ATL Insider

A Saturday Afternoon at Octane

galfriday — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:45:00 GMT

In one of my first blogs on the ATL Insider, I listed a few of my favorite coffee places. One of them was Octane - a great, artful coffeehouse on the corner of Howell Mill Road and Marietta Street. Inside and out, you'll find artists, students, young couples, "coffeehouse consultants", friends...a brilliant mix of people. Outside you'll see scooters, bikes, cars, and pups. On the walls you'll find local art and photography. And in the air you'll smell the arousing aroma of delicious coffee. Don't be surprised if you make a friend there...most often a very engaging conversation will occur and the work you brought to go over will go untouched.

Click on the photos to see for yourself...

Virginia Highlands Activities

jmunn — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:10:00 GMT

Most people associate Virginia Highlands with dining, bars, and shopping, but this eclectic area also has so much more to offer. One of my favorite things to do in the Highlands is Wired and Fired. If you’re not familiar with this concept, it is a paint-your-own-pottery studio and tons of fun. They have a diverse selection of products and I’ve seen people give really great original gifts for bridal showers, baby showers, and birthdays. I painted a water bowl for my dog’s birthday and he absolutely loves it. J Spending a few hours at Wired and Fired makes for great bonding time with friends. Plus, it’s BYOB which makes an adult outing here even more attractive. Another place in the area I read about recently but have yet to visit is Knitch. Knitch is a luxury yarn, knitting, and supplies store. They offer classes and group knit nights for people of all levels. Two events they host that I thought were super creative are baby showers and “Purls and Polish.” For a baby shower, the staff will show the group how to design and knit stitch a custom blanket for the new baby and mom-to-be. Their “Purls and Polish” pampering event once a month is brand new and combines group knitting with wine and 10Ten Nail Bar’s foot massages and polish change. For those looking for last minute Mother’s Day presents, a day out at either of these places would be an impressive gift.

BikeFest Follows AJC Letter Attack

saracheshire — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:57:00 GMT

On Sunday, April 27th, the following letter was published in the AJC:

For years cyclists have caused traffic problems on the streets. They ride slowly and avoid the rules of the road. Now these people are riding down major highways during rush hour.

Traffic is bad enough without people taking a recreational ride down a major road while productive members of society are trying to get to actual destinations. I'm seeing cyclists on U.S. 41 and Ga. 5 during rush hour, and there seems to be more of them each day.

We need to write our politicians to get these people off the road.
-Kurtis R.E. Segars, Marietta

Most of the cycling community in Atlanta was outraged as Mr. Segars made it sound like those who ride bicycles are unproductive members of society and somehow find it a fun recreational idea to ride their bikes on busy roads during rush hour traffic. Not my idea of a good time. Have you ridden a bike in this town lately? It is often flat-out dangerous to be on the roads with a bike, not to mention the annoyance of inhaling rush-hour exhaust fumes.

But that is a big point for this city: air pollution. Yes, we've had a cool spring and those Code Red days have been nearly forgotten. But Atlanta is up there on smoginess. Cars, and not bikes it seems, are a major cause of hazards. During the '96 Olympics when the city was freaked out about event traffic and almost mandated people to ride MARTA or alternative transit...guess what? Cases in asthma went down and air quality went up (read the CDC press release).

So actually, these rush-hour bike riders are actually HUGELY productive. They aren't contributing to air pollution and are, in a very small part, increasing the health of everyone in the city. Sure, I am guilty myself of not always following the proper rules of the road when I'm on my bike, but when is the last time anyone driving in this city followed the speed limits on 285?

I agree we need to get cyclists "off the road," but into bike lanes and paths. That is what we need to talk to the legislature about, commute options that protect cyclists and encourage clean commuting. Getting involved with groups like the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (ABC) is a great place to start. They offer Confident City Cycling classes so riders can learn the rules of the road and know their rights. Plus, you can join them for breakfast once a month at Thumbs Up Diner near downtown and see how friendly and productive cyclists can be.

Especially appropriate, the ABC will be hosting Atlanta BikeFest this Wednesday, May 14, from 11am-2pm. Along with the Downtown Transportation Management Association they will have some festivities in Woodruff Park along with safety tips and information on commute options.

Other Resources

Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association Forum (responses to AJC letter)
Biking Urban Atlanta (essay on getting started with cycling in the city)
A-Train Trip Planner (walking, public transit and biking commute planner)
Clean Air Campaign (get paid to carpool or take transit to work)

I Want to Eat Somewhere NEW

katiebell — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:24:00 GMT

Tired of the same old same old? In Atlanta there's no excuse for dining in the same restaurant twice. Here''s my list of new and worth a try: Cuerno, Peasant Bistro, Spice Market, Taverna Fiorentina, Little Alley, Cakes and Ale, Zaya, Parish, FAB's rooftop (okay, it's not new, but it's so sexy) and of course Holman and Finch Public House. Any other suggestions are welcome!

Theatre Camp for Kids

katiebell — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:18:00 GMT

Check out Camp Destiny (usually offered at Oglethorpe University). A warm, welcoming camp run by the Atlanta Workshop Players. The focus is on being yourself, gaining confidence in front of an audience and having fun with theatre....with a bit of juggling and stage combat thrown in. My son loved his one-week session so much he wanted to go for the overnight one this year. At the end of camp scouts visit and interview kids who may be interested acting opportunities that pay (read: television) Regardless, this camp is a refreshing alternative to the endless array of sports camps.

Scootin' Around Atlanta

galfriday — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:10:00 GMT

High gas prices? Too much traffic? One solution would be to start scootin' around Atlanta. I highly recommend it. Parking is a breeze, you can carefully zip around traffic, and you can fill up your gas tank for around $4.00 - 8.00 depending on the size scooter and gas tank you have (64 - 80 miles per gallon baby!). My husband and I have two - a 200cc Vespa, and a 125cc Vino. We do have a car, but we try to avoid driving it as much as possible. Granted, our lifestyle is well suited for owning scooters and using them as our main mode of transportation -- we live in Midtown, I work in Downtown, my husband is self-employed and can scoot to most of his clients, and we spend all of our weekend ITP (inside the Perimeter).

I see more and more scooters popping up in all of Atlanta's neighborhoods, and scooter stores closely behind. We bought our Vespa at Moto Bravo, now called the Scooter Superstore 741 Monroe Drive NE. There's also ATL Scooters on Ponce De Leon Ave, Twist-n-Scoot on Piedmont Rd, and Scooter-Steve in Decatur.

Atlanta is a great city to scoot in. Staying on the main roads like Peachtree Street and Ponce De Leon Ave, taking back roads through neighborhoods, and if you are attentive and always cautious as you should be when riding a scooter, you can safely zip around. Each neighborhood pretty much has a grocery store, restaurants, bars, shopping, live entertainment, so you don't have to travel far to get where you're going. And did I mention the parking? With a car, I stay far from Virginia Highland and Little Five Points because I find parking a nightmare there...but with a scooter it's a different story altogether! Also, with moderate to high temperatures for 7-8 months out of the year, the ride is very comfortable. **A side note for us ladies....With all the positive aspects of owning and riding a scooter, I quickly got over the possibility of messing up my hair with the helmet. For work days, I have a spare brush, hair dryer, and bottle of hair spray in my desk in case of emergencies....yet I rarely ever need it.

There are many sunny weekends in our future this Spring and Summer, so stop by your local scooter store and take a test drive. I know you'll be hooked instantly!

Safe and happy scooting!!

Click on image to see our Vespa and Vino, as well as other scooters we saw around Atlanta while scootin' this weekend.

Cocktails Anyone?

elluin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:10:00 GMT

What’s up people? It’s your friendly neighborhood superhero blogger, Cocktails, back like your favorite 8 track. Back to straighten it out like your chiropractor laying you flat. Back like…well you get the picture. It’s spring again. (Sing along) Everybody knows its spring again! Will someone please tell Mother Nature? Atlanta weather has ADD just like this blog. Someone please get her candy and flowers for Mother’s Day so we can frolic in the warm sun. (I’m over the limit on my Jared’s card :-). So with gas prices higher than giraffe booty, waitress, I’d like to order some FREE ENTERTAINMENT! That’s right! Centennial Park is back with Wednesday Wind Down every Wednesday (hence the name Wednesday Wind Down) from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the Southern Company Amphitheater, located on the corner of Marietta and Centennial Park Drive. I’m not telling you this because I am performing out there on the 21^st of May (shameless plug). I am telling you this because I love outdoor events! I think I was a flower in my former life…or at least the bee. (Where’s my Bee movie?) Every Wednesday, you can get off of work, change in the bathroom, or in your car, grab your picnic basket and lawn chair, and see some of the top bands in Atlanta and the surrounding areas entertain you for FREE! Great ambience, energy and talent are a great alternative to sitting in traffic. Start this week! Check out the schedule! Check out the website! http://www.centennialpark.com/events/wwd.html This is definitely a good look. Be safe out there people. And remember, What would nightlife be without Cocktails!

April 30 Ken Ford

May 7 Brian Clay

May 14 Just A Few Cats

May 21 Steven Charles

May 28 Bob Baldwin

June 4 Chandra Currelley

June 11 Infinity Show Band

June 18 TBA

June 25 Julie Dexter

It’s about time Atlanta woke up to these guys! How about YOUR Atlanta Hawks?

gwolchock — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:15:00 GMT

Before the season started I talked about how fun this young team was going to be. They have such a great nucleus of young and dynamic guys and when you add in a ‘winner’ like Al Horford who brings energy and passion you have the mix for something special.

Last night at Philips was SPECIAL!

To be even with the MIGHTY Celtics is a HUGE accomplishment. They were down 2-0 and written off for dead, but they bounced back and ‘stole’ game 3 at home. That made this a ‘nice story’ to the National Media, but last night was different. First, they came out playing with attitude and said, “This is STILL our house and we’re not going anywhere”. Second, they showed HEART. The Celtics came out on fire to start the 2nd half and you could hear the announcers saying, “well, that was a nice story but these guys couldn’t stand up to the big boys on the block…”. The fourth quarter brought a resounding answer. This is not your father’s Atlanta Hawks. Josh Smith and Joe Johnson carried the team scoring, Al Horford was a beast on the boards with huge plays on the offensive and defensive glass and this morning the series is TIED 2-2.

Do the Hawks pull off a miracle and get past the Celts? I still don’t think so but we are seeing what’s to come. There are still many needs on a team that didn’t win 50% of its games, but the nucleus is there and better yet, last night there was crowd support and a college game atmosphere. The boys were playing with and to the crowd.

With the Falcons in turmoil, the Thrashers in an utter mess and the Braves searching for identity this could be the time for the Hawks to become ATLANTA’s TEAM!

Game 6, regardless of the outcome should be a celebration of what’s to come for the next 8-10 if ownership can stop bickering and capitalize on the momentum.

The Opening of Hagedorn's Foundation Gallery

rosinaseydel — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:04:00 GMT

Paul Hagedorn opened a gallery where he is selling his own photography as well as other up and coming photographers. His profits go to 4 different charities. The gallery will be run by his two daughters.

He had a wonderful opening on Thursday night. All kinds of people from the Buckhead society to downtown and midtown came out to support the opening.

Spotted in the audience was Young Pak, a well know architect, as well as all the Peach Magazine people, which is currently my favorite magazine, which has featured a great article about Paul Hagedorn and his efforts.

The event introduced Atlanta to a new era of philanthropy. When you buy a photo from the gallery you are essentially donating the money to the different charities.

I love the idea of teaching people about philanthropy, and knowing that your dollar is going to help others and at the same time you get a great piece of art.

The best thing about the event was that it brought together so many different people from Atlanta; young and old, from Buckhead to Midtown and Downtown.

The Gallery is located at 425 Peachtree Hills Avenue Suite 25 Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Lindberg Plaza has changed!

sheyl — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:03:00 GMT

I have not been down around the Lindberg Station (Piedmont Road, Sidney Marcus Blvd.) in Buckhead for a number of years. In fact, I remember a time when I avoided the area. A couple of months ago I had a meeting with a client and they recommended the Starbucks in the area. Reluctantly I agreed. That was the first glimpse I got of the redevelopment of the area and I was impressed.

Last Thursday Brand Atlanta and NetParty hosted an event at the Tongue & Groove. The City Walk area where it is located looks amazing. There are all kinds of restaurants, clubs, and shopping. It seemed to be the place where some of the best looking people in the city hung out.

Photos were uploaded to the ATL Insider Gallery and we have some video of the party on YouTube.

Welcome to Midtown Taco Mac!

galfriday — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:38:00 GMT

I am so happy! Taco Mac has come to Midtown...just three blocks from my apartment. What a wonderful thing! A few times out of the year I get this huge craving for Buffalo wings. Good, meaty, deliciously hot Buffalo-style chicken wings. And with them, a nice pint of fruity beer - like a Hefewiezen or Hoegaarden. I'm not a beer drinker, but when I have wings - oh yeah. They go better with beer than with a house merlot. The past few times I've had these cravings, I satiated my appetite at the Virginia Highland's Taco Mac. From what I've read, I believe it's the original one. It's a great location, but the parking stinks. My husband and I take the scooter usually, whenever venturing into Virginia Highland. The Buffalo wings are so good, I overlook the parking or braving the chilly weather on the scoot. After checking out the Taco Mac website, I honestly didn't realize how many restaurants there are in Georgia. Good for them -- I'm glad they are successful. For those that have never heard of Taco Mac, don't expect to find a Mexican restaurant. You can read here at this link why a place known for it's Buffalo wings and huge selections of beer on draft has the name Taco Mac.

Anyway, to my great delight, I found out only last week that a Taco Mac was moving into my neighborhood. It's awesome! My husband and I went last night and the place is really nice inside. Flat screen TVs, lots of tables and booths, and a nice sized bar area. It's a pretty different feel from the one in Virgina Highland -- which is totally fine with me. I found that one to be a bit small and I usually feel like the oldest one there. The new one, located in Metropolis on the corner of Peachtree Place and Peachtree Street, is slick, sleek, and very much "midtown." Love it. And the wings...just has hot and delicious! For a main dish, I had the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich with fries which was very good. A basic fried chicken sandwich. The next time I go, I'm definitely having what my husband had. He enjoyed the South Street Philly. The bread was soft and warm, the cheese hot and gooey, and the steak, peppers and onions very flavorful. In addition to great food, the prices are quite reasonable. Check out the menu.

Springtime Zoo Visit

jmunn — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:35:00 GMT

In my opinion, visiting Zoo Atlanta in the spring is a must. It’s the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the weather, and greet our furry friends in Grant Park. A few items of interest about the zoo right now:

-Dottie the Elephant is expecting – congratulations, Dottie! -It’s a great adult date, first date, or outing with the family

-the Naked Mole Rats exhibit has opened. These poor creatures are extremely weird and kind of fun to look at

-the zoo offers live Gorilla, Orangutan, and other animal feedings throughout the day
-Brew at the Zoo: Saturday, May 24 spend your Memorial Day weekend sipping SweetWater and other microbrews while enjoying live music, zoo locals, and extended hours

Tornado Food Fundraiser

saracheshire — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:40:00 GMT

I was only 1.5 miles from some of the most severe damage from the tornado last month. Until last week, when I was driving through Cabbagetown, I had no idea the homes had been hit so hard. Of course, the Cotton Mill Loft damage took much of the lime light, with collapsed floors and a corner chunk of the historic building gone. But porches were ripped off, huge trees fallen right in the middle of houses and on cars. Massive damage. Blue tarps on roofs still scatter most of the neighborhood.

The artists have already had a fundraiser shindig, and now the restaurants in the area are pitching in. On Monday, April 14, if you dine at participating restaurants, 15% of the bill will go toward disaster relief.

I'm all about food and fundraising. Here is your change to enjoy a nice meal and some drinks (think Agave and tequilla bar --yum) and not feel guilty about how much you spend, as the more you spend, the more charitable you become.

For a list of participating restaurants, view the Dine-Out for Tornado Relief website, and get the scoop on the $5 raffle tickets where you can be entered to win restaurant gift cards and gallery-style canvas of the famous tornado picture snapped by Shane Durrance.

Boulevard is still closed to through traffic so getting to Cabbagetown and parking should be challenging. Best bet for getting there is via the Krog Street tunnel which will dump you right into Cabbagetown and off-street parking (I think the fallen trees in the street are gone now) or Hill Street to Memorial Drive.

A Slice of New York in Atlanta?

galfriday — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Last night, my husband and I were in the mood for pizza. If we could winkle our nose like Samantha in Bewitched and transport ourselves within seconds to Westchester or Suffolk County, New York (places where the two of us grew up), we would have. Pizza is a very personal thing -- there are many taste buds in the world that have their own opinion. For us and our taste buds, we believe New York is really the only place to get a real slice of pie. Our only mode of transportation at this time is our Ford Fusion, so we decide to consult Creative Loafing once again to continue our search for a good piece of pizza. Happily we find that three places have been featured in this past week's edition. We already tried the one located in Smyrna. It was good, but something was missing -- the sauce just wasn't right and the crust was too thick. So we decided upon a pizzeria in Duluth called Verra-Zanno Pizzeria. Cute, clever name. The owner must be someone from New York because not many people outside of New York City know of the Verrazano Bridge, which I'm assuming the pizzeria is named after.

Duluth is about 35 minutes from Midtown. Not many people would want to travel that far for pizza, but we're on the hunt and we like to drive. It gets us out of the city once in awhile. It's good to see the burbs and remind ourselves there is life outside of the perimeter (for visitors, I mean outside of I-285). Last night's trip was worth it. I was hoping to see a little hole in the wall type place with neon lights flashing Budweiser, three booths, a few tables, and a long counter with Tony, Michael, and Lisa working behind it because that's what I remember driving up to when I was 13 years old. That's not what we drove up to. We parked in front of a nice establishment with patio seating in a, what looked like new, shopping center. Once we walked in we were pleasantly surprised with the ambiance -- very clean establishment, a beautiful marble, very long counter to sit at, and an adequate number of tables. Tony wasn't behind the counter, but Joe was - the owner of the pizzeria and a New York transplant just like us. He grew up in the Bronx, and I believe in Staten Island too, and worked in a pizzeria as a teenager. I guess you could say he was apprenticing for his future business. Not sure what brought him to Georgia, but I'm happy he came. After chatting with Joe for a bit, we ordered a large pizza with fresh mushrooms and Italian sausage. While waiting for our pie, we each had a garden salad with the house dressing. A very nice basic salad with the typical house dressing you get in a pizzeria. It was very good. And then came the moment of truth -- the pizza. My husband and I both agreed that by far this is the best pizza in the Atlanta area. The sauce was spot on, the toppings and cheese were delicious, and the crust was very close. I can't say it transported me back to Michael Angelo's in East Moriches, NY, but it came very close. And to top it off, Joe sent us home with two complimentary and delicious cannolies! There were two when we left the pizzeria, but only one when we got home. We'll definitely go back to Verra-Zanno Pizzeria. I wonder if they deliver to Midtown? ....probably not. Doesn't matter, it's worth the trip to go back!

Swing Dance Alert!

saracheshire — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:48:00 GMT

This weekend is ATLX5. No, this isn't some shorthand for the fifth runway at the airport. It is the 5th annual Lindy Exchange. In layman's terms, a weekend of lessons and dances for lindy hop/swing dancers. As part of the weekend events, there is outdoor dancing to be had at Grant Park. Outdoor dancing in the city is rare, but incredibly fun. The dance is free, held on Sunday, April 13 from 1-5pm in Pavilion #1. I'm incredibly excited. Peachy.

Check out the ATLX5 schedule for full event information. The Atlanta Swing Era Dance Association (ASEDA) website is also a good resource for this event, other city swing dance events and dance lesson information.

My Neighborhood Grocery Store

galfriday — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:34:00 GMT

I don't cook. I love food, I love eating....I don't love cooking. I don't even like cooking. I think it's because I don't like taking the time to actually do the cooking; and when I do, I've come up with something that's not very good. I end up getting frustrated and wishing I had just spent the money on a yummy salad from Fresh to Order or a hamburger from The Vortex. No, it's not very economical, but it's much more satisfying and there's a lot less clean-up. So when I moved back to Atlanta a year ago, I was THRILLED to learn there was a Trader Joe's opening up in Midtown. Just one more thing to make me love the A-T-L!

I heard of Trader Joe's as a child growing up on Long Island, New York, but it was always this mysterious store where my great aunt and uncle would buy the most interesting candies. I grew to love the orange jelly candy covered in dark chocolate. The first time I set foot in the actual store was when my husband and I moved to San Francisco for a year and happened to bump into a Trader Joe's while looking for another store. As soon as we entered the store, I knew it was a match made in Heaven! For those who haven't heard of Trader Joe's, their claim to fame is they're your neighborhood grocery store, but much much more. To grab their words..."Our shelves are stocked full of delicious foods and beverages from the basics like milk, bread and butter to more exotic fare like imported cheeses, organic produce and hand-tossed pizza from Italy. We taste every product before we decide to sell it, and we guarantee you'll like it."

One of the many great things about Trader Joe's is they prepare these great food items that are fresh and tasty that you can take home and just pop in the oven or microwave and 5 - 40 minutes later, you're eating a delicious and nutritious meal. From a zesty chicken cutlet and tortellini meal for two to a fresh individual Greek meal for one consisting of tabouli, hummus, falafel, and pita. What makes it even better than picking up a sandwich from the Cypress Street Pint & Plate right behind my apartment is not only do I feel like I cooked a little, it was affordable. You'd think all of their fancy foods (the prepared, frozen, dry goods, …all of it) would break the bank, but they really don't. Every time I leave the store, I'm always amazed at how much less I've spent than I thought I would...pretty much the complete opposite feeling from when I leave Publix (and definitely Whole Foods) shaking my head at how much more money I've spent than I wanted to, and showing very little for it.

For brevity's sake, here's my top ten list of why I love Trader Joe's, in no particular order:

1. Fun, different foods along with most staples
2. Prepared, fresh meals that you can take home and heat up for dinner -- great for singles or couples who don't like to cook (hubby and me!)
3. Frozen foods and meals I believe are healthier than Stouffer's and Lean Cuisine, and way more tasty
4. Inexpensive
5. Very friendly employees
6. Beautiful and inexpensive flowers for sale
7. Great selection of wine and beer (and inexpensive)
8. Really yummy snacks (chocolate covered everything)
9. Nice selection of coffees
10. The monthly flier that has fun tid-bits to read, and even recipes (I have a stack of these at home in case one day I actually begin to cook)

Every rose has its thorns. Trader Joe's doesn't have everything I need to stock our fridge and pantry. I need our 12 pack of Diet Coke, my Yoplait yogurt, my husband's Orville Redenbacher Light Butter microwave popcorn, my Kleenex, and our Charmin. They also package a good amount of their vegetables together. I don't want three onions - just one will do; same with the tomatoes and peppers. I also can't find some other vegetables I like in my salads. So for every weekly trip to Trader Joe's, I do need to make a trip to Publix for the mentioned items. A small inconvenience compared to the many conveniences and pleasures Trader Joe's has to offer!

For the Dogs: Festivals Go South

saracheshire — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:55:00 GMT

I continue to have mixed feelings about the Dogwood Festival this weekend. Of course, there is the obvious failure of purpose that the DOGWOOD Festival has been moved this year to the Lenox Mall parking lot where there are no DOGWOODS. For me, one of the best perks about attending festivals in Atlanta is being able to enjoy the outdoors, in normally PARK settings.

So maybe I'm more against the move to Lenox Mall than I thought. At the same time, the Dogwood Festival tends to bring a more upscale crowd, those who might not otherwise venture into the city and who might actually be able to afford some of the art. In that case, maybe Buckhead is more fitting.

Drought was cited as the reason for the move. Ironically today is the second day of rain washing out the festival. Other spring festivals have found other homes this season as well due to drought concerns...so don't plan on heading to Piedmont Park unless for a personal picnic. The Atlanta Jazz Festival (May 24-26) has been moved to Woodruff Park downtown, while Atlanta Pride (July 4-6) is taking dibs at the Civic Center.

While I am sad about the state of the drought and state of the park...perhaps the exodus of festivals is the first tangible effect of the drought that will reach a large number of people. Still at times the city seems a bit too preoccupied to pay attention to environmental woes and I swear every time I walk out the door I see a new condo development around the corner.

Where is the urban planning? Let's hope the new comers to the new condos like parking lot festivals and short showers.

American Girl Classes This Summer

katiebell — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:33:00 GMT

I know there is great debate about just exactly how old your daughter should be to own an American Girl Doll...believe me, my 4 year-old has a firm opinion about this. But, whether or not you are in the market, you should check out these events this spring/summer:

Be Your Best Workshop---all about taking care or yourself

Gor For It---hour-long program dedicated to activities that build confidence in young girls

A Smart Girls Guide To Manners---Can I bring my son!

These are beign offered at the North Point Mall store, call 888-777-0100 for info

"Some" Assembly Required

galfriday — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:16:00 GMT

When I lived in Connecticut four years ago, I never heard of IKEA. When I moved to Atlanta, I fell in love with IKEA. For a married couple living in 800 square feet of space, IKEA is a God-send. The furniture helps us turn three rooms into five. We know we won't be living in this apartment for more than a few years, but we want nice furniture that we don't have to spend a fortune on. IKEA is the perfect place for affordable, nice looking furniture. You don't feel bad giving it away after a few years of use because you really didn't spend that much on it. You get your money's worth. As stated on their website "IKEA offers a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. This is the idea at the heart of everything IKEA does, from product development and purchases to how we sell our products in IKEA stores globally."

The Atlanta IKEA is located on the edge of Atlantic Station. Walking through this brightly lit, expansive warehouse is quite an experience. It's a maize of quaint show rooms giving you examples of what you too can create in your home. Each item has a very clever name, Swedish in nature, that gives each item a special pizzazz to it. My husband and I just recently purchased two nightstands to go with our platform bed frame we purchased last month. The set is called MALM. The couch we purchased a few months back is called the EKTORP; and the bookcases we have belong to the EXPEDIT family.

"The Affordable Solutions for Better Living" concept has a catch though... you have to put whatever piece of furniture you purchase together yourself. It seems quite daunting at first. Especially when you open the 4' wide x 8' long x 1' high box weighing 25 lbs and you pull out the pieces and parts that will eventually be your 7' tall by 8' wide shelving unit. All I can advise is that before you even open the box, you must set aside a least one hour, clear out a large area on your floor, keep dogs and cats away, pour yourself a glass of wine and say a little prayer for patience. Then open the box, lay out all the pieces and parts you find, especially the hardware included in the box, take a peek through the picture-only instructions booklet - from the first to the last step - and then begin. It's actually a rather great feeling of accomplishment once you're through.

One other note of importance regarding IKEA. There's a cafeteria on the top floor where you can get 10 Swedish meatballs with gravy, potatoes, and cranberry sauce for around $3.50, and oh my, they are good! You can't get this meal anywhere else. I love it!

If you haven’t already, check out IKEA the next time you have a few hours to spare on a rainy weekend afternoon.

(My Saturday afternoon putting together our two MALM nightstands):

Springtime in Atlanta

galfriday — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:35:00 GMT

One of the best times of the year for me is the first sunny, warm weekend in Atlanta. This year, it took place on the second day of Spring. Blue skies, sunny, a high of 70 degrees with a nice breeze. It was perfect, and extra-special because it also landed on a Saturday. I had to drop everything I planned to do and step outside for a stroll in Piedmont Park. I wasn't alone. From people to dogs to parrots, we were all out soaking in the Spring sun. It was a good day!

A trip to Paris on Ponce

galfriday — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:05:00 GMT

The other weekend I decided to take a little photography field trip to Paris on Ponce, an antique store here in Atlanta off Ponce de Leon Ave. I just happened upon the place through a friend last month. Once I entered the store, I knew I had to come back to take pictures. The place is really much more than an antique store. To borrow their words from the website, George and Judi Lee, the owners, "wanted to create an interesting, relaxing experience which everyone is welcome to browse and dream." I can say without a doubt that I am not an antique shopper. I admire those who have a passion for antiques and can spend hours in a store looking for that one item that will speak to them. I just don't do that. But here, at Paris on Ponce, it's like you walk back in time and I can honestly spend hours just browsing the three buildings full of furniture, trinkets, mannequins, and more. The catch for me is that it's welcomed to bring your camera and just take pictures. George, one of the very friendly owners, frequently has his own digital camera around his neck. In addition to the store, all the way in the back is an event space fashioned after the Moulin Rouge. Many weddings, parties, special events, and even tango lessons occur here throughout the year.

If you're looking for something different to do and have about two hours to escape to a special place, I definitely recommended taking a trip back in time to Paris on Ponce. For some inspiration, here are a few photos I took during my trip.

The Cast of Paris on Ponce

Amsterdam Walk

jmunn — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:42:00 GMT

I have lived in Atlanta since 1991 and can’t believe I’ve never heard of Amsterdam Walk before now. Last week, some friends and I were meeting up for dinner at the new Loca Luna in town. I’m sure ya’ll have heard by now that they closed the venue off of Juniper due to construction and re-opened in anther part of Midtown. When I turned down Amsterdam Avenue (a little street off the beaten path), I was amazed to see a cul-de-sac full of bustling shops and restaurants. Besides being the new home of Loca Luna (fun tapas and live music), Amsterdam Walk has shops and services for everyone: furniture, jewelry, clothing, floral design, an indoor playground for kids, tanning, dog kennel and grooming, restaurants and entertainment, a gym, antiques, shoes, baked goods, cooking accessories, oriental rugs, and much, much more.

Although the list is a bit outdated, check out this directory for businesses: http://www.atlanta-midtown.com/business/amsterdamwalk/#directory. Some of these businesses may only be open certain days of the week, so make sure to call ahead and get more information.

Experience Some Culture This Weekend

jmunn — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:50:00 GMT

I realize I have already blogged about this topic before, but there is something new with AtlantTIX that I think is worth mentioning. To refresh your memory, AtlanTIX offers same-day, ½ price tickets to theatre, dance, music, and cultural attractions. I recently found out that tickets are now available for purchase online. This is great news for people who won’t be in the Lenox Mall or Underground Atlanta area, where you previously had to show up in person to buy the tickets. Check the site between noon to 4:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday, buy your tickets, and print them out. Call the infoline to hear what’s available at 404-588-9890.

Atlanta Performs, the company who manages AtlanTIX, also upgraded their website and it looks great. Check it out for reviews, show descriptions, auditions, jobs, and more.

Oakhurst Wine Crawl, Feb. 23

ckelly — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:38:00 GMT

The 6th Annual Oakhurst Wine Crawl will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, from 4-7 p.m. The neighbors and local businesses of Oakhurst Village present the celebration of the Oakhurst community and will feature wines from around the world as selected by two local Oakhurst residents. Participating local Oakhurst businesses will each feature a different wine selection to taste. Participation limited to 750. Tickets are $20. Tickets are on sale now at these local Oakhurst businesses: • Steinbeck's • Universal Joint • Kavarna Cafe • Tajma-Hound • Real Source Real Estate This event sells out annually so make sure to purchase your tickets in advance so you’re not left out in the cold. Tickets will be available at the door the day of the event for a cost of $25 per tickets. Cash Only. Proceeds from the event will be used to support volunteer efforts in the community including MLK Volunteer Day, needs for senior citizens, and materials for our local schools.

Two Great Venues

galfriday — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:47:00 GMT

This week was a busy one. In addition to my "day job," I moonlight as an amateur photographer for Kingsized Entertainment. With Valentine's Day and love in the air, I worked two events. The first was at Trader Vics in the Hilton Atlanta at the Valentine's Day Soiree. Tongo Hiti played - a fantastic band that plays there most Thursday nights when you can get a $4.00 Mai Tai and listen to some great Polynesian-Tiki-type music mixed with some great swing and rock-n-roll while sampling an assortment of yummy treats off the menu. Each holiday, Trader Vics usually has some sort of fun event. New Year's Eve there was the International Jetsetters New Year's Eve Ball (photos); I'm sure in March there will be something for St. Patrick's Day; and in May I know there's an event called Lavapalooza by the pool (hopefully there will be a pool with this darn drought).

The second event I worked was the Dames Aflame "Showbiz What Sizzles!" A classy, sexy, fun show filled with great dance numbers, humor, wit, and sassy burlesque. Entertainment at its best! Everyone who goes to a Dames Aflame show will be blown away. The show takes place once a month on a Friday - two shows (8 and 10:30 pm) - at the Laughing Skull Lounge at the Vortex in Midtown. This is an intimate venue that is quickly becoming the place to be to see great shows. There's an event on the first Tuesday of every month called Boozer Doodle, and I hear some things are in the works for an improv show, as well as a game show. I can't promise anything, but I do believe the great Lucky Yates will be involved with all three!

Atlanta has a fantastic array of venues to see some great entertainment, and the above two are just a small sampling of them. Check 'em out!

Two lovely Dames Aflame at the Valentine's Day Soiree