Henry Heron

ATLANTA – Heron Bay Golf & Country Club’s Community Association’s semi-annual garage sale is right around the corner. This year around 50 Heron Bay residents will open their garages and their goodies to the public in a community wide sale set to take place on October 10.

The Heron Bay community garage sale is just one of a series of events held by the Heron Bay Community. Open to the public, the event will take place October 10 and will run from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. At the end of the event residents have the opportunity to donate their unsold items to the Atlanta Alliance for Developmental Disability (AADD).

“This event really brings together the community,” said Stacy Gooding, community information representative for Heron Bay. “Not only do residents get the opportunity to sell some of their unused items, but they also have the chance to give back to the community, which is what makes this event really special.

To visit Heron Bay, take I-75 South to Exit 216. Turn right and proceed five miles to Heron Bay Golf & Country Club. Heron Bay is on the right.

About Heron Bay Golf and Country Club:
Named the “Community of the Year” in 2005 by the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association, and awarded the 2006 Grand Award for Outstanding Development by the Georgia Urban Forest Council, Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, developed by Minerva Properties, is a master-planned community that is setting new standards for development in the Atlanta marketplace. Heron Bay includes a variety of neighborhoods designed for every life stage and features a full complement of unparalleled amenities in a resort-like setting in Locust Grove, Ga., just south of Atlanta. For more information, visit www.heronbayinfo.com or call 770-957-5633.

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.

Heron Bay is running scared (and excited) for the Sixth Annual Heron Bay Goblin Gallop. Officially taking place on October 24, 2009, this frighteningly fun race is looking for great sponsors.

The race will benefit Henry County's Hands of Hope Clinic, the county's only free medical and dental clinic.

Sponsors are extremely important in order to maintain the success of the clinic. In the past, the Goblin Gallop has raised a great deal of money for the clinic and the Atlanta lake community wants to raise a record amount this year.

Many levels of sponsorships exist for any person, company or organization wanting to lend a helping hand.

Sponsorship levels are:

Great Pumpkin - $2,000

Jack-O-Lantern $1,500

Ghost Rider - $1,000

Trick-or-Treat $500

Spooky Sponsors $300

Goblin Ghost Runner $20

Find out more about sponsorship opportunities by calling 770-507-1344 or visiting our website.

The Goblin Gallop has consistently brought the Henry County community together. Children and adults of all ages can participate in the "spooky" event located at the Atlanta gated community. The event consists of three separate races including a 6K Run, 1 Mile Run/Walk and the Tot Trot for kids five year and under.

In addition to racing, participants are encouraged to wear their favorite costume. On this day babies turn into pumpkins, little girls dress as princesses and boys become their favorite superheros!

Heron Bay Golf and Country Club has hosted the Goblin Gallop since 2005. Each year it grows in size, attracting 250 participants last year. Pre-registration has already begun for the Halloween inspired race. Race day registration will begin at 4 p.m.

Please help these runners, walkers and toddlers raise money for the Hands of Hope Clinic by becoming a sponsor!