Atlanta At Home

Self-directed IRA Investing

Are you worried about protecting your retirement investments? Have you considered investing in land? It is always there! Tonia Mann and Associates would like to present our new partnership with IRA Land Investments.

Real Estate IRAs can help balance your retirement portfolio by diversifying your retirement investments. Simply move your existing IRAs or other tax-deferred/tax-free savings accounts to a self-directed IRA or Solo(k). By using a recognized custodian company, you can take control of your financial future.

IRA Land Investments facilitates smooth and safe processing of investment transactions with the greatest depth of expertise in the industry. Clients benefit from our expertise on non-traditional IRA investing that comes from our singular focus.  We are proud to share this expertise with our clients and prospects by providing education on self-directed IRA investing.

If you are interested in learning more about self-directed IRAs, please give us a call at 678-268-3300 and let us know that you wish to attend one of our upcoming informative presentations around the Atlanta area. We look forward to answering all your questions!

BOO!!!

With Halloween right around the corner, we thought it would be fun to give a little background on the holiday! Halloween’s origin is actually in the ancient Celtic festival known as “Samhain” – meaning end of summer – which was a day traditionally used by the ancient pagans to stock up on supplies and livestock for the winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31st, that the boundary between the living and the dead disappeared. They also believed that the dead were dangerous to the living by causing problems such as sickness, or crop damage. At these festivals, they would have large bonfires, and often wear costumes or masks to mimic and appease the evil spirits.

The term “Halloween” is shortened from “All Hallows’ Even” – as it is the eve of “All Hallows’ Day” (in the ninth century, the Church measured the day as starting at sunset- in accordance with the Florentine calendar). Many centuries after the Samhain festival had begun, the Roman Catholic Church attempted to do away with all pagan holidays – including this one. So, the church established that November 1st would be “All Saint’s Day” rather then “All Hallows’ Day. The idea was to celebrate all of the saints who did not have their own holy day. This attempt was quite unsuccessful, as the celebrations on the eve of All Saint’s Day continued to flourish. During the Irish immigration to America in the 1840’s, Halloween made its way to the United States, where it clearly is still quite popular!

You may ask where the popular tradition of trick-or-treating comes from. Well, in the Celtic times and up until the medieval ages, fairies (or faeries) were thought to run free on the Eve of Samhain. The faeries were not considered evil, but also were not considered good, either. They were rather mischievous. The faeries supposedly disguised themselves as beggars and went door to door asking for handouts. Those who gave them food were rewarded, and those who did not were subjected to unpleasantness. Then in the medieval times, it was popular practice to make “soul cakes” on All Hallows’ Eve. In a custom called “souling”, kids would go door to door begging for the cakes. When a child received a cake, they would have to say a prayer for the dead relatives of the person who gave them the cake. It was thought that these prayers would help the deceased relatives find their way out of purgatory and into heaven.

There are many other neat tidbits of information about Halloween that might be of interest to you. For information on how Jack-O’-Lanterns came to be, read about “Stingy Jack” – an old Irish legend – at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/9526/fable018.htm. Thanks for reading - and tell all your friends your new found knowledge of this popular holiday! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Written by Renee Fouquet

North Georgia Lodging

Per the previous post about North Georgia wineries, we thought it would be helpful to suggest some places to stay when you visit Georgia wine country. Here is a list of some great places to check out!

Barn Inn at Lake Rabun
31 Barn Inn Road
Lakemont, GA  30552
706-212-9995
www.barninn.com

Beechwood Inn - Bed Breakfast and Wine Cellar
220 Beechwood Drive, PO Box 429
Clayton, GA  30525
1-866-782-2485
www.beechwoodinn.ws

Cedar House Inn and Yurts
6463 Hwy 19 North   
Dahlonega, GA  30533
706-867-9446
www.georgiamountaininn.com

Dillard House
1158 Franklin Street
Dillard, GA. 30537
800-541-0671
www.dillardhouse.com

Glen-Ella Spring
1789 Bear Gap Road   
Clarkesville, GA  30523
706-754-7295   
www.glenella.com

Lake Rabun Hotel
35 Andrea Lane
Lakemont, GA  30552
706-782-49468
www.lakerabunhotel.com

Lily Creek Lodge A Bed & Breakfast
2608 Auraria Road   
Dahlonega, GA  30533
706-864-6848
www.lilycreeklodge.com

Long Mountain Lodge
144 Bull Creek Road   
Dahlonega, GA  30533
706-864-2337
www.longmountainlodge.com

Lucille's Mountain Top Inn
964 Rabun Road, PO Box 638
Sautee, GA  30571
706-878-5055
www.lucillesmountaintopinn.com

Mountain Laurel Creek Bed & Breakfast
202 Talmer Grizzle Road   
Dahlonega, GA  30533
706-867-8134
www.mountainlaurelcreek.com

Park Place Hotel
27 S. Park Street   
Dahlonega, GA  30533
706-864-0021
www.parkplacedahlonega.com

Pura Vida USA
400 Blueberry Hill   
Dahlonega, GA 30533
1-866-345-4900
www.puravidausa.com

Town Creek B&B
811 Hooper Rd.   
Cleveland, GA  30528
706-865-0410
www.towncreekbandb.com

Written by Renee Fouquet

17 Gwinnett County Public School Educators Recognized

Recently, seventeen Gwinnett County principals were honored as “High Performance Principals” by Governor Sonny Perdue and State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. They received this honor because of their passion for their students, and their dedication to improving student achievement in their respective schools. This is a prideful moment for everyone in the Gwinnett County school community, as it truly shows the commitment to our children’s educations.

Gwinnett County 2008 High Performance Principals:

-Margaret Ackerman – Patrick Elementary (Recognized for previous leadership at Meadowcreek Elementary)
-Laurie Allison – Lovin Elementary (Recognized for previous leadership at J.A. Alford Elementary)
-Cindy Antrim – McKendree Elementary
-Dr. Craig Barlow – Riverside Elementary
-Jackie Beasley – Instructional Support Center (Recognized for previous leadership at Lilburn Elementary)
-Patrick Blenke – Duluth High (Retired)
-Dr. Charles “Buck” Buchanan – Parkview High
-John Campbell – Frank N. Osborne Middle
-Dr. Valerie Clark – Central Gwinnett High
-Michelle Farmer – Puckett’s Mill Elementary (Recognized for previous leadership experience at R.D. Head Elementary)
-Nancy Morrison – Walnut Grove Elementary (Recognized for previous leadership experience Bethesda Elementary)
-Kathy Jones – Camp Creek Elementary
-Mary Ray – Craig Elementary (Retired)
-Terry Watlington – Kanoheda Elementary
-Bron Gayna Schmit – Simpson Elementary
-Jane Stegall – Brookwood High (Retired)
-Vivian Stranahan – Mulberry Elementary (Recognized for previous leadership experience at Shiloh Elementary)

Congratulations to these outstanding educators!

Written by Renee Fouquet

Gwinnett County ACT Scores Set New Record

The ACT is a standardized assessment test which is used by colleges and universities to gauge student’s educational development as well as their ability to perform at the post-secondary level. Gwinnett County students have shown steadily increasing ACT scores over the past few years, but the results from 2008 are the highest yet. The average Gwinnett County composite score from 2008 was 22.2 out of a possible 36. This is quite impressive when you consider that the state average was 20.6, and the national average was 21.1.

Making this number additionally important, is the fact that more Gwinnett County students took the ACT this past year then ever before. In 2008, almost 2,900 students took the test, which is a large increase from the 2,450 students who took it in 2007.

Also, five Gwinnett County schools had such high scores that they made the list of the 25 highest scoring schools in Georgia. Parkview High School students had a composite average of 24, while Brookwood High School students had an average score of 23.8. Not far behind these two is Collins Hill High School with a score of 23.4, Duluth High School with a score of 23, and Peachtree Ridge High School with a score of 22.9.

Congratulations, Gwinnett County students and teachers! Keep up the hard work!

Written by Renee Fouquet

Keller Williams Realty – Atlanta 2008 Consumer Choice Award Winner

Keller Williams Realty was recently honored to receive the 2008 Consumer Choice Award for the Atlanta area. This is very prestigious award, because it was voted upon by the clients that Keller Williams has directly served.

We believe winning this award is because our culture counts with our customers. You have probably seen this before, and probably will see it again, but here is the Keller Williams Culture.

Win-Win - Or no deal
Integrity - Always do the right thing
Commitment - In all things
Communication - Seek first to understand
Creativity - Ideas before results
Customers - Always come first
Teamwork - Together Everyone Achieves More
Trust - Starts with honesty
Success - Results through people

For more information about the Consumer Choice Awards, please visit http://www.consumerschoiceaward.com/.

Written by Renee Fouquet

Back To School Memories

With school starting for most Metro-Atlanta counties on Monday I thought it would be fun poll our team for their back to school memories.

Tonia Mann, Managing Partner

Q: What was the most exciting part of starting a new school year?
A: School supplies, specially new crayons!

Q: Did you have a favorite school lunch?
A: Chili and cinnamon rolls (Usually served on Wednesdays)

Q: What was one item you always had in your backpack?
A: Cute little packages of Kleenex and Pee Chees Folders

Christine Boldt, Buyers Specialist

Q: What was the most exciting part of starting a new school year?
A: The brand new shiny school supplies; and in kindergarten and first grade, I was excited about the paste we used in school in those days - it tasted good!  :) (Not that you were supposed to eat it!)

Q: Did you plan what you were going to wear the first day of school?
A: Always - and in elementary school it had to be a frilly dress!  In high school it had to be cool jeans or a peasant dress!

Q: Did you have a favorite school lunch?
A: My favorite school lunch in middle and high school was cheese quesadillas - I figured they were the safest thing to choose!

Renee Fouquet, Office Manager

Q: What was the most exciting part of starting a new school year?
A: Back to school SHOPPING! For clothes AND school supplies...

Q: Did you plan what you were going to wear the first day of school?
A: Oh yes! I always wore a cute dress, and I always made sure my mom curled my hair for the first day....

Q: Did you have a favorite school lunch?
A: The only thing I remember liking was the taco salad. I was a weird kid.

Casey Powell, REO Specialist

Q: What was the most exciting part of starting a new school year?
A: New tennis shoes. I love the smell of new shoes!

Q: Did you have a favorite school lunch?
A: Pizza and what can best be described as McDonald's McRib sandwich. It was just some kind of processed meat that was pressed to look like ribs.

Q: What was one item you always had in your backpack each school year?
A: I never had a backpack. I probably would have lost it. I was doing good to keep up with my books and keeping my new shoes clean!

Cassidy Bates, Marketing Manager

Q: What was the most exciting part of starting a new school year?
A: Getting to decorate a new locker and finding new ways to pass notes in class.

Q: Did you have a favorite school lunch?
A: Baked potato with chili on top and the strawberry flavored water

Q: What was one item in your backpack each school year?
A: Markers!  I loved markers!

Upcoming Atlanta Events- Atlanta Fest

June 19-21, 2008

Join bands such as Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, TobyMac, Shane and Shane, Big Daddy Weave, and other contemporary Christina musicians for a three-day concert.  Concert-goers can enjoy their favorite bands along with inspirational speakers on a five-stage festival at Stone Mountain Park.

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.

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.