Eighth Annual Tea and Hat Fashion Shows

February 20, 2010
12:30 pm	to	2:00 pm
2:30 pm	to	4:00 pm

Welcome back!

Smith Plantation is planning the Eighth Annual Tea and Hat Fashion Shows in conjunction with Roswell Roots: A Festival of Black History and Culture on Saturday, February 20. Two seatings are planned at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The shows will include an informal tea and a fashion show as our guest speaker, Vernell Washington, shares her knowledge of hat design and the relationship between women and their hats. Washington is returning as a presenter for her sixth Tea & Hat Show. Washington will bring the fashions of Nigerian designer Grace Mark’s Chapeaux as part of her presentation, as well as a discussion of the history of hats and the art of headwrapping.

Women are encouraged to wear their hats while enjoying tea and light refreshments.

Space for teas is limited. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Smith Plantation office at 770.641.3978.  Admission is $15 for ages 8 and above.

Smith Plantation will be closed for regular tours during this event.

Smith Plantation is owned by the City of Roswell and operated with support from the Archibald Smith Plantation Home Preservationists, Inc. For more information on Smith Plantation, please call 770.641.3978.

Shredfest 2010

February 13, 2010
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm

On February 13, 2010, the Shredfest event hours will be 8AM until 12 noon or until the truck is full, whichever comes first.

This is a perfect opportunity to safely dispose of sensitive documents like old tax returns, junk mail with personal information, dated documents with personal information, dated pay stubs with personal information, etc.

Shredded while you watch!

Limit: 5 boxes or 200 pounds of documents per vehicle. Roswell and non-Roswell residents are welcome to participate.

Shredfest takes place at the Roswell Recycling Center, 11570 Maxwell Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009 .

Term Limits Imposed for Roswell Mayor

Recently re-elected Mayor Jere Wood has finally gotten his way. The Roswell City Council, at the insistence of Wood, has voted to impose term limits on the mayor’s position.

Under the measure, the next mayor, whether it’s Wood or someone else, will be limited to three terms.

The irony of this is this is that Mayor Wood began his fourth four-year term last month. But in his defense, Wood has tried previously to convince the city council to approve limits, but was unsuccessful.

Wood argued for the limits, saying they force mayors to have to become leaders, rather than becoming complacent.

The Roswell City Council passed the term limits with only one dissenting vote.

Grimes Bridge Road Roundabout Plans

February 4, 2010
6:30 pm	to	8:30 pm

The City of Roswell’s Transportation Department will hold a public information open house where staff will be available to discuss the pending roundabout intersection improvements at the Grimes Bridge Road/Warsaw Road/Norcross Street intersection.

The meeting will be held on February 4, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Adult Recreation Center located at 830 Grimes Bridge Road . The public is invited and encouraged to attend to review the improvements and discuss the roundabout with City staff.

The roundabout will allow the removal of the traffic signal and allow traffic to move freely and safely through the intersection. There is strong evidence from across the United States and in Georgia that confirms roundabouts:

• reduce accidents and injury crashes
• provide increased pedestrian and bicycle safety
• reduced vehicle delay and fuel consumption
• improve air quality by reduced vehicle idling
• reduce electricity usage (by removing existing traffic signal) therefore less cost to the city
• reduce road noise
• provide a sustainable, aesthetically pleasing improvement

In terms of the Grimes Bridge/Warsaw/Norcross roundabout project, it is important to note that:

• Modern roundabouts are safer than a traditional intersection with a traffic signal
• No houses will be taken or demolished as a result of this project
• No significant specimen trees will be removed or harmed due to this intersection improvement project
• The construction of this project requires no road closures
• The construction cost is estimated to be $950,000

Slammin’ in the Suburbs

February 18, 2010
7:00 pm	to	9:00 pm

Enjoy an evening of wonderful entertainment unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, join us for “Slammin’ in the Suburbs”. This is Roswell’s 6th annual poetry slam during which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience on content (discretion encouraged) and performance. Hosted by award winning spoken word artist, Ayodele Heath.

A $300 cash 1st Place prize sponsored by the Georgia Poetry Society will be awarded as well as a $200 2nd Place and a $100 3rd Place Prize.

For details on the rules and how to participate, email lrhodes@roswellgov.com.

“Slammin’ in the Suburbs”: Roswell Poetry Slam will be held on Thursday, February 18, 7 p.m. at the Red Door Playhouse.

February is Black History Month and to celebrate, Roswell will host the 9th Annual Roswell Roots festival throughout the month. Roswell Roots is the largest and most comprehensive Black History celebration in the state of Georgia and celebrates black history and culture by sponsoring a variety of art exhibits, history and cultural events.

Roswell Notification Service

The City of Roswell has launched a new citizen notification service that will deliver important and timely emergency and general information to Roswell residents using the latest technology available.

What is Nixle?

The new notification service, NIXLE, will alert residents to emergency weather events, road closings, public safety advisories, natural and manmade disasters, and general city information through email and text messaging.

How Do I Sign Up?

NIXLE is free and is easy to register for through City of Roswell website. The button to sign up for the service is located on the right hand side of the City’s homepage. Those who wish to register will need to create an account with a user name and password, enter an email address and/or cell phone number where you would like to receive the messages, and then enter your address. Click the “Sign Me Up” button to complete the registration.

Currently, residents who register will receive alerts for weather events, road closing, and public safety advisories. Roswell will eventually provide general City information through NIXLE.

Please note that your cell phone provider’s text messaging rates will apply.

Storyteller J’miah Nabawi

February 4, 2010
10:00 am	to	12:00 pm

Roswell will host the 9th Annual Roswell Roots festival throughout the month as part of Black History Month. Roswell Roots is the largest and most comprehensive Black History celebration in the state of Georgia and celebrates black history and culture by sponsoring a variety of art exhibits, history and cultural events.

Storyteller J’miah Nabawi – J’miah Nabawi, national award-winning professional storyteller and author of children’s books will perform at this event for children ages pre-K and elementary.

J’miah’s traditional arts programming reflects the story-dance-musical storytelling drama of Africa and its Diaspora. His upbringing in a household of family dancers and improvisational music practitioners are the major influences on his style and work.

Don’t miss out on this great event to be held Thursday, February 4, 10 a.m. at the North Fulton Child Development Center.

5th Annual Roswell Reads Program

March 20, 2010
5:00 pm	to	8:00 pm

Roswell Reads

The Roswell Reads Selection Committee is excited to announce that Outcasts United by Warren St. John, has been chosen as this year’s book for Roswell’s community-wide reading program.

Roswell Reads is a community reading program that works like a giant book club, but with many additional related activities to enhance the experience for all those who participate. Book discussion and programs involving the book and its content will be scheduled.

“The Roswell Reads committee selected Outcasts United as a book which should appeal to readers of all ages,” explains Morgan Timmis, Historic & Cultural Affairs Manager. “With its themes of sports, refugee resettlement and its impact on a small southern community, we felt it would attract a very broad audience. And, the fact that the community is local makes it even more interesting for Roswell readers. We are extremely excited to be able to bring both the author and the Fugees’ coach to speak at our final event on March 20.”

Roswell Reads provides a variety of programs centered around the book and culminates at the final event in which the author, Warren St. John, and Coach Luma Mufleh will be speaking. Click here to learn more about the Roswell Reads upcoming programs and to register for the final event to be held at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center at 830 Grimes Bridge Road on Saturday, March 20, 2010, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

North Fulton Transportation Open House

January 14, 2010
6:00 pm	to	8:00 pm

The purpose of the North Fulton Comprehensive Transportation Plan is to provide the foundation and framework for transportation and policy recommendations across the distinctive and unique cities of North Fulton – Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Sandy Springs, Roswell and Mountain Park. The resulting document, TRIP (Transporation Resources Implementation Program), will guide the accomplishment of this effort. Input of the public will be sought throughout the project schedule.

Roswell transportation needs will be discussed in the context of the North Fulton County Region.

• Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2010

• Time: 6-8:00 P.M

• Location: Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St, in Room 220, Roswell, GA 30075

Georgia Super Speeder Law

Georgia Super Speeder Law

The new “Super Speeder” law just took effect on January 1st and it’s about to get really expensive on Georgia roads. The law targets drivers going 75 miles per hour or more on two-lane roads and 85 or more on multi-lane roads like interstates. (Editor Note: For those local drivers, the picture above is not taken from GA 400, otherwise known as the Georgia Autobahn. These are professional drivers on a closed track and trying to match their speeds on GA 400 will now cost you a couple Benjamins.)

That means, going 85 miles per hour or more on most Georgia roads, including interstates, will cost a speeder an additional $200. On two-lane roads, meaning one lane each way, the extra fine kicks in at 75 mph. And that is on  top of whatever ticket the speeder gets for going over the speed limit.

The state will send a letter notifying the speeder of the $200 fine, which must be paid within 90 days of the letter’s date.

Drivers who don’t pay will have their licenses suspended.

State officials pushed for the law to cut down on devastating high-speed crashes, while raising funds for trauma care.

For those that have already been pulled over, apparently the excuse of not knowing about the new law is no excuse at all. Keep an eye on the mailbox for your bill from the state.

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