Zebulon, Ga

A School bus approaching the intersection where the School is located. Zebulon, Ga.

Hwy 109 - Nearby Thomaston, Ga

Hwy 19 & 109 Junction. We're turning right on Hwy 109

Samples of Griffin, Ga

In the heart of Griffin, Ga on Taylor St...

Peachtree Rd With M.L.King Jr - At the Corner of Capital City Bank

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Pine Mountain, Ga

Located just one hour southwest of Atlanta, the town of Pine Mountain (pop. approx. 1000) lies at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and serves as the gateway to Callaway Gardens, which hosts a variety of activities throughout the year.

Pine Mountain, Georgia captures all the charm of a small Southern town, all the excitement and amenities of a city and all the friendly faces you can imagine just waiting to share their area with stoppers-by. Known for its quaint shops, history and Southern cooking, the area is a vacationer's dream for relaxing and enjoying the past.

Originally named Chipley, the town began in 1882 when the railroad spread to Pine Mountain from Columbus. 

The Pine Mountain area has emerged from its days as a farming community into a primary tourism location, greatly due to the efforts of President Franklin Roosevelt and Callaway Gardens' Cason Callaway.

Today, Pine Mountain serves as the gateway to the 14,000-acre Callaway Gardens, created to provide a beautiful, natural setting for education and recreational pursuits. The gardens that Cason Callaway opened to the public in 1952 have blossomed into an exclusive retreat with stunning floral displays year-round, 63 holes of championship golf, fishing lakes, and an array of hiking and biking trails.

 

HOV Lanes: What is It? And in Which Hwy in Georgia?

View of the HOV lane, as you see we have plenty room to move.

What's an HOV lane? 

HOV stands for "High Occupancy Vehicle" lane, or car-pool lane. The central concept for HOV lanes is to move more people rather than more cars. Some HOV lanes carry almost half of the people carried on the entire freeway. Regular "mixed-flow" lanes are never converted to HOV lanes. Rather, HOV lanes are always added to existing facilities. Each vehicle that travels on an HOV lane must carry the minimum number of people posted at the entrance signs. Usually that means at least two people, or in some cases three people. Each child counts as an occupant, but pets, infants still in the womb, inflatable dolls (some one had done that recently in another State) or ghosts do not (we've heard 'em all). Violators are subject to  fines up to $150.00 here in Georgia. 

 

Exceptions: Motorcycles, even those carrying just one person, are allowed to use the HOV lanes. Some HOV lanes are in operation only during certain hours, which are posted. Outside of those hours, they may be used by all vehicles.

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for enforcing HOV lane restrictions under Georgia Code, Section 40-16-2. Other law enforcement agencies also enforce the HOV restrictions.

HOV Lanes first opened in Atlanta on December 14, 1994, 18 lane miles on I-20 from Downtown to I-285.

In 1996, 60 additional lane miles opened on I-75 and I-85. Another 23.6 lane miles opened on I-85 in Gwinnett County on October 31,2001.

The following vehicles may use HOV Lanes:

• Vehicles with two or more (living and not pre-infant) persons.
• Emergency Vehicles (Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Medical)
• Motorcycles
• Buses
• Alternative Fuel vehicles properly licensed with an AF license plate
  

Persons who violate the HOV lane law are guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable under Code Section 40-6-54.

Fines and penalties for HOV violations:

• First Offense: $75.00 maximum (plus court fees)
• Second Offense: $100.00 maximum (plus court fees)
• Third Offense: $150.00 maximum (plus court fees)
• Fourth Offense: $150.00 maximum (plus court fees), and one point on the driver's record.

Left-side entrance and exit ramps to or from the HOV Lanes are also included in the restrictions.

First H.E.R.O. Worker Killed While on the Job

We had posted some information in this Blog on May  17, 2009 about the wonderful free job done by the H.E.R.O (Highway Emergency Response Operator), those yellow truck on the Highways side around Atlanta, helping motorists with problem on their cars. 

TODAY, we decided to post this SAD news that had happened January 31, 2011 with one of the Officers  that shook the whole H.E.R.O. family, and all the Atlantans and Georgians. It was the loss of Mr. Spencer Pass.

Spencer Pass, 45, was on the job less than three years when he became the first H.E.R.O. worker killed while on duty. "He loved his job," said co-worker Brian Groover. "Everything always had to be in the right place. Every hair on top of his head had to be in the right place," says Brian.

The Georgia State Patrol said Pass was helping a stranded motorist on in the emergency lane of I-85 near Metropolitan Parkway in S.W. Atlanta Monday morning, when he was struck by a passing vehicle that left the roadway. Investigators say a utility truck towing a flatbed trailer with heavy equipment struck Pass's Highway Emergency Response Operator vehicle before striking the 45-year-old. "He failed to maintain his lane of travel," said Sgt. Jerome Bowman of the State Patrol said of the driver who struck Pass. 

The State Patrol's Gordy Wright said charges are pending further investigation. Wright identified the driver under investigation as Kirk A. Sherwood. Sherwood was transported to Grady Hospital after the collision. 

Markings on the side of the truck that hit Pass indicate that it belonged to ComTran, a telecommunications company based in Gwinnett County. A woman answering the phone at ComTran said that the company was "saddened by what happened," but would have no further comment until the owner learned more about the collision. 

Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman David Spear says ComTran does contract work for the D.O.T., assisting with overhead highway signs and closed circuit television. The D.O.T. also operates the H.E.R.O. unit, which started in 1995.

The driver of the stranded vehicle Spencer Pass was assisting jumped over a guardrail to safety. The State Patrol has identified him as James T. Davis. 

While H.E.R.O. workers have been injured on the job before, co-workers of Spencer Pass are dealing with the unit's first death. "He never had a bad day," said co-worker Roosevelt Smith. "He was the kind of person you would want out there serving the citizens of Georgia." 

"I don't think it can be stressed enough how great of an individual that he was," said Jason Josey, a friend and co-worker. Josey said Spencer Pass never had a bad thing to say to anyone. "I know that people say that about people from time to time, but in this particular case it's one hundred percent true," he said. "This was a unique individual in a special way." 

Spencer Pass was a strong Christian, and dedicated husband and father of three teenager boys.

A Beautiful Old Paint on a Wall - City of Woodstock - Ga

Right there on Down Town Woodstock, Ga you can see this beautiful painting on this wall where the artist express the old days back in the 1800...

Just Began, Great Game FALCONS vs PACKERS

Georgia Has NEW GOP GOVERNOR

January 11 of 2011 was the day set for the new Governor Nathan Deal inauguration. But because of the snowstorm rolling through the state, all nonessential inaugural activities were canceled, as it was announced Sunday.

The swearing took place in the House chambers at the State Capitol at 2 p.m. on Monday January 11.

The day was to start with a 9 a.m. prayer service at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, but that was canceled. All tickets for Monday night's black-tie inaugural gala at Phillips Arena has been or will be refunded.

Because of the bad weather on the way to Atlanta on Sunday night, Deal encourages Georgians to stay off the roads and watch the ceremony live on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

“I am honored that so many Georgians want to take part in this historic event, but please, everybody take safety as your first priority,” Deal said Friday.

No seating was available for the general public or ticket holders inside the Capitol, where the inauguration took place.

Governor Nathan Deal (GA)

Current Office: Governor
Office Seeking: Governor (Won, General)
First Elected: 11/02/2010
Last Elected: 11/02/2010
Next Election: 2014
Party: Republican



Background Information
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Sandra
4 Children: Jason, Mary Emily, Carrie, Katie
Birth Date: 08/25/1942
Birthplace: Millen, GA
Home City: Gainesville, GA
Religion: Baptist

Education:
JD, Mercer University, 1966
AB, Mercer University, 1964

Professional Experience:
Attorney, Private Practice, 1979-1992
County Attorney, Hall County, 1977-1979
Juvenile Court Judge, Hall County, 1971-1972
Assistant District Attorney, Northeastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia, 1970-1971
Captain, United States Army, 1966-1968


Political Experience:
Governor, State of Georgia, 2010-present
Deputy Whip/Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1992-2010
Switched from Democratic to Republican Party, April 10, 1995
President Pro-Tempore/Senator, Georgia State Senate, 1980-1992


Organizations:
Former Sunday School Teacher/Former Deacon/Member, Gainesville First Baptist Church
Board Member, Mercer University
Member, Advisory Board of Honors Programs, North Georgia College and University
Former President/Lifetime Member, Rotary Club

Snow Couple... At Least Having Some Fun....

My wife and I decided to have some fun as the snow gave us a break... So, here it is the Happy Couple!

Georgians' Enjoyment of Snow Over Time... (Really Funny...)

It is really amazing, how Georgians are not prepared

for this kinda snow and ice!!!

(Click on the picture to read it better...)

Bad Weather in Atlanta, the Worst in more than 10 Years....

After almost one year without publishing anything in this Blog, I decided to come back and post something about this massive weather that had affected almost all the 50 US States.

From the Carolinas to Texas, a massive winter storm has crippled much of the southeast in the past 72 hours.

Atlanta has been slammed by snow and ice, and Mother Nature has made sure there are not a lot of options for people trying to travel around the southeast. Delta Air Lines canceled at least 800 flights on Tuesday originating in Atlanta and the Northeast as the storm moved up the East Coast. AirTran canceled at least 50 flights. The airlines’ efforts to get all passengers to their final destinations could last into early next week. In fact another source says that “More than 2,000 flights were canceled out of Atlanta and states of emergency were declared in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee as ice and snowstorms swept the South since Sunday night. Up to 6 inches of snow blanked road and bridges, wreaking havoc with traffic and causing many accidents, reports the AP. "We don't have weather events like this," said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, whose city saw as much as 6 inches in parts. "I think the amount of snow we're getting is probably a 10-year event for the city of Atlanta."
 
It's been a slippery drive around much of the south. Like a car struggling up an icy hill, metro Atlanta’s climb back toward life as normal will be slow, uneven and potentially treacherous.You might get stuck in the icy roads  and streets if you don't be extra careful as you decide to drive out by now. 

State transportation crews cleared large stretches of the interstates and highways Tuesday, especially along the southern Perimeter, but they cautioned that refreezing was likely overnight. 

Ice will also persist on many surface streets, especially the less traveled ones, until temperatures climb and stay above freezing. And that won’t be until at least Friday afternoon, forecasters say. 

Tuesday, DOT officials’ advice was emphatic: “All motorists, especially large trucks, are urged to stay off the roads through today. If you must travel, extreme caution is strongly advised.” 

School administrators, for one, were listening. All major school systems, including Atlanta, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett and DeKalb, will remain closed today, as will most universities. 

Around Atlanta the snow wasn't the only problem. Freezing rain, sleet and ice helped paralyze Atlanta area roadways. A Driver in Atlanta said, "People don't know how to drive, we're not prepared for this. Visibility is bad and the traction is really bad. I think citizens have gotten the message and know to stay home because the roads are very hazardous."     - Well, in fact most of the population prepared themselves for this  bad weather buying all food supply they could, and decided to stay locked home, not going any where.

– And according to a State Official the City of Atlanta has only 11 Plow Trucks, which   explain everything about the big mess in this huge City.
   

Some drivers were so overwhelmed they simply walked away from their car, as you see in some pictures, because their car wouldn’t move anywhere. The snow and ice is such a big problem, leaders around all Southern States were practically begging people to stay off the road, and stay home.

   
A travel nightmare for many who simply are not used to this kind of weather.Weather Mess in the South

The Bridge on Highway 9 (Roswell Road) - WasThe Old Covered Bridge

Look up to see the eight arch span of the old two-lane concrete bridge that opened in 1925 as part of the sixteen mile "Roosevelt Boulevard" (Georgia Highway 9) to Atlanta, named in memory of President Theodore Roosevelt who visited his mother's childhood home, Roswell's Bulloch Hall, in 1905. Prior to construction of the concrete bridge, a wooden covered bridge spanned the Chattahoochee River more than 70 years. John (Jehu) Hawery Wing built the first one during the 1850s. It was burned by a Confederate battalion leaving Roswell during the Civil War. Charles Dunwody built the second covered bridge (pictured here) in 1869. The toll for crossing was twenty five cents. The building on the left was a mill commissary. The two story buildings on the left was a boarding house. The 1925 concrete bridge was widened to four lanes in 1965, and later named the Archie Lindsey Bridge, in honor of the longtime Fulton County Commissioner. 

 

Today, this bridge is the one on Highway 9 or Roswell Rd, that connects Sandy Spring, GA and Roswell, GA - over the Chattahoochee River.

Chattahoochee River Race and Festival (Kayak & Canoe)

The Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper hosts the annual river appreciation event in one Saturday of the each year on the month of June.  The festival includes live music, kids’ activities, environmental exhibits, and race awards presentations.

The race begins at Garrard Landing Park at Holcomb Bridge Road and finishes at Riverside Park which is where the festival is held.  Beginning at 9am the race includes open and recreational categories, various age divisions, solo and tandem canoe divisions and kayak and sea kayak divisions.  Competitive paddlers will take on a 10 mile course and recreational paddlers will race an 8 mile course.

New last year were the two new categories of awards: Best Costume and Best Boat Decoration.

The festival at Riverside Park takes place from 10am to 2pm.  The live music is provided by the Watershed Project and always feature local musicians, such as Gareth Asher, Christopher Alan Yates, Amy Gerhartz, Brian Binsky and Emily Kate Boyd.

The event which is organized by the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, is designed to celebrate the river and create a sense of community of the metro Atlanta residents that use the Chattahoochee river.

Registration at the race costs $50 for solo and $70 for tandem boats and is available so long as spots are open.  All registered paddlers receive a gift bag, race T-shirt, a boxed lunch and a one year membership in the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.
Proceeds from the race help protect and preserver the Chattahoochee.

For more information go to Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

Click Here For More Pictures by O.t. Manary

Peachtree Rd NW by the Underground - Atlanta, GA

Peachtree Rd SE & Ivan Allen Jr Blvd in Atlanta, GA

Peachtree Rd & 4th Street in Atlanta, GA

Snow Day in Atlanta... Yesterday Feb 12, 2010

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Georgia Aquarium - The Ocean View: How This Window Was Made...

At Georgia Aquarium, you have the privilege to see the "Ocean" from the perspective as you were inside a real ocean. It is a fantastic experience, specially if you have your kids with you, because most of us have no opportunity or courage to diving in the deeps of the ocean. But here, in the majestic Georgia Aquarium, you can have that experience without getting wet, and that's the best part.

I am going to transcribe how the window's wall on the ocean at Georgia Aquarium was made, and why acrylic was chosen instead of glass. Here it is:

• Acrylic is up to 17 times stronger than glass.
• The acrylic used on this window weighs 120 tons (108.9 metric tons).
• The window area is 63 feet long (19.2 meters), 26 feet high (7.92 meters) and nearly 2 feet thick (0.6 m).
• This window holds back 6,300,000 gallons (23,848,090 liters) of artificial seawater.
• The window was made up of six panels by Nippura in Takamatsu, Japan.
• Six panels chemically bonded onsite, and heat treated to 185*F (85*C) for a period of a month, make up this single view on the big Ocean. 

More of Georgia Aquarium

The Entrance for the Georgia Explorer

A Green Snake

Jelly Fish 

The Ocean Voyager

The Ocean View

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