The Decatur High School Homecoming Parade 2011

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Rocket 88 .. Gone with the Wind - Already Closed

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Rocket 88 just opened last month, and they have already closed
no sign in window, but the place is empty.

Their facebook page says:

Rocket 88

We no longer exsist. Thanks for yer patronage

The Decatur High School Homecoming Parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m Oct 21

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Photos from 2010 Homecoming Parade
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This is from Diane Loupe over at The Decatur Patch

You'd think that a gal who grew up in New Orleans would be parade jaded.

Nope, I love parades. And one of our community's loveliest little parades will run through town Friday afternoon.

The Decatur High School Homecoming Parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m., complete with a marching band, convertibles and home-made floats.

The Decatur Bulldogs will be playing the Twiggs County High Cobras in the 7:30 p.m. homecoming game, so you can expect to see floats representing huge caped Bulldogs constructed of chicken wire and papier mache wrestling, overpowering and generally trouncing chicken-wire cobras.

So this is fair warning to anyone who lives or works near downtown Decatur. Want to get home early on Friday? Make sure you get out of downtown before 5:30 p.m.

But if you're looking for one of the reasons that Decatur retains a nostalgic small-town feel inside a mammoth metropolitan area, stick around.

Stephanie Mealor Corder of the Dragonfly Design Studios blog (she also teaches art lessons!) and Dennis Whitefield, a Decatur native who writes the Next Stop... Decatur blog, have shared their pictures from last year's homecoming parage. Whitefield fondly remembers being a student at Decatur Junior High and going over to the high school to watch the DHS homecoming parade.

All this week, Decatur High students have been giving up their evenings to gather around a trailer and create a float. Mardi Gras, these aren't.

Having chaperoned many float-building evenings, I can attest to the fact that these homemade creations are totally and completely the idea and work of the students. We adults just sit around, make sure nobody gets funky with spray paint and trade gossip.

A Water Playground to open at Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park adding water playground
Geyser Towers attraction will open in spring
From http://www.ajc.com
By Howard Pousner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Metro Atlantans who've been known to seek relief from unrelenting heat and humidity at water attractions and public fountains will have a new option for getting wet starting this spring as Stone Mountain Park introduces Geyser Towers.
Just how damp they want to get, from being kissed by a fine mist to reveling in an outright soaking, will be up to the individuals. Still, there will be some surprises from the multiple sources of liquid refreshment spraying in this two-story playground of suspended net bridges and tunnels and open-air platforms connected by climbing towers.

Expected to open March 31, the start of spring break for many metro school systems, Geyser Towers targets ages 6 through 12 but is designed to allow parents who are game to share in the wet wildness. "We wanted to create something for everyone, and I believe we have," said Tina Skees, the project's creative director for Herschend Family Entertainment.

Full story at ajc

What is happening in Good Old Decatur GA,

From Jerry Andrews

Decatur High Homecoming is Friday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 against Twiggs Co from Jeffersinville, GA.

The new SPLOST ,1 cent tax, is planned for the following:

Replace portions of Renfroe Middle School

Renovations for Clairemont, Oakhurst, College Heights, Decatur High School, Glennwood, Westchester and Winnona Park.

Westchester will reopen since being closed since 2004

Installation of system-wide technology and information systems

Pay off some bonds.

There will be a $1.2 million renovation of Decatur Cemetery, the oldest metro Atlanta's cemetery

A community garden will be developed

WiFi will again be installed in the city after several tries

They are considering a roundabout at Commerce/Clairemont/Church St.

About $3.5 million is allocated for improved bike trails around Decatur

Thanks Jerry for sending this in.

Join Wahoo! for their 7th Anniversary Celebration

Join Wahoo! As We Celebrate with Cava, Cocktails and Acclaimed Cuisine

Our week-long seventh anniversary celebration is underway with a variety of features for diners to mark this milestone with us!

Join us every night this week at 7 p.m. for a complimentary sparkling wine toast and then continue the merriment with our anniversary-inspired $7 cocktail menu that includes the 7th Heaven.

This cocktail is filled with bright flavors that perfectly compliment one another to create a refreshing libation. Beefeater 24 gin is combined with Luxardo maraschino liquer and tart grapefruit juice and then finished with a sprig of fresh mint.

Facebook

Decatur will be the second location for Swirlin' Twirlin'.

The Twirlin’ Swirlin’ yogurt shop at 335 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur will open the fourth week of October, owner Hye Kim said.

This is the family's second Twirlin’ Swirlin’ shop.
From the Decatur Patch

“We were looking for a location,” said daughter Shirley Kim said. “We saw a lot of people walking around.”

The Kims opened their first is at 5900 Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch. The Kims live in Suwanee.

The family is still painting the interior and installing equipment.

Shirley Kim customers will walk down a line filling their cup with self-serve yogurt and then visit a toppings stand. The shop will offer 40 flavors of yogurt and 50 kinds of toppings.

Cups will sell for 39 cents per ounce.

Are the Debit Card Fees going to Upset You ? Switch to a Credit Union

Don't get mad, get glad , just switch to a credit union.
ajc has a story about it.
Read below.

By Arielle Kass

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For a decade, the only time Tim Atkins changed banks was when the institution that had his money was sold.
He was a happy Wells Fargo customer for years. Before that, Wachovia. Before that, SouthTrust Bank.

But now, angered by the elimination of his debit card rewards program and a monthly debit card fee Wells Fargo is testing, Atkins has had enough. Two weeks ago, he joined Delta Community Credit Union. He is closing his Wells Fargo accounts.

“The debit card fee caused me to start looking at my options,” the 29-year-old trainer for a tutoring company said. “What kept me at Wells Fargo was convenience.”

Full story

Boo at the Zoo

From : http://www.zooatlanta.org

Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween festival returns for just four days! Explore magical paths, sample sweet treats*, meet the whimsical characters of Zoo Boo Town, and much more on two enchanted weekends with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Don’t forget your costume! Activities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Costume Contest
Enter the Boo costume contest and receive special prizes if you win! Located at Zoo Boo Town Castle (Ford Pavilion)

Ages 4 and under – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 5 to 9 – 12:30 p.m.
Ages 10 and up – 1:30 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays, October 22, 23, 29 and 30
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween festival returns for just four days! Explore magical paths, sample sweet treats*, meet the whimsical characters of Zoo Boo Town, and much more on two enchanted weekends with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Don’t forget your costume! Activities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Costume Contest
Enter the Boo costume contest and receive special prizes if you win! Located at Zoo Boo Town Castle (Ford Pavilion)

Ages 4 and under – 11:30 a.m.
Ages 5 to 9 – 12:30 p.m.
Ages 10 and up – 1:30 p.m.

Pulp Fiction - Dance Scene

The Cowsills- The Rain The Park & Other Things.

Best veggie meal at a non-veggie restaurant - Try Leon's Full Service

Leon's Full Service ~ Decatur GA
Photo: Next Stop...Decatur


From CREATIVE LOAFING
Here in the hallowed halls of CL's food department, we are partial to pig. But despite our affection for meat, we harbor a serious craving for the veggieloaf at Leon's Full Service. Made with a combination of quinoa, lentils, mushrooms, bulgur wheat and sun-dried tomatoes, it's at once rich, hearty, nutty, savory and intensely satisfying. The tangy romesco sauce and roasted cauliflower, shiitake and sun-dried tomato salad provide more intense earthy flavor than is present in many of the city's best meat dishes. That, paired with a recession old-fashioned ($6!) makes for one of the most gratifying meals in the A. 131 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-687-0500. leonsfullservice.com.

Scooter Rally Starts In Decatur

From Decatur Patch

You can expect to see a whole lot of motor scooters in Decatur over the next few days.

Twist 'n' Scoot at 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. will be host at 7 p.m. Thursday to the launch of the third annual Resurgence Scooter Rally. It's a four-day event and a Saturday event is also scheduled at Twist 'n' Scoot.

Here's how the shop describes the upcoming events.

Thursday, October 13, 7:00 p.m.
Scooter Meet-Up at Twist ‘n’ Scoot Decatur where we'll have some fun events like prize giveaways, demos and more — then hop across the street for food & drink specials at The Marlay House. 431 W. Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, GA.
9:00pm: Cafe Run to Trader Vic’s
Depart from Twist ‘n’ Scoot/The Marlay House for a group ride to downtown Atlanta and the world-famous Trader Vic’s Restaurant and Mai Tai Bar.

Saturday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.
Check-in at Twist ‘n’ Scoot Decatur then proceed across the street to the Marlay. Twist ‘n’ will be providing a hearty breakfast for all registered attendees to get you revved up for the biggest day of the rally.
11:00 a.m.: Long Ride. Get your motors running and join the Terminal Scooter Club for an adventurous midday ride through Atlanta. The ride departs from Twist ‘n’ Scoot.

For more information about the rally, go to the shop website.
http://www.twistnscoot.com/

Double Zero Napoletana in Roswell has Decatur Connection

From:http: gayot.com
The Castellucci family, which operates three Sugo restaurants in metro Atlanta and The Iberian Pig in Decatur, has launched a new endeavor dedicated to southern Italian food,
Double Zero Napoletana. Daughter Stephanie Castellucci will serve as manager, while chef Chad Crete, chef and managing partner at The Iberian Pig, and executive chef John Coley have crafted the menu. The menu features an extensive selection of southern Italian cured meats and cheeses, pizza, fresh handmade pastas, entrées, desserts and more. Laws promulgated by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which regulates the production of Neapolitan pizza, govern the pizza making at Double Zero. The wine program offers a comprehensive list of southern Italian wines, featuring 100 selections with 70 percent from southern Italy and 30 percent from other regions of Italy. Fifty wines are offered by the taste, glass and bottle. House red, white and rosé wines produced in Campania for Double Zero will also be offered. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Mon.-Sat. Double Zero Napoletana, 5825 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, GA 30328, 404-991-3666.

Decatur is Best Place to see Holiday Lights and Decorations - Now Vote for It.

Over at The Decatur Minute, Catherine has posted about Decatur being nominated in
Atlanta Intown's Best of the Holidays as one of the "Best Places to See Lights and Decorations" and Decatur now has a annual tree lighting event at Little Shop of Stories.


Downtown Decatur Square

Doraville vision for old GM plant wins award

The ajc is reporting on Doraville's recent award for it's plan for the old GM plant.

Doraville recently won a state award for planning for its vision for the former GM plant and surrounding area.
The Georgia Planning Association gave the north DeKalb city its Outstanding Planning Document award for its Livable Centers Initiative from 2010.

That plan, known as an LCI study, is the culmination of seven months of community meetings that calls for the nearly 700-acre area in and around the former factory to become a mix of offices, condos, shops and parks.

Decorate Decatur: Halloween Contest

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From decaturga.com:

Halloween Decorating Contest
Enter if you Dare. . .
Posted Date: 10/4/2011
Decorate your home or business in the colors and traditions of the season and enter Decatur’s second annual Halloween Decorating Contest. Submit a photo to specialevents@decaturga.com by noon on Thursday, Oct. 27. Be sure to include your name and address. Judges will make their decision Thursday evening and the winners will be posted on the Decatur website, the DowntownDecatur Facebook page, and the www.thedecaturminute.com blog. Winners will receive special yard signs on Friday, Oct. 29, to display throughout the weekend.

If you have questions or need more information email katie.abel@decaturga.com or call 678-553-6573.
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Here is one of my favorite yards from last year.
It's on Avery St near Winnona Park
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Here is one from 2 years ago near Winnona Park School

Georgia Perimeter College Authors at the 2011 Decatur Book Festival

This video sent in by richard williams

Sharian Rugs Marks 80 Years

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vintage Sharian ad.

From Decatur Patch

Four generations have worked in the family-owned business that sells, cleans and repairs oriental rugs.

Sharian Rugs, one of the oldest businesses in Decatur, is celebrating its eighth decade of operation.

The business started in 1931 in a house on Drexel Avenue. In the mid-1940s, the Sharian family constructed an Art Deco buidling at 368 West Ponce de Leon Ave. where the company continues to sell, clean and repair oriental rugs.

Jim Garner, 30, is the general manager and the fourth generation of the family to work at Sharian. He said the recession has hurt the business, as has the abundance of cheap rugs available on the market.

Still, he's hopeful Sharian will last a long time -- like the rugs they sell.

full story

Sharian, Inc.
368 West Ponce de Leon Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 373-2274

The Fabulous Beekman Boys @ The Cook's Warehouse Oct 21 in Decatur

The Fabulous Beekman Boys – Free Signing

at The Cook’s Warehouse



WHO: Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Planet Green TV’s

The Fabulous Beekman Boys, authors of the brand-new

Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook



WHAT: Visit The Cook’s Warehouse, Decatur


WHERE and

WHEN: Friday, October 21, 2011, signing from 8 – 10 p.m.

The Cook’s Warehouse – Decatur

180 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Decatur, Georgia 30030 – store phone (404) 377-4005



Registration link for FREE signing:



https://classes.cookswarehouse.com/ClassReg/Public/classes.asp?classid=5072

Silver Scream Spookshow @ The Plaza Theatre Oct. 15

THE SILVER SCREAM SPOOK SHOW is a 30 minute live stage show filled with magic tricks, dancing girls, jokes, spectacle and frights! We follow it with a classic horror movie on actual 35mm film!

KIDS UNDER 12 FREE AT 1:00 MATINEE! EVERYONE ELSE ONLY $7. ALL TICKETS ARE $12 FOR THE 10:00 SHOW!

The Plaza Theatre

Street Scene near Decatur

AutumnFest in Avondale Estates - October 15-16, 2011

I'd like to submit information about our big Fall event, AutumnFest, which will take place across from City Hall in Avondale Estates October 15-16, 2011. t - this year is better than ever as we have added a few things to the festival. First, our music and entertainment stage is bigger and includes performances of everything from Native American Dance and a Snake Encounter to Children's Choirs (Avondale Children's Choir and The Museum School Choir) and Bluegrass. The food and beverage vendors will stay open after the Artist Market closes on Saturday so that people can stay for a performance by the Beatles Tribute Band, The Buggs. The Children's Area this year includes a variety of arts and crafts activities, a Touch a Truck area and the Southeastern Reptile Rescue's Reptile Wagon, a mobile "Reptile Zoo" with displays of native reptiles including gopher tortoises, alligators and several species of snakes (www.snakesrus.com). Not in the release (new this week), we will have a wine-tasting of the Avondale Arts Alliance's limited-edition wines on Saturday from 4-6 pm. Our wines (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rhone Blend) with custom designed labels will be available for order at AutumnFest and are available exclusively at The Little Wine Shop in Avondale with proceeds supporting the Avondale Arts Alliance. Each bottle is $24.95.

We're in the home stretch of getting the word out about the event. We would very much appreciate your help this week and / or next! If I can provide any additional information, please feel free to contact me at 404-394-9228. Detailed information is available at www.avondalearts.org - you can find a listing of all artists, vendors, bands and children's area activities with links to their sites. Admission to the festival is free. Hours are Saturday 10 am - 6 pm (music until 8:30 pm) and Sunday Noon - 5 pm.

Thank you!

Christina Steiner
Avondale Arts Alliance

From Saturday's Madison Ave Soapbox Derby

See More photo at my flickr
and more to be uploaded later.

Marta Tunnel Idea Under Oakhurst Not So Good.

From Decatur Patch
Tunnels under Oakhurst.

Marta has proposed six ways to extend rail service to the east, and that's one of them. Under this plan, a line would go from the East Lake Marta station east to I-20, tunneling under parts of Oakhurst along the way.

The Decatur City Commission voted 5-0 Monday night to support a different Marta plan -- the so-called I-20 project -- but members spent most of the time talking about the Oakhurst tunnel plan, officially called HRT2.

"I think it's important for us to put a stake in the ground," said Commission member Kecia Cunningham. "It's our duty to look at this for the citizens of Decatur."
full story over at Decatur Patch

Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival is this Saturday Oct 8

click for more info.

The 1st Annual Madison Ave Soapbox Derby

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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
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2 to 3 p.m.
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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
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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

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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.