July 4th Peachtree Road Race Results Announced

Peter Kirui and Mamitu Daska claim victories at the 2012 AJC Peachtree Road Race.

Peter Kirui from Kenya and Mamitu Daska from Ethiopia took home victories at the 43rd running of the 2012 AJC Peachtree Road Race on July 4 in Atlanta with finish times of 27:37 and 32:22, respectively.  “We have a great field of competitors every year and this year was no exception,” said Tracey Russell, race director for the AJC Peachtree Road Race and executive director of the Atlanta Track Club, in a press release. “The AJC Peachtree Road Race is an exciting event and we are happy to share our 4th of July with the 60,000 participants at this wonderful event.”  In the Masters races, Jae Yung Hyung from Albuquerque, NM, and Sheri L. Piers from Falmouth, ME, took the men’s and women’s title with times of 31:21 and 34:38, respectively. …

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Milton Families Parade in Crabapple on July 4th

The Crabapple Walking Parade drew a larger crowd this year, and almost everybody was walking ... or riding a bike, a trike, a scooter, a wagon, a stroller or a kid's electric car.

Children were encouraged to decorate their vehicle of choice, whether it was a bike, a trike, a scooter, a wagon, a stroller or even a kid's electric car, to participate in the Crabapple Walking Parade this morning, July 4. Many answered the call, with a larger crowd than last year participating. Families strolled together along the parade route behind Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub restaurant. The route kept the main roads through Crabapple open, and only briefly closed some side streets. All members of City Council participated in the parade, along with Mayor Joe Lockwood. Councilwoman Karen Thurman was the parade grand marshal.

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Help Troops By Recycling Cell Phones

AT&T program helps provide troops with cost-free means of communication.

Want a quick, fun, and easy way to do something good for our troops, the environment, and even yourself? With the 4th of July week upon us, many individuals and families will be hitting the roads or taking to the sky for summer vacation, while others will remain nearby to enjoy a leisurely day off. Of course, most of us will also pause to reflect on the freedoms our country has been afforded by the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. AT&T's Cell Phones for Soldiers program is an opportunity for metro Atlantans to join the efforts. This July 4th week, help connect members of the military with their families by recycling old devices and chargers. Most people don’t know their old phones and chargers have real monetary value, but the …

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Update: Dry Weather Won't Stop Fireworks July 4th in Alpharetta

The city's fire marshall warns that extremely dry conditions with low humidity is creating a dangerous July 4th, and he asks that residents skip setting off their own fireworks.

UPDATE 4:45 p.m., July 2: Alpharetta Fire Marshall David Morris is warning that extremely dry conditions and low humidity are creating a very dangerous recipe for this July 4th. “All it will take is one errant firework or a spark from a grill to ignite someone’s backyard or even start a house on fire,” Morris said in a news release emailed this afternoon. For that reason the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety is asking residents to forego the use of any consumer fireworks and to be especially careful with their backyard barbecues on Wednesday. “Everybody wants to have a memorable 4th of July,” says Morris, “but nobody wants to remember it as the night they started their neighbor’s house on fire.  Unfortunately, with conditions as dry …

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Five Easy Dessert Ideas for Your 4th of July Celebration

Some American flag inspired treats for your Independence Day festivities.

Have you thought about what to cook for your Independence Day celebration? We also call the holiday the 4th of July, for when our country declared its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. This holiday is commonly celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbeques and picnics with friends or family. It's popular to make and eat red, white and blue foods this coming Wednesday, too. You can find a lot of desserts in your local supermarket for the 4th of July or you can make your own. I have a few fun and easy ideas to make with your family.   1. You can make or buy an angel food cake or a pound cake. Next cut it into cubes or pieces and add blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream. This can be served in individual dishes or one large…

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Fireworks to Soar, Explode Over Alpharetta on July 4th

After a morning parade in Crabapple, residents can shift their attention to games, music and treats at Wills Park before fireworks shows start at the park and at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

UPDATED 2:20 p.m.: More July 4th events have been added, such as the Fourth of July Bluegrass Concert at Matilda's Cottage. Alpharetta and Milton residents have several local opportunities to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday, starting with a walking parade in Milton and ending with fireworks in two Alpharetta locations. Fourth of July Parade Puts Your Children in the Spotlight Crabapple will be the scene for the first holiday event, with the Crabapple Community Association's annual Walking Parade. Participants begin gathering at 8:45 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. parade start. Park at the Crabapple Baptist Church or Strawberry Fields, and walk to McFarlin Lane where the parade starts. Those with disability placards may park at the John Weiland …

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Cooking With Carol

Cool Summer Cake Great for 4th of July

This cake recipe, called Any Occasion Cake, is good not just for any occasion but for every occasion.

As a teacher at South Forsyth High School and busy mom to two teenagers, Monique Vinski has a lot on her plate. Even so, she enjoys filling the plates of others with the good food that she prepares. Vinski says that when she got married was when she began to cook. “I was forced into it,” she mused. She said that her mom was always a good cook so she really had no desired to get involved until necessity called. But once Vinski started cooking she was hooked. Now she likes not only to follow recipes but to “doctor things up." "Now that I’ve been cooking for a long time, I know better whether or not I can make changes in a recipe,” Vinski explains. She prefers to use fresh ingredients whenever possible.  Not only does Vinski like to cook but …

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