Pure Barre 1st Year Aniv. Celebration Saturday May 14

 From: thedecaturminute.com
Pure Barre community class on the Square, 10-11 a.m.
Block party following the class until 12 p.m. Enjoy retail discounts, refreshments and giveaways.
Register for the community class at Purebarre.com/GA-Decatur

Eye on Decatur near city limits

     Dekalb Ave.

Learn more about HGTV's Fixer Upper's Chip and Joanna Gaines

From http://www.popsugar.com/home/Facts-About-Fixer-Upper-Chip-Joanna-Gaines-37457565#photo-37457565
It's only been about a year since Fixer Upper debuted on HGTV, but viewers across the country have already fallen hard for husband-and-wife team Chip and Joanna Gaines. He's a real estate and construction pro who knows how to turn an affordable but "blah" house into a sparkling gem, and she's a designer with an eye for shabby chic flea-market finds. Together, they own and operate Magnolia Homes — and raise four kids. We took a break from watching Chip and Joanna help families purchase and renovate their dream homes on the small screen to talk to the couple in real life. What we learned made us love them even more. Read on for 16 adorable facts about the Gaineses.  To  Learn even more about Chip and Joanna here: Photo credit: www.hgtv.com

Video Friday - The Band Perry - Gentle On My Mind

I love this song so much.

Eye on Grind House Killer Burgers. Look for May Opening

Decatur's new Grind House Killer Burgers. To Open in May (2 to 3 weeks)

--

--

Rize a New Pizza Concept Could be coming to 675 North Highland

 Rize a New Pizza Concept Could be coming to 675 North Highland
from: http://www.tonetoatl.com/2016/04/new-pizza-shop-hoping-to-rize-soon-in.html#more

 New pizza concept in the oven in Atlanta.

A new "artisan" pizza restaurant is scouting Atlanta for its first locations.  Rize Artisan Pizza + Salads, an Atlanta-based restaurant without any physical location, has plans for at least two restaurants in metro Atlanta in the coming months.

While another site inaccurately reported that Rize was opening a physical restaurant at 1510 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard, that address will instead serve as the company's "Restaurant Support Center." 

Interestingly, in the past few weeks, that other site has corrected their careless error, and more recently Rize seems to have suspended or deleted their facebook page from which the other site obtained their information.  Rize does still have active Twitter and Instagram pages, but each has been quiet for months. 

According to its website, "Rize was born from a passion for pizza, hospitality and great food prepared the right way."

"As hospitality experts with relentless spirit and a true love for our craft, we created this unique concept that will disrupt the fast casual dining world."

From what I've heard from a number of industry sources, Rize is aiming to be a family friendly, high quality, full service, economically priced, pizza restaurant.  Plans reportedly call for the restaurant to offer assorted salads and gelato in addition to the many pizza options.  Rize has no intention of being a "me-too" player in the quick serve pizza space, currently led by Blaze Pizza, Pieology and others like Atlanta's Uncle Maddio's Pizza. 

While the plans for Rize sound good, the menu and plan sound eerily similar to another would-be pizza chain, Treza. Longtime ToNeTo readers will recall the struggles of Treza, which had hoped to become a growth concept in the upscale-casual pizza space.  Opening in 2011 at TOWN Brookhaven, Treza offered gourmet pizza, gelato and assorted salads and tried to be very similar to what Rize is apparently trying to be. While Treza offered counter service rather than table service, the similarities in their growth ambitions and menu are uncanny.  After closing briefly in 2012 to attempt a   rebranding, Treza closed permanently in early 2014. 

John D.  Smith lists himself as Founder & CEO Rize Holdings, LLC ("A private equity backed holding company formed to acquire, develop and operate branded restaurant concepts with the potential to scale to a national footprint) on his LinkedIn page.  The Rize website lists Smith as Founder CEO of Rize Artisan Pizza.  While I found Smith challenging to deal with in my one conversation with him, I'm left to assume that Rize Holdings is the holding company in which Rize Artisan Pizza is being held, and with luck, grown. 
read more http://www.tonetoatl.com

Video Friday - Stevie Nicks - SARA

Remembering Plaza Drugs

The Decatur Lantern Parade is May 13, 2016

for more info visit:  https://decatureducationfoundation.org

A Tribute to Prince "Purple Rain" 4/28 @ The Plaza Theatre

 Sold Out - we are adding a midnight show tickets to be available shortly ! 
 https://twitter.com/PlazaAtlanta/status/723554033764544513/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

 info from  : https://www.facebook.com/PlazaAtlanta/

2nd SHOW ADDED

Video Friday - Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Sweet Water 420 Fest April 22-24 Centennial Olympic Park

From: https://www.facebook.com/AtlantaEatsTV

 Are you an ATL Eater who ❤s Sweetwater420 Fest? Use promo code 420FestAtlEats for 15% off http://bit.ly/1vlNS8o

more info:  http://www.sweetwater420fest.com/

Have you Checked out the New Netflix Series "The Ranch"

Beat The Street for Little Feet 5K April 30

From:  http://www.active.com

About This Activity

Pete the Cat is back!
 Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool is proud to host the 9th Annual Beat the Street for Little Feet 5K, 1 mile and Tot Trot, featuring the beloved Pete the Cat t-shirt.

Race day includes a children's activity area, local vendors with discounts, coupons, product demos and samplings. Electronic timing for the 5K.
Family-friendly event with fun for all ages and is a great run through Decatur and Oakhurst. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool.
Race Day Schedule:
7:00 am: Packet pick-up and race day registration open
8:00 am: 5K Race
Immediately after 5K finish: 1 Mile Race
Immediately following the 1 Mile: Tot Trot
9:30 am: Awards

Kids' Activities: Activity tables created and monitored by OCP parents and teachers. May include face painting, sand table play, crafts with recycled and natural materials, etc. Come out and be a kid with your kid!
Beat the Street 5K IS A TEAM DECATUR GRAND SLAM FITNESS CHALLENGE EVENT
Walk-ups welcome! Race day Registration fees: 5K=$35, 1 mile=$25, Tot Trot=$15
**Credit cards accepted for onsite registration.**

Storefront Saturday in Decatur April 23

The Eighteen Decatur shops that are participating:


Participating Shops:
Bleu Hanger
Boogaloos
Boutique Karma
Collage
Furry Tails
HomeGrown
Kismet
Little Shop of Stories
Natural Body
Splash of Olive
Sq/Ft
Squash Blossom
The Great Frame Up
Treehouse Kid and Craft
Tres Jolie
Trinity Mercantile & Design
Wild Oats & Billy Goats
Worthmore Jewelers
 info from facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/561570194021783/

Avondale Tree Walk Sat., April 23 10-12 Noon

From Nancy Martin
Third Annual Avondale Tree Walk Takes Place April 23

WHAT: 3rd Annual Avondale Tree Walk
WHO: Presented by the Avondale Estates Garden Club
WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 23, rain or shine
WHERE: Lake Avondale near the gazebo, Lakeshore Dr.
COST: Free and open to the public

The Avondale Estates Garden Club presents the 3rd Annual Avondale Tree Walk, a conservation project, from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 23. The event is free, and all members of the public, including children and families, are invited. The walk takes place rain or shine.

The registration area is in front of the gazebo, which is just steps away from our "Tree Huggers in Training" talks for children. Other tree talks for adults are also close by. The tree walk will begin after the talks. Arborists and landscape architects will lead six different routes in Avondale Estates. One of those is a walk around Lake Avondale for those who prefer or require a short walk.


Children who participate will get a picture book from Arborguard Tree Specialists. If Avondale Elementary and the Museum School have at least five students from their school attend the walk, they will earn a book about trees by distinguished authors Gail Gibbons and Patricia Lauber for their school library.
All who go on a tree walk will receive a booklet,“75 Native Trees of Georgia,” from the Georgia Forestry Commission.
There will also be an opportunity to consult a panel of experts at the “Ask the Arborist Table” about any concerns homeowners have with trees in their landscapes

The guides at this year’s tree walk will emphasize six major roles that trees play in our environment:
• Trees make oxygen
• Trees save you money (lowering your heating costs)
• Trees keep your drinking water clean
• Trees make useful things for you
• Trees keep streets safe
• Trees Make City Life fun

Special thanks to City of Avondale Estates, the Avondale Estates Tree Board, the Avon Garden Club
and Arborguard Tree Specialists for their contributions to the 2016 Avondale Tree Walk.   

Atlanta Motorama (Photos)

The Summit Racing Equipment Atlanta Motorama - April 16-17 at The Atlanta Motor Speedway --

Video Friday - Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes

Wylde Center Plant Sale April 15-17, 2016

From: http://wyldecenter.org/plant-sale/


Plant Sale is located in the front yard of the Wylde Center office at the Oakhurst Garden location. Oakhurst Garden is located in the Oakhurst neighborhood just south of Agnes Scott College in the City of Decatur.

435 Oakview Road, Decatur, GA 30030

For regular updates about what is available, planting tips, and volunteer plant sale workdays, like our Wylde Center facebook page. - See more at: http://wyldecenter.org/plant-sale/#sthash.QAfvDVJg.dpuf

Eye on Drive-Thru Starbucks at Suburban Plaza

    Decatur GA.   The new Drive-thru Starbucks at Suburban Plaza Opening soon.

Video Friday - Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife

Update photos on The Comet Pub & Lanes

--- One of the guys working on this said the floor is next thing to install.

    Game room can be seen on left side.

Eye on Decatur's Grindhouse Killer Burgers

Decatur GA. Photo taken on April 6, 2016

New app for Highland Bakery will Deliver to your Door

From: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandBakery
Highland Bakery is proud to announce that our full menu is available on Uber Eats! Download the app today to skip the line and have your favorite benedicts, pastries and drinks delivered right to your front door! Pictured here is the spinach salad, the chicken salad sandwich, the peanut butter french toast, and the hill grill.

Video Friday - Surfin' Safari - The Beach Boys

Sport Clips Coming to Suburban Plaza

From: http://www.tonetoatl.com/2016/03/bits-bites_30.html#more
Sport Clips will be opening locations at both Snellville Promenade on Scenic Highway in Snellville as well as in Suburban Plaza near Decatur.  Georgetown, Texas-based Sport Clips is a male-geared hair cut shop with franchises nationwide.  There are currently about 40 Sport Clips locations in Georgia.   The Snellville center in anchored by HomeGoods, Best Buy and The Fresh Market, while Suburban Plaza is anchored by Walmart, HomeGoods, LA Fitness, ROSS Dress For Less and soon Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores.

Learn more about Sport Clips here.

Burt Reynolds Introduces the NEW Bandit Trans Am

LA Fitness at Suburban Plaza has more Vehicle Break-ins

 Decatur Police reports

Items being taken are electronics left in the cars are wallets and cash and some were broken into anyway with nothing taken because owners left nothing of real value in the car. Last month, Decatur Police offered the following tips to help people avoid becoming victims of a vehicle break-in.
 Tips given would be for people not to leave valuables in their vehicle, and  in some of these break-ins nothing was taken, but the vehicle was broke into with the belief of hoping to find items that may have been left in the vehicle.
 They  recommend parking as close to a business as possible where foot traffic is higher in order to increase your vehicle’s visibility or parking it in front of large windows.

Decatur Waffle House Easter Egg Hunt March 27

Read more.
From: thedecaturminute.com   

Video Friday -Elvis Presley Spring Fever

Eye on Suburban Plaza

--- --- Moe's gets a facelift Coment Pub & Lanes is expected to open by April.

Look for New Retail Center for Toco Hills

New Retail Center Planned for Toco Hills
From: http://www.tonetoatl.com
Crim & Associates plans to build a new 11,000 square foot retail center on LaVista Road at Toco Hill.  The property, located in an outparcel of the existing Kroger, is just under 1.4 acres and is zoned C-1 (Local Commercial District.)

A sign was erected recently announcing a new retail center. Leasing is being handled by Crim & Associates, a Sandy Springs-based commercial real estate firm.  I previously linked to a listing by LaVista Associates, Inc.,  but it would appear Crim has now taken the lead.
 I contacted Crim's Steven St. Paul, the leasing agent for the property, who indicated that they have received significant interest in the new center but that they have no leases signed. St. Paul indicated that the center is likely not to be completed for another year.  I also inquired how many spaces the center would have, to which St. Paul responded that the number of spaces would be determined by the types and sizes of users that commit to the center. 

Jerry Hendrix of Toco Properties, owner of the Kroger portion of the center, indicated that there will be no curb cuts permitted between the new center and the Kroger portion. This access restriction was reportedly among the issues that hindered development from taking place on the parcel previously. 
Photo credit: google maps

SnoBall Moving out and Mellow Mushroom moving in.

 Decaturish.com is reporting about New Orleans SnoBall is moving it's operations to Stone Mountain Village in April and may come back to Deatur in the future And Mellow Mushroom will move into that space and knock down a few walls to make it bigger.
You can read all about it over at decaturish.com

Collecting things can be fun, and It's great when you find it.

I love collecting different things, here is my collection of hard rubber cowboys on a horses that has wheels, these were made in 1930's and 40's, made by the auburn/arcor company,this company started out making car tires. Whats your farvorite things to collect. ? Don't be shy to post anything, collecting is fun, I love it,

Video Friday- Getting to Know You ( The King and I )

This is for you Mom.

Decatur Easter Egg Hunt Saturday 3-19-16

Decatur Easter Egg Hunt  Saturday 3-19-16
From the decatur minute
March 19, 11 am | Front lawn of First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave.
Rain location is the church gymnasium

The annual DBA Easter Egg Hunt returns Saturday, March 19 from 11 am to 1 pm. The bunny arrives at 10:30 am, and the hunt begins at 11 am sharp. This year the hunt will be staggered by age groups so that parents with more than one child, in different age groups, can experience the fun with each of their children.
more

photo credit:  https://www.eventbrite.com

The Fonz (Henry Winkler) and Lin Oliver Coming The Decatur Library March 16

 From: http://dekalblibrary.org
In coordination with Little Shop of Stories, the Georgia Center for the Book welcomes award-winning author, actor and director Henry Winkler and his writing partner Lin Oliver. They will discuss Here's Hank: You Can't Drink Meatballs Through a Straw, the seventh book in their Here's Hank series. Mr. Winkler will not sign any memorobilia; and due to the expected large crowd size, the number of books you may have signed may be limited.
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2016, 7:00 PM—9:00 PM
Location: Decatur Library
Event Type: Author Talks
Series: Georgia Center for the Book's Festival of Writers
Age Group: Family (All Ages)

Revival to Open a Beer Garden out back.

I’m about to open a beer garden [in Revival’s backyard] because I really love European-style beers. And as a self-professed redneck by birth, I do love moonshine.

 - From: http://www.atlantamagazine.com
 13 Questions is a weekly series where we ask chefs 13 questions to get to know them outside of the kitchen. Kevin Gillespie is the chef/owner of Gunshow and Revival.

 What’s one thing you wish you knew how to cook? One of my favorite things in the whole world is American-style Chinese food, and I’m afraid to learn how to make it because I’ll ruin it for myself by making it too fancy. I really love Mongolian beef.
 My favorite place here is China King.
 When you aren’t cooking, what do you do for fun? I am an extremely avid outdoorsman and fisherman. I hunt everything. That was how I grew up—we kind of relied on whatever we could hunt or fish to fill the freezer.
 Now, myself and my dad and my uncles, we always plan multiple western hunting trips, like Rocky Mountain goats in Canada, sheep in Mexico in mountains. What we call camping, most people would call survival training. You find water, and you hunt for food.
 What’s the last TV show you bingewatched? My wife and I watched all of True Detective back-to-back. We literally stayed up all night. It was intense. And it was 5:30 in the morning, and Val is an attorney, and she had to go and get ready for office.
 What’s your guilty pleasure fast food? Buffalo wings. They might be my favorite food.
 When I worked at the Chicken Coop, all we did was fried chicken and buffalo wings. I’ll sometimes go to places like the Local and Fox Bros, but when I want the classic old-school flavor, I make them at home. I’m the only person who has three deep fryers at home. - See more at: http://www.atlantamagazine.com/dining-news/whats-worst-dish-gunshows-kevin-gillespie-ever-made/#sthash.QDW9TlYt.KfOiYcty.dpuf
h/t decatur metro

Video Friday - Isaac Hayes - SHAFT

Rocky Balboa Himself (Sylvester Stallone) posts selfie from High Museum

Sylvester Stallone posts selfie in Atlanta

From: http://buzz.blog.ajc.com/2016/03/09/sylvester-stallone-posts-high-profile-selfie-in-atlanta/
Sylvester Stallone has been in Atlanta, presumably for now-filming “Guardians of the Galaxy 2,” and posted a unique selfie from one of the city’s most treasured cultural institutions.
Stallone, who won a Golden Globe and was Oscar-nominated for his role in “Creed,” stopped by the High Museum of Art on Sunday and posted in front of one of the pieces in the permanent collection. We’re told this is piece is “Para III,” by artist Morris Louis.

If you want to strike a similar pose, the piece is located in the skyway level of the Wieland Pavilion. To plan your visit see the High’s web site.

------------------

Spring EGG-STRAVAGANZA at Fernbank March 19

From: http://www.fernbankmuseum.org

Saturday, March 19, 2016 from 10am – 2pm

This festive event is the perfect way for families to welcome in spring with opportunities to meet live baby animals, find prize-filled eggs, play fun games, participate in special activities and more.

Cost: All Spring EGG-stravaganza activities are included with are included with Museum admission and are free for members.

Activities are subject to change without notice.

Mezcalitos Cantina to Celebrate 10th Anniversary March 12th

 On  Saturday March 12th Mezcalitos Cantina will be celebrating 10 years.
Starting at 5pm.
Live music
Face painting for the kids
50% off on dinner menu (dine in only)
Free Tequila shots

653 E Lake Dr

Decatur, Georgia

(404) 687-0007

 Mezcalitos Cantina 

A New Detour for bike-ped starts Friday March 4 on E. Trinity Place near E. Howard.

 A new detour for bike-ped  starts Friday (March 4) on E. Trinity Place near E. Howard.

From the decatur minute

In order to extend the streetscaping improvements along Trinity, the builders of the Arlo building http://www.centrodevelopment.com/arlo.html will require space to do their work at and around the existing crosswalk.
Starting on March 4th, a bike and ped detour will be set in place to travel around this area. The PATH Trail will remain open, however access from the trail across E. Trinity Place will not be possible. The detour will remain in place for three to four weeks.
The City has carefully considered the temporary closing and the detour. Please know that we understand the inconvenience that this will bring for some. The detour will ensure safety and provide for the construction of a much better sidewalk on the south side of E. Trinity Place.
Thank you for your consideration.
If you have any questions or comments, please call or write John Maximuk with the City of Decatur, Design, Environment & Construction Division, at 678.553.6570 or John.Maximuk@decaturga.com

Video Friday - ELVIS - Viva Las Vegas

Skeeball, Miniature Golf, Food, and Views for Miles Coming to Ponce City Market Roof

Photo credit: flickr member Dustin Grau https://www.flickr.com/photos/justindustin/21248992899/in/album-72157656318333804/


From: http://atlanta.curbed.com/2016/3/1/11140976/ponce-city-markets-the-roof-debut-april
Get ready for skeeball, miniature golf, food, and views for miles
by Josh Green

The cherry atop Ponce City Market’s adaptive-reuse cake is almost ready for public consumption.

The Old Fourth Ward mixed-use goliath’s final phase — a carnival-themed rooftop funland with miniature golf and food options known simply as The Roof — will host its first event April 3, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. Jamestown Properties, the market’s developer, has planned a charity miniature golf tournament that day with several Atlanta Hawks players scheduled to attend, including Al Horford and Kyle Korver, whose foundation is a partner in the event. It’s a positive sign that the years-long PCM project is nearing completion (work near the Beltline notwithstanding), and The Roof will surely ratchet up its status as a landmark tourist attraction.

For the general public, though, The Roof isn't expected to open until mid-2016. The building’s original freight elevator will lift guests up to the 10th floor rooftop, where they’ll find boardwalk-style games like skeeball, event space, a large slide, a viewing platform inside the market’s huge rooftop marquee, plus a restaurant, according to Atlanta magazine. So it could be worth the wait.