The expression “pay it forward” is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead. ~Wikipedia

As I start to think about the holiday season this year, my mind goes to the many people affected by the weak economy and the many lost due to the floods in Atlanta this year. It has been such a powerful year for many, a year that will not be forgotten for a long time. As my mind has traveled through this I have wondered what I can do to help. Maybe I will give some time! In the rush of my life sometimes I forget the essential need to help others. Maybe the holiday should be looked at a time we give thanks and give to people that don’t have. If you are thinking about spending a few hours helping others this holiday season there are a lot of websites that can help you find a charity match. If you don’t know where to start looking for a charity that fits you, here are a few websites that may help you:

AJC Do Good Search

American Read Cross

Atlanta Children’s Shelter

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Hands on Atlanta

Mary Hall Freedom House

Must Ministries

Volunteer Match

Happy Holidays to you and your family!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Remember that Thanksgiving gives you the opportunity to let your loved ones know what they mean to you and your life, you never know how much time you have to let them know.

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States.

The traditional “first Thanksgiving” is the celebration occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621. The Plymouth celebration occurred early in the history of what would become one of the original thirteen colonies that became the United States. The celebration became an important part of the American myth by the 1800s.

Thanksgiving was modeled after celebrations that were commonplace in contemporary Europe. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day, usually as a gathering of family members and friends.

Source: Wikipedia

Yes, I know.. Thanksgiving is not even here yet, but you have to plan ahead for the events and we are almost there!! Thanksgiving is next week!!

I wanted to share soome events that I found around town. It is a great time to get out with your family and enjoy all of the sights!

Love Lights A Tree
November 27, 5:30 pm in Cannon Park, Historic Downtown Canton

Founders Day: Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 30, 6:30 pm at the John’s Creek City Hall

Cookies With The Clauses
December 9, 12 p.m. at the Alpharetta Community Center

Holiday Wreath Making Class
November 18, 1:30 pm at the Doraville Library

Breakfast With Santa
December 12, 8:30 am at the Chamblee Civic Center

Light Up Dunwoody
November 22, 4 pm at the Shoppes of Dunwoody

Lighting of the Milton Christmas Tree
November 29, 5:30 pm at the intersection of Webb Road and Highway 9

Christmas Tree Lighting
December 3, 7 p.m at the The Little Shop of Stories

Check back for more in the future!

I just heard the sad news today that our newest mascout UGA VII has passed away. The cause of death was an apparent heart attack.

Source: The Atlanta Journal Constitution

The annual Leonid Meteor Shower will peak in the early hours Tuesday, November 17.

The best place to watch it is in Asia, but North American observers should have an above average viewing, weather permitting. To see the best chance, head outside between 1 a.m. and dawn. NASA is predicting 20-30 metors per hour can be seen in America. The Leonids puts on a great show every year and this year the moon is near its new phase so it should not interfere in viewing.

What is the Leonid Meteor Shower?

The Leonids are created by the comet Swift-Tuttle, which passes through the inner solar system every 33 years on its orbit around the sun. Each time by, it leaves a new river of debris, mostly bits of ice and rock no bigger than a sand grain but a few the size of a pea or marble. Over time, these cosmic streams spread out, so predicting exactly what will happen is difficult, but Earth usually plows into the debris, the pieces hit the atmosphere and vaporize, creating sometimes dramatic streaks of light and the occasional fireball with a smoky-looking trail that can remain visible for several minutes.

America Recycles Day (ARD) is today and it is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 12th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to continue to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment.

There are lots of local events in Georgia today. Get of of the house on today and join in on the fun!

For more information visit America Recycles Day Website.

Now all banks will have to secure their customers’ consent before charging large overdraft fees on ATM and/or debit card transactions, according to a new rule announced today by the Federal Reserve.

The rule is in response to complaints that the overdraft fees are unfair because many people assume they can’t spend more on a debit card than is available in their account. Instead, many banks allow the transactions to go through, then charge fees of up to $35 per event. According to research some banks earn as much as $38 billion annually from overdraft fees.

The new rule will take effect July 1, 2010 and will require all banks to notify new and existing customers of their overdraft services and give customers the option of being covered. If customers don’t “opt in,” any debit or ATM transactions that overdraw their accounts will be denied, Fed officials said.

Source: The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Veterans Day started as a day to remember the anniversary of the Armistice signing that ended World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 the German signed the Armistice which helped to end the major hostility. Pres. Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919 and on November 8, 1954 Congress amended this act on by replacing “Armistice” with Veterans and it has been known as Veterans Day ever since.

Source: Wikipedia

The median sale price of a single-family home in metro Atlanta rose from the second quarter to third quarter, but remained below a year-ago levels prices according to the National Association of Realtors says.

The median price was $129,400, up nearly 7% from $121,400 in June. The current median price for a single-family home is 14% lower than it was this time last year. According to the news release 123 out of 153 metropolitan areas reported declines in median existing single-family home prices.

Source: The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Is this a good thing or bad? I know that there are people on both sides of the line with strong opinions. I assume only time will really be able to tell the scope of this bill. As of Saturday the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed the landmark health care reform legislation.

According to Obama, the bill will provide coverage to 96% of Americans. This legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who can not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees. Both consumers and companies would be slapped with penalties if they defied the government’s mandates.

Practices of denying coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions would be banned, and insurers would no longer be able to charge higher premiums on the basis of gender or medical history. The industry would also lose its exemption from federal antitrust restrictions on price fixing and market allocation.

The bill drew the votes of 219 Democrats and Rep. Joseph Cao, a first-term Republican who holds an overwhelmingly Democratic seat in New Orleans. Opposed were 176 Republicans and 39 Democrats. The vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin a long-delayed debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress.

Source: The Atlanta Journal Constitution