Around Towne
by Susan Kyle

With all the talk about new beginnings for 2005, I feel that I must mention a new beginning in my house. Beginning two weeks ago, my four year-old started preschool. So we now begin our day at 6:30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. No more leisurely mornings of letting the kids get up when they feel like waking up and slowly starting our day with a few episodes of Sponge Bob or Dora and a hot cup of coffee (for me of course).

No, no, no. Now we get up, get dressed, have breakfast, brush our teeth and pack the car, and all of this is done in about 30 minutes. The kids do not like this too much. I personally have been enjoying our little girl traipsing off to her classroom, without looking behind to make sure that I have not left or worrying that I will not come back. She has turned, overnight it seems, into a very independent little preschooler and I couldn't be happier. Now if I could just stop looking back.

I know this is just the beginning of our new beginnings and the beginning of my looking back. I hope you have a year full of new beginnings and that you create many good things to look back on.

As we think of looking back, take a look at the past year in the Towne Lake area with our recap of 2004 on pages 24 and 112.

What's New?

There are several new businesses coming to the area in 2005 including Gymboree Play and Music. Gymboree Play and Music is music, art and play geared to children ages newborn to five years old. The studio is located in the Publix shopping center on Towne Lake Parkway, behind Longhorn Steakhouse and is scheduled to open January 3. They currently are accepting registrations. For more information, please call (404) 256-2223.

Towne Lake area residents will soon have another dining alternative when King Pollo Latin Grill opens in March or early April. This eatery will feature Cuban-style food. King Pollo will be located in the Publix shopping center on Towne Lake Parkway between Dollar Towne and Horsefeather's Boutique.

The 4-Minute Car wash, located at the American Lube Fast on Towne Lake Parkway, recently announced new ownership. The new owner is Dallas Neil, a former NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets. Dallas is proud to feature the 20 minute or less offer: Purchase the $20 full service car wash, and if it's not done in 20 minutes or less, the next wash is free!

The rollbacks are almost here! The highly anticipated Super Wal-mart is scheduled to open January 26. The Wal-mart is located at the corner of Bells Ferry Road and Eagle Drive.

Mama Fu's Asian House recently opened on Towne Lake Parkway. The restaurant features fresh, made to order Pan-Asian cuisine. Mama Fu's is located next to McDonald's in the space formerly occupied by Donato's Pizza.

The North Georgia Cycle and ATV shop recently closed. The leasing company was not able to elaborate on why they left, but simply stated that the space was now available for lease.

Susan is the Managing Editor of The TowneLaker. She lives in southwest Cherokee with her husband William and their two daughters, Molly and Samantha. Send your comments or questions to editor@townelaker.com.

What's Ongoing

The widening of Eagle Drive finally has started. Clearing has occurred at the corner of Eagle Drive and Putnam Ford Drive, the entrance of the school campus that houses Chapman Intermediate School, E.T. Booth Middle School and Etowah High School and along Eagle Drive to Bells Ferry Road. The

final product will consist of a four-lane, divided roadway with curb and gutter, sidewalk and grass median. The widening will occur between Parkbrooke Drive and Bells Ferry Road and should take 18 -24 months to complete.

There's been a lot of talk regarding the proposed interchange on I-575. The proposal would permanently eliminate the northbound entrance ramp onto I-575 at Towne Lake Parkway and the southbound ramp from I-575 onto Towne Lake Parkway. Like any major change, there are those who are for the proposal and those who are not. The City held two informational meetings in December and will hold a third and final meeting on January 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Community Church.

Towne Lake Diner
Philly Connection "Heaven on a Roll"
by Kara Kiefer

I think I may have been the only person in Woodstock to have never experienced a Philly cheesesteak. So when I decided to take the plunge, I went to the Masters - Philly Connection in Towne Lake.

This restaurant is one of two Philly Connections owned by Woodstock resident, Tano Porbandarwala - the other is located at Highway 92 and Highway 5 in the Ingles shopping center. Each Philly Connection is an independently owned franchise. I have to admit, I had some preconceptions about these sandwiches. I thought they would be greasy and fat-laden, and what I found was the opposite! Philly Connection uses only USDA 90 percent lean beef, and no oil is used in the grilling process. The buns contain no saturated fat, and all the sandwiches are made fresh to order. After enjoying the Original Cheesesteak, I can totally agree with their motto, "Heaven on a Bun."

In addition to the Original, diners can choose from five other cheesesteak varieties plus chicken or turkey sandwiches, Italian specialties, vegetarian and salads. And more! They also sell Tastykakes, shipped directly from Philadelphia and gourmet cookies as well as whole Kosher barrel pickles. Kids have their own menu with selections including cheesesteak, cheese-chicken, grilled cheese and chicken fingers.

The Towne Lake location opened this past August and has enjoyed a brisk business. They offer free local delivery. They also offer catering with a 10 - 20 percent discount.

Everyone at The TowneLaker
Wishes You A Happy and
Prosperous New Year.