Know Your Flood Zone Designation - 12/22/10 01:20 PM
In September, 2009, Georgia experienced a series of floods that greatly impacted the state. Nearly 20,000 homes and businesses sustained major damage and 17 counties were officially declared federal disaster areas. FEMA's floodplain maps for Cobb County are being updated. The most recent flood maps are available on FEMA's Web site, www.fema.gov . They can be accessed by clicking on the "Flood Maps" link listed under "Quick Links." You can enter your exact address and find information according to where you are located. Google Earth also recently updated its aerial imagery maps, including the FEMA maps for Cobb, to the www.msc.fema.gov … (0 comments)

Your Thermostat Can Keep You Healthy - 12/21/10 05:21 PM
Raising the thermosat isn't the most economical or healthy way to keep your home warm this winter.  Electric power plants are the country's largest industrial source of pollutants. By snuggling under a blanket on the couch during these frigid days instead of turning up the heat you can save pounds of pollution, as well as some money off your utility bills.
Set your thermostat in winter to 68° F (20° C) or less during the daytime and 55° F (13° C) before going to sleep or when you are away for the day. If you are a bit chilly, grab a … (0 comments)

Celebrate New Year' Eve in Marietta - 12/20/10 10:47 AM
Ring in the New Year at The Earl Strand Theatre in Marietta, Georgia.  Marietta native, Billy Joe Royal, has had a long and successful career in music and it all started at The Strand. Welcome him back and enjoy the Top 10 hits he's best known for: Down in the Boondocks and Cherry Hill Park. During his 50-year career, he's crooned other well-known singles like I Knew You When and Hush, Tell It Like It Is, Burned Like a Rocket, and I'll Pin a Note on Your Pillow.  Royal worked for the Strand as a teenager, placing the letters of movie titles on … (0 comments)

Holiday Entertainment at Hte Earl Strand Theatre - 12/17/10 11:41 AM
Since reopening after a fabulous renovation, The Earl Strand Theatre in Marietta, Georgia has offered many treats to its patrons.  As an early Christmas and late Hanukkah gift to Strand patrons and the community, The Strand offers a free "behind-the-scenes" peek of The Strand on Monday, December 20, 2010. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the theatre dating back to the 1930s, recent renovation efforts, and fun facts about the theatre business. Free guided tours of the historic theatre will begin at 10 AM, 11 AM, and Noon on Monday, December 22nd. Tours will be given by staff … (1 comments)

The Toymaker's Christmas Brightens the Weekend - 12/16/10 09:13 AM
Enjoy a respite from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season this weekend.  The true meaning of Christmas is coming to The Murray Arts Center of Mt. Paran Christian School in Kennesaw, Georgia. Presented by Impact Dance of Atlanta, "The Toymaker's Christmas" is sure to become one of your holiday traditions.  Join The Toymaker as he hosts his annual town party to reveal all the latest toys for the Christmas season. Delight in your holiday favorites as Sugarplums, Snowflake Dolls, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Elves, Snowmen & so much more, come to life before your very eyes.  As the party … (0 comments)

Visit Santa on the Square - 12/15/10 05:06 PM
If you plan to be near Marietta Square in the coming days, stop by and visit Santa Claus.  Santa will be in his Workshop and will be open to visitors December 18, 19, 22-24. Nestled in a red workshop (built by city staff), in Glover Park, Santa listens to each child's long list and poses for photos. Parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras, or purchase a photo from the photographer on hand.  Also, plan to visit the shops on the Square for unique gifts and holiday treats!  Enjoy hot chocolate or a sandwich at one of the many restaurants.  … (0 comments)

Lights of Life Make Marietta Sparkle - 12/14/10 04:50 PM
A stunning holiday tradition for more than twenty years has been the Lights of Life display at Life University in Marietta, Georgia. From late November through New Year's Eve, a 1 1/2 mile path through the campus is ablaze in colorful Christmas lights.  Trees, giant candles, wooden soldiers, a castle, a barn and even a dragon are aglow under the winter sky. 
The event may be viewed nightly beginning at 6 P.M.  Admission is $5 per passenger car, $10 per van and $20 per bus.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.  Other weekend activities include … (0 comments)

Is It Time to Refinance? - 12/13/10 01:00 PM
For the past few years, we have experienced a tumultuous housing market.  One bright spot, however, is a decline in mortgage interest rates.  Even if you are not in the market for a new home, you can still take advantage of low rates by refinancing your current loan.
With rates hovering in the "low 4's", if your bank or mortgage lender hasn't called you to tell you to check into refinancing, you may want to give them a call. Swapping your old mortgage for a new one can result in big savings, totaling thousands of dollars over the life of the … (2 comments)

No Kidding - It's A Great Time to Buy a Home! - 12/09/10 04:32 PM
Earlier this year Congress passed a stimulus to breathe some life into the housing market.  An $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers created a spurt of sales.  If you missed out on this opportunity or did not qualify, don't worry, it is still a great time to buy a home.  With a glut of inventory, low prices and rock bottom interest rates, you will save $8000 many times over during the course of a 30 year mortgage loan.
Special lending options are available as well.  100% financing is available to Veterans, and for homes in USDA designated rural areas.  FHA financing … (0 comments)

Christmas Tree Safety Tips - 12/08/10 04:35 PM
For those of us who celebrate the Christmas season, nothing brings more cheer than a beautifully lit and decorated tree.  Each year, however, fire departments respond to a number of fires caused by Christmas trees.  Keep these few guidelines in mind when choosing and decorating your tree this season.
Choosing a Tree
Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. If you have an artificial tree, make sure if is labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant. Placing the tree
Before placing the tree in the stand, cut one to two inches … (0 comments)

Winter Outdoor Living Spaces - 12/07/10 10:32 AM
Yes, it's cold outside!  For most of us, this season is the time to enhance indoor living spaces.  However, there are ways to continue enjoyment of the outdoors, too. It can be done by creating well-lit spaces that will provide cozy gathering spots year round.
First, look at the basics.  A well built patio that's built to last is the best starting point.  Standard concrete, even with a textured finish, can crack and weather.  Paver patios offer more character and durability and they come in an array of colors, shapes and textures to blend with an existing landscape.  At half the cost and twice the strength of … (0 comments)

Container Gardens Brighten the Indoors - 12/06/10 01:12 PM
There is certainly no doubt that Winter is upon us.  Outdoor warmth with its greenery and colorful floral displays will be missed for the next few months.  One summertime trend that has become popular in the past few years is combination planting, which groups different plants into one container.  It is especially suitable for smaller patios and decks.  As the days grow shorter, why not create arrangements that will thrive indoors through the winter months?
The most important rule of thumb in choosing plants that will cohabitate in one pot, is to be sure that they have the same light, temperature and water requirements.  Ferns … (1 comments)

Cobb County Celebrates the Season - 12/03/10 11:38 AM
Cobb County, Georgia continues to celebrate the Holiday Season with several upcoming events.
On Dec. 1, 1860, the town north of Marietta and just south of Bartow County became incorporated as the city of Acworth.Residents and city officials will come together tonight to commemorate its sesquicentennial and celebrate the holiday season. Tonight's festivities begin at 6:30 with Mayor Tommy Allegood reading "The Night Before Christmas" at Acworth's Depot downtown. Between 6:30 and 7, Santa will arrive in Acworth on a special 150 themed birthday float.Along with Santa's arrival, the city will be lighting its Christmas tree. There will be performances from several … (1 comments)

Green Wrapping Ideas - 12/02/10 03:33 PM
Giving gifts to others is the essence of the Holiday season.  Every year, however, landfills become more and more clogged with discarded wrapping paper, ribbon, bows and boxes.  Make your gift wrap stand out and be more environmentally friendly by cleverly re-purposing things you have readily at hand. You'll save money and generate less waste.  Here are a few tips:
 -Paper.  An old-fashioned brown paper grocery sack is durable and can be cut to fit just like traditional paper. Wrap it with twine and decorate with greenery.
 - Bowls.  Search the back of your kitchen cabinets for serving bowls in interesting … (5 comments)

The Marietta Pilgrimage Tour of Homes Continues - 12/01/10 11:50 AM
A long standing tradition on the first weekend in December continues this year in Marietta, Georgia.  Won't you join the Christmas Home Tour through Marietta this year as our community celebrates 24 years of the much honored event. Marietta Welcome Center and Visitors Bureau and Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society organize the tour each year.
This year's tour will be held Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th. Tickets are available for purchase the day of the tour at the Marietta Welcome Center or at any of the tour homes. Tickets for the day tour are $15.00; for the Candelight Tour: $12.00 … (0 comments)

 
Annes_photo_november_2010 Rainmaker_large

Anne Ortiz

Marietta, GA

More about me…

Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta

Address: 5041 Dallas Highway Suite 700, Powder Springs, GA, 30127

Office Phone: (770) 919-8825

Cell Phone: (678) 656-8356

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog