Anne Ortiz's (anneortiz) Blog

By now we have adjusted to Daylight Savings Time and are enjoying a brighter commute home at night.  But, did you remember to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?  Ideally, batteries should be changed twice a year, and a convenient time to do it is when we change our ...

Thinking about starting a garden this Spring?  Nothing compares in taste or is more nutritious than home grown fruits and vegetables.  Though good gardening may seem like a minefield to most people, there are a few fundamentals one must know to avoid the mistakes beginners can make. -Light Positi...

There comes a time when every gardener needs to set wood in or on the ground.   A weekend garden expansion project at my own home has us doing exactly that. Perhaps it's a solitary post stapled loosely with chicken wire to which a clematis or trumpet honeysuckle vine can cling. Perhaps it's one o...

Although Marietta, Georgia has seen enormous growth in recent decades, it is still a small town steeped in history and Southern traditions.  The heart of the city is Marietta Square, which offers visitors quality entertainment, dining and shopping.  Now, Marietta merchants are pooling resources t...

When designing or renovating a home, one feature that is often overlooked is lighting.  This essential component can make a room feel bright and warm, or harsh and cold.  It is always best to work with a lighting professional, but here are some tips to keep in mind:  - To estimate the amount of l...

It's a new year in real estate, but for the most part we are still living in a buyer's market.  Many homeowners who had planned to sell their homes are choosing to stay put. If you have no choice but to sell, the important thing is to offset your losses and do everything you can to prevent going ...

A classic work of twentieth century literature will be enacted in Marietta, Georgia. Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, Theatre in the Square will revisit playwright Lillian Hellman's 1939 Broadway hit "The Little Foxes" on its main stage. The theater, now in its 29th season, first performed the three-...

Cobb County, Georgia has been a leader in promoting earth friendly programs.  Specific recycling events will be ongoing this year.  This year's Bring One For The Chipper program in January provided a green way to dispose of Christmas trees.  Community support was tree-mendous - just look at the r...

Nothing pleases more than a blast from the past.  Chubby Checker, one of the most notable performers of the 1960s, will twist his way into Cobb County Saturday, March 5. The performance will be at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre and tickets are still available. Checker has sustained a career over four...

Before we know it  we will be planning summertime activities.  For many of us a summer reading list is essential to help fill the warm, leisurely days.  Here in Cobb County, Georgia there will be an opportunity to buy "new" books at reduced prices.  Cobb Friends of the Library volunteers are host...