Last week I saw a community come together like never before.  

We all know the story by now. The snow started at 11:15 a.m. By 12:30 p.m. most of metro Atlanta decided to try and get home. Less than one hour later there were accidents and traffic everywhere. By the afternoon people were abandoning their cars and walking. By night we had children stranded on buses and drivers stuck miles from home. Hundreds of kids spent the night at school; hundreds of adult spent the night in the office or a local business.  

But in this confusion the best of us came out. I don't know about you, but I've been lucky enough to hear stories about the teachers who stayed with their kids at school.  

I've heard about neighbors who picked up as many kids as they fit and personally delivered them home.  

I've heard about the folks who went to the worst spots and just started pushing cars immobilized by ice, towing vehicles stuck in ditches, and spreading sand and kitty litter over impassable hills.

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Milton Community Outreach Officer Ara Baronian has been named Officer of the Year for 2013.   

A four-year Milton policeman and father of two, Baronian was chosen because of his work in raising more than $24,000 for the purchase of K-9 officer Kyro, plus his expansion of the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) classes, Milton Police and Citizens Together (MPACT) neighborhood watch program and Citizens Police Academy (CPA).    

Last year alone Baronian hosted 24 students in the 10-week academy, added six neighborhoods to MPACT, a 21 percent increase in participation, and taught more than 100 women and girls in six RAD classes.

Baronian transitioned into the community outreach officer position after two years of patrolling Milton on morning watch. He initially got into policing to do meaningful work with children and the community, and the job has given him a great opportunity to meet with parent-teacher organizations, Boy and Girl Scout troops, homeowners' associations, and more. 

On March 15 from 3 to 5 p.m., Communiteen, a Better Together-affiliated organization of Milton-area high school students, will be hosting an event at Bethwell open to all Milton-area high school students.   

Communiteen was formed to encourage and foster friendships among teens of all abilities.     

Better Together is also participating in the Adopt-a-Road project sponsored by Milton Grows Green.  The next road clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m.

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.

To view the full Milton calendar, click here.

The City of Milton is proud to bring the 11th annual Jog for a Cause to the community as part of the 5th annual Milton Mayor's Run.  

Applications and sponsorship packets for the 2014 Milton Mayor's Run presents Jog for a Cause, to be held at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at Freedom Park, are now available.

To download the participant application, click here.

For the sponsorship application and packet, click here.

To sign up online through Active.com, click here.

The partnership with Jog for a Cause is not the only change for the 2014 Mayor's Run. The race will follow the same route as in years past, but will begin and end at Milton's Freedom Park located at the corner of Deerfield Parkway and Webb Road (click here for directions), said Angela Thompson, Milton's special events and project manager. It includes a 5K race and tot trot. The race will be a Peachtree qualifier.

Cost for participation is $25 if received before Feb. 14 and $30 after. That fee includes a quality, moisture-wicking T-shirt with the logo displayed below and plenty of food and fluids after the race.

Sponsorship levels to benefit The City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department and its efforts to provide citizens with access to greenspaces, parks, trails, facilities, and recreation programs and activities include packages from $250 to $5,000 for title sponsors. Deadline for sponsorship is Feb. 4 to ensure inclusion in all advertising.

The 5K race will circle Deerfield Parkway, meaning it will be flat and fast. Awards will go to the 5K Male and Female Open and Masters and to the top 3 finishers in the various age groups.

For more information, please contact Thompson at 678-242-2530 or angela.thompson@cityofmiltonga.us.

Online pre-registration is now available for Milton's second household paint and chemical collection event, to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 (with a snow date March 1) at Bell Memorial Park thanks to Milton Grows Green.

To register online, click here. Please be as specific as possible when estimating weight to be dropped off.

Online registration and the printed confirmation is required to bring materials to the event. There is no charge to Milton residents. However, due to budget restraints, registration may close early once the maximum amount of material is registered.

Milton residents only (no businesses) may drop off: 

• Latex and oil-based paints (in original containers; quantities limited)
• Lawn and garden chemicals
• Cleaning products
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Batteries 

For directions to Bell Memorial Park, located at 15245 Bell Park Road in Milton, click here. For more information, contact Eade at 678-242-2509 or cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.

Join the Georgia Philharmonic on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. as they welcome the finalists of the Young Artists Concerto Competition at Cambridge High School, 2845 Bethany Bend (click here for directions).  

Mayor Joe Lockwood will kick off the program showcasing: Mendelssohn's Concerto in E minor, Movement 3 performed by 12-year-old Rebekah Willard of Albany; Vivaldi's Concerto in G minor KV 317, Movement 1 performed by 9-year-old Kearston Gonzales of Hilton Head, SC; de Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy for Violin performed by 18-year-old Likai He of Columbus; Mendelssohn's Concerto in E minor, Movement 1 performed by 15-year-old Malhar Kute of Dunwoody; Mozart's Oboe Concerto in C performed by 23-year-old Colton Cox of Athens; and Copland's Clarinet Concerto performed by 21-year-old Ford Fourqurean of Fayetteville.  

In addition, the orchestra will perform two pieces alone: Shostakovich's Festive Overture, Op. 96 and Wagner's Reinz Overture.  

These exceptional young musicians from all over the Southeast recently competed in person before an esteemed panel of judges for a position within one of three categories: Apprentice (ages 5-13), Artisan (ages 14-18) and Virtuoso (ages 19-23). In addition to the three winners, three additional young laureates were selected to perform as well.  

One exceptional string player will be awarded a $500 scholarship sponsored by Atlanta Violins.

Visit www.georgiaphilharmonic.org to purchase your tickets or for more information. Ticket prices are $10 for seniors/students, $15 for adult general seating and $25 for adult prime seating.

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

Milton Grows Green has a busy March. In addition to the Bulky Trash Amnesty Day March 22 (see below), volunteers are also hosting:  

Evergreen Schools March 4  

Evergreen Schools will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Environmental Education Center, 3802 Barnwell Road in Johns Creek (click here for directions).  

Jerry Hightower, a National Parks Service ranger, will lead the group on how to use journaling as a K-12 teaching method in the outdoors. Lunch will be provided by Harry's Farmers Market. This meeting is open to all schools or volunteers in Milton, Roswell, Alpharetta and Johns Creek.  

For more information please RSVP on the Meetup group or contact Cindy Eade at cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us.  

Adopt a Stream March 8  

Join Milton Grows Green for our Adopt-A-Stream program training Saturday, March 8. Location and times will be based on interest.  

This is a great family volunteer project, and those interested in learning how to monitor water quality in Milton streams should e-mail mgg@cityofmiltonga.us for more information.  

Shredding event March 15  

Boy Scout Troop 3000 and Milton Grows Green are once again co-hosting a document shredding and electronics recycling event March 15. Keep your eyes peeled for the exact times and place in the March newsletter.

The City of Milton Public Works Department and Milton Grows Green are offering residents a bulky trash amnesty day Saturday, March 22, 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.

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.

A special thanks goes to the Young Mens' Service League for their continued volunteer support.  

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

The fifth annual Milton Earth Day festival, scheduled for Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be right in the heart of Crabapple at Friendship Community Park (click here for directions)!  

This fun-filled and educational family event will showcase environmental vendors and businesses along with fun crafts, rides, entertainment and food guaranteed to delight the projected 1,500 visitors.  

To have your business connect with this upscale and environmentally friendly community, please consider joining us as a sponsor and/or vendor.  

To download the sponsorship/vendor form, click here.  

For more information, contact Cindy Eade, sustainability coordinator, at cindy.eade@cityofmiltonga.us or Angela Thompson, special events and project manager, at angela.thompson@cityofmiltonga.us.

Citizens Government Academy 10

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. 

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.

Roadwork projects continue throughout the city in January.  

ROADWORK

Please note: All dates on roadwork projects are estimates and are based on weather conditions. Any road closures will be sporadic and announced well in advance.  

Ga. 140 at New Providence Road
In July, CMES, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 140 (Arnold Mill Road) and New Providence Road.  Plans include redirecting the intersection approach, adding turn lanes and installing a traffic light. 

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) awarded the construction contract to CMES, Inc. in the amount of $1,161,626.92. The job is expected to last one year. 

Ga. 372 at Providence Road/New Providence Road
In August, Bartow Paving Company, Inc. began intersection improvements at Ga. 372 (Birmingham Highway) and Providence and New Providence Roads. Plans include redirecting the intersection approach and installing a roundabout.

GDOT awarded the construction contract to Bartow Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $2,576,297.45. The job is expected to last 18 months.   

Hopewell Road at Francis and Cogburn roads
In August, Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. also began intersection improvements at Hopewell Road at Cogburn and Francis roads. Plans include installing a roundabout.

The City of Milton awarded the construction contract to Baldwin Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $786,606. The job is expected to last one year.  

For more information on these projects, visit http://miltonintersectionprojects.com or contact Angie Kapijimpanga, citizen responder for the City of Milton, at 678-242-2562 or angie.kapijimpanga@cityofmiltonga.us.

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.

Volcano Asian Bistro: 5316 Windward Parkway

Four Peas, Inc: 805 Champions Close 

Brightway Insurance: 960 Birmingham Road Suite 723 

Spice Afro Caribbean: 13695 Ga. 9 

Atlanta Photos.com: 820 Fox Hollow Run 

AskCody Inc: 13010 Morris Road 6th Floor Building Four 

Char's Trunk: 155 Galecrest Drive 

First Alliance Realty Group, LLC: 155 Tullgean Drive

Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc: 12600 Deerfield Parkway Suite 100

Stacey Spolzino Designs: 14980 Thompson Road

Optimum Vitality, LLC: 445 South Burgess Trail

NLC Experts, Inc: 13262 Kemper Road 

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