About Locust Grove's Heron Bay

The Sixth Annual Goblin Gallop 6K, 1 mile Run/Walk and Tot Trot is scheduled to take place at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club on October 24.The Goblin Gallop is an event for every age group and includes three different races: 6K Run, 1 Mile Run/Walk and the “Tot Trot,” for kids five-years-old and under. Pre-registration is now being accepted.

The cost is as follows:

• 6K Run - $15, Pre-registration; $20 at the door
• 1 Mile Run/Walk - $10 Pre-registration, $15 at the door
• “Tot Trot” ages 5 and under, 60 yards – no charge.

During the Goblin Gallop, guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes. Prizes will be awarded to the most creative costumes. Race day registration will begin at 4 p.m. with the races scheduled shortly thereafter at 5 p.m.

All proceeds from the Atlanta race go to The Hands of Hope Clinic, which is the only free medical and dental clinic in Henry County. The clinic operates every Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 1010 Hospital Drive on the campus of Henry Medical Center. Its commitment is to provide any resident of the county who does not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, has no private health insurance and who cannot afford to see a doctor, with basic medical care and free medications as available. Hands of Hope Clinic relies on help from volunteers, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, therapists, and other various healthcare personnel and is financially supported through its volunteers and charitable donations.

So come out October 24th for a fun filled evening that benefits a great cause, and bring your friends too!

While Heron Bay Academy was denied their charter from both the Henry County and Spalding County school systems, there is still hope for the school. On August 1st, the academy submitted a petition to the newly-founded Georgia Charter School Commission, which was created by House Bill 881 in May 2008 due to the high number of charter school petitions that have veen denied by local boards.

Why does the General Assembly care whether or not charter schools are denied by the local boards? Well because charter schools are a critical component to Georgia’s efforts to provide efficient and high-quality public schools. The Assembly also found that charter schools in the state have contributed to enhanced student performance while empowering parents to best fit the individual needs of their children.

And, a recent analysis of the state's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data indicated that charter schools in Georgia, particularly those that are started independently from school districts, are performing better than traditional public schools.

Basically it seems that charter schools provide a quality education for their students and enhance the learning experience. Heron Bay Academy will be greatly welcomed by residents of the Atlanta master planned community as it will serve both Henry County and Spalding County and will feature an in-dept education including rigorous core training in language arts, math, science, humanities, social studies and Spanish.

We should know by December 2009 if the Georgia Charter School Commission approves the petition.

Henry County, Ga. ranked number seven among the top 25 counties in America for job opportunities according to a list recently compiled and released by CNN Money entitled, Where the Jobs Are. Henry was the only county in Georgia to make the top ten on the list. Henry County’s job growth since 2000 has been above the national average. Close proximity to Atlanta employment centers and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport add to the employment stability of the growing county. Experts agree that job growth is a key predictor of the growth of the local real estate market, a great sign for Henry County and communities like Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, the area’s top selling master-planned community.

“Job growth is one of the most critical aspects for the recovery of the housing market,” said Brian Davison, managing partner of Minerva Properties LLP, the developer of Heron Bay Golf and Country Club. “We are happy to be located in one of best job markets in the country. It is a great indicator for the future of Heron Bay.”

Many real estate and economic experts are predicting that job growth will lead to the recovery of the real estate market. Urban Land Institute’s Senior Resident Fellow, Steve Blank discussed this topic at a conference in Atlanta on July 21, 2009. Blank said that as people find stability in their employment, they will begin to participate in the real estate market, which in turn, will lead to its recovery.

Heron Bay Golf and Country Club has been the top selling community in Henry County since 2004 and has consistently ranked among the top selling single family communities in the entire metropolitan area. The recipient of numerous awards for outstanding development practices, Heron Bay is a master-planned community featuring an aquatic center, golf course, tennis courts, Lakefront Park, extensive trail system, clubhouse and proposed charter school.

While many Atlanta area residents find themselves unable to avoid the extreme heat and humidity that comes with a summer in the South, residents at Heron Bay Golf & Country Club are relaxing in and enjoying their three-pool aquatic center, which offers refreshing activities for residents of all ages. Heron Bay features Henry County new homes priced from the high $100’s to over $1 million.

The aquatic center at Heron Bay is unparalleled by any other facility in the area. It offers residents a place to relax, exercise, have fun and enjoy the summertime. It includes a shallow beach-entry pool with nine brightly colored, mushroom-shaped waterfalls, plunge pool with two spiraling waterslides, a heated six-lane junior Olympic-sized pool for extended swim seasons, two water lounge areas and a deck area with gorgeous landscaping.

The aquatic center is only one of the many amenities residents at Heron Bay Golf & Country Club enjoy, including the Lakefront Park, Tennis Center, miles of sidewalks and nature trails and the 5,000 sq. ft. Community Lodge with fitness center. Residents may also choose to join Canongate for play on the beautiful and challenging 7,300 yard, par-72 golf course, or take advantage of fishing and non-motorized boating on Henry County’s 1,100-acre Cole Reservoir, which is adjacent to the beautiful master planned community in Atlanta.

Everyone should come out to Heron Bay Golf & Country Club this weekend for the semi-annual community garage sale. It's no secret that everyone is on a tight budget and cutting costs at every turn. One great way to cut costs is buy things second-hand, and let me emphasize that second hand is not a synonym for "junk." This Atlanta garage sale is a great place for you to find some fantastic deals on everything from mountain bikes to televisions to books. The garage sale begins at 8:00 a.m. and continues to 1:00 p.m. Once the event conclude, everything that was not sold will be donated to the American Kidney Foundation. So, all new homeowners in Atlanta need to make their way to Henry County on Saturday for fantastic deals and great finds.