Georgia Carnival: Edition 57

Welcome to the Georgia Blog Carnival…

Just like June’s edition this is the edition that I could title the “Newbie Edition” as many of the blogs linked to are new to the Georgia blogroll. Instead of highlighting them in a “new additions” post I’ve elected to highlight them within the carnival along with two or three regular submissions from the past month.

Once again this month the Georgia Carnival has been swamped with submissions from non-Georgia blogs and blogs that do not fit the Georgia Carnival theme even though submission guidelines are clearly stated.

Not wanting to leave out a bonafide Georgia blog or a post that fits the criteria I checked each submission…..it took awhile.

Ok, on to better things…The bloggers featured here are all part of the extensive list of bloggers from Georgia I have listed in the right sidebar of this site. Any Georgia blogger can submit a post to the carnival, or a blogger from another state or country can submit a post for inclusion if the topic is Georgia related.The next carnival will be published here at Georgia on My Mind on Friday, August 14th . Submissions will be due Thursday, August 13th.

If you maintain a Georgia blog and would like to host the carnival at your site e-mail me to set up a date. It’s a great way to put your own personal spin on the carnival.The last edition of carnival can be found and t here, and the carnival archives are found here. Now on to the carnival:

Saving Your Cents – Wow, what a great savings blog this is! The blog’s author, Lissa, states, “As one we can find great savings…but as many we can find grand savings. I love all things at a bargain…it was only natural that I eventually figured out how to get toiletries and groceries for free!” Head on over for some great bargain news, and I’ve been told a second blog by Lissa is on the way. This recent post explains how you can get $10 worth of free food from Schwans.

Life as Leigh Sees It – Take one Georgia-based freelance writer and mix with humor and everyday life in the South and you end up with a great read. Check out one of Meredith’s latest postings called Chicken…whatever you are thinking…..that’s probably not what this post is about. :) Go read…enjoy!

Fieldtrips With Sue – Sue is a mother of three boys who dutifully follow her on her hometown adventures around Atlanta. She is also a contributing blogger for ATL Insider and Travel Savvy Mom in addition to working in marketing and public relations. A recent post at Fieldtrips With Sue titled, Are You Ready For Some Football?, provides some great info on how you can take the kids or just yourself to watch the practices in Flowery Branch as the Falcons get ready for the new season.

The Primerica Blog - Primerica, the largest financial services marketing organization in North America has a blog….I’ve added their blog to the Georgia blogroll because Primerica was established in Georgia in 1977 and has always kept its corporate headquarters in the Atlanta area. The home office is currently located in Gwinnett County and employs close to 2,000 people. Priamerica has 100,000 representatives and serves 6 million clients in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Spain. The company sponsors a number of volunteer programs to help give back to the community. Primerica actively participates in Meals on Wheels and blood drives, the Gwinnett Relay for Life, school mentoring and other community programs.

In Upward Pursuit – This is the blog of Drew Powell, a young man I know personally. In Upward Pursuit is Drew’s own journey through his seminary training, his many mission trips including Nicaragua, and those first few years out of high school. Remember those????? They were pretty exciting, weren’t they? Drew’s latest posting provides pictures and descriptions of the recent SonShine Festival….3 days of Christian music.

Mara Davis – Mara is the morning DJ on DAVE-FM….I’ve been listening to her since the early 90s and consider her a friend even though we’ve never met. Mara states, “I love, love, love being on the radio and it never gets old for me. My job is a dream come true every day.” Check out one of her latest postings…In Studio With Alton Brown…yes, the food guy (I also love).
Downhome Traces – the about page at this site states, “this video blog is about history and places, most of which are connected to Atlanta and are often revealed through films, photographs, and other visual traces.” In a recent post the blog’s author, Steve Bransford, posted about the Winecoff fire….an Atlanta tragedy from years past….check it out here or you might be interested in the Allman Brothers archive.

A Is For Atlanta – This blog is written by a Southern Fried Yankee that knows his way around town…..he happens to be a realtor as well. In a recent posting at this site I discovered that the high school I graduated from…Woodward Academy….is the largest private school in the Atlanta area. Go War Eagles!!!!! Information regarding the Inman Park Dine Out can be found here.
Chop-n-Change – the tagline at this blog says it pretty well….”covering the Atlanta Braves like a swarm of gnats on a hot day”….now, that’s pretty good coverage. :) Find out more about the authors of this great fan blog here. Recent postings include For Pete's Sake regarding the ongoing Pete Rose saga and OMG: A Trade Rumor.

Submissions from long-time members of the Georgia blogroll include:

Satellite TV Guru provides a review of DirectTV here stating, “While traditional cable still exists, many would argue that it has been surpassed far and wide by the superior programming and service of satellite TV services, especially when it comes to price.”

Over at History Is Elementary I recently posted some thoughts on Overcoming Mountains and including a little history on the challenge early settlers faced along with some pictures I made during a recent trip through the North Georgia mountains.

Steve Williams, Georgia’s very own Georgia Road Geek is asking the question Could Rest Areas Go Away? Gee, I hope not. Over the weekend I used five different rest areas between Atlanta and St. Augustine, Florida.

Over at AMO A.M. Otwell shares Reflections.

Freddie J. Sirmans shares The Myth of Free Health Care stating, “That is the true problem in the medical profession today there is no market forces to help control prices, just like throughout the economy.”

Amy at The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog provides Family Friendly Water Parks in or Around Atlanta and 5 Family Favorite Outdoor Adventures Around Atlanta.

…..and finally…..How do you ATL???????? Vacations from home seem to be the latest craze as everyone is scaling back and cutting their entertainment dollar to the bone. Recently the folks at the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau contacted me with the following information:

This year 58 percent of people who normally take vacations away from home will shrink their vacation spending, according to a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll. Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) has created vacation packages for Georgia residents to stretch their vacation dollar and create memorable experiences close to home.

Hotel packages on Atlanta.net offer reduced rates and discounted admission to the city’s top attractions. Whether it’s unwinding in a private cabana outside the W-Atlanta Buckhead’s glamorous heated outdoor pool, taking a breathtaking 50-story elevator ride to the top of the iconic Atlanta Marriott Marquis, or ordering room service and watching a Dive-in movie at the Grand Hyatt Buckhead, visitors will find fun, family-inspired vacations on ACVB’s Web site.

“As people are reevaluating plans for a summer vacation, there is no better time for metro Atlantans to get out and explore the new and exciting hotels, attractions, restaurants and exhibitions right in their own backyard,” said William Pate, president and CEO of ACVB.
From July 8 through Aug. 5, residents of Atlanta’s 28 metro counties are encouraged to submit photos or videos that depict their favorite Atlanta pastimes. The week of Aug. 5, a panel of judges will select three semi-finalists from different metro Atlanta counties. The semi-finalists video or photograph entry will be displayed online at 11Alive.com and on Atlanta & Company Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to Noon. The week of Aug. 6, the public will be invited to vote on the winning entry at 11Alive.com.

The semi-finalist with the most online votes will have the unique opportunity to appear as a guest on WXIA-TV’s Atlanta & Company to share how he/she ATL’d. The grand prize winner will also receive a Backyard Vacation trip package to Atlanta which includes a two-night stay at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta, four CityPass booklets for front-of-the-line access to six of the city’s top attractions, and a $100 gift certificate to New York Prime in Buckhead.

For more information about the contest, visit Atlanta.net and click the How do You ATL? icon on the center of the homepage. Also on the page, play the How do You ATL? game to design a personalized, interactive picture of Atlanta based on your unique style and preferences, and turn your custom getaway into a reality by exploring the exclusive backyard vacation offers that pique your interest.

Sounds like fun, huh? Get busy….the deadline is fast approaching. For more more information contact ACVB Public Relations by reaching the following people:

Lauren Jarrell, Director 404. 521.6649 ljarrell@atlanta.net

Sarah Solomon, Specialist 404.521.6645 ssolomon@atlanta.net

Suzanne Forte, Specialist 404.521.6632 sforte@atlanta.net

Amanda Latson, Coordinator 404.521.6398 alatson@atlanta.net

Well, that’s it for this edition of the Georgia Carnival.

Please support these fine Georgia bloggers by letting them know you have visited them with a comment. Your continued support with your links and shout-outs at your site helps to alert others to what we Georgia bloggers have to offer.

The next edition of the carnival will be found here at Georgia on My Mind on Friday, August 14th. Posts can be sent to gamind@mail.com or use the handy submission form.

Submissions are due by Thursday, August 13 by 6:00 p.m.

Thanks for your continued support of the Georgia Carnival!