On the Rise to Once Again Become Two of the Premiere Office Parks in Norcross, GA

Norcross, GA- Acquired in April 2010 as part of the newly formed SOF Real Estate Fund, Crossings Center on Holcomb Bridge and Crossings Center on the Parkway are in the process of aggressively being repositioned to once again become two of the premier office parks in the area.  Façade and interior renovations combined with new landscaping and signage are just a few of the improvements.  The recent upgrades and change in leasing strategy have produced results.  Multiple new leases have been completed to date totaling over 32,000 square feet, which equates to over a 20% increase in occupancy, from 48% to 69%.   Twelve renewals have also been completed totaling over 42,000 square feet.  Leasing and management now looks to maintain the momentum through the Fall and into 2012.  Please visit www.crossingscenter.net for more information on the property.     

Exercise your mind and body at the new Paramount Martial Arts Center at Georgian Place

For Master Barbara Hauger, the dream of starting her own school to fulfill the mission of improving lives through the martial arts has become a reality. An instructor since 1986, Barbara has recently taken ownership of the school she previously managed: the new Paramount Martial Arts Center located at 113 Georgian Place in Somerset, PA. The new 3,500 ft. facility has a bamboo training floor and a full-view parent seating area. The building is handicapped accessible with an entrance right off the parking lot. Tonya Spangler, Vice President of Leasing & Sales for SOAR Somerset, LLC said the Martial Arts facility is a great addition to our mixed-use community center comprised of medical offices, professional services, and one of a kind shops.

Barbara started taking Tae Kwon Do classes in 1983, and received her 1st Dan Black Belt in 1986. She achieved her current rank of 6th Dan in 2006 from Master Ted Hillson, South Central Tae Kwon Do Association. Master Hauger teaches this Korean art at the Paramount Center because it provides major physical benefits and healthy releases for everyday stress and tension.

Paramount Martial Arts Center has something for everyone—from tots to teens to adults! The perfectly structured programs help people develop confidence, self-discipline, and respect, as well as improve coordination, balance, and agility. The family that kicks together has fun together as they learn this centuries-old discipline that develops the mind, body, and spirit and encourages a balance of knowledge, strength, and honesty.

The public is invited to a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The schedule of events is as follows:

9:15-9:45 a.m. Tot’s Class

10:00-11:00 a.m. Junior’s Class

11:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Celebration Workout (students & guests welcome)

1:00 p.m. Demonstration in the Courtyard (weather permitting)

Paramount Martial Arts Center

Barbara Hauger

113 Georgian Place, Somerset, PA 15501

814-443-4591

814-442-7173

info@paramountmartialarts.com

http://www.paramountmartialarts.com/

For more information, contact Master Barbara Hauger at 814-443-4591, or log on to www.paramountmartialarts.com. Learn self-defense and get a new sense of self.

Come for Fall Family Fun at the Scarecrow Festival

The cooler weather and brilliant colors of fall blanketing the Laurel Highlands once again welcomes the annual Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place. Scheduled for Saturday, September 17 from 10AM to 6PM, the event, held rain or shine, comes to life through the collective efforts of the various merchants of Georgian Place, Laurel Arts and the Somerset County Farmers’ Market vendors. Admission and parking are free of charge.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy the popular Scarecrow Contest, the heart of the festival. Strolling through the courtyard, festival guests can take in nearly 50 handcrafted scarecrows on display and competing for over $1500 in cash prizes in three categories: 1. Business (open to all for-profit organizations); 2. Non-Profit (including youth groups, schools, churches, etc.); 3. Individual and/or Family. In addition, visitors are encouraged to cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award throughout the day. Winning entries will be announced near the end of the Festival, though all scarecrows will be on display through Saturday, October 2. Groups interested in entering a scarecrow may obtain an entry form and details by calling 814-443-3818. Entry forms due by September 5.

A full schedule of family fun, guests can expect to be delighted throughout the day with festivities including a scarecrow making workshop, pumpkin painting, wandering live scarecrows, a quilt show and sale, a petting zoo, live entertainment and the opportunity to design your own carved gourd. Visitors may also indulge their taste buds in the flavors of the season at one of the onsite food vendors. Another new feature for 2011 includes the addition of crafters demonstrating and selling their wares throughout the festival. Also new to the festival this year, guests may pose for a memorable photo with a giant 200 pound pumpkin!

The scarecrow making workshop, hosted by Laurel Arts staff and volunteers, teaches participants how to create a unique, life-size scarecrow to take home just in time for the autumn season. All scarecrow building materials are included at a nominal fee, with proceeds to benefit Laurel Arts. No reservations are needed for this first-come, first-served activity. Laurel Arts, a local non-profit organization, works to foster the visual and performing arts in Somerset County.

Pumpkin painting will take place on the courtyard from 11AM until supplies run out. Brushes, paint and pumpkins, locally grown by vendors of the Somerset County Farmers’ Market, will be provided free of charge for children 12 and under. The Farmers’ Market will also be open during the festival between 9AM and 1PM, where you’ll find quality, farm fresh goods at reasonable prices, including beef, pork and lamb, vegetables and fruit, plants, honey and maple products and baked goods.

Meadowbrooke Gourds, specializing in raising, drying and crafting gourds for all seasons at their farm in Carlisle, PA, will be joining the festivities for the first time this year. Visitors will have a chance to select a dried gourd of their choice and then come up with a one-of-a-kind design, limited only by imagination. Meadowbrooke’s very best craftsmen will be on hand to carve the design into the gourd. All ages and levels of artistic skill are encouraged to try this activity! Gourd prices range from $5 and up.

The 2011 Scarecrow Festival is co-sponsored by Somerset Trust Company and Georgian Place. For more information or a complete schedule of the day’s events, call 814-443-3818. Check out the 2011 Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place fan page on Facebook for regular updates and news about the event.

Currently seeking vendors—crafts, pottery, jewelry, folk art, metal & wood, florals, textiles, food and more. Please call 814-233-9959 or 814-701-2064 for details and to reserve a space.

DOG PARK GROUND BREAKING AT GEORGIAN PLACE

Somerset, PA --- August 29, 2011 --- A group of loyal dog owners have joined forces to develop a park for off-leash, owner-supervised, canines. Wings of Change, Inc., a nonprofit 501 © (3) was formed in 2010 to create the first off-leash dog park in Somerset County. Approximately 5.4 acres of land at Georgian Place will be developed by the organization to provide a safe place for dog owners to legally exercise and socialize their dogs off leash. Use of the park will be free of charge. The community is invited to attend the ground breaking to be held on Thursday, September 1st at 6:00 pm. Those in attendance will get to see the site and a sneak peek at the construction plans. “I am excited about the new dog park”, said Jim Atchison, Founder and President of Wings of Change, Inc. “Thanks to the generosity of SOAR Somerset, LLC, owners of Georgian Place, who have provided us a beautiful site to create Jager & Friends Dog Park we could have a dog park open by next spring. It is a very peaceful and relaxing area overlooking Lake Somerset. We couldn’t ask for a better site.”

The dog park will be completely fenced in. The dogs will be required to be on-leash except when they are in fenced in off-leash areas. Three different fenced runs will be provided: one for dogs over 30 pounds, one for under 30 pounds, and one for smaller dogs under 10 pounds. The entrances will have a double gate to provide safety for dogs and owners while entering and exiting the area. Features and amenities will be include handicapped accessible restrooms, 24 hour surveillance, information kiosk, registry and rules, waste bag dispensers, picnic tables, and walking trail surrounding the park. The supporters are planning to include recreational activities and awareness programs about responsible dog ownership, canine health, acceptable behavior skills, the importance of socialization, and proper human-canine park etiquette. Tonya Spangler, Vice President of Leasing and Sales for SOAR Somerset, LLC, said “We are confident the park will be a first-class operation, with good oversight and management. A dog park is a great community attraction and amenity, not only for local residents to enjoy, but for travelers to our town. We are happy to be in a position to provide this land to help make this project possible.”

Jager and Friends Dog Park is looking for financial support from local businesses and individuals who have an interest in becoming members and volunteers. The Somerset Co. Chamber of Commerce has indicated it will provide its full support for this project. According to the Executive Summary for Wings of Change, Inc., the dog park is expected to enhance tourism in Somerset County. Many travelers today travel with their pets, mostly with dogs. There are no off-leash dog parks between Shippensburg and Monroeville where travelers can stop and exercise their dogs. This will give them the opportunity to take advantage of our local shopping, restaurants, and many other activities.

Wings of Change, Inc.’s Board of Directors have established a timetable for the construction of the park. The land donation was step one. The long term agreement will now allow Wings of Change to request local and regional grant monies. Installation of the fence is the next priority. The grand opening and start of educational programs is planned for spring 2012. The park will be sustained through grant programs, donations and volunteers. The long-term operating costs for this project are expected to be minimal, approximately $3,000 per year for insurance, utilities, and supplies. The bulk of the capital cost for the project, approximately $95,000, is needed to build the enclosure and kiosk structure, install utilities, and obtain benches, water fountains, etc. Capital cost funds are being solicited from state, regional, and local grant-making organizations, businesses, foundations, and individuals who support the park’s ideals. In addition to the site donation, the local community has already contributed $4,700 of donations to date. Additional monies for capital costs and operating funds will be raised from annual memberships and community fund-raising activities as the project matures. Help has already been secured for many projects through the two local prisons, members, Somerset County parole office, and local construction businesses.

For additional information, please contact Jim Atchison at 814-279-5439 or email jnatchison@verizon.net. Please join us for the ground breaking on Thursday, September 1st at 6:00 pm to view the site and construction plans for the facility.