Norcross, GA

Sometimes you hear a message that just changes your perspective so much so that you need to share it with someone. For those that are curious, I am a Christian, and the message of Jesus' Love is definitely worth hearing, but that's not what I am talking about here. I did hear this message as a sermon, but it transcends a good Sunday message, so much so that I felt it was worth blogging about it in an area that Realtors and consumers both could read.

First, some background on my week. I'm working on a big announcement about being a RichLife Advisor. Basically, by aligning myself with the RichLife organization, I'll holding myself to a standard that says that my prorities are:

1. God
2. Family
3. YOUR FAMILY
4. Business

You'll notice that YOUR Family jumped up to number 3. I've always practiced my business this way, but now I'm just formalizing it.

In addition, my Operating Principal (the owner of my Franchise) handed me a book called, "Noticer" that has helped me look at the bright side of things even when things are down.

So I am pumped up about life and real estate most of time, but it's still a struggle.

Fast forward to Sunday. Our Church, Victory World Church is part of an 1800 Church unification project to have one prayer. This week's message is God is... UNLIMITED. (Those of you who are non-Christians, continue on). There's several things that he went into about how we have dominion over sin and can perform the works of Jesus.

He ended with the story of a young man diagnosed with Polio who could not walk. His Mother would place him in a box and push him around the home. As she kept him with him, they would listen to Christian talk radio. As he grew up he heard messages about faith and overcoming odds and how God heals. He eventually had enough faith and began to rock the box until he fell out. The first few times his Mother would scold him and then put him back into the box. One day his mother left for a quick errand and he was able to rock himself out of the box. He started to climb up some furniture to try and stand while a small voice said, "Keep Going." He was standing up when his Mother walked in, shocked. The man later became a successful business man.

Finally, Pastor Dennis Rouse closed with another story that I think we've all been waiting for.

He brought out a jar of crickets with the lid on. He began to talk about how people act when they drive a convertible. They put the top down and they begin to smile and play music and really enjoy themselves and that is like our life. Most of us in the Real Estate industry are driving around with the top up on a sunny day.

He then showed the crickets again and took the top off of the jar. Not one cricket jumped out. In fact, they not only had learned that there is no escape, but they had learned not to try. In addition, many of the other crickets would pull down the cricket getting to the top of the perch.

That's a lot like small business owners right now. Sure it is tough, sure you will hit your head trying to make it, but the lid isn't always on the jar and you don't have to LIVE like it is.

Improving Parks and Preserving Trees

Norcross maintains several parks including Rossie Brundage Park, Thrasher Park, South Point Park, Barton Street Greenspace, and Ficling Property Greenspace. The City conducts ongoing maintenance activities at all parks and will make major improvements to several of them this year. Renovations planned for Thrasher Park Include adding restrooms, expanding the playground, enhancing landscaping, replacing sidewalks, and adding a new children's pavilion with tables and benches. In Betty Mauldin Park, adjacent to City Hall, there will be new masonry work around the historic bell, new sod, and enhanced landscaping. The shaded park in front of the Community Center will be transformed into a romantic wedding garden complete with decorative stone inlay, new concrete steps, and improvements to the handicapped access path.

One enduring feature that all of our City parks have in common is the canopy of trees that adorns each. One of these trees, the massive "American Elm" in Betty MauldinPark, is a celebrity of sorts. The towering arborous landmark, which stands 79 feet with a spread of 105 feet, is the second tallest of its kind in Georgia, and is more than 100 years old. The tree is rare for another reason - most of its species died out decades ago from a disease. Because of the tree's distinctive status, it was adopted by Downey Trees, a local tree company, which provides care and maintenance services at no expense to the City in order to help the beautiful elm continue to thrive.

Our elm tree has become more notable since it was featured on the cover of Norcross' Historic Tree Walk booklet. This publication is the culmination of a 2008 inventory of every tree in the City of Norcross. Consultants performed a study that found 1,123 trees in the city limits and scores of different species. They produced the illustrated booklet, which includes facts on trees in various areas of downtown Norcross. City leaders hope to engage people in taking walking tree tours throughout various parks and downtown areas.

The City of Norcross is Gwinnett County's second oldest city. It was founded by J. J. Thrasher and named for his good friend Jonathan Norcross, a former Mayor of Atlanta. Norcross was incorporated on October 26, 1870. The Mayor and City Council have sought to preserve the city's charm. The City maintains a quiet, pisturesque downtown district while along its fringes are corporations doing millions of dollars of business on a daily basis.

Known in its early days as "Atlanta's Favorite Summer Resort," we invite you to visit Norcross today and discover for yourself the many exciting surprises in our 112-acre Historic District. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, you'll find picturesque rows of restored narrow brick buildings in our charming "downtown" illuminated by old-fashioned street lamps and lined with crepe myrtle, dogwoods and inviting benches...Visit one of Atlanta's few preserved Train Depots...Refresh yourself at one of our award winning restaurants.

All the classic styles of Southern architecture are showcased here for you to admire, from antebellum mansions to Victorian homes. Private citizens have adoringly preserved the many beautiful old residences boasting the famous broad porches which helped make Southern hospitality famous. Stately southern pines and magnificent old oak trees provide a cool, lacy canopy of shade for a relaxing walking tour of our Historic District.

Treasured by its citizens, Norcross has been restored and preserved for your enjoyment today. Come and visit us and don't be surprised when Norcross delights and inspires you, just as it did old-timer Edward Buchannan, inventor of the "Nor-X," the first automobile manufactured in the South!

Norcross' hometown charm, convenience to metropolitan Atlanta and award winning schools have led to the development of numerous new subdivisions for families. Our many churches of diverse denominations also sponsor functions and provide support for children and families. Several excellent state-of-the-art libraries, including the Norcross library, are located within easy access. People who live in our quiet picturesque city enjoy its small town charm without sacrificing all the conveniences of the big city: Atlanta is just a few exits down the road...or take a half our scenic drive to the southernmost reaches of the Appalachian mountains.

Whether it's old-style south you want or the modern features and traditional elegance of new homes, many diverse housing opportunities await you. Our growing new subdivisions invite you to explore their different styles and modern features. Come and visit us today and see for yourself how Norcross helps make Gwinnett County one of the fastest growing communities in the United States.

Listed by Linda Kabo #404-580-0985. THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME FEATURES A TWO STORY FOYER, FORMAL LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, KITCHEN WITH SOLID SURFACE COUNTERS AND STEP DOWN INTO FAMILY ROOM, HARDWOOD FLOORS, PLANTATION SHUTTERS, THREE SECONDARY BEDROOMS, LARGE MASTER SUITE AND BATH AREA WITH SEAMLESS MASTER SHOWER, NEW EXTERIOR PAINT, DUAL HVAC, CULDESAC STREET, SWIM AND TENNIS AVAILABLE. MUCH MORE! For complete tour:  http://www.advantagehometours.com/tabid/270/Default.aspx    

Listed by Sherrill Malnofski #678-516-4222. Docs Creek. BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED RANCH, MOVE IN CONDITION! SPACIOUS HOME WITH THREE BEDROOMS AND 2 BATHS, OFFICE, SUNROOM, AND HUGE VAULTED FAMILY ROOM. THE KITCHEN HAS GRANITE COUNTERTOPS AND NEW APPLIANCES. BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT. WONDERFUL HISTORIC NORCROSS NEIGHBORHOOD. Complete view of tour: http://www.advantagehometours.com/CompletedTours/102DocsCreek/tabid/306/Default.aspx