Decatur schools may add staff & raise taxes

While DeKalb County school officials consider possibly laying off staff, Decatur city school officials next year may actually add positions — but they also want to raise residents' taxes.

A proposed $37 million general fund budget will go next week before city school board members for preliminary approval, and includes a 1 mill increase in owners' property millage rates.
The increase equates to about $100 more in property taxes on a home valued at $200,000. This is the first city school millage increase after four years of rate reductions. The new rate clocks in at 19.90 mills. By comparison, the rate in 2004 was 20.24, but had declined to 18.90 as of this year.

The proposal comes as the system, now with 2,500 students, grew by about 100 children. It adds three new fourth-grade teachers, two new kindergarten teachers and new middle-school Spanish and choir instructors. For existing staff, it also includes a 2.5 percent pay raise in addition to a 3 percent "step" increase.

Step increases are a salary supplement based on years of experience. DeKalb officials originally proposed not giving county staff step increases, but school board members have suggested cutting some positions in order to restore them.

By KRISTINA TORRES
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/08/08

The new McKoy Park Pool Scheduled to Open Memorial Day 2008

The city of Decatur should get 5 STAR award for this.
This is the best decision they could have made, McKOY Park needed a new pool.
I spent my summer days at that pool, and it was a nice pool in the 1960's.
I am glad to see they have incorporated grass back inside the fence.


McKoy Park Pool Scheduled to Open Memorial Day 2008

Decatur staff began meeting with interested citizens two years ago to talk about options for reopening McKoy Pool. The existing pool( click here to see old pool) developed a major water leak that could not be patched and was closed approximately five years ago. During several public input sessions a variety of options were considered and three major areas of interest were identified: 1. the need for a pool that was easily accessible by handicapped swimmers and the elderly; 2. a pool that provided amenities for small children; and 3. opportunity for dedicated lap swim areas. Originally we looked at ways to repair the existing pool. However, with the approval of the Capital Bond Project Referendum, the City Commission allocated additional money to the project and the DeKalb County Community Development Department awarded the City a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant. The South Decatur Community Development Corporation donated $25,000 to help fund improvements to the bathhouse.

As a result, the City of Decatur was able to fund a new pool and bathhouse at McKoy Pool. During the design phase, we considered all of three components requested by area residents. The City of Decatur has two other city-owned pools located within its four square mile so it seemed appropriate to incorporate these design features and provide a slightly different swim experience in order to give city residents three different swim options within the City. Specifically, Ebster Pool meets swim team requirements and serves that community need. Glenlake provides a more traditional multi-purpose swimming experience with a deep water option. McKoy Pool incorporates a zero entry (beach entry) access pool making it easier for elderly and handicapped residents to use, bubbler features to entertain younger swimmers and dedicated lap lanes that can be scheduled for adult-only lap swimming in the mornings and afternoons and provide general swimming for summer campers and older children during the busy hours. The project includes a completely rebuilt bathhouse that will be accessible as well as both hard surface decking and grassed lounging areas.

The City awarded the bid for construction in September and construction began on November 19, 2007. Construction is projected to take six months. We look forward to celebrating the grand opening of this new swimming facility on Memorial Day Weekend 2008.

click here to see construction photos.

Decatur Beach Party June 20, 2008

Beach Party
Friday June 20, 2008 from 5 p.m. to midnight
Decatur brings in 60 tons of sand and turns the square into a beach for this annual event. Dance in the streets to the beach music from the live band performing from the stage that stretches across Ponce de Leon Avenue. Activities include children's boardwalk games, a special beach movie on the giant inflatable screen, face painting, wading pools in the sand and more. Adults $5; Children 12 and under, free. Sponsored by Decatur Business Association. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser benefit downtown improvement projects.

Click here for 2007 photos of Decatur Beach Party.

The Decatur GA. of the Chicago Suburbs.

Here is a odd question I found by a member (bicycleguy) on the City-Data forum.

My family is moving to Chicago this summer from the Atlanta suburb of Decatur.

We're very happy with Decatur (well-educated, diversity, great schools, politically progressive, walkable downtown, locally owned businesses, trees, not outlandishly hip, stable community, public transportation, relatively safe and relatively quiet).

Here's the question: where would "Decatur people" live in Chicago? We'll look to buy a small 2 or 3 BR home between $200 - $400K.

I know there's no neat equivalency when it comes to neighborhoods, but any advice would be helpful. Especially people who know Decatur, GA, we'd love your thoughts, but anybody's input is very much welcome.

One member thought Oak Park would be a good fit.

To read some of the comments click here.

Creative Loafing Spotlights Decatur/Avondale Coffee Bars & Tea Rooms.

Urban Grounds & Java Monkey are Coffee Bars spotlighted in Creative Loafing.

Creative Loafing Spotlights Decatur/Avondale Estates coffee bars & tea rooms.

Java Monkey
205 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
404-378-5002





Urban Grounds Inc.
38-B N Avondale Rd
Avondale Estates, GA 30002
404-499-2136

Others that were spotlighted were:


Dancing Goats Coffee Bar
419 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
404-687-1100





Indie Coffee and Books
340 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 100
Decatur, GA 30030
404-378-7110



Kavarna
707 E. Lake Dr.
Decatur, GA 30030
815-263-5032

Mocha Match
627 E. College Ave., Suite F
Decatur, GA 30330
404-377-7788

Decatur recommends assistant for head coaching job at Decatur High School

Decatur athletics director Carter Wilson has recommended offensive coordinator Price Jones as the school's new head football coach, pending board approval.

Jones was 35-42 as the head coach at Pelham from 1997-2003 and has been an assistant at several state schools since 1987, including Valdosta, Early County and Monroe Area.

Wilson said Jones' familiarity with the Decatur program factored into the decision.

"The thing that really elevated him over everybody else was the fact that the kids were very comfortable with him," Wilson said. "We felt like he was the right guy at this time."

Jones replaces Sonny Spurlock, who resigned last month after one year in the position. He is the school's eighth head coach since 1995. The Bulldogs were 3-7 last season.

By JEFF HAWS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/05/08

Celebrate CINCO DE MAYO at Mexico City Gourmet

Mexico City Gourmet has been serving up fresh, authentic Mexican faire to Atlantans for over 25 years. Set conveniently in Decatur, Mexico City Gourmet offers tried and true traditional Mexican dishes sure to please the discerning diner. The salads, soups, and appetizers are standouts at Mexico City, and you won't want to miss the Quesadilla Especiale or the Guacamole Salad.

The Specialties of the House are numerous and varied, and most selections are available with savory steak, flavorful chicken or delicious, fresh seafood.The Georgia Burrito, Steak Taco Poblano and Carne Asada are customer favorites.

Stop by and you'll understand why everyone comes to Mexico City Gourmet.

Mexico City Gourmet
2134 N. Decatur Rd
Decatur, GA.
404-634-1128

The Bradley Observatory the overlooked Gem.

The Bradley Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Agnes Scott College. It is located in Decatur, Georgia, 5 miles east of Atlanta, Georgia, (USA). The observatory's largest telescope, the Beck Telescope, is a vintage 30 inch (750 mm) Cassegrain reflector built in 1930. The telescope was owned and operated by an amateur astronomer, Mr. Gibson. He offered the telescope for sale, seeking to upgrade his own telescope. Agnes Scott purchased it in 1947 for about $15,000. For many years, the Beck telescope was the larges in the Southeast United States, until the Fernbank Observatory opened in 1972 with its 36 inch telescope.



The observatory was built in order to house the Beck telescope and was dedicated in 1950.[4] It also houses faculty offices and a planetarium. The observatory is a contributing structure within the National Register South Candler Street-Agnes Scott College Historic District.

The Bradley Observatory ..... built in 1950
Decatur, GA,

Growing up in Decatur, I lived very close to this Observatory, and they had these steep brick path ways, and my brother and I would ride our bikes all around this place and we
would be flying down these paths because this Observatory was up on a hill top.
It was great growing up in Decatur, GA. in the 1950's & 60's

To learn more on the history of this, click link below.
http://bradley.agnesscott.edu/facilities.html

UPDATE on the new Decatur High School Stadium. Will they finish this in time for the football season.?

From the looks of this, I think they are behind schedule. Will they have this stadium ready for the Football season. ?

Comments are welcome.

Little Shop of Stories has moved to a new location.

Little Shop of Stories
133A E.Court Sq.
Decatur, GA.

Today is the 2008 Kentucky Derby

About the Kentucky Derby
Welcome to the center of the Thoroughbred racing universe. Home to the longest continuously held sporting event on American soil. Like clockwork, every year on the first Saturday in May, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky proudly opens its gates to thousands of horse-racing fans and a select field of the nation’s top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds.

Since 1875 Kentucky has marked the passage of time with the arrival of one, if not the most esteemed Thoroughbred racing events in the world. It’s the social event of the year in Louisville, and you'll be there to take in history, tradition and “the fastest two minutes in sports” all for yourself.

May is the month for the beginning of summer movies

Of the following movies being released in May, which one do you want to see the most?
"The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
"Iron Man"
"Made of Honor"
"Sex and the City: The Movie"
"Speed Racer"
"What Happens in Vegas"MAY

To see my selection click the you-tube below.
I can't wait.

boswell Gallery response to Tag! Best You Tube video's to be selected for showing.

Boswell Gallery invites you to the opening reception of Moments Before Sleep with featured artists Liz Williams, Phil Proctor, and Jared Knight.
Boswell Gallery showcases works by strong regional and international contemporary artists. The gallery features paintings, photography and sculpture with an emphasis on large-scale work.

To learn more about the You Tube video's to be selected click on the above You Tube.

Boswell Gallery
153 Ponce de Leon Pl.
404-377-4778
www.boswellgallery.com

ArtWalk - Friday May 23rd, 2008 5-10 pm

Decatur cheers on GA Marathon Runners

Freight train departing Decatur circa 1950's

Photo is from Dekalb Historical Society Archives.
Photo by Guy Hayes

May Day

May Day (May 1st) is celebrated in many places around the world. The traditions and stories surrounding May Day vary from place to place. There is, however, one thing that is similar in most celebrations - the use of Flowers!

One of the most popularly known May Day traditions is to hang a basket full of spring flowers and/or other small gifts on a neighbor's doorknob. The trick is you don't want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.



Another popular activity on May Day is to decorate a pole with brightly colored ribbon or paper streamers. Some also add flowers and balloons.
The pole is usually carried in a parade and then placed in the ground at a designated area. People then dance around the May pole, holding the ends of the streamers or ribbon in their hands.

Neighbors greet plans for DeKalb's Executive Park

Developers plan to transform Executive Park, metro Atlanta's first suburban office park, into a live-work-play community that includes a 12-story office tower, a hotel and several multi-family units with ground level retail clustered around a small park.

The project, known as The Park at Druid Hills, is planned at the highly congested intersection of North Druid Hills and Briarcliff roads in north-central DeKalb County. It's also near a proposed mixed-use development from the Sembler Co. that has drawn heated opposition from neighbors who worry the project would be too dense and generate too much traffic.
But the Executive Park make-over was greeted warmly by most of the residents who gathered Tuesday night to hear the developer's plans. While the traffic impact remains a concern, residents complimented the plan for striving to create an inviting, walkable environment that features new parks, multi-use trails, and significantly less retail space than originally proposed.

"I was very impressed with the attention to keeping the higher density away from the neighborhoods," said Jim Smith, who leads StandUp DeKalb, a community group that formed to oppose the Sembler project. "So far, from what I've seen, I'm impressed."

Some residents remain skeptical. Jonas Werzberger said he worries the project will create a setting similar to that in the Perimeter Center, the bustling and traffic-choked business district that straddles Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.

Werzberger said he has friends who live in that area "who can't get out of their development. I want to be able to get out of my subdivision."

By PAUL DONSKY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/30/08

Great Apartment In A Wonderful City

Would you like to live here, I bet you would, then all you have to do is add your name on the list, or should I say, add it to the bottom of the list.

Candler Court is a great apartment house; great neighbors, just steps from wonderful restaurants and shops. The owners are very responsive if issues arise. I wanted to try out city life before buying in the area. I was really sad about leaving. It was a great place to live.
Reviewer: Anonymous

Candler Court Apartments
305 E. Ponce De Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
770-939-1845

Retailers have their eyes on your stimulus check. How will you spend yours?

You may have to wait until May to see your economic stimulus check, but some retailers already have their sights set on how you will spend it.

Both Kroger Co., one of the country's largest grocers, and department store operator Sears Holdings Corp. are already offering discounts and freebies to consumers who turn the rebate checks into gift cards.
Other retailers like Home Depot are launching advertising campaigns to helpfully suggest ways to spend those extra dollars.

Many retailers have yet to announce special promotions and some, like Target Corp., say they aren't planning any. But industry watchers say its likely more companies will announce ad campaigns and special deals as the weeks go by to try to convince shoppers to spend.

"Certainly it does seem like retailers are planning for a battle on where to spend that check," said Chris Donnelly, a partner in the retail practice at consulting group Accenture. "We're going to see a lot of competition from a promotional standpoint among retailers really trying to lay claim to that."

The checks, set to arrive in mailboxes and bank accounts beginning next month, are part of an $168 billion economic stimulus plan passed by Congress. Under the plan, individuals who have filed their tax returns for the year can receive up to $600 and families can get up to $1,200.

The checks are meant to provide a cash cushion for strapped consumers, as well as a cash infusion for retailers struggling to grow sales in a weak economy where shoppers are increasingly cutting back.

Retailers who cater to consumers' needs rather than wants may see the most benefit, said Morningstar analyst Mitchell Corwin.

"It's your grocery bill, it's your electric bill, it's your fuel bill," Corwin said. "Just for everyday type purchases, consumers are facing higher prices today than they ever have."

If consumers use the checks to buy the necessities, that could be great news for Kroger. The company said Wednesday they will offer shoppers free groceries through a gift card program. It works like this: If a customer turns in his $300 tax refund or economic stimulus check for a Kroger gift card, he will receive an additional $30 on the new card. A $600 check would garner another $60 dollars and a $1,200 check would warrant another $120 to spend in groceries.

"Consumers are stretched, we recognize that with the economy," said Kroger Chief Operating Officer Don McGeorge.

Sears, meanwhile, said Tuesday it will offer a 10 percent bonus to anyone who converts their check into a Sears or Kmart gift card.

"I do think you're going to see a lot of retailers that focus on necessities follow suit," National Retail Federation spokesman Scott Krugman said.

It won't be the first time retailers have nudged consumers to spend their economic stimulus checks. In 2001, when consumers received smaller tax rebate checks to stimulate the economy, Krugman said retailers allowed consumers to cash the checks in stores.

By LAUREN SHEPHERD
Associated Press

Why not save it for a rainy day....It's suppose to rain this saturday.

REGION 6-AA TRACK & FIELD MEET: Decatur pulls ahead to win

REGION 6-AA TRACK & FIELD MEET: Decatur pulls ahead to win
Bulldogs lag in field events, then sprint to the crown

By Curtis Bunn
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/29/08

Decatur used a dominant effort in the sprints in the Region 6-AA boys track championships Monday at Greater Atlanta Christian to come from behind and win the championship.

At one point in the afternoon, the Bulldogs were a distant third to front-running GAC and second-place Wesleyan.

But when the speed events came up, Decatur took off. In a span of 75 minutes, the Bulldogs took over first place and ended up earning 102 points to win the crown over second-place Greater Atlanta Christian (84.3) and Wesleyan (72), which was third.

All told, Decatur either won or placed second in eight straight events.

"We knew we could come back in the sprints," said Decatur's Chris Miles, who won the 100-meter championship, the 200-meter title and was on the winning 1,600 relay team.

"We didn't score as we'd like in the field events, but we were very confident about what we could do in sprints. We have a strong team."

Consecutive first-place finishes by Miles in the 100 (11:46) and Chris Sams in the 110-meter hurdles (15.15) got the Bulldogs going in the right direction.

Then Jacob Martin-Rogers took second in the 800 for eight points for Decatur; Wesleyan's Matt Hanlon, who also captured the 1,600 title on Saturday, won his second region title in the 800.

But Decatur continued to come on strong. Miles captured his second region championship medal by taking the 200 in 22.86. The conditions —- a little chilly and windy —- prevented a fast race, but Miles fought through the elements.

"I knew it would be a slower time running into the headwind," Miles said. "But with my technique, I knew I would be all right."

Sams finished second in a tight race in the 300-meter hurdles to give the Bulldogs another title. For good measure, Mac Fidler won a non-sprint event —- the 3,200 in 10:07 —- to give Decatur a phenomenal 56 points in a six-race span (first place gets 10 points, second eight).

Finally, Decatur's 1,600 relay team put a cherry on top of its outstanding day, smoking the field with a 3:30.91 to win still another region championship.

GO DECATUR!

Decatur School of Ballet.. since 1947

Decatur School of Ballet has been in continuous operation since 1947. Over sixty years ago Hilda Gumm and Marie Roberts started the school with a few ballet students in a small room over the ice cream shoppe in Downtown Decatur. In 1958, the school moved into its present location, which was designed by architect Everett Roberts (Marie's husband) to be a dance studio. In 1980 present owners Kathleen and Ron Everett purchased the school where Kathleen had studied since age 6.

Decatur School of Ballet, the oldest classical ballet school in DeKalb County, offers classes for children and adults in classical ballet, jazz, tap, creative movement, ballroom, and modern dance. Headquarters in Downtown Decatur feature spacious studios with suspended wood flooring. The school is structured on a nine-month curriculum (September through May) and offers special summer programs. Careful attention is given to placing each dancer in appropriate classes based on age, technical level and ability. Individual evaluations are done on each student. Providing quality dance instruction by professionals in a friendly atmosphere is the foundation of our school.

Decatur School of Ballet serves the needs of students who wish to dance "just for fun" and those who aim toward becoming professional dancers and teachers. Our school welcomes people from varying racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. Although we are in the business of teaching dance, the development of each student as an individual is at the core of our endeavors. Experience in and knowledge of the arts help us express our individual creative and cultural human potential.

For Further Information Call or Write:
Decatur School of Ballet
102 Church Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030

Tel: 404/378-3388
FAX 404/378-3679
www.decatur-ballet.com

No one has lived on Decatur's Square since the 1930's...

Decatur House will be located on the historic square in downtown Decatur, Ga. The building takes it name from the residence of the legendary naval commander Commodore Stephen Decatur which is located next to The White House in Washington, DC .

Decatur House is the pinnacle of in-town living developments in Atlanta. With only 4 units and floor plans, we have created not just a building for residents to live in, but a small neighborhood on the square in Decatur.

Decatur House residents will enjoy unmatched views of downtown Decatur to the north and Agnes Scott campus to the south. Large balconies at each residential unit allow residents to connect with the dynamic downtown street life. Imagine walking out your front door and on to the Decatur Square... we invite you to be a part of it. Please feel free to contact our sales office for an exclusive presentation.

To be built on the old Decatur Theatre site.
What a great place to live.
When this is completed it will make this location (N. McDonough St.) look so much more hometown.
I'm sure they will do something about the parking in front, now it's a oval circle that parks about 20 to 40 cars.
What would look nice is to do away with the parking the way it is now, and with the plans to build a larger sidewalk with benches along all the store fronts with a few trees will look very nice.

Click on pictures for a better view.

Decatur House
http://www.decaturhousega.com/

Looking back at Decatur High School circa 1965

Decatur High's Varsity cheerleaders
and Duke The barking mascot.
also a good look at The North building.

photo from 1966 indecatur.

Nathalie's Fish House

Elegance meets casual whether you dine out on Paris inspired café tables or inside the Key West flavored interior. You won’t have to hire a boat to partake the island taste of Nathalie’s exquisite seafood. You will want to come here again and again.

picture of Nathalie receiving takeout orderConvenient to all of Atlanta’s in-town attractions and not far from neighborhood surrounds, Nathalie’s eclectic menu invites you to delight in dishes both basic and haute.

You will find Nathalie’s Fish House on historic West Ponce de Leon Ave. in the heart of upbeat Decatur … where a girl who summered indulging the culinary joys of the Brittany coast found a home for her kitchen.

Sims Radiator in Decatur. circa 1961

Sims Radiator is a part of Metro Atlanta's history. Clay Sims Sr., started in Decatur back in 1949 after coming back home from WWII. He rented a shop from Hoolie Wilburn across the street from Decatur High School and his brother, W.L., joined him soon after. They had been in business for 12 years when this photo was taken.

Carpe Diem Cafe & Bistro

Carpe Diem Bistro
105 Sycamore Pl
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: (404) 687-9696

Buy a Kid a Book !

Let's put more books in the homes of more Decatur children in 2008.


DBA
Decatur Business Association

Decatur Business Association 2008 membership directory

1965 photo of Decatur looking towards N. McDonough St.

Photo taken from the steps of The Old Court House.
Looking towards N. McDonough St.
You can see The Decatur Theatre on the left side
and on the right you can see the stores that were torn down,
Scott's Pharmacy is one of those buildings .

Photo is circa 1965.
From the 1966 Indecatur.

Visit The Decatur Art Festival May 24th-25th Downtown Decatur

At the end of the video are pictures of downtown Decatur.


visit corey Barksdale - booth # 82
Downtown Decatur.

video produced by
Corey Barksdale

coreybarksdale.com

Decatur Business Association events for May 2008- Blue Sky Concerts on the Square.

DBA Events
Blue Sky Concerts 2008
Wednesdays in May • Noon-1 p.m.
Brought to you by Decatur Business Association and SunTrust Bank.

Enjoy a mid-week lunchtime music break at the Community Bandstand on the square in downtown Decatur. Free. Bring your lunch or purchase a special to-go lunch from a nearby restaurant and enjoy live performances from a variety of artists.

May 7
Mike Killeen, Singer/songwriter
Sponsor: Little Shop of Stories, Junior League, Sharian

May 14
Amy Loftus, Country
Sponsor: Tangela Barrie, Sharian, Junior League

May 21
Julie Austin, Children's songwriter
Sponsor: TBA

May 28
Redaction, Indie/pop
Sponsor: Decatur Paper

Concerts on the Square 2008
Every Saturday night in May • 7-9:30 p.m.
Community Bandstand on the square in downtown Decatur

Pack your picnic, bring your quilts and blankets and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment. Brought to you by Decatur Business Association and Wachovia Bank of Georgia.

May 3
High Cotton, Eclectic Americana
Sponsor: Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur

May 10
Jackson County Line, Country
Sponsor: Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur

May 17
Ralph Roddenbery, Rock
Sponsor: Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur

May 24
Baatin & Top Secret, Rock, soul, blues
Sponsor: Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Tangela Barrie

May 31
Lindsay Rakers Band, Indie Rock
Sponsor: Sponsor: Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur and Tangela Barrie

The DBA sponsors and supports a full calendar of events, including the Decatur Beach Party, the association's annual fund-raiser. Other events include Concerts on the Square; Blue Sky Concerts; Easter Egg Hunt; July 4 Pied Piper Parade, Concert and Fireworks; and Breakfast with Santa. Volunteers are always needed for these festivals and events.

Did you know that in the 1960's they use to have Soapbox Derby racing on N. McDonough St.

The Soapbox Derby starting line was up close to E.Trinty and the cars would race down past Decatur High.
I remember Governor Lester Maddox was there riding his bicycle backwards for the big crowd that was there .
These pictures here are from other Soapbox Derby races, just so you could picture the way it might have been.
If anyone has photos of this event that took place in the 1960's please send me a copy of the picture or pictures and I will post it here on Next Stop...Decatur.

Min Lwin Ye, Burmese painter exhibit and benefit for IRC at Mingei World Arts Sunday April 27

Min Lwin Ye, Burmese painter exhibit and benefit for IRC
[MinLwin Ye]

Sunday, April 27, 2008
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Mingei World Arts
427 Church Street
Decatur, Georgia 30030
33.7749, -84.2947
Category
Performing/Visual Arts
Description
Min Lwin Ye, Burmese painter, opens an exhibition and sale of his paintings at Mingei.

This talented young painter arrived in Atlanta in July, 2007 as a refugee and was resettled by International Rescue Committee's Atlanta office.

10% of all sales of regular store merchandise Sunday will go to IRC
in honor of the organization's 75 years of humanitarian work around the world. Direct donations will also be accepted.

International Rescue Committee Atlanta is helping refugees to rebuild their lives in metro Atlanta by providing comprehensive resettlement services, such as assistance with initial housing, case management, community orientation, and employment services. Since opening in 1979, IRC-Atlanta has resettled nearly 17,000 refugees from over 30 different countries, helping them to live in freedom and become self-reliant once again.

For more information on the IRC, please visit http://www.theirc.org/.

Free.

Is the Krog Street Tunnel an Eyesore or Art ?

After hearing about this place I had to go visit to get a picture of Robert Mitchum
you know, the guy who played in the cult classic movie "Thunder Road". It's only about 4 miles from Decatur High School on Dekalb Ave.
Now I know this tunnel is called the Krog Street Tunnel, but for me, after my vist,
I will now call this "The Thunder Road Tunnel".
Trying to photograph this place your need to watch out for joggers and bicycles, I almost got hit by a guy on a bike.
Read this story about this place.

A story in AJC about the rebirth of DeKalb Avenue contained a rather insulting reference to what I consider to be one of the thoroughfare’s most colorful landmarks.

I’m talking about the Krog Street tunnel.

The story made much ado about how DeKalb Avenue was coming back to life, as evidenced by the influx of the young and affluent to shiny new condos:

It’s a stark contrast to the graffiti-covered train trestle at DeKalb Avenue and Krog Street, just a few hundred feet away. … Such sights once were common along the mostly industrial thoroughfare, which runs parallel to two rail lines. But as condos and apartments go up, slowly the graffiti and other eyesores are disappearing.

Personally, I love the rust and the grit, the imperfections and pure urban-ness of DeKalb Avenue — and the Krog Street tunnel in particular. When I was a teenager exploring the city, such a welcome reprieve from the soulless burbs, it was my favorite stretch of road. I’d hate to see it morph into a replica of the East Cobb homogeny from which I tried to escape.

I’m curious about what you readers think. Krog Street tunnel: eyesore or urban chic?

story by: Mara Shalhoup, Creative Loafing.


If you have a story about this place, please share it.

Is it a eyesore or is it art.

This Blogger thinks it is art.
We need more graffiti artist like the one who did Robert Mitchum.
Hope you enjoy my photos.