Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Low Country Boil No. 8 Oct. 14, 2010


Tickets now available for
Decatur Education Foundation's
Low Country Boil!
As the weather finally cools, it is time to start thinking about Decatur's most popular Fall event!


Now In its 8th year, the Low Country Boil will feature:

GREAT food by Chefs Michael Condon & Ray Allen of Badda Bing

GREAT beer provided by Victory Brewing Compnany

GREAT music by Decatur's best cover band The Dammages

GREAT "Gourmet & Getaway" auction items

ALL for a GREAT Cause:
Ensuring that EVERY child in Decatur has opportunities
to reach his/her full potential



For more information or to purchase your ticket click here
or visit decaturlowcountryboil.com
Interested in sponsoring this great community event
or serving on the host committee?
email gail@decatureducationfoundation.org or call 404-377-0641

Just "Conan" Will be Conan O'Brien's Late Night Show Title

From http://newsroom.mtv.com
by Kyle Anderson in Television

Well, Conan O'Brien didn't end up going with any of the helpful suggestions put forth this morning. And apparently all those stories about the late night host not being able to use the name "Conan" because of the makers of the "Conan" movies were unfounded, as O'Brien announced today that his new show will be called simply "Conan." In a video posted to his show's official TBS site, O'Brien talked about how much the media had been wondering about the title (including one persistent Italian journalist/pizza maker) and how he had come to a simple, elegant conclusion. He also joked about the kick off date for the show (he initially said December 8, but was corrected by somebody off-camera with the actual date, which is November 8 — "Of this year?" O'Brien exclaimed) and noticed that the title he wrote on the piece of paper for the reveal sort of looked like "Conaw."

Read more here :http://newsroom.mtv.com

Local gift chain Swoozie's reopens two Atlanta stores, plans for more growth

By Arielle Kass

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For two months, there was no such thing as Swoozie's, the Atlanta-based paper and gift retailer. For several months prior to that -- when a liquidation sale that began in March emptied the stores of all merchandise and fixtures -- the company might as well as have ceased to exist.
President Kelly Plank-Dworkin, who always prided Swoozie's on building relationships with customers who walked in the door, said the liquidation was "devastating." Long-time customers coming in for housewarming gifts or wedding invitations didn't get the service they were used to.

"I couldn't even shop in the shopping center. It was very painful," she said. "Every day, I had to wake up and put one foot in front of the next, decide what to do."

What Plank-Dworkin did was work hard to save the store, which she described as her life. She separated the intellectual property -- Swoozie's name and concept -- from a bankruptcy filing. Just after the liquidation ended, it was sold at auction to the Colorado private equity firm Gart Capital.

Today, two Swoozie's stores have reopened in Atlanta along with five others across the South.
AJC Story

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Back in the Day Hat's were the Way



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Ted Levy was a Decatur Men's Clothing Store located where the new court house is today.
Which was across the street from The Decatur Theatre back in the day.
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Salsa Nights @ MEZCALITO'S CANTINA


Tonight: Saturday, August 28, 2010 time:10:30 PM to 2:00 AM

Join us at Mezcalito's Cantina for a fun night of salsa dancing!!! Enjoy our unique dancing ambiance or just relax on the patio. We also have a full bar with a variety of drinks.

- Free beginners salsa class from 9:30-10:30pm
- Free admission from 10:30pm

**$5 Freshly Made Margarita Special**


when :Saturday, August 28, 2010 time:10:30 PM to 2:00 AM:Mezcalito's Cantina located at 653 East Lake Drive Decatur, GA 30030

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Design-a-Library-Card Contest Winners

One of the winning card designs was featured here in a earlier post.
Congrats to the winners.



Winners from left to right are: Deborah Hunter, winner in adult category; Deondria Boyer, winner in children's category and Mollie Simon, winner in teen category. 12-year-old Deondria Boyer, a 7th grader at Tucker Middle School, is the winner in the youth age group. Her design emphasizes how reading can broaden your knowledge of the world. “I got to thinking about what happens when I read,” explained Deondria. “It truly can take you anywhere.”

“It’s exciting to know other people will see and use my design,” said Mollie Simon, 14. She is the teen winner with a geometric design and a message to “Read On.” Mollie is a 9th grader at Chamblee High School.

The winner in the adult category is Deborah Hunter. Her design makes books the foundation on which a strong community is built. “I’m happy and grateful to be a part of something that allows people to express themselves about reading,” she said.
read more here.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Howe Construction, Inc. Bowling For Dollars @ Suburban Plaza Lanes

From: http://neighbornewspapers.com

DECATUR, GEORGIA (August 25, 2010) – Howe Construction, Inc. is sponsoring and participating in the upcoming 8th Annual Bowl-A-Thon to support Children’s Miracle Network sponsored by the Greater Atlanta Chapter of Credit Unions. The Bowl-A-Thon will be held on Saturday, August 28nd at Suburban Lanes in Decatur, Georgia.

This event will benefit the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as a part of the Credit Unions for Kids program. Credit Unions for Kids is a collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues, and business partners who engage in fundraising activities to benefit 170 Children's Miracle Network affiliated children's hospitals serving 17+ million kids. Stan Howe, President of Howe Construction Inc. said, “In all times, especially uncertain economic times, it is important to remember what really matters. For us, giving back to the community and participating in events like these matters.”

About Howe Construction, Inc.

Howe Construction, Inc., established in 1999, specializes in offering complete construction services, such as site selection, architecture, engineering, project management, renovation, interior design and space planning to financial institutions throughout the Southeast. Howe Construction’s approach is honest and straight-forward with an emphasis on listening to the needs of their clients in an effort to ensure that their goals are met.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Stan Howe

President

Howe Construction, Inc

770.643.0650

stan@howeconstruction.com

www.howeconstruction.com

Free Remodeling Seminars + Design Consultations @ Renewal Design-Build


**Space is limited, so reservations are required.**

Renewal will be presenting two seminars focused on homeowners thinking of remodeling in the current economy. Now more than ever, people are worried about their homes and what kind of investments they should make. These seminars will help educate, and hopefully, alleviate some of those fears. Plus, we’ll have free design consultations following each seminar.

REMEMBER SPACE IS LIMITED, SO YOU NEED TO CALL FOR RESERVATIONS.

*To reserve your space at the seminars, call 404.378.6962, or email info@RenewalDesignBuild.com.*


Best,

Kelly Cheek

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kelly Cheek

404.378.6962

Kelly@RenewalDesignBuild.com

Free Seminars on Smart Remodeling

Design Consultations Follow Each Seminar

August 2010– This September, Renewal Design-Build will host two free seminars focused on homeowners who are thinking of renovating in the current economy. Remodeling in Today’s Economy and Kitchen and Bath Design Trends will be held at the company’s headquarters in Decatur. Renewal’s award-winning design team will be available after each seminar for free consultations. Seating is limited, so reserve your space today.

Renewal is an Atlanta Business Chronicle “Top Five Residential Remodeler” and has been featured in multiple home renovation shows.

The date and description of each seminar are as follows:

· Thursday, September 9, 7:00pm: Remodeling in Today’s Economy

Thinking of starting a renovation project, but not sure it’s worth the investment? Afraid to pull the trigger? This seminar will discuss remodeling in today’s marketplace, as well as what projects are good – and bad – investments. Free design consultations follow.

· Tuesday, September 14, 7:00pm: Kitchen and Bath Design Trends

If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, this is your chance to learn about kitchen and bath design basics, product selections, all the latest trends, and return on investment. Free design consultations follow.

Renewal Design-Build – 124 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur – is an award-winning firm dedicated to providing complete solutions for renovations, additions, kitchens, baths, porches, decks, small projects and repairs.

*To reserve your space at the seminars, call 404.378.6962, or email info@RenewalDesignBuild.com.*

Kelly Cheek

Marketing Manager
Renewal Design-Build


t. 404-378-6962
f. 404-378-6963

124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA 30030

Kelly@RenewalDesignBuild.com

http://www.RenewalDesignBuild.com

Mingei August Sale




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Mingei World Arts
427 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030-3334
(404) 371-0101
http://mingeiworldarts.wordpress.com/

Open Fri 11am-8pm; Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 12pm-5pm

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Overstock Liquidation Co. @ Suburban Plaza Shopping Center

DeKalb says no to GM redevelopment

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Balking at giving public money to a private developer, DeKalb County voted Tuesday against investing in the redevelopment of the vacant Doraville GM plant.
Instead, the county will likely use $36 million in federal stimulus bonds to upgrade its aging water and sewer system.

After months of closed-door meetings and negotiations, the DeKalb County Commission voted 5 to 2 to kill the $54 million project that called for a mixed use of retail and office space as well as residential units at the site near I-85 and I-285.

The plan called for giving $36 million in federal stimulus bonds to Florida developer New Broad Street. It also required another $18 million in interest, which would be paid for by a property tax increase.
ajc story

Monday, August 23, 2010

Wedding Proposal at Decatur store of The Cook's Warehouse



This sent in by Jim Brams of Cooks Warehouse
Cue two behind-the-scenes cupids: Wendy Allen, cooking school director, and Jim Fitzgerald, assistant manager of the Decatur store, who were “in” on the surprise.
Bhedwar issued a secret evite to the couples’ friends, about 40 of whom slipped in a back door as Mehta finished teaching her class that night. On bended knee, Cyrus proposed – and Naina accepted!
It might sound corny but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. They broke out the champagne and everyone celebrated and then the party moved to a nearby bar-restaurant, The Chocolate Bar, for more drinks and celebration.
The Cook’s Warehouse ( www.cookswarehouse.com ) is greater Atlanta’s premier gourmet cookware store and cooking school with three locations in Midtown, Decatur and Brookhaven. It offers more than 15,000 products for the kitchen and operates the largest avocational cooking school in the Southeast, conducting more than 600 classes yearly, often taught by local chefs, and has a large web-based delivery-by-post site.
Owned and operated by founder Mary S. Moore, The Cook’s Warehouse also retails high-end appliances; conducts private cooking classes for unique celebrations and corporate events, and is a pro bono partner with virtually every major cooking event and gourmet association in Atlanta.

There's an app for that at Emory

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Want to search the catalog of the libraries at Emory University? What if you want to look up a professor's contact information? Maybe you're just trying to find a place to eat on campus.

Well, now there's an app for that.

Emory officials unveiled Monday a collection of smartphone apps to help students, staff and visitors navigate the campuses in Atlanta and Oxford. The programs allow people to search event calendars, get scores from the Emory Eagles varsity teams, read the college newspaper and other features, officials said.

ajc story

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Varsity Jr Closes Today.


By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

What'll ya have before the Varsity Jr. closes its doors?
Sunday will be the last day to enjoy chili dogs and onion rings at the Lindbergh Drive location, according to the iconic Atlanta restaurant chain.

After 45 years, the Varsity Jr. will close due to an inability to meet zoning requirements with the City of Atlanta. Restaurant owners had hoped to build a new facility, complete with indoor restrooms.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions the Varsity family has had to make in our 82 years of operation," the restaurant's website states.

Employee Kelly Bibbs told the AJC she's worked at the Varsity Jr. for six years and now will move to the Varsity Gwinnett location. But it won't be the same, she said.
ajc story

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Renewal Design & Build is hosting two free seminars and design consultations


Renewal is hosting two free seminars and design consultations for those homeowners thinking of renovating.

Enjoy refreshments while you look at design and finish samples in our on site showroom.

Seating is limited, so reserve your space today!

The award-winning Renewal design team will also be available after each seminar for free consultations.

Thursday, Sept. 9, 7 pm:
Re
modeling in Today's Economy
Read description.
Free design consultations follow!

Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7 pm:
Kitchen and Bath Design Trends

Read description.
Free design consultations follow!
Download the flyer here.

To reserve your space, call 404.378.6962, or email info@RenewalDesignBuild.com.
404.378.6962 | 124 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Chick-fil-A tops Atlanta's fast-food market

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chick-fil-A ranked highest for customer satisfaction among fast-food restaurants in Atlanta, according to J.D. Power and Associates. The group's 2010 U.S. Restaurant Satisfaction Study measured customer satisfaction for restaurant chains in 10 U.S. markets, judging them by price, service, the meal itself and the restaurant's ambiance, cleanliness and convenience. The study was based on responses from 93,410 customers of more than 100 major restaurant chains who dined at a restaurant between May and July 2010. There were 9,612 respondents in the Atlanta market.

ajc story

Monday, August 16, 2010

The 2010 Decatur Book Festival Monster now has a name "The Bookie Monster"


Read all about it at The Decatur Book Festival site.

“The Bookie Monster” is his name , and he is coming Labor Day Weekend.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Gardenhouse Dance to Host a Free Decatur dance event in September


This was sent in by
Erin Weller
Decatur resident and arts enthusiast

When: Sept 18 &19 at 4-5pm.

Where: East Decatur Station 2752 East Ponce de Leon, Suite A.


Event Tip- Free Decatur dance event in September



Hi! As a reader of your blog, I wanted to let you know about a unique, tenacious little dance company I volunteer for that works in Decatur, Gardenhouse Dance. We're holding a free showing in Decatur on Sept 18 &19 at 4-5pm. Not your typical contemporary dance company, Gardenhouse has been around for many years, and has performed in warehouses, Atlanta's Museum of Contemporary Art, and outdoor sites around the metro area. East Decatur Station is providing performance space for our upcoming showing at their 2752 East Ponce de Leon, Suite A, Decatur location. The event is appropriate for all ages and free to the entire community. Ideas to be shared in the dance showing include a video "Yours," an excerpt from an upcoming work entitled "Ah, well.." investigating night-time monkey brain, and an excerpt from future work "Elongation" involving a solo performer and a horse. You can visit www.gardenhousedance.org for more info. For a formal press release and photos, you can contact me (Erin) at bludramakick@yahoo.com, or director Nicole Livieratos at nicoleandalan@bellsouth.net. Thanks so much, Erin Weller Decatur resident and arts enthusiast

Wimpy Kid ice treat truck tour @ Little Shop of Stories


By Shelia M. Poole

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The 2010 Diary of a Wimpy Kid summer ice-treat truck tour will roll through Georgia as part of a nationwide tour.
The tour will highlight the release of the new "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth" book, which will go on sale in November. The tour also leads into the September release of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box of Books," the first-ever collection of books one through four in the series that features an original Rowley Jefferson cartoon.

The events kick off Sunday. The first stop will be at noon at the Little Shop of Stories, 133A East Court Square in Decatur. At 4 p.m. , the ice-treat truck will be at Books-A-Million, 1774 Jonesboro Rd. in McDonough.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books, written by Jeff Kinney and published by Amulet Books, are sold in more than 30 countries around the world.

ajc story

Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square
Decatur, Georgia 30030

Friday, August 13, 2010

Update on The Varsity Jr. Closing



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http://www.11alive.com/

Relics and Rarities Moving to Underground Atlanta



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UPDATE:
Wasting no time, Warren has already cleared out half of the building as of Saturday
Aug. 14th.
He "hopes" to have the Underground Atlanta location set up by mid October.

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Warren Pickard inside his Decatur Ice Cream Parlor
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Relics & Rarities Leaving Decatur, Say It Ain't So - Relics & Rarities to Move to Underground Atlanta

Since Sept. 2009 Atlanta Policeman Warren Pickard opened his doors to his Car Gallery and Ice Cream Shop for a journey through time with his collection "Cool Stuff"

In early September 2009, Relics and Rarities Ice Cream Parlor and Car Gallery opened its doors to Decatur, Ga. He was prepared and did take the youth of Decatur, and the entire metropolitan area on a wonderful journey. The Gallery is full of American automobile history and the culture in which it is surrounded. Just about every item in the gallery has a Relics and Rarities information plaque associated with it. The plaques provided interesting and educational comments. His motto was and still is “learn something cool and have a cool scoop of ice cream while you’re at it.”

The Decatur location was very good to him but he wanted more customers to see his unique collection. He hates to leave Decatur,
but business is business and with an offer he could not resist, he will be moving to Underground Atlanta soon.

Warren said: "After the CNN story, Relics and Rarities got a lot of interest from all over the country. In fact 97% of Relics and Rarities customers over the last year did not reside in Decatur. So it makes good business sense to move into an environment such as Underground Atlanta. I think it would have been difficult for Relic and Rarities to find longevity on North McDonough Street in the long term because the street is so neglected".

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I know
Relics and Rarities will do very good in Underground Atlanta.
And become even more popular.
Good Luck Warren.

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Raging Taco & Burrito


Decatur, GA
Chill at the Festive Bar or relax on the Big Garden Patio! Enjoy Tasty margaritas & 16 Craft beers on tap! They validate parking! Since 1996.

Voted #1 Burritos by Creative Loaf
141 Sycamore St
Decatur, GA 30030
404-377-3311‎



Thursday, August 12, 2010

The English Beat @ Variety Playhouse Aug. 25, 2010



From variety-playhouse.com
One tempestuous weekend in March 1979 was the very first show by a nascent band known as The English Beat. The band hailed from working class, industrial Birmingham, England. When they rushed on to the music scene in 1979, it was a time of social, political and musical upheaval. Into this storm came The English Beat, trying to calm the waters with their simple message of love and unity set to a great dance beat. The English Beat are all about inclusion, rather than exclusion, and this shows in their personnel and their music influences. The band crosses over fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk, and from these disparate pieces they create an infectious dance rhythm. Along with their contemporaries The Specials, The Selecter, and Madness, The English Beat became an overnight sensation and one of the most popular and influential bands of the British ska movement.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

PUBLIX Curbside shopping @ Toco Hills


Photo courtesy of Publix
You have enough on your plate. Let us shop for you!

Work. Kids. Soccer practice. With such a busy schedule, finding a good time to head to Publix can be a real challenge. That's why we're pleased to tell you about a new service that'll save you loads of time and simplify your life: Publix Curbside.

How does it work? Just click on your location below to shop online at your convenience. Our easy-to-use site lets you select products from that store—and even honors sales prices and special deals offered in our weekly ad. Like your Deli meat, produce, or other items a certain way? Make a note! Our specially trained Curbside associates will put your entire order together, taking care to do just as good a job with your list as you would yourself. Then stop by at your chosen appointment time. We'll collect payment and bring your order to your car.

No matter how much your grocery order totals, the added charge for this service is just $7.99 each trip— and there's no service charge on your first order! Try it for FREE today.

Click below to get started.

Toco Hills Shopping Center
2969 N Druid Hills Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-3909
Main: (404) 638-6022
Start Shopping

Pee-wee's Big Adventure @ Annual Sturgis Rally


click here for more photos
Pee-wee’s visit on August 8th & 9th will officially kick off The Chip’s festivities during the 70th Annual Sturgis Rally in South Dakota where estimated attendance is over 650,000 riders.
full story
see this also
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The Book Nook - Decatur



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The Book Nook

Buy, Trade, Sell, Book's On Tape, Compact Discs, Videos, Records, Tapes, 50000 New & Used Books, 50 000 New & Used Books, New & Used Books, 5000 Cassettes, 20000 Used Tapes, 20000 Records, 15000 CDs, Compact Disc, Vcr's, DVD's

Hours: OPEN 7 DAYS

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Book Nook
3073 N. Druid Hills Rd.
Decatur, Ga
(404) 633-1342

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Decatur Arts Live Event


A Day of Performing Arts, Just for the Family
Decatur Arts Live!, August 21, 10am-2 pm

Flamenco dancers, jugglers, puppets, and comedians will be just some of the fun and entertainment for children and adults alike at Glennwood Academy, as they host
Decatur Arts Live on August 21, from 10:00am - 2:00pm . The event is a joint venture between the Glennwood PTO and Young Audiences, Woodruff Arts Center (YAWAC). It is designed to support the Cultural Arts enrichment program at Glennwood and to showcase the diversity of professional artists working with Young Audiences.


The fun will begin at 10:00 am as attendees rotate through a schedule of simultaneous performances, hands-on activities, and workshops insie the school. Families can enjoy performances from YAWAC artists such as storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin, Kathy Bennett, sculptor Jeff Mather, and singer/performer Greg Roth. Guests will listen to live musical performances and may speak one-on-one with artists about their craft. The event is appropriate for children aged pre-K through fifth grade and is open to the public. The school cafe will serve family-friendly snacks and lunch.

We are excited to have the opportunity to sponsor this event and work with Glennwood Academy, said Tony Kimbrell, Executive Director of Young Audiences. â€Å“Young Audiences is committed to providing students across Georgia every opportunity to experience arts to the fullest, and Decatur Arts Live is a way to help fulfill our mission—to transform the lives and learning of young people through the arts.

This event is designed to become an annual event, and a tradition for local families. Tickets purchased in advance are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, or $20 per family. If purchased the day of the event, tickets will be $15 for adults, $8 for kids, or $25 per family. You may purchase tickets in advance at http://www.Glennwood PTO.org. Glennwood Academy is located at 440 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue in downtown Decatur.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 Decatur Arts Live event are still available. For more information about Decatur Arts Live go to www.GlennwoodPTO.org or contact Nia Schooler at (404) 759-1210 or niaschooler@comcast.net .

Tonight @ Eddie's Attic Concert for Decatur Education Foundation


Local favorites Caroline Herring, Diane Durrett, Kodac Harrison and Sydney Rhame take the stage on August 8 at Eddie's Attic in a first-ever benefit concert for Decatur Education Foundation.
Rhame and Herring will be joined by Harrison for the 5:30pm show and by Durrett for the 8pm show.

Purchase your tickets for the early show here.
Purchase your tickets for the late show here.
OR buy your ticket at the door.
All proceeds from this event support DEF's efforts to ensure that all the children and youth of Decatur have opportunities to reach their full potential.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Varsity Jr at Lindbergh Closing and moving to Dawson County



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By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When Joseph Bailey started working at the Varsity Jr. some 40 years ago, he viewed it as "just another job."
"Then it became home," said Bailey, still reeling from the news that the Lindbergh spin-off of the downtown institution is about to serve its last chili dog.

A zoning dispute with the city led to Friday's announcement, which stunned employees and customers alike. The restaurant, at Lindbergh and Cheshire Bridge Road, will close Aug. 23, just a few weeks before ground is expected to be broken on a new Varsity Jr. -- in Dawson County, across the street from the North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall on Ga. 400.
ajc full story

Suzanne Vega Tom's Diner


Have a great weekend.

The Other Guys - Starts Today



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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Isabella's Cafe Now Open


Isabella's Cafe
910 West College Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
www.isabellascafe.com