Bark in the Park with the Atlanta Braves, Aug. 29

Do you enjoy baseball?  How about your dog…does he/she enjoy a good game?  Well, the Atlanta Braves certainly hope so.  On August 29, when the NL East leading Braves host the Florida Marlins, dog-loving fans are invited to Bark in the Park, a promotion that allows you to bring your dog with you to the game.  Just think, you and your pooch can finally spend some quality time together doing something that you both enjoy.

The Braves organization will transform Coca-Cola Sky Field into doggie heaven.  Don’t worry about water for Fido either.  They will have watering holes for your dog to drink from, as well as a veterinarian on-site should they get sick.  Even little dog pools will be available so they can jump in and cool off.

While the game starts at 1:35 p.m., dog-owners and pets are welcome to come through the gates as early as 11:00 a.m. in order to get situated and enjoy pre-game festivities.  One important thing you should note though – you can not just show up on the 29th with your dog.  The Braves are selling a combined “One human/One dog” ticket for $25 and they are only available through advanced purchase.  You will also need proof of certain vaccinations in order to get a ticket.  Additional “human tickets” are only $12.  For more information on Bark in the Park, call 404.522.7630.

(Photo Credit: misschatter)

Roswell makes CNN/Money’s “Top 100″

Roswell, GA residents have something else to be really proud of!  The Atlanta suberb just ranked as #77 on CNN/Money Magazine’s list of the Best Places to Live in 2010!   Here is what the magazine had to say about our city…

Home to several plantation houses from the Civil War era, historically rich Roswell is committed to a family-friendly environment.  It has some of the best public schools in the state, the lowest crime rate in the region, and a myriad of outdoor activities, making it easy to understand why families flock to this affluent Atlanta suburb.  Residents love their many public events, including the monthly Alive after Five summer festival, with plenty of food, shopping, and live music.

There are plenty of additional reasons that Roswell made the list.  According to CNN/Money, compared to the rest of the Top 100, Roswell’s…

• median family income ($113,750) is higher than average
• sales tax (only 4%) is lower than average
• job growth from 2000-2009 (22.3%) was higher than average

And if you don’t like to cook, then Roswell is definitely the right place for you.  With over 6,660 restaurants in a 15 mile radius, they lead the list in places to go grab a bite.  Now aren’t you glad that you decided to make Rosemont Apartments your home?

(Photo Credit: City of Roswell)

The Fourth of July at Lenox Mall

The Fourth of July is coming up and if you’re looking for a place to watch some great fireworks, we’ve got the info you need.  Lenox Mall is where you’ll want to be.  It’s only the southeast’s largest fireworks display and celebration that attracts more than 200,000 people annually.  I’d say that makes it “thee” place to be to watch fireworks on the holidays.

And if you have the kids with you, no worries.  They’ll have a Kids Zone play area that opens at 12 p.m. for the younger ones to run around in.  The mall and it’s stores will also be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., after which the musical entertainment will kick off in the parking lot.  Headlining the evening will be Atlanta’s premiere cover band, Party on the Moon.  The Atlanta-natives are one of the hottest cover bands in the country, playing events such as Eli Manning’s wedding and most recently, Donald Trump’s New Year’s Eve party.  Fireworks follow the music at 9:40 p.m.

If you’re in town for the 4th, make sure you plan to come on through and celebrate.  It’s absolutely free and open to the public.

Studio Movie Grill comes to Alpharetta

Out-to-eat and catching a movie (or vice versa, depending on your preference).  It’s the iconic American night out, right?  What’s better than sitting down to a table of your favorite “bar & grill” food and then transporting yourself into cinematic depths of the latest “must see movie”?

Increasingly, pairing the two dinner-movie combo together has become a popular night out option as dinner-movie theatres pop-up more and more across the country.  It’s like getting two treats at the same time.  Besides, in this “time is money” day and age, the more time we can save, the better, right?  Well, now Roswell/Alpharetta residents have the option.  Welcome to the Atlanta area, Studio Movie Grill!

If you haven’t heard, Dallas-based Studio Movie Grill recently opened up doors to a new theatre at 2880 Holcolmb Bridge Road (770-992-8411).  The franchise, similar to Buckhead’s Fork & Screen theatre, offers moviegoers the opportunity to dine while watching the movie of their choice.  Their menu ranges from salads to cheese platters to barbecue chicken pizza.  Both movie and food prices in comprable to neighboring theatres and resataurants.

They even have a Summer Movie Series for small children at disc0unted rates, as well as a Tuesday night beer and burger special.  Enjoy!

Trader’s Alley: New at the Atlanta Zoo

Alive After Five, June 17

The next Alive After Five will be Thursday, June 17th. The music line up includes Marietta’s own Pet Rock at the Square, Bandwidth playing at Plum Tree Village and Wax Poets playing at the Sweet Pea Cottage. This is one of the best and most classic of the summer events that Roswell has to offer. The entire downtown Roswell area comes alive with music, street performers, food and all the shops stay open and have special events. So start your weekend early next week and head on out to Alive After Five, it is a great way to unwind, admission is free and there is ample parking!

Toy Story 3 at the North Point Mall Disney Store!

Looking for something to do with the little ones?  Well, are they fans of Toy Story?  If so, head over to the Disney Store at North Point Mall.  Over the next few weekends they will be holding serveral Toy Story themed events and activities.  Here is a schedule:

• June 5: Craft Activity & Photo Opportunity, 11am – 2pm
• June 12: Bingo, Session 1 at 11am, Session 2 at 12:30pm
• June 19: Scavenger Hunt, 11am – 2pm
• June 26: Toy Story 3 Adventure, 11am – 2pm

The minimum age for participation is 3 years old.  Toy Story 3 opens in theaters on June 18. I’ve seen the first two, and they’re pretty good movies as far as cartoon’s go.

Poll: Places to Go

I’m trying to plan a little vacation for my girlfriend and I this fall. I’ve got about a week of free time and I want to relax. On one hand, I’ve never been to Europe and I think that would be cool, but on the other hand, you can never go wrong with the beach and the sun. How is Europe in the fall anyway?

Or maybe it’s time to try something completely different and head for the mountains. I’m a city boy and havn’t really tackeld the outdoors head on. You only live once, right? Or maybe I should just save my money for my birthday gift to myself and just veg out on the couch for a week (hey, my girlfriend will get to ride with me so she’s not really losing out). Decisions, decisions.

Got a sec? Take the new poll at the right. If you have any insight to any of these vacation ideas, or any new ideas, I’d def appreciate your comments!

Sundays on the Square

Good news, folks! Roswell is bringing music back to the Historic Town Square! Beginning this Sunday, May 16, join the Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Department of the City of Roswell for Sunday’s on the Square, a series of Sunday afternoon concerts with a line-up of traditional music including jazz, choral, chamber and more!  All concerts are from 3pm – 4:30pm and are free of charge to the public.  For more info, 770-641-3705   

• May 16: Laura Coyle - Roswell-raised jazz vocalist with a stunning voice
• May 23: Caroline Herring - A folksy singer-songwriter who offers some old standards with new twists
• May 30: The Dolce Chamber Music Society - A 15-piece string and woodwind ensemble 

The Dunwoody Beer Festival: Hops For Hope

Get ready for the return of the Dunwoody Beer Festival, Saturday, May 15th at the Perimeter Mall Parking Lot (4400 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd.). In its ninth year, the Dunwoody Beer Festival hosts a combination of over 150 beers, malt beverages, and liquors from countries all over the world. The party runs from 2 pm to 7 pm and tickets are $35 the day of the festival. One great party for one great cause.

All proceeds benefit Camp Twin Lakes, a not-for-profit organization that offers year-round recreational, therapeutic, and educational programs for children facing serious illnesses and other physical, emotional and life challenges. With its network of partners, Camp Twin Lakes provides life-changing experiences for thousands of children each year at its state-of-the-art, fully accessible facility, located on 500 acres in Rutledge, Georgia, and at other locations throughout the state.

Personally, I can’t think of a better reason to knock back a couple pints.  Hope to see you there!

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