Lorraine is the Managing Editor of the TowneLaker Magazine.  She lives in Towne Lake with her husband, Jimmy and their dogs, Elmo and Barnabas.

I can see the headlines now --

Irony Hits Towne Lake.  Towne Lake resident, Lorraine Allen Rose, who often spoke out about the perils of speeding in her quiet neighborhood was hit by a speeder while walking along the neighborhood streets…

It almost happened -- my Saturday training walk became as much about the preservation of life as about getting into shape!  I suppose I should be thankful for the breeze provided by the speeding cars, but being cool just somehow doesn't out-weigh the fear for my life.  But, it's not just walking and running that's frightening -- driving is a little scary these days too!  I've been flipped-off, bumper-ridden, squealed-around, cut-off and stopped-short on Towne Lake Parkway -- all because I refuse to speed!  Now, I'm not pokey -- I drive the speed limit. 

I checked -- it's been more than a year since I've written about speeding, so perhaps it's time for a reminder -- the speed limit on Towne Lake Parkway is 40 miles per hour.  Now I realize that the streets are much more fun at 60, and after a long commute at the end of the day it's really tempting to push the "pedal to the metal and let her roar."  But, think about this -- the MOST time you can save by driving 60 miles per hour is 3 minutes, assuming you are able to maintain the same speed and start at I-575 and don't stop until you reach Bells Ferry at Hobgood Park. 

Now, what are you going to do with that extra three minutes?  Waiting in line at Starbuck's or McDonald's usually takes more than three minutes.  Longhorn's good, but I've never gotten a "T'onion" in three-minutes.  The nail salon, hair salon and dry-cleaners take more than three minutes.  Supper doesn't get cold in three minutes, the dogs won't tinkle on the

rug if you're three minutes later, and I can assure you that if you're three minutes late for church, golf or softball, you're really too late anyway.  So why speed?  Some questions are eternal.

In addition to our regular disobedience of the speed limits, we're also regularly breaking the outdoor watering restrictions.  Now, since there's not a watering restriction sign every few miles along the road, like there are speed limit signs, I'll assume that we're all illegally watering our lawns and washing our cars out of ignorance.  After all, the itty-bitty watering restriction notice on our water bill each month has been there for so long we don't even see it any more.  But, none-the-less, it is there, and there to stay. 

Since last spring, Cherokee County along with 15 other metro Atlanta counties, has been under a mandatory 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. outdoor watering ban on an odd-even basis.  This means no one can use water outdoors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.  On odd days, people whose street addresses are odd numbers may water before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m., but must stop watering at midnight.  On even days, people whose street addresses are even numbers may water with the same time restrictions.  Be careful to adhere to the restrictions, fines can be steep. 

And speaking of steep fines, beginning May 1 we are also under a total outdoor open-burning ban.  Anyone caught burning materials outdoors  could be charged with a felony and fined up to $25,000!

Many of you may have noticed the land that is being cleared near Wyngate on Bells Ferry just north of the Victoria Station neighborhood.  According to the Planning and Zoning officials, townhomes will be built on that land. 

The Silver Lining
The Silver Lining, featuring silver jewelry and gifts, will open soon in the Plaza at Towne Lake on Towne Lake Parkway, across from Pike Nurseries.

Zaxby's
Zaxby's Chicken Fingers and Wings will soon be opening near the Shops at Eagle Pointe on Eagle Drive near Putnam Ford.

KFC/Pizza Hut
The building is up and they are now hiring for the new KFC/Pizza Hut Express located on Towne Lake Parkway in front of Kroger.

Taco Bell
Aye Chihuahua!  Construction will soon begin next to the KFC/Pizza Hut Express on the Taco Bell restaurant.

Mellow Mushroom
The Mellow Mushroom franchise is returning to Towne Lake soon.  This time under new ownership, the restaurant will be located in The Plaza at Towne Lake.

Walgreen's
Walgreen's will soon grace the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Bells Ferry.

Phillips 66/Togo's/Baskin Robbins
Construction will soon resume on the long-anticipated, much-delayed plaza at the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and I-575.

NY Gourmet Deli
The NY Gourmet Deli on Eagle Drive recently closed.