High school graduates throughout Gwinnett county continue to excel academically and are recognized on a national level for their excellent achievements. Recipients for the 2009 National Merit Scholarships and the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships include several graduates from local Gwinnett county high schools.

Out of over 2800 students selected for the National Merit Scholarship, 14 graduates representing six different high schools within the Gwinnett County Public School system were chosen. The list of National Merit Scholars included two graduates from North Gwinnett and one from Collins Hill here in Suwanee. The other high schools represented were Brookwood, Parkview, Norcross and Duluth high schools.

The Robert C. Boyd Honors Scholars included 12 Gwinnett County Public School graduates representing 12 different high schools, including Suwanee's North Gwinnett, Collins Hill and Peachtree Ridge.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients and to the outstanding work of the high schools here in Gwinnett county.

For a complete list of the student names and more information, check out Heather Darenberg's article in the Sunday (6/28) Gwinnett Daily Post.

Originally posted at SuwaneeDwellings.com

What do you see as the future of Pierce's Corner? Pierce's Corner, dating back to 1910, is a beacon shining back on Suwanee's past and on the quaint beauty of the Old Town Main Street revitalization. A big part of Suwanee's appeal and charm is the combination of a thriving, growing, progressive community along with the preservation of its interestingly diverse history. This combination will be most vividly displayed as the Old Town Main Street area and Pierce's Corner continue to be developed into a modern mixed-use district using the historic buildings and surroundings as the foundation. The property known as Pierce's Corner with its large 1910-vintage brick building stands out as a major part this area's future.

This article is intended to peak your curiosity and get comments about more specific ideas from you as citizens, residents and visitors to Suwanee for the future use of the property bordered by Main St, Scales Rd and Jackson St including the historic Pierce's Corner building. Even with our recent economic struggles, renovation and revitalization projects have been taking place all over Gwinnett county as residents look to preserve the past with tasteful modern businesses for entertainment, relaxation, shopping and services. Give your comments and let your friends and neighbors know what businesses you would frequent at Pierce's Corner in Old Town Suwanee. If you haven't seen the Old Town area in a while, then cruise on down Main Street and check it out.

The Old Town Main Street area is one of the key components in the recently completed Downtown Master Plan and which included, as always in Suwanee, a great deal of input from the residents of our community. The previous Old Town Master plan in 2002 included resident input and suggestions for the future of the Old Town Main Street. The citizen inputs for the Old Town district plan generally called for a mixture of retail, residential and commercial offices in a pedestrian-friendly environment while maintaining the historic environment. Many of these ideas have already been implemented with the restoration and renovation of several Main Street properties for businesses which include Revival Hair Salon, Main Street Photography, Allstate Insurance and other office and retail businesses.

Originally posted at SuwaneeDwellings.com

2009 City of Suwanee Events

All City of Suwanee events are free and open to the public. An asterisk (*) denotes a privately organized event, one that is not sponsored or co-sponsored by the City of Suwanee, but is open to the public

Suwanee Cinema Under the Stars*
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
June 13 - 8 pm
Town Center Park
For more information, call 678/714-2036.

Suwanee Cinema Under the Stars*
Happy Feet
June 27 - 8 pm
Town Center Park
For more information, call 678/714-2036.

Suwanee Cinema Under the Stars*
July 11 - 8 pm
Town Center Park
For more information, call 678/714-2036.

B at the Movies
July 25 - 8 pm
Town Center Park

Suwanee Performing Arts presents
Beauty & the Beast
July 31 & August 1 - 8 pm
Town Center Park
For more information, call 678/482-6333.

Majic 107.5/97.5 Outdoor Concert Series
August 7 - 7 pm
Town Center Park
For booth and sponsor information, call 404/832-7279.

Concert in the Park
August 15 - 7 pm
Town Center Park

Paddle in the Park
August 29 & 30
Sims Lake Park

Majic 107.5/97.5 Family Concert Series
September 4 - 7 pm
Town Center Park
For booth and sponsor information, call 404/832-7279.

Suwanee Day 5K & 10K Runs
September 12 - 8 am
Town Center Park

Suwanee Day
September 19 - 10 am-10 pm
Town Center Park

Amigos for Christ Music Festival*
September 26 - 10 am
Town Center Park
For more information, call 770/614-9250 or visit www.amigosforchrist.org.

Festa della Pasta
October 10 - 7 pm
Main Street

Taste of Suwanee*
October 24 - noon
Town Center Park
For more information,
visit www.northgwinnettbasketball.com

Trek or Treat
October 31 - 11 am
Suwanee Creek Park

Skylar's Run & Fall Festival*
November 7 - 9 am
Town Center Park
For more information, call 678/234-4195.

Old Town Holiday Festival & Caboose Lighting
December 5 - 5 pm
Main Street

Christmas in the Park*
December 11-13 - 6 pm
Town Center Park
For more information, call 770/945-1524.

Events are subject to change. Please check back to www.suwanee.com frequently for up-to-date event information.

It seems like a daunting task to many home owners toying with the idea of whether to sell their home now or to sit tight until they see improvement in the current real estate market.

As a Realtor® for over 14 years, this indeed is the most challenging time in our industry that I have seen. However, it is safe to say that homes are selling that are NOT foreclosed or distressed properties. But to be amongst the success stories instead of just reading about them, it takes planning, a dose of reality and commitment to the process.

During the first four months of 2009, 11,144 homes sold in the greater metro Atlanta area.

• Of the 11,144 homes sold, 6,060 of them were
  foreclosed/corporate owned properties.
• Leaving 5,084 homes selling that were NOT among the
  banked owned properties. How do you become one of them?

1. Prepare your home inside and out. My recommendation
   to homeowners is to pretend you are buying your house
   all over again. As you walk through the house - and around
   the outside of the house - using the eyes of a Buyer
   (with a paper and pencil in hand), list every item that you
   would notice and want repaired.
2. FIX the items on your list BEFORE you list.
3. Associate yourself with a reputable agent who is familiar
   with your market area, who is a FULL TIME Realtor®,
   and can provide you aggressive (out of the norm) marketing.
4. Price your home competitively to compete with the foreclosed
   properties. What you may loose on the sale, you should be
   able to recapture when you purchase.
5. Know the rules of the game: There are plenty of choices
   available to the buyer. They are not "falling in love" with the
   house they decide to make an offer on. Most are looking
   for "the deal." You need to be willing to deal! What you "NEED"
   out of your house doesn't factor into what a buyer is willing
   to pay.
6. Most buyers are not countering multiple times as in previous
   years. It is not uncommon for you (as the Seller) to get one
   chance to make an offer work. If you can....make it work!
   
7. The good news is buyers are being qualified more stringently
   than in years past. The guidelines have really tightened up!
   And, buyers are now required to invest "some skin in the game."
   As a seller, you should be able to feel a bit more at ease that
   you are dealing with a qualified buyer.

In the end, even with the challenges facing us today in the real estate market, the enticing interest rates and the decline of property values it is still a GREAT time to buy and SELL real estate.

Come to My House:
My Suwanee Home.com

How Does Your Garden Grow.....

Staying true to form, the City of Suwanee has started the process of
sowing seeds for a community garden. The 7-acre site is located near historic
Old Town Suwanee at Buford Hwy near White Street and the location of a former
farm.

The City of Suwanee is steeped in agricultural history
so the community garden seems completely appropriate and won voters approval
as part of Suwanee's open space program. The newly created community garden
and historic barn, which still stands, will pay homage to the City of Suwanee's
beginnings.
The barn will be renovated and made accessible to the public for work on
the property. In addition to the community garden, the 7-acre site will
include walking trails, seating and will also serve as the back drop for
horticultural and ecological education.
Current plans have the City of Suwanee owning and maintaining the
property. The long-range hope is for an appointed citizen board to
oversee the day-to-day operations of the garden.

Three public meetings are scheduled to discuss the plans for the
garden:

• June 10
• June 24
• July 22

Dates are tentative so check www.suwanee.com for more details
and location.

Come to My House:
MySuwaneeHome.com