Alpharetta Cumming Lake Lanier Real Estate Blog: December 2009

After removing the final ornament from your Christmas tree, bring the tree to be recycled at the twentieth annual "Bring One for the Chipper" event. This statewide Christmas tree recycling program will be held Saturday, January 9, 2010.

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB) will extend local Christmas tree recycling from December 26 to January 23 at some locations. Drop off Christmas trees at the following designated locations in Forsyth County:

Home Depot
1000 Market Place Blvd.
Cumming, GA 30041
*Accepting trees January 9 only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Home Depot
2635 Peachtree Pkwy.
Suwanee, GA 30024
*Accepting trees January 9 only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vickery Creek Elementary
6280 Post Rd.
Cumming, GA 30040
*Accepting trees December 26 to January 9, everyday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Coal Mountain Recycling Center
3560 Settingdown Rd.
Cumming, GA 30028
*Accepting trees December 26 to January 23, Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The center will be closed New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.)

Old Atlanta Recycling Center
3678 Old Atlanta Rd.
Suwanee, GA 30024
*Accepting trees December 26 to January 23, Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The center will be closed New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.)

Tolbert Street Recycling Center
351 Tolbert St.
Cumming, GA 30040
*Accepting trees December 26 to January 23, Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The center will be closed New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.)

Free tree seedlings and vegetable seeds will be available January 9 at all Forsyth County drop-off locations while supplies last.

In January 2009, Forsyth County residents recycled 5,583 Christmas trees at designated drop-off locations. A wood chipper processes the dropped-off trees into mulch.

"Recycling Christmas trees is good for the environment," Environmental Program Manager Tammy Wright said. "Christmas tree mulch is great for ground cover on trails and to keep moisture around your plants."

Visit www.keepgeorgiabeautiful.org and complete a request form for free Christmas tree mulch to be delivered to your home or business by Davey Tree and Lawn Care. A standard delivery load of mulch will cover 15-20 cubic yards."Bring One for the Chipper" started in Georgia in 1991, and Forsyth County has participated each year since 1994. From 1994 to 2009, Forsyth County residents have recycled more than 62,000 trees.

To receive additional information regarding Christmas tree recycling in Forsyth County, call KFCB at 770.205.4573.

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From Fire Chief Danny Bowman and the Forsyth County Fire Department:

"The Forsyth County Fire Department encourages everyone to take precautionary safety measures to help ensure safety this holiday season," Fire Chief Danny Bowman said. "Responsible use of items such as heating devices, decorations and candles can certainly play a role in preventing fires and injuries throughout the holidays."


Heating Devices

• Keep portable electric heaters at least three feet away from combustible materials such as drapes and upholstered furniture
• Never place heaters on tables or furniture
• Avoid using extension cords for heaters if possible
• Do not use unvented gas heaters in enclosed spaces due to the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning
• Follow manufacturer's recommendations regarding where and how to use any heating devices

Preventing Holiday Tree Fires
Selecting a tree for the holidays

• Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and poses a fire hazard.

Caring for your tree

• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
• Disposing of your tree
• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. Consider disposing of your tree by taking it to a recycling center.

Holiday Lights

• Maintain your holiday lights
• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before using them. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Do not overload electrical outlets
• Never link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe to link additional ones. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into an outlet. Periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
• Do not leave holiday lights on unattended

Holiday Decorations

• Use only nonflammable decorations
• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
• Never place wrapping paper in a fireplace
• Wrapping paper can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home capable of causing an explosion.
• Artificial holiday trees
• If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, be sure it is flame-retardant.

Candle Care

• Avoid using lit candles
• If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked over easily. Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Never put lit candles on a tree
• Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame (candles, lighters or matches).

Toy Safety

• Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
• Before purchasing a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy received as a gift, read the instructions carefully.
• To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, do not give young children (under age ten) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, consider toys that are battery-operated.
• Children under age 8 can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons.
• Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.
• Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could pose a strangulation hazard for babies.

Always have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries. Practice your home escape plan and dial 911 in an emergency.
These tips courtesy of the Forsyth County Fire Department and the United States Fire Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Lake Lanier is not only a tight-knit community, but also a large source of annual revenue for all of North East Georgia. Residents and out-of-towners alike flock to Lake Lanier each year to enjoy lake recreation. While many people are aware of the lake and the amenities it offers, many people are not aware that the future of Lake Lanier is in jeopardy and needs your help.

Lake Lanier is currently party to six lawsuits regarding the Tri-State water wars and part of the outcome of these lawsuits effects whether recreation will continue to be an authorized activity at Lake Lanier. No one wants to imagine a tomorrow where future generations can not enjoy the lake as we do. By joining the Lake Lanier Association, you can help preserve the future of Lake Lanier, as well as the value of your lake property.

Membership in the Lake Lanier Association is open to anyone interested in preserving the water quality and quantity, as well as the beauty and recreational opportunities Lake Lanier affords. The LLA is a non-profit association, founded in 1966, and is the oldest volunteer group working to protect the high water quality and water levels of Lake Lanier.

Membership in the LLA starts at just $50.00 for the year and there are several levels of membership to choose from. Visit www.lakelanier.org for more information about Lake Lanier and membership in the association. You can also donate directly from the website; donations and membership are tax deductible and can be deducted on this year’s taxes if made by the end of the year. Email lakeinfo@lakelanier.org for more information.

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Keep Forsyth County Beautiful: Free wood chips are available to Forsyth County residents while supplies last near the Forsyth County Roads and Bridges facility on County Way in Cumming. A small mulch yard at the site is used to stockpile wood chips produced during normal county operations. The wood chips are available to Forsyth County residents at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. The quantity and availability are expected to vary.

"These wood chips are suitable for projects such as nature trails, landscape beds and large, soil exposed areas," Environmental Program Manager Tammy Wright said. "Although it is not double processed like grade "A" shredded mulch which can be purchased at nurseries and garden centers, it is still recommended for these types of uses."

County Way is located just off of GA 400. From GA 400 North, take the first left past the intersection of Hwy. 369 and follow the blue State Patrol Office signs. The mulch yard is on the right directly across the street from Georgia State Patrol Post 37. Patrons are responsible for loading and hauling their own wood chips. Please try and keep the area as clean as possible.

To receive additional information, call Keep Forsyth County Beautiful at 770.205.4573.

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An additional portion of the Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County was officially opened Friday, December 4 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new portion, known as Phase 1, covers approximately 3.9 miles from McFarland Parkway to the Fowler Park site at SR 9. A large portion of Phase 1 of the Big Creek Greenway was funded by state and federal funds. Phase 1 connects to the already opened Phases 2 and 3, which cover approximately 2.94 miles from SR 9 to Bethelview Road.

The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot wide concrete and boardwalk path meandering through the deciduous woods along the Big Creek. The trail offers an ideal setting for walking, jogging, biking and inline skating.

A temporary parking area adjacent to McFarland Parkway at Big Creek will be able to accommodate approximately 50 vehicles. The primary parking will be provided with the completion of Fowler Park (scheduled for 2011), which will have a connection to the Big Creek Greenway.

Design of the future Phases 4 and 5 of the trail is currently under way. When all phases are completed, the greenway will be approximately 15 miles in Forsyth County.

To receive additional information about the trail, visit www.forsythco.com.

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The City of Cumming and Forsyth County will usher in the holiday season today, Saturday, December 5, 2009, beginning at 3:30 p.m., when the Cumming Christmas Parade & Festival rolls along Market Place Boulevard complete with colorfully decorated floats, high school marching bands, dancing elves, smiling children dressed in their holiday best, festive music, dance troupes, local dignitaries and organizations and, at last, a visit from Santa Claus. “The Market Place thoroughfare will transform into a magical winter wonderland!,” says H. Ford Gravitt.

Presented by the City of Cumming and Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, the parade attracts residents and visitors alike as they line the streets in anticipation of traditional holiday enjoyment with family and friends. “The Cumming Christmas Parade and Festival is an excellent way to highlight our community to the many residents and visitors who come to kick off the holiday season by participating in a day of fun and, hopefully, shopping with our local businesses,” said James McCoy, President and CEO of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. Promoting the great assets we have in Cumming and Forsyth County and showcasing our tireless and welcoming citizens is a natural fit for the Chamber.

The parade will flow along Market Place Boulevard, culminating at Highway 20 at which time parade spectators and participants are invited to continue celebrating at the annual holiday tree lighting event, Northside Hospital Celebration of Lights benefiting the cancer care program at Northside Hospital- Forsyth. Refreshments, entertainment and the tree lighting ceremony will begin at 4:30p.m. At the commencement of the tree lighting ceremony, grab your friends and family and continue celebrating this wonderful day with dinner and shopping at your local vendors along Marketplace Boulevard and around Cumming. Don’t miss out on these events that promise to bring the Christmas spirit out in all of us.

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Join us for "Shopping Works Wonders" to benefit JDRF on Friday, December 11th from 9am-9pm at Bloomingdale's @ Lenox Square and Perimeter Mall. As a supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Bloomingdale's will donate 10% of your total amount purchased to the JDRF Georgia Chapter.

*In order to allocate 10% of your purchase to JDRF, simply present your receipt with this invite at the redemption desk.*

Also, make sure to attend the Children's Holiday Tea Party on Friday, December 11th from 3:30-4:30pm at Bloomingdale's @ Lenox Square (BKids, Level 3). Tea for you and tea for me, we hope you join us for a spot of tea (or hot chocolate). Kick off the holiday season by attending a special tea party with the limited-edition 2009 Bloomingdale's Holiday Bear. For every bear purchased, Bloomingdale's will donate $5 to JDRF. View holiday creations by Chef Lipscomb from The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Meet the chef and watch him showcase his talents by decorating Gingerbread houses. Also enjoy, Cookie Decorating· Face Painting· Professional Holiday Pictures and Light Snacks!

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