Throughout the country Americans celebrated Black History month and the individuals who fought for equality and freedom for all. One of the individuals recognized was Charles Steele, Jr., Ph.D.

Kairos Development Corporation and 1 Joshua Group paid tribute to Dr. Steele in a special celebration held at the historic Jefferson Station in East Point late February. Several Atlanta dignitaries were in attendance including Mayer Earnestine Pittman who proclaimed the day “Charles Steele, Jr. Day.”

Throughout his life Steele has worked to improve the quality of life and livability for his constituents. The former CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was the first African American elected to the City Council of Tuscaloosa and one of the first African Americans elected to the Alabama State Senate. (more…)

Network, network, network. If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it 1,000 times. Networking is the key to building a strong successful business. If you are one of the many wonderful businesses located throughout the Smyrna-Vinings area you might want to consider attending Alive After Five.

The event is set for Thursday, January 28 and will be held at the Campbell High School Media Center from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Make sure to bring plenty of business cards as professionals form various industries will be there. Who knows who you might meet while enjoying free appetizers and drinks. Door prizes will also be given away throughout the evening.

For more information about Alive After Five, contact Tony Chavez at 404.447.8790 or by emailing aaf@smyrnabusiness.org.

Residents of Avignon at Vinings are only minutes away from this great event. One of the many perks of this luxurious Cobb County townhome community is the close proximity to all the events and activities both Atlanta and the Smyrna-Vinings area have to offer. With three and four level floorplans, amazing amenities, and standard features that are considered upgrades in other new home communities, these beautiful townhomes are the perfect place to call home.

If you’re looking for a fun activity tonight in Atlanta, but don’t want to spend a lot of money or drive too far, you might want to consider Martinis and IMAX® at Fernbank Museum.

Tonight from 6:30 – 11:00 p.m. nibble on appetizers or enjoy dinner while sipping on one of the many fabulous martinis andl listening to the Nick Long Band. DJ Ric-E-Smith will be mixing in-between sets.

The martinis are as varied and exciting as the exhibits at the museum. You can pair your meal with a Spiked Iced Tea martini or maybe you’ll want to honor the cold and snow outside today with a Frost Bite martini.

After you enjoy dinner and drinks, head into the IMAX where you’ll be able to enjoy two films for the price of one. Tonight Fernbank will be showing Van Gough: Brush with Genius and The Old Man and the Sea. (more…)

With temperatures in the 20’s, the blistering winter winds and the impending snow, Atlanta has not been a very fun outdoor city this January.

If you’re looking to get out out of your house, but still want to stay indoors; we’ve got a list of fun events going on around Atlanta that are sure to provide both entertainment and warmth this winter.

Whether you’re in Peachtree Battle living in one of the luxury Buckhead condos at the Astoria at the Aramore, or up in Vinings cozy-ed up in one of the best Cobb County townhomes at Avignon at Vinings, you’ll be sure to find something on this list that will be close to home.

If you haven’t been to an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert, you need to be there. These talented musicians will blow your mind with their musical stylings. Join the ASO on January 7 from 9-10 p.m. at Symphony Hall for Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 18″. The ASO will also be performing Aaron Jay Kernis’ “Musica Celestis” and Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony No. 6

You might also be interested in checking out the 10th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Happening on January 13-24, the festival will screen fifty films, including “Camera Obscura”  at various venues across Atlanta.

For all the Broadway afficionados out there, make sure to visit the Fabulous Fox for Broadway Across America’s presentation of “Young Frankenstein.” The play chronicles Mel Brooks’ version of the monster and his misunderstood master in a comic musical that is sure to have you laughing out loud. The play is set to perform January 26-31 so hurry and get your tickets before it’s too late.

With prime locations in the metro-Atlanta area, residents of both Avignon at Vinings and the Astoria at the Aramore are able to attend some of the best events in the city. In addition to the wide variety of cultural activities, residents also have some of the best dining and shopping experiences the city has to offer during these cold winter months.

What events and activities do you have planned for the upcoming winter months?

Located just six miles away from Atlanta’s finest luxury condo’s, The Astoria at the Aramore, in Underground Atlanta, The Peach Drop is the Southeast’s largest New Year’s Eve Celebration and 2010 marks the 21st year of this amazing event.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event:

The Peach Drop is Free, no tickets are needed and it is open to everyone.

Those interested in attending the event can park at the parking garage located between Central and Pryor Streets and Pryor and Peachtree Streets.

The 16 hour event begins at 12 noon with fun family activities and performers on the Budding Peach Stage. Each hour brings a new act and is the perfect, so there’s bound to be something for everyone.

After the family fun portion of the day is done, head to one of the many restaurants located at Underground Atlanta, but make sure to make a reservation as The Peach Drop draws a rather large crowd and many of them are bound to be hungry.

At 6 p.m. the Peach Drop Main Stage will open. Five different performers are set to take the stage and each of them should provide an excellent show.

If you want to head down to Underground Atlanta early, but Family Fun really isn’t your thing, check out Kenny’s Alley. This Underground favorite is the perfect place to watch the Chick-fil-A Bowl and while enjoying all the fun of the many bands, DJ’s and great clubs the Alley has to offer.

If you’re interested in having fun without having to worry about a designated driver, check out of of one of the many downtown Atlanta hotels, conveniently located near Underground Atlanta. For more information about the event, visit www.peachdrop.com.

Known for their excellent proximity to great dining, shopping and Atlanta’s nightlife, the condos at The Astoria at the Aramore is the perfect place for anyone looking to live in Buckhead. For more information about this luxury complex, visit www.theastoriacondos.com or stop by for a tour and see what makes these homes spectacular.

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle’s 2009 Christmas House showcases  the work of 21 top designers in Atlanta  and this year’s home is well on its way to becoming one of the most successful Designer Show Homes ever.

Benefiting the Alliance Children’s Theatre, this spectacular home is one of the most beautiful homes you’ll be able to tour this holiday season.

Located on 1795 West Wesley Road in one of Buckhead’s most prestigious and private neighborhoods, this Fairfield inspired home is reminiscent of the winding wooded lanes of the Connecticut Back County, where the fabled estates of Fairfield County co-exist with historic Colonial homes.

The classic feel of the home is apparent in the fine custom moldings, finishes and antique heart pine floors. The home has six bedrooms and seven bathrooms including a main-floor master suite, complete with a Carrera marble bath and dual walk-in closets. The terrace level theater and gathering room are adjacent to the wine cellar and the triple French doors open onto the private rear lawn, pool and pool house, making the Christmas House an ideal home for entertaining.

If you haven’t been over to the Christmas House, don’t delay. The home will be only be open until December 6th. Tours (more…)

Looking to get out of preparing for Thanksgiving dinner? Are you someone who hates spending the morning in the kitchen? Well get out your running shoes because we have just the event for you. Thanksgiving morning head out to historic Marietta Square for the 7th annual  Gobble Jog.

The Gobble Jog is an annual Thanksgiving Day event that benefits MUST Ministries – an organization that helps persons and families overcome crisis while maintaining their dignity. The event features a 1K, 5K and 10K walk/run as well as a Tot Trot for kids 5 and under.

The Gobble Jog is perfect for everyone from novice runner to expert. It is a certified qualifier for seeding in the Peachtree Road Race and the US 10K Classic, but it is also a great opportunity for  runners just starting to get a taste of racing. (more…)

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is the place to be this month. With Halloween right around the corner, the gardens are putting on a series of events that provide fun for any age.

The month of fun began on the first with the annual Scarecrows in the garden display. These hand-made scarecrows were hand crafted by local Atlantans and will be on display throughout the rest of the month.

After you check out the Scarecrows stick around because Thursday nights are Feast-of-Ale nights. Held each Thursday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Feast-of-Ale helps celebrate the harvest season with a selection of seasonal brews and live music. (more…)

With Fall underway there will be plenty of outdoor activities and festivals going on in Cobb County near Avignon at Vinings. With the weather starting to cool off it will be the perfect time to enjoy the Jonquil Festival that takes place on the beautiful Village Green surrounded by the downtown area of Smyrna. The festival runs during October on Saturday the 24th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday the 25th from noon to 5 p.m.

The festival will showcase a wide variety of arts and crafts from more than 150 artists from all over the country. It will also feature an Artists Market with upscale items including folk art, pottery, fine jewelry and metal sculpting. Other artisans from all over will display their own handmade crafts, paintings, clothing, furniture and much more. There will be events for (more…)

If you’ve been thinking about heading over to the High Museum of Art or possibly taking the kids to The Center for Puppetry Arts, this weekend might be the best time to do so.

Atlanta is full of  museums and historic sites perfect to visit on a rainy or sunny day including: The High Museum of Art, The Center for Puppetry Arts, the Museum of Design Atlanta, the Hammonds House Museum and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Global Health Odyssey Museum.

The High Museum is currently featuring the photographs of Alec Soth in an (more…)