The Rivers Alive River Cleanup and Festival and the Great Annual Duck Race Canceled.

Welcome back!

Keep Roswell Beautiful and the City of Roswell have cancelled the Rivers Alive River Cleanup and Festival and the Great Annual Duck Race due to the storms that came through earlier this week. The events were to take place at Riverside Park on Saturday, September 26th.

Keep Roswell Beautiful is working on rescheduling the events.

Roswell Schools Closed Tomorrow!

All Fulton County schools, including all Roswell schools will be closed Tuesday, September 22, due to the heavy rains and flooding affecting metro Atlanta. Stay dry and safe!!

Flood Safety for Roswell Residents

Seven tips for staying safe in flood conditions.

1. There are areas of Roswell that are flooding due to the high volume of rain. Flooding is occurring and due to the amount of rain this will continue until the rain stops and streams and rivers crest, possibly until later tonight or this week.
2. Stay indoors if you can, do not drive. Do not drive through roads that are flooded.
3. Roads are being closed by the Transportation Dept and the Police. Please be aware that roads are closed: Please do not remove or drive around barricades or cones if they are blocking closed roads. This is for your safety.
4. It is advised to stay away from the river, creeks and storm drains.
5. We are unable to assist with sand bags. We do not have these available.
6. If you feel you are in imminent danger call 911 for emergency assistance.
7. There may be possible sewer contamination (due to sewer overflows) in some of these flood waters. It is not advised to play in or have contact with these waterways or flood waters. If contact occurs wash hands.

The Importance of Frist Time Homebuyers

The recovery of the real estate market depends on first time home buyers.  Not only do they represent a large number of sales, but without them there would be no move-up market.  Current homeowners would not be able to move-up if they can’t sell their current homes.

HUD now says that first time homebuyers who qualify for the federal tax credit can apply as much as $8,000 to the down payment when financing a home with a FHA loan.  FHA currently requires that buyers make a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent of the sales price of the home…this means that a first time homebuyer can borrow as much as $228,500 and buy with no money down!

Four important things to keep in mind:

1. You don’t qualify if you have owned a home during the three years before you plan to purchase.
2. You must close before December 1, 2009
3. Your income must not exceed $75,000 if single and $150,000 if married.
4. You can’t use the credit against the down payment from just anyone, it must come from state housing agencies or certain non-profits.

If you are a first time homebuyer the time to act is now.  A closing by December 1st, 2009 means you ought to have a contract written by November 1st, and to write a contract you ought to begin looking for homes in September and October.  Even if you were to follow this schedule you may still be cutting it close.  ACT NOW and contact us!

Roswell Arts Festival

September 19, 2009
10:00 am	to	6:00 pm
September 20, 2009
10:00 am	to	1:00 pm

This weekend is Roswell’s Annual Arts Festival on the Square from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Roswell’s Historic Town Square becomes the “meeting” place for residents and visitors when artists from throughout the southeastern U.S. offer their creations for show and sale.

Having gone the last two years and thoroughly enjoying each time, I strongly recommend residents to check out this event. The Square is filled with unique artwork and local performing arts studios put on displays of dance and chorus.

For additional information call (770) 641-3705

Atlanta Home Sales Report

The Atlanta Home Sales Report from the Atlanta Journal Constitution lets you search sales and home value information for ZIP codes and counties throughout metro Atlanta. Check out the best and worst performer lists or use the ZIP code / County search to find your area or other areas to compare.

Top 5 ZIPs with the highest value increase in 2008
1.   30157—Cobb 41.14%
2.   30329—DeKalb 30.68%
3.   30137—Bartow 26.42%
4.   30517—Gwinnett 21.29%
5.   30305—Fulton 20.11%

* The number of homes sold in every county declined from 2007. The average county decrease was 28 percent.
* About 86 percent of the ZIP codes in metro Atlanta saw a drop in their median price.
* There are 46 ZIP codes in metro Atlanta with resale median prices below $100,000.
* Five ZIP codes in metro Atlanta saw increases in the combined median price by 20% or more.

Braves legend, Dale Murphy speaking in Roswell

ROSWELL – Dale Murphy, one of the most beloved Atlanta Braves ever, is coming to Roswell.

The Atlanta Braves legend will be speaking in the Roswell Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beginning Sept. 12 beginning at 6 p.m.

Murphy was a first round draft pick for the Atlanta Braves right out of high school in 1974. He played four seasons in the minors before coming to Atlanta.

During his time in Atlanta, Murphy set 13 franchise records, earned 5 Golden Glove awards, was chosen for 7 all star games, and was named National League MVP two consecutive seasons, 1982 and 83. He ended his career with 398 homeruns. He was honored as a “Sportsman of the Year” by Sports Illustrated in 1987 representing Major League Baseball as the athlete “Who Cares the Most.”

His number “3″ was retired by the Braves in 1994 and hangs in Turner Field.

Since retirement, Murphy has kept busy with family, church, and charitable priorities. He served for three years, from 1997 to 2000, as president of the Boston Massachusetts Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Murphy supports numerous worthwhile charities as well as his own foundation “I Won’t Cheat,” which promotes ethics and educates young athletes about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.

He and his wife, Nancy, are the parents of eight children and grandparents of two.

The “fireside” or informal gathering with the Murphy’s is free and open to the public.

Roswell celebrates ‘End of Summer’

The Roswell Recreation and Parks Department will conduct the eighth annual End of Summer Celebration Sunday, Sept. 6, at Centennial High School’s Baseball Field. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a fireworks display at dark.

This annual event features music, carnival games, inflatables, food and fireworks. Big Biscuit Band is scheduled to perform at 5:30 p.m., and the band Flyer is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Food provided by Miller’s Ale House and Restaurant will be on sale.

Sponsors of the event include the city of Roswell, Fulton County Board of Education, Publix, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.

Riverside Farmers Market Open for Summer

July 18, 2009
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm
July 25, 2009
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm
August 1, 2009
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm
August 8, 2009
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm
August 22, 2009
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm
August 29, 2009
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm
September 5, 2009
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm

The Riverside Farmers Market is open for the summer (until September 5th) on Saturdays from 8AM to noon at Riverside Park. The market features fresh, locally grown produce. In addition the market features live music, exciting events, local chefs, lectures and demonstrations!

Items include a variety of fresh produce, jams and jellies, farm fresh eggs, shade-grown organic coffee, breads and tarts, local honey, specialty spice rubs, organic herbal soaps, gourmet doggie biscuits and an array of other natural and locally crafted products.

Vendors must grow their own produce and it should be grown within 100 miles of the market. Prospective vendors can get more information by contacting Louise Estabrook at 404.613.7670.

With support from the City of Roswell, the farmers market will fill a demand that has existed in the community for many years. Other metro communities have established farmers markets which have proven to be highly popular.

Restrooms and free parking is available. Riverside Park is located at 575 Riverside Road in Roswell.