As the title says, this is Part 3, in my series on Atlanta's FREE attractions! If you missed either Part 1 or Part 2 you can check them out by clicking on the links below:
Highlights - MODA (Museum of Design Atlanta), Underground Atlanta, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site!
Highlights - Woodruff Park, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Georgia Governor's Mansion!
I hope you will find something that peaks your interest! Remember, Atlanta also has some wonderful attractions that charge admission (i.e. Stone Mountain Park or Atlanta Braves Baseball Game) and are also worth checking out! Now on with the freebies.
First up is the High Museum of Art! Some of you might be wondering how this world class art museum can be free? The easy answer to that question is it is only free on the first Saturday of each month and then only to those who are Fulton County residents and who arrive before 4pm. It is always free to active duty service members with a military ID. Click HERE for a breakdown of regular admission prices.Though this definitely places limitations on the free aspect, it allows visitors who might not be inclined to visit an art museum the opportunity to take a chance on art for free! The High Museum of Art has 11,000+ pieces of art in its permanent collection and it the only major museum in the United States with a department dedicated to folk and self-taught art. The museum is currently in the midst of an art exchange called Louvre Atlanta wherein pieces of art from the Louvre in France come to Atlanta to be exhibited. This current exhibit, entitled The Louvre & The Ancient World, will run through September, 2008. In October, 2008 the third exhibit in this series, The Louvre of Today & Tomorrow, will begin its run. The High Museum of Art is centrally located in midtown Atlanta and can be quickly accessed via MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) or by car or bus. (Click HERE for driving directions)!
Next up is the Georgia State Capitol building! This beautiful, neo-classical structure was specifically designed to be reminiscent of the nation's capitol building in Washington, D.C. Completed in 1889, the Georgia State Capitol Building was meant to herald the New South with Atlanta as its capital. The entire dome and lantern is covered in Georgia gold leaf. The statue atop the dome is called Miss Freedom and she holds a sword by her side and a lantern aloft. Also from Georgia are the marble floors throughout the building and the oak paneling in both the State House of Representatives' and the State Senates' chambers. This beautiful structure is listed on the National Park Service's, National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are available Monday through Friday year round for groups up to 50 people. The hours vary based on Congressional sessions. Click HERE to get info on specific times and to schedule a tour. Getting here is easy! You can always take MARTA or for bus and car info, click HERE!
Finally, the magical Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta! This beautiful greenspace sits on 20 acres and is filled with memorials, monuments, and the Fountain of Rings (Due to Georgia's Severe Drought, the Fountain of Rings is Closed). The park was originally constructed for the 1996 Olympics. After the Olympics the park was briefly closed and aspects of it were changed to accommodate a more useful day-to-day park. There are free evening concerts every Wednesday from April through September at 5:30 pm in the Southern Company Amphitheater. In addition, there are free lunchtime concerts in the Southern Company Amphitheater every Tuesday and Thursday from noon until 1:00 pm. Centennial Olympic Park is easily accessed via MARTA or by bus and car (Click HERE for Map). As beautiful and fun as this park is during the day, in the evening it sparkles so brightly you will think you went through Alice's looking glass or just entered Dorothy's Emerald City! Just look at the picture above to get a glimpse!
I leave you with a quote from another Georgia original. Though they hail from Macon, Georgia which is about an hour south of Atlanta, The Allman Brothers Band are embraced by not only the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia but internationally as a unique voice from the American landscape.
I said, other people can write songs, let's see if I can.
So the first 400 or 500 wound up on the floor somewhere.
Then I wrote one called Melissa.
-Gregg Allman
About the Author If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approved in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@homeamericamortgage.com or call us @ 770-998-1964.
It seems that their are charity walks for everything nowadays. This is not to diminish the impact of thousands of people walking en masse through normally busy city streets. I remember as a child participating in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Walk A Thon. The excitement of getting pledges from neighbors and your parents' friends really helped to lend to my enthusiasm for the event. Today cities and towns across the US, and worldwide, experience these charity events with regularity. Atlanta on Saturday, April 12, 2008 will be the site of the Walk For Autism sponsored by Autism Speaks and The Marcus Institute.
What Is Autism? And Why Should You Care?
Autism, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder, impairs the ability of those afflicted from communicating and relating to others. When diagnosed early, there are effective management techniques that can help those who suffer from autism spectrum disorders to lead fully participatory adult lives. The degree to which an individual might display symptoms can vary but 
has a great tool that illuminates some of the core symptoms that those with autism will exhibit to some degree. Now for the easy question...why should you care? The simple answer is because you are a thinking, feeling person and have the ability to exhibit sympathy for other people who are suffering. If this is not a practical enough reason here are some that may encourage you to care because they will strike closer to home.
This wonderful Walk for Autism event will raise awareness and funds for combating this awful disorder. While early registration is encouraged, you can actually register on the day of the event at the site of the walk. Perhaps you would like to be one of the many volunteers who make this walk possible? Click HERE for volunteer info. For walk day information and directions click HERE!
About the Author If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approval in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@homeamericamortgage.com or call us @ 865-951-0522.
In Part 1 of Atlanta's FREE Attractions, I highlighted MODA (Museum of Design Atlanta), Underground Atlanta, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site! All three of these are worth an afternoon's visit. While Atlanta has numerous attractions that charge some amount of admission, the goal of this post is to highlight some of the FREE things to see in this great city. I hope you enjoy three more that I have highlighted below!
Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta is six acres of solace for those seeking a retreat, even if only for a lunch hour, from the hectic pace of the city! If you are taking a relaxing lunch break or having a working lunch, Woodruff Park with its FREE Wi-Fi, thanks to atlanta city pass, might be the place for you! Or maybe you are simply wanting to admire the interplay of the various monuments and sculptures with the natural surroundings that Woodruff Park affords. Be sure to check out the spectacular International Peace Fountain that commemorates Atlanta's role in the Civil Rights Movement. If you happen to be in the park, around noon, on a Wednesday, during the mild months of April, May, September, or October, you will get to take in some wonderful FREE music thanks to the Wednesday's In Woodruff initiative! Woodruff Park is centrally located and easily accessed by pedestrians, car, or MARTA!
While the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta may not seem like a fun outing for the young, it can be quite enlightening for anyone interested in the history of money, the future of money, or the financial industry! Here is a LINK to the Visitor's Center Tour that can give you some insight into points of interest at the FED. Keep in mind that tours of the FED are generally self-guided and nonscheduled. Guided tours are available for groups of 10+ people and must be scheduled and are by appointment only; CLICK HERE for the Tour Request Form. Tours are FREE! The Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta is very easily accessed via public transportation (MARTA) or car or bus.
*One of 12 regional banks in the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta oversees Fed member banks and thrifts and their holding companies throughout the Southeast, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It conducts examinations and investigations of member institutions, distributes money, issues savings bonds and Treasury securities, and assists the Fed in setting monetary policy. The bank also processes checks and acts as a clearinghouse for payments between banks. Federal Reserve Banks are not-for-profit and return earnings (gleaned mostly from investments in government bonds) to the US Treasury. Source Citation. http://www.frbatlanta.org/
How about a visit to the Georgia Governor's Mansion. This beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture was built in 1967 on 18 acres in northeast Atlanta. FREE tours for groups of less than 10 are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 10 and 11:30 a.m. If you have a group of 10+ people reservations are required. The Governor's Mansion is accessed easily by MARTA, car or bus. Click HERE for driving directions!
I would like to leave you with a quote from one of Atlanta's most prominent citizens, and one of baseball's truly greatest players, Hank Aaron:
I never doubted my ability,
but when you hear all your life you're inferior,
it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you've never seen before.
If they do, I'm still looking for it.
If you like these FREE Atlanta attractions, check back, as there will be more on the way!
About the Author If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approved in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@homeamericamortgage.com or call us @ 770-998-1964.
With a city the size of metro-Atlanta there are numerous diversions that don't cost a dime! In addition to Atlanta's Beautiful and user friendly Piedmont Park, that I highlighted in the post below, here are a few other FREE Atlanta highlights!
This should be of great interest to all you HGTV fans and budding or accomplished designers. This one of a kind (in the Southeast) museum features free, multifaceted exhibits on everything from architecture to fashion. They have some wonderful exhibits scheduled for 2008 including the two which are running right now entitled The Furniture of Eero Saarinen: Designs for Everyday Living and On You. For both local and international innovation in design, check out this free gem located in the heart of Atlanta (from MARTA, exit at the Peachtree Center Station and follow the signs to the Marquis II office tower. The Museum of Design is located within the Lobby and Garden Levels of the Marquis II Office Tower)! *DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED*
Underground Atlanta is is definitely an Atlanta original! As Atlanta emerged as a trade and cultural hub in the 1830's, the State of Georgia recognized a need to bring the agricultural products of the rural south to the markets of the world. To this end, in 1836, the State of Georgia constructed a railroad connecting Atlanta to Chattanooga. The Zero Milepost, which stands where the old freight depot had been, marks modern Underground Atlanta. Underground Atlanta is literally underground and is a site to behold for families during the day and adults in the evening. It is an extremely diverse area that offers everything from homemade candy for the kids to nightclubs for the adults! With over six blocks of shopping, restaurants, candy stores, night clubs, and various street performers, Underground Atlanta is a must see for an afternoon of real Atlanta flavor! Underground Atlanta has a full calendar of events (including the GREEN Day Fest, the Peachtree Latino Festival, and the Montreux Jazz Festival) and is centrally located in downtown Atlanta (from MARTA, get off at the Five Points Station)! *If you are a history buff, be sure to check out the 45 minute guided history tour entitled From Civil War to Civil Rights (the tour does cost $6 per person)*
No trip to Atlanta would be complete without seeing the final resting place of one of the greatest voices for equality the world has ever known, Martin Luther King, Jr. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site is administered by the National Park Service and is free to the public! There is so much to see and experience that the National Park Service has a quick and easy to use Plan Your Visit Link. I would highly recommend taking a few minutes to use this great feature! Because of its central location this historic site is easily accessible from both public transportation (MARTA) and by car or bus. There are other sites of interest that are maintained in conjunction with this site, The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Ebenezer Baptist Church, International World Peace Rose Garden, and Firestation No. 6.
I leave you with this inspirational quote from Dr. King (what quotes and memories will you take with you after your visit?):
An individual has not started living until
he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns
to the broader concerns of all humanity.
If you like these FREE Atlanta attractions, check back, as there will be more on the way!
About the Author If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approved in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@homeamericamortgage.com or call us @ 770-998-1964.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival April 4, 5, & 6, 2008
This is the 72nd year that this free Atlanta festival will be held! The name for the festival is derived from the beautiful Dogwood Trees that grace the undercanopy (they can grow in full sun) of much of the southeastern United States. 
Though there are a multitude of different dogwoods (HERE is a Wikipedia link which lists many varieties), most southerners and those who have taken note of these beautiful trees, are familiar with the Flowering or Eastern Dogwood! The widespread planting of these beautiful trees in and around the city of Atlanta, at the urging of Rich's Department Store founder, Walter Rich, in 1936 was an attempt to ease the blues caused by the Great Depression and the impetus for the festival's name.
Through the years the Atlanta Dogwood Festival has undergone many different incarnations. All however have included some common elements, music, parades and pageants, food, and art! Last year, 2007, more than 220 artists showcased their talents in Piedmont Park! There are organized activities for the kids! There is a wonderful Youth Art Exhibitthat features some outstanding young area artists! New this year is the Finlandia Art Bar that is for adults only and will feature high tech art in addition to cocktails, wines, and beers.
Due to the severe drought that the state of Georgia has been experiencing, Piedmont Park will not host any large festivals this year so the Atlanta Dogwood Festival has temporarily found a new home. This year the festival will be held at the forecourt, facing Peachtree Street, of Lenox Square in the Buckhead Area. This temporary location can easily handle the several hundred thousand visitors the festival attracts annually. As always, public transportation, called MARTA, is a safe, quick, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to get to the festival! Or, if you prefer, you can always drive and take advantage of the plentiful parking. Click HERE for festival directions and transportation options.
*The Atlanta Dogwood Festival depends on its 400+ volunteers who make the event possible! If you have the time and would like to volunteer, click HERE!*
About the Author If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact Danny or Rich of the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approved in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@homeamericamortgage.com or call us @ 770-998-1964.
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Use this section to write about your specific areas of expertise. Do you specialize in first time buyers - listing high end homes - etc. Are there specific market area's that you specialize in? The more you write about your area's of expertise the more knowledgeable you'll sound to a potential buyer or seller.
"Since I joined PREP, my website has received more hits, I have received more leads and I am working "smarter" than I have in the past 15 years. Joining PREP was the best business decision I have made to date. PREP is now my "go-to" site for information pertaining to all facets of our industry saving myself search-time and knowing that the information I receive is coming from industry leaders who are not only knowledgeable, but POSITIVE which is of utmost importance to me in any market."
Lori Palermo, GRI
Principal Broker
Fairway Real Estate, Inc.
Direct: 541-579-5674
"Serving you with honesty, integrity and unsurpassed customer service."
http://oregonrealestatequeen.com
I am no computer whiz, but Danny and Rich have pretty much held my hand through the whole process of getting not only my PREP account set up and running, but also my personal website that I am in the process of building. On top of that, I am currently on page 13 of Atlanta Real Estate agents and I’ve barely even gotten started on my blogging and building of my websites. Their knowledge and expertise is phenomenal and I recommend them to all of my colleagues. I don’t know how they do it…but they do it great!!!
Jodi Smith, Realtor w/ Keller Williams Realty Consultants
Roswell, Georgia
Jodi Smith, Realtor
Office: 678-287-4800
Cell: 678-763-6025
Email: jodismith@kw.com
Website: www.SMITH2LIST.com
I was one of the very first members of Positive Real Estate Professionals (PREP), mainly because I could see what the vision for the site was and could also see that it fit perfectly with what I wanted to happen for me in relationship to my internet presence.
Danny and Rich were instrumental in helping me to refine my internet voice to the point that I was getting the exposure that I wanted and able to get my message out to more and more people. There is so much that people don’t know, and should, about the mortgage process that they won’t find out from our negative media sources. This is one place where we can counter the constant negative spin put on the housing market by the major media outlets.
When the delinquency rate was a 2%, did the media ever mention the 98% that were on time? No, because negative sells news. However, there are great things happening in the real estate marketplace every day and if you want to know what they are, here is the place to find out.
For me, PREP is a part of my current, past and future plans for my mortgage business. I know that the increased Search Engine Optimization (SEO) provided by PREP is only one of the benefits. The ability to join with other POSITIVE members of the Real Estate community to get our message heard, is the major reason I am here and will continue to be a part of this vital community.
Fred Chamberlin
Senior Mortgage Consultant and persistent internet blogger
Alpine Mortgage Planning
Eugene/Springfield Oregon
http://eugeneloanguy.com
http://fhaloansoregon.com
http://no-money-down-usda-mortgage.com
I would like to say that Positive Real Estate Professionals has helped my business greatly. Since I joined PREP, it has placed me #1 on page 1 on Google search for horse properties. Consumers then check out my bio and call me for their real estate needs. Because of this, I have increased my business and it is continuously growing.
Goes to show that positive thinking is great all around.
Thanks Danny and Rich for your help. It is greatly appreciated.
Brigita
I was introduced to Danny and Rich via a mutual friend, Lori Palermo from Springfield, Oregon. I had not spoken to Lori in a couple of years but I had been thinking of her for a couple of weeks, so out of the clear blue I picked up the phone and gave her a call. Two great things came out of that conversation; 1) I reconnected with a wonderful friend I just love & adore and 2) Lori gave me the names of Danny & Rich who have been a god send and wonderful to work with!
I was telling Lori that Connie Hall and I (we all knew each other when we lived in Eugene, Or) had just opened up our own real estate firm in Portland, Oregon and the trials and tribulations we were having with our website. She told me about Danny and Rich’s company (PREP) and how it had changed her business tremendously in less than a month. Lori gave me their contact information and asked if she could give them mine. A very short time later Danny gave me a call and explained what they were all about and what they were trying to accomplish and how they could help us grow our business. I joined right then and there and it has been the best decision ever!!! Until Danny and Rich I had never blogged in my life. I discovered it is fun!!! They are a wealth of knowledge and are eager to share anything they think will help us. We are looking forward to expanding our business with the help of Danny and Rich and are telling the rest of the world how wonderful and helpful they truly are!!!
Thanks for all your help and encouragement Danny and Rich!! You are the BEST!!!!
Sincerely,
Alicia Lee, Owner/Broker
Connie Hall, Principal Broker
All Brokers Real Estate
Portland, OR 97201
Toll Free 1-866-990-9979
http://allbrokersallrealestate.com
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