Saturday Stories - Play All Day in Atlanta
May 31, 2008
Play. All day. Everyday. In Atlanta.
Atlanta has a moderate climate. And, we play tennis outdoors all year round.
I started playing tennis a few years after my daughter was born. At the time I was a member of an athletic club that offered lessons and organized league matches.
The only requirement to join a team was a nominal fee, a racket, and a pair of tennis shoes.
Photo Credit: aloshbennett
Tennis Leagues
The Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) is unquestionably the largest grass-roots tennis league in the world. Their membership of social tennis players exceeds 100,000 players.
ALTA tennis leagues are organized for doubles matches. There are ALTA teams for women, men, junior girls, junior boys, senior men, senior women, and mixed doubles. There are wheelchair leagues and up/down leagues.
“When I moved here 10 years ago because my husband was transferred, I didn’t play tennis. But when I looked around I could not see any neighbors. Everybody who didn’t work during the day was off playing tennis. So I learned. Now I probably play eight to 12 hours a week; it keeps you young.”
The organization of all the teams and players is mind boggling - an enormous volunteer effort by captains, scorekeepers, and coordinators.
Whether we play tennis in our subdivisions, county parks, tennis clubs, or sports facilities, ALTA coordinates weekly competition with other teams of comparable ability within the Atlanta metro area, and keeps track of everyone’s results.
Let’s Win a Bag Tag
The home team provides two courts, refreshments that range from beer-and-doughnut feasts among the men’s leagues to sumptuous cook-offs during mixed and ladies doubles, and a fresh can of tennis balls. The goal of each team is to make it to the playoffs, which happen at the end of each seven-week season; and receive the coveted embossed bag tags, which accumulate like so many scalps on the equipment bags of frequent winners.
“You can walk onto the court and be intimidated when you hear your opponent’s bag tags jangling; bag tags are what you’re working for, they carry a lot of clout, but in the meantime everybody’s having a lot of fun out there, plus meeting people you’d not otherwise meet.”
Over the years I have played on several different teams. I left the athletic club to play tennis in my subdivision. I moved from that team to play with my friends from work. Today, I play tennis here.
I have served as Captain for more seasons than I can count. Scorekeeper is the easiest volunteer position.
Something I enjoyed most was being Team Mom for my daughter’s junior team.
Maybe we can get Jessica to tell the story about me making her play with a broken wrist. Well, we were in first place for the bag tag; every point was critical!
Attention Atlanta First Time Home Buyers
May 30, 2008
Are you an Atlanta first time home buyer? Get your questions answered in our First-Time Home Buyer’s Kit.
Buying a home is one the biggest financial decisions most people will make in their entire lives, so it’s only natural to have questions about the process, especially for first-time home buyers.
That’s why we put together our own First-Time Home Buyer’s Kit.
The free kit includes:
- Home Buyer’s Handbook - a 16-page booklet and glossary designed to provide answers to the more basic questions about buying a home;
- Gift of Knowledge CD “Home Buying 101″ - a unique 60-minute interview that answers the top 20 most important questions every first-time home buyer needs to know.
Here are just a few of the 20 questions addressed in the free CD:
- What are the benefits of owning versus renting a home?
When you add up the tax benefits of owning a home versus renting a home, it costs no more to be a homeowner than it does to rent, in many cases. With this in mind, why help finance your landlord’s financial goals when you can own your own home and, as your equity grows, increase your savings for the future as well?
- Does my credit score affect my ability to secure a home loan?
When it comes to qualifying for a mortgage, the answer is never simply a matter of yes or no; it’s a matter of when: When will you be ready to qualify? While your credit score does affect this process, with credit repair services, government loans, and other programs and strategies, homeownership can be a reality for anyone willing to put in the necessary time and effort.
- What’s the difference between being prequalified and being preapproved?
There’s a world of difference. A prequalification is a statement based often on unverified financial data. A preapproval is a decision to loan, and carries a lot of weight with sellers. With a pre-approval, you are essentially a cash buyer, and not only do you know exactly how much you can afford, sellers will take your offer much more seriously.
Request the First-Time Home Buyer’s Kit now. Text 404-992-6547 if I can assist in any way.
Saturday Stories - Marietta’s Big Chicken
May 24, 2008
Many of our readers are relocating to Atlanta. Looking at houses and researching school statistics is such a small piece of deciding where to live.
Let me tell you a story about living in Atlanta. We want you to see Atlanta the way we see Atlanta - with our hearts, memories, and stories.
The Big Chicken
I moved to the Atlanta area in 1981. My job was in Cobb County, so Marietta seemed the most convenient location to live.
Very quickly I learned the Big Chicken was critical for driving directions. “We’re above the Big Chicken.” “If you get to the chicken, you’ve gone too far.”
My husband loves telling a story about his trip to the Big Chicken with our daughter in 1993.
Over the years, the structure had deteriorated. Public outcry forced Kentucky Fried Chicken to rethink their decision to tear down the infamous landmark.
During final stages of construction, the chicken was shrouded from view.
Rick and Jessica planned for weeks to be on site for the much acclaimed unveiling - and free fried chicken.
Imagine the delight of an 8 year old when yards of canvas fell away to reveal bright yellow beaks, and a black round eye that moved.
What are your stories?
Do you have a favorite story about the Big Chicken? Add a Comment here.
We want to share your stories.
- Why did you move to Atlanta?
- Do you remember when an Atlanta Braves baseball game only cost a dollar?
- What do you like most about the Georgia Aquarium?
Tell us what you like - or don’t like - about living in Atlanta.
What Are the Best Public Schools in the Greater Atlanta Area?
April 28, 2008
What are the best public schools in Atlanta? We get asked every day.
Buyers relocating to Atlanta want information on public schools before they decide where to look for a home. Doug, a buyer relocating from Birmingham voiced the same question on Trulia Voices.
daughter. She will be entering 5th grade, and I presume we will need to live in the school district zoned for the school if we expect her to be eligible to attend any particular public school. On the surface, your question seems simple enough. And yet, Atlanta is so much larger than Birmingham, a list is not enough to tell you what you want to know.
You also want a house in your price range, with a “reasonable” commute, located in a strong school district.
- In what part of Atlanta will you be working?
- Are you open to a 45-minute commute?
- What style of house is best for you and your family?
- Is your price range less than $350K? More than $500K?
- Do you prefer an urban or suburban lifestyle?
Answers to these questions enable us to better answer your question about school districts.
We could say the Higgledy-Piggledy district is the highest ranking in Atlanta. And yet, if housing prices start at $600K and your price range is $300-350K, the information is meaningless.
With all that said… to help our clients, we have made The Report Card for Parents available.
The Report Card for Parents is primarily designed to give parents information about their schools. It also provides valuable information for discussions that will help parents make informed decisions about the quality of public schools in Georgia.
The testing and evaluation of Georgia’s children generate an enormous amount of statistical data. The Report Card for Parents transforms this mountain of data into an understandable ranking of Georgia’s public schools.
Review the school reports to become familiar with the area. Then, ask us to help put the information in perspective.
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