Beautiful Photo of Snellville City Hall

Another beautiful photo taken in Snellville by Flickr user Rheave.

Check out the collection of photos tagged with the word 'Snellville' by Rheave here: LINK
...
and you may rediscover the beauty of Snellville...so many times, we go through our daily routine with blinders on, and it can really open up a new way of seeing things when you look at them through someone else's eyes and lens.

Snellville pictures

Kelly Kautz election letters attached to mailbox poles ...

I took quite a few pictures today & I plan to get a Flickr account so I can share them easily with you here on the blog.

I would also love to have people submit pictures of Snellville, just email them to me with some details.

Snellville Beer Society

Did you know that Snellville has a beer society?

Yep... check out their site. The Snellville Beer Society.
They meet at Summit's Wayside Tavern in Snellville.

Looks like a fun group, but when I have my once-every-decade drink,
it's usually a Miller Lite and I see that no Miller is allowed. LOL!

Well maybe I can be the designated driver.

Threat spray painted on house

This video doesn't run very well, or it could be my computer...it is choppy through the intro, but then it cleared up. LINK

A Snellville family woke up one day to find a message spray painted on the back of their house.
The owner of the house has a racial discrimination suit against a security company, and the spray painted message says "drop your case stupid N_____" of course, you know the actual word was there.

Gwinnett County Police say it is Criminal Damage to Property, 2nd degree.

This would certainly be very scary and stressful, beyond the damage to property.

Hallowe'en Hangman Game

Bored?

You can clean my house for me,
but why not play some Halloween Hangman instead?

I didn't do very well, my best score was 75. But it's hard to guess when the skeleton is taunting you!

Snellville Halloween Events

This blog post is from 2007. If you are looking for
2008 Snellville Halloween event information, CLICK HERE

-------------------------------------------------

If you're looking for Halloween events in Snellville,
check out the MySnellvilleBlog Calendar of Events.

At least two local churches are having 'Trunk or Treat' events - church members have signed up their vehicles to participate, and instead of going house to house, you go through the parking lot trunk to trunk.

The two churches participating are Snellville First Baptist Church on Snellville's Main Street, and Saint Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church on Brooks Drive.

For time and additional details, please see the Calendar.

If I have missed an event that you think should be included, please email me and let me know. I'll be glad to add your church or club/neighborhood's special events.

Stupidly Happy's Nosy Neighbor, a Sister Blog to MySnellvilleBlog

I nagged her and nagged her and finally broke her will, so now there's a Lawrenceville blog.
If you have friends interested in Lawrenceville happenings, be sure to tell them about it.
She's not Stupidly Happy like I am; she calls herself your Nosy Neighbor!

The URL is http://www.mylawrencevilleblog.blogspot.com/


"Hi. My name is Andrea and I decided to start this blog because my good friend who runs the Snellvile blog encouraged me. Like many of the other people in Lawrenceville, I am a transplant. I am from New York... Yonkers to be exact. After living all over the state of NY and also living in New Orleans for several years, we, my family and I found our way to the greater Atlanta area.

We chose our city carefully. I studied schools, real estate, and all other demographics before I finally purchased a house after living here almost 2 years. I love it here. I like the proximity to the city. I like the racial mix. I like people and the flavor of the area.

What I like the most about Lawrenceville is the downtown area. I am enthralled by the progress going on on Crogan St and the surrounding areas and the down home flavor of the city. If you are new to the area, or like Lawrenceville as much as I do... subscribe to my blog."

If you love your books, set them free

If you've never heard Book Crossing, here's how it works.

If you have books that you'd like to give away, you sign up (it's free) and then tag your books with an ID number. You leave them behind at places you visit, for someone else to find them...and hopefully, enjoy! Someone finds the book, enters the ID number into the website and learns all about BookCrossing, and hopefully they will participate too.

It's been so long since I've been to BookCrossing.com.
I signed up, and gave away a few books but then I got busy and forgot about it for awhile.
It looks like they've added a lot more interactive features...you can review a book that you are "releasing" into the wild....or into the local Starbucks!

BookCrossing books in Snellville locations

It's fun for people to find a book they can read for free, and great for people who read a lot to feel they've given someone else a book to enjoy (and decluttered their house at the same time.)

Scha-weet.

Ask the Candidates Meeting - Snellville

"Ask the Candidates"
Presented by the Hickory Hills Homeowners Association

Monday, October 29th

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

at the

Masonic Lodge

(on Lenora Church Road across from the Library)

On Monday night, October 29th, candidates running for the Snellville offices of Mayor and our City Council Seat have agreed to attend our homeowners' association meeting to answer OUR questions about the issues in Snellville.

After providing each candidate a brief opportunity to present their platforms, we will then open up the floor for YOU to ask questions of the candidates!

Come and take advantage of this opportunity to become more informed about the candidates and their stances on the issues.

If you have already voted (via absentee ballot), or have already decided on a candidate, then this will be an opportunity to become better acquainted with your candidates of choice.

The meeting will end at 8:30pm. There will be an opportunity afterwards to visit informally with the candidates.

Two of the four candidates WILL be representing you on City Council. So take this opportunity to get to know them. All four candidates have agreed to be present on Monday night.

Candidates for Mayor:

Bruce Garraway

Jerry Oberholtzer

Candidates for City Council:

Kelly Kautz

Marilyn Swinney

Get the door, it's Dominos

If you like pizza, Domino's Pizza has a Sunday special: buy any Large pizza at menu price and you can get a second pizza of equal or lesser value free.

Use this LINK to find your closest Snellville Domino's Pizza

I knew they had this Sunday deal, but my daughter did her usual excellent begging job on me, so we had our pizza last night. It was still a good deal for me, because it meant I didn't have to cook!
We tried the "Brooklyn Style" pizza for the first time - it was really good!

If you order online, it almost seems like they are at the door before you can even get your wallet out!

My only gripe is that their 2 Liters of Pepsi are too expensive: $2.39 (YIKES) but at least it arrives cold.

$1M painting plucked out of the trash

A painting by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo called Tres Personajes ("Three People") was rescued from the trash on the side of a New York City street, just 20 minutes before the trash truck came by. The painting is expected to get up to one million dollars at auction.

It was stolen 20 years ago. The lady who found the painting discovered it was stolen while she was doing Internet research on the painting she rescued. So now the rightful owners have the painting, and she will also receive $15,000 of reward money!

If this had happened in Snellville, the painting would've never been picked up by the trash personnel anyway, because there was no blue Snellville trash bag tied to it. LOL

Read the full story here: LINK

Stalker from Georgia

You won't believe who's being stalked, first of all...
and by a woman from Georgia.

LINK

The lead-in text seems pretty basic, but if you actually read the legal paperwork, it's pretty frightening and gets weirder the further you read.

As Johnney Carson used to say, "weird, wacky stuff!"

Sick and tired of being sick and tired

I am living on hot tea with honey in it. I have lost 2 pounds so far. What a great diet plan...

I lost about 5 pounds recently when my 4 year old had the stomach flu and then my 2 year old got the stomach flu, and then I got the stomach flu.

Now I either have a really bad cold or the regular type of flu. My nose has been going like a faucet for the last 2 days. Took Benadryl 'religiously' every 4 hours and last night, in desperation, I tried saline nose drops. They helped a little bit. I woke up really early because it was hard to breathe and my throat hurts.

So, more tea and honey.

When I lose my voice, the whole family will celebrate!

I did get my flu shot 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure if it was in time, but this video says that if you do get the flu shot and you get the flu, your symptoms will be lessened. Maybe that is why, although I have been feeling horrible, I haven't had the aches and pains that I usually have when I have the 'flu.'

I need to do some online research and find more places where people can get their flu shot.
If you are on Medicare, your doctor will give you the flu shot for free (verify this with your doctor, but from what I can tell, this is accurate)

Strangely, when I was well, I noticed a drop-off in art clients and inquiries into portraits - I was getting a little concerned about that, and now that I'm sick, I have people emailing and calling all the time about portraits! It's weird how that works.

Yes I admit it. That link to the word 'portraits' was a shameless plug. Whoops, there it goes again.

What goes on

This information is from this page of the Atlanta Journal & Constitution's website, and is a bit dated. It's dated 3/25/2007. But the information on how the city works and how the citizens can be involved in meetings is good. Some people may no longer be serving. I have noted in red any who have left. I have also changed the @ in email addresses to [AT] so those dang email harvesters intent on spamming won't hassle anyone. If you need to email, just remove the [AT] and replace it with @.
---------------------

SNELLVILLE

PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission makes recommendations on zoning matters to the mayor and City Council. Members are:

Chairman Tod Warner, twarner[AT]snellville.org

Vice Chair David Foster, dfoster[AT]snellville.org

Ray Mokhberi, rmokhberi[AT]snellville.org

Joe Williams, jwilliams[AT]snellville.org

Ida Graham, igraham[AT]snellville.org

Patricia Port, pport[AT]snellville.org

Phone messages also can be left with John Dennis of the Planning and Development Department at 770-985-3514.

CITY COUNCIL

The mayor and Snellville City Council make the final decisions. Members are:

Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer, 678-898-2659, joberholtzer[AT]snellville.org

Robert Jenkins, 404-281-0567, Rjenkins[AT]snellville.org

Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Garraway, 770-982-9843, Bgarraway[AT]snellville.org

Barbara Bender, 770-972-3435, Bbender[AT]snellville.org

Kelly Kautz, 770-972-7441, kkautz[AT]snellville.org

Warren Auld, 770-972-3693 wauld[AT]snellville.org (corrected 27 October 2007)

MEETINGS:

The Planning Commission discusses zoning matters at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month.

After the commission makes a recommendation, a public hearing is held by the mayor and City Council for final action. Those hearings are at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month, unless alternative dates and times are necessary. Meetings are held in the City Hall council chambers at 2342 Oak Road.

AGENDAS: Agendas are generally available two weeks before the meeting. To view an agenda, visit the city's Web site, www.snellville.org, or go to City Hall. To automatically receive agendas and other planning and zoning information, sign up for the city's e-mail distribution list available to any resident. E-mail Planning Director Jessica Roth at jroth[AT]snellville.org.

NOTE : Jessica Roth has resigned her position.

Acting Planning Director Jason Thompson can be reached by email at
jthompson[AT]snellville.org (corrected/added 27 October 2007)

IF YOU'D LIKE TO COMMENT: Public comment is allowed at Planning Commission meetings after presentations from the planning staff and applicant. You must give your name and address for the record. The process may be a little different when the mayor and council allow for public comment. If it's a big case, the mayor will allow each side to speak for 30 minutes, which encourages residents to get together and make a more formal presentation. Written comments are accepted and can be sent via e-mail to jroth[AT]snellville.org or to City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, GA 30078.

ON THE WEB: The city's Web site, www.snellville.org, provides blank zoning applications, staff reports, maps that show the location of the property in question as well as meeting minutes and agendas.

NOTE : If you have Firefox, you will find that the city of Snellville's website doesn't seem to like it, so the site is best viewed in Internet Explorer.

AT CITY HALL: At the Planning Department at Snellville's City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, you can view zoning applications. You'll need to provide the general location of the land in question. Copying fees are 25 cents per page.

Many thanks to Tod Warner for the corrections dated 27 October 2007

The Tale of Mr. Tod (Warner, that is)

Here's all I could find about Tod Warner. Tod, we'll have to get a blog set up for you. LOL

From AJC 2007 Voter's Guide

Snellville City Council Post 2

Nonpartisan

Tod Warner

This candidate is unopposed in the Nonpartisan primary.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The following is from LINK

"Tod Warner is the Managing Member of Atlanta Home Buyers, LLC and has been holding investment property since 1992. Currently Tod is the Chairman of the Snellville Planning and Zoning Commission and has had extensive training in the area of planning and development."

Snellville's Election Campaign as Viewed by a Loganville Resident

Looking for Snellville Election Results 2007? CLICK HERE

---------------

Excerpt of article by Sharon Swanepoel of the Walton Tribune:

"......we [in Loganville GA] haven’t seen the usual personal attacks but it’s certainly a welcome change. Maybe it will allow the different factions time to heal and that can only benefit the city.

However, the same can’t be said for Snellville. Wow — I think they’ve even got some of the previous Loganville elections beat this time around. The mayoral race between incumbent Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer and challenger former councilman Bruce Garraway is a doozie. You would think politicians would learn the citizenry doesn’t really care about their personal differences and gets pretty tired of hearing about them. How about just focusing on what’s good for the city?

I saw a recent flyer that Garraway sent out with a picture of Oberholtzer holding a “drink” with a caption that read something like “have you had enough?” For all we know the “drink” could have been a coke but the inference was pretty obvious (why does that ring a bell?). How about just sending out a flyer telling citizens what you the candidate are offering them and not a personal attack on your opponent — now there’s a novel concept.

Garraway has also had to duck a couple of darts from another former Snellville councilman who in all probability would like to see the current mayor stay in office. Garraway has had to defend his alleged preferential use of the city’s police force by calling them to unlock a car when he and another Snellville councilman had locked the keys in it while having a meal together. Apparently this was viewed as an abuse of power because they were outside the city limits and it was a service that wouldn’t have been offered another resident had they asked for it from outside the city limits. The result is the service has now been taken away from all Snellville residents. Was it petty for the resident to complain — probably? Would it have come to light had it not been an election year — probably not? However, those rules are set up to make sure nobody in power abuses them at all. Weren’t there some Atlanta politicians taken down a while back for using city employees to work on their rental properties?

If you are looking to run for public office, you had better be very careful about anything that is viewed as improper because it is certainly going to come back and bite you in today’s election process — from the presidential elections down."

---see entire October 26, 2007 article here: LINK

Gwinnett County's Ebay Store

Did you know you can buy a used service vehicle or even seized vehicles from the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners? I think we've all heard of auto auctions of such vehicles, but how about an Ebay Store? Check it out here - maybe you'll find a good deal! LINK

I did look up the one negative feedback they've had in 12 months. The bidder complained of "3 piles of vomit" in the van they bought.

Wow, I wonder what happened in that van. Not one, not two, but three piles of vomit! The mind boggles! It's a beautiful visual, isn't it?

But all kidding and vomit aside, I'm sure there are some great deals to be had!

What's to eat?

If you're looking for some new recipes, or want some that even a newbie can do, check out my Quick n Easy Recipe blog.

I started it quite awhile back as a collection of recipes for myself, and then I thought that a lot of other work at home moms were probably also stuck in a cooking rut, so I offered to post recipes sent in by other work at home moms, and I gave them a by-line and link on the blog. I received quite a few great recipes that way. If you have a family favorite you'd like to send in, I'd be very happy to have it.

I've always been housekeeping-challenged so I am always looking for things that will help me.
When I first got married 22 years ago, I could barely boil water. No, I'm not kidding. Now I can actually put together a decent meal.

I recently discovered e-mealz and I like it. Two sisters who were stuck in a food rut created a database of family recipes, then worked to match the grocery store's sale prices to recipes for the week. What they're doing is the brain work for us. It has really simplified my life to just be able to print out their pdf of the week's recipes and grocery list....and the food is normal food - only occasionally do we skip a recipe (one with shrimp comes to mind - I can't get my family to eat anything from the water except for tuna.) But even when you want to skip a meal, it's very simple. The items on the grocery list are numbered by the meal number. So, for example, if the unwanted shrimp recipe is Meal 4, then I just mark out all items on the grocery list that are for Meal 4.

Now they offer it to the public, and it's $5 a month (paid as $15 every 3 months).
You can choose to have your recipes based on the Kroger sales, Publix sales, Wal-Mart sales, or 'any store.' You can select low fat, recipes for only 2 people, Points system, and low carbohydrate. I have been on the Publix plan and the Kroger plan.

I really do think it pays for itself, by matching recipes to the sale prices, it can really create savings I would otherwise miss. Most weeks' recipes will feed our family of 6 for about $70 a week! That's pretty awesome! We're also eating more healthy vegetables and fruits on this plan - because it doesn't just give you the main dish, it includes side dishes, and that's another area I have needed help with - I never knew what goes 'well' with what...but now I just follow the e-meals plan.

In the interest of full disclosure, if you use this link I do get a 25% commission for sending a new customer to them. But I do recommend it, because 25% of $15 ($3.75) isn't enough for me to send you to a site unless I feel it is a worthwhile offering.

Snellville election through the eyes of twin 13 year olds

My daughter had just sat down to a bowl of cereal when she looked up at the clock and realized she had about one minute to eat it.

"Mom...could you pleeeease drive us to school?"

"Oh okay, I wish you had looked at the time first - but I want you to eat breakfast, so yeah I'll take ya."

(insert my barely comprehensible mumblings about having a head cold and feeling bad here) ...but I'm a sucker for those pretty begging eyes.

I have twin daughters - they are fraternal (not identical) twins. On the way to school, we passed a lot of Bruce Garraway and Kelly Kautz election signs.

I asked them, "If you were old enough to vote, would those signs effect who you would vote for - I mean, because you see a lot of a certain person's sign, would you think to yourself, 'everybody else is voting for them, I guess I will too.' ?"

My oldest daughter said immediately,

"No, I wouldn't make my decision on only that."

My youngest daughter said no at first and then she wavered...

"Well, it might..... if I wasn't sure who I should vote for."

Then we talked about if a person should vote at all if a person isn't sure.

(I was having a Linda Ellerbee moment)...

"Shouldn't a person make sure they get educated as much as they can before they vote?"

"Is it better to vote when you're unsure or not to vote at all if you aren't sure?"

My youngest daughter remarked thoughtfully,

"But they say you should always vote."

What do you think?
Do the signs effect who you're going to vote for?

If you need to find out more in order to make your decision, I have collected the links of the candidates HERE

Calendar of Snellville Events Added

I've been working on adding a calendar to this blog, and it will be a lot of work to add activities into it, but over time, I think it will be a very valuable tool for people who enjoy this blog (all 2 of them LOL!)

Here's the Calendar, but it is linked under Navigation on the right too.

Know of anything coming up? Please let me know about it so I can add it.

What's all the hubbub...bub?

In the AJC's blog "Snellville Talk," there is a new blog entry today called "Snellville Residents Making Mudpies."

All this hubbub could have been avoided.
Two words: keyless entry.

Even my 10 year old car has keyless entry, and 7 times out of 10, it even works!

Are you tired of this election stuff yet? I am.

Blood Oaks Haunted House in Snellville

The Snellville Police Department presents Blood Oaks TM "The Forbidden Underworld"
Haunted House. The haunted house is indoors, located in the Snellville Oaks Shopping Center (right off US78, in the same shopping center as Gold's Gym)

According to AccessAtlanta,
"A fright tour weaves through nine rooms and a maze, dodging dangerous characters. Intended for adults and children 12 and older. Benefits the Snellville Explorer Post 805 and Gwinnett County Sheriff Post 699. Parental accompaniment recommended."

Tickets are $15 at the door, but you can visit this page of the website to get a coupon for $3 off.
Click Here for Coupon for Blood Oaks
Kids age 12 and under price is $10
The coupon is not valid for October 31st.

Email bloodoaks@snellvillepd.com if you need more information.

Whoo hoo! It's Rainin'!

Yesiree, it's really raining hard right now.
Good thing, too. We really needed this!

Free Oil Change & Inspection - Snellville

Vehicle Oil Change & Safety Inspection - Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007
Grace Fellowship Church

"Provided primarily for the elderly, single parents or anyone with a financial burden, we will change your oil & oil filter and provide a thorough safety inspection.

See the checkered flag in front of the church to sign up.
You provide the oil & oil filter (consult your owner's manual),
Grace Fellowship Church provides the inspection & labor.FREE!
This service is provided quarterly by the Men of Grace.

Questions, contact Randy Layton 770-337-6653 or randylayton[AT]thejohnsonfinancialgroup.com."

This is one of many outreach offerings by Grace Fellowship Church. Visit this page of their website to view all their resources: LINK

Why would ya wanna be Mayor, anyway?

• Why would you want to put yourself and your family through all the stress and pressure?
  

• How much does it pay to be on the Snellville City Council?

• How much does it pay to be Mayor of Snellville?
  

• What are the benefits that make it worth doing?
  

• Why would you want to be Mayor of Snellville?
  

The answers to these questions are coming soon so stay 'tuned.'

Walgreen's in Snellville no longer open 24 hours

Walgreen's on Scenic Hwy/124 at Ronald Reagan Parkway is no longer a 24-hour establishment.
This probably only affects you if you have a weird schedule like we do!

Although their website says they are open 24 hours (twice on this one website page) and the recording you hear when you call their store says they're open 24 hours, they are no longer an around-the-clock business.

The Snellville Walgreen location's new hours are 7 am to 12 Midnight.
The Walgreen Pharmacy opens at 7 am and closes at 10 pm.

Hollywood Video Snellville Location Closing

Hollywood Video's Snellville location on Hwy 124/Scenic Highway is closing.
I was surprised to hear this, because I thought that store was doing pretty well.

What I hear is that it wasn't necessarily a lack of sales activity for that particular location, but that Hollywood Video overall is having problems, so they are closing about 10% of their stores.

Hollywood Video in Snellville is having a huge clearance on all their inventory of DVDs and games.

The Snellville store isn't even listed on their website's store locator anymore.

I'm sad to see Hollywood Video leave Snellville.
Our family has been looking into this option for renting videos:

Wisteria Square Development in Snellville

Does anyone know the status of Wisteria Square (the development on Wisteria)...the area has been cleared for a long time, but no building being done?
Why is it stalled?

I seem to remember hearing something about the builder being busy with other projects, but I'm not sure if that is accurate...is it the builder, lack of funds, or what?

Great Carpet Cleaning

This is not an ad, I do personally recommend!

If you have been looking for someone to do a really good carpet cleaning job for you, I would like to recommend my friend Yvonne Pillert of Immaculate Carpet Cleaners to you. Her business has 24 reviews on Kudzu.com, and you can see them here: LINK
and you can reach Yvonne by phone at 770-873-7657

It is a family owned business, and Yvonne really takes pride in her work. Her carpet cleaning equipment is truck mounted, and she does a very thorough job.

I cannot stress that enough - you will get a better carpet cleaning than you've ever received before from anyone else. It does leave your carpet a bit damp, but all I do is run some fans and it dries pretty quickly and looks and smells wonderful.

If you know anyone who is looking for someone to do a good job cleaning carpeting, leather upholstery, fabric upholstery, or even air duct cleaning, please be sure to send them to Immaculate Cleaners.

Are you a Cat Person or a Dog Person?

We have 2 Cat Persons and 2 Dog Persons in our family.

I'm not sure about where the youngest two children stand yet, but I think one is a Dog Person and the other is a Cat Person, which will make us 3 for Dogs and 3 for Cats.

How do you recognize whether a
person is a dog person or a cat person?

If someone can handle a dog panting Alpo-breath right in his or her face, well, they are a definite Dog Person. They like everyone.

A Cat Person tends to be more quiet and calm than the Dog Person. Cat People don't like anyone getting right up in their face and panting. Cat People recognize that a human being has to earn a cat's respect.

A Dog Person thinks that cats need to stop being so stuck up.

A Cat Person will spend $15,000 on their cat's kidney operation.
A Dog Person thinks Fluffy's company isn't worth that much money.

A Cat Person thinks it's nasty that dogs poop anywhere with total abandon. They think it's also gross that dog owners need to pick up their dog's 'doodie.'

A Dog Person thinks it's nasty that cats go doodie in a box that you keep in your house.
They also think it's gross that cat owners need to scoop out the cat box.

But we need to come up with a name for a person who is a little of both. I am probably 70% Dog Person and 30% Cat Person.

Overall, I prefer dogs, but we had a cat for 18 years who I loved dearly (although we had the usual Dog Person/Cat disagreements.) We had to euthanize her 2-1/2 years ago. It was an unexpected turn of events, and I had to cry in my car for about 45 minutes before I could drive home. So, maybe I am mostly a Dog Person, but a cat stole my heart.

My dog portraits in pencil
Cat portrait drawn in pencil

The Cross of Snellville

You can find some really nice photos of Snellville on Flickr. This one is by Flickr user Rheave.
It's called the Cross of Snellville. The cross is in the Snellville Historical Cemetery, and of course that's Snellville City Hall in the background.

New additions I hope you will enjoy

During this past week, I added several more things to make this blog even more useful for you. It's all on the right, and some of it you have to scroll down quite a way for them, but I wanted to make sure you would know they are there.

I added:

• Restaurant Inspections
• Atlanta traffic camera views
• Sites where you can locate festivals

This morning, I added:

• Snellville churches with links
• Useful phone numbers (like the drug abuse helpline and the Snellville Police Non-Emergency phone number, and the Utilities 'call before you dig' number)16 of these.
  
• Places of Interest, sorted by places that are nearby (8 very nearby to Snellville) and places of interest that are further away (48 of these!)
  

If you know of something great that I've missed, feel free to drop me a note (my email link is also at the right) and let me know!

More Drought News

- Gov. Perdue asks for State of Emergency

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is appealing to President Bush to declare a State of Emergency in Georgia due to the drought: READ MORE HERE

I had no idea that water was being taken from here to save endangered freshwater Mussels in Florida!

Fight at South Gwinnett High School

What concerns me as much as the fight is that a high school student who posted the video to YouTube - a teenager who obviously attends South Gwinnett High School and lives in Gwinnett County, cannot spell Gwinnett correctly.

The video is titled "Chick Fight at South Gwinnet"

Do the students have any idea that Button Gwinnett was one of the three signers of the Declaration of Independence who were from Georgia? Do they know that Gwinnett County was named after him? His grave is in the Colonial Cemetery in Savannah Georgia if anyone is interested (I've visited it)

Let's learn more about Button Gwinnett

Get Out

It's a beautiful day today. Why are you sitting in front of your computer reading a blog - this blog?!? Omigosh what has happened to your life that you are reduced to this...

LOL!

Oh don't worry, can't you tell I am only teasing? Obviously I'm sitting in front of a computer too, if I'm typing this...which I am.

Remember that Loganfest is going on today on Main Street in Loganville GA.
It goes on until 5:00 pm. It's a free event, but you will want some money with you for the crafts and food vendors...especially if you take your kids with you, make sure you have some cash on hand for all the 'gimmees' but have a budget or boy the kids will send you into bankruptcy. I know my kids want everything they see. Doesn't mean they get it, but they want it.

I looked to find some links with more information on Loganfest but I wasn't able to find a lot of information. My earlier post contains some links I found, if you are interested in more info.

I know this is a blog about Snellville, but Loganville is only 6 miles away, and if we support them in Loganfest, they'll support us in Snellville Days when May comes around!

Anyway, get out and play. Go to the park, go to Loganfest 2007...just go somewhere and get outside. There will be plenty of time for sitting in front of the computer tonight.

Have a fun one and don't forget to come back here and leave a comment about what you did!

Shiny Happy People, REM

I just love happy, fast music. If I ever need to elevate my mood, all I need is a song like this. Here's one I hadn't seen or heard for awhile, so I thought I'd force it on you and see if you enjoy it too :) And, since R.E.M.'s from Athens GA, they HAVE to be in this blog somewhere LOL.

The video also features art of Howard Finster, an artist from Summerville, Georgia.
He also did some cover art for REM and the Talking Heads.

LoganFest

The Loganville Chamber of Commerce presents

LoganFest 2007
Main Street, Loganville

Saturday October 20, 2007
Time: 10 am until 5 pm

I haven't been to this for a really long time, but in the past it's been a fun time. Lots of food, fun, and vendors at this annual Loganville GA festival. A great thing to take the kids to.

Related Links:
Walton Tribune Article on LoganFest
Loganville Chamber of Commerce

Snellville Restaurant Inspections

UPDATE: in late 2007, I started a new site that's only about Snellville restaurants.
It's called www.SnellvilleEats.com - check it out when you have a minute...! ...and now, back to the original blog post...

-----------

I have been looking online today for Snellville Restaurant inspection reports. I couldn't find a page just on Snellville restaurants, but I found a page for the most recent Gwinnett County inspections, and I also added the link to the sidebar of this blog (under Snellville Restaurant Inspections)

If anyone knows where I can access more records, please let me know. I think it helps everyone.

Do you pay attention to the score a restaurant has received? Do you look before you eat there? I often do look, but after today's experience, I am going to make a habit of making sure I look for it, and if I don't see it, I'm going to ask to see it.

I have already had the stomach flu, so I think this was food poisoning. I ate lunch at...er, well I don't want to call them out, so let's just say it's a place with a guy with a mushroom hat whose motto is " keep on shroomin' " .... I think some of the cold cuts in my sandwich were bad - but the sandwich also had raw mushrooms in it, so that could have been the culprit. I was sick within 15 minutes of leaving the restaurant and I've been feeling bad for about 3 hours now.
It has felt different from stomach flu - I have felt lightheaded and a little bit fuzzy brained and weird (ok no smart comments about how I'm weird anyway! LOL)

After today, I will think of "keep on shroomin' " as "keep on sitting on the toilet at Snellville's AutoZone while retching into their trash can." Kudos go out to that AutoZone (store #3194) by the way, both for their very clean trash can/bathroom facilities, as well as their fast and efficient skill in changing out my battery for me. Very nice guys.

• Do you pay attention to the restaurant inspection scores?
• What score would make you leave?
• How high does a score need to be for you to eat there?
• Do you check out scores online before you go out to eat?
  

Congratulations to Zaxby's Restaurant at 3220 Centerville Highway, Snellville, for getting a score of 99 on their recent Gwinnett County Restaurant inspection.

What your trash can size says about you

You know that it seems like every Friday I muse on some topic or another. The ideas come to me a lot when I'm driving.

I observed that you can tell a lot about the people or person who lives in a house just by looking at the house and all around the house.

I know I am a worrier, but I think it is smart to think about things the way a criminal would, to decrease your chances of becoming a victim.

Have you ever noticed the size of the trash cans?

There are smaller, thin Robertson trash cans, and to me they communicate that the resident
of the house with that small trash can is either single, perhaps a couple, but most likely an elderly person or elderly couple.

It seems insignificant, doesn't it? But I think that if someone has a criminal mind and wanted to hurt or rob an elderly person, those trash cans are almost like putting a sign out in front of the house that says "come and get me."

If my 80-year old mother lived in Snellville, I would demand that she get a more regular sized trash can. Big whoop if it's larger than what she needs. At least it wouldn't announce to all passers-by that she probably lives alone.

I think we should do away with those small trash cans.

Holiday Wholesale Shopping Event

Andrea used to run A Divine Consign on Oak Road...that store closed, and she is holding a Pre-Holiday Wholesale Shopping Event

So, you want to give great gifts and still have a little green left for the
great sales After the Holidays?

You need to come by our wholesale shopping event. Mark your calendars we
are only having 3!!

• Saturday October 27th 10:00am to 2:00pm
  

• Thursday November 1st 5:00pm to 8:00pm
  

• Saturday November 3rd 10:00am to 2:00pm
  

Where: 1809 Pinehurst Road, Snellville, GA 30078

What will we have? New items at Wholesale prices!!

Beautiful Suede Jackets / Fabulous Fur Vests

Quilted Silk Jackets / Sheer Blouses / Silk Pants

Beautiful Detailed Sweaters w/Detachable Feather Collars

Black or Denim Rhinestone Studded Jackets

Crochet Sweaters/Camis/Skirts/Pants

Sterling Silver Jewelry / Great Handbags

Sunglasses UV/Polarized / Coffee Mugs

Georgia Bulldog Tennis Shoes or Flip Flops

Puzzles/Jewelry Making Kits

Journals/Bookmarks/Decorative Tin Signs

If you have questions please email
fengshuiandie[AT]aol.com or call
Andrea 678-994-7886

Brookwood Arts and Crafts Festival

Brookwood High School will hold an Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday November 10, 2007.

If you are interested in renting space as a crafter or artisan,
contact Shelly Connor at 770-564-1252

From what I could find out online, booth rental is $100 for a 10'x10' space and the sale is indoors.

Brookwood High School's address is:
1255 Dogwood Road
Snellville, GA 30078

funny pic

More Funny Pictures at pYzam.com

File Under Snore

I just received the Fall 2007 publication from Gwinnett County Schools.
It's called the Communique'

My sincere apologies for the people who create this newsletter, because I know that a lot of time and effort has gone into it, and it's not your fault I'm sure.....but I just have to say - it's boring. Booooorrrrinnng. Boring with a capital B. (hey, B also stands for Bureaucratic!) Again, I'm very sorry. I know you are just doing your job.

Now look - I will read anything. I will even read the backs of shampoo bottles, so you know from that, I am a boring person. So I know how to recognize extreme boring when I see it. It would be nice if at least parts of it were interesting looking enough to get some students to read it.

I wondered if it's worth the expense of printing and mailing out. I mean, if I won't read it, I can tell you that probably hardly anyone else is either. Could our education funds be spent better?
It is in only 3 colors (exciting burgundy, classic midnight black, and dazzling gray) so maybe it's not very expensive to produce.

I looked through it to see if I could find any interesting news in it to post to this blog but I kept dozing off. I'm sorry, I just can't force my brain to process phrases like "System-level initiatives anchor commitment to environmental stewardship."

PS: If you decide to take up reading the backs of shampoo bottles, in my opinion, L'Oreal Kids Shampoo bottles are the best read.

Photo Credit: Mary R. Vogt, a talented contributor to MorgueFile.com

Selected Products at Publix for Half Price

Six Flags Tickets
Get the lowest price by ordering online!

Here are the Publix BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) specials this week. Effective through Tuesday, October 23, 2007.

Keep in mind, at Publix you can just buy one box at half price if you want!

If you can add a coupon to the deal, Publix doubles coupons, so you might find you will get some of these items almost free. Want to know how?
Check out my page about how to Use Coupons to your best advantage!

Hint: Print out this page and take this list to the store with you.

General Mills Cereals
Assorted Cheerios or Frosted Cheerios (excludes Fruity Cheerios, do you care?)
Limit 2 deals (this means you can get 4 boxes) $3.99 regular retail
Half price is about $2

Kraft South Beach Diet Entree
Assorted varieties. (no limit) $3.59 regular retail
Half price is about $1.80

Cole's Garlic Bread (frozen)
Zesty or Butter Flavored; $2.50 regular retail
Half price is $1.25

Chef Boyardee, assorted 14.5 to 15 oz cans
Excludes ABC's and 123's in sauce or Mini Bites Mini O's.
Limit of 2 deals (meaning, you can get 4 cans)
$1.25 each retail, price after discount: .63 cents each

Crystal Light Drink or On the Go Mix, or Iced Tea Mix, assorted
10 or 12 quart canister or 14 ct box.
Retails $4.69 each, price after discount is $2.35

Taco Bell Home Originals Dinner
Assorted varieties 10.75 to 16.35 oz box
Limit 2 deals (means you can get 4 packages)
Retails 2.79, price after discount is about $1.40 each

Vlasic Pickles, assorted varieties
Limit 2 deals (means you can get 4 jars)

Quaker Cereals
Cap'n Crunch, Life, Squares,
Limit 2 deals on selected varieties
(means you can get 4 boxes per visit)
Save up to 4.29

Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper
or, Chicken or Tuna Helper
Limit deals (means you can get 4 boxes)
Retails $1.99, Sale price $1 each

Mott's Apple Sauce
Original, cinnamon, or natural unsweetened, 46 or 48 oz jars
Limit 2 deals (means you can get 4 jars)
Retails $2.39, Sale price is about $1.20 each

Jif Peanut Butter
Creamy, Reduced Fat Creamy, or Extra Crunch, 40 oz jars
(limit 2 deals - means you can get 4 each visit)

Keebler Town House Club Crackers
Assorted varieties
Retails $3.59, Sale price is about $1.80
(no limit mentioned)

Ruffles Potato Chips
11.5 or 12 oz bags,
Retails 3.49, sale price is about $1.75
Limit 2 deals (means you can get 4 bags, but this store discounts chips to this price often so no need to stock up)

Nature's Own Bread
Organic or all natural
Retails $2.99, sale price is about $1.50 (no limit mentioned)

Glass Plus Glass and Multi Surface Cleaner
32 oz bottle
No limit mentioned
Retails $2.49, sale price is about $1.25

Kraft Caramels - is buy one get one, but no price listed.

Extra Gum, 8 pack, Retails $1.99, sale price is about $1

www.MySnellvilleBlog.com

Denial is more than skin deep

Heard on the street in Snellville:

"Oh I'm not racist, I don't see color."

Oh come on. Get real. Yes you do. Everybody sees color.

I want to not see color, but I do. I am human. I am not in denial of this. But, although I do see colors, I consider people by their behavior and character before anything else. Initially, my mind might think "tall black guy" when I meet someone, but within 1 minute, I'm seeing the person within and not "tall black guy." He's becomes 'a nice guy who collects comic books, works in a bank who also happens to be a tall black guy.' When I look in the mirror, I see "tall fat white chick."

I think that all people, of all ethnic heritage, are racist to some degree. Perhaps a better word is 'biased.' I think we are inherently biased toward people of our own ethnic backgrounds. It's not always necessarily with evil intent, it's just the way people are wired - to mistrust anything that is different or anything or anyone who is unfamiliar.

I grew up in a city that is still 99% white. I was 10 years old before I saw and met an African American girl in person. I had only seen black people on TV. She was a friend of my sister. I know I must have seemed very rude - I remember I just stared at her. I was so intrigued by her. I was nervous before she came over to visit, because I didn't know what to expect. Now to think of this, it seems so strange. I would never need to stare at an African American person. But I think that this was a great introduction - I met an African American person as a very nice PERSON and not as a broad group or entity I could not examine.

My friend Amy (who happens to be black...well a nice chocolate brown, actually) says that there is even color bias among African Americans. She told me that during high school, she became darker skinned during a vacation trip to the beach, and her best friend (also African American) wouldn't hang out with her because she was "too black."

Heard from a homeowner on Skyland Drive in Snellville who was going to move (pointing to some black teenagers walking on the lawn in front of her house): "We have to see THAT all day; all day long." Referring to people as that.

I think part of that family's problem was that they see people as 'that' or 'it' and not as people.
They cared more for the condition of their lawn more than people's welfare (should they walk in the street?!?)

White parents get nervous when they see the middle school kids or high school kids - especially the African American ones - dressed in gangster (gangsta) or like 'hoods.' I have talked to my middle school daughters about this, and they assure me that it's just the clothing style. If the boys don't dress like that, they get labeled as dorks. It's just very important for kids that age to be cool. Maybe if we tried talking to some of the kids, instead of labeling them 'bad,' we might find out they are good kids.

My son is only four years old, so I dress him like a dork, until he knows any better.

I don't worry much about 'white flight.' I figure that the area will be better once everyone who is scared of anyone different from them moves out.

Peer Pressure While Driving

Have you ever been first in line while driving, waiting to turn safely, and the person behind you is incredibly impatient? You know the type - they want you to pull out in front of incoming traffic, just for them? Because you refuse to peel out dangerously, they start beeping their horn at you.

I just wish I had a sign to stick out of my window for them. It would say something like:

"SHUT UP. Just because you didn't leave home early enough and now you need to rush, it's not my problem. I refuse to drive dangerously. The time to rush was before you left home. Don't rush while driving, it's dangerous. Yes, I heard your horn. I know you thought I was sleeping, but I wasn't. I'm sorry I held you up by one nanosecond. I would like to get going just as badly as you do, but I don't choose to wreck my car and put my entire family in danger just to please you, a total stranger. Get a grip you ____ing moron."

But I think even Cecil Sellers over at A Better Sign couldn't get all that on one sign that I could hold out my window. I still think this is a very marketable sign.

Someone's YouTube Video of Snellville

Does anyone know where this is in Snellville? All I can tell is that it's trash day LOL but other than the trash cans, doesn't it look beautiful?

South Gwinnett Park in Snellville Gains 9 Acres

South Gwinnett Park will expand by 9 acres.

"South Gwinnett Park on McGee Road in the Snellville area was acquired by the County in 2006. The expansion of the park comes through a land exchange. “By approving this exchange, we are enlarging the park to 32 acres and bolstering our support of youth sports programs in the Snellville area,” said District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau. “Best of all, this is being done at no cost to the taxpayers.” "

- Read the full story HERE

Homesick for Snellville?

This post is for our Military "over there,"... wherever you might be - Europe or in Iraq, we are thinking about you here in Snellville.

Maybe you have found the blog when you were looking for news from home, and if so I'm glad you did.


I hope that everyone local who reads this blog will give a "shout out" to all our Military men and women by way of a Comment on this blog.

The weather today in Snellville is just gorgeous. It's sunny but not too hot. It's just really a beautiful day. Fall is in the air just a bit. Sometimes we are having to wear a sweater or something in the morning, but it's totally fine. I'm listening to the drone of a lawnmower.

I hope that when you get home, you will like the changes in Snellville. With our new city hall, the view of Snellville as you drive eastward is really nice. A few nights ago, they had a jazz concert
near Snellville City Hall.

Well anyway, we miss you and hope you will be home soon. I greatly appreciate all that you are doing.

If you are military and you're from the Snellville area and you saw this message, leave us a comment if you have time!

Paying your Walton EMC bill by electronic check? Think twice...

I have had good experiences with Walton EMC, except one time.

I thought it might be a good idea to share this info with you, so you won't end up in a similar predicament.

Here's what happened to me. I paid by electronic check at Walton EMC's website. This was about a year ago, so I don't remember the dollar amount I paid exactly, but I think it was over $200 or very close to it. I paid my bill and there was nothing out of the ordinary about the transaction.

Until I started receiving notices from my credit union that I had bounced checks.

WHUT?!?!? How did that happen, besides my obvious lack of math skills?

I did some investigating, and Walton EMC had some kind of billing glitch and deducted the payment amount from my checking account several times. So of course, the money for my other bills wasn't there as it should have been, thus the bouncification* of my checks.

I called my credit union, and they agreed to remove the insufficient check fees, but they couldn't do anything about the multiple withdrawals, I would have to call Walton EMC to fix that.

So I phoned Walton EMC and was told that, since I paid by electronic check, there was nothing they could do (HUH?!?)...if I had paid by credit card, they could just credit the money back, but that all they could do about the multiple withdrawals was let those 'ride' as pre-payments toward my future Walton EMC bills.

I don't know about you, but I don't have enough money to pay my future bills, I struggle with today's bills! I thought that was a pretty unfair situation, and I don't believe that nothing could be done about it. If they could withdraw money, they should be able to put money back in, wouldn't you think?

If you go to their site and pay online, do not pay by electronic check. If you want to pay them at their site, use your credit card. Or, if you have online billing with your bank or credit union, pay by electronic check that way, but don't do it directly with Walton EMC's site, or you won't have any protection.

On a happier note, I just received my e-bill notification from Walton EMC. I am sooo glad to see that the bill is going down a bit finally, now that we have a break from the intense heat! My bill combines electric and natural gas. My new bill is $177.18.

*thanks to Early Cuyler for the wordification.

UPDATE 30 October 2007: I found out in my Walton EMC bill that Walton EMC has another company, called SEDC, handle their payment processing. That is probably why my situation couldn't be fixed very easily.

What do you think about the watering ban?

This AJC article says our water use may be even more restricted soon.
Are you concerned? Are you doing anything to conserve water?

Our family, as a rule, needs to use less water - even though I think we use less than a lot of families. Because I have two 13 year old daughters, you know it's a constant battle to get them out of the bathroom. I keep explaining that you can get as clean with a 5-minute shower as you can with a 30 minute shower. They also think, if a shirt falls off a hanger and onto the floor, it's instantly dirty and needs to be laundered. They'll be doing their own laundry, so they will have to do the work, and I think that will correct that problem!

Are you taking your car to one of the car wash places? I keep meaning to, but I haven't gotten around to it. My youngest children get scared in the car washes, and it's hard to find a good time to go. But even pre-drought, I wasn't the type of person to be out washing my car every weekend (ie lazy LOL) - so you can imagine how awful my car looks now! It's a gray car, and it should be white. It now has some vertical stripes on the sides, from when I washed my windows at Quick Trip and the water dripped down. Now THAT is a classy look.

I do get ticked off when I see businesses watering their properties (mostly seen on US78 going toward Loganville)...one time they were watering while it was raining! (insert primal scream here)....what is the fine for watering when you're not supposed to? I think I remember reading somewhere that the fine is $1,000 ... that may be the problem - it's too low to really bother them. To a housing or retail developer, a thousand dollars is nothing. It's equivalent to fining me 10 bucks. Maybe commercial zoned property owners should be charged at a higher fine than residental zoned...if not already.

Gwinnett County Outdoor Water Use Guidelines - water restriction schedule for Snellville and all of Gwinnett County.

Photo Credit: Alex DeClerk

Donations sought for Arquevious Crane

Arquevious Crane, a junior at South Gwinnett High School, suffered a spinal injury during a JV game on September 20, 2007. He has undergone two surgeries. He is paralyzed but is now off the breathing tube and is breathing on his own.

The family has some immediate needs, including Kroger or Publix gift cards and gift cards for gas.

If you would like to donate, visit any Wachovia Bank and tell them you want to donate to the Arquevious Crane Assistance Fund in care of the South Gwinnett Touchdown Club.

What's your personality type?

It's scary how accurate this is!

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

What's Your Personality Type?

Interested in advertising in this blog?

You can advertise in this blog if you have a family friendly local website that you think would be of interest to Snellville/Loganville/Gwinnett County residents. Your ad would appear in the box that's in a popular spot - immediately below the calendar on the right.

Daily ads start at $2.50, and there are other advertising plans available, but if you would like to give it a try and see how it works for you, please enter a bid amount. If your site is something that I think would be nice for site visitors, I'll approve it for your first ad run, no matter how low your bid!

This blog is getting over 500 hits per month now, and going up every day, so please take advantage of this opportunity now, if you want to try some local internet advertising - I doubt you will find anything as affordable.

Hurry, only 4 ad spots are available!

Click here to place a bid for an ad (bids are the green line) LINK

1st Annual Gwinnett Reading Festival

The Gwinnett County Public Library will present the First Annual Gwinnett Reading Festival on Saturday, October 20, 2007, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.

This is a free event for all ages that will feature more than thirty authors from near and far who will be reading, discussing, and autographing their works. The Festival will include workshops, food vendors, music, bookstores, and a Festival Library branch. A coffee shop will serve hot beverages and feature conversations with authors.

Children’s activities include storytellers, dueling knights, a magician, crafts offered by the Jacqueline Casey Hudgen’s Center for the Arts, and a free book for every child attending the Festival, while supplies last.

Teen activities will include sumo suit wrestling, a Cosplay contest, and a performance by the comedy troupe, Laughing Matters.

The Gwinnett Reading Festival is supported in part by a grant from the Georgia Humanities Council, along with additional support from community partners. For more information, please visit the Festival website at www.gwinnettreadingfestival.org. The event will take place, rain or shine. No pets, please.

My Pencil Portraits, Drawn from your Photos

My main business, other than blogging and sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong, is drawing portraits by commission. I draw portraits of children, babies, couples, your house... etc...I draw based on photos.

Here are some examples of my artwork. If you would be interested in finding out more information, please contact me or visit my website for more art examples and information. I would be happy to provide a quote for your project, with no obligation to order.

Singin' the Stomach Flu Blues

Has the stomach flu been to your house yet? It's been here, a week or so ago, with a vengeance. First it hit my 4 year old son with a 24-hour variety, I had one day of a break, and then it hit my 2 year old son. Again, it struck in the middle of the night and lasted 24 hours. If you haven't stayed up all night with a barfing toddler, while watching 4 straight back-to-back episodes of Barney, you haven't really lived. LOL!

Today I woke up and the good old flu has hit me. Thanks to my good friend (see below) I am now feeling a bit better. It is very good to have some of this on hand, in case you get the flu.

Women's Gym in Snellville (located behind Ryan's on Wisteria)

Carmen Gaddy, the owner of Contours Express in Snellville, fought a courageous battle against cancer but passed away on November 29, 2008. Contours Express in Snellville closed on November 22, 2008. Carmen, we miss you already.


This is a women's gym in Snellville that is an alternative to the huge centers - great equipment and environment, and it's conveniently located on Wisteria Drive in Snellville (near Kmart and behind Ryans) so you don't have to get caught up in all the traffic on Scenic Highway to work out.

Here's their information, written by Contours Express owner Carmen Gaddy:

Need to lose weight before the holidays and get in shape? Want to firm and
tone up? Need a massage? Interested in consulting with a nutritionist and
having a customized plan developed for you? Want to learn how to detox your
body?

FALL SPECIAL!! EXPIRES OCTOBER 31ST!!
FREE 7 day pass to the gym -- INCLUDES Free Fitness Training!!

WHAT IS Contours Express?? We are NOT just a gym.
--A 29-minute workout with cardio and strength training equipment

(The BEST solution for burning fat, building muscle, improving cardiovascular
health, & building bone to fight Osteoporosis. )

--A safe, comfortable, FUN environment for women of ALL ages and ALL fitness
levels.

--A massage therapist with Great discounts for members.

--Fresh, Nutritious meals available for purchase twice a week (FreshNFit
Cuisine.)

--A certified nutritionist and proven weight loss programs.
--Ionic Footbath, Far Infrared Sauna, and detox programs.

Located at 2400 Wisteria Drive: Kmart shopping center behind Ryan's.
Open 6 days a week.

I've dropped my weight from 195 to 165!! Dropped my body fat from 39% to 31%!!
Gotten off of sleeping medicine & have more energy than ever before!!
All in less than a year!
I'd love to help you with YOUR Fitness Goals!!

Please call TODAY to schedule your No Obligation workout with a fitness
trainer, and I will include a FREE Fitness Analysis ($100 total value.)

Best of health to you!!
Carmen Gaddy
Contours Express of Snellville
678-344-0040
http://www.contoursexpress.com/snellvillega/

Reader comments on Snellville reversible lane video

Yesterday, I posted a video about End of the Reversible Lane System in Snellville that features interviews and information about the medians going in on US78.

One of our blog visitors gave me his opinion of the report.

He said the video was ridiculous, because the report makes it sound like the medians will stop traffic accidents - he said "there will still be accidents even with that median."

Other comments:

"It will be a disaster. All they need to do is look at Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. It had nice businesses, but within a year of the median going in, the quality businesses left and were replaced by check-cashing places and raggy looking pawn shops. I used to go there to shop, but once the whole area went downhill, it wasn't worth driving there anymore"

..... "it also wasn't worth going there, because having to go a mile out of my way to get to a store I wanted was a real pain. I would have to keep U-turning to get to where I wanted and it was more trouble than it was worth to deal with that."

He also pointed out that the statement in the video that the medians would open up traffic. He said "that's Orwellian double-speak. How can it go from non restricted traffic to restricted and help traffic flow more freely?"

I am personally puzzled by the business owner featured in the video who thinks the median will help his business. I think it will only help businesses that are at the opening points of the median units.

Well it's kind of a done deal now. I hope it won't have the bad result that happened in Stone Mountain, but only time will tell.

Donating old clothes & household goods

With the change of seasons, it's clean out the closet time for a lot of people.

If you want to donate bags of old clothing, there are a lot of convenient options for us in Snellville.

AADD: Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities.
AADD is in its 50th year.
They'll pick it up at your house. You don't need to be home.
Tax deductible. Visit their site at LINK
You can also schedule your pickup online, and that's very convenient!
Schedule donation pickup

Another charity that will pick up your donations of old clothing and household discards is
the American Kidney Fund.

For both of these charities, just mark your donations bags and/or boxes, so they'll know exactly what they can take in case you're not home. For Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities, mark them AADD. For American Kidney Fund, mark donation bags and boxes with AKF.

• Don't forget to make a list of your donations before you give them away. Both charities will leave you a brochure that will serve as your receipt. Attach your list to the receipt and save for tax purposes, if you itemize your taxes. I find that a spreadsheet like Excel works well, because it makes it easy to add columns, but you can just hand-write the list on lined filler paper too. The value of each item should be your estimation of what the item would bring in if sold in a thrift shop.

Snellville Area Restaurants, Significant Savings

One of my neighbors swears by this website, Restaurant.com - how it works is that you pre-purchase gift certificates for restaurants and save a ton of money because of it. If you know you'll be going out to eat, it does sound like a good idea!

If you are interested in trying it out, this would be the time. Here's a coupon code to get 50% off the purchase of your gift certificates! Coupon Code: PASSPORT...this offer expires on October 14, 2007

When you use the site, Snellville is in the light blue area - I also found out that they send you to a secure link to print your certificate at home, they don't mail it to you. I was able to get two $10 off certificates for City Slickers restaurant for only $3. There will be a minimum purchase of $20 at the restaurant to use each certificate, but that is a very easy minimum to reach. Great deal!

End of reversible lane system in Snellville

If you want to see the plan for ending of the reversible lane system in Snellville, this YouTube video of a news report from Channel 46 will give you the Cliffs Notes version.



For more information, see http://www.evermorecid.org/

Gettin' Healthy in Snellville - flu and pneumonia shot information

It should be said that readers of My Snellville Blog are the healthiest people in Snellville today. I don't think anyone's saying it though. Let's change that.

I have a bunch of good opportunities for us to be healthy, and they are right here in Snellville.

And awaaaay we go!

Snellville United Methodist Church hosts:

October 17, 2007: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Find out if you are at risk for developing diabetes. Dr. Shenoy, an Endrocrinologist, will speak on how you can have a healthier lifestyle that may lead to the prevention of diabetes. To register, call Chris Czarick at 678-430-6031.

November 17, 2007: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Eastside Heritage Sleep Disorders Medical Director will offer an informative program on sleep disorders, sleep deprivation and treatments. (I bet they don't recommend blogging)...this program will teach us how to get a good night's sleep.
To register, call Chris Czarick at 678-430-6031.

Also at Snellville United Methodist Church are Exercise Classes that meet Mondays through Friday in the Celebration Hall of the CLC (Christian Learning Center) 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
The cost is $1 per class. Yes, you read that right! A buck a class! Great, my excuse not to exercise is gone.

You can also go to the CLC at Snellville United Methodist Church from 6 am to 9 am Monday through Friday just for walking.

The Gwinnett Medical Center Care-a-Van will be at the church on December 20th to do Mammogram screenings. Appointments are necessary. To schedule, call the Health Line at 678-442-5000

Flu and Pneumonia Shots will be offered October 14th from 9 am till 1 pm in Wesley Hall at the same church, Snellville United Methodist. You must call for an appointment. Appointments will be made every 5 minutes. The flu shots are $25, Pneumonia shot is $45. If you have Medicare, the cost will be covered, according to the information I have . They will accept cash or checks. Children ages 13-18 can have a flu shot if their parent or guardian is present. Call Chris to make appointment at 678-430-6031.

Many Kroger stores in the area are also offering $25 flu shots.
"Do you happen to have the list of Kroger stores and their dates and times?"
Why yes, I do indeed have that list. So here's the info:

The Kroger on 78 had theirs today, by the time I list it here, it will almost be over, so I'll just go to tomorrow's info...sorry about that!

October 10th (Wednesday) Kroger at 1670 Hwy 124/Scenic Hwy from 12 PM until 4 pm
Kroger pharmacy phone number is 770-985-3792

The next date at a Kroger nearby is October 15th at the Athens Hwy Loganville location (the one at 78 and Rosebud Road, so it's only about 7 miles from Snellville) Their flu shots will be given from 12 Noon until 6 pm that day. Their phone number is 770-554-1111.

I'm sure many churches and facilities around Snellville are offering great stuff like what I have just listed. I don't want to leave out what your church or club is doing, so please let me know if you have information that you think would be helpful to share.

Mahna Mahna

You really have to think twice before you show your kids anything. I showed my 2 year old son this Muppets Mahna Mahna video and now we have to watch it about 3 times a day. It's really funny the first 13,000 times, but after that it does start to get a wee bit old.

There's a story behind every overgrown yard

I am in non compliance with the following ordinance for the City of Snellville.

Section 17.2. Property maintenance.

B. Grass, weeds and uncultivated vegetation. Premises and exterior property which contain a habitable space or a business shall be maintained free from grass, weeds or uncultivated vegetation in excess of 12 inches in height.

But, I will be getting on this problem ASAP. I know the fine for being in non compliance (if you ignore the warning) is about $1,000. I'm going to have to call someone to mow my yard.

I have (had) an electric lawnmower. It was a Black and Decker Lawn Hog mower. Electric lawnmowers are actually a lot more convenient than you think - BUT just like anything else, you have to treat it right for it to last.

Well, I had a neighbor who asked to borrow it. "Love Thy Neighbor" really kicked me in the tush. My neighbor, used to a strong gas mower - really pushed it to its limits and I am pretty sure the motor is burned out. (he sort of paid us back by doing several lawn mowings when he got his gas mower working again)...but anyway, the final result is...no lawnmower. It makes a sound like a dying giraffe that has eaten hubcaps and marbles...that's the best way I can describe the sound. It's horrific, if you didn't get that from my description. ;)

So Hubs and I went back and forth about whether to buy a riding lawnmower or a regular gas or electric push mower. The cost seems pretty high, but I figured out that it would take about 42 mowings for us to be 'paid back' for the expense of it, as the guy we hire to mow our grass charges about $40 each time. Then we discussed whether to get another electric mower or gas push mower. They cost about $200.

I'm not great with gas engines. I can't tell you how many gas mowers we've ruined. I'm for getting another electric mower if we don't get a riding mower. I really don't like the mixing of gas with oil, and the cranking. I am tired before I even start mowing. The electric mower is a lot like vacuuming. I can handle it.

Our final decision was to call our mowing guy and let that be the last cut of the season, and we'll keep our eyes peeled for good deals on mowers for next year.

Well I better go ahead and call my mower dude.

Heck, it's only fair - my view on immigration

I have a simplistic view on immigration: it is that everyone is welcome, if you follow U.S. laws and fill out the proper paperwork to be here. Fair's fair - if I decided to work or live in Mexico, I would make sure I was doing it legally. My simplistic view is also that they are illegals - if they are here illegally... you won't hear me saying "Undocumented Workers."

I read an article in the AJC a few weeks ago about illegal immigrants being afraid to drive because they might get stopped by police for breaking traffic laws. So because less were driving to the stores, Hispanic video rental stores and food stores in the Atlanta area have been suffering. (waaa...)

If you are afraid of breaking traffic laws - if you never had a valid US driver's license, if the one you do have is expired, suspended, or otherwise invalid; if you don't have valid insurance,
if you speed, etc....then yes, please stay off the roads!

I think a lot of people feel like I do, but people are afraid to speak out for fear of sounding like we are Hispanic-haters. I don't have a problem with anyone emigrating to the United States, I just want them to be here legally. They really need to be here legally to be a part of the American dream.

Deep down, I feel sorta grumbly about the fact that illegal immigrants' children can go to our government schools on our tax dollars. I feel that if someone is illegal, then they should get the benefits of being illegal = nothing. There needs to be some reason for people to want to be here legally. If they get all the benefits of legal US Citizens anyway, why should they want to be legal? However, I do think it's important that the children be educated, and it's not their fault their parents are here illegally.

We do need residents of our country to be educated and know English and I am completely for that. But I have heard disturbing things from parents who have children in some of the elementary schools in Snellville that have an increasing number of illegal Mexican immigrants (and I'm sure some legal). What I am hearing is that teachers are overwhelmed in the K-3 grades by the number of children who don't know English. I have been told that if your child knows English, the teacher will leave children to be on their own, since she needs to spend so much time with the children who need to catch up so much because of the language barrier.
This has led some Snellville residents to pull their children out of public school and homeschool their children.

Mexico is a beautiful country, full of beautiful people. I have always been interested in the culture and the language. My sister in law is from Mexico and she works for the INS in Dallas TX. Her family came here legally, so why can't others follow the laws? It's only fair.

I would like to see the U.S. work more on the root cause...what can we do to improve the Mexican economic situation so that people don't need or want to leave?

Why can't we build up manufacturing in Mexico so we can import more from Mexico instead of the problem products from China?

CLICK HERE to see Illegal Immigration Statistics in real time.

9 out of 10 Hemmorhoid Sufferers are against Speed Bumps

I was looking over the '2030 Comprehensive Plan' for the City of Snellville. You might want to take a look too, so just click here to check it out: LINK.

I was disappointed to see speed bumps/speed humps or something like them, planned for Skyland Drive in Snellville. I have a dislike of speed bumps. With each hit of the brakes and then the subsequent acceleration, it just causes more air pollution from the cars.

I'm sure they are effective in slowing traffic, but so are our Snellville Police officers. They do good work on Skyland. Really good work. I really watch my speed when I drive on Skyland, because I know speed is being checked.

There are a few other drawbacks to speed humps. They slow down emergency services' response - I don't know about you, but when I have my stroke, I want the EMS to not have to drive over speed bumps to get to me. Speedbumps slow any large vehicle like a fire truck, trash truck, and even school buses. Speed-humps are difficult for bicyclists and anyone disabled to get over and around. I know sidewalks are also in the works, so that would take away that last concern.

I was driving in Walton County the other day, near sites for new schools, and realized that the whole area is full of new growth...the school isn't built yet, but they already have their sidewalks installed. I'm wondering why nobody ever thought earlier on to install sidewalks from Britt Elementary all the way down Skyland back when the school was built? Well we can't go back in a time machine, I just thought that was strange that the sidewalks were never put in.

Regarding Skyland Drive, I see the large frontage of the properties, and the increasing traffic in the area, and I can see it as a road that will eventually be widened and even could turn Commercially zoned. I'm not saying I want that, I am just saying I see it in the cards, so to speak...due to Skyland being an 'extension' sort of, of Wisteria Drive, and that is Commercially zoned now, but it wasn't all Commercial just 11 years or so ago.

How do you feel about speed humps?

Lazy Snellville Video

And now for something a lot more fun...

FREE Family Event Today, October 6, 2007 from 11 am until 1 pm

Kids Jump 4 Joy is celebrating their one year anniversary and you're invited.

It's today, Saturday October 6, 2007 and this event is from 11 am until 1 pm.

The information I have is that they are offering unlimited jumping, food, fun, and prizes and a special appearance by Spiderman! So if you are looking for something fun and free for your kids today, this looks great.

Their website is http://www.kidzjump4joy.com and
their phone number is 770-979-9998.
Kids Jump 4 Joy is located at 2150 Paxton Drive, Lilburn GA
(Hwy 78, next to Home Depot and Petsmart, near Killian Hill.)

BloodOaks Haunted House Snellville - your comments?

Wondering if anyone has gone to BloodOaks and what you thought of it? Would you mind sharing your comments? I know it's been a Snellville tradition for many years, but I've never gone to it myself.

Blood Oaks Haunted House - Opened September 28th at Snellville Oaks Center, the same shopping center where Gold's Gym is... (7 pm to 11 pm)...it is an ongoing event, I believe at least until Halloween....hosted by the Snellville Police Department. For more information you can email bloodoaks@snellvillepd.com or visit the Snellville Police Department's website for info and coupons. LINK

UPDATE 25 October 2007 with more info and a link to a money saving coupon for this event.

Let's keep Snellville kids safe on the road!

I read a statistic today that of the children who should be in booster seats, less than 20 percent are in proper safety seats. I can believe that.

When I pick my son up from Pre-Kindergarten, I noticed a lot of people just open the door for their 4-year olds, and the kid would climb in, the parent wouldn't do anything except get in the driver's seat. I wondered how the kids were managing to strap themselves into their booster seats, because my very tall son has a little difficulty himself, I need to strap him in. Well now I realize the reason they are so quick to be on the road again is probably that they aren't using booster seats. A lot of people think that once their child has outgrown the baby safety seat, they don't need anything else, but the rule of thumb is that your child needs to be 8 years old OR
4 foot 9 inches tall. So, even if your child is 8 years old, if he's 4 foot 3 inches tall, he still needs to be in a booster seat.

The National Highway Safety Administration has a page all about booster seats and why they are important to raise your child up so that the car's seatbelt will fit them properly. Check it out at this LINK

Booster seats are not terribly expensive - below is a selection of booster carseats available at Amazon. I've found that checking out the ratings and reviews is a great way to make a wise buying decision.

Capital Campaign Fundraising Gala for New London Theatre's new community playhouse

Interested in helping support the New London Theatre, as they commence their capital fundraising campaign for the new community playhouse the are building in downtown Snellville? Please see the invitation below for a sneak-preview of the evening's Gala which guarantees to be a great time. Come find out how you can be part of building a great community playhouse!

I just received this from Michelle Couch of the Greater Grayson Chamber of Commerce - I realize if you are interested, we are already past the RSVP date, but apparently you can still RSVP...so do so as soon as possible if you think you can attend.

Snellville Events

Blood Oaks Haunted House - Opened September 28th at Snellville Oaks Center, the same shopping center where Gold's Gym is... (7 pm to 11 pm)...it is an ongoing event, I believe at least until Halloween....hosted by the Snellville Police Department. For more information you can email bloodoaks@snellvillepd.com or visit the Snellville Police Department's website for info and coupons. LINK

Snellville Autumn on the Green, a downtown community jazz concert, will be Saturday October 13th from 6 to 7 pm. This will be on the 'town green,' which I think is the new park/greenspace we have right by City Hall at 2342 Oak Road. I'm wondering how it will be ready by then but I am not fully up to date on the developments there. I'm excited something artsy-fartsy is upcoming. LOL...bring blankets and lawn chairs. You can bring a cooler but leave the alcohol at home. They'll have concessions available for purchase. Parking at the City Center, Heritage Village, Bank of America, and Cobblestone.

Snellville Fall Carnival will be held Saturday October 27th from 6 to 9 pm at Briscoe Park. Hayrides, costume contest, games and fun for the entire family. Sponsored by Emory Eastside Medical Center. Need more info? Contact the park office at 770-985-3535 or visit City of Snellville's website at http://www.Snellville.org