Have you guys seen the new site: "Forsyth Shines"?

I saw this site through a friends post on Facebook.  So I immediately became a fan and really enjoy the Facebook updates but also the website itself.  It is a fresh look at what's going on in Forsyth with great information that I can use for coordinating my family's events. 

What is so great is they have a day to day list of activities going on county-wide so I can just scan the list to see if there is anything I am interested in.  There is also a large button saying, "Send Us Your Event" so you can easily get the word out if there is something you don't see on their list.  

I have seen a few contests and give-aways from them as they get going and I think they are doing a lot right.  I hope this site continues and is a huge success.  Check them out:  http://www.forsythshines.com

And for the record, it may sound like it, but I am not in any way affiliated with them - just FYI  :)

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite...

I have been obsessed with worry since my family will be traveling to Florida this summer and are staying in a hotel.  I have not stayed in a hotel much since bed bugs have reared their ugly heads once again in the U.S.  So now, I am searching google, asking my friends and looking for the latest information on how to NOT bring the buggers home with us.

So I was pleasantly surprised today while listening to a news program about of all things, preventing bed bugs.  Basically, bed bugs are not like ants.  They don't walk into our houses on their own.  They pretty much have to be invited (like a vampire...!) and once inside make pests of themselves until you finally can't take it anymore and call pest control.  The easiest way for them to receive their invitation into you home is by you putting your luggage on any surface in the bedroom of a hotel room.

The experts on the show said to prevent this, you should keep your clothes and things inside your luggage and keep it in the bathroom instead of the bedroom (or carpeted areas).  I also heard from somewhere else that you should store all your clothes and items (even your luggage) in large plastic bags (think overgrown freezer bags) that I know you can get at Walmart for just this purpose.  

These are just a few hints but if you'd like more information visit Allgood Pest Solutions for their expert Advice.  I know I will be visiting this site before we go on our trip next month.

Kids Care in Forsyth

Children's Healthcare Forsyth will officially open on June 1 with their kick-off/open house on May 22.  The facility is located at 410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 300.

The pediatric location will provide outpatient services, including immediate care, rehabilitation, sports medicine, orthotics and prosthetics, specialty physician care and X-ray and laboratory services, and more.


The clinic is expected to generate between 50 and 60 jobs, including nurses, radiology technicians, doctors and front desk employees.

For more information visit:  http://www.choa.org/About-Childrens/Locations-and-Directions/Forsyth

Family Friendly Events for Easter Weekend

Friday 4/22

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Easter Egg Hunt at Brecht Stables. Find the secret egg and win a Bryer Horse!

8:30 pm – Flashlight Egg Hunt at First Baptist Cumming. Event for K-5 aged children. Bring a basket and flashlight.

All Day – Earth Day Celebration – Keep Forsyth Beautiful – Coal Mountain Recycling Center.For more information on any of these events or to schedule a tour for your group, call Keep Forsyth County Beautiful at 770.205.4573.

Saturday 4/23

10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Michaels – Free Easter Card make-it take-it event for kids 3 and up.

10:00 am – 11:00 am – Pike Nurseries – Creating Containers That Wow - FREE seminar at all Pike Nurseries garden centers. This seminar will teach you the ABC’s of color container gardens.  Learn how to select and plant containers with Thrillers, Spillers, and Fillers.  Attendees will receive coupon to use that day.

10:00 am – Lowes Build and Grow – Window Birdhouse - Spring is here! This unique birdhouse sticks to your window so you can actually see the nest! Your child will love it! Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.

11:00 am – Barnes & Noble at The Avenues Forsyth – Kids Saturday Storytime – Happy Easter!

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Easter Eggstravaganza at Christ Community Church. We’ll have egg hunts with15,000 Candy Eggs (for Toddlers, Pre-school, Elementary, High-School, AND College!), Giveaways, Inflateables, Games for all ages, Fun Stations, Food & more! Admittance is free.

Events copied from http://www.forsythforfamilies.com/

Existing-Home Sales Rise in March 2011

According to the National Association of Realtors, existing-home sales rose in March by 3.7% to a "seasonally adjusted" annual rate of 5.10 million in March from 4.92 million in February, but are still 6.3% below the 5.44 million sold in March 2010.

NAR chief economist, expects the improving sales pattern to continue but cautions that not every month will show a gain since it is still very difficult for some buyers to obtain a mortgage.  For those that qualify for financing, monthly mortgage payments as a percent of income have been at record lows.  Data from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have tightened requirements to obtain conventional mortgage, with the average credit score rising to about 760 in the current market from nearly 720 in 2007.  

Home prices are still on the decline.  The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $159,600 in March, down 5.9% from last year. Distressed homes—typically sold at 20% discount, accounted for a 40% market share in March, up from 39% in February and 35% in March 2010.

Looking at all this regionally, in the South, existing-home sales rose 8.2% but are still 1.0% below sales in March 2010. The median price in the South was $138,200, down 6.6% from a year ago.

For more information, visit www.realtor.com.

Best of the Best - Cumming 2011

Saw this and thought it was worth a post:

All-Around Restaurant - Taco Mac (apparently everyone agrees because I was there a few weeks ago and it was packed - baseball teams, families, and fun!)

Bakery - Dutch Monkey Doughnuts (I must check this one out!)

Barbecue - Jim 'n Nicks

Coffee - Starbucks (gee really?)

Desserts - Dairy Queen

Ethnic Restaurant - Kani House

Fast Food - Chik-fil-A (another one that's no surprise)

Italian - Provinos (love those rolls)

Lunch - Lenny's

Kid Friendly - Chik-fil-A

Mexican - Chepes (again, always packed)

New Restaurant - Cheeky's

Oriental - Pacific Spice

Pizzaria - Mellow Mushroom

Seafood - Norman's Landing

Sports Bar - Taco Mac


Check out the rest of the list in AroundAbout Cumming Magazine, March 2011

Sawnee Mountain Rises to the Top

Sawnee Mountain is to Cumming what Stone Mountain is to Atlanta - sort of.  Like Stone Mountain, it is a recognizable landmark that is just, well, always there in the background.  And in the last few years, Sawnee Mountain has, like Stone Mountain, become a great place to enjoy the great GA outdoors.

During the months of April and May, Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor’s Center is offering a several outdoor activities for kids and adults.  Below are a few:

Intro to Vegetable Gardening: This class covers planning, soils and management, intro to plant growth, sowing seeds and transplanting, fertilizer application, watering, training plants, managing problems and harvesting produce. Enjoy hands-on exercises and outdoor work in raised bed vegetable gardens. (May 10 - 24 from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. for ages 18 and up. The cost is $45.00 for county residents and $54.00 for non-county residents.)

Georgia Master Naturalists: This program is a combination of lectures and outside hands-on learning through field studies. Participants will hear from experts who manage our natural resources.  (The eight-hour sessions are offered on Tuesdays, April 12 - May 31, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., for ages 18 and up. The cost is $200 for county residents and $240 for non-county residents.)


Introduction to Tree Climbing:  Tree climbing instruction will be offered on Saturday, April 16 and May 7 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. and is for ages 8 and up. The cost is $30.00 for county residents, $36.00 for non-county residents (all equipment will be provided).

Container Gardening: You’ll learn about starting and maintaining a container garden. (Monday, May 16 from 10:30 a.m. – noon, and on Tuesdays, May 17 – 31 from noon – 2 p.m. The cost is $66.00 for county residents and $79.20 for non-county residents.)

Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor’s Center is located at 4075 Spot Road in Cumming.  ENJOY!