Atlanta Intown - February 2015

Local architects create colorful, informative textbook for students

Page 42

One woman’s love affair with fried chicken biscuits

Page 38

Streetcar rolls out to residents, tourists and curiosity seekers

Pages 4-5

Poncey-Highland’s Videodrome has loyal Intown following Page 34

Our mission: Published monthly since 1994, Atlanta INtown provides its readers with hyperlocal news and information that helps foster a sense of community in a dynamic urban setting. Live, work and play—we cover everything that makes our city home.

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Time for a public transit rethink

The Atlanta Streetcar is finally open and I have taken a ride on it. Is the streetcar the answer to the city’s transit problems? Not even close, but it is another step in the right direction. The streetcar is a building block in what should become a more robust public transportation system.

If you’ve visited cities like New York, Boston, Chicago or San Francisco, the first thing you notice about their public transit it that it has a much greater reach and is relied on by millions who don’t even own a car. Their sole mode of getting from point A to B is a bus, train or streetcar. We are still a long way from that in Atlanta.

The argument that Atlanta Streetcar naysayers have made – besides the cost – is that it’s only good for tourists. That’s undeniable. New Orleans’ streetcar network isn’t that extensive, but it’s part of the fabric of the city. When Portland’s streetcar opened in 2001 it only made a 3.9-mile run, but has since expanded to cover more of the city.

But instead of looking at the shortcomings and short route, try looking at the big picture. Imagine streetcars rolling up and down Peachtree Street from Downtown to Midtown and Buckhead – a plan that was originally on the table. Imagine hopping on the streetcar and going to Inman Park, Little Five Points, Virginia-

Highland or even Decatur. All of those places were easily accessible by streetcar before they were removed from service in 1949. If only we had a time machine.

Rather than continue to allocate money to build roads, legislators need to get on board with public transportation. MARTA’s rail line desperately needs an expansion. If we’re going to be an international, world-class city then we need to have transportation that supports it. Continuing to fund road projects while the metro area chokes on car fumes is not the solution. It’s a return to the late 1940s when the bright, shiny automobile was the only future anyone could see and roads and highways meant growth and progress.

It’s 2015. Time for a rethink.

RIDING THE RAILS

Streetcar rolls out to residents, tourists and curiosity seekers

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

An estimated 51,000 people have taken a ride on the Atlanta Streetcar during its opening month, according to transit officials.

With ridership free through March, residents, tourists and curiosity seekers have been climbing aboard to test it out. Weekends have been especially busy for the system and so was the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Even media mogul Ted Turner was spotted taking a ride.

The $98 million streetcar project has garnered nationwide press coverage, including a big New York Times feature, Forbes magazine, and Atlanta magazine’s Rebecca Burns chronicled her weeklong test on getting from her loft in Cabbagetown to her office in Downtown. There’s already been a dining adventure, with foodies jumping on and off the streetcar to sample restaurants along the 2.7-mile loop.

Expanding the line is already on the drawing board. Connecting it to the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside and Westside Trails has been discussed, which would also link it to more MARTA stations.

Of course, expansion costs money and Mayor Kasim Reed is encouraging lawmakers to allocate more funding for mass transit like the streetcar during the ongoing Georgia Legislative session.

For a map of the streetcar stops, visit streetcar.atlantaga. gov and keep up with events and news at facebook.com/ AtlantaStreetcar.

A streetcar pulls away from the Edgewood station

Isadora Pennington

At left, the streetcar was unveiled under the Edgewood bridge on December 30, 2014 Below, left, a map outlines the 2 7 mile route

Center, top, Mayor Kasim Reed and City Councilman Kwanzaa Hall attended the opening day festivities and praised the community for their support of the streetcar

Below, center, L-R, Tim Frederick with daughter Meghan, wife Jen and son Finn take the streetcar for an urban adventure around Downtown At bottom left, the sheltered stops are outfitted with new signs

Below, right, locals utilized the streetcar and went on a bar crawl following the route L-R, Emily Frantz, Malik Webb, Scott Morris, Joshua Zills, James McConnell and Annie Skinner

Bottom, right, a view of the streetcar as it passes Woodruff Park as seen from the Equitable Building

Photos by Isadora Pennington

Photo by J Winter

Photo by Joe Dreher

What’s on your bucket list?

Rhine River Hiking Alaska

BOND REFERENDUM

Spanish Bullfight

Public meetings continue ahead of infrastructure bond referendum

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

Atlanta voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, March 17, for a special election to vote on a $252 million infrastructure bond referendum. In the meantime, another series of community meetings are being held around the city to garner public opinion on the project list.

City Councilmember Alex Wan said the project list for the referendum is still under consideration, and encouraged residents to attend the meetings. Wan and his fellow Atlanta City Council members voted on Jan. 5 to call for the referendum and fast-tracked the legislation to Mayor Kasim Reed for his signature.

The city faces an infrastructure backlog of more than $900 million to repair or improve roads, bridges, sidewalks and upgrade critical public buildings and facilities.

Voters will see separate items on the ballot, one calling for $187,945,000 in bonds for construction, reconstruction, renovation and repairs, and the other calling for $64,055,000 to upgrade

facilities to meet the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The city council also voted to create a public infrastructure maintenance and improvement account to help with the backlog with appropriating 3.5 percent of the city’s general fund budget at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Here’s the calendar for the public meetings, which will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Feb. 3: Atlanta Speech School, 3160 Northside Parkway, NW

• Feb. 5: Georgia Hill Facility, 250 Georgia Avenue, SE

• Feb. 12: Ben Hill Recreation Center, 2405 Fairburn Road, SW

• Feb. 17: Piedmont Hospital

- Shepherd Center Callaway Auditorium, 7th Floor, 2020 Piedmont Road, NW

• Feb. 19: Drew Charter School, 301 East Lake Boulevard, SE

• Feb. 24: John C. Birdine Recreation Center, 215 Lakewood Way, SW

• Feb. 26: Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave., SW

For a complete list of meetings and more information on the infrastructure bond, visit atlantaga.gov. You can also see a map of proposed projects and their locations at infrastructuremap.org.

Special

The city has created an interactive map showing potential locations where money from the infrastructure bond might be spent

City Councilmember Alex Wan

Living Heart Healthy

GROUP EXERCISE

Tai Chi, Zumba classes offered in Midtown

By Martha Nodar

Tai Chi and Zumba are two different types of group exercise offered around Atlanta including Midtown. While Zumba is a highimpact, dance-type of cardiovascular fitness routine rooted in Latin rhythms, Tai Chi is a lowimpact, martial arts, Easternbased approach emphasizing physical balance and flexibility.

Mali Harrell, Katie Britt, and Janet Ackerman are three local instructors who bring their craft to Midtown.

Harrell is certified in Tai Chi and leads a Wu Style Tai Chi group class at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center on Monday evenings. This class focuses on a traditional small frame style with gentle movements, which Harrell said makes it easier on those who may not have a history of exercising.

“Tai Chi allows you to rotate and strengthen joints and small muscles in a non aggressive manner,” Harrell said.

Valerie Boss, Harrell’s assistant in this class, said, “the tempo of Tai Chi is generally slow.” Boss has taken Zumba and compared it with Tai Chi.

“Whereas the energy in Zumba is triggered by an external element – the music, the energy in Tai Chi comes from within,” she said. “The main concept in Tai Chi is to find inner calmness and stillness.”

Judy Young is one of Harrell’s students at Callanwolde.

“Mali adds a personal touch to her teaching style,” she said. “I like doing Tai Chi because of its health benefits and the gracefulness of the form. It is almost like dancing.”

For those who may prefer a faster tempo, Zumba may be the answer.

Britt is certified in Zumba and offers

free Zumba classes to the general public at the Intown Community Church near Toco Hills Shopping Center where she is a member. Her group meets on Saturday mornings and walk-ins are always welcome.

“This is my ministry,” Britt said. “I started this class about two years ago when I heard from many people, mostly women who wanted to work out but didn’t want to go to a gym.”

Emory University student Noreen Alabi said she learned about Britt’s class from word-of-mouth. “It’s a workout but doesn’t feel like one,” she said. “It’s fun.”

“I like Zumba because I love to dance,” said Juliana Lin, another participant in Britt’s class.

Ackerman, who is also certified in Zumba, offers Zumba classes at the Morningside Recreation Center in the Morningside School on Thursday evenings. Lindsey Sones and Wendy Barner are some of Ackerman’s students at Morningside.

“Janet caters to every fitness level and makes her students feel comfortable,” Barner said.

“Janet’s classes are a blast!” Sones said. “Love the facility at Morningside—clean, safe neighborhood.”

For more information about Tai Chi classes, visit callanwolde.org. For Zumba classes with Ackerman visit ZumbaAtlanta.com. For Zumba with Britt visit kbritt.zumba.com.

Martha Nodar

Katie Britt leads a Zumba class at Intown Community Church

Photo by Martha Nodar

Mali Harrell teaches Tai Chi at Callanwolde

Living Heart Healthy

TIPS FOR EATING HEART HEALTHY

Eating healthy is a main factor in hearth health, according to the American Heart Association, along with physical activity.

Adding fiber-rich, low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains are the key, as well as reducing sodium and fat intake.

Here are some tips:

Slow down on the sodium: Americans eat more than double the daily amount of sodium recommended by the American Heart Association. Too much sodium increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and other health problems, but this excess isn’t just from salting at the table. Americans get most of their sodium – 77 percent – from processed foods. If you choose these foods, compare the labels and look for lower-sodium versions.

Pile on the fruits and vegetables: Choose all kinds of fruits and vegetables – fresh, frozen, canned, juiced and dried. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Look for fruits and vegetables of many different colors. Then try a “healthy sauté” using a small amount of liquid to cook vegetables. Need a quick, healthy weeknight dinner? Try a salad.

Get the skinny on fats: Learn how to substitute good fats (mono and polyunsaturated fats) for bad fats (saturated and trans fats). For example, try canola oil or olive oil instead of butter. Choose lean meats, poultry without skin and fish instead of fattier cuts of meats. Enjoy heart-healthy fats in moderation and remember this tip: 1 teaspoon equals 1 serving.

Snack well: A few suggestions include apples, celery sticks, unsalted sunflower seeds, whole-grain breads or toast, bagels, low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit, fat-free milk, unsweetened juices,

Cook at home: Cooking at home is not only a great way to make sure the ingredients are healthy, but portions are correct. Try using a smaller salad-size plate instead of a big dinner plate, as well.

Enjoy meals together: When everyone sits down together to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too much.

Get kids involved in cooking and planning meals: Everyone develops good eating habits together and the quality time with the family will be an added bonus.

For more tips, recipes and information on eating heart healthy, visit heart. org.

Heart healthy meals delivered

If you don’t have time or are unable to shop and prepare your own healthy meals, Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine has the solution. Established in 2003, Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine provides meals for those wanting to lose weight, manage a chronic health condition such as heart disease or diabetes, or just simply maintain a healthier lifestyle. The meals are prepared in the only USDA inspected kitchen in the Atlanta area by a team of culinary professionals and delivered to 80-plus pick up locations throughout the metro area. Delivery as well as FedEx shipping are also available.

Meal creation starts with three highly trained and certified chefs who research food trends, popular recipes, and seasonal ingredients to create fresh, healthy meals. The onstaff registered dietitian then nutritionally balances the meals ensuring adherence to caloric and nutrition targets.

Fresh ‘n Fit offers four different menus: healthy mix, vegetarian, as well as the only low carb and gluten free meal plans. The healthy mix meal plan is low in sodium, low cholesterol, low fat and meets the healthy eating guidelines of the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.

For more details, visit freshnfitcuisine.com.

Living Heart Healthy PATH TO FITNESS BeltLine offers

The Atlanta BeltLine trails have become a popular place to run, jog, bike and get in shape, but did you know that there are organized fitness classes along the open segments and parks?

There are 22 types of classes available and they are all free to participate in for all ages and fitness levels. Aerobics, bike riding lessons for kids and adults, group runs, yoga, walking tours and street soccer are just some of the classes on offer. New classes for 2015 include Pilates, adult swimming and self-defense.

The classes are offered at multiple times throughout the week to help match most schedules.

Many classes are offered in the parks connected to the BeltLine including Boulevard Crossing Park, D.H. Stanton Park, Gordon White Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park, Piedmont Park, Tanyard Creek Park and Washington Park natatorium.

The Atlanta BeltLine Running Series has announced the dates and starting points for its four big events in 2015. Each race can be entered individually or $120 for all four.

• April 25: Northside 5K at Tanyard Creek Park

• June 27: Southwest 5K at Gordon White Park

• Sept. 26: Southeast 8K at Boulevard Crossing Park

• Dec. 5: Eastside 10K at Stoveworks

For more information and to download guides for all of the BeltLine’s fitness classes and the running series, visit BeltLine.org and click Health & Fitness under the Programs tab.

on the

Brookwood

Courtsey Atlanta BeltLIne

A fitness class at Historic Fourth Ward Park

Living Heart Healthy

Atlanta Community Food Bank receives $1 million grant

The James M. Cox Foundation has given a $1,090,000 grant to the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) to establish and incubate Food Well Alliance. The new organization will expand access to locally-grown food and connect stakeholders with common goals to build healthier, sustainable communities.

“The Atlanta Community Food Bank has a reputation for building successful partnerships to address complex problems,” said Jamie Kennedy, trustee of the Cox Foundation and great-grandson of company founder James M. Cox. “This grant establishes Food Well Alliance in partnership with Atlanta Community Food Bank and provides the resources and leadership needed to bolster the local food movement and community gardening in Atlanta.”

The ACFB has developed longstanding relationships with local food growers through its Community Gardens program and its Plant a Row for the Hungry Campaign, an initiative that involves converting abandoned, vacant lots to gardens and distributing harvested produce to ACFB partner agencies. Food Well Alliance will build upon these relationships and programs by promoting education, fostering collaboration and

innovation and providing grant funding for local food initiatives.

Two initial grant opportunities, a Community and Education Garden Grant and a Local Food Grant, are being offered for projects that enhance food security, promote physical activity, improve access to locally-grown food and conserve the local landscape. Information about the grants and downloadable applications can be found at foodwellalliance.org. Applications are due in February.

“This is a very exciting development for the food bank, as well as the Atlanta area,” said Bill Bolling, executive director of the ACFB. “It builds on our community partnerships and provides a place for those working within the local food movement to collaborate and share best practices, and offers a way for those who are interested in this movement to easily get involved.”

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On the cutting edge of, “Grandpa’s here!”

Health & Wellness Briefs

Walkers and runners were recognized last month for achieving Team Decatur Grand Slam Fitness Champion status at the annual Run With the Dogs 5k (pictured right). To become a GSFC they participated in three of the qualifying races held in Decatur as well as the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run Walk held in Atlanta last September. To find out how you can become a Grand Slam Champion in 2015, visit decaturga. com/teamdecatur.

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) will host a Get Fit Open House and Launch Party at the Fitness Center located on the Zaban Park campus, 5342 Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody. The event will be held Feb. 1-7 during regular Fitness Center hours, from 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the open house, a new roster of specialty classes will be introduced. For more information about activities and classes, visit atlantajcc.org/specialtyclasses.

The Cedar Club of Atlanta Foundation, along with the Cedar Club of Atlanta, will host the 3rd annual Magic Carpet Ride Gala benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Feb. 15 at the Westin Buckhead on Peachtree. This black tie optional event will offer an entertaining program including live entertainment, dancing and both silent and live auctions. Local sportscaster Fred Kalil will be the master of ceremonies. For more information, visit cedarclubatl.com.

Cyc, the indoor cycling method which combines cardio and strength training, is now open at The Forum Athletic Club in Buckhead. The Cyc Method offers a beatbased 45-minute ride that activates the whole body, the whole time. Weights are incorporated into sectors inspired by more than 20 different sports moves such as boxing, volleyball and swimming. The Buckhead location will feature a 50-bike, 2,000 square-foot studio inside TFAC within Lenox Square. For more information, visit cycfitness.com.

UnitedHealthcare donated 250 laptop computers to community organizations in Georgia last month, including the Latin American Association, Action Ministries, Antioch Urban Ministries, The Luke Project and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlanta. The donated computers help people gain access to health information, assistance programs and other online resources.

2015 marks 50 years for Meals On Wheels Atlanta providing critical services to local seniors and a major meal delivery milestone – 3.4 million meals delivered. Founded in 1965 as Senior Citizen Services, the meals program has grown from delivering 75 meals in its first year to delivering more than 130,000 meals annually. In addition, the organization runs seven senior centers, an adult day care center and completes more than 1,200 home repairs annually.

Metro Atlanta customers and associates contributed more than $316,000 in just six weeks to Kroger’s 2014 Can Hunger campaign and $95,000 to a second initiative benefitting the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is working to prevent cancer through generations of family members. Northside’s hereditary counseling helps determine cancer risks and options for you and your children. Working with Northside’s team gives people a chance to prevent cancer or find it early. Which can mean more family get-togethers as well as lots and lots more hugs. For help finding a cancer specialist, call 404-531-4444.

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Making A Difference

OUT OF THE MIST

Atlantan leading the charge for gorilla conservation

By Clare S. Richie

Dr. Tara Stoinski, recently named CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International headquartered at Zoo Atlanta, wants you to understand the plight of gorillas in the wild and support the fund’s conservation efforts in Africa.

That should be easy because we can relate to gorillas. “We see our behavior in them. They care for babies, fight, make up, have allies, and are political. They not only look like us, they reflect our behavior,” Stoinski said.

Her favorite gorilla at Zoo Atlanta is Taz because he is quirky, smart, and a good father to eight offspring, including twins Kazi and Kali sired with female gorilla Kuchi. Since 1995, Stoinksi has watched him grow up to become a leader of his group.

After two decades of extensive primatology research and field studies, Stoinksi is recognized as an expert on gorilla behavior with a particular passion for studying the male social dynamics of gorillas. While pursuing her doctorate in psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Zoo Atlanta was her lab, where she was exposed to diverse species in more natural living conditions. “My studies included one of the smallest primates – gold lion tamarins who were being reintroduced from zoos to the wild, to the biggest primate on the planet – gorillas,” she said.

After completing her studies, she split her time

between Zoo Atlanta’s director of primate research and the fund’s chief scientist. “A foot in each world,” she said. One that nurtures some of the 350 western gorillas in captivity and another that protects some of the 900 mountain gorillas left in the wild.

Stoinski has “grown up” at the fund and is uniquely qualified to lead it forward. “During my tenure, I’d like to see our 47-year, successful approach to conservation in Rwanda applied to other countries where gorilla populations are still declining.”

This approach includes activities that promote safe living conditions for gorillas, other wildlife in the habitat, and humans. For half of the gorillas in Rwanda, dedicated teams of African staff each follow a group to collect data (where the gorillas go, what they eat, who they interact with) and to provide protection. For example, if a gorilla gets caught in an antelope poacher’s snare, it could be fatal.

The working conditions are challenging, as the gorillas live on the slopes of volcanoes where the climate is cold and wet 10 months out of the year, but the staff are dedicated and extremely attached to the gorillas. Losing one is like losing a family member.

And efforts extend beyond gorillas. The staff also monitor population patterns in plants, mammals, amphibians, and birds in the habitat. In order to improve the local human condition, the fund partners with local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and universities on health and education activities. For

instance, the fund works with University of Rwanda students to increase the number of local scientists, many of whom take on leadership roles in the community, empowered to conserve their own natural resources.

According to Stoinski, when Dian Fossey first went to Rwanda, mountain gorillas were on a trajectory to extinction by the end of the century. Fossey (memorably portrayed by Sigourney Weaver in the film Gorillas in the Mist) showed the world that gorillas were not fierce and aggressive but rather “gentle giants that live in tight knit groups that take care of each other.” Her legacy is a reversal of this trend but there is still work to do as poachers and habitat loss continue to pose threats.

“We are still at a critical conservation moment for much of the world’s charismatic, large species like gorillas, elephants, rhinos,” Stoinski emphasized.

She encourages you to learn more about gorillas and join the fund’s efforts to keep them in our natural world. For more information, visit gorillafund.org.

Special

Stoinksi and Director of the Karisoke Research Center Felix Ndagijimana talk to a group of trackers in Musanze, Rwanda

Dr Tara Stoinski

VALENTINE’S DAY IDEAS

Yelp has a few romantic recommendations for the holiday

By Benjamin Getz Yelp Atlanta Community Manager

While a heart-emblazoned card or cheap candy-toting stuffed animal might say, “Hey, I was thinking about you,” in adequate fashion, why not pull out all the stops with some local, Atlanta flare for this Valentine’s Day?

Your loving pals at Yelp have put together a few romantic sure-fires to make your loved ones “ooh” and “ahh” at your V-Day prowess.

Cacao

If you’re looking for the perfect collection of truffles and macarons to pair with the dozen roses you just picked up, and also want to sip on one of the most delectable milkshakes you’ve ever had in your life, this is the spot. 1046 N. Highland Ave., Virginia-Highland.

Maison Robert Fine Chocolates

Nothing says “Happy Valentines Day and stuff” like a big box of chocolates. This family-run spot holds down the French chocolate scene just north of Buckhead and keeps the sugar flowing with cookies, cakes, and pastries made in-house. 5256 Peachtree Road.

The Art of Touch

Score a relaxing spa day for your lover or join him/her for a couple’s massage at this fancy Midtown spot. 855 Peachtree St., Suite 2B.

Simplyput

Looking for the right card to pair with that stuffed bear-holding-a-boxof-chocolates? This Westside Provisions shop just became your go-to for all things hilarious with the right amount of personalization… and love, of course. 1170 Howell Mill Road, Suite 104.

Paper Plane

If you’re in need of a secluded spot to gaze into your loved one’s eyes while sipping an artfully crafted cocktail, head to this cozy Decatur restaurant. Be sure to check out the dessert menu, too. 340 Church St.

The Luminary

Oysters, French cuisine, romantic atmosphere and a killer cocktail program. This new favorite at Krog Street Market is a home run for anyone planning for St. Valentines Day. Make your reservations now. 99 Krog St., Inman Park.

Follow Ben Getz’s reviews at benjamingetz.yelp.com and all the Yelp adventures on Instagram and Twitter @ YelpAtlanta.

Simplyput

MODA

Chattahoochee Ave NW 705 Town Blvd, Suite 360 Open Monday-Saturday 404-477-3744

Cacao

Paper Plane

Maison Robert Chocolates

The Luminary

Education Briefs

Mary Tipton Woolley, Associate Director of Admissions for Georgia Tech, and Jacqueline Jones Royster, Dean of Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, personally delivered 19 early action acceptances to Atlanta International School (AIS) seniors last month. Georgia Tech received 12,000 applications for early action, with an acceptance rate of approximately 45 percent; AIS students were accepted for early action admission at a 70 percent rate.

The Goizueta Foundation has awarded a $1.25 million grant to The Westminster Schools to implement a comprehensive STEAM initiative in its Middle School. Programs and curriculum incorporating STEAM – an approach to learning that integrates the traditionally isolated disciplines of science, technology, engineering, arts and math – are becoming increasingly common in schools across the country. Over the next three years, funding from this grant will specifically support construction of a new 3,400-square-foot innovation space in Clarkson Hall.

Rob Clewley, science and computer science teacher at Ben Franklin Academy, was recently invited by the International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility to speak at a workshop in Paris on the topic of "automatic code generation in neural modeling." This field of mathematical modeling is used to represent biological circuits in the brain and to better understand their function through biophysical principles.

Pre-K students from the Primrose School of Midtown delivered a donation of over 1,300 non-perishable food items and $1,700 to The Atlanta Community Food Bank to help provide a warm holiday meal to local families in need. Thanks to a generous, anonymous Primrose family the school was able to donate $1,700 to help with the food bank’s holiday efforts.

Pace Academy faculty and staff visited the Center for Civil and Human Rights on Dec 15 The visit marked the launch of a partnership between the school and the Center

Pace Academy has joined forces with the Center for Civil and Human Rights, marking The Center’s first affiliate partnership. The multi-year agreement will create a collaborative environment between The Center and Pace Academy’s faculty, staff and students, providing opportunities in the areas of education, special programming, customized experiences and professional development.

First row, from left: Victor Petitgenet, Alex Choi, Dylan Roberto, Samuel Mohr Second row: Theo Viala, August Gebhard-Koenigstein, Wesley Howell, Shayann Hendricks, Alicia Martinez, Mary Tipton Woolley, Georgia Tech Admissions Third row: Jacqueline Jones Royster, Dean of Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Alexander John, Guillaume Noziere, Beau Mitchell, Andre Beroukhim, Matias Ferandel, Nicholas Rath Not pictured: Isabella Silva, Neira Selimovic, Mayke Vercruyssen, Hayden Bartsch

Neighborhood Hot List: East Atlanta

The new BrotherMoto space is set to open in March next door to the 13 Roses Tattoo parlor Co-owners Bobby Russell and Jared Erickson (along with business partner Brandon Turner, not pictured) stand in the not-yet-completed space Stop by on Feb 21for their launch party The space will include rental spaces for repair work and an espresso bar

1. Hottest Neighborhood Designation

Talk about synchronicity! National real estate brokerage firm Redfin has released its 2015 predictions for the Top 10 Hottest Neighborhoods in the country and East Atlanta sits at number three.

2. The Earl

Still one of Atlanta’s favorite places for alternative bands and good pub grub, the Earl also offers a popular midday meal on Sunday afternoons called Dunch.

3. Brother Moto

For motorcycle enthusiasts and the “moto-curious,” this new shop will get your motor running.

4. Mary’s

Kareoke, cocktails and Boys Room Video Friday – a night of the latest music videos from divas past and present – make this LGBT spot one to visit.

5. {Sacred} Sweat Yoga

A hot vinyasa yoga studio dedicated to the perfect balance of sweaty and soulful. Offering classes from beginner through advanced.

6. Bound to Be Read Books

Support your local indie bookstores by shopping this tidy shop offering new and used titles. Be sure to say hello to Kona the bookstore cat.

7.

Argosy

Come sail away in this beautiful bar styled to look like a merchant ship and enjoy a craft beer or cocktail with pizza straight out of their woodfire oven.

8. Brunch at Midway

A fully staffed bar, big sunny patio and pitchers of mimosas make this spot a sure bet for weekend brunches.

9. Urban Cannibals

This little hole-in-the-wall grocer boasts a wide variety of local products and delectable sandwiches.

10.

Kaboodle

Locally owned furniture and home accessories fill this sunny space on Flat Shoals.

At left, server Soraya Farivar and bartender James Weber tend to customers during the weekly Dunch service - the meal between lunch and dinner - at the Earl At right in foreground, customers Ian Sheridan and Josh Clayton catch up over a an afternoon meal

Photos by Isadora Pennington

The Midway pub has a bustling weekend brunch service, complete with breakfast cocktails, sports on the televisions and a big sunny patio At left, GM Dan Yule poses with a stout beer At right, customers Matthew David Oiler, Jake Jo, Les Miranda and Fili Hurtado show off their midday drinks

Urban Cannibals is a 5 year old sandwich shop and market located across from the Earl on Flat Shoals At left, Calavino Donati co-owns the space with her wife Doria Roberts (not pictured) works behind the line with employees Drew Moody and Dante Edwards At right, customers Tiffany Soucy and Christopher Brown catch up over lunch The space boasts a wide variety of locally sourced products and goods, curated by Doria

Argosy is a gastropub in East Atlanta Village built to resemble the inside of a ship, complete with mermaid statues and fishing cages At left, Emilia Leroy and Kasey Price enjoy drinks at the bar

Public Safety Briefs

Joel Baker has been named the Atlanta’s interim fire chief after the controversial dismissal of Kelvin Cochran. The termination came in January after a month-long suspension for anti-gay sentiments expressed in a book. Cochran self-published the religious-themed book in 2013 called Who Told You That You Were Naked? where he called homosexuality a “sexual perversion” and compared it to bestiality and pederasty. Reed said he would not tolerate discrimination of any kind in his administration and described what he had read in Cochran’s book as “disturbing sentiments about the LGBT community.” Cochran has filed a federal discrimination complaint contending he faced religious discrimination.

The Atlanta Police Department has named Officer C.J. Murphy as the newest LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) liaison to serve the citizens of Atlanta. Officer Murphy will join Officer Eric King as one of two LGBT liaisons for the department. She replaces Senior Police Officer Brian Sharp, who is moving on to serve in Zone 5. “I’m looking forward to this new opportunity to serve the LGBT community in the City of Atlanta as well as within APD,” said Officer Murphy. “It is important that our department reflect the demographics of our city, so as a member of the gay community, I take pride in continuing the strong legacy of cooperation between LGBT citizens and the APD.”

The Atlanta Police Department is dismantling the DUI task force and reassigning the officers. Atlanta police said they are not shutting down the DUI Task Force because of budgetary reasons, but they could be making the change because of a decrease in DUI’s lately. Figures show that DUI arrests were down last year to 602, their lowest number in three years.

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has provided a $67,000 grant to nonprofit Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety. PEDS will use the funds to increase compliance with speed limits and crosswalk laws; increase awareness of policies and practices that promote pedestrian safety; promote increased installation of sidewalks and safe crossings; provide technical assistance to government agencies, nonprofit organizations and others to identify pedestrian needs and solutions; and partner with state and regional transportation partners to implement pedestrian safety strategies

CARPET RUGS STONE CERAMIC WOOD

Officer C J Murphy

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Chunky Monkey is a loving dog, who attaches rather quickly to the people she trusts. She is quite shy in her kennel, but if you can sweet talk her out of it and bring her outside, she becomes a whole new dog. We think she'd be a wonderful, loyal companion. She would do better in a home without young children, as she's not really a rough and tumble gal. She prefers the quiet life, snuggled up next to you. To adopt Chunky Monkey or any of the other available dogs and cats searching for a home, visit pawsatlanta.org or stop by the shelter at 5287 Covington Highway in Decatur.

Pet Briefs

bhv 20, the city’s first boutique hotel for dogs, is the latest offering from Barking Hound Village. Discerning dogs can enjoy from a full "room service" menu, state-ofthe-art dog park and 20 luxurious suites. Located in the heart of Buckhead at 20 Pharr Road, the hotel is located next Buckhead Barking Hound doggie daycare facility.

Pets Are Loving Support (P.A.L.S.) monthly bingo night fundraisers continue March 11 at Jungle nightclub. Along with playing bingo, there’s food, a DJ and entertainment from some of Atlanta’s favorite drag queens, including longtime host Bubba D. Licious. For more information, visit palsatlanta.org.

The Neighborhood Hot List

Tell

January: Downtown

February: East Atlanta

March: Westside/W. Midtown

April: Inman Park

May: Candler Park

June: Buckhead

July: Ansley Park

August: Decatur

September: Midtown

October: Little Five Points

November: Morningside/Lenox Park

December: Virginia Highland

A LOOK BACK

This Month in History

Ann Taylor Boutwell

Feb. 5, 1932: The Women’s Interracial Committee of Atlanta met in Egleston Hall at North Avenue and West Peachtree Street. Atlanta University and Spelman College faculty gave presentations on African American achievements in art and poetry. Founded in 1921, the women’s committee evolved from the Atlanta-based Commission on Interracial Cooperation founded in 1919. It opposed lynching, mob violence, peonage, and focused on educating white southerners on the worst aspects of racial abuse. In 1944, the interracial committees merged with the Southern Regional Council, created by black and white, male and female leaders.

Feb. 12, 1946: Atlanta native Helen Douglas Mankin, a 49-year-old attorney and graduate of Washington Seminary, won a special election, becoming the first woman from Georgia elected to Congress. Mankin defeated 17 male opponents winning the Fifth District seat in the House of Representative by a narrow margin – a margin accounted for by the African American vote. It was the first time African Americans in the 20th century had exercised influence on the balance of power in a Georgia election. In 2007, her name was honored as a Georgia Woman of Achievement.

Feb. 16, 1881: The West Point train from Mobile pulled into the carshed at Atlanta’s Union Depot. Aboard, ensconced in a private curtained car, was the legendary French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923). While the troupe had nearby hotel

accommodations, the 37-year-old celebrity remained in her car parked alongside the carshed. Later, a carriage took her to DeGive’s Opera on Marietta Street where she portrayed the role of Marguerite Gautier in Alexandre Dumas’ La Dame Aux Camelias (The Lady of the Camellias).

Feb. 19, 1980: At the old Lakewood Fairgrounds in southeast Atlanta, the 64-yearold “Greyhound” roller coaster was demolished for a sequence in the film, “Smoky and the Bandit II.” The 2,950 foot roller coaster stood 60 feet high and contained over 2000,000 feet of oak and pine. “Greyhound” made its first run at Lakewood in 1915 and closed in 1974.

Feb. 23, 1965: Jack Googer becomes the first African American to eat peacefully in Lester Maddox’s former Pickrick Restaurant (now the Gateway Cafeteria) Two weeks earlier, Maddox had closed the Pickrick when the Federal court ruled that he would be fined $200 a day under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if he continued to turn blacks away.

Feb. 27, 1883: Born in Albany, Ga., Dr. Georgia Rooks Dwelle was the daughter of Eliza Dickerson and Rev. George Henry Dwelle, former slaves. In 1904, when Dwelle earned a liberal arts degree from Atlanta’s Spelman College, she became the school’s first graduate to enter medical school at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. Dwelle returned to her home state and received the highest score on the Georgia State Medical Board examination that year. She became one of only three African American women physicians in Georgia at that time, and practiced in Augusta for two years before moving back to Atlanta in 1906 to set up an obstetrical and pediatrics practice.

Dr Georgia Rooks Dwelle

By Tim Sullivan

Socializing with toddlers? Fuhgeddaboudit!

If you’ve ever had a kid or two in diapers you probably blocked most of this out, but I’m going to jog your memory a bit here. Our days started in the dark –an hour so infinitely late it was early, because sleeping in a chair next to a crib only works for so long no matter how tired you are. That was the hour that occasionally afforded us the luxury of taking a shower, uninterrupted other than realizing we were still wearing socks. We’d prepare the bottles for the day – so, so many pieces. Excessive coffee intake elevated us to the status of a jittery sleepwalker. Good times.

Like a modern day Marlboro Man we’d carry a Wet Ones travel-pack in our shirt pocket. So when we accidentally sat in applesauce we’d think, “Oh good, it’s only applesauce. I’ve got Wet Ones.” Otherwise we used our sleeves for unmentionable tasks and promptly stuffed those memories way deep down inside the little birdhouses in our souls. Days were laundry lists of tedious obligations (including a lot of actual laundry) and the finish line was the sight of your beautiful, sleeping offspring. That was it.

For about 22 seconds a day, we wondered what our friends were up to. We ventured to think of a plausible reason that might actually get us out to socialize in the not to distant future. Then to snap us out of fantasyland a 2-year-old with a decent throwing arm would nail us in the side of the head with a Bob the Builder DVD. The reality was we no longer had a social life unless we counted Saturday morning music class for toddlers. And really that would be more pathetic than just admitting we have no social life anymore.

It’s natural for friends to give ample space to their

newly parental counterparts, but I think most overshoot the buffer zone. I get the Buzzfeed updates in my Facebook page (because I‘m super hip), and I take issue with the recurring theme of “annoying friends with kids” accompanied by a picture of a young woman and an, “Oh. Ma. Gawww….” expression. We know we suck

but we cannot help it. The best song we heard today was the theme from Super Why. Some slack must be cut Buzzfeed, it must be! And friends need to still be friends, whether they share the bliss of parenthood or not.

All things considered, I was pretty lucky. In addition to having family nearby, I had Mike Benzie down the street. He’d stop by our house a couple nights a week to say hello. We were essentially housebound, but Mike would show up to share a pizza or watch a game or just play with the kids. When Elliott was 3 and Mike was 38, they each confirmed that the other was one of their best friends. And that was awesome.

I’d estimate that Mike accounted for roughly 64 percent of our social life from 2010-2012. It was a lifeline to the outside world, one we could theoretically rejoin someday so it was worth keeping tabs on. Now that Mike and his wife Elissa have two kids under the age of 2, it kills me that I cannot return the awesome. We moved five miles away and while we’re out of diapers and cribs and sleeping in chairs, the 5- and 7-year-old set come with a list of demands all their own.

But maybe you can help. Assess thyself—can you be like Mike? Do you have a friend with a young child or two? Do you have clothing that can be spit up on? Maybe you don’t have children of your own but you adore them in limited time frames. There are some young families that need adopting and you must go to them. For the deprived, it is like droplets of social gold.

Tim Sullivan grew up in a large family in the Northeast and now lives with his small family in Oakhurst. He can be reached at tim@sullivanfinerugs.com.

– Pam Cole, Owner

Special Mike and Elissa Benzie with their children Olivia and Jack

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AT CLOSE RANGE

Stoddard’s opens state-of-the-art gun range, store in West Midtown

Man Who Shot

Liberty Valance –in Douglasville in 2009. There was some early resistance from the Home Park neighborhood as well as concerns from the city about the new location in such an urban setting, but Halbreich said they “overcame the challenges and got it done.”

By Collin Kelley and Annie Kinnett Nichols

At first glance, you might mistake the reclaimed plumbing supply warehouse for West Midtown’s latest trendy restaurant. There’s an outdoor lounge area with a fantastic view of the skyline, big screen television and food trucks at lunchtime offering up tasty meals. Inside, there’s an array of sleek, colorful clothing and accessories for sale and a helpful young staff, who also happen to be packing heat. As in guns. This is Stoddard’s Range and Guns, and it’s unlike any gun store or shooting range you’ve ever seen. The airy, bright space feels like a boutique, except the main product line is an extensive array of handguns and rifles. Famed gunsmith Berretta even has its own branded store – one of only five in

the country – with a range of clothing, bags, handguns and custom-made, limited edition rifles that cost $30,000.

One thing’s for sure – this ain’t your granddaddy’s shooting range.

Owners Ken Baye and Michael Halbreich – who are both attorneys –said they wanted to open a store and shooting range that was welcoming to novices as well as experts. Halbreich said many ranges are unwelcoming to women and those who are newbies when it comes to gun education.

“When I first went to a shooting range, I was treated like an idiot,” Halbreich recalled. “All the ranges I went to were old and dirty. We wanted Stoddard’s to be welcoming and friendly.”

The duo opened the first Stoddard’s – named after Jimmy Stewart’s character in the classic western The

At the back of the shop is a “gun bar,” where disabled pistols are on display and handling them is encouraged. It’s almost like a cellphone shop, where you can play with the gadgets and features before you buy. Baye said customers can pick up the guns, see how much they weigh, if the grip is comfortable and have questions answered by the knowledgeable staff.

If you decide to buy a gun, you can have a seat at the comfortable laptop station and fill out all the necessary paperwork for a background check.

What you don’t really notice is the sound of gunfire – the kind that makes you jump whenever someone pulls a trigger – or the accompanying smell of lead that fills the air at most gun ranges. Air filters constantly circulate taking away that tinny smell and taste, while state-of-the-art sound dampening makes sure shoppers and neighbors aren’t being startled by gunfire.

On the range itself, safety is the first priority. Headphones and protective eyewear are required to use one of the 24 lanes in three indoor range rooms. Bullets are captured in a rubber wall trap to be recycled along with spent casings, while adhesive mats remove

the lead from your shoes when you exit. Each lane has a touchscreen computer to run various simulations with the moving targets. Last month, Stoddard’s installed the Atlanta Police Department’s training program and officers will be coming in regularly to practice and for cadets to get their certification.

An Olympian is also practicing at the range, and Baye said parents are bringing in their children who are interested in competitive shooting as well.

Head instructor Jack Clemmons said Stoddard’s offers training classes and private instruction as well as firearm cleaning and service.

In the works is the Titantium Room, a special area for members who get perks like special range times, private lessons, invites to parties and events and much more.

Stoddard’s is located at 485 Bishop St., next door to Atlantic Station in West Midtown. For more information about, visit stoddardsguns.com.

Customers on the gun range.

Collin Kelley

Customers can safely hold various handguns on display at Stoddards. Limited edition, custom made Berretta rifles on display in the Beretta store.

Owners Michael Halbreich and Ken Baye.

Google will bring high-speed internet to metro Atlanta

Google Fiber is officially coming to Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, College Park, Decatur, East Point, Hapeville, Sandy Springs and Smyrna.

The cities will work closely with Google on the next steps to build a brand new fiber-optic network capable of delivering gigabit speeds throughout the service areas. This process will take several months.

Today’s average American broadband

Business & Retail Briefs

Computer hardware, software and electronics company NCR Corp . will move its headquarters to Midtown. The new Midtown campus will occupy a 4-acre site at 8th and Springs streets at Centergy North, right next door to Georgia Tech’s Technology Square. The site plan calls for a mix of an 8 to 10 story building with up to 1.5 million square feet of office, hotel and possible retail space. The new headquarters could be ready by 2017 or early 2018. The move from near Duluth in Gwinnett County is expected to bring 3,500 to 4,000 jobs into the city.

As Buckhead Atlanta continues to open new stores and restaurants, OliverMcMillan has announced five additional retailers will be opening soon. Billy Reid , luxury clothing for men and women; Davidoff of Geneva , premium cigars; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, top-of-the-line fixtures; Les Copains , French-inspired, Italian-made luxury apparel; and Vilebrequin , chic swimswear. The stores will be opening in spring and summer.

Philips Arena has been recognized as one of the top venues in the world for live entertainment yet again. Hosting 64 events and 608,084 guests this past year, Philips Arena earned a spot among the world’s top 10 venues worldwide based on ticket sales. Leading entertainment industry publication, Pollstar Magazine, ranked Philips Arena No. 10 in the world and No. 4 in the United States in its 2014 Year End ranking.

Sorelle boutique (sorelleatlanta.com) has opened in Virginia-Highland at 1393 N. Highland Ave. The shop sells women’s clothing and accessories from designers like Sanctuary, Bailey 44, Joie, Greylin, Gypsy 05, Ella Moss, Tart, Splendid, Amanda Uprichard, DL 1961, James Jeans and more.

Phipps Plaza in Buckhead is about to get a serious exterior facelift. Work on the new facade is scheduled to be complete in the fall and feature intricately designed metal panels and a backlit glass curtain wall. The new look comes on the heels of a big interior makeover last year including upgraded LED lighting, a complete repainting, new wood accents, lounge areas with Wi-Fi connectivity and chargers, upgraded restrooms, and the installation of a hotel-like concierge center. Also in the works by Simon is an adjacent residential project called Domain at Phipps, a 319-unit mid-rise from Columbus Realty Partners, Ltd. and a joint venture with Noble Investment Group, which will bring the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Phipps Plaza.

Internet-based men’s clothing store Bonobos (bonobos.com) has opened a brick and mortar store at Buckhead Atlanta, 3035 Peachtree Road. Bonobos Guideshop is a 1,150 square-foot space for those who want to see and try on the clothing in-person before placing an order on the website. Experts trained in fit and style guide customers through the merchandise including tailored suits, dress shirts, blazers, casual shirts, denim and chinos.

Jamestown Properties has revealed the names of 13 retailers who will be moving into Ponce City Market , the gargantuan mixed-use redevelopment of the former Sears & Roebuck (and later City Hall East) building in the Old Fourth Ward. The retailers that will be opening later this year include The Frye Company , leather accessories; Oakleaf & Acorn , men’s apparel and accessories; The Jean Machine , custom denim; Williams-Sonoma Home , cooking and home; Madewell , women’s apparel; West Elm , furnishing and décor; Anthropologie , women’s fashion and gifts; Mountain High Outfitters , active wear; Rejuvenation , lighting and home décor; Goorin Bros. Hat Shop , styles for men and women; J. Crew, apparel; Michael Stars, custom-fit t-shirts; Lou Lou Accessories, jewelry and handbags.

speed is 11.5 Megabits per second. In contrast, Google Fiber will bring Atlanta residents access to “gigabit” internet connections up to 1,000 Megabits per second. The service will cost about $70 a month for Internet alone and about $130 a month for Internet and television, Google Fiber marketing director Scott Levitan said. A slower version will be offered for a $300 connection fee with no monthly charges or $25 a month for a

year, Levitan said.

“Google Fiber is the infrastructure for the next generation of innovation in Atlanta,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “High-speed internet access is essential to participate in the 21st century economy. In addition to supporting our thriving tech and startup communities, Google Fiber will bring greater economic opportunities to every quadrant of the city.”

The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) has moved its offices from the Olympia Building (which is being transformed into a Walgreen’s) to 34 Peachtree St. in Downtown. ADID’s new headquarters occupy 8,200 square feet of space on the first floor and lobby level of 34 Peachtree, just one block north of Five Points. “Being near Five Points puts us at the center of Downtown and gives us optimum access to our entire 220-block service area,” said Dave Wardell, ADID Vice President of Operations and Public Safety.

Special Ribbon cutting for the Downtown Improvement District’s new headquarters.

THE BELTLINE’S EXCELLENT YEAR

Highlights from 2014 and a look ahead to the future

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

From the east to the west, the Atlanta BeltLine made big strides forward in 2014. Many of those projects will begin to take shape later this year, including the Westside Trail.

While the battle over the BeltLine’s repayment of deferred taxes to the Atlanta Public School System (now at $13.5 million) continues to be negotiated by Mayor Kasim Reed and School Board Chairman Courtney English, the popularity of the BeltLine continues to grow. Businesses want to be near it and the uptick in the number of apartments and homes along the trails continues to explode.

Here are a few highlights from last

year’s progress on the 22-mile loop of trails, parks and future transit.

• Eastside Trail Gateway: The path connecting the Eastside Trail to Historic Fourth Ward Park just behind The Masquerade opened to the public in August.

• Westside Trail Groundbreaking: Ground was broken in November for the 3-mile, $43 million multiuse corridor, which will run from University Avenue in Adair Park north to Lena Avenue at Washington Park. The 14-foot wide trail will have 14 access points with ramp and stairway systems, greenway, and preservation for future transit.

• North Avenue Plaza: A collaboration between the developer of Ponce City Market and the BeltLine, the plaza will be a public space adjacent to the mixed-used development.

• Edgewood Avenue Bridge: The 100-year-old bridge was replaced in anticipation of expanding the Eastside Trail to DeKalb Avenue and beyond to Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown.

• Awards and Grants: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented Mayor Reed with the Overall Excellence Award for Smart Growth Achievement for the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail and Historic Fourth Ward Park. In the spring, the James M. Cox

Foundation made a $5 million gift for construction of the Westside Trail. The BeltLine also received the Prix d’Excellence Award for Historic Fourth Ward Park and the Eastside Trail from the International Real Estate Federation. A $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts will be used to develop the outdoor BeltLine Reynoldstown Stage for concerts and performances. The Fourth Ward Park also received a Brownfield Renewal Award.

• Running and Biking: More than 3,000 runners and walkers participated in the four races that take place along different sections of the corridor. In June, more than 500 cyclists took part in the annual Atlanta BeltLine Bicycle Tour.

• There’s An App For That: The BeltLine unveiled its own smartphone app allowing users to locate trail maps, access points and more.

• The Lantern Parade and Art on the BeltLine: The kick off to the annual Art on the Atlanta BeltLine brought out a record 20,000 participants for the Mardi Gras-style parade along the Eastside Trail. The fifth year of Art on the BeltLine featured more than 100 projects over nearly eight miles.

For more highlights, visit BeltLine. org.

A rendring of the Westside Trail with transit.

Courtesy Atlanta BeltLine/Christopher T Martin

The groundbreaking for the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail was held last November.

Courtesy Atlanta BeltLine/Christopher T Martin Historic Fourth Ward Park

PATH400 opens and Buckhead residents hit the trail

By Joe Earle

Michael and Staci Anderson watched the construction of PATH400 eagerly. They’re runners and like the idea of a convenient trail through their Buckhead neighborhood that they can use for a bit of exercise or to take the dog for a walk.

“I’ve been running it since they knocked down the trees,” Michael Anderson said. “It’s great. It’s really exciting.”

One recent sunny Saturday, the Andersons put their 9-month-old daughter, Abigail, in her stroller and took her and their Labradoodle, Cosmo, to

check out the first segment of PATH400 formally open for public use.

They were part of a steady stream of walkers, joggers pushing strollers, and bicyclists who tried out the new trail as construction workers continued installing railings, plantings and other last-minute items on the trail’s punch list.

Jason Coleman and his family stopped by after checking on construction work on a new home they’re building nearby. He and his wife, Theresa, and their 19-year-old daughter, Amanda, brought along their family dog and “thought we’d come by for a walk,” Coleman said. “I think it’s great,” Coleman said. “We’ve looking forward to it opening. It’s nice to have something like this nearby.”

Just eight days earlier, on Jan. 9, more than 80 business and government leaders gathered to formally open PATH400. Scores of them donned bright green, hand-made scarves and braved chilly winter weather to witness a ribbon cutting for the half-mile-long segment of the path that begins at the “Buckhead wall” alongside Lenox Road near its intersection with Tower Place Drive.

“This is one of the most remarkable adaptive re-use programs in America,” Atlanta City Councilman Howard Shook said of the trail, which is being built alongside Ga. 400, with much of the trail in Georgia Department of Transportation right-ofway.

PATH400’s first

segment stretches about one-half mile to connect Lenox Road to Old Ivy Road. It cost about $2.5 million to build, according to Livable Buckhead, a nonprofit working with the PATH Foundation, the Buckhead Community Improvement District, the Georgia Department of Transportation and the city of Atlanta on the trail.

A second half-mile-long segment of PATH400 is scheduled to open in 2015. No final cost has been set for that piece of the trail, Livable Buckhead officials said. When complete, PATH400 is to run a total of about 5.2 miles and is projected to cost $10 million to $12 million.

The final path is expected to connect 27 neighborhoods spread from the northern edge of Buckhead to the north end of Morningside, Livable Buckhead says. More than 8,000 people live within a 10-minute walk of the trail, the nonprofit says.

A public opening for the trail was scheduled for Jan. 24. The community event was to include a bicycle parade, a bike-decorating contest and the unveiling of the 10 winning entries from among

EcoBriefs The Edge

Generation Green and the Georgia Conservancy will present Next South – the largest conference in the Southeast dedicated to inspiring and empowering future leaders seeking careers in sustainability and corporate responsibility – on Feb. 27. The all-day event will be held at The Biltmore in Midtown from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration fee is $20. For more information, visit nextsouthatl.com.

Registration is open for Park Pride’s 14th annual Parks and Greenspace Conference on March 23. The event, themed “Parks & People: A Declaration of Interdependence,” will be held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The full day conference will explore the direct relationship between successful parks and the engaged communities that help create them. Keynote speakers include Peter Harnik, Director of the Trust for Public Land’s Center for City Park Excellence, and Alexie Torres-Fleming, Co-founder of the Bronx River Alliance. The conference is expected to sell out. Registration is $155 and available at parkpride.org/conference.

PodPonics , which grows fresh produce year-round in urban centers at or near the point of consumption, recently celebrated its expansion in southwest Atlanta with a ribbon cutting attended by Mayor Kasim Reed and Craig J. Richard, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. The company is the largest producer of locally grown lettuce in the Southeast, with its Atlanta farm yielding 2,000 pounds of leafy greens daily. The product, Lettuce Buy Local, is fresh, flavorful, pesticide-free, ready-to-eat, non-genetically modified and can be purchased at Whole Foods, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market and Kroger locations in the region.

artwork submitted by elementary school students to decorate the trail.

Pete Pellegrini, the PATH Foundation’s project manager, said the winning artwork will be portrayed on 6-foot-tall metal panels along the trail. The artwork will be reproduced in colored Plexiglass panels that will be part of the panels. “When sunlight hits it, it’ll cast colored shadows along the trail,” he said.

The Andersons say the promise of PATH400 was one of the things that attracted them to the neighborhood in the first place. “It’s one of the things that got us to move in,” Michael Anderson said.

Now that part of the trail has opened, Michael Anderson, a commercial real estate broker, thinks it will help make their house more attractive to potential buyers in the future should they decide they need a larger place. “We would want to leverage this,” he said.

But for now, they plan to stay put, he said. They expect they’ll use it regularly. Staci Anderson, in fact, said she thought she soon would be running on it daily.

Architecture firm Epsten Group has achieved the world’s first global double platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) status for its office building, The Edge. Located on Edgewood Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward and originally constructed in 1946, The Edge has racked up a number of awards including four Green Globes, Urban Design Commission and is a finalist position for the Urban Land Institute of Atlanta’s Award for Excellence. The building’s sustainable features include a thin-film photovoltaic system, a green roof, high-efficiency systems and lighting, well-insulated walls with an air barrier, water-efficient fixtures, low-VOC finishes, and salvaged wood. Epsten Group was recently awarded a high-profile design project for Zoo Atlanta, converting the historic Cyclorama building into a unique event facility overlooking a mixed-species savanna exhibit.

Trees Atlanta is expanding its youth and adult education programing designed to provide opportunities for everyone to learn proper techniques for planting and caring for trees, while also becoming better stewards for the urban forest. Junior TreeKeepers is a fiveday summer camp for kids in elementary and middle school, volunteers are need to help spred the organization’s mission with the TreeSpeakers group, and Youth Tree Stewards learn about the environment while helping to maintain the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum and more. For more information, visit treesatlanta.org.

Photo by Phil Mosier

The Ruth family - Josiah, his mom Kathleen, father Cory and sibling Kinsley - take a walk on the newly opened PATH400 in Buckhead.

Joe Earle Michael Anderson, wife Staci, daughter Abigail and dog Cosmo walk the first segment of PATH400.

THE LAST VIDEO STORE

Poncey-Highland’s Videodrome has loyal Intown following

By Isadora Pennington

When I moved to Atlanta in 2007 the Internet had not fully surpassed movie rental shops. There was a Blockbuster on Ponce as well as Movies Worth Seeing in Morningside, known for its selection of difficult-to-find and foreign titles. For a time, they were popular and thriving; however, both of these spots have since closed in the wake of Netflix, Redbox and streaming services.

And yet, a single movie rental shop remains and thrives in the new digital era: Videodrome.

The iconic building is located at the corner of North and North Highland avenues across from everyone’s favorite gas station, Buddy’s, in Poncey-Highland. The shop has seen me in many different phases of my life. There were hungover days, groggily fumbling for a Mystery Science Theater that I hadn’t already watched a million times. There were first dates, films for class, girls’ nights, sick days, the whole lot.

Videodrome is an institution, a tribute to the love of film and cinema. Their selection is massive, with genres that vary from specific to broad. New movies are added to their collection constantly, featured on their main wall before being worked into the general shelves. Behind the desk and on the counter sit an army of figurines and toys amassed over the years.

Walking among the tightly packed shelves, it’s easy to lose track of time. Old movies play on TVs suspended from the corners of the room, and people quietly mill about browsing titles. The clerks have always been incredibly knowledgeable, most of them having worked there for many years. In another throwback, Videodrome uses a system of paper tickets in addition to a computer to keep track of the ever growing and evolving movie selection.

Matt Owensby, resident “Videoman” and newsletter editor, has been working at Videodrome for a decade. I asked him how an independent movie rental store has survived while others have gone out of business.

“I’d say our location has been a big factor. We’re on a very visible corner. Our parking lot sucks, but at least people know where we are. Our store is pretty cozy too. People like coming in and hanging out.”

Matt also attributed the store’s steadfastness to community ties and a loyal customer base of film lovers. They sometimes sponsor film-related projects like Buried Alive, and their presence can be seen during events like Atlanta Streets Alive when the parking lot becomes a party destination.

“Our customers are great, and it’s rewarding to provide lots of cool folks good stuff to watch,” he said.

Anytime I have had questions about movies, needed suggestions or generally wanted to talk to someone about film or cinema, the folks behind the counter at Videodrome have been the most kind and helpful.

“It’s nice when famous faces drop by, too,” Matt said, pointing to some of the pictures and memorabilia on the wall. “Peter Fonda and Bill Paxton stopped by and said hey this year. B-movie icon Wings Hauser was kind enough to reach out to us and send us a care package of autographs and stills a couple of months ago.”

Another memorable star sighting: Woody Harrelson.

“Nice guy, dressed in about 80 percent hemp,” Matt recalled. “He hung out and talked for a while. The weird thing is that we all pretended he wasn’t a super famous actor. We knew who he was, he knew that we knew, but we all just had this weird, stilted conversation that danced around the subject entirely.”

I asked Matt what genres or areas of the shop that he would recommend checking out, and he listed the film noir section, documentaries, and cult/ horror. “All of our sections have lots of sub-sections, which make it easy to get sucked down a genre rabbit-hole.”

For more information about Videodrome, which is open from noon to midnight seven days a week, check out their website at videodromeatl.com.

Mathew Owensby, resident Videoman, has been working the counter at Videodrome for over 10 years.

Photos by Isadora Pennington

Top left, the outside facade of Videodrome. Clockwise, pictures of the shelves, knicknacks behind the counter, the paper ticket filing system, stacks of DVDs in the back, and more trinkets on the counter. Below, longtime employee Donnie Leapheart overlooks the store.

7 Stages addresses bullying in new production

7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points is addressing school bullying head on with a production of the play fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life by Sarah Gubbins from Feb. 5 to 22.

Inspired by McCullers’ classic The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, the play is about a lesbian teenager’s daily struggle to avoid being bullied by classmates and to embrace a teacher’s determination to provide hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. fml is abbreviated Internet slang for “f-ck my life,” often used by teens on social media.

The play is being produced as part of the national program, The Big Read, which encourages Americans to read great works of literature for pleasure and enrichment. Since September, 7 Stages’

teaching artists have been visiting local schools, libraries, service organizations, and public festivals bringing free copies of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter to Atlanta’s community.

In schools, students have read the book, discussed its themes, and created artistic responses to McCullers work.

“The students’ responses to the book are so thoughtful. It is a gift to create with and learn from students,” said teaching artist Dorothy Bell.

The month-long run of the play, directed by Heidi S. Howard, will offer numerous opportunities for engagement, including an opening-night keynote address from Gubbins on Feb. 6, postshow conversations on Feb. 12 and 19 and a discussion on art as activism on

Feb. 15.

7 Stages has also been working with Theatre du Reve and their production of Jane, The Fox and Me, an adaptation of a graphic novel about bullying

behavior, inspired by another classic, Jane Eyre.

For tickets and more information about the productions and events, visit 7stages.org.

The cast of fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life. L-R, Renita James, Alexandra Ficken, Dorothy Bell, Troy Stephens and Kyle Segar.

Visual Arts

Pratfall Tramps: What happens at the intersection of humor and failure? Four artists take on this challenge in the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center’s newest exhibit about the different sides of comedy. Opens February 6. $5 to $8. thecontemporary.org

Orchid Daze: Pop!: Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual exhibit goes bold and playful this year with orchids paying tribute to iconic Pop Art images by Warhol, Lichtenstein and Haring. Opens February 7. $12.95 to $18.95. atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Wifredo Lam: Imagining New Worlds: The High takes a look back on the work of one of the Surrealist movement’s most influential figures in this retrospective exhibit of the Cubanborn artist. Opens February 14. $12 to $19.50. high.org

A Moving Image of Eternity: Beth Lilly’s exhibit begins with a question – Where are you now? – and explores the role of choice in navigating events of chance and circumstance. Closes February 14. Free. whitespace814.com

Fahamu Pecou: GRAV•I•TY: In his first solo museum exhibition, Fahamu Pecou uses the trend of “saggin” pants to talk about Black male mobility. Closes February 14. $5 to $8. mocaga.org

Thirst: Painter Zuzka Vaclavik tries to unravel the mysteries of the subconscious through the age-old design of mandalas. Closes February 14. Free. poem88.net

Gaia: #IfTheyGunnedMeDown: Renowned street artist Gaia questions the media’s selection of images to represent black victims in this original piece on display at the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Tuesday through Sunday. $10 to $15. civilandhumanrights.org

Out of Fashion: See the highlights of the New York, Paris and Milan

2014 fashion weeks from the eyes of Landon Nordeman, New York’s “backstage photographer extraordinaire.” Tuesday through Saturday. Free. hagedornfoundationgallery.org

Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling Within the Forces of Nature: MODA uses interactive elements to show how American homes have impacted the environment and how new technologies borrowed from nature can help restore it. Tuesday through Saturday. $5 to $10. museumofdesign.org

Performing Arts

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company: After performing in more than 200 cities and 40 countries, this dance company comes to Emory’s Schwartz Center for Performing Arts for three performances. February 5 through February 7. $30. arts.emory.edu

Yonder Mountain String Band: Yonder Mountain String Band plays by its own set of rules by bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences to pioneer a sound of its own. February 6. $27.50. variety-playhouse.com

Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette: Back by popular demand, this Atlanta Ballet production is a fresh take on Shakespeare’s tale of young, forbidden love. February 6 through February 14. $23 to $124. atlantaballet.com

MUMMENSCHANZ

Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra: As part of Emory Jazz Fest 2015, Grammy and Billboard Music Award-winner Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra bring Dixieland jazz to Emory’s the Schwartz Center. February 7. $50. arts.emory.edu

Detroit ‘67: It’s 1967 in Detroit, and Chelle and her brother are making ends meet by turning a basement into a cool, after-hours club. But when a mysterious woman enters the picture, the siblings clash over more than the family business. Opens February 10. $20 to $50. truecolorstheatre.org

PHOX: American six-piece indie pop band PHOX is putting small town from Baraboo, Wis., on the map after its 2014 debut release and single “Slow Motion.” February 10. $12. terminalwestatl.com

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Robert Battle and his American dance company return to the Fox to present 10 works, including a tribute to singer Odetta Holmes of the Civil Rights movement. February 11 through February 15. $19.50 to $70. foxtheatre.org

Silent Sky: See how American astronomer Henrietta Leavitt (18681921) challenged the male astronomers of Harvard and her era in this period romance at Theatrical Outfit. Opens February 12. $20 to $35. theatricaloutfit. org

Red Baraat and Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Bollyfunk meets Bourbon Street in this fusion jazz concert featuring Brooklyn’s high-energy band Red Baraat and New Orlean’s Dirty Dozen Brass Band. February 14. $40 to $72. rialtocenter.org

WAFFLE PALACE

RED BARAAT AND THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND

ATLANTA BALLET ROMEO AND JULIET

Mummenschanz: Inspiring, captivating and playful, the performers of Mummenschanz create a magical world of possibilities on a dark stage with the help of light and shadows, all without uttering a word. February 15. $22 to $42. ferstcenter.gatech.edu

Pizza Man: Sex, women and relationships (or lack thereof) drive the story of this Pinch ‘n’ Ouch production in which the pizza man gets caught in the crossfire. Closes February 15. pnotheatre.org

Bad Jews: This savagely funny battle royale over a cherished family artifact returns to Atlanta after a critically acclaimed run in New York City. Closes February 22. $20 to $32. actors-express. com

The Waffle Palace: Inspired by amazing real life events at Waffle House restaurants, Horizon Theatre lets loose with this comedy in which a Midtown restaurant struggles to stay open against heavy odds. Wednesday through Sunday. $20 to 40. horizontheatre.com

StinkyKids The Musical: Synchronicity Theatre and Aurora Theatre team up for this kids musical based on the award-winning StinkyKids® books and characters, from the creative mind of Atlanta mom Britt Menzies. Opens February 13. $10 to $40. synchrotheatre.com

Wicked: Back by “Popular” demand, the story of what happened to the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good before Oz returns to the Fox Theatre. Opens February 18. $45 to $175. broadwayinatlanta.com

Rigoletto: Verdi’s story of lust, vengeance and sacrifice returns to Atlanta with one of opera’s most promising young stars, Nadine Sierra. Opens February 28. $26 to $140. atlantaopera.org

Rainforest Adventures: Anacondas, howler monkeys and sloths – it’s a jungle out there, and the Center for Puppetry Arts is taking you on a journey through the Amazonian rainforest to meet more than 30 exotic plants and animals. Tuesday through Sunday. $16.50. puppet.org

NEXT ISSUE COMING IN APRIL

Fried Chicken Biscuits

One woman’s love affair with a Southern classic

By Isadora Pennington

It’s hard to believe that before I came to Atlanta I had never heard of a fried chicken biscuit, let alone eaten one. One day a friend suggested that we try Homegrown in Reynoldstown, and swore up and down that the comfy chicken biscuit would change my life. In reality, it has. I am not a breakfast food person -- I’d sooner eat a slice of pizza or a burrito in the mornings -- but now I have a brunch savior. The fried, crunchy, oftentimes spicy chicken atop a flaky and buttery biscuit has become my go-to breakfast food, and I’ve come to know a few spots that offer this on their regular menus. This month I set out to visit, try and photograph my favorite dishes from my regular spots. Here, I have listed my top 5 chicken biscuits.

Folk Southern Fried

Folk Art - 465 North Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 folkartrestaurant.com or (404) 537-4493

Savory fried chicken with fried egg & sausage gravy on a jumbo griddled biscuit. Available M-F until 11am. $10.99

Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuits

Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall - 684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 www.ladybirdatlanta.com or (404) 458-6838

Two light and fluffy biscuits, spicy chicken thighs, drizzled with honey, served with house-made pickles $12

Comfy Chicken Biscuit

Homegrown - 968 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 homegrownga.com or (404) 222-0455

A buttery biscuit topped with a light and crunchy fried chicken breast and smothered with sausage gravy, served open-faced. $10

Build Your Own Biscuit

Bantam and Biddy - 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE #301, Atlanta, GA 30324 bantamandbiddy.com or (404) 907-3469

Crunchy, moderately spiced fried chicken on a soft and flaky biscuit. $6

Chicken Biscuit

Republic Social House - 437 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 therepublicsocialhouse.com or (404) 577-3997

Crispy chicken, cheesy eggs and house-made sausage gravy on a buttermilk biscuit served with a choice of sides. $8.95

Papi’s Cuban and Caribbean Grill Restaurant Review

By Art Huckabee

The recent thawing of diplomatic relations with Cuba has had my chilled winter mind dreaming about sunning on a pristine white sand beach while drinking a Cuba Libre and smoking a fine cigar. While that dream, like warmer weather, may still be a few months, if not years away, one can sample the cuisine of Cuba in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward at Papi’s Cuban and Caribbean Grill.

Founded by a Cuban immigrant, Papi’s, pronounced “poppies” and Spanish for “daddy’s” is a popular place; a recent weekend late afternoon visit found the fairly spacious restaurant more than half full and by 5:30 p.m., there was a wait.

The menu is one of those big laminated catalogs with lots of colorful pictures. Ours had that movie theater floor tackiness that could be easily remedied with a little Windex cleaning. There are all of the usual suspects, Cuban sandwiches, chicken and rice and black bean soup, to name a few, as well as weekday specials and specialties of the house. There’s also an extensive cocktail menu in case you’d like to get your Mojito on.

meal. Vaca Frita in Spanish literally means, “fried cow.” Both dishes, the cow and the chicken version, were tender, shredded meat with garlic, onions and spices of cumin and oregano. The Pollo Vaca Frita also had green and red peppers in the dish giving it a bit more of a Spanish flare. The grilled fish had good flavor needing perhaps a hotter pan to crisp the skin and make the flesh just a little flakier. The New Year’s resolution dieter in our crowd pronounced the grilled chicken a winner as well.

The only dish that slightly disappointed was the Masitas de Puerco. This is the dish that first won me over to Cuban food. It’s a simple preparation of fried pork chunks and when done correctly, it’s crispy tender porcine goodness. Papi’s version came up a bit short with the pork cooked well past its tender moment.

We ordered a sampling of appetizers including the empanadas platter, the Papa Rellena and a Cuban version of the Puerto Rican favorite, Mofongo. The empanadas were large with a flakey crust and fillings of ground beef, shredded chicken, ham and cheese and cream cheese with guava. The shredded chicken was particularly flavorful and the cheese with guava had a nice sweet note. The Papa Rellena, a stuffed potato ball or croquette, was good but a little salty, and needed more of the ground beef and onion filling. The Cuban style Mofongo, sometimes called Fufu, was a creamy mash of plantains, garlic, onion and bits of pork but also on the salty side.

Papi’s large entrees will satisfy the hungriest of diners. The Vaca Frita and the Pollo Vaca Frita, were easily the hits of the

The entrees come with an assortment of sides from tasty black beans to flavorful yellow rice to plantains two ways; Tostone’s, unripe fried green plantains and Maduros, fried ripe plantains; the latter were caramelized perfectly. Onions accompany most dishes so if you’re not an onion fan make it known when you order.

The busy wait staff was friendly and attentive when present, even giving Spanish lessons to the two aspiring Spanish speakers at our table.

We opted for one dessert to share. The tres leches was muy delicioso according to all at our table who sampled it. Until you can dust off your two-toned Ricky Riccardo jacket and fly off to Havana, Papi’s is a good local destination for Cuban cuisine.

Papi’s Cuban and Caribbean Grill is located at 216 Ponce de Leon Ave., (404) 607-1525 or papisgrill.com.

Art Huckabee is one of Yelp’s Elite Reviewers, as well as a pilot and food lover. Send feedback to TastingIntown@ AtlantaINtownPaper.com.

Art Huckabee

Top photo: Pollo Vaca Frita with yellow rice and Maduros; Middle photo: Grilled fish with yellow rice; bottom photo: Papi’s grilled chicken

Quick Bites

Atlanta Chef’s Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the Big Peach is out now featuring chefs Ford Fry, Anne Quatrano, Gerry Klaskala, Pano Karatossos, Kevin Gillespie and many more. The book was compiled by Kate Parham Kordsmeier and photographer Heidi Geldhauser.

Mae’s Bakery, 2770 Lenox Road in Buckhead, has a new sandwich and soup menu for lunch. Last month, the bakery brought on a team of the top cake artists in the city led by Mary Hosch and Marian Rescigno, previously of Highland Bakery. For more visit maesbakeryATL.com.

Chef Kevin Gillespie has announced he will open Revival featuring “a fresh take on the traditional, family-style Sunday dinner.” The restaurant, scheduled to open in June, will be located on the site of the former Harbour House Pub on Church Street in Decatur.

From the creators of The Spotted Trotter, e Cockentrice is now open at Krog Street Market in Inman Park. Envision a ‘Charcuterie Saloon’ that will serve just about everything you can do with a piece of meat and more. The Cockentrice will feature a unique cocktail menu, beers and ales, and a wine list that pairs perfectly with their menu options. Seating between 100 to 130 people, this full service restaurant features an outdoor patio facing Krog Street and is connected to The Spotted Trotter’s second butcher and cheese shop.

North Carolina-based burger joint Cook-Out has quietly opened in the former Zesto space at 528 Ponce de Leon Avenue. Serving up hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings and shakes, the new owners have kept the silver, retro diner look intact and you can expect the drive-thru will be busy.

Twin Smokers Barbecue has opened in the Luckie Marietta District in Downtown Atlanta. The 4,000-square-foot space located at 300 Marietta St. is serving up Southern and Texas-style smoked meats, fresh sides, craft beer and cocktails.

Wahoo! Wine & Provisions has opened next door to Wahoo! Grill at 1036 West College Ave. in Decatur. The specialty shop has 200 bottles to choose from, as well as growlers and wine on tap. You’ll also be able to find a variety of meats, cheeses, local produce and even flowers.

Old Fourth Ward Pizza is now open at Irwin Street Market, taking over the former Jake’s Ice Cream spot. The New Jersey-style pizzeria is cooking up simple pies with house-made mozzarella and marinara sauce. Gluten-free pizza is also available.

Le Fat, the

French-Vietnamese restaurant from Guy Wong, is expected to open in mid-February at the old Yum Bunz space at 935 Marietta St. on the westside.

Belly General Store at 772 N. Highland Ave. has closed in Virginia-Highland last month, but a new restaurant called Jimmy Jones Bourbon & Bar & Grill is set to fill the spot in the coming months.

e Atlanta Wine Party will kick off its inaugural event on March 7 at Opera where over 50 wines will be available to taste, along with live music and a DJ. Tickets are on sale now and can be found through Xorbia.com or check out AtlantaWineParty. com.

Community Smith, a “protein-centric neighborhood restaurant” by Chef Micah Willix, has opened in Midtown at the corner of Abercrombie and West Peachtree streets. The adjoining rooftop space, The Garden at Community Smith, also a take on the “modern meatery” concept, will open on March 20. The Community Smith menu is focused on global cookery styles using humanely-raised beef, pork, lamb, and veal.

The food options at the Buckhead Atlanta development continue to expand. Now open: American Food and Beverage, Doraku Sushi and Qing Mu are all open for business.

Shi ing Chefs: TWO Urban Licks named Michael Bertozzi as its new executive chef. Formerly Sous Chef under Chef Todd Stein, Bertozzi hails from nationally acclaimed kitchens including King & Duke and Central in Montgomery.

Verde Taqueria named Joe Macy executive chef and he brings experience from Magnolias in Charleston, as well as Atlanta’s Local Three and BLT Steak.

e Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta has launched the city’s only Jittery Joe’s coffee shop in the hotel’s lobby. The Athens-based coffee house offers an extensive beverage menu along with pastries and retail items such as coffee beans and mugs. Jittery Joe’s coffee beans come from at least 18 different countries, and are micro-roasted in small batches

Ann Brewer, founder of the Morningside Famers Market, passed away on Jan. 2 after a short illness. A mainstay for 20 years in the neighborhood, the Saturday market will continue with its mix of organic goods and weekly cooking demonstrations by local chefs.

DISCOVERING ARCHITECTURE

Local architects create colorful, informative textbook for students

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

Discover ARCHITECTURE, an elementary school textbook created to foster a love and understand of building design, is a “love letter to Atlanta,” according to its creators.

The colorful book was the brainchild of local architect Melody Harclerode, the president-elect of the Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and an occasional columnist for INtown. Harclerode said the catalyst for the book was an after school architecture program that was introduced at Buckhead’s E. Rivers Elementary School in 2010.

“Part of that curriculum was to balance out an over-

emphasis and over-use of computers,” Harclerode said. “We wanted to provide an alternative activity that uses the hands.”

The book is a tool to help children in third through sixth grades learn about architecture design in a fun, hands on, tactile way that also includes history and math.

An example exercise is letting students add an amenity to their school, whether it’s a rollercoaster, swimming pool or zip line. Another lets kids learn about light by cutting out openings in boxes to show the path of sunlight inside a structure. And yet another teaches budding project managers how to calculate the cost of a building.

Since kids love to build things, Harclerode said common household goods, like shoeboxes and paper towel tubes, can be used to create models of their dream home.

Featured throughout Discover ARCHITECTURE are sketches of well-known Atlanta landmarks like The Varsity, Fox Theatre, High Museum, Westin Peachtree Plaza and Ponce City Market with notes about their architectural and historic significance. They were drawn by noted Atlanta architect John Busby.

While the textbook is Atlanta-centric, Harclerode said it was designed so that the curriculum could be used in Miami or Alaska.

An elementary school in suburban Chicago plans to incorporate the textbook into its 2015-16 curriculum, while Georgia Tech has purchased copies to use in its CEISMC program that assists K-12 students in Georgia prepare to use science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the modern world. Harclerode plans to speak at the National Arts Educators conference in March about the book.

Last fall kids, students at E. Rivers, Morris Brandon, Garden Hills, Springdale Park,

Centennial and Hope Hill elementary schools used the book to create their own re-imagined Atlanta landmark buildings. They will be on display, and the book will be on sale, during AIA National Convention which will be held in Atlanta this May.

Harclerode said Discover ARCHITECTURE would not have been possible without the help of volunteers who spent two years putting the book together. Those include photographer and Discover ARCHITECTURE program co-founder Phillip Alexander-Cox; graphic designer Jereme Smith; editor Robert Kauffman; and photographers Tim Ridley and Theresa Ridley. Harclerode also credited Susan Proper, Executive Director of AIA Atlanta, for her support in the creation of the program and book.

Discover ARCHITECTURE is available at Amazon. com.

Photos by Isadora Pennington

Architect Melody L. Harclerode and art instructor Philip Alexander-Cox pose with the book in the art studio at E. Rivers Elementary school. Top right, the group behind this book flips through the pages. Below, architectural drawings by John Busby on the left and on the right, illustrations aid in explaining architectural concepts.

From left- Jereme Smith, Susan Proper, Tim Ridley, Theresa Ridley, John Busby, Eve Harclerode, Robert Kauffman, Melody Harclerode, and Philip Alexander-Cox.

Architect John Busby displays one of his favorite illustrations in the book, the Big Chicken in Marietta.

675 N. Highland, a new mixed-use development with residential, retail and office space, will rise behind historic Druid Hills Baptist Church in Poncey-Highland. The project –which will actually front on North Highland, Blue Ridge and Seminole avenues across from Flip Burger – will feature 125 high-end residential units. The developer hasn’t said whether they will be apartments or condos. At ground level, there will be 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space fronting North Highland Avenue and 7,000 square feet of storefront office space along Blue Ridge.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Jan. 30 for the latest project by Novare Group called Atlantic House. Located at 1163 West Peachtree Street in Midtown, the 32-story tower will feature 400 apartments and 11,500 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.

The Brookdale Group has acquired the Pinnacle and Two Live Oak buildings in Buckhead for $201 million, according to a media release. The 424,350-square-foot Pinnacle building, which is 92 percent leased, and the 286,650-square-foot Two Live Oak building, which is 62 percent leased, are the first acquisitions for Brookdale in the Buckhead market. The 21-story Pinnacle building and the 13-story Two Live Oak building are located at the intersection of Peachtree Road and Lenox Road. Renovations are planned for both properties, according to the release.

Inman Park’s historic Lizzie Chapel will be redeveloped into high-end lofts, according to a report at Curbed Atlanta. Preliminary plans show the circa-1930 church at Euclid at Edgewood avenues would have six 2,500 square-foot condos, each with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

Post Properties and The Preston Partnership will soon begin construction on Midtown Millennium, a 23-story apartment building on the empty lot behind the Federal Reserve. According to What Now Atlanta, the 356-unit project will sit atop seven floors of enclosed parking.

University House Midtown, the new student housing tower at 930 Spring St., celebrated its topping out last month. The state-of-the-art student housing development, which will open in August, is more than 50 percent pre-leased for fall. The 20-story building has 268 apartments featuring 706 beds, and more than 9,000 square feet of retail. The property includes one-, two-, three- and four- bedroom floor plans – fully furnished, and many units include balconies with views of Midtown, the Georgia Tech campus and Downtown Atlanta. Community amenities include a resort-style pool on an elevated terrace, a secured parking garage, business center, study rooms, fitness center and a lounge on the top floor with skyline views.

ENGEL & VOLKERS

Lisa Robinson and a team of seven real estate professionals from e Robinson Realty Group have joined Engel & Völkers Buckhead Atlanta. In addition to Robinson, who founded The Robinson Realty Group in 2002, the team includes Leah Christian, Janine Franklin, Dovie Hines, Jenea Kennedy, Sharyn McCabe, Tomaree Tarpley and Jacqueline Williams who are all full-time real estate agents with extensive experience in the luxury and residential market throughout the greater Atlanta area.

The historic Ironized Yeast Company building, which later became home to cough syrup maker Creomulsion, at the corner of Ralph McGill and Glen Iris in the Old Fourth Ward has been demolished by John Wieland Homes to make way for up to 24 new townhomes.

North Point Hospitality Group is developing a Hampton Inn & Suites at the southeast corner of West Peachtree and 15th streets in Midtown. The hotel would feature 152 rooms on 10 floors above eight levels of enclosed parking.

At the Obie Awards of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA), Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices GA Properties’ New Homes Services Sales and Marketing captured 15 of the highest honors in the Marketing category. Among the top Gold and Silver awards claimed by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices were the Best Brochure, Best Audio-Video, Best On-site Signs, Best Advertising Campaign for a Builder, Best Mobile Website, Best Marketing Campaign/Promotion, Best Magazine Ad, Best Realtor Promotion, Best Website, Best TV Spot and Best Billboard.

The new Elan 144 mixeduse project in Reynoldstown, located across from the Edgewood Retail District, is underway and will feature 285 apartments, 16,000 square feet of street retail and restaurant space

New Hires: Harry Norman, Realtors has hired David Allsteadt as Chief Financial Officer to oversee financial operations for the company. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is pleased to announce that Chrishena Stanley, an experienced licensed Associate Broker, has become a sales associate with its Midtown office. Debra Johnston has joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices GA Properties Buckhead office as an associate specializing in luxury properties.

AIA Atlanta, the Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects, has moved to its new headquarters at 100 Edgewood Avenue: the Woodruff Volunteer Center. The office’s two-story tall glazing envelopes the storefront-style gallery space, which looks out over the eastern bound Atlanta Streetcar route and Hurt Park. In the new space, AIA Atlanta and AIA Georgia share neighboring suites with a shared entrance allowing them to carry out their related but individual tasks. Architecture firm 5G Studio Collaborative designed the new space. The build-out was performed by local Contractor and AIA Atlanta Patron Sponsor, The Structor Group. The project was awarded the 2014 Re-thinking the Future Award.

From left, Dovie Hines, Jenea Kennedy, Sharyn McCabe, Janine Franklin, Leah Christian, Jacqueline Williams, Tomaree Tarpley and Lisa Robinson (front) with Engel & Völkers Buckhead Atlanta.

Buckhead condo residents find a feeling of community

By Joe Earle

When it came time to downsize his home, Joel Lobel didn’t want to live in a condo.

“Who wants to live in a condo?” he asked, feigning indignation simply at the suggestion. He’d lived in houses and apartments. He thought living in a condominium somehow sounded too isolating, too cut off from the community.

“We looked at everything,” said the 71-year-old, who retired from the electrical supply business. “We looked at townhouses, smaller houses. I did not want to live in a condo.”

Then, five years ago, his wife convinced him to move into the Gallery, a 27-story condominium on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. Now he feels right at home in his ninth-floor condo overlooking Garden Hills and providing views clear to downtown Atlanta.

He knows his neighbors. He’s president of the condo homeowners association. He’s more involved with others around him now than he was when he lived in a neighborhood of single-family detached homes.

“To me, this feels more like a community than my neighborhood did,” he said.

Others who live in Buckhead condos say similar sorts of things. They see their

condominiums as communities and as their neighborhoods. The difference between their neighborhoods and other, more traditional, ones, are that theirs are vertical and packed together, rather than horizontal and spread out. “I’ve lived in Buckhead 30-some years,” said Betsy Scattergood, who also lives in the Gallery.

“I definitely think of [the Gallery] as a neighborhood.”

A number of Buckhead’s condominium complexes now are joining in a new association they hope will give greater voice to their communities.

The Buckhead Condo Alliance, which formally organized last summer, has joined the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods, and has begun sending representatives to listen in at meetings of other Buckhead community organizations.

Alliance president Ben Howard says representatives of at least 11 properties have attended the group’s meetings, and he hopes as many as 20 will become active during 2015. The organization takes in condo complexes spread along Peachtree Road from Lindbergh to Mathieson drives. The condos that have shown interest in the alliance contain about 2,400 units, or as many as 3,600 people, Howard said.

“Ideally, by the end of the year, we could get to 3,000 units,” Howard said. “That would make us one of the larger neighborhoods [in Buckhead].”

MICHAEL C. CARLOS MUSEUM

O f E MOR y Un I v ERSI ty carlos.emory.edu

Howard, a 30-year-old municipal bond trader, lives in the Alhambra, a six-story condo on Peachtree. He’s in his second year as president of that condo’s homeowners association. In the past, he said, Buckhead’s condos have acted like individual islands scattered up and down Peachtree. He hopes the alliance can bring them clout.

The group traces its start to complaints a couple of years ago about weekly motorcycle gatherings in Buckhead that annoyed some condo residents. Howard remembers counting more than 145 motorcycles at one summer night gathering in 2013.

“Basically we put a small coalition together to look at that issue,” Howard said, “and we realized we’d created a network. Now we could do more things… To some ends, it’s a strength-innumbers game.”

He also thinks that combining homeowners groups from the various condos means they can share information about the business side of running the properties to make them more efficient and perhaps save residents some money. Condo associations typically hire the people who run and maintain their buildings.

S tELL AR AR tS COSMOS AFRICAN

Putting the leadership together in an alliance means they can share notes on what works, which contractors are reliable and perhaps combine to hire contractors.

“We’re just people who are concerned about our neighborhoods,” he said. “Our neighborhood spans a lot of Buckhead. It spans a lot of neighborhoods in Buckhead.”

The communities represented by the alliance take in all sorts of people, from 20-somethings to retirees. They build friendships through community social events. The Gallery throws holiday parties, hosts weekly socials during the spring, summer and fall, and holds art openings in its lobby gallery, Lobel said. At Mathieson Exchange Lofts, resident Cameron Hard, a 29-year-old commercial insurance consultant, says he’s gotten to know his neighbors by taking his dog to the condo dog walk.

“It’s a community of people with lots of different backgrounds who live together in a community,” Lobel said. “When you buy a condo, it’s really not your house. You have a community. You’re responsible to do certain things and be a part of the whole community.”

Joe Earlie

Joel Lobel, left, with wife Debbie and dog Lily, was reluctant to move into a condo. Five years ago his wife convinced him to move to the Gallery, a 27-story complex on Peachtree Road.

Phil Mosier

Ben Howard, President of Alhambra Condominiums and the Buckhead Condo Association.

CITY LIGHTS

Ground broken for new senior development in O4W

Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall, Invest Atlanta’s Craig J. Richard, other officials, community leaders, and executives from Wingate Companies and Columbia Residential broke ground Jan. 22 on City Lights, an affordable senior housing development on Boulevard in the Old Fourth Ward.

“This new development embodies the kinds of improvements that we have encouraged since our master planning process for the Old Fourth Ward in 2008 and, more recently, as part of our Year of Boulevard initiative, which we began in 2012,” Hall said. “We hope other developers see City Lights as a catalyst for their investment in new affordable housing, mixed income and market rate housing along Boulevard.”

The new senior community is the first step of a multiphase redevelopment of the Village of Bedford Pine. Wingate and Columbia are developing 80, one-

bedroom apartment homes available to qualifying seniors, aged 62 or older, at 430 Boulevard. Financial partners include Community Affordable Housing Equity Corp. and Sugar Creek Capital as well as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and Atlanta’s Office of Housing. Construction financing is from Prudential Huntoon Paige.

“We’re grateful for the support of so many who paved the way for this groundbreaking today,” said Mark Schuster, principal of Wingate Companies. “It would not have been possible to create this new senior housing community in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward without the hard work and creativity of our partners. We especially thank Neighborhood Planning Unit M and the Fourth Ward West Neighborhood Association for working with us to achieve this vision.”

Seniors who move into City Lights will find a state-of-the-art fitness center, a TV and movie room, a community kitchen, a sun deck, a covered garage, WiFi access and

a business center. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2016. For more information on City Lights, visit CityLightsApartmentHomes.com.

Special

From left, Dist. 2 Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall, Invest Atlanta CEO Craig J. Richard and Wingate Companies Principal Mark Schuster stand in front of the site for City Lights on Boulevard in the Old Fourth Ward.

at the Ladyfest fundraiser held at Big House on Ponce. Ladyfest is a newer festival in Atlanta focused on the local needs of women, trans and gender nonconforming people. The event will take place March 20-22, for more information go to ladyfestatlanta.wordpress.com.

The annual Art Papers Auction will be held Feb. 20-21 at BoBo Intriguing Object, 1235 Chattahoochee Ave., in West Midtown. There will be more than 200 pieces of art from established and emerging artists. Tickets and info are available at artpapers.org.

Isadora Pennington

From left, Emily Hogan, Jessie Brown, Madeline Adams and Doc Matysiak watch the performances

Collin Kelley Old Glory flies atop Ponce City Market in the Old Fourth Ward at sunset in January.

Sally Alcock

Danielle Alleyne

Mark Camp

Jim Cantrell

Rich Cohen

Cass Connor Kirsten Conover

Leslie Erickson

Leslie Garwood

Johnny Gonzales

Gregg Griswold

Emilie Haas

Linda Hagan

Beverly Hood

Beverly Jones

Jodi Patterson

Diana Sauvigné

Shirley Simmons

Lee Smith

Brian Woodworth

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