Anne Ortiz's (anneortiz) Blog

We may be celebrating the beginning of Spring, but Marietta, Georgia is already looking ahead to July 4th.  The city of Marietta's Fourth in the Park celebration begins Monday, July 4, 2011 at 10 a.m. and includes a parade, free live concerts, museum tours, arts and crafts show, food, carnival ga...

If you need ideas on home products, projects and trends, make your way to Atlanta this weekend.  The housing market may have slowed, but that's even more reason to keep your abode looking its best. Whether you're thinking of buying, building or selling -- or just into daydreaming -- ideas on how ...

Locals have had April 2nd circled on their calendars for months.  This divine date marks the return of the Marietta Farmers Market.  This wonderful showcase for local farmers, bakers, chefs -  you name it -returns for the 2011 season.  2010 was the Marietta's Farmers Market most successful season...

Another way to celebrate Spring in Marietta, Georgia, is to take in The Strand Theatre's popular Brew with a View.  This rooftop terrace bar with the prettiest view in Marietta has become the talk of the town, and it's back many Friday and Saturday nights in 2011!  At the popular Brew with a View...

The weather is warming, dogwoods and azaleas are blooming and there is no doubt that Spring has arrived in Marietta, Georgia.  Celebrate the outdoor season by taking a self-guided tour around Marietta Square the first Friday of every month from now through October. You will have the opportunity t...

It's never too early to plan for the weekend, and if we have another rainy one, this may be just the thing to chase the "blues" away.  Bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs to perform in Marietta, Georgia at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre stage at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 2nd.  The banjo-picking Scruggs i...

The Earl Smith Strand Theatre on Marietta Square will present a very special performance this weekend.  The Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School returns to The Strand for the dazzling musical, Ragtime this March! Set at the dawn of the 20th century, ...

Marietta , Georgia recently welcomed twenty-two representatives from the city government of Beijing, China.  This warm foreign policy initiative was intended to provide our Chinese brethren with insight into how the city functions and how we govern ourselves in a representative democracy. Mariett...

Newly constructed residential homes have been scarce for the past few years.  As the housing market declined, many subdivisions were left with vacant foreclosed lots.  Builders who were in the financial position to continue, began purchasing such lots at pennies on the dollar.  This presented the...

After what seemed like an endless hiatus, residential building permits are being issued again, albeit at a very modest pace.  Buying "new construction" is a bit different from buying a previously-owned home. For one, because there is no previous homeowner, you don't have to deal with a seller's e...