1. Pure Taqueria in Downtown Woodstock

The rooftop terrace of Pure is a great place to grab one of their signature margaritas, watch the sun set over downtown Woodstock, and listen to some acoustical tunes. Sidenote: The balcony can get pretty lively (read: raucous) as the night wears on, so people watching is also a prime source of entertainment.  The rooftop hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 5-11, and  Thursday-Sunday, 11-11.  Visit their Facebook fan page or call 770-952-PURE for information on the upcoming bands.

2. The Woodstock Coffee House in Woodstock

You would expect that with coffee drinks and cafe fare named after the likes of Dylan, Marley, and the Rolling Stones, the Woodstock Coffee House would have a special reverence for music, and they don’t disappoint. Giving Mondays a new reason to be, the WCH hosts an open mic night that attracts stellar local talent from 7-10 p.m. They also host live music EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT from 8-10 p.m. Check out their Facebook Fan Page or call 770-928-2901 with any questions.

3. The Downtown Kitchen in Canton

Zack Kell’s Canton restaurant Downtown Kitchen is becoming known all over Cherokee County for more than their delicious steak dinners. The second floor of the restaurant, with its full bar and exposed brick walls, is the perfect venue to enjoy some live music in a historic setting. The bands range nicely in both style and age, so be sure to check their website calendar and Facebook fan page to see some of your favorites.

4. Land of a Thousand Hills in Roswell

A coffeehouse whose slogan is “Drink Coffee, Do Good,” Land of a Thousand Hills is as much “great cause” and “great coffee.” They have been featured on CNN for their efforts to help Rwandan genocide survivors by offering small farmers a just living wage for their Arabica beans, and they also extend micro-loans to Rwandan women entrepreneurs. The coffee they serve is roasted locally in Roswell and offers a freshness beyond compare. Live music is held here every Friday and Saturday night from 8-10 p.m. and ranges from jazz to acoustic covers and more.

5. The Right Wing Tavern in Downtown Woodstock

Located in the historic train depot in downtown Woodstock, the Right Wing Tavern is the local watering hole for thirsty (and hungry) townies. Owner Jamey Snyder is always posting daily Facebook specials, so make sure you check them out before you head over. With beer pong tournaments on the back deck and scheduled Dirty Hippy, Left-Wing Music Night, it’s a great place to hang out, no matter what your politics are looking like these days.

The Dault family, owners of Canton’s Sweetwater Growers, were already pretty famous in these parts. Their hydroponically grown basil, specialty micro-greens, and herb-infused oils have become mainstays at local farmers markets and can now be found in Atlanta-area Publix, Kroger, and Whole Foods grocery stores. But on April 25, an episode of the Food Network’s Chefs vs. City revealed to the rest of the country what we in Cherokee County have long regarded as a local culinary treasure. The reality cooking show pitted celebrity chefs Aaron Sanchez and Chris Cosentino against Atlanta chefs Robert Irvine and George Galati as they traversed the city competing in various food-related challenges. At a launch party held at Downtown Kitchen in Canton, the Daults celebrated along side cheering friends and customers while dishes prepared with Sweetwater Growers’ own ingredients circulated the tables. Before the show had even finished, much to the excitement of James Dault, he had already fielded his first show-related email. “Someone wants to put in an order,” James said with a smile.

Freshly cut microgreens are hydroponically grown in water instead of soil.

Food Network chefs Aaron Sanchez and Chris Cosentino cut and try to identify microgreens as part of one of their Atlanta challenges.

Contact Information For Sweetwater Growers
P.O. Box 5345
Canton, GA 30114
Phone: 404-992-0199
Fax: 678-669-2396
www.sweetwatergrowers.com

Canton:  A Place To Go and Grow

The city of Canton’s fabled history and its flourishing present have culminated to create a richly rewarding location for its residents to raise a family or build a business.  Ranked in 2005  as the fifth fastest growing city in the United States, Canton’s hallowed landscape also once nurtured the Cherokee Nation, fostered dreams of becoming the silkworm capital of the South, and produced the famous “Canton denim” in its cotton mills.  Easily accessible to both Atlanta’s urban amenities and the retreat of the North Georgia mountains, this Cherokee County seat also offers its residents a  place to stay put and make themselves at home.    With its wide selection of  restaurants, parks, theaters,  shops, and a public transit system,  Canton has long outgrown the diminutive label ”suburb” and has become a worthy destination in its own right.

A Cultivated Classic

The tree-lined sidewalks of historic downtown Canton invite its residents  to casually stroll beside small town cafes, bookstores, art galleries, and antique shops. For those searching for an upscale dinner in a relaxed setting, restaurants such as Canton’s Downtown Kitchen and Goin’ Coastal have become local institutions for evening meals. Afterward, a show can be enjoyed at the Canton Theater, which has weathered all manner of shifts in the entertainment of Canton residents, spanning from silent movies in 1911 to Broadway plays of today.   Stretching far beyond the downtown area, beautiful  public parks and recreational areas are scattered liberally between both older, established residences and newer, up-and-coming neighborhoods.  The city has also partnered with the YMCA to form the G. Cecil Pruett Community Center YMCA, an impressive complex that houses an indoor heated pool, outdoor pool,  mini water park, basketball court, teen center, wellness center, group exercise studio, cycle studio, and child care areas.

To learn more about doing business in  Canton, its  history, or upcoming events, please visit the helpful City of Canton website.

Goin’ Coastal, A Sustainable Seafood Joint

A Little Taste of Local Flavor

Rain clouds and long lines did little to dissuade local residents from coming out to experience their favorite Canton restaurant fare at last week’s Taste of Canton. With an unprecedented turnout, the large crowd shocked the event’s organizers and sent the participating vendors scrambling for more food to accommodate the increased demand. Goin’ Coastal, voted as best food at the event, doled out a hundred pounds of shrimp in less than two hours and sustained lines that spanned over forty-five minutes at some points in the evening.  And for those craving something sweet, Jill’s Cakes and Bakes and Canton’s tea room Sugar Plums were both on hand with a special selection of desserts.  Other highlights of the event included a live DJ with dancing in the park and a dunk tank filled with city officials, the latter of whom were pretty good sports about the whole ordeal.  The proceeds of the Taste in Canton will contribute to the upcoming Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival on October 31.

The Downtown Kitchen crew serves up just rewards for their waiting fans.

For more information about upcoming Canton events, visit the City of Canton website.

Highlighted below are the results of how Cherokee and Cobb County Schools scored above the State and National Averages in the SAT Scores.

Cherokee County School District
Cherokee County students averaged 1560 on the SAT. This is a 100 points higher than the Georgia Average (1460) and 51 points higher than the National Average (1509). These are the breakdowns of the SAT Categories:

CRITICAL READING
CHEROKEE 520 GEORGIA 490 NATIONAL 501

MATH
CHEROKEE 530 GEORGIA 491 NATIONAL 515

WRITING
CHEROKEE 510 GEORGIA 479 NATIONAL 493

Cobb County School District
Cobb County students averaged 1534 on the SAT. This is 74 points above the Georgia average (1460) and 25 points above the National average (1509). These are unofficial results because the County is awaiting more test results.
These are the breakdowns of the SAT Categories:

CRITICAL READING
COBB 515 GEORGIA 490 NATIONAL 501

MATH
COBB 519 GEORGIA 491 NATIONAL 515

WRITING
Cobb 500 GEORGIA 479 NATIONAL 493

Congratulations to both Cherokee and Cobb Students, teachers, and faculty.

Thanks to State Senator Chip Rogers Monthly Newsletter Dated 9/11/2009 for the above information.

After you have enjoyed exploring Jennifer Carter’s fun things to do this weekend, run into your local Home Depot and purchase a pack of $5.81 (or 2) of EcoSmart Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. Then, as your old 60 watt incandescent bulbs burn out, replace them with the CFL’s. These bulbs have improved drastically in both functionality and effectiveness. And, Oh yeah, they will save you money, too. **See Below

Now you are not required to purchase this particular CFL but the Oct 09 Edition of Consumer Reports showcases this particular Brand/Model combination as their #1 choice. If you are like me though, you may want to pick and choose, on site, so here are some things to consider during your purchase:

Don’t Set Yourself Up for Disappointment
When replacing a 60 Watt bulb, it should usually be replaced with a 14 watt CFL. Note: It is sometimes necessary to replace with a 20 Watt CFL; especially, if the room was slightly darker than preferred with a 60 Watt incandescent.

Pick the Right Color.
On the package, the color of the light will be described in kelvins.

2700K is comparable to a yellowish/soft white incandescent that are preferred in decorator lamps, wall sconces, and other secondary or mood lighting sources.

3500K, it is more like a cool/bright white that is used primarily in kitchens and baths where a task is being completed so brightness is off absolute importance.

5000k rating and higher is typically used for reading lamps and is an extremely bright light that makes words jump off of pages. However, realize that the whiter the lamp, the less pleasing the look when used to light a room.

**Promise Me to Get it Done This Weekend
I am serious. Send me your receipt and I will multiply whatever you spent by 100 and take that amount off of your commissions due when I negotiate the sale or purchase of your next home. (Well…at least up to $1162)

See! Compact Fluorescent Bulbs will save you more money than expected.

“Life in Cherokee County is pretty peachy. Close proximity to Atlanta, good schools, low taxes and an abundance of green space has driven the influx of families from other parts of the state. ”

A 52.4% job growth rate boosted Cherokee County ahead of all other State of GA counties, except Henry County which came in at #7 with a 60.5% growth rate.  This is good news for a struggling Atlanta Real Estate market.  To have 2 of the top 16 job growth counties in the country in your local MSA says something about the future potential for Atlanta to recover from this economic downturn.  So when are you moving to beautiful Cherokee County, GA?

Canton Tour for Local Ghost Hunters and History Buffs

“By a show of hands,” asks the Canton Ghost Tour’s  guide Leisa Wilkie, “how many people here believe in ghosts?” Of the small group gathered at dusk outside of the Canton Fire Department, a couple of arms go up in the air. “How many believe there’s no such thing?” she asks. A couple more hands are raised. And then comes her final inquiry: “How many of you are not sure?”  This is the question  that leads the group to a majority ruling of cautious uncertainty. Fortunately for the participants, Leisa’s tour of “haunted Canton” caters well to both the sure and the merely curious.   In fact, you needn’t be a believer in the paranormal to enjoy Leisa’s seamless integration of the historical value of the city’s downtown area. (This is not to say that you won’t be a converted believer by night’s end.)

From left to right:  Ernest Hillard, Leisa  Wilkie, and Tammie Davis

“Spooky” is in the Details of Canton After Dark

The group’s flashlights illuminate the darkened Canton sidewalks that during the daylight seem comfortably innocuous, and common places where Canton residents  would usually drink their coffee, grab a bite to eat, or visit their lawyer’s office are suddenly assigned hair-raising anecdotes of apparitions and unexplained occurrences. Listeners’ ears perk up as Leisa relays eerie stories that have been both told and confirmed by the city’s history books, shopkeepers, families, and city workers.   Concluding at the Riverview Cemetery, the tour reminisces atop the graves of Canton’s most reputed (and ill-reputed) families while a tale is told of a statue that is said to shift her weight to rest on a different leg than the one startled onlookers observed  but a moment before. Whether skeptical or supposing,  all of Leisa’s guests  seem to throw prudent glances over their shoulders to ensure they are  indeed going home alone as they make their way to their cars.

Canton Ghost Tour Information

Friday and Saturday Nights 8:00-9:45 p.m.
Children Ages 12 and under $10
Adults $15

Call 770-651-8901 with questions or email cantonghosttour@gmail.com

I’ve always been a devoted fan of hidden places that don’t appear on any map, places that only the locals know are there, and I believe I’ve discovered just that kind of place in Two Brothers Barbecue in Ball Ground, Georgia. My interest in Two Brothers was initially sparked when the popular Georgia Public Broadcasting series Georgia Traveler happened upon the off-the-beaten-path restaurant when they were doing an episode highlighting the North Georgia foothills from Jasper to Cartersville. Running out of gas on a country back road, the show’s hosts Phil and David discovered the pit barbecue restaurant and decided to give its “legendary-among-the-locals” food a go.

Months went by after the show aired, and I repeatedly hinted to (okay, bugged) my husband to make the twenty-three mile drive over to Ball Ground and discover what all of the fuss was about. Of course, it wasn’t until the day that I, completely on a whim, declared that I was becoming a vegetarian that he decided it was time to try it. I had given my husband a long, decided speech about how I would no longer eat meat, and that from here on out, I was going to live only on fruits and vegetables. He found all this highly laughable, as he does most of my capricious whims, but I didn’t care. This time, I was committed. But when I asked him what he felt like for lunch that day, he didn’t hesitate in suggesting barbecue. “Are you up for a trip over to Ball Ground to finally try out that Two Brothers?” he asked smugly. “Of course!” I replied. “Every good vegetarian needs the proper send-off.”

A proper send-off it was. We stepped into the cool, dark dining room from the blaring early-summer sun, and a glass of the most perfect sweet tea ever made was delivered to me soon after. Its ancient hardwood floors and the rustic, wrought-iron artifacts from a bygone era reminded me that Two Brothers is a place with plenty of good stories to tell if I was willing to listen. During this first visit, however, I let the food do most of the talking. The ribs that we ordered were tender and flavorful, falling right off of the bone as we ate them. The Brunswick Stew was also delicious and had a distinctly smoother texture than any I’ve experienced before. For dessert, the server barraged us with at least four pie choices, and we decided finally upon the coconut meringue, a choice which a Cajun friend of mine would have called “slap-your-mama-good.”  I left the place with a keen satisfaction that I’d experienced something special.  Sure, there was the ‘cue good enough to revert me back to my carnivorous beginnings–but it was also about the small-town, backroads journey in search of something real, something with roots. It was a place we wouldn’t have ever found if we’d never ventured off the interstate in favor of the paths less traveled.  Those are indeed the destinations worth finding.

Contact Information for Two Brothers:
1695 Old Canton Road
Ball Ground, GA 30107
770-735-2900

Shawn states on his web site, “Shawn Graves utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to exceed your expectations. More importantly, we listen and that means we find solutions that are tailored to you.”  It’s important that he listens and tailors these technology tools to meet his clients’ goals/needs.  But what I am most impressed about Shawn is that he has a passion for making our industry better.

Shawn volunteers his time to help with the Cherokee Association of REALTORS Women’s Council of REALTORS.  He willingly gives back to the industry in an effort to make it better.  He has created free training classes, hosted expert panels to share their knowledge with WCR, and is constantly pushing everyone around him to learn more – do more.

I subscribe to the Rob Hahn school of thought where he recently said…

“Show people that you care about them as people; that you will work hard for them; that you are a professional with pride in your training, knowledge, and expertise; that you won’t lie to them or bullshit them; that you will advise them to the best of your abilities for their benefit and not your own; that you are neither a huckster nor a servant; that you too are human… and people won’t care if you message them through Facebook or through smoke signals.

They will trust you.”

I believe so much in making our industry better for everyone that I write this public endorsement of a local competitor because he deserves it.   I am also playing my Wild Card Mission from the Akoha ‘Play It Forward’ game to encourage Shawn to continue giving to others without expectation of returns.

For those of you who do not know what Akoha is…

Akoha is a real-world and virtual game where you carry out missions that involve performing small acts of kindness for others. The activities of Akoha players are described on Akoha cards that involve real-world and virtual missions. As Akoha players perform more missions, they advance in the game, recruit new players, and spread good deeds across the planet. Akoha cards include missions like “Donate an Hour of Your Time”, “Give Someone a Book” and “Make Someone Smile.”

In contrast to increasingly rich virtual worlds and massively multiplayer games on the Internet, Akoha takes place in the real world, turning everyday life into a massive playground. Akoha is simple to play with your friends and family, so that every public place becomes part of Akoha’s world.

Akoha allows players to see their accomplishments, track the movement of cards in play, and share photos and videos, creating a highly interactive and immersive experience.

I will be giving Shawn his Akoha card this morning at the WCR meeting.  Shawn Graves Rocks!