On Saturday May 28th we went to the American Collegiate Rowing Association’s final races on Lake Lanier. We have friends from Michigan whose son is on the team for Michigan State University. The day was warm and sunny with a nice breeze blowing off the lake. It was thrilling seeing the boats come into view as they sprinted toward the finish line. We learned a lot about training, rowing techniques and strategies involved with the unique sport.
Announcer's Booth
Eight Person Boat
We are all looking forward to Memorial Day weekend and many of us will be on the water. Here are a few boating safety tips to keep in mind over the weekend.
1. Take a boating safety course.
2. Wear a life jacket.
3. Know how to navigate on the water and take a map so you don’t get lost.
4. Make sure you have enough gas to get where you are going and back again.
5. Carry a fire extinguisher on the boat.
6. Have a way of communicating with someone in case of emergency.
7. Everyone must be seated when the boat is moving.
8. When pulling a skier carry a passage to watch the skier in case they fall.
Here is a boater safety website you can visit to get additional information.
http://www.takemefishing.org/boating/boating-basics/education-is-key?gclid=CLzS4c6QhqkCFale7Aod7mD5qA
How would you like to listen to some great jazz performed by nationally known jazz artists? Come to the 34th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival May 28 – 29, 2011 in Piedmont Park and May 30,2011 at the Chastain Amphitheater. You and your friends will love it. Visit the website to find out more about it.
http://atlantafestivals.com/
34th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival
Here are some eco-friendly, budget-friendly fixes to help make your home more energy efficient.
1. Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces. Insulation is relatively inexpensive and having the proper amount can really increase the energy efficiency of your home.
2. Seal holes and cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches and electrical outlets that allow air to leak in and out of your home.
3. Close fireplace dampers when the fireplace is not in use.
4. Have your heating and cooling systems inspected by a professional once a year to make sure they are maintained properly.
5. Observe your family’s lighting needs and look for ways to use occupancy sensors, dimmers or timers to reduce energy use.
Please check out this article to discover more ways to save energy.
http://www.energysavers.gov/tips/home_energy.cfm
Insulation
Kitchen Focal Points
Today I would like to share some interesting tips for staging your home to sell.
I suggest you start with the basics. Go through you home from top to bottom and pack up everything that is not absolutely necessary for you to conduct your life. It will save you time when your house sells and you are under the pressure of moving by a certain date.
Now it is time to spruce up the interior of your home by washing windows, freshening paint, cleaning carpets, and shining hardwood floors. Create a focal point in each room so the people who come see your home can imagine relaxing there. Move furniture in the living room to create conversation areas. Arrange the furniture in the family room making the fireplace the focal point with a nice fireplace screen or some candles in the fireplace. Place a recipe book with a nice picture of an interesting recipe on the kitchen counter. Beds are usually the focal point in the bed rooms so make sure you have plush looking bed spreads with matching pillows.
You have the interior looking great so go outside to weed and plant fresh flowers in the gardens, plant window boxes and hanging baskets, and manicure your lawn so you home has great curb appeal. If you can, hang a hammock with comfy looking pillows on it in the yard.
Hiring a professional stager to help you is always a good idea because they will have creative ways to show the best features of your home.
Remember the nicer your home looks the faster it will sell and that will save you money.
Cozy Bed with Matching Pillows
Fireplace Focal Point
I went to the Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes April 29th and as always it was a walk down memory lane for me. The first time I went there, in the middle seventies, there were only a few street vendors and a tent with people selling food.
This year many streets were lined with vendors and there was a whole street where people were selling food! The weather was perfect, breezy and warm. I was fortunate enough to have several friends join me so we laughed and talked as we wandered among the booths looking at all the arts and crafts. We wore ourselves out walking to almost all the homes on tour but the houses were all so unique and interesting it was worth it.
The parade went on for a long time with many people dressed in various costumes lead by the Marching Abominables which is a marching band that formed in the seventies. Some friends of mine are in the band and their performance was stellar as always.
Lots of fun was had by all who attended the Inman Park Festival this year.
Inman Park Festival
Sugar Magnolia Bed and Breakfast
Marching Abominables
In order to understand more about energy and environmental issues as they relate to real estate, I decided to earn my EcoBroker designation. As an EcoBroker, I can help you find homes with green features which save you money and help you live more comfortable by making energy efficient and environmentally sensitive choices. Homes with green features can provide you with affordability, comfort and a healthier environment in which to live. Please visit the EcoBroker website, the address is listed below, to find out more about EcoBrokers and to read interesting articles about energy and environmental issues that affect the way you live.
https://www.ecobroker.com/
EcoBroker
The North Georgia Rambler was rambling in Decatur this weekend at the Take Back the Night 5K run and 1 mile run/walk. The run took place at Gellerstedt Field at Agnes Scott College on Saturday afternoon and it was a benefit for the Dekalb Rape Crisis Center. The center provides a 24 hour hot line, hospital accompaniment, individual counseling, support groups, legal advocacy, and prevention education.
Saturday dawned sunny and cool but by the time of the race it was hot. It was a wonderful family oriented atmosphere with parents, children, and dogs strolling around. Several people played music adding to the festivities. Many whole families including young children participated in the race. The pride in completing the race shone on the children’s faces as they claimed their bright blue t-shirts.
I helped out at the water and food table pouring hundreds of glasses of water for the hot thirsty participants. The racers were able to help themselves to bananas, pizza from many different restaurants, and frozen yogurt after the race.
Everyone had a wonderful time and the proceeds went to a great cause.
The shirts have this logo on them.
Bear On The Square
The Lovely Rosin Sisters
After torrential rain and heavy wind Friday night, we were concerned Bear On The Square would be a wash out. We were pleasantly surprised when we woke up to clearing skies on Saturday morning. It was still very windy and cold so everyone bundled up and headed to Bear On The Square.
There are many versions of how the festival of Bear On The Square began. They all include the fact that one spring day a bear cub wandered into the square and climbed a tree in front of Brad Walker’s Pottery shop. The scared little bear spent the night in the tree and when things got quiet it climbed down and disappeared back into the woods.
Today, the Bear On The Square festival kicks off the festival season in Dahlonega. Musicians come from far and wide to play in jams all around the square. There is a tent with different musicians performing all day. We particularly enjoyed the lovely harmonies of the Rosin Sisters. Many people bring their beautiful arts and crafts to sell. You can find everything from handmade rocking chairs designed for guitar players to hand painted folk art gourds. It is so much fun to meander around looking at pottery, quilts, and pictures just to name a few items for sale.
If you missed Bear On The Square watch for it next year and don’t despair just watch my blog to find out about upcoming festivals in the North Georgia mountains.
Have you been looking for ways to make improvements to your home that save money and help the environment? Here is some great news for you. The government has rebate money, grant funds and Stimulus money available for energy saving improvements to your house. Go to the web address to discover green rebate links and get started saving money and helping the environment.
http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2011/03/04/green-rebate-links-for-real-estate-investors/
Help save the forests.
Let's conserve water.
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