Today is 1st Madison Ave Soapbox Derby

From 1 pm to 4 pm today
click photo for more info

A unique, non-motorized racing event that challenges amateur racers to design and build human-powered soapbox cars and compete against the clock in a downhill race. The Madison Ave Soapbox Derby is fueled by creativity and family fun, not to mention the need for speed!

Schedule Of Events:
9-12 Set up racecourse
12:00 participants & teams arrive, sign in & park
...See More
Email
madisonavesoapboxderby@gmail.com
Website
http://www.madisonavesoapboxderby.org

h/t decatur metro

As Seen Near Decatur

Publish Post

Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey (Family Guy)

1 st Annual Green Chile Roast @ Square Pub. Sat. Oct 1

The Square Pub, located in the heart of downtown Decatur, will hold it's 1st Annual Green Chile Roast Saturday Oct. 1, 2011

h/t Decatur Metro

First Annual Decatur Root Beer Festival

From Little Shop of Stories


October 15, 2011
______
2 to 3 p.m.
______
3 to 4 p.m.

at

Little Shop of Stories
133 East Court Square
Decatur, Georgia 30030

$5
cheap!!!

If you didn't get tickets to the Decatur Craft Beer Festival, there's still an opportunity to enjoy frothy suds on October 15th. Come to Little Shop and purchase a ticket for the

First Annual Decatur Root Beer Festival

Tickets go on sale October 1st at 10 a.m. at
Little Shop of Stories.

In order to avoid total chaos, there are a limited
number of tickets available for two separate times.

Tickets will be valid from 2 to 3 p.m. or from 3 to 4 p.m.

Decatur Churches Go Green

From: Decatur Patch
Decatur Churches Go Green

"Power Wise" grants from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light have benefited eight Decatur churches - more than any neighborhood in the state.

Let there be light. And lower energy bills.

Church leaders in Decatur have embraced money-saving technology and energy-saving improvements to houses of worship courtesy of an ambitious statewide initiative and "green" grants from a locally based non-profit, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light.

The Power Wise grant-making program has allotted $600,000 to run and fund the initiative. Eight Decatur churches have benefited or soon will, recieving grants totalling approximately $53,000.

Geogia Interfaith Power & Light's offices are located in downtown Decatur at the First Christian Church. The organization makes energy- saving grants available to faith communities across the religious spectrum.
full story

Cakes & Ale in Garden & Gun

photo from : gardenandgun.com
-------------------------
From Decatur Patch

Somebody from Garden & Gun, the Charleston-based glossy magazine that claims to cover "the Soul of the South," must have enjoyed their meal at Cakes & Ale.

The magazine's October/November issue puts the restaurant's Border Springs Farm lamb saddle on its list of the 50 Best Southern Foods, saying it's "a veritable monolith of meat that sure to elicit gapes as it crosses the dining room."

No other Decatur restaurants made the list. However, other Atlanta-area restaurants were included: the crispy pork belly at Peter Chang's Tasty 2, the seasonal vegetable plate at Restaurant Eugene, the baked egg in celery cream at Miller Union and the boiled peanut humus at Empire State South.

full story

TACO TAXI - Street Scene near Decatur

Across the Street Taxi

Another Walmart planned for Memorial Drive

From: Champion News
A defunct Subaru car dealership near the corner of Memorial Drive and Hairston Road is the proposed site of a new Walmart in DeKalb County.

With a 2013 projected opening, plans call for the 148,000-square-foot store to have a grocery department, pharmacy and garden center. The store will not contain a gas station or tire/lube center.

“We are constantly looking for new ways to service the customer,” said Glenn Wilkins, a senior manager of public affairs and governmental relations for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

The store, which would be the second Walmart on Memorial Drive, would create approximately 300 jobs, mostly fulltime, and “help revitalize the community by bringing additional retail back into the community,” Wilkins said.

The Decatur Walmart, which is approximately 29,000 square feet larger than the proposed store, opened in March 2008 at the site of the old Avondale Mall.

“I believe we’re serving a different market,” Wilkins said of the 5-mile distance between the two stores. “It’s an opportunity to serve that customer in that market.

full story at championnewspaper.com

h/t Decatur Metro

Learn About the Latest in Kitchen + Bath Remodeling, Universal Design. Register Today!

Save These Dates!

This October, learn about kitchen and bath design, including the latest trends and products. Or, discover how to make your home user-friendly for everyone, regardless of age and ability.

"Kitchen and Bath Design Trends"

DATE: Thursday, October 6th

TIME: 6:30pm
LOCATION: Buckhead Library

269 Buckhead Ave. NE, Atlanta

LEARN MORE + RSVP
"Renovation Solutions for a Lifetime"

DATE: Monday, October 17th

TIME: 6:30pm
LOCATION:Buckhead Library
269 Buckhead Ave NE, Atlanta

LEARN MORE + RSVP





RSVP right now or call 404.378.6962 to reserve your space today.

Music Midtown 2011 is This Saturday

The 2011 Music Midtown in Piedmont Park is this Saturday Sept 24.
Tickets are general admission and are still available, and for $55.00 you get a full day of music in the park. (Coldplay is the headliner), also Cage The Elephant,The Black Keys, and many many more see line-up. Call 1-800-745-3000 for tickets
Visit the web site for F.A.Q. to see what you can and cannot bring.

Gates open at noon: The Postelles will be the first band and they start at 1:00 pm
Coldplay will be last to hit the stage and they start at 9:15 -11:00 pm

musicmidtown.com

Crate & Barrel leaving Lenox Square for nearby Shops Around Lenox

--

From ajc
by Rachel Tobin



After 18 years at Lenox Square Mall, Crate & Barrel will pack its crates to move -- across the parking lot.
The flagship Atlanta store – with house wares and furnishings -- is moving to an open air shopping center adjacent to Lenox Square called the Shops Around Lenox.

Healey Weatherholtz Properties and Alex Brown Realty acquired the Shops Around Lenox in 2009, when it was 40 percent occupied. They invested $35 million to reposition the center that used to include CompUSA and Tower Records.

Now tenants include local and national boutiques, such as Tootsie's, lululemon athletica, Paper Source, and Cosabella, DEKA Atlanta, Swank, and Bill Hallman.

Full story at ajc

Walk of HEROes Sept 24

From : crossroadsnews.com
Fitness fans and mental health advocates can participate in the Sept. 24 Walk of HEROes in Decatur.

The 5K walk/run, in its fifth year, benefits clients of the DeKalb Community Service Board, which serves residents with developmental disabilities, substance addictions and mental illnesses.

Walk of HEROes is presented by the Brighter Tomorrows Foundation. It also includes a tot trot and Community Hero Fun Day with vendors, snacks and prize drawings.

Warm-up starts at 8:40 a.m., and the 5K begins at 9 at the Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way. The tot trot starts at 10.

Medals will include an overall and masters’ male and female as well as first place in age groups.

Registration ranges from $7 to $20. Fees increase on race day. Register online at www.active.com/running/decatur-ga/walk-of-heroes-5k-2011 or visit www.dekcsb.org.

Volunteers and sponsors also are needed. To sign up as a team, vendor or sponsor, visit www.walkofheroes5k.com or contact Michelle Potter at info@dekcsb.org or 404-508-7875.

Read more: CrossRoadsNews - Lace up for Walk of HEROes 5K

One-Tank Trip: Johnston County, N.C. "Where a Star was Born"

photo from:http://www.listal.com
From ajc Evening Edge
Hollywood legend Ava Gardner sprang from tobacco region.

By Blake Guthrie

For the AJC

Johnston County in eastern North Carolina is historically an agricultural area, known for its tobacco farms. There’s a museum depicting life on a turn-of-the-century tobacco farm. There’s yet another museum dedicated to film star Ava Gardner, likewise a coveted export from the county.
Born in a crossroads farming community near the county seat of Smithfield in 1922, Gardner, with her exotic good looks and natural acting ability, escaped her hardscrabble Carolina farm girl roots and achieved worldwide fame in the mid-20th century. She returned to her birthplace for extended visits, and her final resting place is beside her parents and siblings in Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield.

The community is so proud of its deep connection to Gardner that it hosts a festival each year to honor her. The Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield will be the focal point in early October of the Ava Gardner Festival, which coincides with the unveiling of the museum’s latest exhibit -- “Frank & Ava: Their Lives, Love and Friendship.”

Mention the names Frank and Ava together in any conversation about celebrity romances and most people of a certain age will know who that is. The passionate and rocky 1950s relationship between Frank Sinatra and Gardner has been pop culture fodder for decades. This year marks the first time the Ava Gardner Festival will pay tribute to Sinatra, whom Gardner once described as the love of her life.

Even after their 1957 divorce, the two remained friends until Gardner’s death in 1990. The new exhibit will feature plenty of artifacts from Sinatra’s and Gardner’s life together. Movie buffs will want to explore the entire museum with its extensive collection of Hollywood memorabilia related to Gardner’s film career. It covers the time she was an unknown B-movie vixen to leading lady, one said to be “the most photographed woman in the world” at the peak of her success.

The festival kicks off on Oct. 7 with a cake and champagne reception in the new exhibit gallery at the museum. The cake will be provided by Carlo’s Bakery from Sinatra’s hometown of Hoboken, N.J.; reception tickets are $25. The Smithfield Cinema 10 multiplex will screen Gardner and Sinatra movies all weekend, giving festival goers the rare opportunity to see classic films on the big screen. Another festival highlight will be the Heritage Tour that inspects notable sites in the area, including Gardner’s birthplace and burial site. Heritage Tour tickets are $12.

2011 Ava Gardner Festival, October 7-9. Ava Gardner Museum. 325 E. Market St., Smithfield. 919-934-5830, www.avagardner.org.

Virgina Willis Cookbook Release Event @ Ansley Mall

SAVE THE DATE – Virginia Willis Cookbook Release Event

WHO: Virginia Willis, celebrity chef

WHAT: Kick-off “Hootenanny” to Willis’ national 10-city cookbook release tour, starting at her home teaching kitchen at The Cook’s Warehouse.

The event is a fundraiser for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

A very large public crowd has already pre-registered for this event.

WHERE and

WHEN: Friday, September 30, 2011, 7 to 9 p.m.

The Cook’s Warehouse

1544 Piedmont Avenue NE – Ansley Mall

Atlanta, Georgia 30324 / 404-815-4993, store phone

Save the Date – Virginia Willis will be In The House on September 30!

Virginia Willis is an Atlanta-based celebrity chef whose first cookbook, Bon Appétit, Y’all; Recipes and Stores from Three Generations of Southern Cooking, went through five reprints and has been a smash success.

Willis is starting her national book tour with a Hootenanny party at The Cook’s Warehouse for her second cookbook, Basic to Brilliant, Y’all; 150 Refined Southern Recipes and Ways to Dress Them Up for Company. She can be photographed and/or interviewed prior to the event.

Bluegrass Jam will be SEPTEMBER 16TH @ The Oakhurst Garden

From
http://oakhurstga.org/
Musicians and music-enthusiasts are invited to gather at the Oakhurst Community Garden on the third Friday of the month to play and celebrate bluegrass and folk music.

The first Bluegrass Jam will be SEPTEMBER 16TH from 7-9 PM. Bring your banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, or love of music, as well as a vegetarian dish to share! The following dates are Oct. 21, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. & Nov. 18, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Music will end at 9:30 p.m. The chickens will dance to the music and eat your leftovers. See you in the Garden Soon.

Flag Raising at Trackside by The Decatur Fire Dept.

This video is from the indecatur site, that Dave took of the flag raising at Trackside by the Decatur Fire Dept.
Great job on the video Dave.

Flag raising at Trackside Tavern in Decatur, GA on 9/11/2011 from Dave Kell on Vimeo.

Decatur Street Scene - Sapori di Napoli

The Atlanta British Car & Motorcycle Show in Historic Norcross

--


--

--



--
Aston Martin DB 7. I wonder if his James Bond license plate is the revolving type.




--



--

I want one.

--


--


--
Photos from the Sept 10th event.
The Atlanta British Car Show is a warm and friendly gathering of British car and motorcycle enthusiasts in
the delightful setting of Historic Norcross.

Children Flood Into Decatur, Avondale Estates

From Decatur Patch
By Timothy Darnell

The two communities are seeing huge growth in the number of pre-schoolers and school-aged kids

The number of children 18 and under in Decatur and Avondale Estates has surged over the past decade, according to a Patch analysis of U.S. Census Bureau figures.

In both towns, the pre-school and school-aged populations grew dramatically faster than overall population growth from 2000 to 2010.

In Decatur, the number of children 4 and under jumped by 35 percent, while Avondale Estates saw the same aged group grow by 26 percent.

Decatur’s school aged population -- kids age 5-18 -- increased by 13 percent over the decade. Avondale Estates’ school-aged population grew 38 percent.

The Decatur school system has already felt the effects of growth. Enrollment was up 11 percent in August compared to the end of the last school year. Controversy erupted earlier this year when Oakhurst Elementary parents were told there wasn’t enough room at the school for their kindergarteners.

Full story

Plowing New Ground

From Decatur Patch


Decatur City Commission favors urban market garden on two-acre tract at United Methodist Children's Home.
If an $80,000 grant comes through, refugees and low-income residents in the Decatur area will have a chance to grow and sell fresh produce from a garden that would be created on 2 acres of pastureland just outside the city limits.

Decatur City Commission members Tuesday night enthusiastically approved an application for the grant. The project seemed made in heaven for the green-thinking Decatur officials.

“It must be right because too many things have happened in a very short time frame,” City Manager Peggy Merriss said. “It must be some kind of karma.”

full story

The Decatur Craft Beer Festival 2011

A handlebar mustache, it's not right for every occasion... unless that is, you find yourself at The Decatur Beer Festival.
I don't know about you but it makes me think of a old timey bareknuckle boxing match.

Below is the new logo for The 2011 Decatur Beer Festival, tickets for this Oct 15th event go on sale Sept 19 th. And you can only buy tickets online, that means no tickets will be sold at the event.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: decaturbeerfestival.org/


--
click on image for more info.


Come and enjoy an afternoon of beer tasting on the Decatur square. More than 100 of the finest local, American and international beers are showcased at this annual event sponsored by area distributors and Decatur's restaurants and pubs. Enjoy live music on the Community Bandstand and food from local restaurants available for sale.

Admission is $40 per person and includes a commemorative tasting glass. The festival is limited to the first 4,000 ticket holders. All tickets are sold online. No tickets are available for purchase at the gate. You must be 21 or older to attend. No children or animals allowed in the festival area. No exceptions!





Oct 15 12-5 pm
Tickets avaible Sept 19, 2011
click on logo for more info.

------------------------------
I thought this might be a good place for a beer ad

Inside Decatur's Rocket 88

--

-

-
click photos to enlarge
-

--




Look for new art work for Rocket 88 very soon on side of building, replacing the Johnny's Pizza art work.
This is a neat place for sandwiches. wings, salads.

Rocket 88
340 Church St.
Decatur, Ga
404-373-2700

Hours
Tues-Sun. 11am - 9pm
Closed Monday

MENU

The Decatur Book Festival 2011

--

--

King of Pops was King at The 2011 Decatur Book Festival with several locations set up.
--

Face painting and balloon animals were very popular for the kids
--

Just dog tired for both at The Decatur Book Festival on Saturday.
-

Hula Hooping was very popular, this was a great fun idea for the kids.
-

Stop by Sammiches N Stuff (515 N. McDonough St) to check out the Clothesline Art and Fine Arts Invitational Exhibition. Pictured here is art work by painter designer Victoria Webb. her web site is http://www.victoriawebb.net/


--

-


Kudza Antiques came up with a brilliant idea, they provided some seating with vintage outdoor furniture that's for sale. Great way to get new customers to visit their store.

Getting to The Decatur Book Festival and Where to Park

click on image to enlarge.

First Take: Sapori di Napoli in Decatur

Decatur GA. click photo to enlarge

From:
decaturwineandfooddude.com
I stopped in Wednesday night to try the pizza at the much anticipated Sapori di Napoli in Decatur. The restaurant was rumored to be opening in early summer, but after several push-backs, they finally opened their doors on Tuesday night. As of now, the restaurant is still getting organized and it's a very casual space inside; it's really one smallish square room with no-frills wooden tables and chairs. It rather reminds me of old neighborhood pizza joints I'd frequent as a kid.
read full review @decaturwineandfooddude.com

"Two Chicks from the Sticks: Back Home Baking" authors at The Cook's Warehouse

Cookbook Authors coming to

The Cook’s Warehouse-Decatur
-




WHO: Jamie Gorey and Jill Means, cookbook authors



WHAT: Visit The Cook’s Warehouse shop in Decatur


WHERE and

WHEN: Saturday, September 10, 2011 (class from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

The Cook’s Warehouse

180 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Decatur, Georgia 30030 / 404-377-4005, store phone



To register for class:



https://classes.cookswarehouse.com/classreg/public/classes.asp?classid=4921



BACKGROUND: This nostalgic cookbook is a compilation of Gorey and Means’ family recipes. The recipes are

accompanied by heartfelt stories, vintage photos, useful tips and fun rules to bake by – i.e. Chicks’ Tip #1, Always lick the beaters! Handed down through generations, the recipes pay homage to the women’s mothers and neighbors who taught them the art of baking from scratch.

CORE is thrilled to celebrate its 25th anniversary in Decatur with two FREE performances

I'm pasting in our press release. Please contact me with any questions! Thanks!

CORE
is pleased to announce
THE POINT
FREE performances September 17 and 18
Presented as a gift to the city in celebration of
CORE’s 25th Anniversary in Decatur


ATLANTA, GA--August 30, 2011--CORE is thrilled to celebrate its 25th anniversary in Decatur with two FREE performances of The Point and The Moment Between, the newest works by Founding Artistic Director Sue Schroeder and Former Company Member, jhon r. stronks. The performances on Saturday, September 17, at 8pm and Sunday, September 18, at 3pm, will be performed at Decatur High School in the new Performing Arts and Sports Center. Thanks to area businesses and organizations, there is no charge for tickets but they must be reserved online at www.COREdance.org or by calling 404-373-4154. There is a VIP Ticket available for Saturday night ($10) that includes premier seating and a post-show reception with the company at CORE Studios.

Thanks to underwriting support from The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, the Decatur Arts Alliance, the Decatur Tourism Bureau, the Decatur Downtown Development Authority and Joan Rau, LMT, the performances are presented for free for the community to enjoy and celebrate with the Company. The $10 VIP ticket option for Saturday night’s performance includes premier seating and a post-show reception at CORE Studios with the Company and Staff.

CORE moved its headquarters from Houston, TX, to Decatur, GA, in 1986, and remains in its original location on the Square, housing the administrative offices and its two studio spaces. CORE continues to perform in Houston and tours both nationally and internationally throughout Europe and Latin America, as well.

"In 1986, I was a young artist compelled to make work - and work we did to convert the former Belk's building into studio space! When we opened our doors and made Decatur our home, I never imagined such a vibrant community 25 years later,” says Founding Artistic Director Sue Schroeder. “So much has grown, changed and developed for Decatur and for CORE in this time span, and we've enjoyed growing along with the city we call home. I am humbled by the outpouring of support for our anniversary celebration. To present our newest dance creation for no charge to the community is more than I could have asked for. I look forward to celebrating together on the 17th.”

ABOUT THE POINT AND THE MOMENT BETWEEN
Tender human pathways punctuated by polarized collisions mark these original contemporary dances by CORE’s Founding Artistic Director, Sue Schroeder. The Point and The Moment Between (co-created by Schroeder and jhon r. stronks, Former Company member) are two distinct yet synergistic works that evoke the intensity and intimacy of the human experience through the weight of wandering bodies and the longing of lonely spirits. Both dances are performed to sound scores created in collaboration with German Composer/Sound Artist
Christian Meyer, whose compositions have included movie soundtracks, theatrical performances, solo concerts and dance works. More information on Mr. Meyer is available at www.meyermal.de.

An important inspiration for The Point is the work of American conceptual artist Sol LeWitt (1928-2007), specifically his 1971 Wall Drawing #65. LeWitt’s Wall Drawings are meant to be recreated, based on their titles, in any space with an appropriate large wall. As they were beginning work on the piece, the dancers created Wall Drawing #65 on one wall in CORE Studios.

The Point is a dynamic quintet giving expression to the contemporary human condition. Dance maker Rebecca Stenn commented that the work “is arresting, beautifully structured and danced with integrity and focus.”


CORE PERFORMANCE COMPANY ARTISTS
The CORE Performance Company artists performing The Point and The Moment Between are Alex Abarca, Blake Dalton, Corian Ellisor, Alisa Mittin and Claire Molla. More information on each dancer is available at www.coredance.org/who-we-are/company/.


TICKETS
Thanks to our generous sponsors, in celebration of the 25th Anniversary, The Point and The Moment Between are presented as a gift to the city. Tickets are free and must be reserved online at www.COREdance.org or by calling 404-373-4154. There is a VIP ticket available for $10 for Saturday night’s performance and it includes premier seating and a post-show reception at CORE Studios with the Company and Staff.

Rooftop Art on Hillyer Pl.

Rocket 88 to Open Soon

--


As you know Johnny's Pizza in Decatur closed several weeks ago but it will soon reopen as "Rocket 88."
I understand that it will be run by Johnny's owner's wife and will feature a variety of sandwiches.

Lady Gaga vs Christopher Walken- Poker Face

The 1957 Plymouth Belvedere Time Capsule of Tulsa

Here is a interesting story on a time capsule in Tulsa, OK
--

It was Saturday, June 15th, 1957. As part of the semi-centennial celebrations taking place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, named Tulsarama!, citizens gathered around the southeast corner of the County Courthouse lawn to see the burial of a brand new gold and white 1957 Plymouth Belvedere.

The car as it was advertised then. Click on it for the larger version, which clearly sells it as a model that is ahead of its age.


The car was provided courtesy of the Plymouth Division of Chrysler and Tulsa Plymouth dealers Wilkerson Motor Company, Cox Motor Company. Vance Motor Company, Forster Riggs and Parrish-Clark. It was to be a time capsule of sorts, to be unearthed at Tulsa's centennial, on June 15th, 2007.

For pictures of the unearthing and thereafter, please click here.

More on this story


click on photo for more photos