At possibly the largest and best Lost finale party in Metro Atlanta, The Strand in Marietta will be opening up its grand theater on Sunday, May 23 to the first 531 fans of the popular ABC show. The series, which first aired in September of 2004 and has become a pop culture fixture with a following of sixteen million viewers, is finally coming to a close after six seasons. “Lost parties” have been cropping up everywhere lately–in bars, restaurants, and private homes–but I can’t imagine a better venue than the Strand for the show’s Loyalists to gather for the much-anticipated ending. Admission to the event is FREE, and the concessions and full bar will be open for those who’d like to make a night of it. The event will last from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., but I’d suggest getting there early for seating.

Other Upcoming Events at the Strand include:

Friday, May 21 Chick Flick Night: Moulin Rouge (PG-13) at 7 p.m., $15; Wine and Cheese Reception to Follow on the Rooftop Terrace RESERVED TICKETS RECOMMENDED

Saturday, May 22 Jaws in 3-D (PG) at 8 p.m., $7-8; Rocky Horror Picture Show (R) at Midnight $10; Brew with View: 6-10 p.m. Enjoy a beer or cocktail on the Cobb Rooftop Terrace overlooking Marietta Square’s Glover Park while listening to the Dean DeMerritt Jazz Tribe.

Friday June 4: Sing Along with Mama Mia (PG-13) at 8 p.m. Words to Abba songs will be posted on the big screen for your singing convenience. $7-8 ($5 with a group of 10 or more).

The 2010 Marietta Greek Festival will be held this weekend at the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Marietta.  The festival is one of my favorite local events of the year and is a great setting for the whole family to enjoy.

I like the the food but my wife says the shopping is very nice.  The church tour is really neat and everyone, including the  kids, will enjoy the music, dancing, and facepainting.  Oh. Did I mention the food is unbelievable?

Times

• Friday May 14, 3 -11p
• Saturday May 15, 10am – 11 pm
• Sunday May 16, 11 am – 7 pm

Parking

There is no parking on the festival grounds but parking is available at the following locations.  A Free shuttle service will provide a round-trip service from car to main gate.

Friday, Saturday Only

• Church of Latter Day Saints, Trickum Road

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

• Simpson Middle School, Trickum Road
• Lassiter High School, Shallowford Road
• Shallowford Crossing Shopping Center, Shallowford & Trickum

Special Offers can be found on their website.  Hope to see you there!

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1. The Nostalgic Date

If you’ve never been to Earl Smith Strand Theatre in downtown Marietta, you’re in for a romantic shocker. When you step under that marquee sign and into the lobby, you and yours will be immediately whisked away to grander, classier time in our nation’s history. Their nostalgic red curtain opens to some of the best live shows and concerts, as well as old classic films like Bogey and Bacall’s Casablanca. When you’re done with the show, the Cobb Terrace, the Strand’s rooftop bar, beckons with cocktails, star-lit nights, and views of the Marietta Square and Kennesaw Mountain. If there’s ever been a place to hold hands with someone you love, this is it.

2. The Sexy Date

Voted the best dance studio in Woodstock, the Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock offers a Thursday night class whose description reads as follows: Learn the fundamentals of Argentine Tango : walks, the embrace, leading and following, musicality and rhythm. Thursday night dates in Woodstock have never had it so good.

3. The Daytripper’s Date

I have to admit that I’m at my “Dating Utmost High” when I have a full tank of gas, a fully-charged digital camera, a steering wheel in my hands, and a full day to go exploring my world with the one I love. I like to kick it old school with a dog-eared road atlas instead of a GPS on the dash and stowed away cell phones to be used only in case of emergencies. (Nothing’s more frustrating than taking a road trip with someone who spends the entire time calling and texting someone else.) Throw in a thermos of hot coffee, a CD or iPod playlist of classic “on the road” songs, and the coolest person you know riding shotgun, and you’ve got yourself the perfect date.

4. The Outdoorsy Date

They say that the best things in life are free, and just one great date outside will make you a believer. Whether you’re hiking on a North Georgia trail at dawn,stringing up Christmas lights in your backyard for an impromptu dance under a summer sky, or embarking on a moonlight canoe ride, there is something inherently lovely and primal about just being out in nature. Walk away from the television, the computer, the phone, and whatever other gadgets that we buy to make our lives more “enjoyable,” and take that guy/girl in your life out for a breath of fresh air.

5. The Overnight Date

Just a simple, unexpected change of scenery can spark miraculous life back into a dulled-down relationship, and thanks to the Stanley House Inn in Marietta, that spark isn’t too far from home. Surprise your loved one with an overnight in one of the inn’s romantic guest rooms and enjoy a full breakfast in their dining room in the morning. With accommodations this close, a spontaneous mid-week getaway becomes surprisingly practical. Just throw your love’s pressed clothes and favorite toiletries into a bag, and I guarantee an evening far flung from “ordinary.”

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.

I am so proud to see that my hometown of Marietta, GA made CNNMoney.com’s list of the best US towns. Coming in at #15, Glover Park aka the Marietta Square is one of the main reasons for the recognition. The “Square” hosts a number of great social events in an environment that embrace new social interests while mixing them with the old square heritage.

In the article, Eric Baker from Marietta sent CNNmoney.com a picture of the beautiful Marietta Square and wrote about what sets Marietta apart from thousands of cities across the country.

Check out any one of the upcoming social events held at the square. You and your family will have a great time.

Getting Lost in the Maize

Both family-friendly and date-worthy, the Cagle’s Corn Maize in Hickory Flat invites you to “get lost” on more than three miles of its corn-bound trails. (There are two paths to choose from, one being shorter and a little more conducive to walking with children.) If you’d like to make a whole day of it, Cagle’s also offers a farm tour, a hayride, a bonfire, and a jumpee pillow for the kids to expend some energy. If you’re one of the braver meanderers, you can also try the maze after dark, for which flashlights are provided.

Maize Info

Friday Nights 5-11 p.m. $10
Saturdays August-November 10 a.m.-11 p.m. $10
(Farm Tours 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $7 & Hayrides to Bonfire 6 p.m.-10 p.m. $7)
Sundays August-Novemeber 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $10
(Farm Tours 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $7)

Brew With A View

The Earl Smith Strand Theatre opens its roof top Cobb Terrace this Friday and Saturday night to enjoy the view over Glover Park and the charming Marietta Square after dark. Admission is free and there will be a cash bar with offerings of beer, wine, and mixed drinks.  If you’re more in the mood for a theater production, this weekend’s feature is Pass it Down, an original stage play based on the lives of four generations of women. (And if you haven’t seen the inside of the Strand since their major renovations, prepare to be dazzled.)

Know of anything else going on this weekend in North Georgia? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook fan page!

Douceur de France’s chef Luc Beaudet continually impresses his loyal Marietta following with his famous patisserie (French pastries), but equally pleasing is his extensive breakfast menu. Served with a side of hashbrowns “ala Francaise” (with green onions and parmesan cheese), the Panini Benedict is a great example of the hearty French fare that awaits you on Glover Street. The dish pulls off a hollandaise sauce that only a true Frenchman could have dreamed up, and the two eggs atop Canadian bacon are always perfectly poached. Bon Appetit!

Douceur de France’s Information

367 Glover Street
Marietta, GA 30060
Telephone: 770-425-5050 Fax:770-429-0623
douceurf@bellsouth.net

Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m-6 p.m.
Breakfast: 7:30-11 Lunch 11-3:30
Saturday: breakfast and lunch, from 8:00am to 3:30pm

The “Eat Local” Dish of the Week is an on-going series of food-sharing tips, reviews, and “best bets” from local restaurants, pubs, and kitchens around Cherokee County. Do you know of a dish that deserves to be recognized as a part of North Georgia’s local flavor? Please feel free to leave us a comment here or visit us at our Facebook fanpage.

In their own words…. “Estately was created with the belief that home buyers need context when they’re looking for a home. At Estately you can learn about the surrounding area, the nearby shops, the character of the neighborhood and the style, size and price of a property.”

Maxsell Real Estate agents are part of the Estately network

Estately matches people who are going to buy or sell a home with the best agents from dozens of local real estate brokerages based on their area, their needs, and feedback from previous clients. When consumers sign up to work with an agent, the Estately team matches them with the best local experts for their needs. A wide variety of great agents work with estately, but all share devotion to helping their clients.   When a client who comes from Estately completes a successful transaction, the agent is charged a 20% referral fee.

Atlanta Listings Added

Earlier this month, they announced the addition of their tenth metropolitan market as they bring Atlanta under their fold. Adding 127,000 listings from two Georgia MLS databases, it now brings the total number of properties for sale on Estately.com to over 459,000.

Joel Burslem, Future of Real Estate Marketing, recently had this to say… “Estately’s search tool is a very robust and impressive product, as I’ve noted a number of times in the past. It’s one of my favorite search destinations on the web. I especially like their transit search tool which calculates a property’s distance from a particular transit line. In Atlanta, you can now do these kind of searches in proximity to the MARTA line.”

Check out the results for Woodstock’s 30188 zip code:

Disclaimer:  Brad Nix is Estately’s licensed broker in the state of Georgia.

Just a stone’s throw from both the bustling city streets of Atlanta and the quiet serenity of the North Georgia mountains , there exists a city that seamlessly merges the charms and character of both extremes. Recently honored with an  ”All American City Award,”  Marietta offers what few places can still deliver–the sought-after environment where “getting business done”  and “getting away from it all” can both be realized. Marietta prides itself on a highly walkable downtown square, where both locals and visitors gather to appreciate the vibrant boutiques, restaurants, coffeehouses, farmers markets, museums, and theaters the city affords.  Indeed, it’s not uncommon for first-time visitors to quickly aspire to the coveted “local-status” once they’ve experienced for themselves Marietta’s combination of small-town hospitality and big-city diversions.

Of Railroads, Wars, and Senators’ Wives:  A City’s True Southern Story

To put it mildly, Marietta has enjoyed an intriguing history. The Georgia legislature deemed Marietta an official town in 1834, and its name was lovingly derived from Senator Thomas Cobb’s wife Mary. (This is also the same “Cobb” for which Marietta is still the county seat.) Like many cities between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Marietta’s beginnings can be traced back to laying down the tracks of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Businesses sprang up accordingly around the railroad, as did hotels, a bank,  and the stately, historic mansions that still line Marietta’s streets.

The city’s prosperity, however, was temporarily  ”interrupted”  in 1864 by General Willam T. Sherman’s “March to the Sea,” in which Union soldiers set the city ablaze and destroyed the courthouse and businesses around the square.  Industry slowly began to regenerate itself after the Civil War, but as a true testament to the adage “that which destroys” also “nourishes,” it was ironically not until another war loomed that Marietta was able to predict its greatest strides toward re-growth.  World War II necessitated that the Bell Aircraft Company construct a bomber plant there to keep up with wartime demands.  Eager workers flocked into Marietta from the surrounding areas to take advantage of the new jobs that Bell provided.  It wasn’t long after that war ended that the Korean War began, and the Lockheed-Georgia company took over the former Bell facility. Lockheed consequently became the state’s largest employer in the 1950′s and 1960′s.  Further, the revitalization of downtown district was sparked by the 1970′s creation of the Downtown Development Authority, who encouraged the local merchants to restore the square back to its former glory that we enjoy today.

A Place to “Stay”:  Marietta Welcomes You for the Night or For a Lifetime

Whether you’re nestling in for a weekend sojourn at one of Marietta’s bed-and-breakfasts or its Four Diamond-rated Hilton conference center, or perhaps looking  to dig more permanent roots by purchasing your own piece of Marietta Real Estate, you will discover on both counts that city extends a warm welcome to you.  A visit to the Marietta Welcome Center and Visitors Bureau, located in the Western and Atlantic Passenger Depot building, provides a wealth of information to visitors and residents about the historic and cultural gems in the area.  To get  further acquainted with the city, you also have the choice to go either on foot with a mapped-out walking tour, ride on a horse-drawn carriage, or partake in one of the regularly scheduled Historic Marietta Trolley Tours.  And with such on-going events as the Glover Park concert-series, First Friday Art Walks, and the “Taste of Marietta,” anyone wishing to immerse himself in Marietta culture is presented with plenty of opportunities.  Whatever business or pleasure brings you to the city, however, one truth remains certain:  for the night or for a lifetime, Marietta is great place to stay.