Erbert & Gerbert's® Sandwich Shop opens in Decatur

click on logo for menu

The Decatur store, located at 2752 Ponce de Leon Ave., opened Saturday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m. Ed and Sara Andrist are the new franchisees.


Erbert & Gerbert's® Sandwich Shop is opening their 50th franchise store. The store will open in Decatur, Ga., located northeast of Atlanta, and represents the company's move into the southeast region of the United States.

The Decatur store location features the new Urban Decor, new Erbert & Gerbert's Signature menu offering uniquely flavorful sandwiches, an outdoor patio, and a state-of-the-art Coca-Cola® freestyle machine.

The new menu includes customer favorites such as the Boney Billy and Comet Morehouse from the Classic line, as well as the Specialty and Signature lines of fabulous sandwich flavors. Erbert & Gerbert's menu also features a flavorful line of soups, chips and desserts. Sandwiches start at a price of $4.49.

"We are excited to be celebrating our 50th store opening and bringing the Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shop into the southeast part of the country. With multiple stores in development, we look forward to continuing our expansion in the southeast region and nationwide," said Eric Wolfe, CEO and president of E & G Franchise Systems, Inc. "We welcome everyone to come out and experience the flavor of our new sandwich creations. Welcome to FlavorNation!"

The Decatur store, located at 2752 Ponce de Leon Ave., will open Saturday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m. Ed and Sara Andrist are the new franchisees.

Founded in 1988 in Eau Claire, Wis., Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shop is dedicated to serving better, more flavorful sandwiches than anyone else in the universe. The sandwich shop concept was based on childhood stories told by the founder's father that centered on two imaginary boys, Erbert and Gerbert Herbert, who experienced adventures throughout space and time, meeting interesting characters along the way. Those 14 characters - including Halleys Comet, Jacob Bluefinger and Comet Morehouse - are now the names of the Erbert & Gerbert's sandwiches.

Erbert & Gerbert's 50 restaurant locations span the Midwest - in college towns, urban downtowns and rural centers - from Wisconsin to Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado - and now in Georgia. In addition to in-store dining, Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shops provide catering and delivery options.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).

SOURCE Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shop
h/t to http://pr-usa.net

Pete the Cat T-shirts

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Ok all you Pete the Cat lovers, check out this new shirt over at petethecat.com


P.S : They even have Pete the Cat car tags.

Early Years are the Learning Years

Early Years are the Learning Years

Celebrate Week of the Young Child with Our House

Decatur, GA [April 11, 2011]. Our House – a Decatur-based early child development center for homeless preschoolers – is celebrating the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) annual Week of the Young Child (WYOC) April 11-15. This year’s theme is Early Years are the Learning Years.

The WYOC brings attention to the needs of young children and their families, while highlighting the early childhood education programs and services available to meet those needs. “We want every member of our community to appreciate that early childhood education is vital to all of us as a community,” said Our House Executive Director Tyese Lawyer. “Our community truly thrives when all of our children receive a strong early learning foundation to succeed in school, and to succeed in life.”

This year, Our House will promote children's literacy by inviting community members to read to students. Gifts are also welcome to support quality early childhood education for those children in our community who are most in need. To make a tax-deductible gift today, visit www.ourhousega.org.

Media contact: Tyese Lawyer at 404-378-0938

Volunteer contact: Amy Green at 404-378-0938

Blue Sky Concerts for Spring 2011

Blue Sky Concerts and Concerts on the Square Spring Line-Up!

Katie over at The Decatur Minute has the line-up
check it out.

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday April 16

From decaturdba.com
Easter Egg Hunt • Saturday, April 16 • 11 a.m.
Bring your basket and join the Easter Bunny in the hunt for candy eggs on the square in downtown Decatur. Easter Bunny arrives at 10:30 a.m. The candy hunt begins promptly at 11 a.m. Age categories: 0-2; preschool, kindergarten, grades 1-5. Sponsored by Decatur Business Association. Free.

Beer-friendly growlers to debut in Decatur

http://decatur.11alive.com

DeKalb Tech gets new name "Georgia Piedmont Technical College".

ajc story
By Laura Diamond

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Say good-bye to DeKalb Technical College and hello to Georgia Piedmont Technical College.
The board over the state's technical colleges unanimously approved the name change Thursday. The new name better reflects the college's mission because it serves DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Morgan counties, officials said.

College officials plan to select a new logo and school colors by the end of June.

Decatur Street Scene

click to view on black background

The Wild One.

The Perfect Pair of Jeans: PRICELESS



Do you just ride around or do you go on some sort of a picnic or something?
Johnny: A picnic? Man, you are too square. I'm... I... I'll have to straighten you out. Now, listen, you don't go any one special place. That's cornball style. You just go.
[snaps fingers]

Cookbook Authors coming to The Cook's Warehouse

Cookbook Authors coming to The Cook’s Warehouse

WHO: Several nationally known touring cookbook authors

April 13: Liz Thorpe – The Cheese Chronicles. Thorpe, a renowned cheesemonger and VP of Murray’s Cheese, will teach “The Harmony of Wine and Cheese” complete with tasting, and will autograph her book.

April 21: Elizabeth Sims and Chef Brian Sonoskus – Tupelo Honey Café. A well-known Asheville, NC, restaurant with creative recipes and healthy ingredients and the first cookbook focuses on Asheville’s foodtopian culture. An evening meal of its recipes and wines from the Biltmore Estate will be followed by a signing of the cookbook.

(This class at the Decatur shop.)

May 3: Tony Seichrist – Meat. Salt. Time. Atlanta chef Seichrist has written a tribute to salumi master Cristiano Creminelli and will teach the way it’s made as well as an evening of Northern Italian cuisine, then autograph his new book.

May 12: Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Graubart – Southern Biscuits. The new definitive biscuit-baking cookbook, star chef Dupree and her co-author Graubart will host a cooking class featuring recipes from the new release and will sign copies of their cookbook after class.

May 16: Sherri Brooks Vinton – Put ‘Em Up! This comprehensive guide to home preserving covers everything from canning and freezing to drying and infusions. A mix of seasonal berries will take center stage for this hands on evening of preserving. After class, Vinton will sign copies of her book. (This class at the Decatur shop.)

June 16: Sheri Castle – The New Southern Garden Cookbook. Castle will teach a class of healthy, fresh ingredients from local gardens and personalize your copy of her new cookbook.

June 23: Joanne Weir – Wine Country Cooking. A fourth-generation and award-winning cookbook author and television personality, Weir will cook up a dinner of her favorite recipes before her signing.

WHERE: The Cook’s Warehouse, Ansley Mall

1544 Piedmont Road NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30324 / 404-815-4993, store phone

Tupelo Honey Café and Put ‘Em Up at the Decatur shop:

The Cook’s Warehouse

180 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Decatur, Georgia 30030 / (404) 377-4005, store phone

To register for any of these classes (filter by chef’s name):

https://classes.cookswarehouse.com/ClassReg/public/classes.asp

We’re pleased to arrange interviews with any of the authors – please schedule with Wendy or Jim.

CONTACT:

Wendy Allen, (404) 492-9015, wendy@cookswarehouse.com

Jim Brams, (404) 403-6218, jimbrams@att.net

See "Tornado Alley" this April 3 @ Fernbank

From Deanna Smith of Fernbank Museum

Hello friends,
I know this is last minute, but I’d like to invite you to join us April 3 for a special "Tornado Alley" event! Filmmaker and storm chaser Sean Casey will bring the TIV to Fernbank for visitors to get an up-close look at this incredible vehicle that can travel inside the heart of a tornado.
I’d like to offer you 2 tickets to the show time of your choice. Show times are available April 3 at noon, 2pm and 4pm. The TIV will be on view noon – 5pm.
Let me know if you are able to join us!

Thanks,
Deanna

See "Tornado Alley" this Sunday!

from Deanna Smith
Find out how you can save up to 40% off IMAX® tickets.

Purchase tickets online or by calling 404.929.6400.

Earth Day Celebration and Parade April 17

Lena over at The Decatur Minute reports on Decatur Earth Day Celebration.
Latham Home Sanitation, Decatur’s Recycling Company presents the Decatur Earth Day Celebration and Parade!
The Earth Friendly Parade starts at 12:30 p.m. in Harmony Park in the center of the Oakhurst Business District and ends at the Oakhurst Community Garden. Line up will begin at noon.
read more


Here is a you tube from last years fun times at Earth Day in Oakhurst.

Kids Cooking Classes in Spring/Summer 2011

Photo/Interview Opportunity

Cooking Classes for Children, Spring/Summer 2011

WHO: Kids Cooking Classes in Spring/Summer 2011

WHERE: The Cook’s Warehouse, Ansley Mall

1544 Piedmont Road NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30324 / (404) 815-4993, store phone

-and-

The Cook’s Warehouse

180 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Decatur, Georgia 30030 / (404) 377-4005, store phone

BACKGROUND:

The Cook’s Warehouse’s new schedule has many classes for children in three age groups at two shops, including a five-day Kids Camp series which also runs through the summer months.

WHEN:

Ansley Mall

April 4-5, Teen Cake Decorating Hands (ages 10-17), 9 a.m.-noon both days

May 22, Family Pizza Fun Hands On (age 5 and up), 1-4 p.m.

Ansley Mall Summer Camp Series (ages 9-17)

June 20-24 Five-day classes for Global Cuisines, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. daily

July 11-15 Different countries/cuisines lead up to “Cook’s Warehouse Kid’s

July 25-29 Iron Chef Atlanta” competition, winner “crowned” in October

Decatur

April 6, Spring Cupcakes for Kids Hands On (ages 6-9), 9 a.m.-noon

April 16, Spring is in the Air Hands On (ages 6-9), 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

May 7, Mother’s Day Brunch Hands On (ages 3-5), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

May 14, To Market To Market Hands On (ages 10-17), 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

July 14, Mommy and Me – Let’s Travel to Italy! Hands On (ages 3-5), 10 a.m.-noon

July 14, Handstand Kids - Italian Favorites Hands On (ages 6-9), 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

CONTACT:

Wendy Allen, (404) 492-9015, wendy@cookswarehouse.com

Jim Brams, (404) 403-6218, jimbrams@att.net

Decatur Garden Tour 2011

Tex Mex Cantina Construction

Fox Brothers has just posted a picture of the progress on their new TexMex space, Big Tex Cantina, in Decatur located in the old Natalie's fish House.

h/t decatur metro
h/t : http://clatl.com/omnivore

Decatur CD Event: Eddie Spaghetti In-Store This Saturday

From Decatur CD site
Eddie Spaghetti In-Store This Saturday!

We'll also have some beer for the 21+ set. And remember, just like all Decatur CD events, everything on Saturday is FREE. See you then.




Many of you are no doubt fans of The Supersuckers. The Arizona cow punks have released several albums, many of them on the venerable Sub Pop. Well, the band's frontman/bassist, Eddie Spaghetti, recently released his third album, Sundowner, on the also-venerable Bloodshot. Spaghetti's coming to town for a pair of back-to-back shows with our friends at Smith's Olde Bar, and on Saturday, March 26th at 2pm, he'll take to the DCD stage. Meanwhile, Atlanta institution Fox Brothers will be dropping off some beef brisket sliders, brisket taquitos and smoked wings around 1pm that afternoon. Don't know about you, dear reader, but our mouths are watering just typing those words. We'll also have some beer for the 21+ set. And remember, just like all Decatur CD events, everything on Saturday is FREE. See you then.

photo from DECATUR CD

356 West Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
404.371.9090

Neon Trees "Animal"

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slow version below

Cook's Warehouse Winter 2011 Class Schedule

THE COOK’S WAREHOUSE RELEASES

WINTER 2011 CLASS SCHEDULE

ATLANTA, March 21, 2011 – The Spring 2011 class schedule has been released by The Cook's Warehouse with its usual depth of cuisine and subject matter.

From “Knife Skills 101 Hands On” and “New to the Kitchen Hands On” to advanced classes with local chefs, there are more than 130 classes from which to choose – one for every age level and interest in this quarter’s classes.

TCW will host cookbook authors for classes and signings, including:

· Sheri Castle, The New Southern Garden Cookbook

· Elizabeth Sims and Chef Brian Sonoskus, Tupelo Honey Café

· Tony Seichrist, Meat, Salt, Time.

· Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Graubert, Southern Biscuits

· Lisa Abend, The Sorcerer’s Apprentices: A Season in the Kitchen at Gerran Adriá’s elBulli

· Liz Thorpe, The Cheese Chronicles, and

· Joanne Weir, Wine Country Cooking

Well-known visiting and local chefs at the head of the class are:

· Christy Rost, PBS star of A Home for Christy Rost: Thanksgiving

· Eddie Hernandez, from Taqueria del Sol, and

· Our own Virginia Willis, with a “sneak peek” at her new cookbook, Basic to Brilliant, Y’all

Local market tours include:

· Morningside Market, tour and lunch hands on

· Your DeKalb Farmer’s Market, tour and lunch hands on, and

· Decatur Farmer’s Market tour and lunch hands on for kids (ages 10-17)

As far as cuisines, students may choose from Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, “Floribbean” (Florida/Caribbean), Mexican, Southern, Southwest, Thai, Gluten-free classes (three different ones), vegetarian and seafood.

Also available are lessons in a variety of subject-oriented courses including Big Green Egg (grilling), dim sum, farm flavors, goat cheese, pizza, wine country, California cuisine, Savoring the Southwest, paella, the science behind fish and shellfish, seafood, coffee, tomatoes, fondant and tapas.

Holiday offerings include classes for Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Father’s Day, Kentucky Derby, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

There are technique classes covering bread, pasta, canning and preserving, soufflés, French desserts, French mother sauces, sous vide, pressure cooking, seafood and cake decorating.

Returning sell-outs include:

· Seafood Savvy with the Georgia Aquarium

· A two-part Artisan Sausage Making series with Pine Street Market

· A two-part fresh mozzarella and Greek yogurt making series with AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery

Among the “younger set” offerings are:

· Our youngest: “Mother’s Day Brunch Hands On” for kids ages 3 to 5

· Global Cuisines, Spring Cupcakes and Spring in the Air, for ages 6 to 9, and

· Cake Decorating and To Market-To Market, for ages 10 to 17.

For the wine lover, there are several strictly “Wine” classes from Wine 101 to country/region-specific evenings as well as “tours” of wine and cheese areas.

The Cook’s Warehouse 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.

The Cook’s Warehouse is truly “Every Excuse to Cook.”

Winnona Park School Live Auction & Dance March 25

Chect out all the cool stuff up for auction just click on the blue circle above and put in password wildcats2011

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Following the Progress of The Daulton House

--- view on black backgroung



The Daulton House
317 South McDonough St.
Decatur, GA.

Learn more about this house at:
http://chapmanarchitecture.blogspot.com

Welcome to Decatur

Great little advertising video for Homes in Decatur area visit beckymorris.com

TMZ's Harvey Levin singing My Way

After TMZ's Harvey Levin first started joking around singing My Way, Paul Anka (who wrote it)
called Harvey and told him he would help him, and make a video.
It turned out great.
100% of the profits will benefit two OUTSTANDING charities ... Pet Orphans and Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue.

Saturday Night Dancing

If you don't like dancing maybe you like to strut

Decatur Street Scene

The Cook’s Warehouse Holds Fifth Farm-to-School Session

The Cook’s Warehouse Holds Fifth Farm-to-School Session






THE COOK’S WAREHOUSE HOLDS FIFTH FARM-TO-SCHOOL

SESSION FOR CITY SCHOOLS OF DECATUR PROGRAM


Locally Grown, Freshly Prepared Meals for Decatur Schoolchildren



ATLANTA, March 16, 2011 – Mary Moore, founder and CEO of The Cook’s Warehouse, hosted the fifth Farm-to-School “cooking workshop” session to help cafeteria workers and schoolchildren’s meals at the City Schools of Decatur.



Instead of a class, a meeting of the principals was an “Assess - Adjust - Plan” session to the program for the 3,000 children in the City Schools.



A round-table discussion included Moore; Matthew Rao, who proposed the kitchen staff workshops; Jennifer Weissman, a Decatur parent now working with the Decatur School Nutrition Director; Seth Freedman, one of the two chefs donating his expertise and time; Allison Goodman, director of School Nutrition for the City Schools of Decatur; Cathy Chapman, bookkeeper for the School Nutrition program, and Jim Brams, pro bono public relations counsel.



The exchange of information yielded these trends and suggestions for the future:



1. Purchased healthy lunches have increased dramatically in all schools since the Farm-to-School program began. Increases are most significant at the high school where the “a la carte” line selling fast food was eliminated.

2. The cafeteria cooks need more training to function like a commercial kitchen, i.e. prep stations for vegetables needed for all dishes cooked that day, a sauces and stocks station, etc. The discussion helped the leadership group decide that the next hands-on class for the cafeteria staff will be divided by skill, and will be held in three of The Cook’s Warehouse kitchens rather than the entire staff as one group in one kitchen.

3. Ideas for tasking and production were discussed to help the staff think about prepping food for a week at a time rather than daily to help production efficiency. Another move discussed would be to rotate staff among prep stations so all workers develop skills in multiple areas, helping cover absent team members and increasing employee satisfaction.

4. Another site visit was planned to “follow the food” from one of the two base kitchens to one of the five other kitchens to assess processes and procedures, including how each school orders its lunch needs by 9 a.m. and how the base kitchens fulfill those orders. The visit is planned to observe and offer suggestions for greater efficiency.

5. The kitchen staff has learned to avoid the terms “healthy” and “vegetarian,” which lowered acceptance of new items. For example, students were hesitant to try “vegetarian beans” but they love the same beans when labeled “spicy beans.” Future workshops will include tips on food styling and presentation as well as “marketing” ideas for new dishes.

6. The Farm-to-School program influenced the kitchen design and layout at the new Fifth Avenue school, a 4th and 5th grade school opening this fall. The kitchen at this new site will be a full kitchen: staff will prepare and cook all food for its students on site.

7. During a recent state audit visit, auditors were shocked at the limited use of canned vegetables in the City Schools of Decatur. Fresh vegetables have been substituted for many of the canned items previously used.

8. Expenses for fresh produce have increased approximately 33% this year. Expenses for frozen and canned items have decreased somewhat, but the overall increased expenses were manageable because of help from the school board in covering some of the kitchen staff salaries.

9. The Oakhurst Community Garden Project continues to provide hands-on gardening education on site at the schools. This spring, all schools will plant kale, then prepare and taste it at lunch time. School gardens will never be a significant contribution to the raw ingredients for the base cafeterias, but activities like this can help introduce new foods and increase their acceptance among students.



The group’s assessment of the program is now:



1. The City Schools of Decatur cafeterias are at the forefront of the local, statewide and national curve of providing healthy and fresh meals to its children.

2. The cafeteria workers are working harder to produce freshly cooked meals instead of “heat and eat.” The increased work is offset by job satisfaction derived from the cooks walking the breakfast and lunch rooms to “feel the love” and enjoying compliments from the kids.

3. Importantly, Weissman reported that the parents are keenly interested and highly pleased with the changes made to the meal program.

4. Training for the kitchen staff has also changed their own cooking and eating habits at home: some 60% of staff reported increased fresh fruit and vegetables being served and consumed by family members.



This Decatur kitchen staff training program is a joint project of Matthew Rao of Rao Design Studio; The Cook's Warehouse; Georgia Organics, and the Atlanta Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International. It is meant to teach easy, efficient and inspired cooking to those front-line cafeteria workers who feed our children one or two meals, five days a week.



The Cook’s Warehouse 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.

Earth Hour Bonfire on the Square

From the decatur minute

March 26th, 2011
8:00pm-9:00pm

This event is hosted by the City of Decatur and the Decatur Business Association

In celebration of Earth Hour 2011, Decatur will be hosting a bonfire and marshmallow roast. Location: Downtown Decatur square so come on and go for roasted marshmallows to celebrate Earth Hour. Time 8:30 PM

Check out this video to learn more about Earth hour.

Do Dogs Chase Cats ?

Deana Levine Photography

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Deana Levine Photography is located in the old Wiggle's space on E. College Ave.
Click on photos to visit Deana Levine website.
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Back parking entrance

Deana Levine Photography
305 East College Ave.
Decatur, GA. 30030

Remembering The Decatur's Hobby House/Speedway and The Dekalb Theatre

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This picture was taken at almost the same angle as the picture of the DEKALB THEATRE picture I posted (see below photo) . This building use to be The Dekalb Theatre.
When this was taken it was a hobby house selling models of all kinds and it also had slot car tracks for racing.
The front side walk windows had electric trains set up.
It was a neat place I spent alot of time there.
The building to the left of The Hobby House used to be F.W. WOOLWORTH and on the right was The Chandler Hotel.


circa 1983
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This is from the Dekalb Historical Society.
The photo is from the Maury Mable Family collection.
Maury Mable is leading the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Decatur.
The year was 1946, looking at the Dekalb Theatre marquee you can see the movie playing is "Week end at the Waldorf "(1945).
You can see F.W. Woolworth's next door and the Western Auto Store on the other side. the view is on East Ponce de Leon looking from Church St. toward Clairmont, east to west on Ponce de leon.






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Comments and faves from Flickr

1.

Carl Black

Where was this building located? (Street address?)
2.

-WHITEFIELD-

E Ponce De Leon Ave. one block from old court house, well not even a full block more like half a block.
3.

somewhatjoe

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Little Stores, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
4.

bc1970ad

This was a few doors down from "The Paper Chase" comics&bookstore, where I used to stay all day, all summer when I was a kid. I confess now that I stole a D&D figurine from this Hobby Store once.

Great photos :)
5.

bumaride

From 1965 to about 1968 I spend hours and hours here. We lived on Glenn Circle about a mile or two to the east and this magnificent place was within easy walking distance. I spend much of my free time with my Dad and brother building things to run at the track here. We used to take static plastic models and adapt them for slot car chassis. I believe it was on Wednesday nights when they had the official race night. We would occasionally participate, but there were always the electrical geniuses who knew how to "rewind" the slot cars' motors and those guys always won.
6.

trlovejoy

Wow, bumaride, I also used to race there and grew up on Glenn Circle. I made my car from a kit, though, a white Ford with 44 on the side in honor of Hank Aaron. As I recall, when I was very little, that building was a JC Penney. My Mom would buy fabric and such there.
7.

-WHITEFIELD-

Yes it was once a J.C. Penny's and before that it was The Dekalb Theatre.

Street Scene

Mexico City Restaurant space for Lease

The popular restaurant located at 2134 North Decatur Road had been in operation for 28 years, they closed in December 2010.

Eight Schools to Close in Dekalb including Avondale High School.

By Jaime Sarrio and Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The plan approved Monday closes eight schools: Atherton, Glen Haven, Gresham Park, Peachcrest, Medlock and Sky Haven elementary schools, Avondale Middle School and Avondale High School.

The DeKalb County school board on Monday night approved a sweeping redistricting plan that will move 6,000 to 7,000 students, close eight schools and free up an estimated $12.4 million a year.

The vote was almost a year in the making. Board members made several attempts to pass new attendance boundaries but backed off because of criticism and political pressure.

More than 200 parents and community members showed up to protest the most recent round of changes, but the plan passed with a 7-2 margin.

"This took months and months to go from beginning to end," said Chairman Tom Bowen, who supported the plan. "We've had three passes at this. The redistricting you saw here shouldn't wait 10 to 15 years to happen. We've had some pretty dramatic changes today because the district waited so long."

ajc full story

Walk For Lunch - Decatur Coming in May

From: Decatur Education Foundation

After a very successful season in Downtown Atlanta, Walk For Lunch is looking to make new strides in the City of Decatur, the most walkable city in the State of Georgia. Walk For Lunch - Decatur is planned for May 3 - 26th, 2011 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Registered walkers can walk between the hours of 11:30 am - 1:15 pm to the Decatur Square.

WALK FOR LUNCH (WalkForLunch.com) is an inexpensive lunch hour walking program that includes healthy lunches and benefits local children. For every walker registered, Decatur Education Foundation will receive $1! So get fit, eat well and support the youth of our community all during your lunch hour.

Walkers can organize teams or sign up as an individual walker for $25 at WalkForLunch.com.Walkers can pre-order healthy lunches from Subway Restaurant, Pita Pit and Sammiches N' Stuff, all local Decatur restaurants. In addition to the lunches, each walker will be invited to attend a Health & Wellness Expo and be given 1 - 2 mile walking maps. Each walker will also receive a Walk For Lunch - Decatur T-shirt, daily goodies from our sponsors and an opportunity to walk with the Mayor of Decatur, Decatur Firefighters, coworkers, friends and neighbors. The walking program including the lunch pick-up will take 30 - 60 minutes.

How does Walk For Lunch work?

Walk For Lunch has created suggested 1, 2 or 3 mile courses that all lead to a centrally located lunch pick-up station. All walkers will be encouraged to start walking from their location anytime during the hours of 11:30 AM - 1:15 PM. At the lunch pick-up station, walkers can participate in our daily activities and win prizes from our sponsors, relax and eat their lunches and then walk back to their home or business feeling energized and renewed.

Desert Car Kings- A new reality show on Discovery Channel

Desert Car Kings is the new hit reality show on Discovery Channel chronicling the challenges, adventures and occasional hijinx of your very own Desert Valley Auto Parts.

For the full tv schedule information, videos from the show, an episode guide and more, visit the Desert Car Kings fan site at Discovery Channel.

Nalley prepares for local arrival of new Nissan LEAF

Nalley Nissan sent in this announcement of the new Nissan Leaf vehicle deliveries this year.

Decatur, Ga., March 3, 2011 – As Nalley Nissan prepares for Nissan LEAF vehicle deliveries this year, the local Decatur dealership announced today that it has completed electric vehicle (EV) readiness training and is one of the first to add EV infrastructure to its dealership operations.
By the end of March 2011, Nalley Nissan will be one of more than 250 Nissan dealers to have chargers installed. Locally, the dealership has installed four charging docks: two for operational support and two in customer-access areas. More than 90 percent of Nissan LEAF reservation holders located in the primary Nissan LEAF launch markets reside within 10 miles of a Nissan dealer.
“We are very excited to be one of the first dealers ready for making electric vehicles a reality,” said Todd Noffsinger, general manager of Nalley Nissan. “Our staff and customers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our first Nissan LEAF.”
All dealers who sell the Nissan LEAF first must attain zero-emission certification. Certification includes extensive training, both online and in-person, as well as investing in the tools and charging to support the sale and service of the Nissan LEAF.

photo courtesy of http://green.autoblog.com

Vanishing Georgia

Click on photo to enlarge

C.H. LANDRESS GROCERIES
Lilburn,( Luxomni ), GA.
circa 1984
Come on in and have a Ice Cold Coca-Cola

Touch a Truck Changed to Saturday APRIL 30

UPDATE: DUE TO RAIN, The event has been changed to Saturday April 30
From the beactivedecatur.wordpress.com site , Come on out to the annual Touch A Truck event Saturday March 5th
In case it rains, the rain date is April 30th

This event is for children of all ages. It gives them a chance to touch, and see up close their favorite truck or vehicle. The City of Decatur and DeKalb County will have fire trucks, dump trucks, tractors, police cars and motorcycles, bicycles and many other vehicles on display.

This event will be held in the Callaway Parking Lot, 120 West Trinity Place from 10am until 1pm. Just in case it rains, the rain date is April 30th. The event is free to the community.

Hope to see you at Touch A Truck!

The New Trackside Tavern building is looking Good

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After two years the building is back, The new Trackside to open soon.
As you know the building was destroyed by fire.

Read this article by decatur.patch.com

Here is the facebook page for it's comeback

Below is a photo I took just a week before the fire. A before and after shot.

The Daulton House on South McDonough St.

The Daulton House
317 South McDonough St.
Decatur, GA.

Learn more about this house at:
http://chapmanarchitecture.blogspot.com