Matt and Laura accepting the award

We are happy to say that Hickory Falls has been chosen as the winner of the Community Beautification Awards, presented by the City of Villa Rica!  The award is given out once a year to a single commercial business (as well as one residential winner) and we are so pleased to have been shown this great honor.

Our award-winning landscape

The purpose of the Beautification Awards is (via Villa Rica Beautiful):

…to recognize the efforts of residents and businesses that improve the overall appearance of the community through enhancement of their property. All properties that are visible from public property in the City of Villa Rica are eligible to win a Beautification Award.

Hickory Falls Apartments takes pride in our community and it is a great honor to see this effort appreciated by the city.  We are happy to continue our work in providing our residents with a beautiful place to call home!

Images via VillaRica.org

The launching point at Banning Mills.

“There’s a little something for everyone” is a cliché that takes on a whole new meaning at nearby Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg, GA. It’s a 30-minute trip from your apartment at Hickory Falls.

Yes, you can rest your bod at the historic Bed & Breakfast at Banning Mills. This getaway will help you chill in the most beautiful Georgia forest you will ever find. The best part is all proceeds collected support the conservancy, history center and educations programs at Banning Mills.

Now they you’ve relaxed, it’s time race over the tree canopy on 40,000 linear feet of zip lines at the Screaming Eagle Adventure Park. Imagine sailing among the tops of old-growth trees deep in a hardwood forest. That’s where the nine different zip lines take riders at Banning Mills. Tours last between 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours and weight limits have been reduced to 50 lbs. so you can include the entire family. Strap on a helmet and a harness and get ready to tame the world’s largest zip line course.

The park also features an Aerial Challenge Park,  a Birds of Prey Show and much more. This is definitely worth the day trip if a weekend getaway isn’t the cards.

While Atlanta is an easy drive from Villa Rica, GA., living in western Georgia has its advantages when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Share with us on Facebook.

Photo by Doug Waldron on Flickr

Fabiano’s in Douglasville.

Good pizza is as essential to your life as water, air, beer and a comfortable couch for sitting and watching ballgames on television. Thankfully Hickory Falls apartments are in close proximity to a pair of solid pizza joints.

Fabiano’s Pizzeria
Fabiano’s, in nearby Douglasville, serves up New York style pizza and visitors will find freshly made dough and sauce tossed into a delicious pie. Enjoy a pizza on their outdoor dining area. Also, a full-service bar complete with 50” television awaits.

Johnny’s New York Style Pizza
Not to be outdone, Johnny’s cranks out what they believe is the best New York pie right here in Villa Rica. They raise the bar with outstanding sub sandwiches loaded with fresh ingredients on homemade bread. You also do not want to miss the strombolis and calzones.

The communities surrounding Hickory Falls apartments are close to a surprising variety of outstanding restaurants. Everything from Italian to Cajun and more is ready to be devoured.

As the newest hot spots open, we stand ready to let you know, but you need to subscribe to this blog.

Photo by Robert S. Donovan on Flickr

At Hickory Falls Apartments we pride ourselves on the comfort and style of all our apartment homes, though the favorite has long been our lovely 2 bedroom apartment layouts.  Measuring in at well over 1100 square feet, our two bedroom plans are both spacious and functional – ideal for families, roommates, and singles alike!

All of our one, two, and three bedroom apartments at Hickory Falls Apartments have access to our wide range of community amenities and are pet-friendly, with allowance for up to two pets per household.

Hickory Falls Apartments is conveniently located in the heart of Villa Rica, GA, just minutes from Historic Downtown Villa Rica, the University of West GA, Arbor Place Mall, and just off Interstate 20 at exits 24 & 26.

Call us today for updated specials and offers at 888-499-3595!

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**The Hickory Falls Apartments pool is scheduled to open on May 12th, 2012! Please pick up your pool pass in the leasing office by May 11th. One pool pass will be issued per apartment and there will be a maximum of 2 guests allowed per apartment at a time. You must have your pool wristband and gate card present with you at the pool. Please remember that no one under the age of 16 is allowed at the pool without adult supervision. The pool guests and rules will be closely monitored to assure compliance.

**The management team will be hosting a resident breakfast on the go on Wednesday, May 16th starting at 7:00 am where we will be handing out breakfast by the entry gate to show our resident appreciation. We hope to see you all there!

**The Clubroom is available for rent. This is the perfect venue for a birthday party, bridal shower or a family get together. Please visit the office to make your reservation by filling out our reservation form and submitting the $100 security deposit and $150 clubroom rental fee.

**We have a resident advocate that will be scheduling monthly outings for the senior citizen residents. If you are interested in attending and mingling with others in the community, please sign up at the leasing office by May 15th. The event will take place the last week of the month and the details are to be announced to those involved.

**Please help us in keeping our community beautiful by picking up after your pets and using the pet stations that are here for your convenience. Pets should be walked on the perimeter of the community and are not allowed near your neighbors patios, in the playground or pool areas. Leash laws must be obeyed and are required at all times when outside your apartment home. Please also keep our community free of litter and debris. We should all have pride in the place we call home.

**Please remember that your patio/balcony must be free of trash and clutter and is for outdoor furniture only. There is to be nothing hanging over the balcony rails as well. Any violations will result in warnings and possible lease violation fines.

As always, please feel free to contact the leasing office for any further questions or concerns. We value you as a wonderful resident and are here to assist you!

-Hickory Falls Management

An important tip is knowing how tall the plant or flower grows versus how deep the container is and how far the roots extend down. Tall plants need a very large and deep container. Depending on the number of plants that you would like to keep on your patio you may want to consider finding smaller, shorter versions of the plant or flower.

A second tip is measuring the sun vs shade ratio. Plants vary on how much sun they require so pick vegetable and flowering plants based on growing needs. The benefit of containers is portability so you can move them around to optimal spots.

And finally, keep in mind that your private patio may have space that you hadn’t considered utilizing. Instead of always placing containers on the patio, consider creating varying height pedestals. Garden Ridge has all the containers you’ll need.

Image by LollyKnit

• Go to the library. Family movie nights, kids’ storytelling events, and book club meetings happen every month in this public, air-conditioned building.
• Head to Stone Mountain Park. If you’re in the mood for a day trip, you should try this Georgia landmark’s newest attraction, Geyser Towers. This playscape offers three levels of netted walkways and eruptions from a geyser that shoots water 30 feet into the air. Bring a towel.
• Visit Atlanta’s only ice bar. If you’re still sizzling in September (and let’s face it, it’s likely) and you don’t mind a short drive, check out the Czar Ice Bar. This winter wonderland will feature frozen countertops and a variety of vodkas.

Do you have any tricks to staying cool inside and outside at Hickory Falls Apartments?  Share them with us!

Image by SashaW

You know that a library has books that you and your family can check out. But did you also know that the library offers audio books, software, computers and magazines that you can use while you are there? Many residents visit the library to take advantage of the services that they offer. You can browse the internet, play a game or even make photocopies.

If you have small children, and want to get them interested in reading, you definitely need to take them to Children’s Hour. This program starts in the Spring and continues through the Summer months. It is a great way to get out and enjoy the fine weather.

Get the most out of living in Villa Rica GA by visiting the library. You’ll be glad you did.

Image via MorgueFile

Here are three ways to satisfy the need.

Park Tavern at Piedmont Park Presents “Unfiltered Live” Concert Series

This series features top artists from across the country in Park Tavern’s air-conditioned Garden Tent. The next show is Thursday, May 3 with Los Angeles party blues musician Andy Frasco.

Enjoy fabulous seafood at the Oceanaire Seafood Room

As sleek as a 1930s ocean liner, yet as relaxed as a dinner on the shore, the Oceanaire provides the perfect setting to enjoy ultra-fresh seafood, flown in daily from around the world. Sip a cocktail in the lounge, sidle up to the oyster bar or kick back in a horseshoe booth before diving into a sea of fish including steak-cut Alaskan halibut, seasonal favorites like fresh Copper River salmon or hard-to-find delicacies like true Dover sole or bluefin tuna.

Center Stage — an icon in Atlanta’s performing arts community

This is a historic, intimate 1,100-seat venue that offers a full (and we mean FULL) schedule of events. Every seat is a good seat with premier sound and lighting. Check the schedule and take in some top-notch entertainment.

Follow us on Twitter for the hottest Atlanta entertainment and dining.

Image by james.rintamiki

The Townsend Center for the Performing Arts

The Townsend Center, on the University of West Georgia campus, supports the school’s music and art departments, but it also offers a full schedule of performances. Don’t miss the 27^th Annual Sun Belt Jazz Festival on Friday, April 20 and the American Roots Music of Jay Ungar and Molly Mason on Thursday, April 26.

Carrollton Cultural Arts Center

The Carrollton Cultural Arts Center lets the community get involved. Amateur artists display their work in The Museum of Cultural Arts and classes take place all year long. This is the place to show off your work and get involved with keeping art alive in the community.

Illusions Gallery

Carrollton’s local artists put their unique creations on sale at Illusions Gallery including water colors, photography, jewelry and more. You will not find a more unique shopping experience anywhere. It’s also a great place to start a decorating project for your Hickory Falls apartment.

Tell us about your discoveries in Villas Rica’s surprising local arts scene.

Image by quinn.anya