One GIANT Memory of East Lake in the 1960's

It was 1960 something, and me along with my brother and cousin rode our bikes over to The Grand Opening of the new Colonial store located in East Lake. We were there to see one thing "The Tallest Man in the World".
He arrived in the smallest car I had ever seen and when he stepped out, he was a  GIANT.
His name was Henry Hite

Henry Hite facts on the back of the 1960's card include:

Age: 49
Height: 8'2"
Weight: 300 lbs
Married 28 years ago in Springfield, Missouri.
Wife: Maria stands 5' 3" tall
Five brothers, seven sisters - all under 5' 11".
From Atlanta, Georgia, but now makes his home in Chicago.

Shirt size: 19
Sleeve length: 42 inches
Size 22 shoes - cost $250 per pair.
Suits cost $250 - require yards of material.

From: http://www.thetallestman.com/henrymullens.htm
Henry Hite (1915 – 26 May 1978) born Henry Mullens, was a giant who was well-known in his day for making movies and personal appearances and the occasional movie that would capitalize on his height, 7'6.75" (230.51 cm).

When he was 18 years old he adopted the name Henry Hite and started a comedy duo with his friend Tommy Lowe (real name Roland Picaro): the Lowe and Hite comedy team, later joined by the midget Stanley Ross. Together, they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

An example:

"How did you get so tall?" Mr. Low asked Hite who would reply,"I eat what's right."
Mr. Low would then turn to Stanley to inquire, "How did you get so short?" bringing the reply of, "I eat what's left."

Apart from Henry Mullens and Henry Hite, he was also known as the Corn King Giant, the Certified Giant and the Jolly Giant. 

Photo credit: me. This was the photo card they gave out.

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What's Next for 310 East Howard Ave

Decatur Metro  is reporting Las Brasas the little chicken joint that was once City Wide Cab company
 located on East Howard Ave. will not renew their lease and is looking for a new location.
 I guess the lease went way way up because of all the new the townhomes at East Howard Place  that are now under development, or maybe the land owner has much bigger plans.

-

The City Wide Cab photo is circa 1983.

Two Nice Lunchs

 I missed this last week, its a story about eating lunch at two nice
places, Spice to Table and Leon's
From: http://www.eatitatlanta.com/
The last two weekends have been quite nice. While slightly chilly, the sun has been shining and it feels like a time to go out and do something. Maybe the belt line? Have you been to the belt line? OMG stampede on the belt line towards Krog Street Market!?!? God help the children trying to buy ice cream at Jeni’s, though the poor souls in the hour long Yalla line look prepared for dispatchment.
We decided to try Spice to Table just up the road at the Studioplex. It’s a small space, more approachable than Asha’s former restaurant on Northside, with a smattering of limited small plates to be ordered counter-service style. I missed out on the fried chicken, but ordered some small plates to share with the family. I really enjoyed it. It made me think of Dynamic Dish – soulful food, alive with flavor and zero guilt. I look forward to my return.
read more
photo credit eatitatlanta.com

More Details about Avondale Marta Station mixed-use Development

From: http://atlanta.curbed.com

By Michael Kahn
The Avondale MARTA station's proposed $95 million mixed-use development is drawing closer to reality, as evidenced by a filing made to the Department of Community Affairs for the State of Georgia.
 But that doesn't guarantee it's going to happen. Part of MARTA's colossal, transit-oriented development initiative targeting a number of stations across the network, the plan could bring a slew of residents and neighborhood amenities to the east-Decatur area. Currently, about 2,500 people live within a half-mile of the station, according to MARTA; the development could increase that number substantially with 338 apartments and 34 condo units, plus an additional 92 units reserved for senior housing, putting the total for residential units at 464. With the increased density, the proposal calls for a grocery store and restaurants, in addition to 17,220 square feet of more retail space and 40,000 square feet of "institutional" space. They didn't elaborate on what "institutional" means, exactly.
more

photo credit itsmarta.com

Peach State Opera presents Donizetti's "Elixir of Love" on Sunday, March 1

Sent in by Nancy Martin

Peach State Opera presents Donizetti's "Elixir of Love" on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 p.m. in the Cole Auditorium of Georgia Perimeter College (in the Fine Arts Building CF) located at 555 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston, GA 30021) performed in English. Donizetti's "Elixir of Love" on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 p.m. in the Cole Auditorium of Georgia Perimeter College (in the Fine Arts Building CF) located at 555 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston, GA 30021) performed in English.
 There will be a pre-opera talk by Carter Joseph , who does talks for The Atlanta Opera, at 2:00 p.m. Donizetti's sparkling comic opera, "The Elixir of Love" follows simple yet fervent country bumpkin, Nemorino, who is hopelessly in love with Adina, an independent and attractive yet fickle landowner.

With the dashing Sergeant Belcore also competing for Adina's affections, Nemorino turns in desperation to traveling con man, Doctor Dulcamara and his "elixir of love" (really a bottle of cheap wine). Ducamara's faux love potion causes a domino effect of hilarious plot twists and surprising romantic turns in this masterpiece of beguiling arias and intoxicating duets.

Ticket prices are $22 adult, $20 senior (over 60), $10 students (including college students with ID), $5 Georgia Perimeter College students, alumni, staff and faculty. All seating is general admission and parking is free. Tickets may be purchased on our website at www.peachstateopera.org or at the door. The production is condensed and total performance time is approximately 2 hours.

We love groups and offer a great discount for group ticket purchases! For groups of 10 or more for our March 1 performance, tickets are only $10 each. Tickets must be purchased together as a group at the same time. For group sales information, please contact our Marketing Associate, Nancy Martin, at 404-373-8165 or her e-mail address at iljrd@yahoo.com

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Coming to Atlanta

From: http://atlanta.eater.com/2015/2/18/8064123/guss-world-famous-fried-chicken-atlanta
A new player is joining Atlanta's fried chicken scene.
Hugely popular chicken chain Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken is expanding around the country, and Atlanta is getting in on the action later this year. Gus's now lists Peachtree Center in Downtown as a future location for one of its restaurants.

The Memphis-based chain, which dates back to the 1950s, is commonly listed among the best fried chicken purveyors in America. In 2011, Fresh Off the Boat's Eddie Huang wrote for Eater, "They do perfect down and dirty Southern fried chicken." There are 10 Gus's outposts currently in business in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas, and expansion is set to extend Gus's reach to St. Louis, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit.

photo credit : http://gusfriedchicken.com/

WEST END Open Streets for All - April 19

From: http://www.atlantastreetsalive.com/
Join the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and thousands of Atlantans for the West End route on April 19, 2015.  The 3.5 mile loop connects three neighborhoods and opens up the streets to people of all ages to walk, bike, skate, or use any human-powered means of transportation. Learn more about the route here.
Atlanta Streets Alive — where we close the streets to cars and open them to people. Bring your bicycle or just your feet, and get ready to explore your community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way.

American Pickers might do Some Picking in Cherokee County

From:http://cherokeetribune.com
Historic relics, overlooked gems and antiques are needed in order to lure the dynamic duo, who are often seen touring the country on the History Channel’s “American Pickers,” to Cherokee County.

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are famous for searching through other people’s belongings in order to find valuable pieces — whether it’s art, motorcycles or old wind-up toys.

The production team of “American Pickers” is on a search of their own to find a new location full of historic treasures, and Cherokee County could be the perfect spot.

But residents need to get involved by showing off rusty relics that may be lingering in a junkyard, basement, garage or old barn throughout the county.

Some of the items Wolfe and Fritz are looking for include old advertising signs, old toys that are either tin, wind-up or cast iron, pinball and slot machines, taxidermy, Houdini items, old rodeo items, folk art, early Halloween items, vintage sports collectibles, firefighter collectibles and pre-1950s western or equestrian gear.

If “American Pickers” selects Cherokee as its next location, it could mean more positive publicity for what makes the county attractive for visitors.

read more

photo credit: http://www.history.co.uk

Atlanta Film Festival is March 20-29

From: clatl.com
At last, after last week's updates we have the final slate of features and shorts that will be screened during the 39th annual Atlanta Film Festival. The ATLFF received 3,761 submissions, and the lineup consists of 62 feature-length films, and 91 shorts. The festival runs from March 20-29, at the Plaza Theatre and other locations.
Read full post at http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2015/02/24/atlanta-film-fest-announces-full-lineup-for-2015

Petition to Help Save Suburban Plaza Bowling

Please sign petition here to help save suburban plaza bowling https://www.change.org

Trinity Triangle Update photo

 Decatur GA
Trinity Trangle

East Howard Place Updated Photos

From: http://www.atlantarealestateforum.com/monte-hewett-homes-announces-new-townhome-community-in-decatur-2-98337/
The  townhomes at East Howard Place are now under development, with completion dates placed for spring 2015. Priced from $589,900, there are two distinct floor plans available. The Hillyer will offer 2,242 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, while the Howard is the premium end-unit floor plan, complete with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms throughout 2,000 square feet of living space.

Thanks to its proximity to downtown Decatur, residents at East Howard Place will enjoy a walkable lifestyle, with easy access to many of the dining, shopping and entertainment destinations that can be found in the area. A small sampling of the local attractions include Fellini’s Pizza, Leon’s Full Service, Cakes & Ale, summertime Concerts on the Square, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Glenlake Park, Druid Hills Golf Club, Kimball House Restaurant, Decatur Famer’s Market and the East Lake Golf Club. Plus, Decatur has its own MARTA station, providing residents with easy access to most of Atlanta’s other intown neighborhoods.

To be among the first to reserve your new townhome at East Howard Place in Decatur, contact sales agents Ted Blocker at 404-918-4455 and Sandy Bartow at 678-859-3922. For more information on East Howard Place, visit www.MonteHewettHomes.com.

 Photo credit for map and rendering photo: http://www.atlantarealestateforum.com

Eye on Decatur - LEON'S

Leon's Full Service in Decatur recently added a new vintage style sign. It looks great.

Oakhurst Wine Crawl 2015 - Saturday Feb. 21

From: https://www.freshtix.com/events/oakhurst-wine-crawl-2015
For tickets go to above link
The 2015 Oakhurst wine crawl will be held on Feb 21, 2015 from 4-7pm.  Participants can taste over 100 different wines while visiting the businesses in Oakhurst.  Over 30 businesses will be showcased this year serving wine.  All wine crawlers must be 21 years of age or older and have valid ID the day of event.  The wine crawl will begin at the Solarium at 231 W Hill Street, Decatur Ga 30030 and participants can stroll the Oakhurst village or ride the Fur Bus ( free of charge ) to businesses along College Ave.  This event is for adults only and will happen on scheduled date rain or shine.  No refunds will be given, as this is a neighborhood sponsored event to promote other events in Oakhurst throughout the year.

Fire Damaged LongHorn Steakhouse has Plans to Rebuilt across from Toco Hills

 

 From http://www.tonetoatl.com

A new LongHorn Steakhouse coming soon?

The fire-damaged LongHorn Steakhouse on North Druid Hills Road was finally demolished earlier this week.  LongHorn Steakhouse, part of Orlando, Florida-based Darden Restaurants, burned last June, and up until this week had sat fenced in, caved in, and abandoned.
The LongHorn building, which locals say dates to the 70s, was originally a Sambo's, and later a Skeeter's Mesquite Grille, a predecessor to LongHorn.

It remains unclear why over eight months have passed since the fire, and only now is the site being cleared.

Heidi Schauer, Media Representative for LongHorn Steakhouse, provided the following yesterday:

"Our landlord for the Toco Hills restaurant began the demolition of the building this week. We expect the demolition process to take two weeks."

"The landlord is in the planning phase of rebuilding the restaurant.  That’s all the information I have at this time."
 http://www.tonetoatl.com/

Photo credit Google maps

Kudzu Antiques President's Day Sale

http://www.kudzuantiques.com/

Dekalb Prison Bus Breaks down on the way to Courthouse

 From decaturish.com
 According to Decaturish, Public Information Officer Cynthia Williams stated on Tuesday:
"Due to an unanticipated mechanical problem that caused the shutdown of a Sheriff’s Office inmate transport bus this  morning, deputies had to transfer some 40 inmates from one transport bus to another while en route to court in downtown Decatur.  Following protocol, armed deputies from the Field and Court divisions were able to block traffic, create a secure perimeter and make the transfer within 15 minutes without incident or threat to the general public.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused for commuters, and we thank you for your patience and cooperation."

file photo.

Two New Anchors for Brookhaven Plaza

From Tomorrows News Today
The nearly 45,000 square foot anchor space, once home to beloved Harris Teeter, is slated to become a Stein Mart and a Total Wine & More.
The Harris Teeter opened in 1993, and was one of the more successful and popular locations for the Charlotte-based grocer, but it closed in 2001 amidst stiff competition and the chain's exit from the Atlanta market. Kroger, which purchased the lease, for a time operated it as a Kroger (approximately 2001-2003.) Even with Cherokee Plaza (former A&P turned Kroger) across the street, Kroger still controls and has been paying the lease (due to expire 08/2018) and had thus prevented another grocery store from opening.  Wilson and Sons Antiques opened in the space over six years ago but closed soon after. Since then, the space has been vacant. 
full story http://www.tonetoatl.com/2015/02/pigs-fly-brookhaven-plaza-getting-two.html#more

Behind the Scenes Look at Tour deCatur

Peach State Opera to present Arias in Avondale Sunday, Feb. 22 from 4-6 p.m.

Sent in by Nancy Martin
Peach State Opera to present Arias in Avondale Sunday, Feb. 22 from 4-6 p.m.

Peach State Opera will be bringing an afternoon of "Arias in Avondale" to The Bishop Restaurant in Avondale Estates, on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. The restaurant is located at 124 N. Avondale Rd., Avondale Estates, GA 30002. Enjoy arias by some of Peach State Opera's fine performers accompanied by wine and delicious small plate appetizers. The Bishop Restaurant is handling reservations which may be made by calling 404-692-5454. The price for this afternoon of fine music, wine and appetizers is $35 per person which also includes a discount for anyone wishing to remain at The Bishop for dinner after the performance. You will enjoy hearing our singers in this very popular and elegant new setting in Avondale Estates. Those interested should make reservations now as this event will sell out quickly.

Largest Park for Atlanta Announced

Also Plans to Expand the Atlanta Streetcar
From ajc
Mayor Kasim Reed announced plans Wednesday to expand the Atlanta Streetcar and build what will become the city’s largest public park.

Speaking at the annual State of the City business breakfast, Reed said the city is taking the “first steps” to connect the Atlanta Streetcar’s downtown track eastward by three-quarters of a mile, ultimately connecting the rail line with the Beltline trail.
The mayor did not say how the expansion to the streetcar, which cost $96 million in its first phase, would be funded.

Plans for the streetcar to connect to the Beltline’s eventual 22-mile loop of parks and trails have long been in the works, but many are skeptical it will become reality because of lack of funding.
full story
Photo credit from
flickr member MATT' JOHNSON

Railroad Crossing Closures this Week

From http://thedecaturminute.com/ CSX will close the McDonough St. railroad crossing Mon., Feb. 2 and Tues., Feb. 3 for railroad tie maintenance. The Candler St. crossing will be closed Tues., Feb. 3 and Wed., Feb. 4. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will be directed to detours at either the East Lake Drive or Commerce Drive underpasses. For more information, contact Project Civil Engineer Jennings Bell at 404-370-4104 or CSX Railroad at 877-835-5279.