About Gwinnett County, GA

Last nights fireworks were spectacular. Tons of locals enjoyed the carnival like atmosphere. There was face painting, slides for the kids, fire trucks for them to get in, and plenty of food and good company. Check out the pics and future video of last nights event.

On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Helping Families Save Their

Homes Act of 2009, which includes Title VII, Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act

(the "Act"). The Act provides that in the case of any foreclosure on a federallyrelated

mortgage loan or on any dwelling or residential real property, the party

taking title to property pursuant to the foreclosure ("Foreclosing Party") assumes

the property subject to the rights of any bona fide tenant. If the Foreclosing Party

wishes to evict the tenant, the Foreclosing Party must provide the tenant with 90-

days notice to vacate. However, if a bona fide lease was entered into before the

date of the foreclosure, the tenant has the right to remain at the property until

the end of the lease term, except that the lease may be terminated prior to the

expiration of such lease term upon the sale of the property to a purchaser who will

occupy the property as a primary residence, subject to the 90-days notice. In the

case of a tenant without a lease or if there is a lease terminable at-will, the

tenant must be given the 90-day termination notice. The Act also includes a

provision stating that any State or local law providing for longer time periods or

other additional protections for tenants shall not be affected by the Act.

The Act raises several unanswered questions and issues:

1) The Act may apply to all foreclosures, and not only to loan foreclosures.

Accordingly, lien foreclosures (such as a condominium or homeowner's

association liens) may trigger the Act's notice requirements.

2) The Act may prevent the Foreclosing Party from terminating a lease due to

tenant's default.

3) Title companies insuring title based on a foreclosure sale will likely require an

exception for the rights of tenants pursuant to the Act's notice requirements.

It is unclear whether title companies will be willing to delete this exception

after the notice requirements have been met.

In conclusion, the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act severely affects the rights

of all foreclosing lenders, including lenders foreclosing on condominium projects.

30 --- Number of places nationwide with "liberty" in their name. The most populous one is Liberty, Missouri (26,232). Iowa has more of these places than any other state: four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty).

11--- places have "independence" in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Missouri, with 113,288 residents.

1 -- places adopted the name "freedom." Freedom, California, with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these. 3-- is one place named "patriot" - Patriot, Indiana, with a population of 202.

5--And what could be more fitting than spending the day in a place called "America"? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents.

$128.8 million
The value of fireworks imported from China, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imports ($135.6 million) in 2002. U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, amounted to $13.5 million, with Germany purchasing more than any other single country ($5.0 million).

Although we do not have a fixed menu for the celebration of the Fourth, you can almost count on traditional favorites such as hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken, ribs, garden salads, potato salad, chips and watermelon. Following is a summary of where these foods come from:

• There's a 1-in-6 chance the beef on your backyard grill came from Texas. The Lone Star State is the leader in the production of cattle and calves.
  
• The chicken on your barbecue grill probably came from one of the top broiler-producing states: Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina and Mississippi.
• The lettuce in your salad or on your hamburger probably was grown in California, which accounts for nearly three-quarters of USA lettuce production.
• Fresh tomatoes in your salad most likely came from Florida or California, which, combined, produced more than two-thirds of U.S. tomatoes. The ketchup on your hamburger or hot dog probably came from California, which accounted for 95 percent of processed tomato production last year.
• As to potato salad or potato chips or fries, Idaho and Washington produces about one-half of the nation's spuds.
• For dessert, six states - California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona and Indiana - combined to produce about 80 percent of watermelons last year.

Friends, food, fireworks and fun. Check out our guide to Atlanta's Fourth of July events.

Peachtree Road Race

Even if you're not a runner, the Peachtree Road Race is an Atlanta tradition. Tailgating for the race is a fun way to support your friends and family who are running - and even if you don't know anyone, you'll love the crazy costumes you'll see on some spirited runners. The route goes straight down Peachtree from Lenox Mall to Piedmont Park and many businesses open early so you can set up camp and watch the race!

Centennial Olympic Park

Atlanta's biggest Fourth of July celebration is in Centennial Olympic Park with a massive fireworks display over the downtown skyline. This year will include a live performance by Vertical Horizon, plus plenty of fun family activities and food vendors for a festival atmosphere. Cool off in the Olympic Rings Fountain at this truly patriotic celebration. Attendees are encouraged to ride Marta.

Lenox Square Fireworks

Gather at Lenox Square Mall as a huge fireworks show lights up the sky in Buckhead. Complete with a kids zone and live music, this celebration has the largest fireworks show in the Southeast. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m.

Decatur Square

The City of Decatur will celebrate the Fourth in the picturesque Decatur Square with a 6 p.m. Pied Piper Parade for kids followed by fireworks at 7 p.m. Kids can decorate a wagon, ride a bike, skate, or walk in this festive parade.

Buckhead Beach Party

The Buckhead Beach Party is a two-day festival on July 4 - 5 featuring popular cover band Drivin and Cryin and of course, 50 tons of sand, turning landlocked Atlanta into a fun beach luau! They will be running a free shuttle to the Lenox Mall fireworks and those with a Peachtree Road Race t-shirt get free admission before 2 p.m. after the big race. Tickets are $10 for a two-day pass.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Family fun, patriotic sing-alongs and anthems, and a fiery post-concert blast! The American Spirit is alive and well and thriving at a rip-roaring Fourth, with the ASO, the vibrantly gifted conductor Bridget Reischl and the formidable US Army Chorus. And don't miss a special fireworks celebration following the concert! Ticket prices vary.

Stone Mountain Park Fantastic Fourth

Celebrate the Fourth at Stone Mountain Park where all of their attractions can turn it in to a whole day of family fun. The nightly Lasershow Spactacular will feature a special patriotic fireworks show.

10 Surprising Facts About the Fourth of July

1. Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. However, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.

2. Fireworks were made in China as early as the 11th century. The Chinese used their pyrotechnic mixtures for war rockets and explosives.

3. Uncle Sam was first popularized during the War of 1812, when the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.

4. There are many precise rules for taking care of the American flag. And speaking of flag traditions, we're sorry to report that contrary to legend, historical research has failed to confirm that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.

5. Not all members of the Continental Congress supported a formal Declaration of Independence, but those who did were passionate about it. One representative rode 80 miles by horseback to reach Philadelphia and break a tie in support of independence.

6. The first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and had to be melted down and recast. The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.

7. The American national anthem, the "Star-Spangled Banner," is set to the tune of an English drinking song ("To Anacreon in Heaven").

8. The iron framework of the Statue of Liberty was devised by French engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who also built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

9. The patriotic poem "America the Beautiful" was published on July 4, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee

10. Father of the country and architect of independence George Washington held his first public office at the tender age of 17. He continued in public service until his death in 1799.