This past Friday, I went to the Milton/Alpharetta high home opener after Alpharetta's Mayor David Belle Isle and I issued the "Mayor's Challenge," with the losing mayor having to serve lunch at the winning school. I'm happy to announce Milton won 35-28 in a nail biter of a game, so make sure to stop by Milton when Mayor Belle Isle does his time (though, to be fair, David did let me know he was torn because he has residents in both schools). Also, the city and school received a great trophy for the win!

As you can tell, there's a lot happening in Milton now on Friday nights during the fall. We've got two high schools for the first time in the city. And I've got to tell you, every time I've been to the new Cambridge High, the atmosphere is fantastic - a lot of really happy, really excited people thrilled to be on the ground floor of what are destined to be great traditions.

I've been a fixture at Milton High for the past few years because my daughter graduated in 2009 and my son is now a senior. My youngest is set to go there next year, and I'm interested to see how the City of Milton adapts to the second. 

 Read the entire message.

Looking to give back to the youth in your community?  

The City of Milton/Ed Isakson Alpharetta Family YMCA youth fall soccer program needs volunteer coaches.  

Volunteers would give one hour a week and one hour on the weekend to coach the youth teams.  

Come connect with your youth and the youth of tomorrow.

If you would like to help coach a youth soccer team, please contact Jessica Tucker, sports director at the Y, at 770-663-3534 or JessicaT@ymcaatlanta.org.

In a ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 14 Gov. Nathan Deal proclaimed August "MDA Firefighter Appreciation Month" in recognition of the selfless service of departments across the state in the fight against muscular dystrophy.

Firefighters from Milton were in attendance at the historic occasion, joining colleagues from the Atlanta and Rockdale fire departments and representatives from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Milton's designees were honored for their work in raising a record breaking $65,620.71 through boot drives this summer - topping last year's total by nearly $5,000.

"I'd like to personally thank the extremely generous residents and drivers in Milton for their tremendous support of the boot drive in this, and previous, years," said Fire Chief Robert Edgar. "Every year, we surpass our goals because our residents and motorists are so giving." 

And of course let's not forget our hardworking firefighters, who braved extreme heat during those long house on the road," added the chief.

Deal's proclamation honors the continued contributions of firefighters who volunteer hundreds of hours to support annual boot drives, golf tournaments, camp and numerous other events to benefit the MDA. For more than 50 years, these firefighters have teamed up with MDA to fight muscle disease.

In five years, the City of Milton Fire Department has raised more than $221,000 - not counting this year's totals - for MDA, which uses the money to aid local children and adults affected by neuromuscular diseases by providing wheelchairs, leg braces, clinic visits, support groups and a chance for children to attend Camp Walk-N-Roll. 

The City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with long-time sports provider North Georgia Rec. to offer a winter basketball league for boys and girls ages 6 to 12.  

"For anyone who has participated in our basketball programs previously, get ready to be blown away by the service and responsiveness of North Georgia Rec.," said Tom Gilliam, recreation programs coordinator for the City of Milton. "It's a big win for the city to partner with such great recreation professionals."  

A subsidiary of 13-year mainstay Newtown Recreation, North Georgia Rec. was created to expand the popular brand outside the Johns Creek, Roswell and Alpharetta area, said Brandon Allen, the program's director.  

"We've had a lot of Milton residents play in our programs already," he said. "It just made sense to bring them into Milton and expand the leagues."  

Newtown Recreation has provided basketball for 12 years, and currently runs all sports programs for the City of Johns Creek. Created to exclusively run activities at what was then Fulton County's Newtown Park, the organization now hosts more than 60 percent of its activities outside it, including soccer, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, flag football, golf, tennis and the "Newtown Tots" sports introduction programs.  

Their size and connections to other local sports leagues and recreation programs in Johns Creek and Alpharetta means a wide variety of opponents, said Gilliam. But don't expect to travel far: It's a Milton program, which means half of all games will be played at either Northwestern or Hopewell Middle Schools, which Milton has contracted with for gym time.  

Registration for the basketball league will open Sept. 5. Practices begin in November and the season lasts through mid-February. Cost is $150 for residents, $225 for non-residents.

For more information on this, or any City of Milton recreation program, check out the city's Online Activity Guide. For more information on North Georgia Rec., visit their Web site, www.northgeorgiarec.com.

For more information, contact Tom Gilliam at 678-242-2519 or tom.gilliam@cityofmiltonga.us.

The North Fulton Evergreen Schools Program and the Chattahoochee Nature Center present the 2nd annual Environmental Education Resource Fair Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road in Roswell.

The event is open and free to everyone - including all school (public and private) personnel, PTAs, parents and children. It is supported by the cities of Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and Keep North Fulton Beautiful.

There will more than 20 environmental vendors with information for starting or enhancing your Evergreen school program, including curriculum materials, recycling, fund raising and more. Refreshments will be provided by Harry's Farmers Market.  

And to stay up to date with all the great things Milton schools are doing with environmental education and outdoor classrooms, as well as the latest news on environmental programs, trainings and contacts, check out EEnorthfulton.weebly.com.

For more information, please contact Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Eade at 678-242-2509 cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us or the Chattahoochee Nature Center's Tom Howick at 770-992-2055 x235 or t.howick@chattnaturecenter.org.

City of Milton property tax bills will be mailed Thursday, Sept. 6, the city's finance department announced. After receipt, residents have 60 days (due date Nov. 5) to pay the bill without incurring penalties.

"We have been receiving a number of calls from residents wondering when their property taxes were being sent," said Finance Director Stacey Inglis. "In order to clarify this situation and provide transparency to taxpayers, we simply wish to announce when the bills will be mailed."

Residents have four options available for paying their bill:

Online: Click here to pay your taxes online (sorry, link disabled until Sept. 6).

By phone: Call 678-242-2500 and ask for the Revenue Office.

By mail: 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107G, Milton, GA 30004. Please make check(s) payable to City of Milton. Mail both the tax stub and your check or money order.

In person: Finance Office: 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107G, Milton, GA 30004. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Acceptable forms of payment are check, money order, cashier's check, credit card (Visa/MasterCard/American Express and Discover) and cash (exact change only). 

Ad valorem taxes, more commonly known as property taxes, are levied for city operations and maintenance. All real estate and personal property is taxable unless exempted by law.    

For more information, visit the Finance Department's Tax FAQ page here or download the 2012 Property Tax Guide.  

The City of Milton Community Wildlife Habitat Project Committee is well on the way certifying Milton as a National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) Community Wildlife Habitat.

Milton currently has 165 points and needs 450 to be certified. Points are awarded based on: residential, school and business properties being certified (for more information on how click here); educational programs; demonstration gardens, promotional events; and advertising.

So we need your help to get the word out! HOAs can help by informing residents; additionally, though many schools have recently been certified, we would love to have day care centers, businesses and churches join us, as well.

Committee meetings are open to everyone. The next is Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the executive conference room of Milton's City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, suite G (click here for directions).  

Visit our Web site for more information and updates on the project's progress at www.cityofmiltonga.us/wildlifehabitatcommunityproject.  

The Milton High School Tip Off Club is sponsoring a Chili Cook-Off at Milton High School from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 21 before the Milton Vs. Roswell football game.

There will be chili to taste, hot dogs, drinks, music and a silent auction.

The cook off and silent auction will take place on the grassy area by the stadium in front of Milton High.

Please come out to support the team, bid on an auction item, taste some celebrity chili and vote. We can't wait to see you there.  

For more information, contact Melanie Felton, president of the Milton High School Tip Off Club, at 706-224-2125 or melanie.felton@att.blackberry.net.

The City of Milton Police Department will take part in the second installment of the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Target on Ga. 9 in Milton.

The Target is located at 13057 Ga. 9 (click here for directions). All forms of prescription drugs will be taken, no matter how old.

During the last DEA-led National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 28, citizens turned in a record-breaking 552,161 pounds (276 tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,659 take-back sites available in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

When the results of the four Take-Back Days to date are combined, the DEA and its state, local and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed more than 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of medication from circulation.

For more information, contact Community Outreach Officer Ara Baronian at 678-242-2527 or ara.baronian@cityofmiltonga.us. The DEA also maintains a Web page where you can find other drop sites and much more. Find it by clicking here.

Milton-based Children's Charities, Inc. (formerly Milton Friends of Children's Healthcare) is holding a 5K walk Sunday, Sept. 30 at Roswell's Garrard Park to raise money for the fight against Ectodermal Dysplasia, a genetic affliction.  

Registration includes a free T-shirt.  

Ectodermal dysplasias are inherited disorders that involve defects in the hair, nails, sweat glands and teeth. There are more than 150 different types of the disorder, and medical professionals estimate seven in every 10,000 babies is afflicted.  

Garrard Park is located at 8000 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell (click here for directions).  

For more information on this event, call 404-217-4643 or visit the walk's Facebook page.

If you own a business or run a local non-profit, don't forget the 2012 Milton Roundup sponsorship/vendor packet is now available online at www.cityofmiltonga.us and includes everything potential sponsors and vendors need to help Milton throw its biggest birthday party yet.

"This is a great opportunity for local businesses and non-profits to get their name out to the 3,000 to 5,000 people we expect to attend the Roundup this year," said Jason Wright, communications manager for the City of Milton.

To download the packet immediately, click here.

The packet is also available on the Milton Roundup's official Web site, www.cityofmiltonga.us/roundup. As vendors and sponsors come in, their names, logos and links to their Web sites will be added.

As in the past four years, there are three levels of sponsorship: Golden Horseshoe ($1,500), Pardner ($1,000) and Buckaroo ($500). Each features its own perks, including company logo placement on all event banners, advertisements and T-shirts, prime booth space and links to your organization from the City of Milton's Web site. Please note, however, that specific inclusion and logo placement are based on sponsorship level.

To assure names and logos are included in promotional advertising, sponsors must be in by Sept. 10. Sponsorships will be taken after this date; however, they will only be added to advertisements scheduled after their approval.

Non-profit and food vendors are also welcomed to take part in the 2012 Milton Roundup. Booth space is $25 for non-profit groups. Food vendors can expect to pay a $100 deposit to participate, plus 20 percent of gross sales minus the deposit.

The application deadline is Sept. 20. Food vendors that offer similar services will be limited at the discretion of the City of Milton.

The 2012 Milton Roundup will take place Oct. 20 from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of Birmingham United Methodist Church (click here for directions). All residents of Milton, along with their family and friends, are invited to join in the day-long event where they can eat great local food, play games, listen to music, hop on one of our exciting rides or just spend the day outside enjoying Georgia's beautiful fall weather. Parking and admission are free.  

For any information on the festival, please contact Wright at 678-242-2523 or jason.wright@cityofmiltonga.us.

The popular Crossroads at Crabapple Antiques & Art Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic downtown Crabapple.

A tradition since 1969, this one day only, rain or shine, outdoor festival features 50 local artists and 50 American Country Antique Dealers from six states.  

Rounding out the show are roaming musicians, fantastic food, children activities, and an easy walk to the free parking areas. Handicap parking is available.

Come to Crabapple for a unique work of art, handcrafted gifts, a one-of-a-kind antique or just for a relaxing stroll through this historic community. It's an event not to miss!

The City of Milton is a presenting sponsor of this community event coordinated by the Crabapple Community Association.  

For more information for this event, please visit www.crabapplefestival.com  or contact Amanda Quintana at 770-241-1125 or by e-mail at crossroadsatcrabapple@gmail.com. 

Two experts in accessible housing and in-home care options for individuals and families with special needs will discuss their work Oct. 11 as part of the Milton Disability Awareness Committee (MDAC) Community Link series.

Realtor Michelle Miralles and Para/Quad Services CEO J.D. Frazier's presentations will take place at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers at Milton's City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 107E (click here for directions). Everyone is invited, and there is no RSVP required.

Miralles specializes in finding and selling homes for the physically challenged, the elderly and those with special needs for Keller Williams Realty, said Kennard Woods, MDAC Chairman. Her experience has led to her program "Building Bridges of Accessibility," a program connecting resources to those who need accessible options in the home process.

Frazier, a Shepherd Center Peer Supporter, owns Para/Quad Services, which matches clients with private home care provider staff so that they may live as independently, productively and comfortably as possible. He is also paraplegic, said Woods, offering the kind of reality-based rapport that can come only from talking with a person who has been there.

"There is now a number of accessible housing and in-home care options for the elderly or those with spinal cord injury, brain injury or neurological illness," said Woods. "Freedom and comfort are often within reach in the metro area, and these speakers represent a wealth of knowledge on how to find the gems."   

For more information on this program, contact MDAC at mdac@cityofmiltonga.us or call 678-242-2500.

This year's River's Alive cleanup will be held Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bailey Farms and Gardens, 255 Hickory Flat Road in Milton (click here for directions).

Volunteers will gather at 9 a.m. then clean up identified streams, roadways and school sites to help keep our city and waterways pure and beautiful.

Milton Adopt-a-Road groups are encouraged to have a clean-up during the event and stop by for refreshments and recognition.

For information or to register for the clean-up as a group or individual, please contact Milton Grows Green at mgg@cityofmiltonga.us or e-mail baileyfarmandgardens@mindspring.com. You may also contact Cindy Eade, environmental sustainability coordinator for the City of Milton, at 678-242-2509.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon and gather your large items for disposal at our bi-annual bulky trash event for Milton and Roswell residents.

The event is sponsored by the cities of Milton and Roswell, along with Milton Grows Green and Keep Roswell Beautiful.

Drop off is at the Roswell Public Works facility, 1810 Hembree Road in Roswell (click here for directions). Proof of residency will be required (utility bills preferred).

For more information and a list of acceptable items, check the flyer or e-mail mgg@cityofmiltonga.us.

The city is in the final leg of the Atlanta Regional Commission's Green Communities Certification and one of the measures applies to Community Education.  Here are some of the measures we have implemented or are implementing:

Measure #7: Government energy audits - The audits have been completed at three fire stations with recommended upgrades.

Measure #8: Government ENERGY STAR Partner - The city has become an Energy Star Partner and is developing an energy strategy for the future.

Measure #34: Community Forest Master Plan - The final Community Forest Master Plan, including appendices, will be up for adoption at the City Council meeting on Sept. 5.

Measure #48 Government environmentally preferable purchasing - The city is working on adopting an environmentally preferable purchasing policy. To receive credit for this measure, the local government must have adopted a policy to consider environmentally preferable products or services when purchasing goods for the local government.

Measure #50: Government nontraditional recycling program - The City of Milton has collection containers at Community Development entrance "F" for recycling copier toner, ink cartridges, batteries, and cell phones.  Electronics are recycled at the bulky trash and recycling community events sponsored twice a year by the city.  

For a complete list of Milton's Green Communities Measures, please click here.

A total of 375 people responded to Milton's Trash and Recycling survey conducted this summer by Milton Grows Green. Thank you for your time and help to better understand the needs of the community when it comes to trash and recycling. Here is a brief summary of the results:  

• 80 percent of people who responded live in subdivisions, while the rest live in open road neighborhoods.
• More than 60 percent had two or more haulers serving their neighborhoods.
• 10 percent of respondents require back door pickup due to length of driveway or inability to get carts to street.
• 73 percent do curbside recycling, with 63 percent having a cart for recycling.
• 15 percent would like to recycle more if they knew more about it.
• 68 percent of people use the Roswell Recycling Center either occasionally or regularly.
• 46 percent are composting yard waste on their properties.

For the full results, click here.

By Kolleen Riddick, CorePhysique founder

What is your body's powerhouse? The answer is simple. Glutes, glutes and more glutes!

Your booty happens to be your powerhouse, yet it tends to be the most overlooked muscle group in the human body. Most of us think it is just used to provide cushioning when sitting. And sitting we do! But when was the last time you gave your booty the attention it deserved?

Let's talk about the muscles of the butt: We have the gluteus maximus, the gluteus minimus and the gluteus medius, which together are supposed to be one of the strongest groups of the human body. Central to the posterior chain (the backside of your body), they aid in keeping your body standing tall. They are designed to be your powerhouse when walking, running, golfing and even throwing. But, if ignored, they can pose many problems.

As technology has advanced, bodies have regressed. The more we sit, the weaker our booty muscles become. Over time, they atrophy or weaken, forcing the surrounding muscles to take over and perform tasks for which they were not designed. This can cause muscular imbalances and stress on joints.   

Here are my top three exercises for waking up that butt:

1. The Fire Hydrant: Start on all fours in table top position, slowly lift one leg up and to the side (imagine a dog doing his business on a hydrant - hence the name). Perform three sets of 20 on each side.
2. The Bridge: Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat on the ground. Draw in the lower abdominals and lift your butt off the floor, lifting the hips until the knees, hips and chest are in line. Hold this position, purposefully squeezing the glutes to support the bridge position. While doing this exercise, keep the pelvis level and the lower abdominals drawn in. If you feel a strong contraction in the hamstrings, or if the lower back is straining, you are not using your glutes strongly enough. Focus on squeezing your butt cheeks together to ensure they do the work. Lower your butt and repeat. Perform three sets of 15 reps.
3. Side steps with a band: Start by standing with an exercise mini-band around your ankles. It should be snug when your feet are shoulder-distance apart. With knees slightly bent, take a sideways step focusing on the gluteus medius muscle on the side that you are stepping to. Step five to 10 times one way, then five to 10 times back the other way. Repeat three to five times (you can build up as you get stronger).

Click here for more information on the City of Milton/CorePhysique fitness camps.

This list is compiled from business license records kept by the city's Community Development Department. If a new business receives a license within the month proceeding the newsletter, it will be listed.

The appearance of a business on this page is not intended, nor should it be construed, as the City of Milton's or Milton City Council's endorsement, sanction, promotion or advertisement of any particular business. Identification of businesses on this list is for informational purposes only. Citizens interested in retaining or conducting business with any of the companies or agencies listed in this item should conduct their own review and investigation of that business.

Little Tiger Trading, LLC 3472 Archgate Court

Thompson Electrical, LLC 3169 Genesis Way         
Joy's Harmony, LLC 13213 Warrensville Cove        
Nexxt Capital Partners, LLC 3228 Buck Way        
Brian Unger and Associates 426 Pembroke Circle, #426         
Georgia Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning 120 Canongate Kirk Circle
Eager Beaver Lawn Care 1490 Muirfield Cove         
ERA Sunrise Realty 980 Birmingham Road, Suite 606         
Building Technology Consulting 2150 Lake Grove Lane        
Thrive Chiropractic Wellness Center 980 Birmingham Road, Suite 811    
Total EHR 470 North Fields Pass         
Mr. Jing Inc. 13085 Ga. 9, Suite 440         
Hewitt Contracting Company Inc. 13465 Bethany Road      
Britt Bass 165 Bay Colt Road       
Van Aken Travel, LLC 980 Birmingham Road Suite 501-371, 1425 Rolling Links Drive      
Joy's Harmony, LLC 12850 Ga. 9 North, Suite 600-162
Ultimate Group Design, Inc. 12838 Deerpark Lane        
Susan Mauldin 810 Bethany Green Court              
Dunn Right Sports, LLC 1635 Reddstone Close 

For a continually updated list of current businesses in Milton via the city's Web site, click here.