Alpharetta High School Band!

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – In a period of just nine days, the Alpharetta Marching Raider Band, under the direction of Band Director Mike Walsh, Associate Director Ira Jenkins and Percussion Director Dean Giddens, has played at two Alpharetta football games, took honors in two competitions and clocked almost 20 hours of rehearsal.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, the band competed in the 36th annual Greater Atlanta Marching Band Competition in Conyers. The competition was hosted by Rockdale High School with 24 bands competing from across the state of Georgia. The Marching Raiders performed their 2013 show, "Legends of Rock" and received superior ratings in all categories. Additionally, the color guard placed third in their class. Drum majors, percussion, visuals and music all received second place. These ratings gave the Alpharetta Marching Raider Band second place overall in the 4A class.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Raider band traveled to Chattahoochee High School where they competed in the U.S. Bands Marine Corps Invitational, which attracted bands from across Georgia and South Carolina. The Alpharetta Marching Raider Band placed first in all categories they entered. These scores gave the band the overall first place in the 4 class.

The Alpharetta Marching Raider Band is now preparing for their performance in the Festival of Lights Parade in downtown Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 23.

Alpharetta approves new Rucker subdivision At corner of Rucker and Wills roads

October 30, 2013

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A new 28-home subdivision was approved on Rucker Road Oct. 28 by the Alpharetta City Council at their weekly meeting.

The development is an 8.65 acre property at the corner of Rucker Road and Wills Road. It is across the street from Wills Park and the American Legion Post 201.

Council finally approved the development with some changes to the original plan. The biggest was removing one of the proposed entrances. Instead of one entrance on Rucker Road and one on Wills Road, council removed the Rucker access point. This was done for several reasons. Firstly, two entrances for 28 homes struck council as excessive. Secondly, planned improvements to Rucker Road might force the Rucker entrance to be a right-in, right-out access. Finally, by removing the Rucker entrance, the homes along the street can be placed further apart. Instead of 10 feet apart, they can be 20 feet apart, a desire council was interested to make happen.

"More access is better," said Councilmember Chris Owens, "but it's 28 homes."

The large tree on the corner of Rucker and Wills roads will be saved and land around it turned into a small park. However, three large pecan trees will likely be lost for construction.

On the property are two homes that are more than 100 years old. While the applicant initially approached the Alpharetta Historical Society about relocating the buildings, the society had no space to which they could relocate the homes. Instead, the developer proposed paying $10,000 to the society. The owner of the homes told council that while the exterior was a century old, a century of residents had gutted anything of historic significance.

This donation was ultimately removed from the motion to approve.

The development passed with a 4-3 vote, with Councilmembers Michael Cross, Owens and Mike Kennedy opposed.

Also at the meeting:

Council approved a change to the Parkway 400 master plan. This covers property across the street from Avalon, where two large office buildings are built. The plan calls for a third building, however the owners wished to increase the density of the development from 265,000 square feet to 630,000 square feet and add a 10,000 square foot restaurant.

There would also be two parking decks added.

Council approved the changes, noting that the area has seen significant density come to surrounding properties.

"This area is exploding and this is just the beginning of what will take place around Avalon," said Councilmember Jim Gilvin. The argument cuts both ways, held by both supporters and opponents of the change.

The development was approved 6-1, with Gilvin opposed.

17-year-old Chase Elliott chases NASCAR dream

17-year-old Chase Elliott chases NASCAR dream King's Ridge senior wins NASCAR Truck Series race

Chase Elliott celebrates his first NASCAR win taking first at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Ontario, Canada. He won in his Chevy Silverado in the last turn of the last lap. (click for larger version) Chase Elliott wants to pursue his dream to be a full-time NASCAR driver when he graduates from high school.

October 29, 2013

ALPHARETTA, GA – Like most17-year-olds, Chase Elliott is anxious to get the car keys on the weekends, but the car keys he wants start up a NASCAR engine. He just won his first NASCAR Truck Series race Sept. 1 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Ontario, Canada in just his sixth series start. Driving the No. 94 Dream Machine, he also became the youngest winner in the NASCAR Truck Series history.

The King's Ridge Christian School student signed a development deal with Hendrick Motorsports to run in NASCAR's K&N Pro Series East. If he keeps winning, he will certainly earn a ride at the big tracks one day.

So how does a teenager break into the NASCAR business the way Chase has? Well, you could say it is in his DNA. He is the son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott so when Chase went to see his dad at work, it was at a race track.

But Chase realizes names don't win races.

"People say it should be easier because of who my dad is. But it is not his career. It is still up to me to learn from him and improve. Ultimately though, I have to make it on my own," Chase said.

Racing has changed a lot in the last five or six years as technology has revolutionized the sport. Just think of how the Smart Phone has changed in that time. The same is true of racing technology.

It has added to the racing team as well. You have to have people who can monitor the sensors and computers and an engineer to keep the engine purring.

None of that fazes Chase, however. This is going to be his career if he can make the grade.

"I've never really wanted to do anything else," he said.

He started racing go-karts at the age of 8. He graduated to quarter-midgets then got into Legends racing when he was older still. This is racing in 5/8 scale cars that look like racers from the 1930s and '40s. It keeps the costs and the speed down but teaches young drivers the ins and outs of winning races.

By the time he was13 he was racing full-sized cars. Now he is racing in the Truck Series, which is analogous to baseball's minor leagues. It's exciting because the next step is racing with the big-name drivers, big-time sponsors and the big-time tracks.

As the years have gone by, Chase realizes what it will take to pursue his dream.

"And you come to understand the commitment level it takes to it," Chase said. "There is so much time away from home. It's a lot of travel and hotels every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But I enjoy being there."

But there is no question he wants to make racing his career. He hopes to find a sponsor because this is an expensive sport. A racing weekend will cost $70,000 to $100,000 now. There's a limited number of rides at the top, so only the best of the best make it.

"Your parents can only help so far. I know it is hard to break in, but racing is always what I wanted to do. If I don't get picked up, I'll apply to some colleges. But that is for later," he said.

In his first win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, it was a two-truck duel going into the last lap with Ty Dillon. He pulled even with Dillon, but Dillon had the inside track and Chase had to go wide in the next turn.

Drafting behind Dillon, in the final turn he shot around to the inside. There's a saying in NASCAR – "if you're not rubbin' you're not racin'." That means to win you have to be willing to let some paint fly and hold your position.

Dillon moved to cut off Chase and Chase did not hesitate. He hit Dillon's rear end and spun him into the tires and held on the capture the checkered flag. After the race, he told the ESPN announcer:

"That's not how I race and that's never been how I've raced before. I had a shot. I was up next to Ty and I knew he was going to try and chop me off. I tried to make up the difference. Sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do to get to Victory Lane."

 

Alpharetta to host songwriters at Wire and Wood

Alpharetta to host songwriters at Wire and Wood Songwriters festival comes to downtown Nov. 9

 

October 30, 2013

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Downtown Alpharetta will have music flowing through the night Nov. 9 with the inaugural Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival. The first and only festival of its kind in the Atlanta area, the event will bring in over 20 artists from around the Southeast to perform their hits.

"Alpharetta is becoming known for its music scene and festivals filled with lively entertainment," said Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle. "People love music, and this new event brings together great musicians who not only wrote the songs they will perform but have stories to share about the song's history. Bring those elements together along with a variety of great food and the awesome community of Alpharetta and you have a don't-miss event."

Music will be flowing through the streets as the songwriters perform their soulful melodies from five different stages throughout downtown. The stage names include: Cotton House, Hop Alley, Smokejack and the grand Wire and Wood. A variety of street stages will also be set up along Milton Avenue.

The free event is from 4-7 p.m. Families can come for dinner, stroll through the stages and plan to stay for the big stage performances beginning at 7 p.m. There will also be interactive stages by Music Matters and the Guitar Center set up from 4-7 p.m.

Along with plenty of food trucks, the local restaurants will of course be on hand with food, beer and wine.

"We are excited to be partnering and helping to bring this unique event to life, and we look forward to hosting music lovers from around the Southeast who come to town to enjoy the stories and songs of these awesome artists," said Janet Rodgers, president and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It will be a fantastic event filled with great food, awesome music and fun entertainment for the whole family."

This is a rain or shine event. Parking will be available at the Milton Center and downtown parking lots. For more information on the festival, visit www.awesomealpharetta.com.

THE WIRE AND WOOD MUSIC LINE UP

Christopher Alan Yates – www.reverbnation.com/christopheralanyates – Multi-instrumentalist and member of the Sweet Tea Project, which also includes Collective Soul's Ed Roland.

Riley – www.rileysmusic.com – 2012 Bill Lowery Horizon Award winner who is currently signed to Elton John's Rocket Management.

Brian Bisky – www.facebook.com/bbisky – Has performed at Eddie's Attic, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre and the Roxy in Los Angeles. Currently touring with the Sweet Tea Project.

Kurt Scobie – www.kurtscobie.com – Tireless performer on the college circuit that has shared stages with the Civil Wars, Matthew Perryman Jones and Montell Jordan.

Joe West – www.joewestonline.com –Winner of the Gibson Songwriting Contest and finalist on the Charlie Daniels Roundup.

Sabrina – www.sabrinasongs.com – Winner of Sonic's Search for a Star Competition and frequent performer at Nashville's Bluebird Café and Tin Pan South.

Diane Durrett – www.dianedurrett.com – Has performed with Sting, Indigo Girls and Greg Allman and opened for Tina Turner, Faith Hill and many more.

Hope Sonam – www.hopesonam.com – A native of Rome, Ga., her song "Terrified" was featured on the hit ABC TV show "The Lying Game."

Roxie Randle – www.roxierandle.com – Has released three solo CDs and was voted Nashville's Female Demo Singer of the Year by DemoSinger.com.

Joel Bridges – www.joelbridgesmusic.com – Performed with BADHORSE, New Music Weekly's 2010 Country Group of the Year. His songs have reached Top 25 on Music Row's country chart in Nashville.

Ashley Harris – www.ashleyharris.com – Owner of Ragamuffin Music Hall in Roswell. Her single "Unfinished Woman" reached no. 1 on the Indie World Record Report.

John Allison – www.johnallison.com – A New York native that has performed all over the world and released two solo projects.

Bill Kahler – www.billkahler.com – A Kerrville Folk Festival and Plowshares Festival Songwriting finalist that has released five solo CDs.

Matthew Kahler – www.myspace.com/mathhewkahlermusic – Legendary Georgia singer/songwriter Shawn Mullins calls Matthew "one of the best songwriters of our time."

Chas Sandford – www.chassandford.com – Wrote the mega-hit "Missing You" by John Waite, "Talk to Me" by Stevie Nicks and "What Kind of Man Would I Be" by super-group Chicago.

Victoria Banks – www.victoriabanks.net – Penned the award-winning "Saints and Angels" recorded by Sara Evans and the Billboard record-breaking hit "Come On Over" by Jessica Simpson.

Pat Terry – www.patterryonline.com – Writer of Travis Tritt's no. 1 hit "Help Me Hold On" and Tanya Tucker's "It's a Little Too Late…to do the right thing now."

Matt Blanchard – www.mattblanchard.com – Saxophonist that has performed on the David Letterman Show, at Lincoln Center and internationally with NYC-based Jersey Band.

Jim Hettinger – Keyboardist that performed and recorded for Walt Disney World for eight years. He now serves as musical director for the HOME BY DARK Songwriters Show.

Tony Marvelli – Bassist that has performed with Mark Shultz, Point of Grace, the Drifters and the Platters and at Carnegie Hall and on Fox TV's "Next Great American Band."

AMC opens Oct. 31 at North Point Mall, in Alpharetta

October 25, 2013

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – AMC Theatres will open its new location at North Point Mall Oct. 31, its first new building in more than two years.

AMC North Point Mall 12 features approximately 1,100 seats in 12 auditoriums. Nearly every seat in the theatre is a plush, power recliner, which allows guests to lay back and put their feet up at the push of a button. This means guests can enjoy maximum comfort, with ample space to recline or stretch their legs, and plenty of armrest room for everyone. While AMC has retrofitted several of its locations throughout the country to accommodate power recliners, AMC North Point Mall 12 is the first AMC in the circuit specifically designed and built with recliners in mind. And with stadium seating, every seat has a perfect sightline to the screen.

"We've been aggressively improving the quality of moviegoing in our locations across the country through a number of different enhancements, like the incredibly comfortable power recliners, a full bar, improved concession areas and, of course, premiere sight and sound experiences like IMAX," said Mark McDonald, executive vice president of development at AMC. "As our first new building in more than two years, we took all of those things that guests are raving about at other AMCs and specifically design the theatre to include them at AMC North Point Mall 12. This theatre will not only be one of our signature locations in the AMC circuit, but one of the best in the entire country."

Guests will be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage at MacGuffins, a full-service bar and lounge area inside the theater.

The theatre will eventually feature two large-screen format options. Beginning immediately, guests can experience blockbusters with a brand new IMAX theater. In addition to the IMAX theatre, AMC's own large-screen format will be installed at AMC North Point 12 in early 2014.