Atlanta Housing Source

We are experiencing the more hot weather. Summer is almost finished, but the heat has not and this is the time of the year your air conditioning is going full blast.  Well, what a disappointment some of us have when we turn the switch to a/c and nothing happens.

My wife Anne Lackey manages 240 rental homes and this is the time of year that the office phone rings on Friday afternoon when the tenant got home from work to find the air not cooling.

Usually they mention that they noticed it wasn’t cooling well a few days earlier but chose not to call.  Now they are hot and can’t understand why someone cant get there immediately to fix the problem. They tell her its 80 or 85 degrees and they can’t stand it.

It makes me think back to time before air conditioning.  We traveled on vacation to the beach at night because the car didn’t have air conditioning.  We left at 2 or 3 am. Dad drove all night so we wouldn’t overheat.

In elementary and high school there was no air conditioning.  During the break between classes we would run cool water from the bathroom faucet on our lower arms and splash water on our face and neck.

At our home we ran window fans, or in home like the one I have now that was built in the mid 80s, there was an attic fan.  We would open windows top and bottom on opposite sides of the house to let the breeze blow in and cool us.

Now I hear that they can’t stand the heat.  They can’t wait for the air to get fixed.  Well, fortunately we know a great guy that owns a great heating and air company and I am glad to recommend them.

If need to have your system serviced so it will work, or if your heat or air stops working I suggest you call Andy at Seasons Comfort at 770-616-2494.  They do great work at reasonable prices, and tell him Mark sent you.

The Festival of India 2010, the largest Indian American event in the South East USA will occur Saturday August 14, 2010 from 11 am to 7 pm.    The event attracts over 8,000 people from the Indian community in Atlanta and around.   It offers unique cultural exhibits, health fairs, entertainment shows and food stalls.   The event is celebrated as a community event in commemoration of Independence of India from the British rule which was achieved on August 15th 1947.    This year Festival of India will be celebrated on Saturday August 14th, 2010 at Gwinnett Civic Center , 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth GA 30097. For more information www.iacaatl.org.

The 44th Annual Roswell Arts Festival will be held on September 18th and 19th, 2010 on the Roswell Town Square in the heart of historic downtown Roswell. . There are FREE continuous shuttle running from City Hall to the Square from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Roswell Arts Festival is open to all artists, either professional or amateur. No companies/corporations selling resale goods are accepted into the show. Only artists are allowed to exhibit on the square.

In addition to the over 150 artists, there are food vendors and entertainers abound. Entertainment featuring local singers, dance companies, and children’s entertainers begins daily at noon on both days of the festival. Children’s painting, sand art, and other activities are also available.

For more information see http://www.roswellartsfestival.com/id1.html

When it was announced that the Rolling Stones were to play Atlanta in the Fox Theatre in the 70′s I spent the night in line to buy tickets with about a hundred folks.   Now, when they announce that there is housing available that someone else pays the rent for you 30,000 show up. Some spent days. Read the article below where riot police and water bottles were dispatched.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thirty thousand people showed up to receive Section 8 housing applications in East Point Wednesday, suffering through hours in the hot sun, angry flare-ups in the crowd and lots of frustration and confusion for a chance to receive a government-subsidized apartment.

The massive event sometimes descended into a chaotic mob scene filled with anger and impatience. Some 62 people needed medical attention and 20 of them were transported to a hospital, authorities said. A baby went into a seizure in the heat and was stabilized at a hospital. People were removed on stretchers and when a throng of people who had been waiting hours in a line were told to move to another line, people started pushing, shoving and cursing, witnesses said.

Still, officials of East Point declared the day a success. Nobody was arrested and nobody was seriously injured, they said. It was an assessment roundly challenged by many of the people who had to go through it.

Kim Lemish, executive director of the East Point Housing Authority, said the event marked the first time the city has offered Section 8 housing applications since 2002. The waiting list that lasted eight years had depleted, she said, and the agency was beginning a new one. So people braved all the physical difficulties just to get on a waiting list that could keep them waiting for years.

Lemish said the agency had expected about 10,000 people but three times as many showed up. Many were just accompanying those looking for an application. Some 13,000 applications were handed out.

Concern is rising that a similar scene could occur Thursday when the housing authority of this small city begins accepting the completed applications. Wednesday’s event was only to hand out the paperwork. The housing authority will begin accepting applications at 9 a.m.

Some of the crowd waited for two days at the Tri-Cities Plaza shopping center. As the temperature rose Wednesday, people fell ill.

Sgt. Cliff Chandler, spokesman for the East Point Police Department, said a toddler was treated earlier in the morning for “some type of seizure,” Chandler said.

“A lot of it was heat and some was health-related issues” such people not taking their medications, Chandler said.

By the time everyone had left around 2 p.m., the temperature had climbed into the low 90s.

East Point police, some wearing riot helmets, were patrolling the area. Firefighters and EMTs were attending to people who were overheating in the sun. Police from College Park, Hapeville, Fulton County and MARTA assisted in crowd control.

Chandler said there were no arrests.

Felecia McGhee told the AJC she arrived around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. She said the major problem began when people started breaking into the line and then officials handing out applications started moving those areas and those line breakers. She said she saw at least two small children trampled when the crowd rushed the building where the applications were to be handed out.

“It’s a real mess out here,” she said.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Mike Petchenik said fights were breaking out and police had to stop people who were storming the door.

Channel 2 reporter Tom Jones said, “There are thousands, I mean, thousands of people here. I’ve seen people fall out from the heat.”

By late morning the crowd had thinned considerably and people were walking up and getting their applications without delay. But just before the 1 p.m. deadline, a line of about 200 people had formed. Shortly after 1 p.m., several people ran across the parking lot to get in line but were told by police that the line was closed.

Emergency personnel brought in a pickup truck full of bottled water and were handing it out to the crowd.

A sign on the door of the office explained that only applications were being handed out.

“The housing authority will be issuing applications Wednesday, August 11, starting at 9 a.m. Everyone in line by 1 p.m. on the 11th will receive an application. … No Section 8 vouchers are available at this time. There are no public housing units available at this time. You’re applying for the waiting list only.”

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, called Section 8, subsidized the rents of low-income families living in apartments and houses that are privately owned. The federal program makes up the difference in rent that the poor can afford and the fair market value for each area.

The federal government has specific standards for its subsidized properties but at the same time landlords are assured an income.

Only families with incomes no more than half the median income for the area qualify. The median income for the East Point area is less than $32,000, according to Census data. It is up to the renter to find a place that meets HUD standards, which includes being 90 percent to 110 percent of the “local fair market rent.”

– Reporters Mike Morris and Rhonda Cook contributed to this story.

*REGISTER ONLINE NOW*

Soccer for the busy student…join the fun!

http://www.pbcsports.net/Soccer.html

Register with a friend and receive a $10 voucher

towards another season’s registration!

(678) 587-8889

@Jones Bridge Park

4901 East Jones Bridge Rd.

Norcross, GA 30092

One practice/week – begins late August

Games every Saturday Sept. – Nov.

* Youth Rec Program for boys and girls ages 5-16

* Preschool Clinic ages 2-4 Aug. – Nov.

* Pickup Games for teens/adults

Fall Registration fee $85

includes uniform and trophy

Sibling discount $10 off

Volunteer Coaches Needed

50% discount

Referees Needed – paid position

NEW – 2010 GIRLS LEAGUE U6+

if not enough girls, teams will be co-ed

My cell phone has had terrible reception all day today. I’m ready to throw it away when I read the article below about a solar flair up / storm. Now I know and wont expect good service for a couple of days. When we are so technology dependent odd things happen. For those up north look for the norther lights over the next two evenings. Wish I could see them.

Solar Tsunami to Strike Earth

Published August 03, 2010
| FoxNews.com

NASA

Earth is bracing for a cosmic tsunami Tuesday night as tons of plasma from a massive solar flare head directly toward the planet.

The Sun’s surface erupted early Sunday morning, shooting a wall of ionized atoms directly at Earth, scientists say. It is expected to create a geomagnetic storm and a spectacular light show — and it could pose a threat to satellites in orbit, as well.

“This eruption is directed right at us and is expected to get here early in the day on Aug. 4,” said Leon Golub of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. “It’s the first major Earth-directed eruption in quite some time.”

The solar eruption, called a coronal mass ejection, was spotted by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which captures high-definition views of the sun at a variety of wavelengths. SDO was launched in February and peers deep into the layers of the sun, investigating the mysteries of its inner workings.

“We got a beautiful view of this eruption,” Golub said. “And there might be more beautiful views to come if it triggers aurorae.”

Views of aurorae are usually associated with Canada and Alaska, but even skywatchers in the northern U.S. mainland are being told they can look toward the north Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for rippling “curtains” of green and red light.

When a coronal mass ejection reaches Earth, solar particles stream down our planet’s magnetic field lines toward the poles. In the process, the particles collide with atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere, which then glow, creating an effect similar to miniature neon signs.

The interaction of the solar particles with our planet’s magnetic field has the potential to create geomagnetic storms, or disturbances, in Earth’s magnetosphere. And while aurorae are normally visible only at high latitudes, they can light up the sky even at lower latitudes during a geomagnetic storm.

Fortunately for Earth-bound observers, the atmosphere filters out nearly all of the radiation from the solar blast. The flare shouldn’t pose a health hazard, Golub told FoxNews.com.

“It’s because of our atmosphere,” he explained, “which absorbs the radiation, as well as the magnetic field of the Earth, which deflects any magnetic particles produced.”

The radiation “almost never” makes it to ground, he noted, though pilots and passengers in airplanes may experience increased radiation levels akin to getting an X-ray.

The solar particles also could affect satellites, though scientists think that possibility is remote. Orbital Sciences Corp. believe a similar blast may have knocked its Galaxy 15 satellite permanently out of action this year.

This type of solar event has both government officials and satellite manufacturers worrying.

NASA scientists warned recently that high-energy electric pulses from the sun could cripple our electrical grid for years, causing billions in damages. In fact, the House is so concerned that the Energy and Commerce committee voted unanimously to approve a bill allocating $100 million to protect the energy grid from this rare but potentially devastating occurrence.

The sun’s activity usually ebbs and flows on a fairly predictable cycle. Typically, a cycle lasts about 11 years, taking roughly 5.5 years to move from a solar minimum, a period of time when there are few sunspots, to peak at the solar maximum, during which sunspot activity is amplified.

The last solar maximum occurred in 2001. The latest minimum was particularly weak and long- lasting.

The most recent solar eruption is one of the first signs that the sun is waking up — and heading toward another maximum.

Space.com contributed to this report.

I worked in Downtown Atlanta for much of the 70s and 80s. One thing I remember about downtown was all the great eateries. There were some of the best places to eat and drink. Now there is a move to bring folks back downtown to get a taste of some of those restaurants.

An event that showcases those well remembered, and some new Downtown Atlanta restaurants in planned with a special dining promotions of three-course dinners for a fixed price of $25.00 or $35.00 per person, plus tip and tax. Anne and I are headed there to find some memories and to create some new ones. Join us.

For more information visit www.atlantadowntown.com.

Ridgeland Plantation subdivision, located in the eastern area of Gwinnett County, Ga.

Ridgeland Plantation subdivision, Snellville, Ga. is conveniently located in Gwinnett County near Hwy. 78 and Hwy.124. The neighborhood is minutes away from fine shopping and dining at The Avenue at Webb Ginn.

Ridgeland Plantation is very close to outstanding amenities like the Mall of Georgia, Gwinnett Mall, Discover Mills Mall, Gwinnett Civic Center and Gwinnett Arena. It is very close to the Hwy. 78/Hwy. 124 corridor with all the fine restaurants and all types of shopping. Great location for commute to work being 20 minutes from I-285, I-85 and 30 minutes from I-20. Ridgeland Plantation is one of Snellville most established and desirable neighborhoods.

The outstanding local schools that serve are Pharr Elementary, McConnell Middle and Grayson High School. The school buses make stops throughout the neighborhood.

Homes in Ridgeland Plantation are typically priced from the $300,000 range to $ 500,000, so there really are homes in a choice of price ranges for any Gwinnett home buyer.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL AVAILABLE HOMES IN RIDGELAND PLANTATION

Haynes Preserve subdivision, located in the eastern area of Gwinnett County, Ga. This is a swim / tennis / lake community.

Haynes Preserve subdivision, Grayson, Ga. is conveniently located in Gwinnett County near Hwy. 78 and Hwy.124. The neighborhood is minutes away from fine shopping and dining at The Avenue at Webb  Ginn.

Haynes Preserve is very close to outstanding amenities like the Mall of Ga., Gwinnett Mall, Discover Mills Mall, Gwinnett Civic Center and Gwinnett Arena. It is very close to the Hwy. 78/Hwy.124 corridor with all the fine restaurants and all types of shopping. Great location for commute to work being 20 minutes from I-285, I-85 and 30 minutes from I-20. Haynes Preserve is one of Grayson’s most established and desirable neighborhoods.

The outstanding local schools that serve are Grayson Elementary,  Bay Creek Middle and  Grayson High School. The school buses make stops throughout the neighborhood.

Homes in Haynes Preserve are typically priced from the $ 140,000 to $ 235,000, so there really are homes in a choice of price ranges for any Gwinnett home buyer.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL AVAILABLE HOMES IN HAYNES PRESERVE

Haynes Crossing subdivision, located in the eastern area of Gwinnett County, Ga. This is a swim / tennis / lake community

Haynes Crossing subdivision, Grayson, Ga. is conveniently located in Gwinnett County near Hwy. 78 and Hwy.124. The neighborhood is minutes away from fine shopping and dining at The Avenue at Webb  Ginn.

Haynes Crossing is very close to outstanding amenities like the Mall of Ga., Gwinnett Mall, Discover Mills Mall, Gwinnett Civic Center and Gwinnett Arena. It is very close to the Hwy. 78/Hwy. 124 corridor with all the fine restaurants and all types of shopping. Great location for commute to work being 20 minutes from I-285, I-85 and 30 minutes from I-20. Haynes Crossing is one of Grayson’s most established and desirable neighborhoods.

The outstanding local schools that serve are Grayson Elementary, Bay Creek Middle and Grayson High School. The school buses make stops throughout the neighborhood.

Homes in Haynes Crossing are typically priced from the $ 140,000 range to $ 235,000, so there really are homes in a choice of price ranges for any Gwinnett home buyer.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL AVAILABLE HOMES IN HAYNES CROSSING