Monday, January 31, 2011
Avondale Estates ends agreement with multi-use developer, anxious to try again
For the AJC
Nearly six years ago, Florida-based Century Retail was planning a sprawling, ambitious 375,000-square-foot mixed-use development in downtown Avondale Estates.
oday the single testament to the city's project with Century Retail – which filed for bankruptcy last fall -- is what locals call "the erector set" -- a two-story steel skeleton of building that has stood unfinished and untouched for 2 ½ years.Last week, after years of discussion, acquisitions and accusations, the development agreement came to a quiet end during a Board of Mayor and Commissioners Regular Meeting.
“We are going to move forward in pursuing discussions with development companies," Mayor Ed Rieker said. "We want to get the word out that Avondale is developer friendly.”
full story at ajc
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Valentines, Decatur
This picture is so good I had to feature it. It's from Flickr member Sheila and Scott
Good job on the photo.
Check out there flickr site here.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Burnt Fork BBQ Soft Opening Sat. Jan 29
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Nick @ Decatur Metro is posting that Burnt Fork BBQ will have a soft opening tomorrow (Sat)with limited menu.
Burnt Fork BBQ
614 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 373-7155
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Peachtree in DeKalb to be closed Thurs & Fri.
By Megan Matteucci
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peachtree Road near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in DeKalb County will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Norfolk Southern will closed the 4900 block of Peachtree at 8 a.m. Thursday to make improvements to a crossing. The road will re-open at 5 p.m. Friday, county officials said.
ajc story
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peachtree Road near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in DeKalb County will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Norfolk Southern will closed the 4900 block of Peachtree at 8 a.m. Thursday to make improvements to a crossing. The road will re-open at 5 p.m. Friday, county officials said.
ajc story
J.C. Penney Co. to Close Three Metro Stores
By Arielle Kass
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
J.C. Penney Co. will close three metro Atlanta locations as it works to increase profits.
The company is closing two under-performing stores: one at Southlake Mall and a J.C. Penney Home Store in Duluth. It is also closing a catalog outlet store in Forest Park as it exits the catalog business.
A spokesman for J.C. Penney, Joey Thomas, said the Southlake and Duluth stores no longer meet the company's "profitability threshold" and will close June 1.
The Southlake store has 147 employees, and Duluth has 38. Thomas said he did not know how many employees work at the Forest Park location. Employees will receive separation benefits, he said.
ajc story
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
J.C. Penney Co. will close three metro Atlanta locations as it works to increase profits.
The company is closing two under-performing stores: one at Southlake Mall and a J.C. Penney Home Store in Duluth. It is also closing a catalog outlet store in Forest Park as it exits the catalog business.
A spokesman for J.C. Penney, Joey Thomas, said the Southlake and Duluth stores no longer meet the company's "profitability threshold" and will close June 1.
The Southlake store has 147 employees, and Duluth has 38. Thomas said he did not know how many employees work at the Forest Park location. Employees will receive separation benefits, he said.
ajc story
Sunday, January 23, 2011
HOT ROD WALT & The PSYCHO DeVILLES
-- Both photo's from The 2011 World of Wheels in Atlanta.
They were Awesome.
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Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Medlock Elementary supporters trying to save School
From champion newspaper
Written By: Matt Amatto
Written By: Matt Amatto
For area residents and parents at Medlock Elementary, the battle to avoid the chopping block was already won. At least that’s what they assumed last year when a committee of community members failed to reach the consensus that would have closed the school. The community rallied then–waving signs, bringing children to meetings, creating slogans, doing what it could to apply pressure–and prevailed. However, the threat of closure has re-emerged.
A classic 1950s era building nestled in a quiet neighborhood of post-war bungalows, Medlock is again the target of a school system riddled with debt and desperately in need of state funds. On Jan. 4, the school board announced that up to 14 schools could close to help trim a surplus 11,000 seats.
full story at champion newspaper
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Two Decatur Pools to extend hours this Summer
Mckoy Pool will add morning hours with Glenlake( below) providing evening swimming.By Bill Banks
For the AJC
Coming off a week where most of the city was frozen or cloistered indoors, the Decatur City Commission had outdoor swimming on its mind during Tuesday night’s meeting.
The commission approved a proposal to keep two of the city’s three public pools open for more days this summer, at the cost of an additional $18,375. Historically, the city’s eliminated all weekday swimming once school begins in August.
But with Decatur schools re-opening on August 2 this year and with both Glenlake and McKoy pools attracting record numbers last summer, the city will keep weekday hours for both through Labor Day. McKoy will offer morning hours, with Glenlake providing evening swimming.
The city’s third public pool, Ebster, will close on July 31, at the end of the regular pool season.
Both Glenlake and McKoy pools were extensively renovated several years ago, which paid off in 2010. Glenlake had a record attendance of 20,317 swimmers, earning $30,696, while McKoy drew 21,480 for $30,252.
- Glenlake will add evening swimming.photo credit: nextstopdecatur.com
ajc story
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
How would you 500 beers to choose from...Ale Yeah!
Champion News Paper has a great article on Georgia's First all craft beer store in Decatur... Ale Yeah!
by Ginger Kaderabek
A love of craft beer inspired friends to open Georgia’s first all-craft-beer store in Decatur. “We’re beer lovers. We’re excited by today’s beer renaissance and wanted to make a go in the all-craft business,” said co-owner Eddie Holley.
Ale Yeah! at 906 West College Ave. opened Dec. 15 and had a “great first week,” according to Holley, who runs the store along with co-owner Cisco Vila. Shoppers in the store expressed excitement at having more than 500 beers to choose from, and one was buying a large gift certificate as a Christmas present for a beer lover.
read full story @ Champion News
401(k) plans regaining steam
In sign of progress, many say they expect to restart match in within 12 months
By Russell Grantham
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s not just jobs that have been slow to come back during the economy’s spastic recovery from the Great Recession. About half of the U.S. companies that suspended contributions to their employees’ retirement savings after 2008 haven’t restored them yet.
n a 401(k) plan, the worker voluntarily saves part of his or her pay in a tax-deferred account. The employer typically matches a portion of the worker’s contributions.
About one in five employers with 401(k) plans cut or ditched their matching contributions during the 2007-2009 financial meltdown, according to a recently released report from compensation consulting firm Towers Watson. The cuts were particularly prevalent at firms in the retail, manufacturing, media, communications and technology industries.
But, in a sign of potentially better times, most of the laggards say they expect to again start chipping in money within the next 12 months, according to Towers Watson.
full story at ajc
By Russell Grantham
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s not just jobs that have been slow to come back during the economy’s spastic recovery from the Great Recession. About half of the U.S. companies that suspended contributions to their employees’ retirement savings after 2008 haven’t restored them yet.
n a 401(k) plan, the worker voluntarily saves part of his or her pay in a tax-deferred account. The employer typically matches a portion of the worker’s contributions.
About one in five employers with 401(k) plans cut or ditched their matching contributions during the 2007-2009 financial meltdown, according to a recently released report from compensation consulting firm Towers Watson. The cuts were particularly prevalent at firms in the retail, manufacturing, media, communications and technology industries.
But, in a sign of potentially better times, most of the laggards say they expect to again start chipping in money within the next 12 months, according to Towers Watson.
full story at ajc
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Too important to shut down
From: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When an event like last week’s snowstorm freezes travel through metro Atlanta, the entire Southeast gets a chill.
Atlanta was founded as a railroad hub, and today it is one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs, sometime called the “largest inland port in America.” Among its assets:
● Three major interstate highways intersect in the city: I-85, I-75 and I-20.
● Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world’s busiest air passenger hub and has been ranked among the top 30 for freight.
● Major intermodal rail terminals — some among the nation’s largest — where container freight carried by trains from ports such as Savannah is transferred to trucks for delivery throughout country.
● Headquarters of major shippers such as UPS and the Saia trucking firm.
When an event like last week’s snowstorm freezes travel through metro Atlanta, the entire Southeast gets a chill.
Atlanta was founded as a railroad hub, and today it is one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs, sometime called the “largest inland port in America.” Among its assets:
● Three major interstate highways intersect in the city: I-85, I-75 and I-20.
● Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the world’s busiest air passenger hub and has been ranked among the top 30 for freight.
● Major intermodal rail terminals — some among the nation’s largest — where container freight carried by trains from ports such as Savannah is transferred to trucks for delivery throughout country.
● Headquarters of major shippers such as UPS and the Saia trucking firm.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Everybody's Pizza in Emory Village to Help Homeless Women
From The ajc
By Shelia M. Poole
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Everybody's Pizza in Emory Village is lending a helping hand to the Shearith Israel Shelter for homeless women.
Diners who come to the restaurant for lunch or dinner on Jan. 24 can help as well. Everybody's will donate 20 percent of a diner's tab to the Atlanta shelter. Go to www.sishelter.org , print out the postcard and present it to to server at the time of ordering. The restaurant is located at 1593 N. Decatur Rd.
By Shelia M. Poole
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Everybody's Pizza in Emory Village is lending a helping hand to the Shearith Israel Shelter for homeless women.
Diners who come to the restaurant for lunch or dinner on Jan. 24 can help as well. Everybody's will donate 20 percent of a diner's tab to the Atlanta shelter. Go to www.sishelter.org , print out the postcard and present it to to server at the time of ordering. The restaurant is located at 1593 N. Decatur Rd.
Friday, January 14, 2011
New Look for Decatur Focus
photo courtesy of Decatur Minute
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From The Decatur Minute:
City of Decatur residents, businesses and DBA members be on the lookout for the January/February issue of the Decatur Focus – we are debuting an entirely new look with glossy paper that is SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified and has six extra pages of copy and two extra pages of advertising.
Read more
Thursday, January 13, 2011
DeKalb's Snow Storm Bill $662,000 and Growiwng
From The ajc
By Megan Matteucci
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DeKalb County has spent more than $662,000 responding to the storm, county officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
As of Wednesday afternoon, DeKalb had spent $210,000 on overtime for road crews, $48,000 for salt and sand, and $262,000 for fuel for the salt trucks, county spokesman Burke Brennan said. The county also spent $5,625 to pay fleet maintenance workers who worked overtime putting chains on emergency vehicles and responding to wrecks, and $135,000 for watershed management crews who had to address water and sewer problems during the storm.
There were no major extra expenses for police and firefighters, who rotated staffing the Emergency Operations Center while on shift, Brennan said. The only additional cost for emergency personnel was $300 for food and water.
The county also spent another $1,000 on food and lodging for other essential administrative staff.
Officials said they anticipate additional expenses, particularly for road crews who will continue to treat icy roads throughout the week.
By Megan Matteucci
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DeKalb County has spent more than $662,000 responding to the storm, county officials told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
As of Wednesday afternoon, DeKalb had spent $210,000 on overtime for road crews, $48,000 for salt and sand, and $262,000 for fuel for the salt trucks, county spokesman Burke Brennan said. The county also spent $5,625 to pay fleet maintenance workers who worked overtime putting chains on emergency vehicles and responding to wrecks, and $135,000 for watershed management crews who had to address water and sewer problems during the storm.
There were no major extra expenses for police and firefighters, who rotated staffing the Emergency Operations Center while on shift, Brennan said. The only additional cost for emergency personnel was $300 for food and water.
The county also spent another $1,000 on food and lodging for other essential administrative staff.
Officials said they anticipate additional expenses, particularly for road crews who will continue to treat icy roads throughout the week.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
DeKalb Vet to Conduct the First Animal Stem Cell Procedure
From the ajc
By Megan Matteucci
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Stone Mountain veterinarian clinic says it is scheduled next week to conduct the first animal stem cell procedure in Georgia.
Loving Touch Animal Center in Stone Mountain is scheduled to launch the new technology on a 12-year-old Border Collie suffering from severe arthritis and spinal problems. The dog, named Sam, is a former championship jumper who had to retire because of arthritis, a spokesman for the clinic said.
Veterinarians say stem cell therapy can be used to treat dogs, cats and horses suffering from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and tendon and cartilage injuries. The procedure is about $1,800 for dogs and $2,400 for horses, which is less than half the cost of the old procedure, vets said.
By Megan Matteucci
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Stone Mountain veterinarian clinic says it is scheduled next week to conduct the first animal stem cell procedure in Georgia.
Loving Touch Animal Center in Stone Mountain is scheduled to launch the new technology on a 12-year-old Border Collie suffering from severe arthritis and spinal problems. The dog, named Sam, is a former championship jumper who had to retire because of arthritis, a spokesman for the clinic said.
Veterinarians say stem cell therapy can be used to treat dogs, cats and horses suffering from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and tendon and cartilage injuries. The procedure is about $1,800 for dogs and $2,400 for horses, which is less than half the cost of the old procedure, vets said.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Decatur Snow 50 Years Ago
To view with black background click on picture.This Decatur snow picture was taken 50 years ago this month (Jan 61).
Taken from the old court house you see North McDonough St. On the left you can see the Decatur Theatre. -Playing at The Decatur Theatre this day was BUTTERFIELD 8 starring Elizabeth Taylor
and Laurence Harvey--
All the buildings on right were torn down for the new court house.
Check out Flickr Member HamWithCam Photos
Click on photo for his pictures.
He has some great pictures.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
City of Decatur and Dekalb Schools Closed Monday
The City of Decatur and Dekalb Schools will be closed Monday due to Snow.
link to WSBTV.COM
link to WSBTV.COM
Decatur native helps underground homeless population in Las Vegas
From the AJC
By Bill Banks
When Matt O’Brien spent Christmas back in his hometown of Decatur, he kept receiving a steady stream of text messages, all from Las Vegas, where he’s lived the past 13 years, working as a journalist and short-story writer.
“Thanks, man, for getting us out of the tunnels,” read one. “Cold and rainy ... this week,” said another. “Can’t imagine being down there for the holidays.”
Many in his hometown remember O’Brien, who turned 40 last year, as the sharpshooting point guard for Decatur High, averaging nearly 19 points a game as a senior in 1987-88. Later he played college ball at Georgia State and West Georgia.
What he certainly never anticipated was that he’d become point person for Vegas’ 200 miles of underground flood channels, which at various times house a homeless population of up to 1,000 people.
“I really can’t find any other place in the world like Vegas, where so many people live underground,” O’Brien said during his recent return home.
In the past two years O’Brien has partnered with HELP of Southern Nevada, an organization specializing in chronic homelessness, to literally bring tunnel residents out of the dark. By now, O’Brien estimates, about 70 people have turned their lives around. Essentially this means they’ve found housing while getting treated for health issues, including various addictions, physical illness and mental disorders.
Full story at ajc
By Bill Banks
When Matt O’Brien spent Christmas back in his hometown of Decatur, he kept receiving a steady stream of text messages, all from Las Vegas, where he’s lived the past 13 years, working as a journalist and short-story writer.
“Thanks, man, for getting us out of the tunnels,” read one. “Cold and rainy ... this week,” said another. “Can’t imagine being down there for the holidays.”
Many in his hometown remember O’Brien, who turned 40 last year, as the sharpshooting point guard for Decatur High, averaging nearly 19 points a game as a senior in 1987-88. Later he played college ball at Georgia State and West Georgia.
What he certainly never anticipated was that he’d become point person for Vegas’ 200 miles of underground flood channels, which at various times house a homeless population of up to 1,000 people.
“I really can’t find any other place in the world like Vegas, where so many people live underground,” O’Brien said during his recent return home.
In the past two years O’Brien has partnered with HELP of Southern Nevada, an organization specializing in chronic homelessness, to literally bring tunnel residents out of the dark. By now, O’Brien estimates, about 70 people have turned their lives around. Essentially this means they’ve found housing while getting treated for health issues, including various addictions, physical illness and mental disorders.
Full story at ajc
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
" r YOU smarter than a Glennwood 5th Grader ? "
From: Andrea Berry of decaturedtv.com
Click image to buy your tickets.
This should be good and/or funny.
enlarge image
Click image to buy your tickets.This should be good and/or funny.
enlarge image
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Run With The Dogs - Frostbite 5K - Jan 8th 2011
Above is a very good video made for the 2nd Annual Run the the Dogs.
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