Woodstock’s Farmer’s Market start Saturday, May 19 running every Saturday this summer  until October 27.  Market time is 8:30 to 11:30.  This years Farmers Market is once again sponsored by Cherokee Bank.  The market is held in the parking lot at Woodstock’s City Center located on Towne Lake Parkway just West of Main Street. 

 A list of vendors is not available  at the present time however from past years you will be able to find all kinds of wonderful items.  Stop by and support local gardeners and  farmers.  See what great items you can add to your family’s dinner for next week.

Bridge Replacement in Milton

North Fulton commuters take note: Cogburn Road will close on May 19 to thru traffic between Webb Road on the south and Bethany Bend on the north.  Milton GA has announced that a bridge on that road is in need of replacement, thus necessitating the road closing. You’ll note on the accompanying map that the bridge is just north of St Francis High School.

Curious Timing?

Though the work is needed, the timing is curious given that if the city had waited one more week, both St Francis and Kings Ridge would have finished their school year. However, good news is that the Elementary and Middle Schools to the south on Cogburn Road celebrate the end of school May 18, which probably explains the May 19 date.

Alternate Routes

Fortunately, both Hwy 9 to the east and Hopewell Road to the west run roughly parallel to Cogburn Road so the closing shouldn’t dramatically affect most commuters.  I confess though that I will miss one of my favorite “back roads” that I use when I want to avoid the traffic on Hwy 9 as I get groceries and run other errands near my home.

Other Road Improvements

Milton has identified the bridge replacement as the top priority from back in 2009 and according to the city, the work is timed to be ready for the opening of the new Cambridge High School in the fall, which will surely increase traffic on the road. The bridge will be replaced with an arched culvert, saving the city both time and money.  Please note that intersection improvements at the intersection of Cogburn Road and Bethany Bend will also occur during the summer in anticipation of the school opening.

New Road Coming?

One last note: though nothing official has been announced yet, city officials have been working on a plan to open a new fire and police station (and perhaps City Hall offices?) on Hwy 9 between Bethany Bend and Cogburn Road and are talking of putting in a new road adjacent to those offices which would also serve as a second route for Cambridge High School students and faculty. Let’s hope the road in particular comes to fruition sooner rather than later as I suspect the new school opening will cause more traffic congestion than most realize.  Ahh progress…

The following is a re-post reminder for the Woodstock Concert Series kicking off tomorrow:

The 15th Annual Woodstock Concert Series begins Saturday, May 12 and continues with free monthly concerts until September.  Opening the series this year is Mother’s Finest, a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.  It should be a great concert and certainly appropriate for Mother’s Day week-end.

2012 Concert Series

May 12 – Mother’s Finest

June 9 – Blackberry Smoke

July 14 – A1A – the official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band

August 11 – Lovin’ Spoonful

September 8 – the JaneDear girls

The Concert Series is held at The Park at City Center.  it is the perfect venue for these family friendly concerts.  Bring your lawn chairs or blanket for sitting.  Refreshment are available on site or bring your own picnic.  All concerts start at 7:30.

Ground was broken for the new Woodstock Outlet Mall last week.  The 370,600-square-foot initial phase of the center is scheduled to open in August 2013 and will be called The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta.  Located off Ridgeway Parkway and the new I-575 entrance, the outlet mall is a nice addition to Woodstock.  Stores signed on at The Shoppes include  Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Brooks Brothers, White House | Black Market, Guess, Michael Kors, Under Armour, Puma, Converse, Cole Haan, Vans, Le Creuset, Levis, Naartjie Kids, Talbots and Carters.

The center will feature covered walkways and landscaped courtyards to maximize the comfort and convenience of shoppers. Its design blends traditional architecture with lively features children’s play area and a center court complete with fountains and fireplace to create a festive atmosphere for shoppers and other visitors to the center. The site will accommodate an additional 30,000 square feet of outlet shops and also features eight out-lots for restaurant and other uses.

According to the press release from CBL and Associates, one of the developers, “The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta represents the new incarnation of the outlet shopping experience. It is located much closer to the residents of metro-Atlanta than existing outlet centers and its design makes shopping at the center much easier and more pleasant,” said Gary J. Skoien, chief executive officer of Horizon Group Properties. “We also expect to draw shoppers from Tennessee, Alabama and other parts of Georgia. The development and operation of the center will generate substantial economic activity in Woodstock and we are appreciative of the efforts of the Woodstock City officials in making this development a reality,” said Skoien.

While we have been writing about the progress of this development for some months now, breaking ground is a huge vote of confidence for the economy and will be a significant boost to the economy of Woodstock.

Looking to down size in East Cobb? Need a one level home with wonderful appointments?  Arbor Oaks is a small enclave neighborhood for active adults/55+. There are approximately 50 single level, brick residences in this hidden jewel community.  Located near the corner of Sandy Plain Road and East Piedmont Road it is convenient to shopping, dining, and recreation.  The neighborhood is quiet and friendly. You can always find homes for sale in Arbor Oaks.

There are several floor plans in this active adult community; all having 3 bedrooms and a sunroom.  Some of the details in the homes are 10 foot ceilings with heavy crown moldings, 42 inch Kitchen cabinets in many of the homes, Master Bedroom Suites with Walk-in closets.  Each home has a 2 car over-sized garage with permanent stairs to the attic for storage.  Now you do not have to worry about storage.  Homes have a courtyard patio for the grill and relaxation.

Generous landscaping throughout the neighborhood is maintained by the Homeowners Association so you can enjoy the beauty without the work.  Sidewalks and curb-side mailboxes are two of the best features.  The driveways are wide, allowing two cars to use the drives at the same time.   You will love this  patio ranch condo neighborhood in East Cobb.

There’s a great neighborhood in unincorporated Cherokee County near Woodstock GA.  While not Woodstock Georgia proper (the Acworth post office delivers mail), Autumn Ridge is a hidden gem off Woodstock Road near Highway 92 and is convenient to I-75 and other major highways.

Ashton Woods, a well-known and highly respected Southeastern US builder, developed and built this neighborhood in 2006, so all the homes have open floorplans and great features.  There are several homes for sale in Autumn Ridge.  Many of the homes in Autumn Ridge have 3 bedrooms, with a limited number of 4 bedroom plans as well, with homes for sale generally in the mid-200s.

Neighborhood amenities include a free-form shaped Pool with Cabana, a kiddie wading pool with mushroom waterfall and a fully equipped playground.

Facts about Autumn Ridge…

• Oakgrove Elementary, ET Booth Middle and Etowah High.
• Acworth, GA address, Cherokee County Location
• Easy access to I-75 and Lake Allatoona – large recreational lake and reservoir
• Conveniently located to shopping, entertainment, and Towne Center Mall

You may know that Alpharetta opened the last leg of Westside Parkway earlier this week and I got my first up-close view (well drive) of that strip this week. Living in Milton a little north of Windward Parkway, I needed to go to the Alpharetta post office on Old Milton Pkwy and decided to try out the new “short cut”.

Besides the shorter and less stressful trip, I was amazed that no one was using the road. Not one car – granted this is a short strip with no traffic lights and it was mid-afternoon, but the new leg of the parkway was deserted. My guess is that as people become more aware, this will change. And the first rainy day or major wreck on GA 400 during commuting hours will have commuters scrambling for alternate routes.

But I am pleased to see the parkway open. My hope is that as Avalon is constructed, there won’t be a new traffic light seemingly every 20 feet along the parkway like you find on North Point Parkway near the mall. By the way Milton residents, if you haven’t tried this mall route before, check out this drive: either Bethany Bend/Morris Road or Deerfield Pkwy to Windward Pkwy, then get on Westside Pkwy all the way to left on Encore Pkwy (think Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre). This route is great if you are going to the mall or any of the shops or restaurants nearby and want to miss some of the start/stop/start/stop that you encounter along North Point Pkwy.

Like most traffic improvements, I fear that development will over time mute the “assist” the parkway gives us.  But hey, enjoy it while we can!

Read more about Avalon (formerly Prospect Park) here:

Alpharetta GA has new hopes for Prospect Park

Alpharetta City Center and Prospect Park Updates

Prospect Park Developer to Seeks Local Input

News on Milton HS and Prospect Park Naming Process

2001 Snowmass Trail – Sold!

Marietta, GA  30062

5 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths

2 Half Baths, Partially Finished Basement

$419,000

This great East Cobb home recently was part of our Second Chance Home Sale Program and went under contract in 6 days! Previously the home had been marketed by another agent for over 9 months.  Once the home was taken off the market, we contacted the sellers to let them know we thought we could help.  Working together with the sellers, they did some painting and changed out the carpet, we went in and did some minor home staging and took some great photos. We then put our marketing plan in place, which included (among other things) changing up the marketing to better show off the strengths of the home, a multi-page flyer and buyer packet, custom website and virtual tour.  We had numerous showings the first week and agents and buyers inquiring about the home up until closing. So if you are looking to sell your home, consider our marketing, we can help you get your home sold!

Continue reading original marketing below:

Welcome family and guests on the covered front porch of this spacious brick traditional home conveniently located off Johnson Ferry just South of Shallowford Road.  This large home situated on a corner lot provides sunlit rooms and warm cozy spaces.  A two-story foyer with wood floors invites everyone in.  The Great Room features a gas fireplace and wall of windows.  A formal Dining Room off the Foyer with wainscoting, trey ceiling, and crown molding create the perfect place for dinner guest.  The Library or Home Office across the foyer is the ideal quite space to work in this home.  French door provides privacy for the library/home office and keep you involved in family activities.

The Keeping Kitchen is the heart of the home.  Updated cabinets and granite countertops anchor this large space.  All the cooks in family have space to work here.  A center island provides a wonderful prep area and the pantry plenty of storage space.  Appliances include a Jenn-aire gas cooktop, double ovens with one being a convertible convection oven, and wine refrigerator.   The eating bar allows sitting for up to six.  Travertine backsplash, under counter lighting, and pot rack create a warm feeling to the wonderful Kitchen.  The Keeping Area has a corner fireplace with brick hearth.  There is room for a large family table and sitting area.  The kids can do homework or play games with the Chef is in the kitchen.

Off the Kitchen is an oversized Laundry Room with wash tub and laundry chute.  The main level includes Plantation Shutters in all rooms except the Keeping Kitchen.

A large Master Suite is on the main level.  There is room for the largest of bedroom suite furniture here.  There are his and her Walk-in Closets.  The spa Master Bath has an unbelievable oversized travertine tile shower with jet spray tower, rain head, sitting bench, and bottle niche plus a large whirlpool spa tub.  His and her vanities have granite counters with her vanity having a stool insert. Off the Master Bath is a private deck perfect for morning coffee or winding down after a busy day.

Upstairs includes two Bedrooms with Jack N Jill Bath.  A third Bedroom includes a Bath.  A Bonus/4^th Bedroom is also up.  All these rooms have large oversized closets.  A catwalk keeps the upstairs area light and bright and there are two sets of stairs.  All the bedrooms upstairs have access to a laundry chute to the main level Laundry Room.  There is new carpet throughout the second level and stairs.

The lower level features two large rooms perfect for a game room, media area, and/ or in-house gym.  The space has new Berber carpet and several large storage closets.  The lower level also includes an oversized workshop with work bench, contractor half bath, Boat Door, parking for two cars or assorted other wheels/items.  There is a parking pad also.

Off the Keeping Kitchen is a private patio ready for you to enjoy this summer.  There is a side entrance garage and level driveway with basketball hoop.  A sidewalk from the driveway leads to the rear of home and patio.  Wonderful plantings will make spring and summer colorful in the spacious yard.  The home is located at the rear of the community off a cul-de-sac.  Kids have room to play in the side yard and cul-de-sac.  The bus stops right at the corner and the schools are top-notch.  There are sidewalks within the community and the community swimming pool and tennis courts are just up the street.

Schools:  Tritt Elementary, Hightower Trail Middle, Pope High

One of the great signs of Spring each year is the opening of area Farmers Market venues offering up great produce by local farmers. 

Locally, the Alpharetta Farmers Market had a great turnout for their opening Saturday. The Market stayed open later to take advantage of the annual Alpharetta Arts Streetfest, which provided large crowds enjoying local arts and craft vendors plus food and live music.

The Alpharetta Farmers Market is located in the heart of Downtown Alpharetta on Main Street just south of City Hall.  The market will be open from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm each Saturday until cooler weather in the fall, offering up seasonal locally grown produce among other items such as canned jellies and pickles and even plants from local nurseries. Parking is free along Main Street and in the lot by the Eagle gym off Haynes Bridge Road.

So support our local businesses and get the added bonus of great prices for fresh fruits and vegetables!

Bradshaw Park is a Woodstock Georgia neighborhood located off East Cherokee Drive in the heart of Southeast Cherokee County.  This swim/tennis community has 136 traditional homes with a mixture master bedrooms on main as well as master bedrooms up floorplans.  Many of the homes in Bradshaw Park have basements that walk out to the backyard.  Homes for sale in Bradshaw Park include a wide range of size and amenities.

The short drive on Ranchwood Trail leading into the neighborhood is scenic and leads you to a beautiful stacked stone entrance monument letting you know you’ve arrived at your destination.  There is a lovely swim, tennis and playground complex located in the back of the neighborhood.  In addition to regular enjoyment of the amenities, the residents have several social functions there throughout the year.

The streets are meandering on gently rolling terrain and there is a wide variety of floorplans and exteriors to give the neighborhood a warm and comfortable feel.  Ranging from the mid-200s to mid-300s, this neighborhood has some wonderful values.

• Schools -  Johnston Elementary, Rusk Middle, and Sequoyah High
• Numerous shopping areas and restaurants are located within a 5 to 10 minute drive
• East Cherokee Drive also has easy access to I-575 and North Fulton, giving you short drives to work and play