I typically like to take advantage of the long weekend to get out of the city for the 4th, but, if you are staying in town, here is a good list of firework shows in Atlanta and Creative Loafing has an awesome full list of Atlanta 4th of July events that may or may not include fireworks. 

I personally have only been to Centennial Park and downtown Decatur for fireworks.  Decatur is nice...low-key and family-friendly.  Centennial offers a neat perspective of the fireworks reflected off the buildings downtown and the water in the park.  I hear Lenox offers a big show.  For all these events I'd recommend taking the train, as they are very accessible to MARTA and means you don't have to worry about parking and trying to fight traffic getting home.  Decatur has a station, Lenox has a station, and there are two ways to get Centennial Park on MARTA.

More off the beaten path ideas include Reclaim Independence Day Block Party at the Five Spot for punk, indie, rock and soul music or the Buckhead Beach Party, which has a free shuttle to the Lenox fireworks show. If you don't know someone who has a rooftop deck for firework viewing, you can also pay for your own sky view by getting a hotel room downtown or in Buckhead, or even doing the Sun Dial downtown in the Westin Hotel. They have several firework-watching packages from the top of the hotel:

 Supposedly STATS Restaurant downtown also has a rooftop deck with a great view and the $10 entry includes an appetizer buffet.

Other ideas include watching and cheering on the Peachtree Road Race runners.  They end up at Piedmont Park at 10th and Charles Allen this year.   Getting breakfast at TAP on Peachtree (opens at 6:30am on race day) or at the Flying Biscuit in midtown or the neighboring restaurants can be a festive way to start the day.  If you are running or wanting to watch, here are the MARTA directions for the Peachtree Road Race.

I've found that your perspective of the city changes the longer you are here.  In the early days I did all the major touristy things.  Now, seven years later, I like digging out a more unique and earthy side to Atlanta, and it doesn't include the Dogwood Festival or the Laser Light Show.

With that said, here is my current list of top 5 festivals, and meanwhile, if you are looking for something to do this weekend, check out Reynoldstown 14th Annual Wheelbarrow Festival...a little off the beaten path.

1. Inman Park Festival - April
   The Inman Park Festival is HUGE.  Blocks and blocks of arts, several music stages and a crazy parade.  Being in a cool, historic, tree-lined neighborhood doesn't hurt either.
   
   
2. Grant Park Festival - August
   This festival is super mellow.  Even if it might be hot as heck, the festival isn't crowded and is sprawled throughout wooded Grant Park.  There is plenty of room to play frisbee, basketball or tennis...or do the Corks and Forks wine and food tasting.  The park also has a pool and the zoo, so lots of options for a slow summer day.
   
   
3. Chomp and Stomp - November
   You can't beat paying $5 for all you can eat chili from local restaurants and local residents.  Festival goers can vote on their favorite restaurant chili and you can even purchase your own booth if you want to share the chili love.  The event usually has some really awesome bluegrass music as well.
   
   
4. BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass - August
   I had a blast at this festival last year.  The blues was awesome, the BBQ was awesome.  Held in Oakhurst, it is a very laid-back, neighborhood gathering.
   
   
5. Reader's Pick
   Ok, so I haven't yet been to all the festivals, but other festivals that draw a crowd that might also find a niche with you include: the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Decatur Beer Festival, Corndogorama and the famous Little 5 Points Halloween Festival.
   

You might have noticed my fascination with writing blog posts on public transportation.  I'm in it most days for one, but for some time I've been working on an Atlanta MARTA guide book.  Things are on a roll again and hope to be finishing the book this year and have it available for sale.  In the meantime I've built a companion Web site for some quick tips and timely information on current events in the city and how to get there on MARTA.  The book will provide a little more detail and cover other topics, but the web site offers a great way to write a quick note and piece of advice to make things easier.

Upcoming Atlanta events this week include Screen on the Green (Dreamgirls), Thursday in Centennial Park, and the Virginia Highlands Summerfest on Saturday and Sunday. Both are great opportunities to hop on the train. The Summerfest makes my list of top 5 festivals (will post a blog about this soon) and it usually is a fun time.  Here are the directions on how you can get to Virginia Highlands Summerfest on MARTA and party all you like or just avoid traffic and parking.  Be sure to visit the web site again for updated information and directions to your other favorite spots.

For those who dig public pools in the city, the exciting news of the season is the new pool renovation at Piedmont Park.  I walked by it before it was open and it looked phenomenal...both the pool and renovated bath house.  The Grant Park pool is also surprisingly a great spot.  It has a separate children's pool and a large adult area.  The strapped down lounge chairs do remind you that you are in the city, but none the less, it is only $4 and you have the trees, sports facilities and animals of neighboring Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta. 

I can't comment on the Candler Park pool, but it is another local spot along with the Martin Luther King Center pool, but that one is all indoors.  Access Atlanta was nice and complied a complete public pool listing in and around the city if you want more options.

Of course, there are plenty of condos and apartments with pools if that is your crowd.  It just can be nice to mingle with the community outside of those settings. You can always "Shoot the Hooch" as well - tube/raft/kayak/canoe down the Chattahoochee, which definitely puts you more directly in touch with city.

My other pick would be to check out some of the local hotel pools.  The historic Georgian Terrace Hotel has a rooftop pool...plus it offers Midtown nightlife and the Fox Theatre right outside the door, so you can book a room, have a pool with a view and plenty to do.  Atlanta.net actually has a great listing of local hotel deals and packages that include local attractions.  The hip W Hotels even offer a 20% discount to locals (plus see the picture above for their swanky 16th floor pool at the downtown location).

Don't forget, whether you are chilling at the public pool or crashing a local hotel pool, make a stop at the downtown Hilton's tiki bar Trader Vic's to add to that exotic, tropical vacation vibe.  I also wouldn't miss a Braves Game, or at least catch a drink or dinner on the patio at Six Feet Under midtown (the Georgia fried catfish is pretty tasty) where there is an amazing skyline view where you can also see fireworks from the baseball game if it is a winning night.

Farmers markets are recently back in season, with East Atlanta's Thursday evening farmer's market the newest addition starting this week.  I've been wanting to eat more fresh food, so the timing is perfect.  A point was also made recently that to help combat the bad economy, we should do some local shopping and support the local businesses around us.  Plus, it incredibly helps the environment by reducing the transport and energy costs of shipping in foods from other places.

Here are the main farmers markets in the city.  I hope to investigate personally more of them to update this post.  Please also provide your comments as well.

• Piedmont Park Green Market.  Saturdays 9am-1pm
  
  Typically has some live music, chef demonstrations and more crafty things like bar soaps, organic plants/flowers than other markets.  In the past has offered organic meat.  Probably good for tourists with its central location and could be combined with sightseeing in the park.

• Morningside Farmer's Market. Saturdays 7:30-11:30am
  
  This is the market you need to get up early for.  It usually holds the title as best market in the city and items will get picked through later in the day.  It is also one of the oldest markets.  Can't beat Alon's across the street for breakfast, pastries or coffee after you shop.

• East Atlanta Village Market.  Thursday 4pm to Dusk
  
  Meat, veggies, pasta and a great time for non-morning people.  I hope to check this out soon, but the great thing about this market is that those using food stamps can convert their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards into tokens that can be used to buy food at the market. The Village market also accepts WIC farmers market nutrition program vouchers.  Wednesday, May 20, will be a farm to table dinner at the Graveyard Tavern.  Plenty of shopping in the village to explore after you get your local fixin's as well.

• Downtown Decatur Farmers Market. Wednesdays 4-7pm
  
  Another evening time, the Decatur market is actually year-round, which is a rare.  Winter hours are 3-6pm. 
  

The AJC has an extended list of other markets with a map.   The Natural Resources Defense Council also has this amazing interactive web page that lets you see what food is currently in season by state - can't think of a better way to eat fresh. 

You can also sign up for Community Support Agriculture (CSA) where you pick up or are delievered a share of local food by paying a flat fee.  This web site offers a list of CSAs in Atlanta, though I don't know how up to date the information is.  It is a great thing to share with neighbors if you don't want to shoulder all the cost.

If you are new to Atlanta, or remember being new to Atlanta, the crazy street schematics discourage even some long-timers.  For me, navigation was always pretty easy, and it was more like a game to put together the pieces of what streets were what and where they went and how many name changes they went through.

Traditionally the name changes occurred to separate white and black neighborhoods.  So when the street you're own decides to change names, there is a good chance it is also related to Atlanta's segregation history.  Ponce de Leon Avenue was the historical line, so you will notice that streets on one side of the street are named one way and their across-the-street-counterpart named something else. 

To help ease your navigation burdens, as not everyone like me geeks out over figuring out paths through the city, I've listed below some of the major street changes in Atlanta...at least for me it was very eye-opening and helpful with cross-town driving to understand how the major roads connect, or rather, are really the same street.  This web page also lists current streets and their former names, which is also quite interesting.

Popular Name Changes at Ponce de Leon Avenue

• Juniper to Courtland (Midtown to Downtown/GSU)
  
• Monroe to Boulevard (direct connect from Piedmont Park to Grant Park)
• Briarcliff to Moreland (Northeast Atlanta to Emory to Little 5/East Atlanta)
• Oakdale Road to Whiteford (major thoroughfare from Druid Hils/Candler Park to Kirkwood)

• Hank Aaron to Capitol to Piedmont (one way north from Turner Field/Capitol to Buckhead)
• Central Avenue to Peachtree Center Avenue (if driving northbound on the connector, great downtown/GSU exit)
• Cheshire Bridge to Lenox Road (Midtown to Buckhead/Lenox)
• East Rock Springs to North Decatur (Midtown to Emory/Decatur)
  
• North Highland Avenue to Johnson Road (Highlands to Emory)
  
• La Vista to Lindbergh Drive (Northlake/Toco Hills to Lindbergh/Buckhead)
• Lawrenceville Highway to Scott Blvd (Lawrenceville to Decatur/Atlanta)

• Marietta Street to Decatur Street to Dekalb Avenue to W. Howard to E. Howard (West Midtown/Downtown to Decatur)
  

The Georgia General Assembly is coming to a close this week and there is a hot transit issue still on the table that can make or break Atlanta's transit future. Luckily there is Citizens for Progressive Transit, a local non-profit organization that stays on top of transit issues and laws, with a lobbyist down at the capitol trying to keep an eye of road spending vs. needed funds for transit, such as MARTA and the Beltline.

If you support such transit issues, you have until Friday to contact your local legislator to encourage him or her to vote yes for the regional transit bill (instead of the state transit bill) as it is more likely to support city transit projects.  It is a fairly big deal...even NPR gave it a call out this morning.  It is important to act now.

The Environmental Action Network has come up with the following text you can use as a guideline for your email contact:

"We want local control for any new transportation tax. The statewide sales tax approach does not provide enough certainty on how and where the new transportation money would be used. We need to know that any new transportation money raised here in metro Atlanta will be used for the projects that Atlantans want and need.

Please oppose any statewide sales tax that would spend our tax dollars on road projects all around the state. Let's keep metro Atlanta tax dollars in metro Atlanta, for the projects the people want.  Support the regional sales tax option."

Find your representatives and legislators here:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/state/main/?state=GA&view=myofficials#0

Related, MARTA is having serious financial trouble (not incredibly unexpected), which might be aided by the regional plan.  MARTA is the only transit system that doesn't get state funding and things have been adding up.  So now they are at the point of reducing service and charging more money per trip to pay for their debt that is becoming higher than the escalators at Peachtree Center.  Here is a survey you can fill out if you would like to help form their decisions:
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB228TXMWSPX8

Yes, I am having a busy week, but wanted to check in with all you loyal blog readers.  I busted out laughing when reading the headline of one of Creative Loafing's most recent blogs tonight: The city too busy to change.  In a former time, Atlanta was also coined "the city too busy to hate" during the civil rights era.  Or perhaps now, as one satire puts in, Atlanta Less Busy, Finally has Time to Hate."

 While the hate might be increasing along with crime, in general, these slogans are all funny because WE ARE BUSY.  I often have to book social events with friends a week in advance and it seems trendy to be flying out of the airport on a regular basis. I more or less juggle three jobs.  And there is always something going on.

Which is why I go out of town to actually rest.

Speaking of getting out of town and the airport, a recent study was released citing Atlanta's carbon footprint.  It turns out the electricity used as the airport is taking the biggest piece of the pie.  The city too busy to put in energy-efficient lighting it seems.  And now the general assembly (local legislature) is in its final couple days, so they are franticly busy to get bills passed.  And I wish I had the time to pay attention to all that is going on, but I don't.  So I sign up and join local groups and they email me action points...or recently I discovered you can RSS notes from the Senate and General Assembly.  (See the big list of Georgia RSS feeds here.)

 So fill up your iGoogle, or be like me, now too busy too look at all my email.  There is definitely the spirit of opportunity here, but the vastness of opportunity requires some focus. If you are feeling you need to jam up your inbox, check out yelp.com for food, meetup.com for social groups, your local non-profit in the area of your choice, and there is always Clark Howard's, Delta's and AirTran's travel escape deals that will at least give you some options for rest...outside the city.

My cousin has only been to Atlanta once.  It is sad that the only thing she remembers is, "It was scary!  People were coming out at us everywhere."

I suppose it is rather true.  I've gotten a bit jaded.  I'm frankly tired of people asking me for money, and it seems most of them are not even legit.  Tonight I was approached again by the supposedly deaf man who likes to frequent the trains, holding up a piece of paper asking for 50 cents.  I get peeved with him now.  He has literally been asking me for money for at least five years.  So I have no qualms chewing him out because this is how he makes his living.  And besides, soliciting is illegal on MARTA.

Ironically he was on the train tonight, and shortly followed by another man who was asking for money to buy food.  He seemed too smooth to be honest.  And it is usually a better policy to buy people food rather than give them cash, as many are indeed making their living from begging, while others use the money for bad habits.  However, I was completely struck when the woman sitting next me turned to me after we had been solicited and said, "I just became homeless."  

Here boy wonder with his two dollar speech is making his rounds while the person sitting next to me, probably more in need, wasn't asking for anything.  Because of this, I was much more inclined to want to help and got her phone number. She is looking for a job and has cashiering experience.  Please post a comment if know of resources or job opportunities for her.  Also, feel free to share ideas and resources for those looking for work. I'm sure there are many people like her, especially with the state of the economy right now.

The bigger issue includes education and how people can survive hard economic times.  I am lucky to have many options and skills...easy to take for granted until you meet someone who did not have the encouragement or opportunity to get more education.  And what can we all do to help?  What resources are available to those who don't have a home or a job?

I actually was talking to my dad about this tonight.  They used to provide farms where the homeless could live and work for their housing.  Even in small towns today I am not sure this exists anymore, and it seems that in general, we don't take care of each other as well as we once did.  Part of that has to do with cities and the sheer size of populations there.   

I'm not sure what the solution is today.  There is always donating time and money to local shelters, maybe volunteering your time to help train or support those looking for a new future.  Here are a few resources to get started.

• Atlanta Children's Shelter
• Atlanta Union Mission
• Hands on Atlanta
  
• HomeAid Atlanta
• Gateway Center
• Clifton Sanctuary
  
• Metro Atlanta Taskforce for the Homeless
• United Way of Atlanta - on Homelessness
• Atlanta Workforce Development Agency
  
• Fulton County Human Services
  
• Peachtree-Pine Shelter Closing? - Creative Loafing Article
• Churches helping job seekers - AJC
  

There is a rally on Saturday, January 31, 2pm to support the Beltline.  The rally is on the heels of the AJC article about AMTRAK wanting to use Beltline tracks for heavy rail. Really, do we want a freight line clamoring alongside Piedmont Park?  The proposed Beltline, however, is a light-rail project that would create an inner city loop connecting many intown neighborhoods and spurring redevelopment and park space.  The project has been in the works for a few years, and I was just wondering what was going on with the project.  It has been a little too quiet.  And it appears that this rally is showing why and hopes to educate more people that this useful transportation option might be in danger. 

The rally will be held on the tracks at the corner of 10th and Monroe, near Park Tavern and Piedmont Park.  Please come out this Saturday, 2pm.  Below is more information copied from a talking-point e-mail I received regarding the rally and the Beltline. There is no better time to get involved with the city...especially as this part of the city has a history of successful activism.  Most Atlanta residents don't even know that if not for community involvement, a highway would have been built through Virginia Highlands, Inman Park and Candler Park back in the 1970s. Freedom Parkway and John Howell Park along Virginia Avenue only exist because homes were torn down to make way for road.  Luckily that project was halted and we have greenspace instead of traffic. So keep on keeping on for some good things in the city: parks, increased transportation options, community redevelopment and safer neighborhoods.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Amtrak have created a trainwreck in Washington that is preventing the Beltline from moving forward.

 

Exciting proposals for High Speed Rail and commuter rail have been cynically distorted into a proposal that would kill the Beltline.

 

GDOT and Amtrak have dusted off outdated plans that have not been part of any regional transportation plan in years and are using them to prevent construction of Beltline transit and trails. 

 

These actions threaten the viability of the Atlanta BeltLine while ignoring years of planning by Atlanta residents.  They disregard the public regional transportation process that specifically included representatives of GDOT.

 

They ignore a unanimous vote by the board of the Atlanta Regional Commission to approve Beltline transit and trails. 

  

America needs high speed rail.  Georgia needs commuter rail.  Atlanta needs Beltline transit and trails.  We can have all three, but all three will not fit on the northeast segment of the Beltline.  

 

The metro Atlanta regional transportation plan would allow all of these projects to occur without killing each other.  That is the plan Amtrak and GDOT should follow. 

 

Atlantans have worked too hard on the Beltline to allow it to be stopped now.  Come out and show your support for light rail transit, trails, trees and more.

 

Thank you to Liz Coyle for organizing this rally.  Contact information: ebcoyle@mindspring.com

Contact Governor and Georgia Dept of Transporation   Please join us in calling on the Governor and GDOT to respect the regional transportation plan.  Ask them to withdraw GDOT's objection to the intercity rail abandonment process at the Surface Transportation Board.   Governor Sonny Perdue:  Click here to contact Governor Perdue(Note: this is a link to the contact page on the Governor's Web site)   *****The organizers stressed that writing letters and sending through the mail is a much more effective means of getting your opinions heard.

I've seen an absurd amount of apartments in this city and feel I have met half the landlords in the metro area.  This scenario was not intended, but there is some sense of relief if my observations can help someone else.  So if you wondering about how to go about finding an Atlanta apartment and what you can get for your dollar in the city, then read on.

Prices
First of all, price is usually the first constraint.  I've found that on average, you can find a decent, non-shoddy one bedroom in a non-shady area for around $800/$850.  Now, some of these apartments might be few and far between, but they are there.  If someone is charging $800 and the space is small, the bathroom not large enough to fit Napoleon or is in some disrepair, then it is overpriced.  The $600 and up range is typical for studios.  However, if you head to more transitional areas south of downtown and in parts of Kirkwood, East Atlanta and Ormewood, you can find a 2-3 bedroom house for $800/$900 per month. There have been more home invasions and crime in those areas, so that is something to be considered.  If you plan to have a roommate, it is not unreasonable to pay on average $500/month/person.

Location and Safety
As just mentioned, cheaper housing is found in more transitional areas.  I have ruled out East Atlanta due to violent crime as well as Grant Park, where one of my co-workers got his car stolen.  The areas around Emory University, downtown Decatur and Oakhurst seem to be the safest from data I have looked at.  The Lindbergh area has had some history of Hispanic gangs, downtown isn't the worst...though has no grocery, Midtown is fun... but has had increased muggings and a proximity to Old 4th Ward that has made me remove it from my list as well.  Inman Park has some car break-ins and burglaries on occasion, but it seems Little 5 and Candler Park fare worse.  Cabbagetown has been home to kidnappers, so that is a big red flag for me.  I would also not live in Old 4th Ward unless you have a tough disposition and have a gated/secured building.  North Druid Hills seems to have its share of petty crime and break-ins as well.  Brookhaven, Lenox, Morningside aren't too bad and the Cumberland Mall area seems to work ok for several people I know, but it is more a suburban and less neighborhoody.  Virginia Highlands also has some buffer zone, especially the further north you are from Ponce and further east of the city.

In general, apartment complexes tend to have more car break-ins, even in gated communities.  Older apartment buildings that have front doors that do not face the street tend to all be bigger targets for crime as well.

Lingo and Search Resources
Craigslist.org is a good place to look for apartments.  Apartments listed in the AJC or Creative Loafing tend to not be as high of quality.  Braden Fellman also offers several apartment options in more historic buildings.  MLC Properties has not always been the most user-friendly, but also offers some historic housing.  Living Intown generally has more apartments in houses, but you'll have to call or email for their openings. (I actually did their neighborhood maps and descriptions if you need a better idea of Atlanta areas.) Searching for condos for rent is another good way to find listings through local real estate companies, or just googling "atlanta condos for rent."

Watch out for ads that can be misleading.  I've seen numerous listings with incorrect neighborhood labels...often an apartment is in a less desirable area gets stretched to include a neighboring, nicer location.  I've seen this most often with apartments in Old 4th Ward (often claimed to be Midtown or Inman Park) and in Edgewood (claimed to be Little 5...but let me tell you there is a big difference once you cross the railroad tracks that run along the East-West MARTA line and Dekalb Avenue).  Also, be aware of places that toot a horn about being close to the Edgewood Shopping Center...it is still sketchy around there and I would not feel comfortable walking southbound from the Candler Park MARTA station.  So use your online maps and get familiar with the neighborhood boundaries. 

Generally speaking things get less ideal the further south you are.  There is a bit more stability the further north of certain roads you are.  The first big division is being north of Ponce de Leon Avenue.  The next tier is between Ponce and Dekalb Avenue/the MARTA rail line.  Then Memorial Drive and lastly south of I-20.  On the other end, being north of Midtown/the 75/85 connector split presents some change in demographics then once you are north of the Buckhead business district.  But, it can be spotty all over and this isn't an exact science. 

 Also, FYI, the word "cozy" in apartment listings usually means small and in most cases, "character" can mean a bit run down.  "Retro" is code for 1950s/1960s block architecture. If you need some second opinions, apartmentratings.com is a great tool, along with reviews on yelp.com.

Neighborhoods and Personalities
Here is my quick take on the vibes in different areas:
Midtown: party/gay-friendly
Downtown: urban pioneering
Virginia Highlands: polo shirt night life/jogger strollers/walkable
Morningside:  somewhat yuppie
Candler Park: somewhat hippie
Inman Park: somewhat hip
East Atlanta: very hip, diverse, edgy
Ormewood Park: diverse, slightly less edgy
Grant Park: historic, hit or miss
Kirkwood: up and coming
Oakhurst: down to earth, family-friendly
Downtown Decatur: small town, gay-friendly
Emory: Smart, stately
Buckhead: shopping culture
Brookhaven: quiet, edge of the city

Landlord Awards
My two favorite landlords are John Morrison and Shelley.  Both have several apartment buildings from Midtown to Oakhurst. Shelley uses Craigslist, but John's historic buildings usually just have a sign out front.  Both landlords are good people and offer good services and fair prices.
 

I actually have MLK Day off this year.  That brings up a question...why doesn't all of the city get the day off, being King's birth and burial city?  And why have we let the King Memorial crumble into such disrepair?  At least mayor Shirley Franklin got a $32 million loan from SunTrust, still under the process of being paid back, in order to keep a collection of the King papers intact and in the city as opposed to them being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Besides some of the inside information about trying to maintain the King Memorial, there is plenty to do this weekend to celebrate MLK Day.  The big highlights include a number of volunteer opportunities.  Hands On Atlanta has a full schedule of events and service projects that begin today and go through Monday.  Also, one of the more interesting projects going is a tree planting from 9am-12 on Monday in Southview Cemetery, King's original burial location before being moved downtown.  The planting is one of many organized by Trees Atlanta, and you can contact susan@treesatlanta.org or call 404-522-4097 to sign up. 

 For year-round opportunities to get involved, I've been happy with AJC's Do Good Channel.  It lists volunteer events all over the city and you can search by cause or way you'd like to participate.
 

Last week a bartender at the Standard in Grant Park was murdered by armed robbers.  It is very sad and certainly is topping the list of the string of crime and problems all over the city.  At this point, most of my friends have either been mugged, had a car broken into, something stolen or have known someone who was the unfortunate victim of a home invasion.  It is scary and should be a wake up call for everyone that we can't afford to lose funding for our police, and in fact, have needed more funding.  I would write to your senator now and your representatives (see links below).  Be more supportive and vocal about stricter gun laws as well.

Tomorrow, January 11, there is an open community meeting at Aurora Coffee in Little 5 points from 3-6pm for people to come together and try to figure out solutions to the crime problem.  There are many more of us than them and we have to take a cowboy, old west approach to this, then so be it.  But it is just ridiculous to have crazy people barge into buildings with guns and killing people, hurting people.  I know the economy is bad and that might be playing a part.  But geez.  It is stupidly out of hand.  And I'm still wondering about the competence of our police.  I'm just thankful I have a patrol in my neighborhood, but then it goes back with the people who have money and those who do not and who can afford more safety.  It shouldn't be about money...everyone deserves a safe place to live.  And don't think that if you live outside the perimeter that you are safe.  Several violent invasions have happened in Roswell and Duluth in the past couple months.

So please be careful and do what you can to make the city safer.

Here are links that take you directly to a web-email form to contact our senators:

• Johnny Isakson
  
• Saxby Chambliss

Contact the Obama Administration here:

• Change.gov Citizen's Briefing Book 

To find your U.S. representative and state legislators, follow the bellow link and enter your address:

• Find my representatives and legislators
  

To get involved with the newly formed Atlantans Together Against Crime and Cutbacks, you can join their Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42994467899 or visit their website: http://atlantanstogether.org/

I had a surprisingly good time downtown last night.  Holiday decorations and ice skating continue to draw crowds and the older brick buildings in the Fairlie-Popular District makes Atlanta seem like a "real city".  What is a real city though?  For me, it is the sense of culture, people on the streets, variety of arts and recreational opportunities and walkability.

Now I was like most of Atlantans, scared to even step foot or drive through downtown several years ago.  There is the soliciting factor and it surely isn't like going through pristine Buckhead.  But the thing I find interesting is that once you set out on foot in a place, it takes out the fear factor.  I'm usually more comfortable on foot vs. driving in a car.  Maybe it is because you are really interacting with the place and that familiarity on the ground adds a sense of comfort.  Of course, having more people out on the streets makes the environment that much safer and the late night ice skating at Centennial Olympic Park, for instance, keeps people out later and in downtown.  And there are the sporting events, Tabernacle concerts, Georgia Aquarium, rooftop bars.  Screen on the Green, which was moved to Centennial last summer, turned out to be a surprisingly fitting venue.  There is something about being able to see the city skyline, while being right in the middle of the city and enjoying events.

So, don't be too scared of downtown. I wouldn't spend too much time walking alone, but according to some reports, crime in downtown is less than other areas of the city. Plus, the Georgia State University police adds to the security.  Walk Score has an interesting Web site that ranks Atlanta's most walkable neighborhoods if you want to see how your area stacks up or practice in your neighborhood before an adventure downtown. 
 

Finally, something concrete that you can get out of your senator. 

Until just recently, I didn't realize that you could contact your senator for free presidential inauguration tickets, a savings of $750.  Georgia's senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson have links on their websites to request tickets for Barack Obama's inauguration, January 20 in Washington D.C.  I'm not sure if they have any still available, but worth a shot if you want catch a flight or take a 10-hour road trip for the historic event. The AJC also has a nice Inauguration Event Guide for more detailed information of what to expect and what there is to do, including the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, which is free.

It probably wouldn't hurt to investigate more of our senator's Web sites so see what is going on and how you can get involved.  It is always important to know how your senator is representing you, what your senator is saying on the floor and what they are voting on.  It is easy to let elections roll around and to not have details to go along with a name.  With the recent senator run-off in December, it becomes that much more important to know the candidates and what they value in close elections. 

Here's to getting more involved and getting free stuff in 2009.