Enviro Expo USA - Atlanta’s only green consumer expo located in the City’s Zero Waste Zone, Downtown Atlanta - announced Atlanta Audi Dealers as its Title Sponsor. The Expo is being held on Saturday, November 14, and Sunday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the World Congress Center.

Atlanta Audi Dealers’ sponsorship of Enviro Expo USA complements the Audi commitment to incorporate the most eco-friendly technologies into its future product plans. The latest and most exciting manifestation of this appeared at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show with the debut of the Audi e-tron concept car. The purely electric Audi e-tron showcases a range of leading-edge electric vehicle technologies to produce 313 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds, and a truly startling 3319lb/ft of torque. The lithium-ion batteries in the Audi e-tron also are expected to provide a range of 154 miles between chargings.

Partnering again this year with the Georgia Recycling Coalition (GRC), Enviro Expo USA offers an exciting and educational forum that is a family-friendly event to educate and motivate individuals to be better stewards of the environment. The show offers the latest in eco-friendly products and services, covering everything from organics to alternative energy and transportation. The show is free to attend and is supported by the Title Sponsor - Atlanta Audi Dealers, along with Coca-Cola Recycling, Royal Bank of Canada, Best Buy, IKEA, and Lube of Atlanta.

In addition to the many eco-exhibitors, the Expo features new themed areas which include: a green wedding area, sponsored by the Perfect Wedding Guide; a kids’ zone, offering educational activities and showcasing the winners of a Captain Planet Foundation video contest to be held within the metro Atlanta area school system prior to the Expo. Prizes for the contest are provided by Best Buy. Also included are a fashion show by Bauder College, a chef’s corner highlighting local restaurants and caterers demonstrating cooking techniques and featuring samples of seasonal foods. This year’s show includes a dedicated and expanded MarketPlace, sponsored by Farmer D, for organic growers, artisans, and a sundry of other items for holiday “green” shopping. The Speaker Series, sponsored by SoutheastGreen.com, features educational and engaging panel discussions on: Water & Conservation, Home and Garden, Recycling/Composting, and the Green Town Hall Meeting. Also, Justin Cave, star of Ground Breakers on HGTV, hosts an individual presentation on Nov. 14, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.enviroexpousa.org.

Labels: 2009, atlanta, audi, electric, enviro expo usa, georgia, green, world congress center

Posted by Mike & Melody Vanderhoff @ 8:05 PM

Save A Smile Foundation invites you to experience this 22,000 square-foot French estate, envisioned, created and built by custom builder Steve West. It is the largest and most spectacular spec home ever built in Atlanta. An architectural marvel with its European flair and classic, yet livable elegance will showcase Atlanta's top designers. Truly a show house unlike any ever seen in Atlanta. From November 21 through December 20, 2009, this home will be available for parties, special events and personal, leisurely tours. Located off West Paces Ferry Road at 3410 Ridgewood Road, Atlanta 30327.

For more information, or to purchase tour tickets and season passes, or schedule your event for the Atlanta Holiday House and Decorators Show Home, visit www.atlantaholidayhouse.com.

Labels: 2009, atlanta, atlanta holiday house, georgia, save a smile foundation, steve west, west paces ferry

Posted by Mike & Melody Vanderhoff @ 9:17 AM

Dahlonega is making headlines this month among well-read retirees in the latest edition of “Where to Retire” magazine.

The November/December issue of the national periodical delves into the sights and specialties of Lumpkin County and, in the process, names Dahlonega a top retirement town.

“Whether hiking on the Appalachian Trail, tubing and fishing in the Chestatee River or attending a First Friday outdoor summer concert, residents of Dahlonega have ample opportunities to enjoy this northern Georgia town's four-season climate,” wrote “Where to Retire” editor Mary Lu Abbott.

On Monday, Chamber President Amy Booker said she was pleased to see Dahlonega earning new accolades.

The Where to Retire article went on to praise other retiree-friendly features of Dahlonega including the golf course at Achasta, condo accommodations at The Summit and easy access to the outdoors.

“With area wineries, continuing-education courses, theater, music, arts and festivals, the community keeps retirees active,” wrote Abbott.

For Dahlonega real estate listings, click here.

Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of the magazine can do so by logging onto www.wheretoretire.com.

Yet this isn't the first brush with Where to Retire-related acclaim Dahlonega has received. In 2007, the Texas-based magazine named Dahlonega one of the top five “undiscovered” retirement havens in the country.

This is not news to those of us who know and love the area, but a great way to let others know what a great place we have in the North Georgia Mountains!

Labels: achasta, condominiums, dahlonega, georgia, homes for sale, mountains, north georgia, north georgia college, retirement, where to retire

Posted by Mike & Melody Vanderhoff @ 9:03 AM

Labels: 15 year fixed, 30 year fixed, covenant mortgage, FHA, loans, rates, real estate, vanderhoff

Posted by Mike & Melody Vanderhoff @ 5:03 PM

The House voted 403-12 today to expand a popular tax credit for homebuyers. The bill, H.R. 3548, which also extends unemployment benefits and expands a tax break for money-losing businesses, will now go to the President, who plans to sign it on Friday.

First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package. But with that housing program scheduled to expire at the end of November, the House voted to extend it into the spring — and to expand it to many people who already own homes.

Buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible, subject to income limits, for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers — or people who haven't owned homes in the previous three years — could get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers have to sign purchase agreements before May 1 and close before July 1.

The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.

Labels: 2009, 3548, 6500, 8000, first time, home buyer, housing, tax credit

Posted by Mike & Melody Vanderhoff @ 10:55 PM