SEPTEMBER
2016
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Citizen Response Center
770-730-5600
Answering calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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Welcome to the September 2016 edition of the Sandy Springs E-Newsletter, a publication that highlights news and events happening within the City. More information from City Hall can be found online at
sandyspringsga.gov. You can also telephone our Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 770-730-5600.
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RIVERSIDE ROUNDABOUTS ARE NOW OPEN
If you haven't driven near Riverside Drive and I-285 recently you may have missed some big changes. Construction is complete and the Riverside Roundabouts are now open.
Click here to view a video
from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) on how the Riverside Drive Roundabouts will work.
There are many projects currently underway in the city, and we want to help you navigate what roads are good to take or to steer clear of - The Road Work Advisory page on the City's website posts the latest on what lanes or roadways are closed for repairs.
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DON'T MISS THIS YEAR'S SANDY SPRINGS FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 17 & 18
Heritage Sandy Springs will present the 31st Annual Sandy Springs Festival on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18. Be sure to visit the City's booths and meet our Public Safety officers and also share your thoughts on the Comprehensive Land Use plan with the Next 10 team. The Festival offers two fun-filled days of art, live music, cultural performances, a pet parade, silent auction, chalk art competition, 10K and 5K races, educational programming, children's rides, gourmet and festival food options, and much more. An enduring tradition, the Festival celebrates the community of Sandy Springs in the heart of the city.
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TSPLOST ON THE BALLOT
Transportation is an issue facing every person in the metropolitan area. The 5-year 2016 TSPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Transportation) Referendum on the ballot for Fulton County voters proposes an investment of $569 million in transportation improvements: congestion relief, maintenance and safety, operations and safety, bridges, and pedestrian/bike improvements throughout Fulton County with more than $100 million designated for projects here in Sandy Springs. Each city in the county developed a project list based on resident feedback.
For more information on local projects and TSPLOST, visit the page on the City's website.
Voters in Fulton County (outside the city of Atlanta) will vote on a 0.75 cent sales tax dedicated to transportation purposes. Please note Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2016 with early voting beginning Monday, October 17, 2016. Visit the Secretary of State's election page on their website to register to vote.
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REDUCED BUILDING PERMIT REVIEW TIMES FOR RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
The City's building permit department is speeding up the review process giving small, residential improvement projects quicker permit reviews. Permits for projects such as small room and kitchen additions, decks and sheds could be issued same day or next day, versus the previous five-day turn around, if the building plans meet the necessary requirements. "We've worked to streamline the process to help reduce development costs and bring more certainty and predictability to permit reviews, in addition to lowering the potential cost to the homeowner," said Sandy Springs Assistant City Manager Jim Tolbert. Earlier this year, the City implemented an online permit management system (https://build.sandyspringsga.gov/). The new system enables builders to manage and track the status of inspections. It also enables the general public to also query projects by permit type, date, address, permit number or project name. The system has proven to be a positive information sharing and time-saving tool.
Major commercial and new residential developments, including projects within the Chattahoochee River Corridor, will see permit review times extended by several days.
"Urban redevelopment construction and projects within the river corridor are more complex and can significantly impact the City's transportation system, environment and stormwater infrastructure. We've adjusted our review periods to reflect the time needed to thoroughly review these requests," added Tolbert.
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HAPPY (SALES TAX) HOLIDAY!!!!
Remodeling? Replacing appliances? Mark your calendar for the Energy or Water Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday from September 30 - October 2, 2016. During the sales tax holiday, the following items be exempt from sales tax if they are purchased for noncommercial home or personal use:
ENERGY STAR® products with a purchase price of $1,500 or less per item:
Air conditioners, Ceiling fans, Clothes washers, Dehumidifiers, Dishwashers , Doors , Fluorescent light bulbs, Refrigerators, Windows. WaterSense® products with a purchase price of $1,500 or less per item: Bathroom sink faucets and accessories (such as aerators), High-efficiency toilets, High-efficiency urinals, Shower-heads, Weather- or sensor-based irrigation controllers. The exemption does not apply to items purchased for use in a trade or business.
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THIS MONTH'S NEWS FROM
RECREATION AND PARKS
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DISCOVER NATURE - SATURDAY SERIES AT LOST CORNER
Naturalist Megan Clark will lead this series of environmental-based education classes. Classes meet twice a month on Saturdays, September-November.
Participants will have the opportunity to spend time outdoors and learn about a variety of nature topics through exploration and hands-on learning experiences. Each class will include a hike, investigation and games.
September 3 - Learning the plants of Georgia
September 24- Adaptations of plants
October 1 - Adaptations of animals
October 29 - Behaviors of animals
November 5 - Impact of human activities on plants and animals
November 19 - Interdependence of humans and nature
Class times are:
- 10-10:45 a.m. Nature Tykes (ages 4-5)
- 11-11:45 a.m. Nature Kids (ages 6-9)
- 12-12:45 p.m. Nature Tweens (ages 10-12)
Cost: $5/class or $25/series of six
Enrollment is limited, call 770-730-5600 for more information
In addition to the Discover Nature Saturday Series, there will be another program:
Stream Ecology on
Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. This program is free.
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PROJECT WILD AND AQUATIC WILD - EDUCATOR WORKSHOP
More than 19,000 Georgia teachers have attended the WILD workshops. These award-winning education programs allow educators to experience hands-on activities, and learn more about wildlife and the environment so they may use these teaching ideas with their schools' STEAM programs. Program info:
Saturday, September 10, 2016 - 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs, 30328. A small registration fee of $30 per participant covers the cost of the workshop and includes both Project WILD and Aquatic WILD activity guides. Snacks are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring a lunch and a reusable coffee cup or mug. to register visit: registration.sandyspringsga.gov
Registration deadline is September 7, 2016.
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CELEBRATE NATIONAL GYMNASTICS DAY
 In
honor of National Gymnastics Day, the Sandy Springs Gymnastics Center is hosting a Parent and Child Obstacle Course Challenge.
Come and test your strength and agility at this fun Gymnastics Celebration and Open House on Saturday, September 17, 2016 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Hammond Park Gymnastics Center - 705 Hammond Drive, 30328.
Teams consist of one child and one adult. Divisions are based on the child's age. All AGES ARE WELCOME. Your scores will be recorded and award certificates will be mailed to the winners at the conclusion of the event. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have about our gymnastics programs.
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LET'S PLAY PICKLEBALL!
Pickleball may have a silly name, but it's seriously becoming the country's fastest-growing sport! Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, ping pong and racquet ball.
It's fast paced and easy to learn, great exercise and lots of fun. C
ome see what the excitement is all about at the newly constructed Pickleball courts at Hammond Park.
Where: Hammond Park located at 6005 Glenridge Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Who: Adults 18 years and Up.
When: Monday through Friday from 9am-2pm
What: First come, first serve Pickleball
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NEIGHBORHOOD CONTACT UPDATE
so we can keep you updated on city related projects and activities.
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CHECK OUT THIS MONTH'S MOVIES BY MOONLIGHT
Movies By Moonlight, presented by Leadership Sandy Springs, brings back the nostalgia and fun of the outdoor cinema! This FREE event continues with the second of the series of three movies on Friday evenings. The next event is September 9 featuring The Jungle Book, followed by the final event September 30 of Ice Age: Collision Course. Movies are held on the terraced lawn of Sandy Springs United Methodist Church Activities Center and projected on a 30-foot, inflatable screen. Prior to the screening, families can gather for fun, activities, fantastic giveaways and games in the Kids Zone. Food for purchase is offered from food trucks and Leadership Sandy Springs' concession stand. Movies begin at dusk but families can come at 6 pm. and bring picnic baskets and coolers. Alcohol is not permitted. Event is located at 85 Mt. Vernon Highway and Sandy Springs Circle. Watch the Movies By Moonlight Facebook page or check LSS' MBM web page for updates!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT
HERITAGE SANDY SPRINGS
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CONCERTS BY THE SPRINGS LAST SHOW!
Don't miss this season's last Concerts by the Springs on Sunday, September 11, 2016 featuring Atlanta's favorite party band, Band X.
The outdoor concert series is free and open to the public. Concerts are held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. and are located at Heritage Green on The Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn, 6110 Blue Stone Road.
Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early to picnic with family and friends. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers are welcomed; no outside tables permitted. Smoking is prohibited. No pets, except for special assist animals.
Visit
Heritage Sandy Springs website
for the lineup and more information.
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TITLES @ TWILIGHT
H
eld on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.,
Titles @ Twilight
promotes local authors, whose stories of history and the South represent a variety of perspectives.
Titles @ Twilight
is free to attend and takes place in the Garden Room at the Williams-Payne House, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, GA. O
n Tuesday, September 6,
Titles @ Twilight
will feature Mrs. Lee Dunn, who will speak about her original research as she "Unearthed the Major" and discovered the life of John Fletcher Hanson, Father of GA Tech University.
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WE CELEBRATE NEW BUSINESSES, NEW LOCATIONS AND ANNIVERSARIES
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RIBBON CUTTING AT CITI WINE & SPIRITS
Members of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce and Erika Rocker with the City's Economic Development office officially welcomed Citi Wine & Spirits to its new location on Roswell Road. Citi Wine & Spirits will feature weekly tastings: Thursdays - beer, Fridays - wine and on Saturdays - liquor.
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RIBBON CUTTING AT QUEST ORTHODONTICS
Expect to see more smiles around town courtesy of Quest Orthodontics! Members of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce along with staff and friends of Dr. Arjun Patel were on hand for the ribbon cutting of his new office. Located at City Walk, Quest Orthodontics treats children and adults.
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