Atlanta Intown - March 2015

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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Editorial Collin Kelley

INtown Editor collin@atlantaintownpaper.com

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Ann Taylor Boutwell, Benjamin Getz, Melody Harclerode, Art Huckabee, Annie Kinnett Nichols, Martha Nodar, Clare S. Richie, Tim Sullivan, Dan Whisenhunt

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Collin Kelley collin@atlantaintownpaper.com

New content, more circulation

You’ll notice a couple of special editorial features in this issue of INtown as we continue to evolve our coverage and offer unique stories that you won’t find anywhere else.

First, our Focus on Faith highlights the new ChristChurch sanctuary, previews the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, profiles Desire Street Ministries and pays tribute to Big Bethel AME in Downtown with its landmark “Jesus Saves” sign. We’ll be doing this special feature twice a year, so look for it again in November and feel free to send me your suggestions. Is there a minister or person of faith who deserves a profile? A special ministry helping the needy? A new church opening in the community? All faiths, beliefs and denominations are welcome.

This issue also has a special section focusing on Decatur. This section leads off our intent to provide more coverage of the people, places and news happening in the city. We’ve partnered with Dan Whisenhunt and his award-winning blog Decaturish.com to add more news and feature stories. You will also be able to find the print edition of INtown at more locations around Decatur with our increased circulation.

You’ve probably noticed over the last few issues that our graphic designer Isadora Pennington has been contributing more features accompanied by her gorgeous photography. This month, she profiles the iconic Plaza Theater and the upcoming Atlanta Film Festival, as well as searching for Intown’s delicious sweet treats. Isadora is an Old Fourth Ward resident, so expect to see her at more events in the future.

Our readers who live in the City of Atlanta will be heading to the polls on March 17 to vote on the $250 million infrastructure bond referendum. While a full list of the projects wasn’t available before we went to press, there is a critical need to repair bridges, roads and sidewalks in the city and passage of the referendum will make the first, small dent in the $900 million backlog.

More than 450 residents and stakeholders attended a family resource fair, community meeting and kick off celebration for the 2015 edition of the Year of Boulevard initiative last month at Blueprint Church in the Old Fourth Ward.

“We have come a long way since we launched the Year of Boulevard in January 2012,” said City Councilmember Kwanza Hall. “Three years later, we wanted to celebrate the hard work that residents, business owners, nonprofit agencies, and others are doing together to improve public safety, quality of life, and access to resources in the Old Fourth Ward.”

At the event, corporate and non-profit partners including Wingate Companies, MailChimp, and the Museum of Design Atlanta awarded more than $200,000 in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits serving youth, families, and seniors. Recipients included the Operation P.E.A.C.E. afterschool program and summer camp; YearUp Atlanta, a workforce training organization for young adults; Truly Living Well’s urban agriculture summer camp; the recently established Boulevard Food Co-Op; and the soon-to-open Freedom Barkway Dog Park.

During the evening, four founding Year of Boulevard partners received keys to the city, including Hyatt Regency Atlanta; Adam Harrell of Nebo Agency; Newell Rubbermaid; and Rev. Joseph Crawford, Pastor of Fort Street Memorial United Methodist Church.

Two longtime neighborhood presidents in the area, former Fourth Ward West president Tim Hollis and

former Fourth Ward Alliance president Kit Sutherland, were also honored. In recognition of their combined eight years of service as presidents during a period of enormous growth and change in the Old Fourth Ward, the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) awarded eight needsbased scholarships to Boulevard corridor youth to attend MODA’s popular 2015 Summer Robotics Camp.

In addition to celebrating the community’s accomplishments in 2014, Hall announced a number of new initiatives and partnerships for 2015. These include: the creation of a South Boulevard Working Group to address public safety and quality of life issues in the Old Fourth Ward south of Freedom Parkway; a renewed commitment to the Atlanta Police Department’s Clean Car Campaign, encouraging drivers to remove items from their automobiles to reduce the number of thefts from cars; the spring opening of the Freedom Barkway Dog Park; the arrival of new afterschool soccer programming for boys and girls in partnership with Soccer in the Streets; and the launch of discussions to explore the creation of a Community Improvement District (CID) for the Old Fourth Ward.

Elected officials in attendance included Fulton County Commissioner Joan P. Garner and Georgia State

Senator Nan Orrock. Also during the evening, City of Atlanta Public Works Commissioner Richard Mendoza spoke about the upcoming March 17 infrastructure bond referendum. APD Zone 6 Commander Major Timothy Peek joined Hall in announcing the public safety initiatives.

To get involved in the Year of Boulevard, contact Councilmember Hall at khall@atlantaga.gov or (404) 3306038. Be sure to visit District2Atlanta on Facebook.

Special Dist. 2 Councilman Kwanza Hall, center, led the Year of Boulevard kickoff.

Voters head to polls March 17 to decide infrastructure bond

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

Atlanta voters will head to the polls on March 17 to vote on the city’s $250 million bond referendum. Although the city has a $900 million backlog of infrastructure needs, the bond funding would help build and repair bridges, roads, sidewalks, parks and facilities.

At press time, the list of projects had not been finalized, but city officials have indicated that there will be a list available before the vote is taken.

Currently, there are 229 projects listed on the city’s interactive website created for the bond referendum at infrastructuremap.org.

Those projects range from street resurfacing and bike lanes to new signals and city bridge repairs. A poll conducted last month by 20/20 Insight LLC showed voters were likely to vote in favor of the bond referendum, which is divided into two parts:

• $187,945,000 of the bonds will be roads, bridges, sidewalks, bridges, bike lanes, traffic lights, and other pedestrian and transitrelated projects.

• $64,055,000 of the bonds will be for construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, improvement, critical maintenance and equipping of municipal facilities, including buildings, recreation centers and other facilities.

In January, the Atlanta City Council approved an ordinance that will also create a public infrastructure maintenance and improvement account for the purpose of appropriating 3.5 percent of the City of Atlanta General Fund Budget at the beginning of each fiscal year that will also help fund future infrastructure backlog issues.

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 17. For information about your polling place and other details, visit atlantaga.gov.

PHOENIX RISING

Phoenix Flies events and tours happening in March

By Collin Kelley Intown Editor

The 2015 Phoenix Flies Celebration will take place from March 7-22 with events and tours of Atlanta’s historic buildings and places.

Organized by the Atlanta Preservation Center, this year’s Phoenix Flies has more than 84 different partners – the largest number ever, according to event coordinator Ellen Cody.

“As a result, we are going to be able to offer much more variety in the kinds of events that will be taking place and will be covering more topics than ever before,” Cody said.

Some favorite returning partners include the Westview Cemetery, Atlanta Women’s Club, Fox Theatre, Oakland

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Cemetery, Piedmont Driving Club, Savannah College of Art & Design and the Wrecking Bar.

New partners joining for the first time or coming back after a hiatus include All Saints’ Episcopal Church, APEX Museum, The Castle, History Atlanta, The Trolley Barn, WERD at the Madame CJ Walker Museum, and many others.

The Atlanta Preservation Center will host a number of discussions led by partners, as well as hosting authors John Bayne (Atlanta’s Westview Cemetery) and Jane Harmon, whose newest book, Warrior’s a fictional account of a Georgia girl growing up around the time of Sherman’s March during the Civil War.

For a complete schedule of events, visit PreserveAtlanta.com.

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GREEN PARADE

130th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade set for March 14

The 130th annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade returns to the streets of Midtown on March 14.

Started in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society, a Catholic and Protestant fraternal organization, the parade is one of the oldest of its kind in the U.S. and the longest running event in Atlanta’s history.

This year’s parade steps off at noon at the intersection of Peachtree and 16th streets and continues south on Peachtree to the intersection of 5th Street. More than 200,000 people turned out for last year’s parade, and parade organizers are expecting a similar turnout this year.

More than 2,000 dancers, musicians, cheerleaders, clowns and Irish and local dignitaries are expected to march this year. The parade will again feature one of the world’s largest Irish “walking flags,” a large flag carried — or, more accurately, worn — by dozens of participants.

This year’s parade will also include the Wells Fargo stagecoach and an 11:45

a.m. performance by regional Irish dance groups to kick off the parade at the dignitaries’ reviewing stand at the intersection of Peachtree and 11th streets.

Another new addition: a 5K preparade run/walk through Midtown at 10 a.m. starting at the intersection of 12th and Juniper streets. The top male and female overall race winner will be invited to ride on a special float in the parade. For more information and a link to registration, visit atlantastpats.com.

“The parade pays tribute to Irish heritage and culture in a unique and fun way,” said Dave Fitzgerald, chairman of the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, Inc. “Throughout the years, the Irish have helped shape Atlanta into the city it is today, and this annual parade is a fitting way to pay tribute to those men and women.”

For more about St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, please turn to Page 40 and check out Yelp’s recommendations for local pubs.

Northside Hospital Cancer Institute diagnoses and treats more women with breast and gynecologic cancers than anyone in Georgia. The experienced, caring team and the survival rates are why so many women from across the country trust Northside with their cancer care. Northside helps thousands of women through their cancer journey. So they can take the first steps into their cancer free life. For help finding a cancer specialist, call 404-531-4444.

CanCer InstItute

Where the Extraordinary Happens Every Day

“ ere is a magical rapport between residents and sta at St. Anne’s that delights in the shared humanity and, yes, it brings ashes of lighthearted humor om both.”

Special

The walking Irish flag will return for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Focus on Faith

DESIRE STREET MINISTRIES

Nonprofit works behind scenes as ‘urban safety net’

By Clare S. Richie

Every five years, more than half of innercity ministers burnout, leaving their communities devastated. Urban ministry leaders seek to provide hope and solutions to the challenges facing their neighbors – poverty, violence, failing schools, run-down housing, high unemployment, and inadequate health care –but they can feel powerless and isolated.

With coaching, mentoring, and resources, Desire Street Ministries is helping its partners in Atlanta, Dallas, Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans, and Lakeland, beat the odds. Over the past five years, every partner ministry leader has continued serving their community.

Mo and Ellen Leverett founded the faith-based nonprofit in 1990 as an afterschool program for the impoverished Desire housing project in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Over the next 15 years, the program evolved to offer education, housing, health, economic development and youth recreation programs.

During this time, Danny Wuerffel, the Florida Gator football legend and 1996 Heisman Trophy winner, joined the organization first as a volunteer while playing for the New Orleans Saints and as the executive director in 2006 after the founders resigned.

“Danny was a professional football player. He had many options but he chose to be chief champion for the poor,” explained Anthony Gordon, Desire Street Ministries’ coach and mentor.

During Wuerffel’s tenure, the organization has remained committed to New Orleans – rebuilding a medical clinic, early childhood learning center, and wellness center in the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction. With its

headquarters relocated in Atlanta, Desire Street Ministries also expanded to other neighborhoods. For Wuerffel, this meant supporting local community leaders rather than setting up new programs.

Gordon, who worked as an inner-city pastor in Birmingham for 25 years before becoming a coach, agrees with Wuerffel’s vision of a ministry safety net. “This is personal for me because I’ve lived it. It’s a privilege to see them strive then thrive when they get the proper help. Partners are as grateful to the coaching and caring as they are for the technical assistance and skill building,” Gordon said.

Atlanta is home to two Desire Street Ministries partners, Summerhill Community Ministries and PAWKids. Both serve children and families in comprehensive ways, Summerhill in the Turner Field and surrounding neighborhoods and PAWKids in Grove Park.

According to Justina Dix, Summerhill Executive Director, “(Desire Street Ministries) is not trying to come in and take over, but want to come in to help you do what you are doing”

The word of Desire Street Ministries’ impact is spreading and the organization is thoughtfully trying to figure out how to keep up with demand for new partners while serving current partners.

“No one’s ever really done this – training the trainer in inner-city ministries,” Development Director Sara Pace shared, “The impact is exponential because children and families need healthy leaders.”

Yet she humbly shifts the focus to those they serve. “We hide ourselves in the success of our partners,” Sara explained. Gordon added, “It’s not about us.”

To learn more, see desirestreet.org.

Special Desire Street mentor Anthony Gordon, left, and Trey Hill of Mercy Street.

Special Desire Street’s Sara Pace with Justina Dix, the founder and executive director of Summerhill Community Ministries.

Focus on Faith

NEW SANCTUARY

ChristChurch Presbyterian relocates to Peachtree Street

The congregation of ChristChurch Presbyterian has officially moved into a dramatic new sanctuary at 1740 Peachtree St. in Midtown.

Unlike a traditional Southern or Gothic worship facility, the new church features a modern design that incorporated much of the site’s existing building. The church was built and designed by New York-based Gertler &Wente Architects in partnership with Atlantabased Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates and Van Winkle Construction of Atlanta.

“Our congregation is committed to serving both our neighborhood and the city through welcome, outreach and worship,” said senior pastor Rev. Dr. Paul Gardner. “We outgrew our former facility and needed a larger space where we could worship and meet together, invite people to join us and provide gathering spaces for youth, classes, meals, counseling and ministry work.”

Five years ago, the congregation purchased a threestory office building at the corner of Peachtree and 25th Streets, just a few blocks from their former location, and began the process of clarifying what they wanted to do with the site. Church members agreed they wanted to incorporate as much of the existing building as possible into a new facility, rather than destroy it.

Gertler & Wente had received acclaim for their innovative repurposing a 1913 parking garage in Manhattan into a new home for Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and ChristChurch officials believed the firm could bring a similar vision to the Peachtree site. Similarly, TSW had won a national award for the design of a new contemporary worship facility for Woodstock Community Church.

“In our early meetings with church leaders, they stressed their desire for a visible, environmentallyfriendly church building that invites people in and serves

the community in ways beyond traditional worship,” said Larry J. Wente, founding partner of Gertler & Wente. “They wanted the structure to make a strong architectural statement and reflect the forward-thinking, modern dynamic of Midtown. At the same time, we all agreed that using as much of the existing building as was feasible would be good for the environment and costeffective for the church.”

The two architecture firms collaborated on a design that expanded the existing building on its south side and elevated the roof and windows above a 925-seat sanctuary with a cross formed from narrow windows on the north-facing wall. Seating inside the sanctuary is accomplished through stackable chairs, rather than permanent pews, making the room flexible for other uses apart from worship services. The Peachtree Street side of the building features a subtle tower with three crosses facing north, south and east. An inviting courtyard transitions visitors from the busy city streetscape to the more contemplative areas of the building.

“As New Urbanists, we like to push buildings out to the sidewalk to encourage interaction and pedestrian traffic – goals shared by ChristChurch,” said Jerry Spangler, AIA, LEED AP, and founding principal of TSW. “The new church features a coffee shop facing Peachtree Street and an art gallery on the building’s south side. The contextual modern design helps the structure blend in with its neighbors, and we used steel and glass in the construction as well as more traditional church building materials like brick and stone. The exterior is clad in a large-scale porcelain panel along with the brick, glass and steel. Passers-by know it’s a church, but they might have to take a second look to be sure.”

For more about ChristChurch, visit christchurchatlanta.org.

Special

Above: Inside the 925-seat sanctuary at ChristChurch on Peachtree Street.

Right: A music performance rehearsal undreway inside the sanctuary.

Palm Sunday—March 29

Sanctuary Services | 8:45, 10:00, 11:15 am

Summit Services | 8:45, 11:15 am

Preaching: Vic Pentz, Marnie Crumpler

Maundy Thursday—April 2

Communion Service | 7:00 pm

Preaching: Chuck Roberts

Good Friday—April 3

Buckhead Community Service

Wieuca Road Baptist Church | 12:00 pm

Easter Egg Hunt—April 4

Chastain Park | 10:00 am–1:00 pm

Easter Sunday—April 5

Sanctuary Services | 8:45, 10:00, 11:15 am

Summit Services | 8:45, 11:15 am

Preaching: Vic Pentz, Joe Skillen

*Children’s programs available at all services.

Sunday parking onsite & via bus from 7:30 am –1:00 pm.

Powers Ferry Square: 0.5 mile north of the church on the west side of Roswell Road between SunTrust Bank & Dunkin’ Donuts.

Cates Center: 110 East Andrews Drive

Focus on Faith

JESUS SAVES

Big Bethel AME is a Downtown landmark

By Annie Kinnett Nichols

If you travel through Downtown Atlanta, chances are you’ve noticed the neon blue glow of the “Jesus Saves” sign atop Big Bethel AME (that’s African Methodist Episcopal). The sign has been a fixture on the skyline since 1922, when the church was rebuilt after a fire into the edifice that remains a vibrant part of the Sweet Auburn district.

I’ve been looking at the “Jesus Saves” sign since I was a child. My father, Ken Kinnett, is an Episcopalian minister and I was brought up to believe God loves everyone, so growing up it was just a cool sign. And Big Bethel believes it is a sign of hope for all and that all are welcome.

Big Bethel was a Methodist church until after the Civil War when it became an AME – the first independent denomination in the country. Formed into a corporation in 1843, four years before Marthasville changed its name to Atlanta, the church is the oldest predominantly African American congregation in the city.

Big Bethel has been a center of the community and social action since its beginnings. In 1879, the Gate City Colored School was the first public school for African Americans and it opened in the church’s basement. In 1881, Morris Brown College also held classes in Big Bethel’s basement until its campus was ready. Throughout the years it has been one of the largest meeting spaces

in the community and was known as “Sweet Auburn’s City Hall.” President Taft spoke there in 1911 and Nelson Mandela spoke at the same pulpit in 1990.

For the congregation, the iconic “Jesus Saves” sign has been a both a beacon and a sign of hope for the city. After meeting the folks at Big Bethel, including the wonderful church administrator, Marvin Fleming, who sweetly gave me his time and a tour on the coldest day in Atlanta, I concur it is about hope.

I had been to Big Bethel before for night concerts and the church itself is quite beautiful. A large semi-circle of pews face the pulpit and the centerpiece is a gorgeous Moller organ built onsite in 1924. The organ has been played every Sunday for the past 25 years by Phillip Skerrett.

Fleming noted that Georgia State University’s opening of a new dorm next door to the church had caused an uptick in attendees. “Youngsters are the future of Big Bethel,” Fleming said.

For more information about the church, visit bigbethelame.org.

Songs & Services: Atlanta Jewish Music Festival offers diverse line-up

By Collin Kelley

A line-up of local, regional, national and international musicians along with special services will highlight the 6th annual Atlanta Jewish Music Festival from March 12-23. Taking place at various venues around metro Atlanta, the event festival is the only annual celebration of Jewish music in the South.

“AJMF6 is going to be our biggest and best yet,” Founder and Director Russell Gottschalk said. “I’m most excited about the spotlight we’ve given Israeli performers at our main event, offering Atlantans and visitors from around the South a chance to connect to Israel here at home.”

The AJMF6 line up includes:

Opening Night featuring Jump Babylon: The festival begins March 12 with the Atlanta premier of Ska/Roots/Rock group Jump Babylon from Montreal. The event will be held at Steve’s Live Music, 234 Hilderbrand Drive. Doors at 6:30 p.m., music at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Shabbat Service: Ahavath Achim Synagogue and Congregation Bet Haverim musicians will celebrate the spirit and reach of sacred Jewish music through Kirtan chanting on March 13 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. The service begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

“Fortress” Release Event: Singer/songwriter Hannah Zale is releasing her debut solo record “Fortress” with Republic Records on March 14 at Steve’s Live Music, 234 Hilderbrand Drive. Doors at 6:30 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m.

Atlanta Community Food Bank Hunger Walk/Run: AJMF will produce a stage at the 31st annual Hunger Run Walk on March 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at Turner Field. Musicians taking part include 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra and Tony Levitas. Register for the walk at acfb.org.

Red Heifers: Macon-based band Red Heifers will perform a concert rooted in modern improvisation of Klezmer, Zydeco and other world music styles on March 15 at Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Yael

Shabbat Ruach: Join Rabbi Brian Glusman, Cantor Lauren Adesnik, Sammy Rosenbaum, and local musicians from the AJMF community for a Shabbat Ruach celebration on March 20 featuring timeless melodies, new creations and soothing grooves. The event will be at Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive. Service begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Main Event: The festival Main Event featuring Israeli artists Yael Deckelbaum and Diwan Saz is March 21 at Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave., in Little Five Points. Doors at 7:45 p.m. and music 8:45 p.m. The show is for ages 13 and up.

Interfaith Dialogue: Members of Diwan Saz will converse with community leaders on March 22 about their lives in the Middle East and how they are using music to promote peace. The event will be at the Emory Center for Ethics, 1531 Dickey Drive, at 10 a.m. Free and open to the public.

Cantorial Showcase: Cantors Adesnik, Hartman, Kassel and Margolis will join together to celebrate sacred music from across the ages on March 22 at Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive. Doors at 4 p.m., music at 4:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Holocaust Remembrance Concert: Lead by Dr. Laurence Sherr, this event featuring Summit Trio and more will offer music of resistance and survival will create connections to the lost and forbidden voices of composers, songwriters and poets lost during the Holocaust. The event will be held March 23 at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public.

For tickets and details visit AJMF atlantajmf.org.

GRAND OPENING! mARCH 15

English & Spanish service

March 15 - 10:00am

Endeavor Church at Hills Park

1755 Annie St NW Atlanta, GA 30318

Between Marietta St and Marietta Blvd

Now meeting each Sunday at 10:00 AM for English and 11:30 AM for Spanish

www.theendeavoratlanta.org

facebook.com/endeavorchurchatlanta

For the convenience of our patients, we have a new office location at Northside Hospital Campus. Appointments being accepted now! Call to schedule for either office today: 404-352-2850

Morningside Mile event to benefit endangered VaHi fire station

Doc Chey’s Noodle House will host the 5th annual Morningside Mile fundraiser on March 29 from noon to 2 p.m. Pro ts from the event will bene t the restoration of historic Virginia Highland Fire Station 19 and the campaign to save the landmark from possible demolition in 2016.

e one-mile race kicks o in Virginia Highland on the corner of Lanier Boulevard and Virginia Avenue, and will conclude in Morningside at Doc Chey’s Noodle House.

e runners will be greeted at the nish line with a fun- lled block party featuring music, food from Doc Chey’s and a noodle-eating contest with prizes ranging from $25 gi cards for children and $100 for adults.

Runners will receive a complementary SweetWater beer with race number upon race completion. Registration is open through March 26, or 1,000 runners, whichever comes rst. Sign up at morningsidemile. com.

“Fire Station 19 is one of our neighborhood’s most historic and beloved treasures,” says Doc Chey’s owner Rich Chey. “We aim to bring the

community together to not only enjoy the company but give back to an organization that has done so much for us.”

Fire Station 19 has been a city landmark for more than 90 years and is the city’s oldest re house. Although only basic repairs are needed and the station is in good structural condition, the City of Atlanta has put the station on the chopping block for 2016, unless the community can raise the necessary funds to renovate. To date, nearly $80,000 has been raised with an additional $220,000 necessary to keep No. 19 operating in a safe and e cient manner for another 50 years.

CHRIS POTTER UNDERGROUND

Featuring Adam Rogers, Fima Ephron, and Nate Smith

Saturday, March 14, 2015

8:15 PM | $40

“The emergence of Chris Potter as one of the most dynamic young players in jazz has been fascinating to behold” (Chicago Tribune); he is “easily the most compelling saxophonist of his generation” (Detroit Free Press).

VIDA GUITAR QUARTET

Saturday, March 28, 2015

8:15 PM | $40

Pre-concert Dinner 6:30 PM

“VIDA sparkled with vitality and spontaneity, weaving a rich tapestry of color and breathtaking range of dynamics and percussive effects that held the audience spellbound …the visual interplay between them enhancing an already superb performance. These are outstanding musicians; if you can, go hear them play” (Acoustic).

Neighborhood Hot List: Westside/West Midtown

1. Westside Provisions District

e intersection around 14th Street and Howell Mill Road has been transformed into a retail and restaurant mecca. Trendy clothing, homegoods and some of the city’s most awardwinning eateries call the district home.

2. Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand

e basket of three chicken sausage sliders with barbecue sauce will make your eyes roll back in your head.

3. Room & Board

Modern furniture and accessories to ll your new Westside lo or condo.

4. West Egg Café

Whether you’re going for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch, bring your patience because there’s o en a wait -- and it’s worth it.

5. Atlantic Station

e massive mixed-use development on the site of the former Atlantic Steel site put West Midtown on the map. Shopping, dining, living and frequent visits from Cirque du Soleil.

6. Octane Coffee Westside

Octane’s agship co ee shop at the corner of Howell Mill and Marietta Street continues to bring in students, business folk and hipsters for a cup of joe and some wi- time.

7. Poem 88

e award-winning gallery and literary center is temporarily closed but will reopen in a bigger space inside Westside Provisions District in May.

8. Le Fat

Guy Wong’s anticipated new FrenchVietnamese fusion restaurant should be opening any day now.

9. The Merchant

Antiques and unique gi s for every occasion in a charming shop on Marietta Street.

10. The Optimist

Chef Ford Fry is a semi nalist for a 2015 James Beard Award and e Optimist, which has earned raves from Bon Appetit and Esquire, continues to draw in foodies.

Tell us about new restaurants, attractions, shows, concerts, businesses or o -the-beaten path places in your favorite neighborhood. Submit your favorite local spots (and pics!) to us at collin@atlantaintownpaper.com

Photos By Isadora Pennington Delia’s Chicken & Sausage

Brian Parris, DJ, at Octane Coffee Westside.

Grace Clark and Nathan Ream putting on their ice skates before going out on the rink at Atlantic Station.

Room & Board display

The Merchant

Education Briefs

Intown and All Around Town

Atlanta Public Schools Athletics Director Jasper Jewell has been selected by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association as Class AAA state Athletic Director of the Year. Jewell was previously selected by his peers as Region Georgia 4-AAA Athletic Director of the Year. Jewell will receive both awards at the GADA state conference in Savannah this month. “I am really proud of the accomplishments that our dynamic studentathletes have made, and I am honored to be a part of a sta that has helped to double athletic participation in four years,” said Jewell. “Our athletic teams have consistently gotten better, and we are able to compete frequently in the state. is drives my passion for this work. It’s the students that make this the best job ever.”

e Atlanta City Council is exploring the option of using old Atlanta Public Schools property for new greenspace in the city. Councilman Michael Julian Bond introduced the legislation last month to use APS property owned by the city for new parks.

Clipper Petroleum Foundation and Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance have awarded Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School grants to purchase SmartMicroScopes. Designed to interact with the whiteboard technology already in place at the school, these microscopes will expand and enhance the methods and materials used in teaching science curriculum in the third, fourth and h grades. “I can’t wait to get it into the hands of our students to help them explore the world around them,” said IHM hgrade teacher Cindy Taube. “ e SmartMicroScope will enhance scienti c observation and investigation while bridging the gap between scienti c theory and reality.”

Lovett School junior Catt McCreary was recently named a 2015 National YoungArts Foundation Merit winner in the voice/popular voice category. She is one of 700 winners from across the nation chosen from 11,000 applications. Catt will be able to use her designation in her college applications, on-line pro le, resume, and during interviews.

irty-nine Atlanta Public Schools scholar athletes announced which college or university they will lend their academic and athletic talents to this fall during the district’s National Signing Day ceremony at Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School held last month. is is the rst year APS has had four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football early enrollees in the history of the APS athletics program. Early enrollees include three from Benjamin E. Mays High School Raiders, who played in the GHSA Class AAAAA state championship: Natrez Patrick, who signed with the University of Georgia; Dallas Warmack, University of Alabama; Khalil Brooks, Middle Tennessee State University; and Aaron Williams from the New Schools at Carver, who signed with the University of Nebraska.

Springdale Park Elementary School will hold its 6th annual Spark A er Dark fundraiser on March 21 at 7 p.m. at Le Fais do-do, 1611 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard NW. e adults-only gala and silent auction will also featured a catered meal and cash bar. For information and tickets, visit atlanta.k12.ga.us/Domain/4257.

e GLOBE Academy is the rst public charter school in Atlanta to o er full Mandarin immersion to Kindergarten and 1st grade students. Upper grade students that are not in the immersion track also learn Mandarin each week during a special class. For more information, visit theglobeacademy.org.

Jasper Jewell

Catt McCreary

Peggy Hibbert Burma Weller Chrissie Kallio Real Estate Frank Wynne Palmer Team

Carmen Pope

Clay Henderson

Robert Blaha

Lisa Cronic

Kevin Grieco Laura Matura Casey Keesee Anne B. Fuller Heyward Group

Ally May Shannon Makaila Stephen Beckwith Brendan Wright

Robin Elliott Alison HutsonDouglas Ariane McClure Julia Blake Sylvia MallarinoBras Jason Jordan Bradford Smith Rachael Blatt

If you’re 50 or older or have a family history of colon cancer, a preventive screening is just what the doctor ordered. In fact, when detected in its early stages, colon cancer is one of the most highly treatable and preventable cancers. Drinking the colon prep isn’t as bad as you’ve heard, and the procedure itself can take less than 30 minutes.

Raise a glass to screening!

It could save your life.

Let our experienced physicians help you stay healthy. March is

Health & Wellness Briefs

e SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center has received a grant from the Bob Woodru Foundation to help support the hospital’s rehabilitation and treatment program for service members and veterans who have served in the Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn wars. e grant will help fund, in part, a new life coach, who will engage with SHARE Military Initiative clients once they return home to ensure they are able to fully integrate the techniques they learned in therapy into their daily life.

Grady Health Foundation’s 5th annual White Coat Grady Gala will be held March 14 at the Georgia Aquarium. e gala, created to honor healthcare heroes and since its beginning in 2011, has raised more than $4.3 million to support the needs of Grady Health System. For tickets and information, visit whitecoatgradygala.com.

e 5th annual Shaken, Not Stirred Gala, presented by Northside Hospital and bene ting the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, will take place March 21 at the Delta Flight Museum. e evening will include cocktails, dinner by e Capital Grille-Dunwoody, dancing, casino games, tributes and live and silent auctions. e evening will be emceed by WXIA’s Christine Pullara and there will also be live music from the Joe Gransden Big Band. Attire is black tie-optional, and festivities kick o at 7 p.m. with a VIP reception starting at 6 p.m. For tickets and information, visit ShakenNotStirredGala.com.

Inman Park resident and Condition Kettlebell Gym owner Delaine Ross has launched her new website TrainWithDelaine.com. e site is aimed at helping other coaches and trainers perfect Kettlebell techniques, workshops, vide logs and more.

Photo by Gary Meek USMC Cpl. Reason Stanley participates in vocational rehabilitation counseling in the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center.

Duplex

Virginia

Luxury experience at every price.

(404) 975-0717

to Emory

$469,900

(404) 966-3949

End unit 3BR/2.5BA townhome in gated community w/two car garage. $227,000 LINDA TURNER (404) 401-7888

Rare 2BR/2.5BA at The Gallery with a separate office. $535,000 SHERRY HOGER (404) 921-9510

Large corner 1BR/1BA unit with hardwoods throughout. $249,900

ASHLEY J. WEBB (770) 653-6517

Former model 3BR/2.5BA. $295,000

CHRISTINE O’NEILL (404) 857-7058

BEN O. PRUETTE (404) 668-7132

855

(770) 842-5754

709

3BR/2BA convenient to the City of Decatur with open kitchen. $299,900

MICHAEL HOSKIN (678) 428-8737

HARRY NORMAN, REALTORS ® the intown office

Mike Wright, Sr. VP/Managing Broker 1531 Piedmont Avenue NE • Suite B • Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 897-5558

www.harrynorman.com

57

DRIVE 5BR/5.5.5BA new custom home in Chastain. $2,250,000

JEFF MASAREK (404) 314-1104

3445 STRATFORD ROAD #2507 Roommate floor plan 2BR/2BA in the heart of Buckhead. $329,900 SHERRY HOGER (404) 921-9510

1082 CENTER STREET

4104 CLUB DRIVE 4BR/4.5BA in Historic Brookhaven on +/-

633 HILLPINE DRIVE Morningside duplex. $549,000 CRAIG MIHALY

8875 GULLATT ROAD

TODD

GABERONNE COURT 3BR/2.5BA

591 WATERFORD ROAD

SYBIL

Two story 3BR/2.5 BA Penthouse with rooftop terrace. $1,200,000 JOEL CRAWFORD

PEACHTREE STREET #3604

1321 STILLWOOD DRIVE

convenient

and

Highland.

KEATING & CRAIG TEAM

222 12TH STREET #704 1BR/1BA with Downtown skyline views and fabulous amenities. $304,900 THE CHRIS L HOUGH TEAM

1341 BENTEEN PARK DRIVE

2382 LEAFGATE ROAD

943 PEACHTREE STREET #1319

PARK LANE

INTERLOCHEN

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A LOOK BACK

This Month in History

Ann Taylor Boutwell

March 9, 1960: A group of Atlanta University Center students led by Julian Bond and Lonnie King released An Appeal for Human Rights as a full-page advertisement in the city’s daily newspapers. e appeal called for civil rights for African-Americans and outlined the organizing of sit-ins to protest segregation around Atlanta. Known as the Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights, the group began the Atlanta Student Movement and held sit-ins at lunch counters and other locations starting on March 15 that same year.

March 12, 1925: Davison-Paxon merged with R.H. Macy and Company of New York. On March 21, 1927, the new store opened on Peachtree in the handsome $6 million building designed by Starrett and Van Vleck of New York and Hentz, Reid, and Adler of Atlanta. e landmark site next door to the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel is now known as events and o ce facility 200 Peachtree.

March 13, 1981: Timothy Hill, 13, was the last child killed during what is now known as the Atlanta Child Murders that galvanized the city from 1979 to 1981. Wayne Williams was eventually arrested and convicted in the murder of two adults, but was never convicted in the murder of any of the 23 children. Hill’s death by asphyxiation would be attributed to Williams and the case eventually closed.

March 14, 2008: More than 50 trees were toppled and dozens of headstones and obelisks were destroyed when a tornado struck Oakland Cemetery. e tornado damaged buildings as it tore through Downtown Atlanta, including blowing out windows in the Westin Peachtree Plaza and severely damaging the Fulton Cotton Mill Lo s across from the cemetery in Cabbagetown. It was the rst tornado to hit the Downtown area since weather record keeping began in the 1880s.

March 25, 1932: Changing the community of Buckhead’s name to something more highfalutin’ again became an issue. Six years earlier, a large group of Buckhead citizens petitioned the Fulton County Commissioner to change the name to “Northwood.” Luckily, the attempts to change the name all failed. Buckhead was created in1838, when South Carolinian Henry Irby and wife, Georgia native Sardis Walraven, bought and settled on 202-plus acres of land around the present Peachtree, Roswell and West Paces Ferry roads.

March 27, 1944: e Atlanta-based Coca-Cola company registered a trademark for the so drink’s more common name, Coke. Be sure to check out the Coca-Cola Bottle exhibition at the High Museum now through October marking the iconic bottle’s 100th anniversary.

March 30, 1873: e Atlanta Street Railway, the city’s rst streetcar system pulled by mules and horses, opened the Taylor Hill line, which ran to within a block of where the Georgia Dome now sits.

Historian Ann Taylor Boutwell is a docent at the Margaret Mitchell House & Museum. Contact her at annboutwell@bellsouth.net.

Pet Pick

Marcus is as charming as he is handsome. He is the life of every party and, of course, a sta favorite. He loves to play with other dogs, but he dreams most about having a human family to call his own. He would love someone to go running with, watch movies with, and someone who will give his ears a scratch when they get itchy. Marcus is a 2-year-old hound dog who is in great health. To adopt Marcus 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

e international auction house Bonhams recently presented the 5th annual A Celebration of Dogs bene ting the Atlanta Humane Society. Held at the Bill Lowe Gallery, the lively cocktail bu et supper and exhibition of paintings from Bonhams upcoming auction of “Dogs in Show and Field” was chaired by Mary Moore Bethea, Bonhams representative, and Karen Spiegel. BNY Mellon Wealth Management was the Presenting Sponsor, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Springmont Montessori were lead sponsors.

Lifeline Animal Project recently won a $100,000 Lifesaving Grant from the Petco Foundation. A er taking over the management of two municipal county shelters in Dekalb and Fulton counties, Lifeline has worked tirelessly to lower the euthanasia by over 50 perecent in each of these communities. e Petco Foundation’s investment recognizes the work of the Lifeline organizations and supports their continuous e orts to create lifesaving communities in the Atlanta area.

Piedmont Bark has completed the third phase of massive renovation project and now o ers 48 large dog-boarding suites. Another 64 small dog-boarding suites are expected by the end of March. e new suites o er individual or family boarding in an open-air environment complete with individual climate controls. Boarding is even more luxurious with plush dog beds, stainless steel bowls and ltered water provided for all. Piedmont Bark is located at 501 Amsterdam Ave. in Midtown. For more information, visit piedmontbark.com.

Special

Chris Holstein, Regional president of Presenting Sponsor BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and his wife Kathleen with their Terrier mix Scout, an adoptee from the Atlanta Humane Society, and Tim Sheehan, Senior Director of Business Development of BNY Mellon.

Summer Camps

Atlanta International School Summer Camps 2015

Purpose. PLAY. Passion.

Whether your camper is a budding scientist, a theater enthusiast or a social entrepreneur, The Children’s School has a camp that satisfies every interest!

Visit http://tinyurl.com/TCSSummer or call 404-873-6985 to find out where your adventure begins!

An independent elementary school serving students age three through sixth grade 345 Tenth Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Language Camps and More!

Orchestra

Chinese

Adult ESL

2015 Summer

Connection

Great Variety of Summer Camps – Athletics, Arts, Academics, and More – from Pre-School to 12th Grade!

For information, contact Barbara Klein

email: barbara.klein@hies.org

(404) 303-2150 ext. 848

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School 805 Mount Vernon Highway, NW Atlanta, GA 30327

www.hies.org/summerconnection

Filmmaking

June 8 – July 31, 2015

Register Now! www.aischool.org/summercamp

Convenient Buckhead location (404) 841-3865

Summer Horse Camps

Chastain Horse Park - convenient Buckhead location!

Mon-Fri 8:00am-1:00pm

Camp includes daily riding lessons, crafts, and games! Lots of fun!

Contact Bergen at 404-252-4244 or lessons@chastainhorsepark.org

Boarding * Riding Instruction * Therapeutic Riding Professional Clinics * Pony Parties * Camps

By Tim Sullivan

Everyone Gets a Trophy!

By Tim Sullivan

My buddy Schulzie and I have had a long-running snark about how kids get trophies for everything these days. Elliott is 7 and already has a gaggle of trophies, one from every team sport he has participated in and, already, he could care less about them. ey are scattered around the house propping up books, holding Legos and occasionally dating Barbie dolls when Margo gets a hold of them.

When we were kids, winning a trophy usually required something pretty spectacular so of course the want for one was tenfold. e largest trophy I ever won was for a league-wide foul shooting contest in the seventh grade. My brother Steve had placed in the tournament several years prior, so I knew what was at stake. ere were many kids to beat, but man did I ever want that big honking trophy.

Maybe it was because it was a Catholic school league but back then, the free throw was more sacred. I modeled my routine a er Chris Mullin, the legendary St. John’s University and NBA player. It was a slow ve dribbles while blocking out all of the world but the front of that rim. en a so ip to get the laces right, and just enough of a pause to make sure the hushed gymnasium swelled with anticipation. e drama was as thick as the shorts were short.

I placed second in the contest behind a kid named Rizzo, but he was some sort of foul shooting savant, so I was still pretty proud. And the trophy may have surpassed the achievement itself. In terms of raw materials I can envision a ridiculous Restoration Hardware writeup: Reclaimed mahogany, marble and steel harvested from a grammar school basketball trophy circa 1985, adorn this chic table lamp…$850.00. I sauntered around the gymnasium for a while carrying this beast of an award so as to be noticed by as many people as possible.

Like many kids, I had wall of trophies on my bedroom wall. It was like a shrine,

and I draped a white cloth over the shelving and experimented with accent lighting. Okay, that might have been a little over the top, but somewhere along the line, kids who could barely walk and chew gum at the same time sported trophy collections that would rival Michael Jordan’s. Only they didn’t care. I’m not sure who to sue for the devaluation.

I coached Elliott’s 7-8 year old basketball team this winter and our record was 1-8. Trophies supplied by the league were to be distributed a er the last game (or basically whenever we felt like it). Early in the season, we had more tears than points and there were occasions where pleading was needed just to eld ve on the court. I’d called out “hands up!” so much from the sideline because coaching simple motor skills was more e ective than the 3-2 zone I failed at implementing. O ensively, trips down court where a shot was attempted were celebrated as minor victories.

But each Wednesday at practice I would see little sequences that looked like actual basketball and each Saturday we suited up for the games and gave it our best. We really did improve quite a bit. In the nal game, we almost beat an undefeated team, but we celebrated as if we did in fact, win. I was prouder than on the day I won that giant trophy in seventh grade.

I was still determined not to just hand out “participation” trophies, though, so at the team party I made up a category for each of them – Best Passer, Best Defender, Most Improved, Mr. Potential, etc. – and toasted their achievements. I really enjoyed coaching these kids so handing out the trophies was thoroughly enjoyable. And I’m sure you all knew this already but it nally occurred to me that the reason everyone gets a trophy nowadays is not for the kids, it is for the adults.

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@sullivan nerugs.com.

Resale shop in Toco Hills aids victims of sexual exploitation

By Martha Nodar

O ering assistance to survivors of domestic sexual exploitation is the goal of Wellspring Treasures, an upscale resale shop tucked into the Toco Hills shopping center.

“ is shop has been tremendously embraced by the community,” said Kathleen Kennard, who oversees all four stores operated by nonpro t Wellspring Living. “We are very appreciative.”

Decatur resident Jill Rowe said she has been a frequent customer since the store opened last year.

“From the outside this store looks like a boutique in Europe,” Rowe said. “I was struck when I rst walked in the shop. e way it is set-up and the quality of the merchandise are very sophisticated. Prices are consistent with the quality.”

A welcoming ambiance begins as one steps into the store’s front door, which may be open depending on the weather. Patrons are likely to nd so music playing in the background and a friendly sta ready to o er a fresh cup of tea.

A room with a view of the parking lot highlights the furniture gallery – a section of the store decorated to induce a feeling of comfort with so silk pillows, a dining room table and chairs, a china set, an armoire, throw blankets, lamps, art work and home décor.

Friends Claire Capshew and Allison Harper of the Emory area said they generally stop by the shop when they visit the shopping center as part of their routine.

“Claire and I typically come by at least twice a month,”

Harper said. “ ey have good quality items here that are very unique. It also feels good to contribute to the organization’s mission.”

Kennard said proceeds from the shop o set the operating expenses of a Wellspring Living’s recovery campus in the Atlanta area designed to help survivors of domestic sexual exploitation. She said these expenses include the cost of food, clothing, counseling, education, housing maintenance and grounds upkeep.

Donations of furniture, home décor and women’s clothing in good condition are always welcome, Kennard said.

“Just about everything we have here has been donated,” said Barbara Halpern, the shop’s assistant manager. “As the result, we are able to be frugal and maintain this store through our volunteers. As we continue to grow, we will need more volunteers.”

Rowe, Capshew and Harper said they never leave the store without checking out a small section carrying women’s clothing and accessories, such as tops, pants, scarves, shoes, purses, and jewelry. Books are also sold here.

e store is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. For more information call (404) 875-9797 or visit wellspringliving.org.

Martha Nodar

From left Mariah Cheyney, volunteer , and Barbara Halpern, assistant mgr, right, rearranging china setting in furniture gallery.

Price Curtis No. 2 Small Team, Company-Wide

Harvin Greene & Stephanie Marinac No. 1 Small Team, Company-Wide

Rudy Harrell No. 1 Individual Agent, Company-Wide

Alden Potts

Karen Rodriguez Ethel Wotton

Robert Peterson Diane Arnold

Pat Junod Ashley Rearden Maryanne Mooney Kate Burke Sally George

Suzanne East Jason Cook Heather Steiner

Anna Stephens Dawn Anderson Rod White Jill Slone Lindsay Dendy Jeff McCrary Carrie Anne Rillo

Paces Properties – the developers of Krog Street Market in Inman Park – plan to resurrect the Atlanta Dairies complex on Memorial Drive in Reynoldstown. According to Curbed Atlanta, the $125-million redevelopment would simply be called Atlanta Dairies and include retail, commercial, o ce and residential. e development will have an entertainment component with places for live music, bowling, skee-ball, a pinball bar, 24-hour diner and a “literary center” with a co ee shop feel.

Electronics retailer Radio Shack recently announced it would close 1,784 stores as part of bankruptcy ling, including the locations at Buckhead Crossing, Perimeter Mall and on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.

As Buckhead Atlanta continues to open new stores and restaurants, OliverMcMillan has announced ve additional retailers will be opening soon: Billy Reid will o er menswear and women’s wear in a 2,104-square-foot boutique expected this summer; Davido of Geneva will open its rst freestanding store in Atlanta o ering handcra ed cigars, tobacco products and accessories in the spring; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery will have a 13,183 showroom to showcase its top-ofthe-line xtures this summer; French-Italian appareal brand Les Copains will open its rst U.S. shop at a date to-be-announed; and swimwear shop Vilebrequin will open its rst Atlanta store in the summer.

Inman Park-based House of Current has been recognized with a Silver Award in the 2015 Graphis Advertising Annual. Graphis, the international journal of visual communication, selected the new branding campaign created for the Grand Canal Shoppes in Las Vegas.

Paranoia Quest, an interactive gaming experience, has opened in Downtown at 72 Broad St. Groups of friends (or strangers) are forced to nd their way out of a series of harrowing situations including a zombie apocalypse, an infectious disease scenario and war games. Players solve puzzles, nd caches, use clues, tools and pure wit to nd their way out. For more details, visit paranoiaquest.com.

Made Again, an incubator for local and sustainable artisans, is expected to open this month at Inman Quarter at 280 Elizabeth St. in Inman Park. Made Again provide an online sales platform as well as marketing and branding services. e agship store will be stocked with handmade and sustainable products from its clients. For more, visit madeagainatl.com.

US Fitness has expanded into the southeast with the acquisition of Atlanta Fitness. Over the next several months, the Atlanta Fitness clubs will transition to the Onelife Fitness brand name, and a signi cant investment will be made in new equipment, existing club upgrades and new locations.

TOPSHOP and TOPMAN will be opening their rst store in Atlanta on March 12 in Buckhead. e 15,600 square foot store inside Lenox Square will o er both brands across two oors. In addition to clothing for both men and women, there will be accessories, footwear and a complimentary personal shopping service. Across Peachtree Road at Phipps Plaza, Robert Graham will open a 1,239 square foot store on the main level o ering a full range of men’s sportswear, premium denim, furnishings, accessories, outerwear, eyewear, footwear, jewelry as well as women’s sportswear.

e Buckhead Coalition has elected new o cers and executive committee members for 2015. Renewed for two years was its Founding President Sam Massell, with the two-year Chairman’s position being lled by Je rey C. Sprecher, who is Chairman and Chief Executive O cer of Intercontinental Exchange.

Carpet Area Rugs Hardwood Natural Stone Designer Tile Window Coverings

Congratulations To Our 2014 Award Winners

The City of Decatur is one of seven local governments to be recognized by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for leadership in implementing policies and practices that contribute to efficient and sustainable use of resources in metro Atlanta.

The city became the first jurisdiction in the 10-county region to achieve Platinum level as a Certified Green Community, the highest certification level. Representatives from the city received its award at ARC’s January board meeting. ARC recognized the City of Decatur, along with two other cities – Alpharetta and Sandy Springs, and Cherokee, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties, which either renewed or upgraded certification in ARC’s five-year-old Green Communities program.

“The seven local governments the Atlanta Regional Commission recognized are working hard to use resources wisely and well, and I commend them for their achievements,” ARC Chairman Kerry Armstrong said. “Their efforts are contributing to cleaner air, reduced

Decatur earns certification for sustainability efforts

water demand, less waste going into landfills and more. As a result, we have a cleaner, greener region.”

Some of the actions Decatur took to become certified include:

• Developing an environmental sustainability plan as direct response to a charge from residents. The plan outlines goals and strategies that the city and community should take to deepen their commitment to serving as good stewards of the environment and resources.

• Expanding the Safe Routes to School program to include all eligible elementary and middle schools in the Decatur City Schools system along with College Heights Preschool and two private schools. An average of 55 percent of students participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day each year.

• Committing to building LEED certified facilities, the latest of which, Fire Station No. 1, is on course to obtain LEED Platinum. Sustainable technologies include high efficiency equipment and lighting, green roof garden, a geothermal vertical-closed loop heat pump system, solar water heating, rainwater harvesting and greywater reclamation. The building is designed to achieve a 33 percent reduction in energy consumption and in water usage.

• Supporting several community gardens with financial and in-kind support. At Decatur’s Kitchen Garden, more than 30 refugee families grow hundreds of pounds of fresh food each season, combating hunger that their families and neighbors face. The produce is also sold at the Decatur

Farmers Market and a number of Decatur restaurants.

ARC developed the Green Communities Program to foster greater environmental stewardship and to recognize local governments that invest in programs leading to a more sustainable region. The nationally recognized program showcases the ways in which local governments are helping to transform the region by reducing their environmental footprint. Since 2009, 18 jurisdictions in the 10-county region have been certified.

Accepting the Green Community Award are, from left, Gary Garrett, Decatur Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB); Sara Waterson, ESB; Decatur City Commissioner Patti Garrett; Lena Stevens, City of Decatur staff; Brendan Gardes, ESB; and Peggy Merriss, City Manager.

Community Spotlight: Decatur

THE LUCKY ONE

Kodac Harrison on his new album, poetry and Decatur life

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

Kodac Harrison – musician, songwriter, poet, artist and emcee – embodies the definition of a “renaissance man.” The Georgia native and 25-year resident of Decatur became synonymous with Intown’s indie music and poetry scene long before the rest of the country caught on.

After a raft of high-profile gigs (sharing the stage with Patti Smith, Marianne Faithfull, Gregg Allman, Warren Zevon, Harry Belafonte, Maya Angelou and performing for President Jimmy Carter) and a clutch of awards, Harrison isn’t one to rest on his laurels. He’s just released his 17th album, The Lucky One , and the audiobook version of his 2013 debut collection of poetry and lyrics, The Turtle and The Moon . The notoriously hardto-impress Jeff Clark at Stomp and Stammer magazine said the new album “encapsulates Harrison at his poetic best.”

Harrison dedicated The Lucky One , which features studio and live versions of new and old songs, to all the musicians and singers he has recorded and performed with over his 40-plus year career.

“I have been incredibly lucky to get to know and perform with all of these great people,” Harrison says.

He name-checks many of those who have made the new projects possible, including Senate Records and Joey Stuckey, who produced the audio book; his producers and recording engineers, Sean O’Rourke, Jody Worrell and Rodney Mills in Atlanta; longtime art director Mary Alice Cantrell; and his long association with singer Kristin Markiton, who provides backing vocals on a number of the tracks.

The Lucky One is also a watershed for Harrison and his career as a musician. An essential tremor has made it difficult for him to play guitar – something he has done everyday for 30 years.

“A combination of meds and alcohol will steady my hand enough to play live,” he laughs, “but I am more comfortable these days with poetry and spoken word.”

As host of the Java Monkey Speaks poetry open mic every Sunday night for a staggering 14 years, Harrison

has won new audiences and Creative Loafing’s “best spoken word performer” award countless times. A graduate of Georgia Tech, Harrison has held the university’s prestigious McEver Chair in Poetry and regularly emcees poetry events, leads workshops and gives reading of his work around the country. He also received a Masters of Business Administration from Tulane.

Harrison laughs about the MBA now. “I went to school to enter the corporate world, got the paper and realized it wasn’t for me.”

While in New Orleans, Harrison honed his guitar and songwriting skills and headed west to California. His first gig was in 1975 in Salinas at a bar called East of Eden, named after famed resident John Steinbeck.

“I got to the gig at East of Eden and someone else was onstage,” he recalls. “They had double-booked for the night, so I had to wait and play the next night. Welcome to show business! I wound up playing there regularly for more than a year.”

Harrison would go on to spend time in Texas, a commune in West Virginia, New York and a stint in the Army. In the 1980s, he decided to plug in and become a rock and roll star, but a near fatal car accident in 1989 made him re-evaluate his career.

“I realized I didn’t need to be a rock and roll star, and decided to go back to my acoustic guitar and move to Decatur,” he says.

His timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Acts like Indigo Girls, Michelle Malone, Kristian Bush, Jennifer Nettles and Kristen Hall had put Decatur on the musical map and Eddie Owens’ Trackside Tavern was a hotspot to hear these up-and-coming acts.

Harrison became a regular performer at Trackside and later at Owen’s eponymous Eddie’s Attic. As his presence in the indie music scene grew, Harrison also found an audience in Europe – especially Germany – and has made seven tours of the continent in the last couple of decades. Two of the tracks on The Lucky One were recorded during those tours.

In 1997, Harrison began laying the foundation for what is now the blossoming poetry scene in Decatur and Intown. He hosted gigs at Gravity Pub and the Margaret Mitchell House before finally landing at Java Monkey

in 2001. It’s been his homeaway-fromhome ever since.

Fourteen years is a long run for any poetry open mic, but the crowds continue to evolve and grow, especially with the monthly poetry slam that builds a team to compete at the National Poetry Slam. He’s also the chairman of Poetry Atlanta, the nonprofit that promotes poetry and operates a small press, which has published four award-winning anthologies of poets who have featured on the stage.

Harrison is gearing up for a regional tour to promote his latest work, thinking ahead to new projects

and is toying with the idea of handing over the reins of Java Monkey Speaks to a new emcee next year, the open mic’s 15th anniversary.

“Fifteen years is a long time to do something almost every Sunday night, but I know I’d miss it,” Harrison says with a grin. “I’m still thinking about it.”

Something tells us that we’ll most likely see Harrison at Java Monkey when the 20th anniversary rolls around.

Photo by Collin Kelley Kodac Harrison in his offce and studio surrounded by memorabilia from his 40-year career as a muscian, poet and artist.

Community Spotlight: Decatur

TO THINE OWN CHEF BE TRUE Kevin Gilliespie sets his sights on Decatur with Revival

By Dan Whisenhunt Decaturish.com

Celebrity chef Kevin Gillespie squints in the spotlight.

The former “Top Chef” contestant has a brand. He has a following. He plans to lend Decatur some of that brand when he opens Revival, hopefully by this summer. It isn’t another restaurant with Gillespie’s name attached, he said. He hopes it will be something special.

Gillespie, 32, always just wanted to be a chef. It’s what he’s wanted to be from the time he was a boy growing up in Locust Grove, Ga. He’d watch cooking shows on PBS and follow his grandmother Geneva –he calls her “granny” – around the kitchen. His parents were taken aback when he told them he saw cooking as a career path.

“People weren’t just saying chef a lot back then, so I think they were a little bit surprised,” he said.

Surprised but not opposed. They fed his passion, taking him to visit a culinary institute while on vacation. That was beginning. The journey is far from finished.

Following the call

Gillespie grappled with the idea of a culinary career throughout his formative years. While his family was supportive, they made it clear he’d have to carve his own way.

“Poverty was a very real thing for us, so my parents told me from a very young age that if I wanted to go to college I had to make that happen on my own,” he said. “I worked really hard in school and was accepted to a very prestigious university, and that was the plan. I was going to go there. I had my way paid by another company here in the state. At the end of high school, in the 11th hour moment, I told everyone I wasn’t going to do it. My heart was in cooking and in food and that I was going to try that.

That prestigious school was MIT where he planned to pursue a degree in nuclear engineering. He didn’t freely offer that information and it doesn’t appear in his official biography.

“I generally don’t put on record, because I don’t like to boast about it. I think it’s a bit

boastful,” the celebrity chef said.

He began his formal education at the Art Institute of Atlanta and eventually became the chef de cuisine at Woodfire Grill, working for chef Michael Tuohy.

Tuohy remembers his protégé as a young man with a gift.

“I knew before I hired him that he was a bright person and had a great attitude, and I didn’t know how talented he was until after I brought him on and started working with him,” Tuohy said. “He’s a super talent with great passion and has always had it.”

Top Chef

Tuohy is originally from Sacramento, Calif., and after decades of immersion in Southern culture, he decided it was time to move back home. Gillespie had relocated to Portland in 2006 with his mentor’s blessing. The young chef spent his time in Oregon learning the business side of running a restaurant without compromises and got a glimpse into a scene where people had a connection with where their food was grown and raised. But he was also homesick.

When Tuohy decided to sell, the new buyers gave Gillespie the opportunity to be the chef and run it. It was during this time that Gillespie got his first taste of failure.

He set about reshaping Woodfire based on his vision, making it more of a reflection of Southern cuisine. What he forgot was that for many years Woodfire was the vision of his mentor and for many customers, the chef’s departure signaled the end of their favorite restaurant.

There were nights with many empty tables. He said one night there were only two people in the restaurant. It wasn’t that the food was lacking. Gillespie notes that he was getting decent reviews.

“But we had an empty dining room and could not pay our bills,” he said. “We were all leveraged out. Lo and behold, in February 2009 I got a phone call from the producers of ‘Top Chef.’”

Gillespie said he was initially reluctant to do the show.

“But I had so much interest in not seeing my first time out of the gate fail,” he said. “What does a 25 year old kid have to lose to a certain degree other than pride and reputation? I agreed to do ‘Top Chef.’

It turns out it was the best decision I ever made.”

What is reality?

Reality can take on a new meaning when someone sticks a camera in front of it. Filming began that year and Gillespie said some things about the show were quite accurate.

“What I believed to have been very real were those times when we were in the kitchen,” he said. “When the clock began and when the clock ended, that was real. That’s not staged. That’s not forced. That pressure. The intensity. That’s the part that is absolutely unadulterated and real.”

Other aspects of the show were the inevitable result of sticking people in tense, high pressure situations.

“We were put in scenarios where they could predict the outcome,” Gillespie said. “Forced reality? Maybe. Scripted? No. But the truth of it is, when you put 17 alpha personalities in a house together and you take away their ability to make personal decisions. … When you put people in that kind of mental duress, people start reacting to minutiae. No one should lose their mind over their eggs being scrambled the wrong way.”

He finished filming the show and went back to work at Woodfire where business was still slow. Then the show debuted in August.

“I was in absolutely no way prepared mentally for the way my life was going to change,” Gillespie said.

The “Top Chef” contestant became a fan favorite, winning quickfire and elimination challenges in front of millions of viewers.

Or, as his mentor Tuohy put it, “He just kicked ass.”

On fire

It gave his business a nice kick, too. Suddenly Woodfire was running out of reservations and booked up for months.

“In one night our lives changed and we went to a restaurant that couldn’t accommodate how many people wanted to come into it,” Gillespie said.

The attention also brought its share of headaches. Gillespie said he’s received boxes of hate mail from viewers. He still gets it,

he says.

His wife and friends tell him to shrug it off. Sometimes he can’t let it go. When your life’s work is your career, the critiques cut a little deeper.

Gillespie said doesn’t want to sound ungrateful. He realizes that having a high profile helps far more than it hurts.

“I’ve been given a gift,” he said. “We use my name and my face and my brand – as weird as it is to say that – to ensure these restaurants stay full. I’ve learned to play the game, because there is a game to it. Even when it stings, there are people who would give their f---in’ left arm to be in the situation I’m in.”

Roots Gillespie left Woodfire in 2012 to create a restaurant that was distinctly his own. In 2013 he opened Gunshow, a freewheeling dining concept with an ever-changing menu that puts customers closer to the kitchen. According to the website it was, “Inspired by Brazilian churrascaria-style dining and Chinese dim sum.”

There’s a certain defiance in its aesthetic and its insistence on disruption of the traditional flow of the restaurant.

Gillespie’s next step will in some ways be a step back, to the dinner table on Sunday where his family shared meals that were not to be missed. There’d be a main entree and plates filled sides that the family would pass around as they ate.

“You would’ve had to have been in the hospital to get out of these meals,” Gillespie said. “It was a priority. It remained a priority forever.”

That tradition became the basis for the idea behind Revival. Gillespie hopes to open in the old Harbour House space on Church Street in June. He said it will be the kind of experience you’d get if you were a lucky guest at the Gillespie family table, one that is deeply personal. It will reflect his belief that one of the key ingredients of Southern culture is in dangerously short supply. He said he couldn’t think of a restaurant in Atlanta that honored the cooking traditions his grandmother kept.

“I couldn’t think of a single place that you could go and it made me really sad,” he said. “It made me really worried. Something that’s really important to Southern culture is our food ways.”

Until recently, he couldn’t find the space for the Revival concept. He had been working on another project, a barbecue restaurant called Terminus City. In addition to Revival, Gillespie also plans to open up a secondary concept in the restaurant’s patio space called Communion Wine.

“I have a hard time with the current world we live in and how detached I think that we are from one another a lot of the time,” Gillespie said. “I like the idea that people will have an opportunity to sit with their neighbors and share something that brings them together. This is not forcing strangers into an interaction they can’t handle. It’s saying, sit around the table. Share some drink. Share some atmosphere.” Gillespie will save Decatur a seat.

Photos by Jonathan Phillips Kevin Gillespie at his Glenwood Park restaurant Gunshow.

Chef Kevin Gillespie will be opening his new restaurant, Revival, in Decatur this summer.

Community Spotlight: Decatur

News & Events

Join Decatur Active Living on March 7 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for the annual Touch-a-Truck Event in the Callaway Building Parking lot, 120 West Trinity Place. This fun community event gives children of all ages an opportunity to touch, explore and see their favorite trucks or equipment on wheels. The City of Decatur and DeKalb County dump trucks, fire trucks, tractors, police cars and motorcycles and many other types of vehicles will be on display. Visitors are encouraged to ride their bikes to the event and register them with the Decatur Police Department. Visitors are also encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items to donate for National Nutrition Month. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for April 18.

The 10th annual Georgia Rides to the Capitol will be on March 24. The event, cosponsored by the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA), is designed to raise support for the development of a regional-scale bicycle network of both on-road facilities and multi-use trails, and cycling connections near major facilities, activity centers and schools. The bike ride is free and open to the community but participants should pre-register at GeorgiaRidesToTheCapitol. org. Preregistered cyclists will receive a free reflective leg-band. Join Commissioner Fred Boykin and other City of Decatur staff members for the Decatur leg of the ride. The Decatur ride leaves from the north parking lot of the East Lake MARTA Station, 2260 W. College Ave., at 10:45 a.m. and arrives at the Capitol at approximately 11:40 a.am. The ride from Decatur is five miles one way with some hills and will proceed at a slow pace. Visit georgiabikes.org for more information.

Moishe House Decatur opened in January and plans to build a grassroots community by hosting weekly programs for young adults. The international nonprofit offers rent subsidies to the young adult Jewish community who in return use their homes to host programs. The four residents of Moishe House Decatur are between the ages of 22-25 and bring their own unique story to the community. Tyler Brown currently works for the Federation in the Atlanta Jewish community. Sarah Lashinksy, a recent Georgia Tech graduate, is employed by a start-up that designs toilets for the developing world. Samantha Morton attended the University of Georgia and participated as a Trek leader for Adamah Adventures. Sammy Rosenbaum received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and works as a musician, writing and recording his own music. “We hope our house is a fun place where young professionals can engage and share in great experiences together,” Rosenbaum said. This is the second Moishe House in the metro, with the first opening last summer in Toco Hills. For more information, visit moishehouse.org.

Special Touch-A-Truck

Special

From left, Moishe House Decatur residents Sarah Lashinsky, Sammy Rosenbaum, Tyler Brown and Samantha Morton are ready to open their doors and create their own vibrant Jewish community.

Special Decatur officials on last year’s Georgia Rides to the Capitol.

By Isadora Pennington

If you’ve been in Atlanta long enough, chances are you’ve been to the iconic Plaza Theater at least once. You may have also heard of the Plaza around Christmas time of last year when the small independent theater stood by their decision to screen the controversial movie, The Interview. At the time, Sony had pulled the film in the midst of threats and controversy. The Plaza Theater fought to show the film and when Sony eventually did release the rights, the Plaza was one of the first theaters nationwide to screen the movie.

Located in Briarcliff Plaza shopping center at the corner of N. Highland and Ponce de Leon avenues, the circa-1939 art deco theater with its distinctive marquee has gone through many changes throughout the years. The shopping center was the first in Atlanta with off-street parking, and is Urban Outfitters (once home to the much-missed Plaza Drugs with its busy lunch counter), Righteous Room bar, FedEx/Kinkos, Island Flowers, Buffalo Exchange and the equally historic Majestic Diner, which has been serving up burgers and breakfast since 1929. During the 1970s, the theater shifted

Movie Magic

focus from blockbuster films to hosting mainly X-rated and burlesque shows. The owner of the property, Robert Griffith, chose to renovate the entire lot and the theater was later purchased by George LeFont in the 1980s. LeFont looked upon the historic theater with a new light, booking independent and classic films, a theme that remains to this day. In early 2003, the Plaza was purchased by current owner. Michael Furlinger, a theater enthusiast aiming to restore the space with ties to its history.

I have come to know and truly love the Plaza. My time spent working at the Majestic Diner familiarized me with that area and I attended a variety of shows. Screenings at the Plaza vary so much from film to film. For many, like the Atlanta Film Festival

movies, the aura is peaceful and observant. The respectful crowd watches in silence, giving only the most appropriate chuckles, and cheering and clapping for their preferred showings. At other times, like during the weekly Rocky Horror Picture Show, the vibe in the place is decidedly more raucous and vibrant. I miss the old Splatter Cinema festivals with B-movies and elaborate lobby displays.

Recently, I stopped by and talked with Plaza manager Brandon Delaney. “I’ve always had a love for the movie industry,” he told me, noting the importance of his involvement with the theater to his own filmmaking. Since Brandon came on board two years ago, the Plaza has undergone a significant shift from 35mm film projection to digital. The shift met with some resistance within the film community, however the results have not been disastrous.

“It’s been a nationwide switchover, and I think the trafficking and transferring of prints now is a lot more streamlined, convenient and much easier,” Brandon explained. “You have to evolve or wither away.”

It’s this adaptability that has kept the Plaza at the forefront of artistic filmmaking in the Atlanta community. “There’s always something going on,”

Brandon said. “You can never really put a finger down on the constructive feel of the theater because it’s always in flux.” Despite the theater’s evolution, the Plaza has maintained its foothold in Atlanta culture. “We’ve never stopped running,” he told me, a point of pride in discussing the longevity of this theater’s history. “It’s always been a theater in some way, shape or form.”

The building itself is surprisingly resilient, requiring little more than dayto-day maintenance and upkeep. It’s clear also that the space is valued for its historic aesthetics as seen in the classic posters lining the walls and film artifacts on display in the lobby. “It’s like you walk in and you just feel the history, you feel that connection instantly and know you’re a part of something that’s been going on for a while,” Brandon said.

Many celebrities have visited the Plaza. When asked his favorite memory, Brandon recalled when he encountered one of his favorite actors, Bill Paxton. “It was late and we were cleaning up during the screening of ‘The Enemy. ‘The theater door opens, a guy walks out… and it’s Bill Paxton. It was like, wow.”

The Plaza’s influence within the local film community is evident in their collaboration with local festivals and events. Most notably, they host the annual Atlanta Film Festival as well as a variety of other festivals and screening events. “We are always looking for new ways to engage people and get people into seats,” Brandon said.

For more information on our favorite films from this year’s festival, see the guide on Page 35. To see what’s currently showing at the Plaza, visit plazaatlanta.com.

More than 75 years later, Plaza Theater remains an Intown icon

Brandon Delaney

Photos by Isadora Pennington

Top, left to right. The marquee sits atop the theater in the Briarcliff Plaza, a marquee letter, fliers from past shows, and a sign advertising their Rocky Horror Picture Show can be found inside the theater. Bottom left, the main theater space maintains its historic charm through the continued use of curtains, a rarity in today’s theaters. Middle, the lobby is lined with posters from classic movies and many of the architectural elements from the original building remain. At right, the projector points through an opening in the wall into the main theater space from the projection booth.

GETTING ‘REAL’

Atlanta Ballet stages world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ classic, surrealist play this month

By Collin Kelley

The Atlanta Ballet will present the world premiere of Camino Real, based on the play by Tennessee Williams. The ballet will be staged March 20-22 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.

The new ballet is the work of the company’s resident choreographer, Helen Pickett, with an original score by Peter Salem, performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.

The story is told from the perspective of Kilroy, an American visitor who arrives in a surreal Spanish-speaking seaport and finds a myriad of strange, literary characters.

Pickett said her father gave her copy of Williams’ play and suggested that it might make a good ballet. She was at first skeptical, but subsequent readings and an immersion into the world of the playwright’s other work, letters and biographies convinced her that Camino Real just might work.

“Tennessee’s characters are formidable, as in awe-inspiring; human beings in full bloom, spanning the emotional spectrum,” Pickett said, noting that the town of Camino Real was also a puzzle to solve.

Pickett decided to use Havana, Cuba as a design influence to anchor the characters, which also include literary characters Esmeralda, Marguerite Gautier, Jacques Casanova and Lord Byron.

Pickett said: “I decided to make the characters the tangible and concrete

aspects. I felt their ‘realness’ and knew this was where it would not be surreal. I also conflated and cut some characters. I did this so I could tell the story in the way I understood it. I ground my retelling in the romantic aspect. These characters are all speaking of love and justice and the will to live and love a free life. That is how I interpreted it. Then Tennessee has built beautiful power struggles between good and evil, which define many good stories.”

To purchase tickets, visit atlantaballet. com or call (404) 892-3303.

GOOD GRACIOUS! Boyd Baker recreates old-fashioned variety show

By Clare S. Richie

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Good Gracious Show – March 14 at 8 p.m. at Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points. Bring your neighbors, kids, or parents to this showcase of Southern talent and Atlanta pride.

The March show line up includes singer-songwriter Gareth Asher, rockin’ Americana from Hannah Thomas, comedy with Dad’s Garage Improv, poet Theresa Davis, the Atlanta Drum Academy, 48 Hour Film Project, good deeds from The Giving Kitchen, news from Trees Atlanta, and more.

For show creator and Master of Ceremonies, Boyd Baker, this idea had been percolating for more than a decade.

“Being a fan of [NPR’s] A Prairie Home

Companion and the Colorado radio show eTown, I saw no reason Atlanta couldn’t mount something even better,” Boyd said.

While these radio shows inspired Boyd, he envisioned an on-stage community cultural experience that included conversations with the local artists. With community being a key ingredient.

Last year, with a little help from his family, friends and other believers, Boyd brought his variety show idea to the stage thanks to $15,000 raised through Kickstarter.

Carrie Shelvin serves as stage manager, assisting the acts and coordinating their timing. Melissa Pressman works the front of the house and merchandise. Stage technical support is Jeff Rosenberg with Martin Steib managing sound and lights. Boyd covers everything else from, securing acts, public relations, marketing, sponsorships, scripting and hosting the show.

The Good Gracious Show has found a home at the Variety Playhouse. The venue is a perfect fit and the location provides plenty of places to grab dinner and a drink within walking distance.

As the audience continues to grow, Boyd sees it becoming a regular bi-monthly event and believes it’s a natural to air on public television.

Tickets are $17 in advance at GoodGraciousShow.com.

Special

Tara Lee and Heath Gill in Camino Real

David Lewis/Steady Fly Productions tells of his drone camera crash in Alaska.

THE ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL

A world class celebration of film in Atlanta’s backyard

By Isadora Pennington

Filmmakers from across the country and around the world will arrive March 20-29 for the annual Atlanta Film Festival.

The event brings together critically acclaimed actors, filmmakers and professionals in the film industry to watch movies, attend red carpet events and to network. The festival has taken place since 1976, and has been based in a variety of venues and theaters in town, including the Midtown Art Cinema and Eyedrum. For the past two years the festival has been hosted by Plaza Theater and at 7 Stages in Little Five Points.

The Atlanta Film Festival is a membership-based nonprofit arts organization, and the festival seeks to encourage the community to think creatively and constructively through and about film. They offer year round events such as screenings, panels, parties and workshops to filmmakers and film-lovers alike.

Not only does the festival provide a unique opportunity for meeting influential creatives in the film industry, but it also serves as an introduction to Atlanta for many people who have never visited before, and encourages new projects and productions in the city. The festival is one of the largest and longest running film festivals in the nation, bringing in an audience of over 25,000 annually. The selections include independent films, documentaries, animations and short films.

The 2015 festival will feature over two dozen films with ties to Georgia. Included among the films and shorts are works by Anna Spence, Raymond Carr, Jiyoung Lee, Jef Bredemeier, and Plaza’s own Brandon Delaney and others.

Here, we have compiled a list of 10 Featured Films that we think you’ll enjoy. For a comprehensive lineup and to find out more about tickets and passes, go to www.atlantafilmfestival.com and www.facebook.com/atlantafilmfestival.

Hope to see you there!

big charity: The Death of America ’ s Oldest Hospital

One of the casualties of Hurricane Katrina was the abandonment of Charity Hospital, New Orleans’ 300-year-old medical facility that tended to its population regardless of one’s ability to pay. Glustrom’s film delves into the hospital’s history, including those days after the hurricane hit when the government failed to act. It also presents us with harsh realities regarding the death of public medicine in America.

Director: Alexander Glustrom. USA, 2014, English, 64 minutes

Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts play married fortysomethings in Noah Baumbach’s latest coming-of-middleage story. After befriending Darby and Jamie (Amanda Seyfried, Adam Driver), a young and unpredictable Brooklynite-couple, Josh and Cornelia find their marriage and careers upended as they struggle to evaluate the importance of acting their age.

Director: Noah Baumbach. USA, 2014, English, 97 minutes

While We ’ re Young

In a historically black neighborhood in Athens, Georgia, a college fraternity traditionally known to fly a confederate flag moves in and establishes their presence by staging an antebellum style parade. The documentary follows the neighborhood struggle over three years, while both communities fight to preserve their historical legacies against an evolving cultural backdrop in the South—and the nation as a whole. Director: Danielle Beverly USA, 2015, English, 54 minutes

Old South

Follow Dante as he closes one of Atlanta’s most magical landmark restaurants, Dante’s Down the Hatch. For 43 years, it was the only place you could dine inside an old pirate ship with live jazz while live crocodiles swam in a moat beneath your feet. Many people chose to make this place a tradition with birthdays, marriage proposals and anniversaries. See why it lasted so long and how it touched so many lives. Director: Jef Bredemeier. USA, 2015, English, 91 minutes

The Long Start to the Journey

Dante’s Down the Hatch

“The Long Start to the Journey” follows filmmaker Chris Gallaway on his personal attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail and to learn what the trail means to individuals he meets along the way. This is a personal story of struggle and perseverance as well as a historical account of the origins and cultural relevance of the Appalachian Trail.

Director: Chris Gallaway. USA, 2015, English, 70 minutes

“Frame by Frame” is a featurelength documentary that follows four Afghan photojournalists navigating a young and dangerous media landscape. Through cinema verité, powerful photojournalism, and archival footage shot in secret during the Taliban, the film reveals a struggle to capture the truth.

frame by frame

Directors: Alexandria Bombach and Mo Scarpelli. USA/Afghanistan, 2015, English/Dari, 85 minutes

The Keeping Room

After their father and brother leave to fight in the Civil War, sisters Augusta and Louise (Brit Marling and Hailee Steinfeld) and their slave, Mad, are left to tend to their homestead alone. When two rogue, drunken Union soldiers come looking for trouble, the women must defend themselves as General Sherman’s march quickly approaches. “The Keeping Room” rips genre and gender conventions apart in its showcase of three powerful and resilient southern women. Director: Daniel Barber. USA, 2014, English, 95 minutes

Stray Dog

Harley-Davidson, leather, tattooed biceps: Ron “Stray Dog” Hall looks like an authentic tough guy. A Vietnam veteran, he runs a trailer park in rural Missouri with his wife, Alicia, who recently emigrated from Mexico. Gradually, a layered image comes into focus of a man struggling to come to terms with his combat experience. When Alicia’s teenage sons arrive, the documentary reveals a tender portrait of an America outside the mainstream. Director: Debra Granik. USA, 2014, English, 98 minutes

A rich middle aged American woman (Pia Marie Mann) unexpectedly discovers her true origin after her parents have died. Deeply moved, in the midst of an identity crisis, she decides to travel, hoping to find the natural mother she has never known. She goes to a small and remote place in the south of Italy, Montedoro. She finds an apocalyptic scene when she gets there: the village, resting on a majestic hill, is abandoned and nobody seems to live there anymore. Director: Antonello Faretta. Italy, 2015, Italian/English, 88 minutes

Montedoro

The life of reclusive Beach Boys songwriter and musician Brian Wilson (played by Paul Dano and John Cusack), from his successes with highly-influential orchestral pop albums to his nervous breakdown and subsequent encounter with controversial therapist Dr. Eugene Landy. Director: Bill Pohlad. USA, 2014, English, 120 minutes

Love and Mercy

Visual Arts

American Craft Council Atlanta Show: A three-day celebration of all things handmade, the Southeast’s largest juried indoor craft show features more than 225 of the country’s select contemporary craft artists. March 13 through March 15. $12 to $13. shows.craftcouncil.org/atlanta

16 Likes, 3 Comments: Paintings by Leah Owenby: Painter Leah Owenby captures the fleeting moments of social media in this new body of work. Closes March 13. Free. decaturartsalliance.org

Steve Schapiro: Selma : On the heels of the major movie release of the film “Selma” comes this rare collection of photos from Steve Schapiro, who documented the Selma-to-Montgomery march. Closes March 14. Free. jacksonfineart.com

Jim Dine Exhibit : A father of the Pop Art movement, Jim Dine has shown more than 220 solo exhibits worldwide in sculpture, paintings, prints and photographs. Closes March 21. Free. alanaveryartcompany.com

Lost and Found: Brian Novatny returns to Atlanta after his 2006 exhibit with a new body of paintings and drawings that explore historical maritime disasters. Closes March 21. Free. marciawoodgallery.com

A Gathering of Continents: Georgia Tech’s Deluxe Editions of Joan Blaeu’s Atlas Major: Joan Blaeu’s nine volume atlas (also called the Grooten Atlas) remains the foremost European Atlas published in the 17th century. See original volumes on display at Tech’s Paper Museum. Monday through Friday. $3. Ipst.gatech.edu/amp

The Coca-Cola Bottle: An American Icon at 100: It’s the centennial of the famous Coca-Cola bottle, and the High Museum is exploring its iconic history with

photographs and pop art images from artists like Andy Warhol. Tuesday through Sunday. $12 to $19.50. high.org

Creating Matter: The Prints of Mildred Thompson: Explore the cosmos and the creation of the world through the abstract works of Mildred Thompson, an artist trained in New York and Germany and later settled in Atlanta. Tuesday through Sunday. $6 to $8. carlos.emory.edu

Maren Hassinger… Dreaming : Newspapers, plastic bags and leaves become large-scale art installations at this solo exhibition for sculptor and performance artist Maren Hassinger. Tuesday through Saturday. $3. museum. spelman.edu

The Power of Poison: Step inside fairy tales, rainforests, and some of history’s most puzzling cases to unravel the mystery

of poison in this family-friendly exhibit at Fernbank Museum. Daily. $16 to $18. fernbankmuseum.org

Performing Arts

A World Too Wide: CORE celebrates contemporary dance and Baroque music with new choreography and an orchestral score performed live. March 7. $15 to $60. coredance.org

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: Two of the world’s most celebrated fiddlers, this married couple is a whirlwind of Celtic music, dance and song. March 7. $22 to $44. ferstcenter.gatech.edu

Rigoletto: Verdi’s story of lust, vengeance and sacrifice returns to Atlanta in a new production from The Atlanta Opera at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Closes March 8. $26 to $140. atlantaopera. org

Wicked: Back by “Popular” demand. “Wicked’ returns to the Fox with the story of how two friends in Oz grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. Closes March 8. $45 to $175. broadwayinatlanta.com

Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Synchronicity Theatre will be developing this play by Atlanta’s own Lee Nowell all week long, leading to the first public staged reading on March 21. March 21. $10. synchrotheatre.com

Caroline Haffner: French Imperial Princess Caroline Murat is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist performing the works of Chopin, Liszt and Mozart under the stage name Caroline Haffner. March 8. $25 to $50. afatl.com

The Molly Blank Jewish Concert Series: Berlin to Broadway: Kurt Weill: Hear the songs, operas and instrumental music of this century composer who created some of the most memorable and political music of the 20th century. March 12. $65. thebreman.org

Snapshot: Sharp Observations, Small Revelations: Full Radius Dance returns to 7 Stages Theatre with a program featuring pieces inspired by Emily Dickinson, fairy tales and the work of street photographer Garry Winogrand. March 13 and March 14. $15 to $20. fullradiusdance.org

I Love Lucy Live on Stage: Audience members act as the 1952 studio audience members to the filming of two hilarious and oh-so-familiar “I Love Lucy” episodes in this stage show. March 13 through March 15. $45 to $65. cobbenergycentre.com

The House of Yes: Wendy MacLeod’s dark, compelling tale of family dysfunction tells the story of an upper-class suburban family who hides a dysfunctional dynamic. March 13 through March 28. $17 to $25. outofboxtheatre.com

Classical Guitar with Miloš Karadaglić: Miloš Karadaglić brings his electrifying performance style back to Symphony Hall with Rodrigo’s second concerto for guitar and orchestra, originally written for Segovia, the grand master of classical guitar. $24 to $99. March 19 and March 21. atlantasymphony.org

Daniel Roumain: Daniel Roumain, known for his collaborations with artists ranging from Philip Glass to Lady Gaga, returns to Emory’s Schwartz Center to premiere a new work commissioned by Emory. March 20. $45. arts.emory.edu

Atlanta Jewish Music Festival: Yael Deckelbaum & Diwan Saz: Israeli performers Yael Deckelbaum and Diwan Saz headline this sixth annual festival celebrating both traditional and modern music of Jewish heritage. March 21. $25 to $30. atlantajmf.org

Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet: From the playwright of “Choir Boy” and “In the Red and Brown Water,” this uncommonly magical play draws audiences into a world of self-discovery and sexual identity. Opens March 25. $20 to $32. actors-express.com

Little Shop of Horrors: A nerdish florist finds his chance for success and romance thanks to a giant maneating plant in this comedy horror rock musical. Closes March 28. $12 to $20. onstageatlanta.com

Atlanta Cupcake Factory

Chocolate Chocolate Cupcake

Rich, fluffy chocolate cake with a slightly dark chocolate flavored icing and candy ornament. The shop’s display case carries a variety of flavors and combinations. $2.75.

624 N Highland Ave. NE, 30306 theatlantacupcakefactory.com (678)358-9195

Sweet Treats

A tour of Atlanta’s tasty desserts

By Isadora Pennington

Living in Atlanta, it’s easy to fall in love with local foods. The restaurants and products that come out of our city offer one of the widest arrays of cuisine options in the country. In addition to classic Southern foods, we cannot overlook beloved, locally-sourced desserts. In my opinion, there are several dessert categories; doughnuts, cupcakes, popsicles, chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream. When I get a craving I will often go out of my way to find the best. This month I set out to find, photograph and eat my favorite of these sweets. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.

Rooster14 Cookie

Chocolate Chip Cookie

These rich doughy chocolate chip cookies come in a distinct scoop style shape and are a fan favorite of many local Atlantans. Check the website for distribution & ordering. $3.

Candler Park Market 1642 McLendon Ave. NE, 30307 rooster14.com (404)373-9787

King of Pops

Raspberry Lime

The tartness of lime plus sweetness of raspberry create a bright, fresh, springy pop. Other flavors include the Chocolate Sea Salt and a wide variety of seasonal flavors. $2.50.

Corner of Elizabeth St. & Bernina Ave., 30307 atlanta.kingofpops.net (678)732-9321

Sublime Doughnuts

ATown Cream

Custard filling in a delicious yeasty doughnut with chocolate glaze. I also recommend trying their fan favorite Fresh Strawberry N Cream doughnut. I got a dozen, just to be safe. $1.60.

535 10th St. NW, 30318 sublimedoughnuts.com (404)897-1801

Jeni’s Ice Cream

Double Scoop with fresh Waffle Cone

An avid chocolate ice cream fan, I opted for a double scoop with Askinosie Dark Milk Chocolate and The Milkiest Chocolate in the World on a fresh waffle cone. $6.

Krog Street Market 99 Krog St. NE, 30312 jenis.com (470)891-8105

TASTING INTOWN: Rumi’s Kitchen Restaurant Review

By Art Huckabee

What makes for a good restaurant or a restaurant that you want to re-visit? The short answer is the food, quickly followed by the service. After that, the list can get quite long with an ample helping of diner subjectivity thrown in for good measure.

This month, I’m putting on my food writer lab coat and “analyzing” what makes one of my favorite restaurants, Rumi’s Kitchen, a good, if not great, restaurant.

Accessibility: It can be good, but if it takes two hours in Atlanta traffic to get there, I’m not going more than once. Rumi’s is located just outside of the perimeter on Roswell Road, easily accessible from most anywhere.

Parking: If you have to park so far away that you have to use Uber to get back to the restaurant, it’s a one-time proposition for me. Rumi’s has valet like you read about. I don’t know where these moonlighting NASCAR drivers take my car, but it always returns in perfect shape and they genuinely seem happy with my $3 tip.

Reservations: There was a very brief window of time in my life where I would endure a wait of two hours and that was to ride Space Mountain at Disney World. Rumi’s take reservations and they also seem to handily accommodate walk-ins.

A pleasing space: You would never know that Rumi’s occupies what used to be a Midas muffler shop. What once were automotive bays is now well-lit, inviting

space with comfortable seating and views into an open kitchen.

Won’t break the bank: Rumi’s isn’t cheap with entrée’s ranging from the high teens to most in the twenties, but you feel as though you could manage a couple of visits a month without taking out a second mortgage.

A decent wine list and cocktail selection: Rumi’s wine list is only one page with emphasis on reds. There are lots of selections by the glass and the prices are reasonable. There’s a small craft cocktail selection and several beers.

Excellent service: Rumi’s excels. Be it a party of 12 or a party of two, the wait staff is always on point. They’re unnoticeably attentive, keeping plates cleared, water glasses filled and baskets full of the addictive flatbread. The rare misstep is quickly remedied.

Excellent food: I have never had, nor dined with anyone who has had, a bad dish at Rumi’s. Pick a couple of “Tastes,” like creamy Hummus or Merza Ghasemi, smoked eggplant with tomato and garlic; spread them on the hot flatbread. Or order some excellent grilled spicy wings flavored with lemon and saffron. Or maybe some Dolmeh, grape leaves filled with minced beef, rice and herbs.

For the entrée’s, or “Feasts,” Rumi’s is a kabab-a-palooza. From chicken to lamb to beef to seafood, there’s something for everyone. The Chicken Barg is saffron marinated breast meat, perfectly charred yet still tender. The four cuts of beef are as good as can be had anywhere in town. The Rack of Lamb is marinated in garlic, rosemary and saffron and grilled to medium rare perfection. The Chilean Sea

Bass is the best version of this Patagonian toothfish that I’ve had. The grilled saffron shrimp are also outstanding.

The “Feasts” are large portions. They come with enough rice to feed a small village in China. Chose from flavors like lentil and raisin to almond orange zest to dill and fava bean to simply saffron. There’s always a roasted tomato on every plate that often serves more as garnish than meal.

Consistency: Rumi’s is consistently great!

Analysis complete.

Rumi’s Kitchen is located at 6112 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30328. (404) 477-2100 or visit rumiskitchen.com.

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

Rack of lamb with lentil and raisin basamati rice.

Mirza Ghasemi

Photos by Art Huckabee Inside Rumi’s Kitchen.

Yelp’s recommendations for St. Patrick’s Day drinks

By Benjamin Getz Yelp Atlanta Community Manager

Even if you aren’t Irish, having a good time over beers with friends at your local Irish pub is cool. Even cooler? Celebrating the luck o’ the Irish at one of these Yelpapproved watering holes where every single day is St. Patrick’s Day. Cold beer in your glass, Shepherd’s Pie, or fish and chips are what’s on tap for March 17, but you can get the party started with this fine list ‘o choices.

Meehan’s Public House

You’ve gotta love their slogan –“Irish Customs. Neighborhood Charm.” Pretty much enough said there. The menu covers all matters of taste and the bar is stocked with more killer cocktail choices than you can handle. Start with a pint and then move onto their more potent potations. Various Atlanta locations, including Downtown and Buckhead.

Fado

Not only the quintessential Irish pub for most ITP, but a St. Paddy’s Day staple. Come grab a pint, kiss the Blarney Stone, and celebrate with them for an entire week leading up to the Day-O-Green.

273 Buckhead Ave., Buckhead.

Limerick Junction

Yelp reviewer Marta P. says these guys are pretty up on their Irish Car Bomb game (it’s a drink similar to a boilermaker). I guess that’s really all that needs to be said, yeah? Well, that, and free popcorn sure do make for a good spot with your green-clad friends. 822 N. Highland Ave. NE, Virginia Highland.

Elder Tree Public House

Those seeking a few screens to catch Euro football during east coast hours would be advised to head to Elder Tree. Their take on the Shepherd’s Pie is worthy of your attention alone. Oy! 469 Flat Shoals Ave., East Atlanta Village.

Mac McGee

For those seeking whiskey in lieu of beer, this should top your list. These guys tout a list of whiskeys from an impressive list of distillers. Throw back a neat pour with a few Scotch Eggs and a Shepherd’s Pie and your St Pat’s celebration is in the bag. 111 Sycamore St., Decatur.

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

The Neighborhood Hot List

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

Quick Bites

Freedom Farmers Market at The Carter Center reopens on March 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be open every Saturday until December. The market offers fresh produce from local farms, meats, cheeses and prepared foods from a rotating roster of vendors. Opening day will feature Terry Koval from The Wrecking Bar in the Pop-Up Chef’s Tent, live music and a kid’s yoga demonstration. If you’re a first-time shopper at the market, Georgia Organics will be offering a $5 coupon to spend as part of its My Market program. Just stop by the info booth on your way in to find out more.

The spring edition of Inman Park Restaurant Week will take place March 9-15. Each of the 13 participating restaurants will offer a three-course tiered menu which will be $15, $25 and $35. Participating restaurants include Barcelona Wine Bar, Fritti, Il Localino, Kevin Rathbun Steak, North Highland Pub, The Wrecking Bar, The Albert, The Brasserie at Parish, The Luminary, Pure Taqueria, Rathbun’s, Sotto Sotto, and Wisteria. Inman Park restaurant Week is the perfect time to visit some of the restaurants in the neighborhood. For more information, visit inmanparkrestaurantweek.com.

The 6th annual Beer Carnival is set for March 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Atlantic Station. Drawing thousands of fans each year, the event will feature a giant tent and outdoor areas for patrons to explore more than 100 types of beers including traditional favorites, premium craft beers and an assortment of seasonal and favorite craft brews. There will also be carnival-style games. You must be 21 or over to attend. General admission tickets are $35 in advance and $45 day of show. For more information, visit beercarnival.com.

Tickets are on sale for the annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival , which will be held in Midtown on May 28-31. For more information, visit atlfoodandwinefestival. com.

Atlas , a new chef-driven restaurant developed by restaurateur and consulting chef Gerry Klaskala and Tavistock Group, is now open at The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 West Paces Ferry Road, in Buckhead. The dinner-only restaurant features a menu of fresh ingredients from local farms with American and European influences. For more information, visit atlasrestaurant.com.

Dtox Juice is open in the Westside Provisions District offering cold-pressed juices made with natural, farm-fresh ingredients including local vegetables and plants. The shop also features plantbased elixirs, fruit smoothies with fresh mangos and berries and a line of bath minerals. For more, visit dtoxjuice.com.

Hi-Five Diner is open in the former Villains sandwich space at 903 Peachtree in Midtown serving all day breakfast, lunch and dinner options of traditional diner favorites, plus a full coffee and espresso counter and a fully stocked bar with cocktails, craft beer and wine. Visit hifivediner.com for a full menu and more.

Timone’s has recently re-opened with an enhanced menu and new offerings that hem closely to the traditions of classic New York City Italian delis. Inspired by Chef Ron Eyester’s childhood in Long Island, the Morningside space adds a deli counter and menu that includes traditional Italian antipasto, deli meats, many produced inhouse, and gourmet take out items. The restaurant is at 1409 N. Highland Ave. Find out more at facebook.com/timonespizza.

More to explore at the Buckhead Atlanta development: Corso Coffee , an Italianstyle coffee bar, and Thirteen Pies , serving up artisan pizzas made in hot woodfired ovens. Find out more at buckheadatl.com

Illegal Food has opened in the former Bar Meatball space at 1044 Greenwood Ave. in Virginia-Highland. The restaurant is serving its award-winning burgers in addition to a full menu comprised of appetizers, sandwiches, entrées, desserts and a custom cocktail program. For more, visit illegalfoodatlanta.com.

Dr. Eric Lawton

Danielle Greene

UNWAVERING REPUTATION

Schools, retail, restaurants make Buckhead an easy sell

to both Midtown and Downtown Atlanta. And, as mentioned earlier, the new Buckhead Atlanta development is also a major plus.

“Home prices are on the rise around Atlanta, but what keeps drawing homebuyers to Buckhead is the consistency of the community and its unwavering reputation.”

and luxury townhomes in the $500 to $600,000 range,” Reed said. “You can buy a beautifully renovated ranch in North Buckhead for $1 million, but I think the price point where the upper bracket begins now is $2.2 to $2.4 million. Homes at this price point will be in the most desirable neighborhoods, with nice lots, top of the line amenities and large square footage.”

By Collin Kelley INtown Editor

While many neighborhoods around Intown are seeing spikes in popularity and price for new homebuyers, one constant has been Buckhead. From single-family homes to townhomes and condos, the community continues to thrive even as it gets an injection of new luxury retail and restaurants at the Buckhead Atlanta project at the intersection of Peachtree and Roswell roads that locals still refer to as “the village.”

Lisa Robinson, a broker with Engel &Volkers Buckhead Atlanta, said the average price for a single-family home in Buckhead is $1 million and $585,000 for a townhome. The average number of days a home is on the market is 70.

“I’ve noticed that luxury homes listed under $2 million are selling extremely fast,” Robinson said. “Once you hit $2 million, the average days on the market increases to 90 days. But the story remains the same. If a house is priced well and shows well, it will sell.”

She said homebuyers moving to Buckhead are looking to capitalize on the proximity to the best private and public schools and the convenience

George Heery, who makes up half of The Heery Brothers with his sibling Neal at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, said he’s seen the bar for a luxury home move to the $1.2 or $1.3 million mark if it’s a resale and $1.5 to $1.6 million if it’s a new home. He recently sold a condo for $900,000.

“There has been a shift in what buyers are looking for in a home,” Heery said. “Kitchens with big square counter islands, a dedicated space for an office, laundry rooms connected to master closets and more energyefficient homes are on many buyer’s wish lists.”

Heery said a decade ago, most Buckhead buyers would have placed walkability to shops and restaurants near the bottom of their “must-have” list, but that has inverted with the opening of PATH400, the Atlanta BeltLine and Buckhead Atlanta.

Travis Reed with Harry Norman, Realtors said “luxury” is a relative term.

“There are luxury condominiums in Buckhead that sell for $400,000

Reed said upper bracket condos are selling at record prices per foot, with a three-bedroom penthouse at Terminus selling for $2 million. He said $3 million and higher is the norm at The Residences at The St. Regis.

Another change from 10 years ago that Reed has noticed is that buyers are looking for high quality versus flash.

“Really high finish levels, custom imported hardware, luxe bath fixtures, commercial grade systems are all more important than during our last boom,” Reed said. “Named architects are a big draw, pools, steam showers, and wine cellars are in higher demand than ever, while theaters are less popular. Buyers are also more energy and environmentally conscious. Buyers would rather have a whole house generator than a sixth bedroom.”

Michael Rogers, President of Dorsey Alston, Realtors, said most people still define a “luxury home” as a home priced over $1

million, but the median price of the 918 transactions in Buckhead over the last 12 months was $1,667,961.

“In the last twelve months, 290 homes have sold for over $1 million in contrast to 255 homes over $1 million selling in the preceding 12 months,” Rogers said.

Rogers said the progress at Buckhead Atlanta has reinforced homeowner confidence in Buckhead. “As rents increase in commercial space, Buckhead residential property also continues to increase in value, and the increased number of retail and dining establishments brought by Buckhead Atlanta and surrounding commercial developments increase the rich array of amenities offered to Buckhead homeowners in close proximity to their residences,” Rogers commented.

He said Buckhead would remain a draw for homebuyers because it has larger lot sizes than most Intown markets, access to excellent restaurants and world-class retail, high testing public elementary schools, and nationally recognized private schools.

The Heery Brothers

Michael Rogers

Travis Reed

Lisa Robinson

Real Estate Briefs

A groundbreaking ceremony for Midtown’s latest luxury apartment tower, Yoo on the Park, was held last month. Located at 207 13th Street, the building will be 25 stories tall and feature 245 units overlooking Piedmont Park. Developed by The Trillist Companies in partnership with London-based lifestyle brand YOO Studio, the building will be a “veritable extension of the park itself,” according to the developers.

The Loudermilk Companies broke ground last month on Seventh Midtown, which will include 20 luxury condominiums and groundfloor retail space. Located at 7th and Peachtree Streets, Lord Aeck Sargent designed the 9-story building, which will feature two and three bedroom condominiums from 1,800 to over 2,800 square feet. Prices begin in the $700,000s and top out at just under $1.7 million for the largest penthouse residences. Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty will market the property.

The 37th annual Spring Atlanta Home Show will be held March 20-22 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Georgia’s largest home show will bring together over 350 experts in the home remodeling and landscaping industries to showcase the latest products and services. The show offers attendees one-stop shopping for everything from the roof to the basement, and from interiors to landscapes, as well as live radio broadcasts and presentations on a variety of subjects. General admission tickets are $10, and free for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older. For more information, visit AtlantaHomeShow.com

Demolition of part of the Druid Hills Baptist Church campus in Poncey-Highland is now underway to make room for a mixed-use development. Old office and classroom space is making way for 675. N. Highland, but the century-old sanctuary at the corner of N. Highland and Ponce de Leon avenues will remain. 675 N. Highland pro 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.

Harry Norman, Realtors

Buckhead North Office held its Awards Breakfast and Program at the Swan Coach House at the Atlanta History Center. Honored for extraordinary performance was Todd Banister, the Buckhead North office’s Agent of the Year, who captured top awards for sales volume, units listed and units closed. He was joined by members of his team, including his wife Betsey Banister, Lisa Walter and Krista Wood. Top Producers honored included Margie Stockton, Jolynne Szymanski, Bob Glascock and James Simons. The

“Miss Emmie Award of Excellence” was presented to Jane Freeman, while Jared Hyatt won the “Rookie of the Year” accolade.

Photo by Kim Link

From left, Betsey Banister looks on as her husband Todd Banister was honored as the Buckhead North Agents of the Year in Sales Volume, Units Listed and Units Closed. Banister team members Krista Ward and Lisa joined in congratulating Todd Banister.

Special Trillist CEO Scott Levanthal at Yoo groundbreaking

Isadora Pennington Demolition underway for 675. N. Highland project.

Perspectives in Architecture

Melody L. Harclerode

Engaging the public with excellence

In the July 2014 edition of Forbes magazine, the writer Justin Shabow proclaimed that “architecture is imploding.” Pointing out the flaws of avant-garde designs for the postKatrina homes in New Orleans, he lamented architects’ lack of confidence, willpower, and flexibility to serve the needs of the public. The writer also criticized deceased architects whose Modernist designs who “had no room for harmony, rhythm, and soul” in their buildings. With this harsh criticism of Modernist architecture, Shabow should explore the designs of firms like the Decatur-based Lightroom.

William “Bill” Carpenter FAIA, PhD, a professor of architecture at Kennesaw State University, started Lightroom in 2002 to redefine the architectural practice. Instead of the traditional focus on only building design, Lightroom would create websites, graphics, branding, and interiors as well as architectural projects giving a one-stop shop for creative design services to prospective clients. He and a team of associates would design Modernist architectural projects with clarity in the use of

materials and structural forms, and would produce exceptional websites, graphic design, and interiors. Through engaging the client and understanding the project site, the buildings would contribute to a stronger community. With the growing demand for new websites in the early years of the company, the website and graphics work comprised much of the Lightroom’s business with projects such as fakechecks.org and foodloop.com.

As more Atlantans embrace Modernist architecture since these early years, architectural projects have become a bigger focus of Lightroom. Carpenter happily describes architecture as “the center of Lightroom.” At times, the firm finds sophisticated clients, such as the Village Vets, to take full advantage of its multidisciplinary design services. The client and its developer asked Lightroom in 2006 to design the company signage and branding, lighting fixtures, furniture, interiors, and a new building. This architectural project would be located in downtown Decatur, a location with an active historic preservation community.

8th annual Urban Coop Tour is March 28-29

The Wylde Center will hold its 8th annual Urban Coop Tour on March 28-29 from noon to 5 p.m. each day.

The popular tour will showcase 13 private and public chicken coops in Decatur, East Atlanta, Edgewood, Grant Park and the Old Fourth Ward. Coop owners will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the design of their coops. Many of the structures feature artwork, edible landscaping and other animals including rabbits, goats and even a potbellied pig.

Early bird tickets are $20 or $25 at the tour. Free for children 12 and under. The tickets are good for both days and also include a preview fundraising event on March 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. at GardenHood, 353 Boulevard.

For tickets and information, visit wyldecenter.org/ urban-coop-tour.

In contrast to Sabow’s critiques of Modernist architecture as an affront to the public will, the Village Vets project received an Award of Excellence from the Decatur Preservation Alliance in 2009. The project fits seamlessly onto the streetscape through its sensible size and the sophisticated use of exterior materials. This building, along with branding reflects Lightroom’s commitment to elegance and a harmonious composition of color. Rather than generalizing Modernist architecture based on the errors of celebrated, but deceased designers,

Shabow should talk with the champions of the architecture and visit firms such as Lightroom. Regardless of the project size, these firms strive to serve the public through the creation of excellent designs.

Melody L. Harclerode, AIA, a local architect, promotes the power of architecture and design as the President of the Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Principal of Harclerode Architects (harc-arch.com). For more information, check out aiaatl.org.

The exterior of The Village Vets.

Parting Shots

The Atlanta Zine Fest

Short for magazine, a zine is a DIY collection of original writings, illustrations or photographs and has traditionally been reproduced via photocopier. For the past three years, the Atlanta Zine Fest has presented an opportunity for artists and curators of a variety of subject matter to put their ideas into a printed format. The festival is hosted by parent organization Murmur which puts together fundraising events and workshops leading up to the annual festival. The zines are then curated and added to the Atlanta Zine Library, an ever evolving collection of original printed works at Hodgepodge Coffee Shop & Gallery.

This year’s festival is girl/grrl themed, and Murmur is hosting several similar programs in the weeks leading up to this year’s fest, including an eight week zinester youth camp, Ephemeral Memorable art exhibit at Mammal Gallery on April 17, and a group photography exhibit running concurrently with the festival. The 2015 AZF will be taking place at Eyedrum (88 Forsyth St., Atlanta GA 30303) on July 18th. For more information and to register for workshops, email info@atlantazinefest.com or visit online at murmurmedia.org.

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

If you can’t make it to Washington D.C. or Macon, just head to Brookhaven. The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival will be held March 27-29 at Blackburn Park. The event will feature a 5K Run and 1K Walk and the weekend will have a specail focus on pets. Pet World on March 28 will feature demonstrations, adoptions, giveaways, education, vendors and more. On March 29, the Pet Parade will feature fluffy friends and their humans dressed in costumes and competing for prizes. For details about the event, visit brookcherryfest.org.

Taking a ride on the Atlanta Streetcar

The Atlanta INtown and Reporter Newspapers staffs met up for lunch last month at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market and took a ride on the Atlanta Streetcar. Pictured clockwise from left: Steve Levene, Chris North, Janet Porter, Deborah Davis, Joe Earle, Isadora Pennington, Susan Lesesne, Ann Marie Quill, Collin Kelley, Amy Arno and Jef Kremer.

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - Situated on one of the most coveted streets in Virginia Highland, this gracious double porch elegant home looks and feels like much newer construction. 5Bed/4.5Bath $1,199,000 FMLS: 5391850 Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845

VIRGINIA HIGHLAND - Ideal Work/Live property or investment property with fantastic location & visibility. Originally built as a duplex, it has been a thriving wellness center for decades.

2Buildings/6Parking Spots $1,170,000 FMLS: 5397321 Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845

CLAIRMONT TERRACE - Sits on 1.2 acres with in-ground swimming pool with sun deck. Large family room w/vaulted ceiling and fireplace and access to spacious screened deck. 4Bed/3Bath $319,900 FMLS: 5395950 Mike Kondalski 404-234-9379

OAKHURST - Whole house renovation completed in 2009 features craftsman charm with modern conveniences. 6Bed/4Bath

$950,000

FMLS: 5382032

Melissa Stratton 404-713-5850

OAKHURST - New Stoney River Home ready July 2015! Premium street, stroll down to Oakhurst Village or over to McKoy Park!

5Bed/4Bath $899,900

EDGEWOOD - Newly built home in the location of Edgewood/Kirkwood with stunning high end finishes that give the home a luxurious ambiance. 4Bed/3Bath $364,900

FMLS: 5371721

Rhonda Morgan 770-912-8838

OAKHURST - Gorgeous new home on huge fenced lot! Not your usual run-of-the-mill new construction! Well thought-out house placement on lot leaves vast backyard totally unencumbered! 4Bed/3Bath $949,900 FMLS: 5397207 Kathleen Sickeler 404-368-3234

MIDWAY WOODS - Adorable cottage style home with master suite addition. Recently renovated with charming kitchen featuring Carrara marble. 3Bed/2Bath $230,000

Amber Mason 678-637-3530 Patrick Peyer 404-784-7936

MIDTOWN - Renovated Mid-Century Landmark Jewel. Entertainer’s Home w/Chef’s Kitchen. Whole-House Audio System. Soaring Ceilings. Romantic Courtyard. 3Bed/3Bath $974,900 FMLS: 5382896 Marc Castillo 404-449-6862

MIDTOWN - 1010 Midtown Luxury. Panoramic High Rise City Views From Full Length Balcony. Faces NE. Open Floor Plan. Custom Closets, Hardwoods. Close To Everything. 2Bed/2Bath $439,900 FMLS: 5396274

Allen Snow 404-931-1176

WEST MIDTOWN - White Provision - Large Guest Room. Fantastic Views. Floor-to Ceiling Windows. Hardwood Floors. Exquisite Finishes. Major Tax Abatement. 2Bed/2Bath $419,000 FMLS: 5386387 Rea Kelly 404-428-9929

INTOWN - Virginia Highland. Meticulously Maintained 3 Level Bungalow. Refinished Hardwoods. Thermal Pane Windows. Updated Kitchen. Finished Basement. Sprawling Deck. 5Bed/4Bath $849,900 FMLS: 5395148 Marc Castillo 404-449-6862

EMORY/CDC - Linden Place Townhomes - New Construction. Two-Car Garage. Gourmet kitchen. Granite c-tops. S/S Appliances. Open Floor Plan. 3&4 Bed/3.5Bath Starting at $401,750. FMLS: 5312128

Allen Snow 404-931-1176

INTOWN - The Stacks Lofts. Stunning Home w/Custom Bonus Room. East/West Views. Upgrades & Designer Touches. Concrete Floors, Granite, Stained Cabinets. Walk to the Beltline. 2Bed/2Bath $459,000 FMLS: 5393789 Tonya Marlatt 404-518-8787

MORNINGSIDE – New Price! Exceptional all brick home. Like new condition. 4 finished levels. Wood floors. 10’ ceilings. Enormous level fenced-in back yard. Walking distance to Noble Park. 5Bed/6.5Bath $997,500 FMLS: 5370488 Marc Castillo 404-449-6862