Peachtree Road Race: Where to Watch

Courtesy of AJC Peachtree Road Race Magazine

One hundred fifty thousand people cram the sidewalks of Peachtree Road to enjoy the world’s largest 10K. If you’re going to be one of them, you’ll need to pick your spot and pick it early. Our recommendations: Find a place where you can obtain refreshments, shade and, of course, a good view of the course. Here’s where to start:

Mile One

The place where it all starts—the center of Buckhead shopping. If you’re watching the race in this part of town, you’ll get to see the monstrous start crowds. Cool off while your friends line up at the start by having a bagel and an iced java at a local coffee house, or scope out all the luxury shopping you can do later.

Mile Two

Top recommendations for getting the true crowd feel are watching the race where West Paces Ferry, Peachtree and Roswell roads meet. Further down mile two, you’ll find The Cathedral of St. Philip, known for hosting race-day events and for being the site where Dean Sam Candler sprinkles Peachtree runners with holy water.

Mile Three

Shop and watch. Good locations for watching mile three of the race are at the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center and Piedmont Hospital, where music is playing while runners conquer “Cardiac Hill.”

Mile Four

In mile four, it’s all about the business of getting down the course toward the finish line and recovering from the workout of “Cardiac Hill.” This section attracts spectators from the surrounding residential areas and from the local dining and drinking establishments.

Mile Five

The race really becomes a spectator sport thronged by massive crowds after Peachtree crosses I-85 heading south toward the Woodruff Arts Center and the restaurants of Colony Square and Midtown.

Mile Six (and the .2)

Positioned here, you can watch all the race excitement and still walk
to the family meeting area in the meadow at Piedmont Park to congratulate family and friends on their accomplishment. The corner of Peachtree and 10th streets is a popular area for race watching and festivities. As you head to the park, there are a number of shaded areas for watching the runners, as well as numerous trendy Midtown restaurants where you can sit and enjoy the race.

Piedmont Residential Opens Kinridge Place in East Cobb

By Katie Brown

Off Sandy Plains Road and Kinridge Road, Kinridge Place offers ten home sites for one or two-story plans. Square footage ranges from 2,200 to more than 3,000 square feet. Two homes in the community are already completed with upgraded flooring, gourmet kitchens and luxury master retreats. Prices range from the low to mid 200s, and home purchasers are able to choose the perfect home plan for themselves. For the kids, schools include Kincaid Elementary, Simpson Middle and Sprayberry High.

To inquire about home plans or schedule an appointment contact New Home Sales Consultant Annette Tortorici at 678.428.6355 or visit www.piedres.com for more information.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Announces $52 million in Grants for Georgia

By Katie Brown

Things are looking good for Atlanta real estate. Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that it will provide $52 million dollars in grants to Georgia in order to support community development and increase the supply of affordable housing.

Areas receiving grant money include the counties of Cherokee, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett as well as Atlanta, Rome, Savannah and Augusta. Aside from community development and creating affordable housing, the grant money will also aid in support long-term disaster recovery and assisting the homeless.

Money for the grants comes from the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and Emergency Shelter Grants.

For more information, visit www.atlantarealestateforum.com.

Georgia Aquarium Features "Red, White & Brew" Celebration for 4th of July Fun

By Katie Brown

For some 4th of July fun, check out Georgia Aquarium’s “Red, White & Brew” celebration. This barbecue and beer fest is for adults over the age of 21 and features live music, delicious food from Jim 'N Nicks Bar-B-Que and beautiful views from the top floor of the Aquarium parking deck. From the deck, you will be in the perfect location to watch Centennial Olympic Park’s fireworks display. The event costs $45 per person and takes place from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit Georgia Aquarium’s education initiatives. For more information, visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.

"Other Voices" Exhibit Features KNOWAtlanta Photographer

By Katie Brown

On Saturday, June 11 from 7 to 10 p.m., pb&j gallery will present the contemporary exhibit “Other Voices.” This exhibit features work from Bob Burkhardt, cover photographer for KNOWAtlanta magazine, and six other artists, and it includes photography, watercolor and painting. Parking and admission is free and drinks and hors d’oeurves will be served. If you can’t make it Saturday night, the exhibit will be available for viewing until July 23. For more information, visit http://www.pbj-gallery.com/shows.php.

Marietta Square Farmer's Market Offers Freshest Foods in Town

By Katie Brown

For the freshest produce, vegetables and jams, visit the Marietta Square Farmer’s Market. Located in the Historic Marietta Square, the market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. With nearly 60 vendors available each day, products include potatoes, onions, tomatoes, squash, beans, fresh cut flower arrangements, local honey, herbal soaps, whole grain breads, fudge pies, jelly, jam, preserves and even organic dog biscuits. The market includes free parking and will be open through November. For more information, visit www.mariettasquarefarmersmarket.net.

Atlanta: The Next Hollywood

By Katie Brown

While it may never really live up to the star-studded Hollywood, Georgia is quickly becoming a major hub for the film and TV production industry. Since July 2010, more than 270 projects have been shot in the area.

Movies include “X-Men: First Class,” the remake of “Footloose,” “Wanderlust” starring Jennifer Anniston and Paul Rudd, “American Pie 4: American Reunion” and “The Change-Up,” which stars Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman.

TV shows include AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” MTV’s “Teen Wolf” and the Discovery Channel’s “Auction Kings.”

And a metro Atlanta home is making quite a name for itself. The most expensive home currently on the market in metro Atlanta appears in “Zombieland” and the upcoming film “Stooges,” a Farrelly brothers remake of “Three Stooges.” Its extravagant pool was even featured on HGTV’s “Million Dollar Rooms.” It’s currently on sale for $19.9 million.

Lennar Offers 50 percent Off Outdoor Living Package

By Katie Brown

With gas prices high and temperatures rising, why not have a vacation in your own backyard? Through June 30, when you purchase a Lennar home, you will receive 50 percent off a Lennar’s outdoor living package. With amenities that can be enjoyed year-round, this is perfect for anyone in the market for a new home. Escape the heat under a covered deck in the summer or warm up by an outdoor fireplace in the winter. Communities include Marietta, Alpharetta, Cobb, Forsyth, Buford, Kennesaw, Suwanee and Gwinnett.

New Jobs Coming to Atlanta

By Katie Brown

According to the Metro Atlanta Chamber's Business Recruitment Blast, which features new locations and expansions by companies and recent business rankings for Atlanta, opportunities are continuing to develop, especially with Georgia’s solar energy. In May, Gov. Nathan Deal signed a legislation which would allow the solar energy program to receive $5 million annually for projects.

Some companies that recently located to Georgia or are expanding include Novelis, an aluminum products manufacturer and recycler, Porsche Cars North America, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, Lowe’s and The Boss Group.

Recent Awards:

#1 State for Entrepreneurial Activity (new business startups in 2010)

#2 Large Metro Area for Entrepreneurial Activity (new business startups in 2010) - The Kauffman Foundation (March 2011)

#3 City with Most FORTUNE 500 Headquarters - FORTUNE magazine (May 2011)

#5 State for Business - Chief Executive magazine (May 2011)

#5 State for Business Site Selection - Site Selection magazine (March 2011)

fDi Magazine (May 2011)

#5 - American Cities of the Future 2011-2012

#5 - North American Cities of the Future

#5 - Major Cities of the Future

#2 - Major Cities, Business Friendliness

#7 - Major Cities, FDI Strategy

#8 - Major Cities, Human Resources

Top Ten Places in the South where Digital Media has Clustered - Southern Business & Development magazine (Winter 2011)

Home to the World's Busiest ("most traveled") Airport for 13 consecutive years - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (January 2011)

For more information on economic development or on business recruitment assistance, visit the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

Modern Exhibit Opens at the High Museum

By Katie Brown

A new art exhibit is coming to Atlanta for the summer! From June 4 to August 21 you can see “Modern by Design” at the High Museum of Art. The exhibit, which features 20^th century modern design, is part of a collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Nearly 150 objects from modern designers and artists will be included. Items include a robot named Abby, a climbing wall and art created in 1934 from machines and machine accessories.

Admission is $18 for adults and $11 for children ages six to 17. Children less than six years old are free, and admission for senior citizens and students is $15.

For more information, visit www.high.org.

80 Days of Georgia Offers Free Giveaways

By Katie Brown

Looking for something new and exciting to do in Georgia this summer? The 80 Days of Georgia Giveaways is your answer to winning admission to popular Georgia attractions, overnight getaways and vacation packages. With more than $25,000 in prizes, winners are chosen daily.

This giveaway, which is made possible through Georgia’s official tourism website, has something for everyone. Prizes include canopy tours and zip lines at Banning Mills, Braves tickets, a four night stay at the King & Prince Golf Resort and cruise vacations.

For more information, visit www.80daysofga.com.