Clermont Hotel Renovations Back on Track

From: http://atlanta.curbed.com/2016/10/13/13260250/clermont-hotel-construction-atlanta-lounge

For three years now, the renovation of the storied Clermont Hotel on Ponce de Leon Avenue has been up in the air.

After numerous false starts, spanning from 2014 to this year, transformative work is (allegedly) really starting ... for real. In fact, site work is already underway behind the hotel, addressing complications encountered due to a 100-year-old sewer line running through the site.
And according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, a private groundbreaking will be held next week. Hopefully that means work will soon start on the building itself, which has languished — windows broken out, etc. — since the hotel was shuttered in 2009.

Plans first released back in 2013 envisioned a boutique hotel with around 100 rooms. Additionally, the building was slated to include a full-service restaurant and a rooftop bar with sweeping skyline views (yes, please), a parking structure built behind the 1924 building, and, of course, the preservation of the
Clermont Lounge.

Raise a Fork - Fix a Home Oct 18

Dine out in Decatur on October 18 to support the Decatur MLK Jr. Service Project.

From: thedecatur.com
A percentage of the day’s proceeds goes to the Decatur MLK Service Project, a large-scale volunteer initiative to help low income seniors live safely, comfortably and affordably in their homes by completing needed repairs, weatherizing, adding handicap accessible features and doing yard work.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Lee Ann Harvey, City of Decatur
leeann.harvey@decaturga.com
678-553-6548
MLKServiceProject.com

Big Tex Cantina to Reopen this Fall

From:     http://www.ajc.com

Big Tex, just west of downtown Decatur, will return with a slightly different partnership mix sometime around Thanksgiving.

The bar/restaurant was open from late 2011 until December 2014, then for a year after closing served as a catering outlet for Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q. In fact, though no longer involved, brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox were partners in the original Big Tex venture.


But original partners Dan and Beau Nolen are returning. The Nolens founded and still run Smith’s Olde Bar in midtown and remain partners with Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q.

Other partners include Robin Vaughan, Big Tex’s general manager during most of its first incarnation, and Scott Drake, a Decatur commissioner who has an interest in several restaurants.
   

Drake describes the refurbished Big Tex as “a neighborhood bar with really good food—sometimes maybe even great food.” Though not precisely a sports bar, the restaurant will feature eight to 10 televisions, Drake said, and carry all the major sports packages.

The building is deceptively large, about 4,500 square feet. Decatur veterans may recall that it was DeKalb Chrysler Plymouth in the 1950s through 1960s, and a tire store in the 1970s.
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Related post when they first opened:  http://next-stop-decatur-ga.blogspot.com/2011/04/first-look-inside-decaturs-new-big-tex.html

Remembering Smith's Grocery on E. College Ave

Read all the comments on Growing Up in Decatur Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/56160687649/10154620103422650/?notif_t=like&notif_id=1475982506819668

Video Friday - Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory

Decatur Estate Antique Mall 15th Anniv. Sale Oct 8th

Oakhurst Porchfest Saturday Oct 8, 2016

 From: http://www.oakhurstporchfest.org

When's it happening?

Everything goes down Saturday, October 8, 2016, from Noon to 6pm, followed by a closing throwdown in Harmony Park thereafter.

Where does it take place?

Oakhurst is in the southwest corner of Decatur, sandwiched between Agnes Scott College to the east and Kirkwood to the west. The fest is spread across the entire neighborhood, filling roughly one square mile. Included streets are shown here.

​

Is Porchfest a replacement for the Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival?

While it’s true that Porchfest was born to fill a void in 2015 when Harmony Park construction prevented the Arts and Music Festival from taking place, the two events are otherwise unrelated. We can’t speak to whether or not Arts and Music will return but we’re certainly supportive of any efforts by its organizers and supporters to get it going again. The more art, the better.

What's new for 2016?

We learned a lot from Year One and have a number of new things in store. See the summary here.

I want to play or host a band.

All you have to do is register. Musicians here and porch hosts here.

​

Bass Pro Shops is Buying Cabela's for $5.5 Billion

From: http://www.forbes.com

Hunting and fishing company

Bass Pro Shops, which was started nearly five decades ago when billionaire Johnny Morris started selling fishing lures out of his dad’s liquor store, has agreed to pay $65.50 per share for Cabela’s. This represents a 19% premium over Friday’s closing price.

Cabela’s had been exploring strategic alternatives for its business after coming under pressure from activist investor Paul Singer’s Elliott Management, which took a position in the company a year ago and called its stock undervalued.

The deal will create an outdoor retailing giant with almost double the store count that sells fishing, hunting, camping and boating gear. Both companies have “an abiding love for the outdoors and a passion for serving sportsmen and sportswomen,” said Morris, founder and CEO of the privately-held Bass Pro Shops, who Forbes estimates is worth $3.9 billion.

Cabela’s, which was founded in Sidney, Nebraska in 1961, has struggled in recent times and saw sales at its existing stores fall 1.3% in the first half of 2016. The company attributed this to a decrease in demand for its clothing and footwear.

Under the newly combined company, Morris will continue to act as CEO and majority shareholder. Bass Pro Shops communicated its plans to retain Cabela’s operations in its home state, but it’s not immediately clear if jobs will still be lost.


Bass Pro Shops is acquiring outdoor gear competitor Cabela’s in an all-cash deal valued at $5.5 billion, the companies said on Monday.

Madison Ave Soapbox Derby 2016 (Photos)

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 more photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24391992@N00/albums/72157673570656752


Photos: D G Whitefield (Next Stop...Decatur)

Video Friday - Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love Baby

Remembering The Belvedere Restaurant

The Belvedere Restaurant
located across the street from Belvedere Plaza Shopping Center
circa 1960

The Madison Ave Soapbox Derby Schedule

 WHEN: THIS COMING SATURDAY- OCT 1, 2016

David sends this in.

SCHEDULE

Details are subject to change.
RACERS… ARRRRE YOU READY?
What you need to know…
10:30 Registration OPENS: Teams arrive, sign in, wait for car inspection & park
Enter Madison Ave thru Johnston Place beginning at 10:30. Look for the registration tent. An adult must check in for their child regardless of team grouping. Waivers must be signed before you proceed. DON’T FORGET YOUR HELMETS! NO HELMET, NO RIDE!
-Please note, at this time, we cannot make any changes to the team, team names or drivers. If you have not paid your registration fee you have been withdrawn from the race and we hope you can join us to watch the event.
11:00 Food area is open: Grab a bite to eat and prepare for racing! Food options will remain open until 5:00 pm.
U Joint & Steinbeck’s tent
Hamburgers, black bean burgers, hot dogs, various cold wraps (chicken arugula, tuna salad, etc)
Matador tent
Pork Tacos & Grilled Corn
Bake Sale Tent – also selling race t-shirts
Beer Tent
SnoBayou Camper: New Orleans Snoballs
12:00 pm – Judging begins (cars all at the top of the street)
12:45 pm – Race introduction
1:00 pm – Race – ages 6 & under
1:45 pm – Race – ages 7 to 17
3:00 pm – Race – ages 18 and up
3:15 pm – Race over – Old Matt Donald’s Farm takes the stage
3:45 pm – Awards Ceremony and Check Presentation
4:15 pm – Band back on stage for a second set
5:00 pm – that’s a wrap!
– This is a rough schedule. We cannot predict how the race will flow with over 80 drivers!
Please keep in mind that this is a grassroots event and we will do the best we can to stay on schedule.
Fun, fun, fun… The vision of this event is picnic/parade style where families, friends and neighbors will be walking to the event with their chairs & blankets while snacking with their families and watching the Derby. For those of you who live on Madison Ave we hope you invite your friends, set up a tailgate style picnic and enjoy the day! All others are welcome to set up their picnic goods on the sidewalks up & down the street.
We will have a “donation station” with baked goods for (cash or check) donation, t-shirts for sale ($20 for Youth & Adult) and checkered flags (1 for $2.00 OR 3 for $5.00) and encourage you to spread the word to bring cash & checks ONLY.
 http://madisonavesoapboxderby.org/schedule/
 Relive the excitment from last years Derby here

Thanks David for the info.

Did you Catch The Krog St. Tunnel on MacGyver

From: atlantamagazine.com
CBS’s MacGyver (EYE) has been busy throughout August as well. After finishing July at the Georgian Terrace, the production moved to a set off of Dunwoody Club Drive. On August 10, they shot a market scene at Peachtree and Baker Streets downtown. Two days later, crews moved to the Westside, off Marietta Street. MacGyver moved back downtown, filming on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, on August 20. For the past few days, filming has taken place in Smyrna, with a basecamp at Faith Christian Center on South Cobb Drive and Church Street.

Eye on Decatur

Video Friday - Bobby Darin - Dream Lover

Temporarily Lane Shift on N. McDonough St

From: thedecaturminute.com
BRTU Construction is installing new lane markings, traffic control barricades, and fencing to temporarily shift all vehicle traffic to two lanes on the east side of North McDonough Street. On-street parking will be eliminated during construction as well.

The North McDonough Streetscape Improvements include reducing North McDonough to 2 vehicle lanes, wider sidewalks, and a 2-way “cycle track” on the west side of the street, along with traditional streetscape improvements and on-street parking. The project will also feature “green infrastructure” improvements to improve storm water quality.
How to manage

To obtain updates on this and other construction projects in downtown Decatur, sign up for the Extreme Makeover: Downtown Decatur Edition

TRUMAN TAVERN Brunch Every Sat & Sun

https://www.facebook.com/trumantavern/posts/656651904496398

From: https://www.facebook.com/trumantavern/posts/656651904496398
 
See menu here 

123 East Court Sq.
Decatur GA

The Scott Drive-In was Decatur's First Drive-In Theatre opened in Sept. 1951

First Drive-In Theatre in Decatur, GA. opened  65 years ago.

I'm looking for any photos of this Drive-In Theatre.
click on contact tab at the top of this site if you have one.

The above picture of the entrance of the Scott Drive-In was located at the corner of Scott Blvd. & the Lawrenceville Hwy

This is a newspaper article about the Grand opening of The Scott-Drive-In Theatre.

A new asset to Decatur's impressive list of modern business establishments has been added in the Scott Drive Theatre at the intersection of Scott Blvd and the Lawrenceville Hwy.
Set in a natural amphitheatre and partially enclosed by a cresent-shaped backdrop of trees, the new drive-in is one of the most beautiful anywhere in the south. It opened Monday.
With 550 automobile positions, the new outdoor movie has 12 parking ramps. Elevated and tilted to give the viewer just the right view of the screen, the ramps are close enough so that customers at the rear can get a clear picture.

Community Theatres Corporation who built the new drive-in have secured the very latest of equipment and designs for their movies.
Frederick G. Story, president of Community Pictures, says that the Scott's big concession stand is probably the best designed in this area.
We studied many oother drive-in concession stands and elimated all of their mistakes in ours he said.
Features of the concession house are the comfortable rest rooms, public telephones,cigarette machines and cafeteria style service.

The sound equipment the speakers which the drive-in customer hangs from his auto window is R C A which Mr. Story says is the best of it's kind. And he adds that the Scott's movie screen is the largest in the Metropolitan area.

The opening night had some 550 cars which is a full house.
1000 cars were turned away that first night.

Be sure to visit : http://scottdriveintheatre.blogspot.com/

 See COMMENTS on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/56160687649/permalink/10154577625792650/?comment_id=10154578783462650&notif_t=group_comment&notif_id=1474566031703825

North McDonough Streetscape Improvement

From thedecaturminute.com

Work is beginning to crank up on the North McDonough Streetscape Improvement and the Railroad Crossing Improvements at McDonough and Candler. The City Commissioners have awarded a contract for the work to BRTU Construction of Forest Park. The total budget for the work is about $5.5 million, a little over two-thirds of which is from federal grants through the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The North McDonough Streetscape Improvements include reducing North McDonough to 2 vehicle lanes, wider sidewalks, and a 2-way “cycle track” on the west side of the street, along with traditional streetscape improvements and on-street parking. The project will also feature “green infrastructure” improvements to improve storm water quality.
The Railroad Crossing Improvements address pedestrian accessibility and safety around and across the two CSX crossings at the intersections of College Avenue and Howard Avenue with Candler Street and McDonough Street. The work provides gentler slopes on the north side of both crossings resulting in an accessible path for persons in wheelchairs as well as a safer route for pedestrians and bicyclists located outside the railroad crossing gates. New traffic signals allowing protected left turns on all legs of the 2 crossings are to be installed as well.

October Wine Tasting at Wahoo Grill

 

Our October Monthly Wine Tasting is Right Around the Corner

Wahoo! Grill

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

5 to 6:30 p.m.

$25++ per person

Featuring Pali Wine Company

Wine Tasting Menu

Seared Scallop*

cilantro gremolata, citrus beurre blanc

chef's pairing: Sonoma Coast "Charm Acres" Chardonnay 2014

Grilled Salmon*

pinot noir & juniper berry-infused apples

chef's pairing: Huntington Pinot Noir 2014

Braised Boneless Short Rib*

applewood bacon & root vegetable ragout

chef's pairing:Sonoma Coast "Riviera" Pinot Noir 2013

*items are gluten-free

Exclusive Offers:

​Stay for dinner and receive 20% off all dinner menu items

Receive 20% off if you sign up today for the next tasting

To make your reservation, click  here  or call 404.373.3331

*Please indicate if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions when submitting payment

VON MAUR HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Went to Grand Opening of VON MAUR Dept. Store at Mall of Georgia.
This classic Harley-Davidson is in the Mens Dept. displayed high up on wall.
What other Dept store does this? AWESOME.

Jimmy John's to Open in Emory Village

From: http://www.tonetoatl.com/2016/09/emory-sandwich-options-expand.html#more

 Sandwich joint opening in Emory Village

Champaign, Illinois-based Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is coming to Emory Village.  The sub shop will occupy the former Chevron gas station on North Decatur Road.    

The approximately 2,000 square foot building is being completely renovated to suit the needs of the restaurant. (Local wine merchant Sherlock's had last year announced plans to open in the space but later abandoned them.)  

According to Emory Village Alliance, the gas station renovation will include the installation of new windows and other exterior and interior improvements including a kitchen and seating for about 20 inside, and patio seating for others outside.  When work is complete the site will reportedly have 13 parking spaces plus bike racks on the east and west side of the building. Cars will enter at the North Decatur Road entrance and exit on Oxford Road.  
full story

Photo is Jimmy John's Downtown Decatur location.

Video Friday - Saturday Night Fever - More Than A Woman (Bee Gees)

N. McDonough St. circa 1942

 In World War II, Dekalb citizens turned out for an enthusiatic war bond rally on the Courthouse Square in Decatur. Movie actress Dorothy Lamour appeared as a special guest. (1942) Photo from Julius McCurdy (81-92)

 Click photo to enlarge.
Not many photos showing this side on North McDonough St. have been found. If you look close you can see one sign that is  POP'S CAFE . And you can see what looks like a AMOCO Gas Station at far left.The buildings were torn down for the New Courthouse.

Photo from Vanishing Dekalb

Lunch and Learn Sept 20: 100th Anniversary of the Fire at the DeKalb County Courthouse

100th Anniversary of the Fire at the DeKalb County Courthouse

Lunch and Learn with Jenny Goldemund & Fred Mobley

From:  http://www.dekalbhistory.org

 

The next bi-monthly Lunch and Learn will be presented by two DeKalb History Center staff members Fred Mobley (Archivist) and Jenny Goldemund (Programs and Preservation Coordinator).
Join the DeKalb History Center to learn more about our home – the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse, with a focus on the fire that consumed it 100 years ago. The talk will include background information on Decatur’s square and why the courthouse is located here. Did you know that part of the current courthouse was built on the remains of the county’s fourth courthouse?  The History Center will cover the history and architecture of the 1898 courthouse and the fire which partially destroyed it in 1916. Learn about the changes made to the remains of the fourth courthouse in order to reopen it for court functions in 1918. The talk will conclude with a brief summary of the fifth courthouse’s history up to the present.
Tuesday, September 20, 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Historic DeKalb Courthouse, Second Floor

Free and open to the public! Bring your lunch.

Photo credit : https://www.facebook.com/144917255569664/photos/gm.294076060945356/1114782581916455/?type=3&theater

Eye on Decatur