Welcome to June! After a strangely cool spring, it's been really nice to see the sun come out and heat things up a bit. We've finally got that pool weather.
With summer comes some fantastic things in Milton.  

The first I want to talk about is our Memorial Day Ceremony, held Monday, May 27 at City Hall.

This year's ceremony was the biggest we've ever had, with a crowd of more than 500. We've all received a big outpouring of support and good feedback from residents about this year's program, so if you've never attended, you're missing out.  

You can check out what happened by visiting our flickr page and scrolling through the tons of great photos we host.   

   Read the entire message.

Photos from the City of Milton's 2013 Memorial Day ceremony are now online at the city's flickr page.

This year's ceremony was the biggest yet, with crowds flocking to City Hall to hear retired Col. Michael D. Steele and listen to patriotic music and a roll call of local veterans who are no longer with us.     

Click here to see the photos.

On Saturday, June 1, Better Together hosted Communiteen's summer kick-off movie night at the Bethwell Community Center, welcoming 22 teenagers from Milton, Roswell, Cambridge, Northwestern Middle and Blessed Trinity. 

Everyone enjoyed ice cream, popcorn and drinks before sitting down to watch "Wreck It Ralph."

Founded by Milton High School students and Better Together members Ansley Braswell and Meredith Johnson, Communiteen promotes and fosters friendship among teens of all abilities while endorsing a feeling of community and togetherness.

Communiteen's next event is scheduled for Aug. 24 at the Bethwell Community Center. Plans include decorating T-shirts and wooden hearts for The Milton Love Project. 

Citizens Government Academy: Volume 1

The City of Milton Communications Department has undertaken a monthly, video-on-demand Citizens Government Academy hosted through the city's Youtube page. 

Each month, Communications Manager Jason Wright will discuss a new topic in the two-minute videos. So far an introduction to the city's government and a look inside each department, with information on budgeting, are available. 

Soon, installments will cover virtually every aspect of the city's municipal operations, including sections reserved for hot topics that arise throughout the project.

To visit the City of Milton's Youtube page, click here.  

For more information, contact Communications Manager Jason Wright at jason.wright@cityofmiltonga.us or 678-242-2523.

The City of Milton is beginning a visioning process to plan the future of the Arnold Mill Road (Ga. 140) corridor and wants to hear from you.

There will be three meetings in early June for residents to provide insight into what they feel is appropriate for the future of the heavily traveled road. All information taken from these meetings will be used to craft a development plan for the corridor in line with community desires.

*    June 4, 6 p.m.: Ebenezer United Methodist Church (click here for directions)
Community meeting presentation for public at large
*    June 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The Porter Academy (click here for directions)
Smaller group meetings throughout the day, drop-in or call for availability
*    June 5, 6 p.m.: Crabapple Kroger (click here for directions)
Meet and greet in the store mezzanine

"We're trying a different, more community-active approach for this visioning study, said Michele McIntosh Ross, principal planner for the City of Milton. "We've chosen three popular locations where we're sure to survey a vast swath of the surrounding community so that we can get the best info possible for this visioning study."     

For more information on this process or to schedule a meeting June 5 and 6, please contact McIntosh-Ross at 678-242-2538 or e-mail michele.mcintosh-ross@cityofmiltonga.us.

There will be two input meetings in June for residents interested in the proposed Bell Memorial Park expansion project.

Both will be held at Milton's City Hall and moderated by Milton's plan partner, Foresite Group.

Meeting schedule:
*    June 6: 7 p.m. City Hall (click here for directions)
*    June 27: 7 p.m. City Hall

Additionally, staff has contacted representatives from 11 stakeholder groups representing sports leagues, trails enthusiasts, equestrians, local neighborhoods and more to conduct focused research.

Milton paid $1.287 million for the land from the city's parks acquisition budget after a unanimous City Council vote in September of last year. City Council later approved Foresite Group's bid of $54,000 for Bell Memorial Park master plan design and construction services March 18.   

For more information on the Bell expansion project, contact Parks and Recreation Director Jim Cregge at 678-242-2489 or jim.cregge@cityofmiltonga.us.

Come to Bell Memorial Park June 6-9 when the Hopewell Youth Association (HYA) and Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association host a tournament to benefit Coaches Curing Kids' Cancer.

Tournament proceeds will go to the nonprofit organization Coaches Curing Kids' Cancer, a non-profit organization whose mission is to find cures for pediatric cancers in our lifetime.

This will be the first time HYA is involved in this tournament thanks to the partnership between Milton and Alpharetta's parks programs.

• Ages: 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U
• Classifications: All Star and AA/AAA.  All-Star and AA/AAA will not be combined. (See who is already confirmed to attend: www.alpharettasports.com/tgba)
• Where: Wills Park and Webb Bridge Park in Alpharetta and Bell Memorial Park in Milton
• Format: 2 pool games w/ single elimination bracket (3 game minimum)

The tournament includes homerun derby contest hosted by Grand Slam Sports Center.

Trophies will be given to the first and second place team in each classification. Each team has to provide two balls per game. The team entry fee is $350, plus $75 gate fee.

For more information about their mission, please go to http://www.curingkidscancer.org. Donations can also be made at this site.

For more information on the tournament, contact Mike Olmsted at 770-329-8093 or molmsted@comcast.net or Andy Faw at 678-984-5033 or andy.faw@rrd.com.

What's better on a summer evening than movies under the stars or a day of snow in July? Nothing!

That's why the City of Milton is proud to present the "Family, Fun, Flicks & Flurries" summer event series all summer long at Friendship Community Park in Crabapple (click here for directions).

All three events - two films and a day of snow tubing in the summer heat - are free to the public. Just come by, kick back and have a great time!

JUNE 8, 7 P.M.: THE GOONIES
We'll kick off our summer film series with the 80's classic "The Goonies."

At sundown the film will be shown on a huge, two-story inflatable movie screen in high-definition. Before the film there will be a fun, festival atmosphere with a bounce house from Milton Chiropractic & Massage, face painting from Good Friend Mortgage, and crafts from The School Place of Roswell.

Concessions will be available, so just bring your lawn chair, blanket and bug spray.

JULY 13, 11 A.M. - 3 P.M.: SNOW TUBING IN THE PARK
Here's where things get a little different from what you might be used to during those long, hot Georgia summers!

It's going to be Christmas in July at Friendship Community Park when the City of Milton brings Snow Kings' movable mountain to the masses. Thanks to their amazing technology, kids and adults alike will be able to cool off and slide down run after run of smooth, refreshing snow -- no jacket required!

Trust us: It works, it cools you off ... and it's a blast! Join in lots of other fun activities with a bounce house from Milton Chiropractic & Massage, face painting from Good Friend Mortgage, and crafts from The School Place of Roswell. See you there.

AUG. 24, 7 P.M.: THE SANDLOT
Milton will close out its summer event series with perennial family favorite "The Sandlot," presented by B 98.5 FM's B at the Movies.

Like The Goonies before it, the film will be shown at dusk. But before hand, there will be all sorts of activities, games and concessions starting at 7 p.m.

It should be the perfect way to end your summer - so come on out and get to know your neighbors.    

For more information on this, or any of the City of Milton's other special events, contact Special Events and Projects Manager Angela Thompson at 678-242-2530 or angela.thompson@cityofmiltonga.us.

The City of Milton Public Works Department and Milton Grows Green are offering residents a bulky trash amnesty day Saturday, June 8, so gather your large items for disposal.

From 8 a.m. to noon, residents of Milton can bring items to the City of Roswell Public Works Division at 1810 Hembree Road in Roswell (click here for directions). Only City of Milton and Roswell residents will be served. Proof of residency will be required, and utility bills are preferred.

New this year is shoe recycling. Bring your gently-worn shoes for a recycling and reuse program to help fund Milton's Community Wildlife Habitat Project (click here for more information on the project).

Some of the items accepted are (reusable items will be donated to Atlanta Furniture Bank):
*    tires - must be off the rim, automobile tires only; limit 4 per car
*    sofas
*    tables
*    refrigerators
*    chairs
*    washers
*    dryers
*    televisions
*    deactivated cell phones
*    computer equipment and electronics
*    mattresses and box springs

*    grills
*    lawnmowers (with fluids drained)
 
The following items will not be accepted:
*    paint
*    household hazardous waste
*    any fluids including motor oil and anti-freeze
*    household batteries
*    construction and demolition materials
*    yard waste

For proper disposal of these items, please contact either the Roswell Recycling Center at 770-442-8822 (motor oil and anti-freeze) or Chadwick Landfill at 770-475-9868 (construction and demolition materials).

Materials will only be accepted at the site on the day of the event and only during the hours of 8 a.m. and noon. Please note that the gate will close at noon.    

For more information, please contact Milton Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Eade at 678-242-2509 or cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.

Interested in taking part in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's (CFF) Cycle for Life ride in Serenbe Nov. 9? Just an avid cyclist? Then join your neighbors at 8 a.m. Sunday, June 9 for a 40-mile training ride through Milton and Cherokee County.

The ride will leave at 8:30 a.m. from the Alpharetta Government Center in Crabapple, 12624 Broadwell Road (click here for directions). For the route, please visit www.cff.org.

Restrooms, water and sports drinks will be available in Crabapple and mid-way through ride. Additionally, participants will receive coupons for 20 percent off their lunch in Crabapple. 

CFF representatives will be available to sign up all interested riders for the November event. 

Special thanks to Cannon Cyclery, the Crabapple Community Association and Better Together for your support of this ride.    

The ride is free, but registration is recommended. For more information and to register, e-mail Victoria Cervantez, Logistics Coordinator at CFF, at vcervantez@cff.org.

Join the Crabapple Community Association (CCA) and Milton residents in the 4th Annual 4th of July Parade. The parade, set to take place in historic downtown Crabapple, is open to children, families and community organizations who wish to walk or ride along the route. 

"This is a great opportunity for the community to come together in a family-friendly environment and celebrate our country's independence," said Peyton Jamison, President of CCA.

The parade will be led by Mayor Joe Lockwood and begin at 10 a.m., following a short route that will provide opportunities for children to walk or ride their bikes. Awards will be given for best decorated, most enthusiastic and best overall. Music and activities will follow after the parade.    

For more information and register for the free parade, please click here or visit www.crabapplecommunityassociation.org.

Better Together, Milton residents looking for unique and fun opportunities to connect with neighbors, will offer a class on "Finance for Teenagers" Thursday, July 18 at 6 p.m.

This work shop will take place at Bethwell Community Center, 2695 Hopewell Road in Milton (click here for directions). Jeffrey Wolff of Wells Fargo will lead this informative session utilizing the "Hands on Banking" Teens course.

Later in the summer, Better Together will host the second Communiteen event on Aug. 24 at the Bethwell Community Center. Plans include decorating T-shirts and wooden hearts for the Milton Love Project.

Additionally, plans are being formed for an update meeting on the new Milton library Sept. 26 at Bethwell Community Center.      

If you would like more information on Better Together or any of its activities, please contact Community Builder Wayne Boston at 678-242-2512 or wayne.boston@cityofmiltonga.us.

Milton's first household paint and chemical collection event will be held Saturday, Aug. 3 at Bell Memorial Park, 15245 Bell Park Road (click here for directions), starting at 8 a.m.

Pre-registration will be required, so keep an eye out for more information as the event nears.    

For more information, please contact Milton Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Eade at 678-242-2509 or cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.

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

Certify your home between June 1 and July 15 and you'll be entered in a drawing for your very own bronze certification plaque.

How would you like to help your city become a National Wildlife Community Habitat? If you certify your home between June 1 and July 15, we will receive confirmation from the National Wildlife Federation and you will be entered in a drawing for your very own bronze certification plaque -- a value of $100!

The contest is also open to local homeowners associations that certify common areas as wildlife friendly. 

There are only a few simple steps needed. All you need are three sources of food (nuts, fruits, berries or bird feeders), one water source (birdbath or pond), two places of cover (woods, trees, dense shrubs or a log pile, and two places to raise young (birdhouse or trees). It is an easy way to help Milton become a greener community and beautifies any space. 

Certify now at www.nwf.org/garden or, for more information, contact Cambridge High School junior Sarah Ellison, leader of the project, at nwfmilton@gmail.com.

At the North Fulton Evergreen School program held May 8, six Milton schools received Evergreen School signs signifying their involvement in the Evergreen program and the completion of their three annual goals.  

Congratulations to Birmingham Falls Elementary, Cambridge High, Cogburn Woods Elementary, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Hopewell Middle and Northwestern Middle.  

These schools applied in the fall to participate in the free Evergreen school program, which is open to all public and private K-12 schools in Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and Johns Creek. 

For more information, please contact Milton Sustainability Coordinator Cindy Eade at 678-242-2509 or cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.

Thanks to the support of the City of Milton and Birmingham Falls PTA, students were able to learn about geography, water conservation, scale models and more inside a 22-foot high inflatable "Earth Balloon" May 16 and 17. 

A school grant from the City of Milton helped, in part, to fund the special program and Kathy Johnson, Birmingham Falls' environmental education chairwoman and Milton Grows Green's education chairwoman, helped facilitate the event for a phenomenal end to the school year! 

Milton 5th grader Sanjeev Uppaluri placed third in the National Geography Bee Finals May 22 in Washington, D.C., earning himself a $10,000 scholarship from the National Geographic Society. 

Uppaluri, who attends Fulton Sunshine Academy Elementary School in Roswell, was the youngest person in the top 10. To qualify for the nationals, he won the state Geography Bee in Milledgeville April 5.     

Great job Sanjeev! 

Courtesy Reviews.com for the City of Milton Police Department 

Security system ordinances typically require homeowners and businesses with security systems to register and/or obtain an alarm permit.  

Registration fees and/or permits typically cost between $10 and $40, and in most cases, must be renewed on an annual basis.  

The charges levied by municipalities to security system companies in response to a false alarm, are often passed on to the business or home owner. Many municipalities will not charge a fee for the first false alarm, but repeat false alarm offenders can expect fees anywhere from $70 to $500 (check local programs for exact fee schedules).

In addition to the fiduciary obligations, reducing false alarms will result in better service and increased protection for home security system owners.  

Since false alarms are so prevalent, and the resources necessary to respond so expensive, the response time from police officers is not always ideal. If the number of false alarms are minimized, in the event of an actual break in, police officers will be able to respond more quickly.  

The goal of all security system owners should be to minimize false alarms.

The 6 Most Common Causes of False Alarms

Faulty equipment: Despite the fact that most of the top home security companies utilize high-quality equipment from leading manufacturers, there may be occasions where a faulty piece of equipment is the source of false alarms.

Human error: Most home security systems are fairly easy to use and do not require significant training. However, following a new installation, some homeowners don't take the necessary time to actually learn the system. It is important that any person with permission to enter the home understands how to operate the system.

Low batteries or inconsistent power source: Most wireless home security systems contain batteries that occasionally need to be changed and replaced. These system components typically give audible warnings when the battery levels are low, but in some cases, a low battery can trigger a false alarm. An inconsistent/unreliable power source can also be the cause of false alarms.

Unlocked or loose doors and windows: Door and window sensors are activated when the connection between the two sensors is disrupted. If a door or window is loose, it can easily be rattled by the wind and trigger an alarm. Doors that are locked with a deadbolt are typically more sturdy and can minimize unintentional sensor disturbances.

Incorrect installation: When the home security system is installed, it is critical that all sensors and detectors are appropriately aligned, and that all other equipment is installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Homeowners installing do-it-yourself home security systems may be particularly susceptible to incorrect installation problems.

Pets, rodents, and insects: Some motion detectors will be triggered by pets, rodents, or insects. Homeowners with pets should be certain the home security system has sensors that are "pet-friendly," as pets that are free to roam the house will trigger motion detectors and activate a false alarm. Rodents and insects can also trigger alarms.

Next month, we'll discuss the "7 Best Ways to Reduce False Alarms." 

Mayor Joe Lockwood helps cuts the ribbon for Veronica Stone Salon's new location on Bethany Bend in Milton.

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.

S&L Cleaning: 12850 Highway 9 North, Suite 600-333

Everything Baby: 1750 Overland Crossing

The Fish House Seafood Kitchen, LLC: 12890 Highway 9 North Suite 160  

Redbox Automated RTL: 12600 Deerfield Parkway Suite 170, 980 Birmingham Road, 13800 Highway 9 North 

A.W.A.R.E. Multicomm, Inc.: 12600 Deerfield Parkway, Suite 2124 

Captain Repair Plumbing Services, Inc.: 490 Hickory Flat Road

Impulse Industries, Inc: 281 Borden Ave. Sun Valley, Ca.   

Tak Auto Sales: 13980 Highway 9 Suite A

Daniel Azzarella: 1005 South Bethany Creek Drive

Fortna, Inc: 12600 Deerfield Parkway Suite 170

J&J's Clothing: 720 Stratforde Drive

Veritas Management Group, Inc.: 3244 Chipping Wood Court

Bison Production Company: 13010 Morris Road Building 1 

North Point Hot Tub Repair, LLC: 5112 Deer Trail

Sync Recruiting: 14012 Portside Bend

Uptown & Main Boutique: 12610 Itsaka Walk

Remember Me Jewelry Inc: 14480 Hopewell Road  

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