One-tank trips close to Atlanta

Vacation close to home

From ajc

Too busy to take a “real” vacation? You don’t need a full week and plenty of dough to enjoy these smaller towns. They’re easy to get to, within a short drive (a tank of gas or less) from Atlanta, and full of undiscovered Southern charm. For instance, in Georgia, historic Dahlonega has a pre-gold rush history, wineries and home-style restaurants. The Chattooga River offers beautiful scenery and exciting rafting. In western North Carolina, the city of Asheville beckons with the magnificent Biltmore house. Adventure is only a short drive away.
ALABAMA
• Birmingham, Ala.: for art lovers
• Fort Payne, Ala., offers natural beauty • Vintage motorcycles in Leeds, Ala.
• Selma: Revisit civil rights history
• Tuscaloosa, Ala.: More than football
GEORGIA
• Albany's revived waterfront
• Athens, Ga.: a classic college town
• A James Brown fest in Augusta, Ga.
• Raft and ride in Blue Ridge, Ga.
• Cartersville, Ga., home of Western-theme and cowboy art
• Chateau Elan (Braselton, Ga.) resort/winery
• Chattooga River rafting
• Golf in Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee (Eatonton, Ga.)
• Dalton, more than the carpet capital of Georgia
• Dahlonega, Ga.: Where wine is the new gold
• Gainesville, Ga.'s history, trails and more
• Helen, Ga. is a "little Bavaria"
• Howard Finster Vision House (Pennville, Ga.)
• LaGrange, Ga.: Southern heritage, French twist
• Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville, Ga.
• 19th-century architecture in Madison, Ga.
• Wild animals in Pine Mountain, Ga. | Callaway Gardens
• Presidential history in Plains, Ga.
• Better than Rome, Italy? Rome, Ga.
• History, beauty and art in Savannah, Ga.
• Pebble Hill estate in Thomasville, Ga., worthy of a movie set
• Vienna, Ga., has cute cotton museum and the Big Pig Jig
NORTH CAROLINA
• Biltmore House in Asheville, N.C., is a year-round destination
• Blowing Rock, N.C.: mountain beauty
• Cashiers, N.C. is the serene heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains
• DuPont State Forest (Cedar Mountain, N.C.): a once-private territory
• Popular Atlanta getaway: Highlands, N.C.
• Hot Springs, N.C.'s working farm, Briar Rose
• Ski close to home at Maggie Valley, N.C.
TENNESSEE
• Chattanooga, Tenn.: train is a treat | Chattanooga riverfront
• Manchester, Tenn.,may be nicer without the music
• Elvis is forever at Graceland in Memphis
• Beale Street in Memphis is home to the blues, brews and barbecue
• Knoxville: More than just the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Nashville is country music’s capital and home to the Grand Ole Opry
• Lynchburg is the birthplace of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey
• Pigeon Forge is the the perfect family getaway and the home of Dollywood

One Day in Atlanta

 From: http://www.atlanta.net

One Dayin Atlanta
If you only have limited time in our wonderful city, enjoy this quick and enjoyable itinerary.
Morning

Head to the Georgia Aquarium, where you can see more than 120,000 animals of 500 different species in more than 8 million gallons of marine and fresh water. Touch tanks, 4-D theatre, Whale Sharks, Beulga Whales and more are perfect for kids of all ages!
At the Inside CNN Atlanta Tour, watch behind-the-scenes action of the newsroom, see what it takes to put a news broadcast together and even learn how the weather map works.
Insider's Tip: Make reservations in advance for the 50-minute tour.
Visit Centennial Olympic Park, the world's gathering place during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. The park features the popular Fountain of Rings and many outdoor events during the summer months.
Insider's Tip: Wednesday WindDown is a free concert series every Wednesday from 5:30-8 p.m. at Centennial Park during the summer months.
Lunch

The SunDial Restaurant Bar & View (atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, the tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere) offers breathtaking views of downtown Atlanta.

Afternoon

Head to the World of Coca-Cola, where the famous soft drink's story is told through fascinating exhibits, classic ads and an imaginative replica of the bottling process.
Did you know Atlanta boasts two Nobel Peace Prize and Medal of Freedom winners?
The Sweet Auburn district is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site includes a visitors' center depicting the story of Dr. King and the civil rights movement; the restored King birth home; Ebenezer Baptist Church, where three generations of the King family preached; and Dr. King's burial site.
Currently on exhibit at the MLK National Historic Site: The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Stand in the footprints and see the shoes of 17 civil rights leaders displayed as a tribute to the warriors of justice.
Or visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, next to The Carter Center. The library includes a replica of the Oval Office and Jimmy Carter's Nobel Peace Prize, as well as traveling exhibits.
Insider's Tip: Transportation to the MLK National Historic Site or Jimmy Carter Library/Carter Center would be best by car (both locations have free parking) or MARTA bus. You also can enjoy the Carter-King Peace Trail pedestrian and bike path between the two attractions. Commemorative plaques can be found along the 1.5-mile walk.
Evening
Option #1: Between April and October, catch an Atlanta Braves baseball game, including pre-game pep rallies and testing your hitting or throwing skills at Scout's Alley.
Insider's Tip: Visitors are allowed to bring food into the ballpark, so grab dinner at The Varsity, an Atlanta landmark on North Avenue, serving chili dogs, hamburgers and the signature Frosted Orange.
Picnic tables are right inside the ballpark's entrance.
Option #2: In the cooler months, you can attend an Atlanta Hawks basketball game at Philips Arena.

Neon Trees - Everybody Talks

Vote needed on Courthouse Lawn Repairs

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 From Decatur Patch
All those festivals on the Decatur Court Square have taken a toll.

The lawn near the community bandstand has become so worn down over the years that the City of Decatur wants to budget $275,000 to renovate the area. The city commission will vote Monday night on the project.

Work would start just after July 4 and take about two months, said a memo from Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon.

Saxon said the work would include "removal of compacted soil around the bandstand, installation of a waterproof liner, drainage system, structural soil mix, irrigation system and laying a new Bermuda turf lawn. Several declining trees will be removed and replaced with trees, shrubs and other landscape improvements."

If the commission approves, a $224,000 contract will go to Ed Castro Landscaping Inc. of Roswell. That company was the low bidder.
read more

50 fun things to do in Atlanta.

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Whether you've got a few hours or days, stay and play your way with these fun things to do in Atlanta!

From:  http://www.atlanta.net

Atlanta, Georgia offers tons of fun for families, kids and couples. There are so many things to do in Atlanta - from top attractions and history, to outdoor adventures and award-winning culture - you're sure to find seasonal sensations year-round! To create your must-have memories, start with this list of 50 fun things to do in Atlanta.

Alliance Theatre
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Braves and Turner Field
ATL-Cruzers Electric Car Tours
Atlanta's Eclectic Neighborhoods
Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome
Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Dream at Philips Arena
Atlanta Higher Education Centers Score an A+ in Culture!
Atlanta History Center
Atlanta Motor Sports
Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet
Atlantic Station
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chastain Park Amphitheater
Buckhead Arts & Galleries
Buckhead Entertainment and Nightlife
Centennial Olympic Park
Center for Puppetry Arts
Chattahoochee River Fun
College Sports
Decatur Square
Downtown Nightlife
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Festivals Galore
The Fox Theatre
Georgia Aquarium
Golf in Atlanta

Grant Park
Hard Rock Cafe
High Museum of Art
Historic Neighbors
Historic West End
Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta
Inside CNN Studio Tour
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
Legendary, Luxury Shopping
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta
Margaret Mitchell House
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site & Sweet Auburn District
Medieval Times
Michael C. Carlos Museum
Midtown Nightlife
Midtown Walking and Bicycling Tours
North Georgia Day Trips
Outlet Malls and Day Trip Shopping
Piedmont Park
See Atlanta From Above
Six Flags Over Georgia
Stone Mountain Park
Underground Atlanta
William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum
World of Coca-Cola
Yellow River Game Ranch
Zoo Atlanta

Ashford Dunwoody and Interstate 285 Diverging Diamond Interchange Visualization

Suburban Plaza / Walmart: updated site design

From:http:http://www.medlockpark.org/
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Suburban Plaza/Walmart: updated site design
The following is an updated version of the Suburban Plaza Redevelopment article that Theresa Same, MANA Zoning Chair, contributed to the current issue of our Medlock Matters neighborhood newsletter.
Before I dive into my update, I want to again state that after engaging legal counsel and speaking with our County Representatives the MANA Board and I decided that it is in the best interest of our neighborhood to work with Selig Enterprises and Walmart on the redevelopment of Suburban Plaza. I believe that my job as your Zoning Chair is to give you as many facts as I can about this development so that you can form your own opinion. I respect that those opinions vary greatly throughout the neighborhood and that many of you feel very passionately about how this redevelopment will affect our neighborhood – all of which I attempt to honor in my discussions with Selig and Walmart. At the same time, the board and I are realistic in trying to negotiate the best development we can for our neighborhood with one of the most powerful retailers in the country; this is especially difficult within the confines of our county and sate laws/ordinances that generally favor business and cars over residents and alternative transportation. 

As I drive or walk through the neighborhood, I can’t help but notice the growing number of “Stop Walmart” signs.  People stop and ask me everyday what is going on with the Suburban Plaza redevelopment. The truth is there has not been a lot to report since our negotiations with Selig/Walmart and the Zoning Board of Appeal’s decision in December to approve Selig’s request for a parking exception on the property [this link calls up all updates we've had since then, posted on this website]. This slow-down in activity is about change because things are starting to take shape for the redevelopment.
read more here.
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More Walmart news:

 Bethesda Walk Plaza Walmart  is expected to open June 25

In other Walmart store news The new Walmart Neighborhood Market in Lawrenceville in the Bethesda Walk Plaza vacant building where a former grocery store once called home is expected open June 25th. This new Walmart Neighborhood Market  will be Georgia's first with two other locations coming soon in Alpharetta and Snellville later this year.

Neon Trees - Animal

Michael Bublé - "Haven't Met You Yet" A youtube favorite

Weekend work on major interchange

From ajc

The Georgia Department of Transportation will close the bridge at 9 p.m. Friday to allow crews to mark the roadway and install signals. Road work is expected to be completed by 5 a.m. Monday. Pedestrian traffic will not be allowed for another month as crews construct a protected walkway in the bridge median.

Motorists this weekend will still have access to the interchange, but northbound and southbound traffic on Ashford-Dunwoody Road will be detoured through Hammond Drive to Perimeter Center Parkway Bridge, then to Perimeter Summit Parkway.
read more.

The Bourne Legacy Trailer

Coldplay Live From Japan

A Ban on Big Soft Drinks

Some suspicious of school budget and cuts

From ajc
Those are among the sentiments of parents, teachers and taxpayers in DeKalb County who learned in recent days just how financially damaged their school system is.

While hard times have hit most school systems in metro Atlanta, none has been hit quite as hard as DeKalb. Most districts could turn to cash reserves to cushion the blow of declining tax revenues and increasing costs. In DeKalb though, officials expect to finish this fiscal year in debt. The dire situation and the resulting deep cuts have left many feeling that mismanagement, is to blame.

"It's ridiculous how much money does not make it into the classroom," said Bill Armstrong, a parent at a public Montessori school who expects to see teachers eliminated as part of the cuts.

Armstrong was among the lucky dozens who got a chance to speak Wednesday night at the DeKalb County School District's second and final public hearing on the fiscal 2013 budget. Such hearings are usually quiet affairs that attract some staffers and a few gadflies, but this one drew a spillover crowd of over 200.
read more

Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts - Free Event - June 9-10

 From : Kathy Fox

I wanted to take this the time to thank you for posting information about our past art festival event and to share with you some information about our award winning Peachtree Hills Festival of the Arts – Celebrate Summer in Style! on June 9-10, 2012. There is plenty to see and do with 150 artists and artisans lining the festival route, plus children’s area, gourmet foods and local acoustic music. The event is easy to find from Peachtree Rd. or Lindberg Marta Station. There is plenty of parking, and is free to attend.

Visitors will enjoy fine art and crafts, children’s area, Street Market and local food and beverage concessions including “gourmet” food trucks. There is plenty of parking and local sites, and best of all; it’s free to attend. This event is organized by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces and volunteer artists to benefit the local community.

Location: 285 Peachtree Hills Rd., Atlanta, GA 30305

Times: Sat., June 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sun., June 10, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Music: Acoustic music only
Admission: Free to attend
For more info:  peachtreehillsfestival.com

Decatur McDonald's Drive Thru Window

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At the Downtown Decatur McDonald's Restaurant  Drive Thru, Ronald McDonald keeps his eye on Decatur's Fidelity Bank.

Decatur Scene in the Round

Laurel & Hardy dance Santana

Easy Living Pedicabs get you to where you are going.

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--  Decatur Art Festival-goers take advantage of Easy Living Pedicabs.
A great way to get around Decatur, check out their web site.

below is info from website.

Look for our bright yellow pedicabs next time you're in downtown Decatur and Oakhurst Village. It's the affordable, fun and environmentally-friendly way to get around. We are out most evenings and at local festivals. We are always available by appointment. Let us take you from here to there – from the east side to the west side, from the north side to the south side – and back again.

froyolo FROZEN YOGURT to Open Next Week

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Post card given out at Decatur Arts Festival reads: Come celebrate our Grand Opening. 14 delicious daily flavors. over 40 toppings available come and create your own masterpiece. It's simple as.. 1. grab a cup 2. fill 3. create 4. weigh 5 pay and enjoy LOCATED ON THE SQUARE.

The Decatur Arts Festival Today and Tomorrow

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Do You Like the new Georgia License Plate ?

From city-data.com

Comment from vince217

I've seen some cars on the road with the new plates. it doesn't look too bad

but it sure looks cheap because the characters aren't raised anymore.

Will the specialty plates (save wildlife, uga, gt, breast cancer, educators, etc) be replaced with the new design within a few years too?

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlanta/1362363-your-new-georgia-license-plate-8.html#ixzz1vplloYve

DeKalb History Center exhibits during The Decatur Arts Festival

From: clairmontheights.org

New Exhibits during the Decatur Arts Festival

Highlights from the Guy Hayes Collection:  Food, Fun & Fashion in the Modern Era This exhibit represents a small selection of black and white photographs from the Hayes collection and provides a unique view of food trends, clothing styles and recreational diversions of the 1950s and 1960s. Guy Hayes was a professional freelance photographer from 1944 - 1983. He graduated from Clarkston High School and served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he settled in Avondale Estates. Hayes was a regular contributor to The Atlanta Journal, The Atlanta Constitution and The DeKalb News/Sun. Over 11,000 of his original negatives were donated to the History Center in 1984. A grant from the Decatur Beer Festival helped us to begin digitization of these negatives in 2010. Although very little documentation accompanied this collection, Hayes' artistic work reveals a prolific talent with an incisive eye. read more . ------------------------- All of our exhibits are located on the main floor of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse at 101 E. Court Square, Decatur GA 30030. They are open to the public free of charge. Our regular gallery hours are Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. We are closed on Federal holidays.   Special Hours during the Arts Festival: Saturday, May 26, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27, Noon - 5:00 p.m.

 

Did You Say Beach Party ? Yeah... June 15th

From The Decatur Minute:
It’s almost time for the annual Decatur Beach Party!
Friday, June 15th on the Square in downtown Decatur
5:00-11:00pm
$10 adults, $5 children (includes all games and activities), Kids under 2 free. Online presale tickets are $7.00 adults, buy online here

The Beach Party welcomes headliner Yacht Rock Schooner to help Beach Partiers “get smooth” and slip into a gentle groove for dancing and relaxing on the plaza. And don’t forget all that SAND on Decatur Beach!!

 photo from  McDonough Street Market 2008

Decatur Art Walk!

Some images to tempt you-- --

Decatur Art Walk!
From: Mingei World Arts
Dear Mingei friends--

Please join us Friday evening,

May 25, from 5-10pm,

for our annual spring Art Walk!

This year, our featured artist is Arturo Salome Huali, a third-generation Peruvian gourd artist, now living in metro Atlanta.  He will be here with his brother, Necker,
 showing and selling their beautiful work,
and demonstrating their craft.
Drop by for refreshments and a visit!

We'll be open Saturday from 10am-9pm and Sunday 12-6pm, but Mingei will closed on Monday, May 28th, while we are at home resting with our families.
Enjoy your holiday weekend!

From : Mingei World Arts

Family Dollar to Open in Oakhurst mid-summer

From decaturpatch.com
Family Dollar store will open in mid-summer in a retail space being renovated in Oakhurst, a spokesman for the retail chain said.
The store will operate out of the small shopping center at 630 East Lake Drive, where the Big H store used to be.
Oakhurst Church now occupies the middle section of the building. The other end of the building, where Mulligan's Restaurant and Sports Bar used to be, is empty.
The Oakhurst store will be part of a companywide expansion, Family Dollar spokesman Josh Braverman said Friday.
Family Dollar will open about 500 new stores this year, with several  in the Atlanta area. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company has about 7,200 stores in 45 states.
Family Dollar picked Decatur because it looked like a good market, Braverman said.
"Our model is to put stores where people live," he said.
Family Dollar stores typically employ eight to 10 people, Braverman said. The Oakhurst location will be about 7,700 square feet in size.
Family Dollar stores sell food, clothing and assorted household products. Though not everything costs a dollar, the price point is never very high.
Braverman said Family Dollar stores typically open on a Thursday with kind of a grand opening on the following Saturday.

MEN IN BLACK 3 - MAY 25, 2012

Click on photo

Dekalb Day of Play

fROM: accessatlanta.com
Saturday, May 19 10:00a to 3:00p
at Exchange Park and Recreation Center

2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA, 30034

Price: Free
Age Suitability: All Ages
Stepp Stewart, Producer of The Atlanta Fit Fest, will host The Dekalb County Day of Play, presented by Stepp It Up Kids. Mr. Stewart is best known as the on air personality & Dance Fitness Guru for The Dr. Oz Show. This FREE event focuses on children and indoor/outdoor fun, and physical activities that they can do everyday. Featuring free Cardio Dance taught by Stepp Stewart, line dancing for all ages, Jamie Duke's Chachersize, Zumba, and football drills with former NFL player David McMillian.

Saturday, May 19 10:00a to 3:00p

at Exchange Park and Recreation Center, Decatur, GA

Street Scene

The Little Wine Shop in Avondale

The Solarium 9th Annual Patio Party Fundraiser June 3rd

 Over at The Decatur Minute Catherine reminds us of The Solarium 9th Annual Patio Party Fundraiser that takes place on June 3rd . 5pm to 8pm


From:https: www.xorbia.com A lively auction featuring birdhouses, mailboxes, yard art and found art for the home custom-crafted or decorated by local artists and famous Decatur personalities. The bidding will be hot for these one-of-a kind masterpieces lead by our local favorite emcee! Other highlights include a raffle, kids' activities center and live music by Jeff Holt. Guests will also enjoy wine, beer and fabulous food showcasing The Solarium's preferred caterers. Have a great time with your neighbors and friends while supporting the mission of the Community Center of South Decatur and The Solarium, which help suppport programs and events within the Decatur community. For more information visit www.thesolarium.com or email us at contact@thesolarium.com. See you there!

You scream, I scream for Ice Cream ... but not in DeKalb

 Photo credit: flickriver.com
From ajc 

By April Hunt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

What would summer be without the tinny jangle of the ice-cream truck? Answer: DeKalb County.
No, county leaders don’t hate cool treats. Or children. It’s just that county code makes it illegal to sell any food – ice cream is specifically listed – from any cart or vehicle on county streets.

Not that anyone seemed to know until one ice-cream truck driver complained to commissioners  last week that police had cited him twice for daring to offer Nutty Buddys, Push Up Pops and Screwballs (there’s a gumball at the bottom!).

Said Commissioner Larry Johnson, “Is that why I never see the ice-cream truck anymore?"

In a word, yes. And although County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to take up the cause – and also consider allowing food trucks while they’re at it – it will be officially summer by the time things are sorted out.
full story at ajc

AMC Theatre at Phipps Plaza to get $1 Million Renovation

From whatnowatlanta.com
Movie theatre slated for $1.2 Million facelift.

AMC Phipps Plaza 14 is undergoing a $1.2 Million renovation, according to an application for a building permit filed with City of Atlanta on April 25.

The movie theatre located on the third floor of the luxury Buckhead mall announced its plans for the renovations in a press release Wednesday.

“For the last several years we’ve worked to bring our guests a number of different moviegoing improvements to help get people excited about coming to the movies, and we’ve had great success with a variety of enhancements at locations around the country,” Mark McDonald, executive vice president of Global Development at AMC, said in the release.

When finished, the theatre will feature stadium-style seating instead of the current sloped floors, according to the release. The seats will be converted into “power recliners with footrests.”

In addition, AMC plans to install a MacGuffins bar (named after a term coined by famed filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock) allowing guests to order a beer, wine or cocktail at the theatre.

AMC’s concession stand will be remodeled into The Marketplace. Instead of waiting in lines to order, the concessions are laid out at convenient stations, allowing guests to choose what they want, before proceeding to the checkout area.

Other modifications to the theatre include a renovation of the theatre’s restrooms, as well as changes to the box office and lobby area.

“These innovative renovations to AMC Phipps Plaza are going to take moviegoing in Atlanta to an entirely new level,” Dewayne Herbert, mall manager at Phipps Plaza, said in the release. “We are thrilled with this announcement, as it complements other recent additions to the mall — such as the opening of LEGOLAND Discovery Center — in establishing Phipps Plaza as an entertainment destination.”

Construction will begin at AMC Phipps Plaza this summer and the theatre will remain open during the renovations, which should be complete by the end of 2012.

Kudza Antiques to Open 2nd Location in Roswell

From : http://www.tonetoatl.com
Kudzu Antiques is opening a second  location in Sandy Springs on Roswell Road.  Kudzu will open a 29,000 s/f  store later this fall in the former Red Baron Antiques.  Having been in Decatur for more than 30 years, Kudzu is a local favorite for hard to find antiques, folk art and even movie props.  The store moved from its original Decatur location at N. Arcadia  and East Ponce Avenues a few years ago and its former property is now a Progressive Insurance office. Kudzu's current location is 25,000 s/f and is open 7 days a week. 

h/t decatur metro

Decatur Arts Festival, Meals on Wheels Looking for Volunteers

From the decatur patch
http://decatur.patch.com/articles/volunteers-needed-for-arts-fest-meals-on-wheels
Volunteers Needed For Arts Fest, Meals on Wheels
Lee Ann Harvey, the volunteer coordinator for the City of Decatur, says these opportunities are now available.

Decatur Arts Festival – Memorial Weekend

There are still volunteer opportunities available set up and close down of the Artists Market, Artists Helpers, Kids & Teens Arts Festival, Silent Auction, and Theater & Literary Arts.

Volunteers receive a Decatur Arts Festival T-shirt. The deadline to choose your T-shirt size for volunteering at the festival is Wednesday, May 9. After that date, you will receive a T-shirt but size choice is not guaranteed.  We especially could use lots more volunteers for Close Down on Sunday evening. Close Down volunteers will receive a special thank you gift in addition to the volunteer T-shirt. Visit http://decaturartsfestival.com for more information.

To obtain a volunteer signup form or details about volunteer opportunities, contact LeeAnn Harvey, volunteer coordinator at the City of Decatur, at leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or call 678-553-6548.
read full story : decatur.patch.com

Decatur Street Scene

Fire Hydrant Tests

From decaturga.com
photo credit: Nextstopdecatur.com 

Fire departments across the country are required to service fire hydrants twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and ISO (Insurance Services Office) require that this inspection be done to ensure the hydrants have proper water pressure and operate as they are designed.

The Decatur Fire Department will test fire hydrants in April, May and June.
Please Note: During the pressure-testing and flowing of the hydrants household water can become cloudy due to disturbance within the water pipes. This condition is temporary and usually clears up quickly.

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Question: Does the cap painted green mean something special ??????
Answer: Yep it does mean something.
Update:
 
Do you ever wonder why fire hydrants are painted the colors they are?  The lower part of fire hydrants a reflective silver to assist the Fire Department in locating them, especially at night. The tops of the hydrants were color coded based on the flow of the hydrant under normal operating conditions expressed in gallons per minute.
  The National standard for the body colors of the hydrants is a chrome yellow; however, silver is still recognized as a standard color. Therefore, municipal hydrant body color will continue to be silver. The tops or caps of the hydrants are going to change and will be painted according to flow on the hydrant at 20 pounds per square inch of pressure (psi).


I like when the fire hydrants are painted all silver or all Yellow.  The one above is in front of Greenes Fine Foods 

The 2012 Decatur Arts Festival Poster

 From: decaturartsfestival.com
This year’s Decatur Arts Festival poster design is by Lonnie Selph, a sophomore studying graphic design and illustration at the Art Institute Atlanta-Decatur.
Lonnie is a United States Marine from Griffin,Georgia, who served two years in Iraq and is currently serving with the reserves. He was a finalist in the competition held for the poster design at AIA-Decatur and worked with the Decatur Arts Alliance board committee to create this year’s vibrant image of celebration and creativity.

Trinity Mercantile & Design

Trinity Mercantile & Design
As their web site says:  Fun Fabulous retail store in downtown Decatur Georgia. We can help! If you need design services, or you just want to come in and pick out your own style! Designer resource to the trade...if you know what we mean. We have tons of resources for custom upholstery, casegoods, lighting, rugs, carpeting, window treatments, accessories, gifts! If you are high style, traditionalist or somewhere in between, we have it covered.
http://www.houzz.com/pro/131trinity/trinity-mercantile-design

Contact:

Lisa,Wallace & Mike

Type:

Interior Designers

Address:

131 East Trinity Place, Decatur,
Georgia, United States, 30030

Phone:

404-378-0197

Website:

www.131trinity.com

Bike Valet Service for Decatur Arts Festival May 26 and 27

From: decaturartsfestival.com

New this year is a free bike valet service. A valet attendant remains on duty to park and monitor bikes during the event.
Park your bike and enjoy the festival knowing that it will remain secure. Look for signs to direct you to the bike valet area.
The Decatur Arts Festival worked with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to provide this service. We hope to reduce the event’s impact on traffic congestion and carbon emissions by supporting the bicycle transportation alternative. The bike valet service is sponsored by Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and Bicycle South.

Kentucky Derby Favorites

--  From: www.kentucky-derby-online-betting.com

For this running of the Kentucky Derby sit back with this classic Bourbon made in Kentucky to help get you in the mood. This way, no matter how much you bet, you will be calm as a cucumber while watching the races and drunk off of fine Kentucky bourbon.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations

-- Cinco de Mayo celebrations
from: ajc
by Jon Watson
Every year on the 5th of May, in honor of the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, revelers flood the streets of America in droves in search of cheap margaritas and bottles of lime-stuffed beer. And, fortunately for most of us, this year Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday, leaving us with plenty of celebrations to choose from. Here is a roundup of some of Atlanta’s best Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Here is the list from:  http://blogs.ajc.com/food-and-more/2012/04/27/cinco-de-mayo-celebrations/

The 2012 Decatur Arts Festival Poster Unveiling May 3

  From : decaturartsfestival.com

Be the first to see this year’s poster for the festival. Enjoy drinks and small bites before and after the poster is unveiled.

Where: The Old Courthouse on the Square
When:  May 3 at 5 pm

Read about the 2012 artist for poster @ http://decaturartsfestival.com

Big Tex Cantina Review

Big Tex Cantina Review
 From: www.examiner.com
by  Alyson Runnels


Sunday at Big Tex in Decatur

Texas Born Southern Made Cooking
Now Open In Downtown Decatur!
308 W Ponce de Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
404 377-3939

I saw the picture on creative loafing and decided to hop in my car and head on out to Decatur to see if the comfort food advertised in the creative loafing magazine really existed.

As I drove up to the location, I saw a few people outside relaxing and enjoying the day.  When I entered the inside of the location, around 3pm on Sunday afternoon, I was greeted by a friendly host and server which made me feel right at home.
read full review @ examiner.com

We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel

Sent in by Jerry Andrews.

Something I got from John Dean, thought everyone would like it. J

This has been around before, but worth watching again.

 

---   This song & its title was the answer to a recent Final Jeopardy - only one person got it right - question was (paraphrased)   "What 1980's song do history teachers praise for its educational  value."   Not many people could understand all the references on Billy Joel's   song - fortunately, with this VIDEO, given the picture(s), now we can  "see" what our "ears" couldn't   hear.

 

Anyway, checked to see purpose behind the song. Apparently, it's Joel's homage to the 40-years of historical headlines since his birth   (1949).  Wish we could have appreciated the depths of this song when it was released rather than just the catchy tune.  Twenty+ years later, it's amazing what Joel was able to put into music and lyrics lasting only a few minutes.

 

Here it is, set to pictures. It's a neat flashback through the past half century.  Turn up volume, sit back and enjoy an over-view of 50  years of history in less than 3 minutes! Thanks to Billy Joel and some guy from the University of Chicago with a lot of spare time, Wikipedia,and   Google.

 

Top left gives you full screen - top right lets you pause.    Bottom left shows the year.  The older you are, the more pictures you will recognize.  Anyone over age 65 should remember over 90% of what they see. But it's great at any age.

 

      Click   Here:     We Didn't Start The Fire

 

 

“Atlanta’s Ponce de Leon Avenue,” Book Signing May 1st

From AJC
By April Hunt



The history and significance of a main thoroughfare from Atlanta to Decatur will be the focus of a book signing and lecture Tuesday at the DeKalb History Center.
Sharon Foster Jones, author of “Atlanta’s Ponce de Leon Avenue,” will discuss highlights of the main street, including how it got its name and a special look at the DeKalb section.

The lecture begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Courthouse on the Square in downtown Decatur. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, but the event itself is free.

Read more at:  http://sharonfosterjones.webs.com/poncedeleonavenue.htm

Fox Bros. to open Rib Joint on Scott Blvd.

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-- Photo of Maddy's taken a couple years ago.
click photo to enlarge.
  From:  clatl.com

Fox Brothers is poised to open their third concept - and their second in the Decatur area. Fox Bros. Rib Joint will take over the shuttered Maddy's on Scott Boulevard. While you may think the original Fox Bros. BBQ has the rib thing covered, this one will be a bit different. It is being billed as a fast-casual, with "quick service and a relaxed atmosphere." There will be both indoor and outdoor seating.

The new rib joint will open this summer. Fox Bros. currently operates their original location, Fox Bros. BBQ, and the more recently opened Big Tex Cantina, located near the Decatur Square.

Open House Airshow May 12 @ Dekalb P'tree Airport

h/t clairmontheights.org

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From pdkairshow.com
This year’s airshow sponsor, the Jim Ellis Automotive Group Atlanta, has gone over-the-top to provide you with what will truly be the Best Civilian Airshow in the country. Committals to this year’s airshow includes: Team AeroShell, world renowned Gary Ward in the MX2, U.S. Aerobatic Champion Skip Stewart in his super-charged biplane, superb formation flying by Team RV, Circus Maximus flying team, Neal Darnell in the Flash Fire Jet Truck, single-plane acts including Greg Koontz in the Super Decathlon, Greg Connell flying the Super Pits Special. This is an airshow you don’t want to miss. It will be our best airshow ever!

Sebastian Maniscalco on The Tonight Show

Oh, to be at Mingei

Dear Mingeisters-

Peonies are blooming early, our sea shipment from Thailand is coming late, and festival season is approaching quickly!  We are all stocked up with glorious little treats for your spring gifting-- remember Mom and all those grads!   Goodies from our latest buying trip in Thailand promise to arrive in early June. so stay tuned for news of that arrival.  There are lovely pieces on board you won't want to miss!

When you can't come to Mingei in person, you can now visit us virtually!  Click the link here.http://www.google.com/maps?q=mingei+world+arts&ll=33.774688,-84.294169&spn=0.004513,0.006899&sll=33.775221,-84.294815&layer=c&cid=1144470774775800779&panoid=CYoPLg6YUAdrXItv4zLKbA&cbp=13,79.81,,0,0&hq=mingei+world+arts&t=m&z=17&cbll=33.775104,-84.294788.

Mingei in the media--

On FFriday, April 27, the television crew of Necessary Roughness

will be filming at Javamonkey and in front of Mingei.  We WILL be open!  Come on over to see us that day, and take a few mninutes to watch the cast and crew at work!

Atlanta's Sublime Donut shop named America's best Bakery

-- Sublime Donuts named America's best bakery A small Atlanta donut shop is getting national attention. From 11 Alive

Valley Girl to help The Plaza Theatre

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-- The Plaza Theatre ---- -- Modern English 2011 I Melt With You TheBackstageBeat.com Smiths Olde Bar Atlanta, Georgia

Your DeKalb Farmers' Market in Decatur want to expand

 From WSBTV

DECATUR, Ga. —

Documents show owners of the popular Your DeKalb Farmers' Market in Decatur want to expand their business to include more than 1 million additional square feet of retail and warehouse space.

The Atlanta Regional Commission confirms it received documents detailing parts of the expansion plans.

DeKalb County officials said the proposed project is so large, the ARC would have to sign off on it before it could move forward.
Full story @ wsbtv.com

Touch -a Truck Event is now April 21 Maybe , depending on the weather

Update from decaturpatch.com:

Dekalb County is postponing this weekend's Earth Day activities because of the possibility of bad weather.

Patch checked with the City of Decatur to see what they're planning to do.

Cheryl Burnette of the Active Living Department said Thursday morning that nothing has been postponed. In an email, she said,

I am still hoping for good weather. Earth Day and Touch A Truck are still on at this time. We will cancel Touch a Truck sometime Friday morning if it looks bad for Saturday, and Earth Day will go on unless there is lightning and thunder. Maybe we can dance in the rain and celebrate the rain that gives our earth plants and life.

From the site ,www.decaturga.com Come on out to the annual Touch A Truck event Saturday April 21


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.

New this year: Ride your bicycle to the event. Decatur Police will be on hand to register your bicycle. In the event that it is lost or stolen, registration will aid in its safe return.

This event will be held in the Callaway Parking Lot, 120 West Trinity Place from 10am until 1pm. The event is free to the community.

Watershed announces reopening plans

From ajc

Watershed announces reopening plans

by Jenny Turknett
When is Watershed reopening?”

That’s one of the questions we’ve heard most since Watershed closed its Decatur location last August. Now, we have an answer. Last night, the restaurant sent a teaser to its email subscribers with the message “opening soon.” I spoke with Managing Partner Ross Jones this morning, who told me that Watershed, now called Watershed on Peachtree, is slated to open May 24, barring delays.

Jones calls the restaurant’s new location, 1820 Peachtree Road, their “new house,” with Decatur being their first. She says, “Decatur was awesome, but our new, bigger house has more of the features we were looking for, like outdoor and private dining and a large bar area.”
The restaurant will feature two distinct spaces: a large bar area Jones describes as “cool and casual” and a separate, more quiet dining area. Most of the extra seating will be found in the bar area and on the patio overlooking Peachtree Road.

According to Jones, designer Smith Hanes is using natural woods in the restaurant, but not the blonde woods that were associated with the Decatur location. She says that they are adapting the design to the current space.

You’ll also find a new menu at Watershed on Peachtree. Jones confirmed that chef Joe Truex remains at the helm and “has been working on the menu all winter long.” She says that they are not completely reinventing the menu, but that they’ve opened the door for creativity. The menu will change more frequently and will be more inventive than traditional — not as “old-school Southern.” Yet Jones says, “it will resonate with what we’ve always done.”

Some of your old favorites from Watershed’s menu may rotate through as specials. Watershed’s famous fried chicken nights will return, but on Wednesdays at this location.

Watershed on Peachtree is currently hiring for most positions, but says they are bringing back some key employees from the Decatur location.

–by Jenny Turknett, Food and More blog

Colbeh Persian Kitchen & Bar Opens in old Zucca Space

From: atlanta.eater.com

123 E Court Sq., Decatur
Phone 404-373-1226
Status: Certified Open

Over the weekend, Colbeh Kitchen, a new Persian restaurant in Decatur in the former Zucca space, officially opened to the public. Owned by a pair of Iranian brothers, Colbeh serves specialties like lamb shank, marinated beef kabobs, chickpea and eggplant dips, and stews like Khoresht Badenjan and Ghormeh Sabzi.

Also, it's sexy as all get out and there are plenty of brown liquored signature cocktails to sample at the long mahogany bar and a back lounge outfitted with ship windows. Check it out and make sure to send all early word—both the good and the bad—to the Eater tipline.

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Photo credits: http://www.thrillist.com

As Seen in Decatur

Car of Tomorrow

Spend Your Weekend at W Atlanta - Midtown

click to enlarge

Time to get festive with a weekend full of happenings in the city. April 20 brings the Dogwood Festival to Piedmont Park and SweetWater Brewery’s annual 420 Festival to Candler Park. Spend the weekend with us just steps away from Piedmont Park and a short distance from Candler Park, giving you easy access to all the action.

• Wonderful Room
• Welcome amenity: 6-pack of SweetWater Microbrews delivered to your room
• Two limited edition W Atlanta - Midtown “wayfarer” style neon sunglasses
• 20% off all purchases in the W Store
• Complimentary valet
• Valid April 20 – 22
• 
  
• W Atlanta - Midtown info