Happy New Year 2014

I wish you all health, prosperity, and happiness in the New Year.  Remember that you are special and have many talents to share.  Dream, dream, dream and fulfill all your goals.  Work on something that inspires you and brings you joy.   Stop and take time to enjoy family and friends.   We all need to feel loved and have someone to love.   Again, I wish for you many blessings in 2014.   Happy New Year!

Chattahoochee Nature Center Reception for Honorary Principals of the Day

After having a wonderful day as Honorary Principal for a Day at Summit Hill Elementary School, I attended the reception for all the honorary principals at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.   From Greater North Fulton Chamber members to educators to business men and women to nature center docents, everyone mingled.   Participants had fantastic stories of their experiences as Principals for the Day at the Fulton County Schools.   The King's Ridge Christian School Choir entertained us, docents welcomed us, and even a rescued hawk greeted us to the nature center.

Senator Brandon Beach introduced public officials, sponsors, and GNFCC committee members.   Bill Day, Owner & CEO of North Ridge Restoration, and Joy Sheroerlucke, Principal of Holcomb Bridge Middle School, detailed the benefits of community involvement in the schools.   Dr. Robert Avossa, Superintendent of the Fulton County Schools, stated that we have great schools in Fulton County both public and private.   This is one of the reasons families move here.   Paul Anderson, Chair of the GNFCC Education Committee, thanked everyone and challenged us to become a part of the school community.  

Here are some pictures and a slide show of the reception at the nature center:

http://youtu.be/hdwM28RL-RU

Debbie Ryals, Pam Santoro, Geoff Smith
Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

King's Ridge Christian School Choir
Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

Susan Brown, Kendra Plotkin & Pam Santoro
Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

Pam Santoro & Shuntel Beach
Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

Senator Brandon Beach & King's Ridge Christian School Choir
Reception at Chattahoochee Nature Center
for Honorary Principals of the Day

Principal for a Day at Summit Hill Elementary School.

On Wednesday, November 20th, I had the pleasure of learning first hand about our great Fulton County Schools.  I was the honorary Principal of the Day at Summit Hill Elementary School shadowing Principal Nancy Murphy for a day.  I was so impressed with the students, staff and parent volunteers  

At the start of the day, I was the guest speaker on the Husky's morning televised announcements.  The media specialist, Michelle Howard, explained that all third, fourth, and fifth graders get a chance to produce the morning news from handling all the equipment to being news anchors.   

Summit Hill Elementary School has 726 students on its beautiful Milton campus.   The mission of  Summit Hill Elementary is to work passionately and collaboratively to inspire every student's success in life and learning.   Touring the school, I observed different grades with Thanksgiving hats, treats, wagons, pouches, and more.   What's amazing is the wonderful way the teachers incorporate technology into  teaching with students never missing a beat.  Whether covering reading, math, social studies or science, students were inquisitive, knowledgeable, solution oriented and very tech savvy.  

As a realtor and a mother of two Chattahoochee High school graduates, I have always known that we have great North Fulton schools, but this reaffirms my knowledge.   

I attended a  staff planning meeting, visited the media center, and ate lunch in the cafeteria.   It was a fantastic experience.  As a business person, I recommend getting involved in the schools.   So much energy there.   Not only can we give back to the community, but I believe we get more from the experience.  

Here are a few of the pictures from  the school plus a small slide show of my day http://youtu.be/6m1LbJ7DtLI :

Nancy Murphy, Principal at Summit Hill Elementary School
Pam Santoro, Principal for a Day

Michelle Howard and Husky's Television Helpers

Summit Hill Elementary School
Milton, Georgia

Pam Santoro, Harry Norman Realtors,
Honorary Principal for a Day
Summit Hill Elementary School
Milton, Georgia

Pam Santoro on the Summit Hill Elementary School Morning News

Dennis Campbell, Assistant Principal
Summit Hill Elementary School

Happy Veterans Day

Many thanks to the brave men and women who have served our country to protect our freedom.

Alpharetta Police Department Review Safety Tips at Harry Norman Realtors North Fulton Office

Officer J. Allen of the Alpharetta Police Department
Reviews Safety Tips at the Harry Norman Realtors
North Fulton Office

 Jenny Bonura, Broker of the North Fulton Office  for  Harry Norman Realtors
and Officer D. Freeman of the  Alpharetta Police Department

Since September is National Realtors Safety Month, Officer  J. Allen, Business Watch Coordinator of the  Alpharetta Police Department,  reviewed safety tips for Realtors at the Harry Norman Realtors - North Fulton office. The following websites will help all of us to be aware of crime in our neighborhoods or a neighborhood that our clients might like to live in: 

www.Crimereports.com

www.Spotcrime.com

www.Mylocalcrime.com

www.Crimestatistics.com

www.City-data.com

Officer Allen reminded all of us to take ten seconds to be safe.  As we park our cars,  look around to assess our surroundings.  When we arrive at a house to show,  take 2 seconds to look around and make sure that everything is OK when unlocking the house.   Also, after entering a house, take a few seconds to make sure all looks and feels OK before proceeding with the showing.   When leaving the property, make sure everything is locked up.   

These small tips help when showing property but also even when we aren't.   Remember when the little hairs on the back of your head stand up, it is OK to call for help.   

When parking your car, don't leave anything of value in plain sight.   Put brief cases and other valuables in the trunk of your car before you arrive at your destination.   

If you want more helpful tips, check out the Public Safety Department website for the City of Alpharetta.   

GNFCC Eggs & Enterprise - Paul Bowers, Georgia Power Company



Paul Bowers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Power Company, was the keynote speaker at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Enterprise Breakfast at the Atlanta Athletic Club.   Mr. Bowers reviewed energy policies in Georgia and the USA, economics, and potential for future growth.    

 

 

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast August 27th 2013

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast August 27th 2013

 

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast August 27th 2013

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast August 27th 2013

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Eggs & Enterprise Breakfast August 27th 2013

 

Alpharetta Business Expo 8/29/13

Last Thursday I attended the first annual Alpharetta Business Expo at the Alpharetta Marriott on Windward Parkway.  As you can see by the pictures, it was a great event.   Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle gave an overview on where Alpharetta is going from city renovations to attracting more business to Alpharetta.  

 

 



Awesome Alpharetta - Alpharetta Business Expo



Attorney Karen Cashion - Alpharetta Business Expo
 

Mayor David Belle Isle - Alpharetta Business Expo

Costco - Alpharetta Business Expo

Mayor David Belle Isle & Danny Broadway
Alpharetta Business Expo - August 29th, 2013

Mayor David Belle Isle & Danny Broadway
Alpharetta Business Expo - August 29th, 2013



For more information on the Alpharetta Business Association, go to www.alpharettabusinessassociation.com .

 

Happy Labor Day

Have a wonderful safe Labor Day!

Johns Creek Farmer's Market & Veteran's Memorial Walk

If you are looking for something to do on a Saturday morning, look no further.   Visit the Johns Creek Farmer's Market at Newtown Park in Johns Creek, Georgia between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM.   Local farmers bring organic produce to the market each Saturday.   Wonderful vendors attend with sustainable food for you to purchase and enjoy.    

 

The Farmer's Market had wonderful music, food and produce.   My husband and I took in a leisurely walk and found some good buys.  Newtown Park was alive with dog walkers, tennis players, ball games and more.  

 



 

Johns Creek Farmer's Market
Newtown Park, Johns Creek, Georgia

 

Johns Creek Farmer's Market
Newtown Park, Johns Creek, Georgia

Johns Creek Farmer's Market
Newtown Park, Johns Creek, Georgia

Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk
Newtown Park, Johns Creek, Georgia

Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk
Newtown Park, Johns Creek, Georgia



Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk
Newtown Park, Johns Creek, Georgia

 

The Johns Creek Veterans Association, a local non-profit, is working toward building a  Memorial Walk to honor all veterans at Newtown Park.   If you'd like to learn more, just click here: Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk at Newtown Park

 

 





Happy Fourth of July

I hope you are  all having a wonderful Fourth of July.   It is raining in Atlanta, but we managed to have the neighborhood bike parade, the Atlanta Peachtree Race went off smoothly, next we get to grill and go to fireworks.   Hopefully, we can work all this out between the rain drops.  

Here's a link to the blog about my neighborhood bike parade:
http://www.thescribblerexperiment.com/?p=686

Many thanks to everyone who gave us our freedom.  Happy Birthday U.S.A.

Tedra Cheatham Visits the GNFCC Lunch Connection

Tedra Cheatham - The Clean Air Campaign
GNFCC Guest Speaker

Tedra Cheatham - The Clean Air Campaign
GNFCC Guest Speaker

Tedra Cheatham from the Clean Air Campaign was the guest speaker at the June 19th Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Lunch Connection.   To learn more about improving the quality of the air we breath, log on to cleanaircampaign.org  or call 1-877-cleanair.   Did you know that just purchasing gas for your car after 6:00 PM will help air pollution?   Tedra talked about the benefits of participating in a carpool, telework situation, brown bag lunches for a day, and combining your trips and errands to reduce driving.   Check out www.logyourcommute.org  for more info.

Saturday Mornings at the Alpharetta Farmers Market

If you are looking for something fun to do on a Saturday morning, try visiting the Alpharetta Farmers Market from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.   You can just stroll around or take in some really good buys on fruits, vegetables, plants, pastries and more.  After our walk through the market, Tony and I stopped in a few of the wonderful shops in Alpharetta.

U.S.A. Flag Day - June 14th

Did you know that June 14th is Flag Day?  June 14, 1777 was the day the United States of America adopted the stars and stripes as its flag.   Do you know who Bernard J. Cigrand is?   On June 14th, 1885, Bernard J. Cigrand, a teacher at Stony Hill School, placed a 10 inch, 38- star flag in a bottle on his desk then assigned essays on the flag and its significance. Bernard's love and respect of the flag brought about what we as Americans celebrate as  Flag Day.  To learn more, click on this link:  http://www.nationalflagday.com/default.asp

Marietta Greek Festival May 17th, 18th, and 19th

If you are looking for something fun to do, try visiting the Marietta Greek Festival this weekend.   I have been attending this festival to for over fifteen years with my friends watching the entertainers and dancers plus eating wonderful food.  For more info:  http://mariettagreekfestival.org/

Marietta Greek Festival 

May 17, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM

May 18, 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

May 19, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

 On the grounds of the Holy Transfiguration

Greek Orthodox Church

   3431 Trickum Road
   Marietta, Georgia 30066
   770.924.8080

Taste of Alpharetta 2013 - May 9th 2013 5PM- 10PM

Looking for something to do this evening, try the Taste of Alpharetta (2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia) from 5PM to 10PM in Historic Downtown Alpharetta.   The restaurants that are participating are listed on the City of Alpharetta's website:  http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=195 

5320 Brookglen Court - House of the Day

My listing at 5320 Brookglen Court was featured as the Harry Norman House Of the Day on the corporate Facebook and Twitter accounts.  Check out this great house in Creekside Estates in Cumming, Georgia.

Direct links to both postings are below.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151448177482809&set=a.135748652808.103294.128853322808&type=1

ABWA Business Associate, Woman of the Year, Special Advocate 2013

The American Business Women’s Association – Crabapple Charter Chapter held their annual Business Associate meeting on Tuesday, April 9^th, 2013 at Every Woman Works located at 100 Hannover Park Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30350-7526.  Our guest speaker was Miss Tillie O’Neal-Kyles, the founder of Every Woman Works.   Hostesses for the evening were Deanna Schuelke and Deb Huckeba.  

Three awards were presented that evening.   Linda Topp, the current Woman of the Year for our chapter presented the 2013 Woman of the Year award to Carol Grote for all the work Carol does for our chapter and for the ABWA Atlanta Area Council where she serves as Vice President.  Carol runs her own business Décor and You from Sandy Springs where she is also a resident.   

Pam Santoro, President, presented the Business Associate of the Year award to Miss Tillie O’Neal-Kyles for everything that she has done in the community with Every Woman Works to help women.  Every Woman Works is now located in Sandy Springs but was originally located in Roswell where Miss Tillie resides.  Pam also presented the Special Advocate of the Year award to Alandra Boggan for all the membership recruitment and development that she has done.  Alandra works at Americold Logistics in Sandy Springs and resides in Johns Creek.

Left to Right Row 1:  Pam Santoro, President, Frances Browning, Nikki Grote, Sherrin Thomas, Carol Grote (Woman of the Year 2013 – Décor and You), Alandra Boggan (Special Advocate of the Year 2013 – Americold Logistics), Miss Tillie O’Neal-Kyles (Business Associate of the Year – Every Woman Works),  and Rohini Piyasena  Row 2:  Linda Topp, Secretary (Woman of the Year 2012), Celia Dutcher, Deanna Schulke, Deb Huckeba, Treasurer, Lynn Yellen Jennings

The ABWA Crabapple Charter Chapter encompasses women from Alpharetta, Dunwoody, East Cobb, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and Sandy Springs.  We are part of the national ABWA organization and in the Atlanta Area Council.   Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.   It is a great way for business women to network with local community ties.

 

North Fulton Business Expo March 22, 2013

Hi All,

This is a great event sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

 Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 

 Friday, March 22, 2013 

Marriott, 5900 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, Georgia 

9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Pre-register before 5:00PM on Tuesday, March 19th and you can attend free:   www.gnfccexpo.com

If you register after March 19th, it is $20 at the door.

 See you there.

Heloise Shares Hints on Creating a Flu-Free Home

• 

  (New!)

  Heloise Shares Hints on Creating a Flu-Free Home

  Syndicated advice columnist Heloise chats about how to make your home a healthier place during flu season. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Helpful Tips for your Home & Neighborhood Harmony

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  (New!)

  A Pantry Rescued by Lazy Susans

  It’s a brand-new year — and a great time to reinvent your pantry. Every Thursday this month, we’ll feature an awesome DIY pantry makeover to inspire your own transformation. At the end of January, vote for your favorite at HouseLogic! Read

• 13 Lucky Superstitions for Your Home in 2013

  Is 13 an unlucky number? We don’t think so. But just to be safe, we found 13 superstitions that just might bring your home a little luck this year. Read
• 

  (New!)

  Are Your Neighbors Friend or Foe?

  Neighbors wage war every day over blocked views, loud noise, big and small annoyances. Do you have a good neighbor policy? How’s it working out? Read
• 

  (New!)

  Here’s a Great Way to Clean a Smelly Disposal

  An inexpensive and easy way to clean a garbage disposal. Read
• 

  (New!)

  Why Declutter Your House?

  When you declutter your house, are you choking off your life energy or soothing your soul? Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Energy Saving Ideas for Your Home

• 8 Tips to Make Your Remodel More Energy Efficient and Your Home Healthier

  As long as you’re remodeling, why not cut your utility bill and make your home a bit healthier? Read
• 

  No Sweat: Programmable Thermostats Reduce Your Energy Costs

  Advanced programmable thermostats give you precise control over your heating and cooling, helping to reduce wasted energy. Read
• 

  9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers

  Here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill this season. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

5 Real Estate Trends to Look For in 2013

The demand for housing is predicted to increase in 2013 along with an increase in housing prices.  This a great article from the KCM Blog on 5 Real Estate Trends to Look For in 2013