Fire Station No. 2

Current picture of Decatur's new No.2 Fire Station on Hill St.

When Decatur was Pleasantville USA

Decatur should have the Coca-Cola Policeman signs today around Decatur to read "SLOW DOWN". One location would be at E.Ponce de Leon Ave and E. Court Sq.

Half of the Beatles Reunite on NY Stage

BELVEDER PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER

Photo show it spelled as BELVEDER PLAZA

Belvedere Plaza Shopping Center, located in Belvedere Park (at Memorial Dr — S.R. 154 — and Columbia Drive), was one of the earliest malls in the Atlanta area. Opened around Labor Day in 1955, the center was an open-air strip and not an enclosed mall, but it still had many of the major mall tenants of that era and competed with Columbia Mall (later named Avondale Mall), which opened at the adjacent corner of the same intersection in 1964. The center had a two-level portion with an escalator and many of the major mall tenants of the era. The shopping center included one anchor, a two-level Rich's, and also included a bowling alley, Woolworth's and Davis Brothers Cafeteria as some of its major tenants. The Rich's was located in the front of the center and was the second suburban store built after Lenox Square. Rich's at Belevedere opened in 1959.

The area around Belvedere Plaza fell into sharp decline in the 1970s and 1980s and lost its major anchor, Rich's, in 1986. The Rich's location there was the first to ever close in the chain. The center since fell into sharper decline, but has been somewhat redeveloped since that time into a smaller center, anchored by a Kroger, some small take-out eateries, and a store offering the unusual combination of wigs and beepers.

Belvedere Plaza is within the Belvedere Park neighborhood that has recently become one of Atlanta's hot real estate markets. New families, young urbanites and investors have recently discovered this intown neighborhood. The large trees, parks, new homes, and location only add to the neighborhood's intown appeal and charm. The neighborhood is located approximately six miles east of the State Capitol Building in downtown Atlanta.

Note: Visit my Belvedere Plaza site.

Bailey's Shoe Shop - circa 1959

Bailey's Shoe Shop was located at 142 Sycamore St. Decatur, GA.
Est. in 1904 it was the oldest Decatur business in continuous operation when it closed it's doors.

They once would deliver your shoes by motorcycle,
unheard of today.

My Mom remembers when she was a little girl that she once ordered an ice cream cone and candy bar from a local drug store in Decatur and they delivered it to her at her home.
Now that's what I call service. (Fast Service, because the ice cream cone had not melted.)
Maybe I will try that one day.

Suburban Plaza Rite Aid will Close Today

The sign on door says the building will become a clearence center store on 4/12/09

New Glenlake Pool House Update

Major renovations are well under way at Glenlake Park. This is the first comprehensive improvement to Glenlake Park in over 50 years. Work should be completed by the end of this year and will include new walking trails, pedestrian bridges, improved athletic fields, a new multi-purpose pavilion and an expanded dog park. Streambed restoration will improve water quality reduce downstream flooding and allow the stream to become an integral part of the park experience. A new bathhouse is currently underway and should be completed in time for the pool to reopen this Memorial Day.

Mingei World Arts April Sales

This was sent in from Mingei World Arts
Awash in goods!
While it's been raining in Decatur, it's been raining boxes at Mingei!
A flood of treasures!
Textiles from India
Indian sparkle
More from Thailand
Decatur Greenfest
Mingei Book Club
When a Crocodile Eats the Sun:
A Memoir of Africa
by Peter Godwin
7:00pm,
Tuesday, April 14

Everyone is welcome!
Easter goodies!
To fill your basket:

Come see the adorable croaking frog toys made from recycled teak, just in from Thailand!

Also great for Easter:

More frogs--
hand-woven cotton stuffed frogs

Hand-woven cotton carrot toys, with bunnies
hiding inside!

Jumping Lao toys

Parasite wood carvings

Oaxacan animals

Finger puppets from Peru

Back again
Colored stick pencils from Thailand
$ 8 for set of 10

Trick Wallets
made of Thai funny papers
$ 8 each

Tiny pouches made from India sari trims
$ 2 each
Bollywood is coming!
Coming soon to Mingei:

Vintage posters of many classic Indian films
(sorry, no Slumdog Millionaire,
but we tried...)

Join our list
Don't miss out!

Join Our Mailing List

Share the bounty!

Forward to a Friend

Ann has Returned from India with more textiles!


chaubundi avani3 stitched shawl
Yes, even more gorgeous, woven silks and cottons have arrived at Mingei! The variety of textiles in India is astounding, and we now have some of the best: Shawls and scarves of wild Himalayan cruelty-free silk from Avani, a project that also promotes clean water projects in the sensitive area where they source their silk cocoons. Gorgeous hand-printed cotton and silk dupatas (Indian shawls, 2 1/2 meters of fabric with borders-- perfect also for window treatments or table covers) from Chaubundi, a family business which carves their own woodblocks for printing and uses all natural dyes. Loose weave raw silk net shawls from Bihar (some printed by Chaubundi, also!). And a few other random pieces, including several hand-stitched cotton throws/bedspreads.

Even in the rain, these are going fast. Don't miss a browse through these glorious colors to celebrate spring!
Indian shine and sparkle

enamelearrings string necklaces
Need just a little sparkle to add spring to your step? These traditional brass and enamel earrings from Jaipur start at just $10 a pair, and come in many colors!

For a pop of spring color, we also have bright string and bead necklaces from a woman's co-op in Delhi. $15-$18.
More from Thailand

lantern Sea shipment arrives
While we were unpacking bags from India, our ship came in, carrying the bulkier items from the January buying trip to Thailand. What's in that to spring things up? We have an assortment of hand-made mulberry paper lanterns that we think will do the trick!

Also, we have a few beautiful new carvings, including a lovely one of a
meditating monk.

monk

Preview of coming attractions? Still hanging out in the back room waiting for floor space: Burmese puppets, spirit houses, and picture frames made from recycled teak.
Decatur Greenfest is coming!

Mark your calendars!
The first annual Decatur Greenfest is coming to the square the first weekend of May! The kickoff event will be April 30-- a screening of the award-winning, Oscar nominated documentary film Recycled Life, about people living and working on the Guatemalan City garbage dump. A panel discussion afterward will feature the work of Safe Passage, an organization which began and supports a school at the dump.

We'll be exhibiting at the fest, and featuring recycled bags from Conserve India, a project working with people who work the Delhi dump.
mala
A little bit of Tibet, too
Ann made her first visit to Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan goverment in exile on this buying trip, and brought back wonderful things. We have beautiful yak bone malas, stone malas and sandalwood wrist malas from the Dalai Lama Temple and endless knot pendants from the Tibetan Children's Village. She also found a project sponsored by a Venetian glass maker who has donated materials and training to help new refugees make Murano-style glass beads. We have loose beads, earrings and a few bracelets from this project. Soon to be available: a limited number of lovely Thangkhas in several sizes, painted by young artists in and around Dharamsala.

Coming in the sea shipment? Singing bowls from the Tibetan Children's Village, journals galore made by refugees, hand-made paper lanterns with Tibetan symbols. That won't be for a while-- we'll let you know!

Thanks for reading our news.

Downtown Decatur Ga. circa 1968

Decatur, Ga. on N. McDonough St. in front of The Decatur Theatre.
Picture has been edited, this was in the background of a picture that had a group of people in it.
circa 1968

See how nice it would be if we still had The Decatur Theatre.

Elvis Presley 1956 and 1957

Saturday @ Eddie's Attic

MICHELLE MALONE (CD RELEASE!)
Show time: 6:30 pm / Doors open: 6:00 pm
Individual advanced tickets: $18 / At the door: $22 / Tables of 4: $90


Moanin' MICHELLE MALONE is the original Chattahoochie Guitar Queen, who delivers southern blues rock delivered with a powerful and passionate voice. She is a long-time Attic friend who was born and raised in Atlanta and studdied voice at Agnes Scott College. She left school upon receiving a recording contract from Clive Davis at Arista Records, for whom she recorded, with her band Drag the River, the album "Relentless." She now owns her own label SBS Records and is releasing her new album "Debris" tonight.






MICHELLE MALONE (CD RELEASE!) / NATHAN BEAVER & RYAN ROCKITT
Show time: 9:30 pm / Doors open: 9:00 pm
Individual advanced tickets: $18 / At the door: $22 / Tables: SOLD OUT


Moanin' MICHELLE MALONE is the original Chattahoochie Guitar Queen, who delivers southern blues rock delivered with a powerful and passionate voice. She is a long-time Attic friend who was born and raised in Atlanta and studdied voice at Agnes Scott College. She left school upon receiving a recording contract from Clive Davis at Arista Records, for whom she recorded, with her band Drag the River, the album "Relentless." She now owns her own label SBS Records and is releasing her new album "Debris" tonight.
Listen:
Madison, GA native NATHAN BEAVER is a young performing songwriter whose music fuses folk, rock, country and pop. His eloquent lyrics have heart and his melodies have solid hooks. As a teenager, his older brother would send him album after album of songwriters such as Matthew Kahler, Shawn Mullins, and David Wilcox, artists who embraced the craftsmanship of their songs as their strength. After high school, he moved to Georgia and began cultivating his own craft--a spawn of the musical influences he discovered while a teenager. He is playing this evening as a duo with RYAN

New Poster to Help Promote Next Stop...Decatur Blog

The City Everyone's Talking About
Remembering the Past will Help build the Future


Please visit Next Stop...Decatur
NextStopDecatur.com

DeKalb’s military high school will be one of a kind.

DeKalb’s military high school ‘provides a niche’

By KRISTINA TORRES

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday, April 02, 2009

It will be one of a kind — Georgia’s first public military high school and the only U.S. Marine Corps public school in the nation founded on educational theory and the discipline of long-standing JROTC programs.

The DeKalb Marine Corps Institute will focus its academics on math and science, coupled with a military-style regimen. It will have a principal and a commandant. The school, scheduled to open in August, will eventually include 650 students from throughout DeKalb County.
AJC story

Dixie Highway Yard Sale

Dixie Highway Yard Sale June 5-7, 2009!

90 MILES FROM RINGGOLD, GA SOUTHBOUND TO MARIETTA, GA

Dixie Highway 90 mile yard sale

The Dixie Highway 90-mile Yard Sale is always a great success!
Mark your calendars now in beautiful northwest
Georgia, June 5-7, 2009!

SQUASH BLOSSOM in DECATUR, GA.

Mr Valentine Demonstrating a Quick Way to End All Nine Lives at Once*

*No animals were harmed during the shooting of this photograph. However, R- rated language was vigorously employed.

Great picture from Flickr member lee.mccain.photorama

Eddie's Attic this week-end

JENNIFER DANIELS / NAKED BLUE
Show time: 8:00 pm / Doors open: 6:30 pm


SOLD OUT!

JENNIFER DANIELS is a uniquely gifted and naturally talented performing songwriter as well as an excellent guitarist with magnetic stage presence. Paste Magazine calls her "an amazing musical talent." Tonight she is releasing her fourth studio project titled, "Come Undone." Her music has celtic influences fused with Southern inflections. Fans of Ani Difranco, Dido and Sarah McLachlan should enjoy her music.

Baltimore's NAKED BLUE is husband-and-wife team Scott and Jen Smith. They've already recorded 5 CDs. Fans of Shawn Colvin will enjoy their radio-friendly adult contemporary pop/folk.

Saturday, April 18th

DREW HOLCOMB (EARLY SHOW)
Show time: 7:00 pm / Doors open: 6:00 pm
Individual advanced tix: $10 / At the door: $13 / Tables of 4: $50
Nashville's DREW HOLCOMB has logged in more than 500 concert dates across the country from solo coffeehouse gigs to clubs, festivals, and colleges with his band, the Neighbors. He has also opened for Ryan Adams, Los Lobos, Susan Tedeschi, Marc Broussard, Sister Hazel, and the North Mississippi Allstars, to name but a few. That Holcomb has sold almost 10,000 CDs in the process is equally impressive given he has done it all without any major label or music industry support. Not bad for a folk rocker who calls himself a "recovering singer-songwriter." Drew's album "Passenger Seat" has currently ranked Top 5 on the iTunes Folk Top Albums.




ADRIANNE / KYLER ENGLAND (LATE SHOW)
Show time: 9:30 pm / Doors open: 9:00 pm
Individual advanced tix: $12 / At the door: $15 / Tables of 4: $60
A transplant from LA, ADRIANNE was one of 50 finalists in the Coca-Cola New Music Award Competition and recently had 3 songs in the feature film "Eulogy," starring Ray Romano and Debra Winger. Adrianne has won the prestigious Eddie's Attic Open Mic Shootout, just got back from entertaining on one of the Rock Boat cruises, received the Boston Music Award for Best New Singer-Songwriter, and was a finalist in Boston's Lilith Fair Competition. Tonight she is releasing her new CD, "You Me Lonely."

KYLER ENGLAND's organic pop music recently scored her the title "Hot 100 Unsigned Artists 2007" by Music Connection Magazine. Kyler's songs have been featured in many TV shows including Army Wives, Guiding Light, Zoey 101, Rollergirls, Paradise City as well as films like the upcoming "The Lucky Ones" starring Rachel McAdams and Tim Robbins. She is based out of Los Angeles, but tours over 100+ shows per year...sharing the stage with artists like Sting, Annie Lennox, Teitur, Gavin DeGraw and Melissa Etheridge. She released her latest project, "Simple Machine" just a few months ago.

Rite Aid Drug store might be closing next week at Suburban Plaza

Word on the street says Rite Aid drugs in Suburban Plaza is closing next week.
If this is true I see why ,they are way down on the end of the shopping center all by itself.

Easter Portraits at Hoopla April 4th

Parker Smith will be in store immediatly following the Easter Egg Hunt in the Square to do Easter Portraits. Sessions are every 15minutes (sign up for a time) starting at 11:30. Only $40 and includes a 5×7 portrait.

N. McDonough St. looking towards old Court House

Look close and you can see The Decatur Theatre Marquee on the right side.
Cross St. is E. Trinity Pl.

circa 1960's

Sugarland at Gwinnett Arena April 10

Universal Music Nashville

Flowers aren’t the only thing popping up all over this spring. April boasts a bumper crop of big concerts across the metro area. Here are some highlights: From Access Atlanta

Sugarland April 10
Gwinnett Arena; $39.50-$49.50

Lights for Earth Hour

By SHANE BLATT

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Saturday, March 28, 2009

With the flip of a switch Saturday night, Atlanta joined thousands of cities worldwide in casting itself into darkness for 60 minutes in a gesture of environmental responsibility.

At precisely 8:30 p.m., Mayor Shirley Franklin threw a large mock light switch inside the World of Coca-Cola downtown to usher in the second annual Earth Hour in Atlanta.

ajc story

Wahoo! will participate in Earth Hour

Candlelight for a Cause!
Wahoo! will participate in Earth Hour (a global effort to create awareness about global warming) this Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 pm by turning off all unnecessary lights and enjoying dinner by candlelight!

Please turn off your lights and join us at Wahoo! Let's do our part to alter the course of climate change; together we can make a difference.

Wahoo! Grill, 1042 W. College Ave., Decatur, GA, 30030
Ph. 404-373-3331
www.wahoogrilldecatur.com

Looking back at The Glenwood Hardware Store

Photo sent in by Robert Brown.
Great photo. thanks


NOTE: If anyone finds a old photo of Decatur stores or any photo about Decatur, please send it in.
or tell me where one is and I will try to get a copy of it.

Decatur Electronics Recycling POSTPONED -RESCHEDULED for APRIL 25

Thanks Catherine Lee for sending this.

Decatur Electronics Recycling POSTPONED
RESCHEDULED for APRIL 25


The City of Decatur announces the cancelation of Electronics Recycling Day scheduled for Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in response to the prediction of severe thunderstorms, strong winds and lightning.

David Junger, Assistant City Manager for Public Works, said "The threat of severe weather is a safety hazard for our workers and volunteers. The event is held in an outdoor parking lot and offers no cover for the workers or the electronics that are being recycled."

Electronics Recycling Day has been re-scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Decatur High School parking lot. Visit www.decaturga.com for a list of electronic items that may be recycled and more details about the event. Or, call 404-377-5571 for information.

Stonecrest Mall Bans teens without parents on weekend nights

Mall bans teens without parents on weekend nights

By MARCUS K. GARNER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Lithonia’s Mall at Stonecrest will soon tell teenagers to stay away on weekend nights if they aren’t with Mom or Dad.

Beginning next weekend, anyone under age 18 coming to the mall at night will have to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, mall officials will announce on Friday.

AJC story

Spring Cleaning ? Electronics Recycling Day is your Answer

Spring Electronics Recycling Day.
Bring your old electronics,cell phones,computers, typewriters (remember those)
To the Decatur High School parking lot this Saturday March 28

Looking Back at The North 85 Drive-In

Remember when we had Drive-In Theatres in this area ?

Relics and Rarities to Open Soon

Warren Pickard of Relics & Rarities tells his story


Relics and Rarities is too unique to describe without telling, as they say, the whole story. I grew up in Columbus, Georiga, about 130 miles southwest of Decatur. Columbus was the home of Kinnetts Dairy. Kinnetts Dairy was the primary supplier of milk and dairy products to all the schools in the area. Each year the school would take students on a field trip to the dairy. There was a replica of a white and black spotted cow standing on the beautiful green lawn of the dairy. The cow's name was Katie. Katie must have been at least 100 feet tall. I'm sure I could be off a couple of feet, I was only 6 or 7 years old at the time. We would all gather around Katie in amazement until we were ushered inside for the educational tour. I must have taken this tour 7 times throughout my childhood, but all I can remember is the 3 ounce cup of ice cream after every tour. Man that ice cream was delicious!

When I envisioned Relics and Rarities Ice Cream Parlor, the education and entertainment of children played an instrumental role in the concept development. So as a result, not only will you find delicious ice cream, you will also find a wonderful learning environment.

Kinnetts Dairy closed some years ago, Katie was moved to storage for a while and now stands in front of a Best Buys. But the trips to this dairy are some of my fondest childhood memories. My greatest wish is that Relics and Rarites will create great memories for each and every child that visits.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Learn more here including tour info and hours of operations.

I took a tour of this place and you will love it, kids and adults.

Relics & Rarities will Open Soon.
409 N. McDonough St.
Decatur, Ga

Across from Decatur High School

One Thing

My heros have always been Cowboys. Willie Nelson

Having fun with photo shop.
What if The Plaza Theatre was in Decatur.

DeKalb County school officials plan for military style School

Despite protests, DeKalb proceeds with Marines school.
County plans to open public high school in partnership with U.S. Marine Corps

By KRISTINA TORRES

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution



DeKalb County school officials are forging ahead with plans to open a first-of-its-kind military-style public high school, despite a growing campaign by activists upset at the involvement of the U.S. Marines.

ajc story

"FOOD THAT PLEASES" - SINCE 1929

Indigo Girls, Mastodon will make appearance at Criminal Records March 24th

Free and Cheap Entertainment in Atlanta: Indigo Girls, Mastodon and more

by Shane Harrison
ajc

Two of Atlanta’s most beloved bands, Indigo Girls (at right) and Mastodon, will be releasing new albums on Tuesday, March 24. Though the folk-pop duo and the mind-bending metal monsters seem like polar opposites, they’ll both make an appearance at Criminal Records in Little Five Points on release day. The Indigos will be there at 4:30 p.m., followed by Mastodon at 8:30 p.m. And Criminal will have special offers connected with both the Indigo Girls’ “Poseidon and the Bitter Bug” and Mastodon’s “Crack the Skye.” 1154-A Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-215-9511.
AJC

Due to an overwhelming repsonse from the public, Criminal Records has had to modify how it will handle the upcoming Mastodon in-store performance on Tuesday, March 24th. The store will be closed (for a brief time) at 8 pm, so that we may re-organize to enhance our customers enjoyment of the show. Upon re-opening, customers that have a Criminal Records receipt from purchase of "Crack The Skye" will be given priority to enter the store. Also, due to space constraints and security concerns we will limit the number of people allowed in the store to 300. Thanks for your understanding.

EURASIA BISTRO in DECATUR, GA.

1960's Photo -Trinity & N. Mc Donough St

People in line were registering to vote.
For years this Gas station was a Shell station
American took over in mid to late 1960's
Today Chick-fil-A sits on that corner.

Power outage in Decatur back on.

Power was out for about 90 minute Thursday afternoon that gave businesses problems and even put some proceedings at Dekalb Court House on hold.
The problem was a bad switch on a pole that burned up.

Full story at AJC

Ducati Motorcycles Looks at Twains for new Customers

Ducati motorcycles bring in new models to park outside Twains trying to get new customers.

Zombieland & Halloween 2 being Filmed in Decatur

Here they turn the old Belk Gallant/McDonough St Market building into a bookstore called Leeland Books for H2
Zombieland which was also filmed around Decatur stars Woody Harrlson (Cheers) and Mila Kunis ( Jackie in That 70's Show)
Zombieland will be released OCT 9, 2009
H2 will be released AUG 28, 2009

Rob Zombie has announced the latest addition to the cast of his currently shooting HALLOWEEN sequel, H2 and it's none other then Margot Kidder.


Zombieland and H2 will hit theatres in time for Halloween and boasts a great cast. Zombieland will star Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Amber Heard, and Mila Kunis.

Correction: The "Leeland Books" store is for Rob Zombie's "Halloween 2" or "H2,"

Renovations on Glenlake will begin week of March 23rd

Catherine Lee sends this info from decaturga.com

Major renovations will begin on Glenlake Park during the week of March 23rd. This is the first comprehensive improvement to Glenlake Park in over 50 years. Work should be completed by the end of this year and will include new walking trails, pedestrian bridges, improved athletic fields, a new multi-purpose pavilion and an expanded dog park. Streambed restoration will improve water quality reduce downstream flooding and allow the stream to become an integral part of the park experience. A new bathhouse is currently underway and should be completed in time for the pool to reopen this Memorial Day.

While the swimming pool and tennis courts will remain open during construction, access to other areas of the park will be closed beginning the week of March 23rd. Significant excavation and the use of heavy construction equipment make it impossible to safely allow pedestrian access into and through the park. We understand that this work creates an inconvenience but to assure your safety and that we complete the park renovation as quickly as possible, access into the park must be closed.

To provide an alternative parking option during construction, we will close one lane of travel in each direction on Church Street and create on-street parking for residents who cannot walk to the Tennis Center and Glenlake Pool. Safe Routes to School detours around Glenlake Park have been outlined and can be viewed on the city's website at www.decaturga.com/glenlakemasterplan. These detour maps will also be shared with principals at Clairemont Elementary and Glennwood Academy for distribution to parents and students.

To view a copy of the park renovation plan, the Church Street parking diagram and the Safe Routes to School detour map, visit www.decaturga.com/glenlakemasterplan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 404-553-6507 or at hugh.saxon@decaturga.com.

Sincerely,


Hugh Saxon
Deputy City Manager.

Looking back at Atlantic Thrift Discount Store

I belive it was located on Moreland Ave.
In the 1960's it was a very poplar store.
It was like a early version of Arlans Dept store or Zayre's

Hop on in to Greene's Fine Foods

Update on Decatur High Construction.

Through Rain, Sleet or Snow People Love Mezcalitos Cantina

Rare Superman comic sells for $317,200

In this file photo released by Metropolis Collectibles, Friday, Feb. 27,2009 in New York, the June, 1938 cover of Action Comics is shown. The issue that was first featured the character 'Superman,' has sold for $317,200 in an Internet auction on Friday, March 13, 2009. The winning bid was placed by John Dolmayan, the drummer for the rock band System of a Down. Dolmayan is also a dealer of rare comic books. (AP Photo/Metropolis Collectibles, File)

Washington Post story

Have a Grand Time in Decatur GA

Decatur Sundries Building / Scott's Pharmacy

This building was once the Pythagoras Masonic Temple but it became to small for the lodge. They built a larger one in 1924 on the backside of the old Court House.
Note: Decatur Sundries was one of the popular downtown drugstores known as Scott's Pharmacy at Sycamore and McDonough, it was a inviting place for an ice cream soda on a hot afternoon downtown or after an evening movie at The Decatur Theatre.