwanee.com

Phone Service

ACN Energy

            800-348-6496

            Acnenergy.com

AT&T

            800-222-0300

            Att.com

Birch Telecom

            866-347-3843

            Birch.com/athome

Comcast

            404-COMCAST

            Comcast.com

MCI/Verizon

            877-777-6271

            Consumer.mci.com

Vonage

            800-980-1455

            Vonage.com

Cellular Phones

AT&T

            866-816-5873

            Att.com/wireless

MetroPCS

            888-863-8768

            Metropcs.com

Nextel

            800-639-8359

            Nextel.com

Sprint PCS

            800-480-4727

            Sprintpcs.com

T-Mobile

            800-866-2453

            Tmobile.com

Verizon Wireless

            800-256-4646

            Verizonwireless.com

Television

Adelphia

            888-683-1000

            Adelphia.net

Charter Communications

            800-955-7766

            Charter.com

Comcast

            404-COMCAST

            Comcast.com

Dish Network

            800-333-3474

            Dishnetwork.com

Tips To Make Your Move Smooth and Efficient

Eight Weeks Prior To Move Date:

• Plan your move between Thursday and Sunday.  Moving companies rates are generally lower and they have greater availability
• Get estimates from different moving companies and compare prices
• When requesting pricing quotes base them on weight rather than volume
• Read the fine print in your contract with a moving company.  There may be additional charges if you exceed certain limits like volume or box count

Six to Four Weeks Prior To Move Date:

• Obtain more boxes than you feel you need.  Boxes are available through moving companies such as U-Haul or at office supply stores.
• Ensure you have packing tape, bubble wrap, unprinted newspaper or packing paper, thick black markers for labeling boxes, and scissors.

Three Weeks Prior To Move Date:

• Ensure all boxes are packed by the room and labeled appropriately.
• You can use your linens and bath towels to help you pack your fragile items
• Fill any empty spaces in boxes with packing paper to ensure nothing will be broken
• Ensure that you leave out items like toiletries, medications, and important documents and checkbooks when packing

Two to One Week Prior To Move Date:

• Make arrangements for care of pets and children on move date
• Defrost your refrigerator
• Keep an inventory of each box.  It helps to number each box per room
• Ensure that your utilities are scheduled to be canceled on your closing date and the utilities at your new home are scheduled to be on
• Ensure that the moving company has your correct delivery address, your cell phone number, and you have the moving company's phone number

Moving Day

• Ensure that both yourself and the moving company has your inventory list
• Once the moving company has placed all belongings check the inventory list once more to ensure all items were delivered.
• Unpack one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed

Atlanta’s Must-See Attractions

I have a few relatives that are coming down to visit from out of the area and will have the opportunity to spend a few days in our wonderful city next week.  I wanted to put together a list of fun attractions for them and their family to take a look at while they are here.  It suddenly occurred to me that this is the perfect list for those who are visiting our city, or even those native Atlanta residents to just haven’t gotten around to visiting a few of these attractions!

The Georgia Aquarium

            225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

            GeorgiaAquarium.org

Why do we love the Georgia Aquarium?  It is the world’s largest fish tank!  Located in Atlanta, over 100,000 animals call the aquarium home including the giant whale shark!  There is plenty to see and do for the whole family!

The CNN Center

            One CNN Center, Centennial Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

            

Why do we love the CNN Center?  Have you ever wanted to see how the weather is broadcast or see how the news anchors know just what to say?  The CNN center tour allows visitors to play the role of the weatherman, see the news anchors in action, and much more!

The New World of Coca-Cola

            121 Baker Street, Atlanta, GA 30313

            Woccatlanta.com

Why do we love The New World Of Coca-Cola?  You can sample what Coke tastes like in Japan, or all over the world for that matter!  Come explore the past, present, and future of the nationally known brand of soda.  See advertisements and other Coca Cola memorabilia!  It’s adjacent to The Georgia Aquarium so come thirsty after looking at all those fish!

Underground Atlanta

            Peachtree Street

            Underground-atlanta.com

Why do we love Underground Atlanta?  It is a shopping, dining, and entertainment paradise!  Don’t worry guys, it is also a wealth of history, too! This historic area was originally built under concrete overpasses of the 1920s.

Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park

            Highway 78, Exit 8—Gwinnett County

            Stonemountainpark.com

Why do we love Stone Mountain Park?  Aside from being the world’s largest exposed mass of granite, Stone Mountain Park is a super fun filled park for even the pickiest family member.  Where else can you hike, fish, boat, play, ride a train, shop, eat, and even catch one of the most unique laser shows on earth? Come out for the day or just a few hours…you will have a great time!  Check out Stone Mountain Park in the winter for a day on the slopes with artificial snow!

Fernbank Museum Of Natural History

            767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

            Fernbank.edu/museum

Why do we love Fernbank?  Fernbank is one of the nation’s foremost museums of natural history.  Come visit the dinosaur fossils (a huge T-Rex lives here!) or one of their many exhibits.

The Fox Theatre

            660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

            Foxtheatre.org

Why do we love The Fox? Aside from catching some neat concerts and musical plays here we have to marvel at the architecture of this building. The theatre was built in 1929 to simulate a Moorish palace.  Don’t forget to look up at the night sky painted on this beautiful theatre—you feel like you are sitting under a night’s sky waiting for a magic carpet ride.

High Museum Of Art

            1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

            High.org

Why do we love The High?  This museum highlights European and American art.  Be sure to look for the special exhibits being hosted periodically. The High also hosts a jazz music night one Friday per month where you can walk through the museum and listen to the soulful sounds of Jazz music.

Zoo Atlanta

            800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

            Zooatlanta.org

Why do we love Zoo Atlanta?  We love it because you can ride Zoo Express train, see the baby panda- Mei Lan, a baby joey in his mother’s pouch, and all of the lions, tigers, and bears—oh my!  Get down to the zoo today!

Yellow River Wildlife Game Ranch

            4525 Highway 78, Lilburn, Ga 30047—Gwinnett County

            Yellowrivergameranch.com

Why do we love The Yellow River Game Ranch?  Who doesn’t love this 24 acre natural habitat petting zoo?  It’s like getting to see a deer in its home and actually touch and feed it.  Sounds a little “outdoorsy” to you?  Don’t worry—if Tonia loves it, you will too!

Light-Hearted Atlanta Humor

This email came across my desk this morning.  It is perfect for all of those who will be relocating to the area or just the good old native Atlantans out there.

Atlanta is composed mostly of one-way streets. The only way to get out of downtown Atlanta is to turn around and start over when you reach Greenville, South Carolina .

All directions start with, "Go down Peachtree" and include the phrase, "When you see the Waffle House. " Except that in Cobb County, where all directions begin with, "Go to the Big Chicken."

Peachtree Street has no beginning and no end and is not to be confused with:

    > Peachtree Circle

    > Peachtree Place

    > Peachtree Lane

    > Peachtree Road

    > Peachtree Parkway

    > Peachtree Run

    > Peachtree Terrace

    > Peachtree Avenue

    > Peachtree Commons

    > Peachtree Battle

    > Peachtree Corners

    > New Peachtree

    > Old Peachtree

    > West Peachtree

    > Peachtree-Dunwoody

    > Peachtree-Chamblee

    > Peachtree Industrial Boulevard

Atlantans only know their way to work and their way home. If you ask anyone for directions, they will always send you down Peachtree.

Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola. Coke's all they drink there so don't ask for any other soft drink unless it's made by Coca-Cola. Even if you want something other than a Coca-Cola, it's still called Coke.

The gates at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport are about 32 miles away from the Main Concourse, so wear sneakers and pack a lunch.

The 8 am rush hour is from 6:30 to 10:30 AM.
The 5 pm rush hour is from 3:00 to 7:30 PM. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday afternoon and lasts through 2 am Saturday.

Only a native of Atlanta can pronounce Ponce De Leon Avenue, so do not attempt the Spanish pronunciation. People will simply tilt their heads to the right and stare at you. The Atlanta pronunciation is "pawntz duh LEE-awn."  And yes, they have a street named simply, "Boulevard."

The falling of one raindrop causes all drivers to immediately forget all traffic rules. If a single snowflake falls, the city is paralyzed for three days and it's on all the channels as a news flash every 15 minutes for a week. Overnight, all grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water, toilet paper and beer.

I-285, the loop that encircles Atlanta, which has a posted speed limit of 55 mph (but you have to maintain 80 mph just to keep from getting run over), is known to truckers as "The Watermelon 500."

Don't believe the directional markers on highways: I-285 is marked East and West but you may be going North or South.

The locals identify the direction by referring to the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop."

If you travel on Hwy 92 North, you will actually be going southeast.

Never buy a ladder or mattress in Atlanta. Just go to one of the interstates and you will soon find one in the middle of the road.

Possums sleep in the middle of the road with their feet in the air.

There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Georgia.

There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Georgia, plus a couple no one has seen before. 

If you notice a vine trying to wrap itself around your leg, you have about 20 seconds to escape, before you are completely captured and covered with Kudzu,another ill-advised "import," like the Carp, Starling, English Sparrow, and other 'exotic wonders'.

It's not a shopping cart, it's a buggy.

"Fixinto" is one word (I'm fixinto go to the store).

Sweet Tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're 2 years old.

"Jeet?" is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?"

"Momma-nem" means: How's Mother and all of the other children and other members of the family doing.

Lordy, I love ATLANTA !

Earth Day- April 22nd

Did you know that we are consuming our planet’s natural resources at a rate 20 percent faster than they can be substantiated? This year’s Earth Day is getting more attention due to our nation’s recent “green” movement. 

Earth Day is fast approaching and our team wanted to share some ways that you can help our Mother Earth. 

• Bring Your Own Bag.  Grocery stores like Kroger, Publix, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Fresh Market all sell canvas reusable shopping bags.  Can’t kick the plastic bags?  Many grocery stores offer areas where you can recycle your paper and plastic shopping bags.
• Use non-disposable kitchen containers.  Avoid the one-time use items such as paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, aluminum foil, and zip lock bags.  Also make the switch from using paper towels to rags and even save some money!
• Save Water.  Take shorter showers, turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your hands, switch your showerheads to those that use less water, and collect rainwater to water outdoor plants. Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they are full.
• Choose natural or biodegradable cleaning products.  Try Seventh Generation which produces a line of non-toxic cleaning products. www.seventhgeneration.com.  Also you can use vinegar and baking soda to clean without all of the toxic chemicals.
• Save Paper.  Try printing on both sides of the paper or using old scraps to write notes on or take messages.
• Turn Off Lights and Appliances.  Did you know that the standby setting on your computer can use up to 60% of the energy that it consumes during regular use?  Also unplug your cell phone chargers when they aren’t in use as they pull energy as well.
• Keep Your Tires Inflated.  You will save rubber by getting more life out of your tires and save gas as well.
• Pump Your Gas In The Morning or Evening.  By pumping your gas when it is cooler outside you will prevent some gas vapor from evaporating into the air.  You will also get more gas for your money as it expands as it warms.

Upcoming Atlanta Event--Alpharetta Art Streetfest

Alpharetta Arts Streetfest
April 10-20

Located at Milton Avenue in Historic Downtown Alpharetta

Join art enthusiast as you stroll through outdoor galleries filled with fine paintings, mixed media, photography, pottery, and jewelry as well as textile, glass, wood, metal, and paper art.  Admission and parking are free to the public.

Suwanee Farmers Market

All farmers and gardeners who offer agricultural products are invited to register to participate in Suwanee's Farmers Market.

The market well be open every Saturday starting May 3rd through October 11th at the Town Center Park in Suwanee (except September 20th).  The hours of operation are 8 am to noon.

Participants must have grown or prepared their own goods and are required to register in advance to participate in the market. To obtain a copy of the application please visit www.Suwanee.com or call Amy Doherty, City of Suwanee events coordinator, at adoherty@suwanee.com 770-945-8996.

Tonia Mann Recognized In The Atlanta Business Chronical

Recently Tonia, one of the contributors of this blog, was recognized as part of the NAMAR's Million Dollar Club for her outstanding 2007 production in the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The article outlines all of the Realtors who also achieved membership into the Million Dollar Club.

Click here to view the article.

Atlantic Station's Newest Addition

In May, Atlantic Station will be home to one of the biggest classical monument erected in the U.S. since 1943.  The 82 foot monument named The Millennium Gate, will feature a 12,000 square-foot museum and will be opening May 30, 2008.  The museum will feature an inside look at Georgia's history starting with the American Indians.

Rodney Mims Cook, Jr., the creator of The Millennium Gate, designed it to resemble arches like the Arch of Titus in Rome and the St. Denis Arch in Paris.  The current monument sits where an Atlanta steel mill once was.