Morningside: 1265 University Drive. Amazing floor plan and finishes, 3 finished levels, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths. 3-car garage, manicured backyard and gardens. $1,275,000
Morningside : 825 Wildwood Road. Very special home offers gourmet kitchen open to expansive, sunlit family room, 5 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half-baths, 2-car garage. $975,000
Morningside: 1529 N. Highland Avenue. Exceptional Morningside Tudor loaded with charm & character. 6 bedrooms, 5 baths. New driveway, lush landscaping & gardens. $899,000
Morningside: 1214 N. Highland Avenue. Location rich, totally renovated and updated is Intown living at its very best, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3-levels, 2-car garage. $839,000
Morningside: 1275 Beech Valley Road. True 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath. Renovated with large great room off crisp kitchen, level backyard, 2-car garage, on quiet section of Beech Valley. $899,000
Morningside: 1794 Windmere Road. Handsome all brick home with 3 finished levels, bright & open floor plan and manicured walk-out backyard, 5 bedroom, 5 baths, 2-car garage. $1,249,000
Morningside: 1793 Homestead Avenue. Very handsome 5 bedroom, 2-story home with high ceilings, in move in condition, gourmet kitchen, great setting on premier neighborhood street. $1,095,000
Morningside: 1887 Lenox Road. Striking, pure, clean & fresh. Total renovation by Leslie Williams, striking mid-century ranch with cool, crisp kitchen and baths. $749,000
Midtown: 754 Juniper Street, #6. Yesterday meets today in this historic condo perfectly updated & renovated to today’s standards. 2 bedroom + office. 1-1/2 bath sunlit open spaces. $322,500
Morningside: 1073 Cumberland Road. Total package! Outstanding 5 bedroom, 4-1/2 baths. Just 1 block to Morningside Elementary, Pristine beautiful interiors, level walk-out backyard, 2-car garage. $1,250,000
Druid Hills: 652 Clifton Road. Truly exceptional 4 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath townhome with a feel of classic home, beautifully integrated exteriors, 2-car garage, end unit. $849,000
Ken Covers 1411 N Highland Avenue NE · Atlanta · GA 30306 Mobile +1 404-664-8280
ken.covers@evusa.com
kencovers.evusa.com
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That’s my plate of bacon and eggs featured on this month’s cover. I went over to Radial Café on a Friday morning last month to meet friends and the food was plated so nicely, I knew it would make for a great photo. What I love about Radial is that you can get breakfast for lunch and dinner. Yes, I’m one of those people who love “brinner,” and will happily order pancakes and other breakfast goodies for my evening meal.
When I put out the call via social media for readers to share their favorite breakfast spots for this month’s feature, I loved how many people were tweeting and emailing us. And how passionate they were about their favorite menu items at each restaurant.
I live next door to Highland Bakery, so that’s another of my go-to spots and the original Flying Biscuit in Candler Park is still a great place for brunch.
Here’s what I’m on the hunt for personally, so I encourage all of you to email or send a tweet about where to find good scrambled eggs. I am partial to the light, fluffy, slightly runny, “soft scrambled” style that I always find in the UK. I always tell the waiter I want soft scrambled, but Radial is usually the only place that gets it right.
I’m also partial to “floppy” bacon. I’ve had a running debate with several American and UK friends about how overly-crisp bacon saps all the flavor out. My UK friends agree; my American
friends are grossed out because, to them, “floppy” equals raw. That is SO not true – it’s just slightly raw.
As a native Georgian, this is an almost sacrilegious admission: I prefer Cream of Wheat to grits. I know, I know… run me out of town on a rail. Is there any breakfast spot in Atlanta serving up Cream of Wheat? Let me know!
If your favorite breakfast spot didn’t make our list on Page 34, be sure to visit AtlantaINtownPaper.com, our Facebook page or tweet us at @ATLINtownPaper and tell readers where to go for their next morning meal. Be sure to use #ATLBestBreakfast as your hashtag.
Happy Eating!
While the new Atlanta Streetcar won’t be in operation until the summer, you’ll start seeing the big blue carriages along the route this month as the testing phase begins.
The city had hoped the streetcars would be operational by Memorial Day weekend, but construction and weather delays as well as cost overruns have pushed the opening back to an unspecified date in the summer.
With track now embedded along the entire 2.7-mile line, which runs from Centennial Olympic Park to the King Center along Edgewood and Auburn avenues, crews are now completing the overhead wiring that will provide electricity to the streetcars and building the station platforms.
According to Sharon Gavin, communications director for the Atlanta Streetcar, the city has two streetcars stored at the Edgewood maintenance facility and is scheduled to take possession of two more this month.
“We’ll begin testing the rails once all four streetcars are in,” Gavin said.
She said the city is federally mandated to test the streetcars for a certain number of hours. The testing will begin by towing
the streetcars along the tracks to check for clearance, visibility and that the overhead connections are working along the route.
“Residents and visitors will see the cars on the tracks mostly at night as the testing and training of drivers progresses,” Gavin said. “This will give people the chance to get used to having them on the streets.”
She said there will be a learning curve for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists on how to navigate the streets where the streetcar is running. Educational brochures and a video will soon be available to offer tips and guidelines.
Each streetcar will have seating for 60 plus plenty of standing room so that each car can carry up to 200 people. There will be four designated wheelchair spaces on each car and people will be allowed to brings bikes onboard.
There will be 12 stops on the route: Carnegie at Spring, Peachtree Center, Woodruff Park, Auburn at Piedmont, Dobbs Plaza, King Historic District, Edgewood at Hilliard, Sweet Auburn Market, Hurt Park, Park Place, Luckie at Cone and Centennial Olympic Park.
Riders will be able to climb aboard the streetcars for free for the first three months, then fares will be $1
Four Atlanta Streetcars will begin making appearances on the 2.7-miles of track in Downtown this month as testing and training gets underway. Above, one of the streetcars at the maintenance shed (courtesy of Gene Phillips Photography). At left and below, street signs alerting motorists and pedestirans of the streetcar tracks and stations have started popping up around the route. Photos courtesy of the Atlanta Streetcar.
“Mountain
Blue Ridge, Georgia
$749,900 MLS# 237543
One of the elevated streetcar stops along Auburn Avenue is almost complete. There will be 12 stops along the route.
per ride or $3 for an all-day pass. There are also ongoing discussions with the city about fare structures for monthly passes, visitors, conventioneers and students.
Gavin said pop-up shops selected for the route will begin opening in June. Some of the shops will include vintage home furnishings from City Issue, music and comics from Criminal Records, pop-
up experts The Indie Craft Experience, Just Add Honey Tea Company, jewelry and gifts from Modern Tribe and interior decorating from Nandina Designs.
On June 21 there will be 5K race called Run the Rails that follows the streetcar route through Downtown. Keep an eye on streetcar.atlantaga.gov for registration information and other updates about the streetcar project.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Major League Soccer
Commissioner Don Garber and Atlanta Mayor Kasim
Reed have made it official: Atlanta will be the home of a Major League Soccer franchise beginning in 2017. It will be the 22nd team in the MLS.
Blank said work on getting the team to Atlanta had been ongoing for more than a decade. “This is an exciting day for the city, state, region and for my family,” Blank said. “We think Atlanta is a natural fit for Major League Soccer and has a special fan base.”
Blank also said that fans would help choose the team’s name, logo and colors.
Garber said Atlanta has been on MLS’s radar for many years. “The youth market is one of the largest in the nation and will be a hot bed to drive our great national team,” Garber said.
The commissioner also said the new stadium will be one of the best in the world and that new technology will be used to create a more intimate space for games. Garber also said season tickets will be on sale soon.
To keep up with new team, visit mlsatlanta2017.com.
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Showcasing the Pinnacle! This 4BR, 3BA & 2 Half BA w/ a sleeping loft is the ultimate mountain lodge! Situated on 7.56 mountain top acres w/ breathtaking mountain views & 60’ rushing waterfall. Open floor plan, “wall of glass”, rock fireplace, cathedral ceilings, covered “party porch”, gated entry, drive under porte cochere, fin. basement, fp in master, brazilian walnut flooring & much more! Located in “prime” Aska Adventure Area in your own private compound!
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Blue Ridge, Georgia
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Lot 2 Ridges Over the Lake
Views of layered mountain ranges & the glistening waters of Lake Blue Ridge for miles to the horizon! This 2.11 acres borders USFS & offers the PINNACLE OF MOUNTAIN LIVING in prestigious Ridges over the Lake! Convenient to historic downtown Blue Ridge, the Toccoa River & many other trophy trout streams including Big Creek & Noontootla. Great investment area! TRULY THE BEST BUILDING SITE THROUGHOUT THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS!!
Ellijay, Georgia
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This 4 BR + loft, 3.5 BA lodge style property has it all - incredible panoramic mountain views & creek frontage on 4.0 beautiful wooded acres. privately located at the end of the road with easy access & convenient. Fin. Basement, Screened-in "party porch", cathedral ceilings, fixed glass windows, Rock "wood burning" FP, 3 car detached garage, hardwood floors, large covered wrap-around porches, custom kitchen,plus much more. The best in N. GA Mountain Living!
“Mountain Home sizzling with style!”Courtesy Atlanta Streetcar Courtesy CBS46 Arthur Blank, left and MLS Commissioner Don Garber shook hands as the new Atlanta franchise was formally announced.
Since there seems to be little interest in turning The Gulch – a 120-acre collection of parking lots, viaducts and railways in Downtown – into a multimodal passenger terminal, the Atlanta Hawks want to turn the space adjacent to Philips Arena into a sports entertainment complex for fans.
According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Hawks are in the preliminary stages of “reimagining” Philips Arena and the The Gulch. The entertainment complex might include some kind of NBA fan experience, hotel or a casino.
There was plenty of buzz about the multimodal project in March when a Georgia Department of Transportationcommissioned video of what the terminal might look like was leaked online. It’s since been removed, but you can see a screencap accompanying this article. The video showed high-speed rail, MARTA, bus services and an expanded Atlanta Streetcar all converging on the terminal with its soaring European design.
Like Underground Atlanta, The Gulch was created as bridges and viaducts were created to cross the train tracks in Downtown causing the elevation of street level.
–Collin KelleyAbove, the ultra-modern design of the multimodal passenger terminal originally planned for The Gulch was showcased in a leaked video produced by the Georgia Department of Transportation. At right, this Google image shows The Gulch today, which is mostly used for parking. The Hawks want to turn the space into an entertainment complex for fans.
Nearly 200 volunteers turned out last month for the groundbreaking for Lindsay Street Park, the first for the English Avenue neighborhood.
Volunteers from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation rolled up their sleeves and cleared brush, debris, and invasive species on the future park site. Later this spring, neighborhood residents will begin construction on the park.
Besides having a new greenspace in the community, the project will have measurable economic impacts for residents throughout its construction and management, including workforce training, temporary jobs, and a creek that no longer spills sewage into nearby streets and homes.
The park will feature a playground, children’s garden, a trail along Proctor Creek and rain gardens.
Funded in part by a grant from Blank Foundation as part of its mission to help rebuild and preserve communities near the new Falcons stadium, The Conservation Fund acquired an assemblage of six properties in English Avenue to create the park.
Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SLIS)
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» Incontinence Testing & Treatment
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Dr. Lynley S. Durrett grew up in Atlanta, GA. She received her B.A. degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC and her medical degree from Mercer University in Macon, GA. Dr. Durrett has been voted Atlanta Top Doctor for the past four years.
Obiamaka Mora, M.D. grew up in Columbus, Ohio. She received her B.S. degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio and her medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio.
Our practice’s professional expertise includes female pelvic medicine, pelvic reconstructive surgery, symptomatic fibroid management, endometriosis, and hormone replacement management.
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 20, for primary elections to decide which Republican and which Democrat will square off in various races in the general election this November.
There are a number of crowded races this year, including newly-formed Fulton County Commission Dist. 3, which has four Republican candidates: Lee Morris, Alexander Palacios, Cory Ruth and Bernie Tokarz. There is no Democratic challenger.
For Fulton County Commission Dist. 5, there are five Democrats vying for the seat: Marvin S. Arrington, Jr., Dell Byrd. Johnnie Gordon, Brenda J. Muhammad and Kwame Thompson.
The U.S. Senate Seat has seven Republicans and four Democrats in the
mix, which will probably lead to a runoff in July. Similarly, the race for State School Superintendent is overflowing with nine Republicans and six Democrats.
To see sample ballots and polling places for Fulton County, visit fultoncountyga.gov. For DeKalb County, visit dekalbcountyga.gov.
Studies show that patients who receive physical therapy care close to their home or place of employment tend to complete their therapy plan and, consequently, get better results.
That’s why BenchMark is proud to announce our new Virginia Highlands clinic. Now, Atlanta’s preferred physical therapy service is convenient for you.
By Clare S. Richie
When Linda Goode began taking classes at Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta (LVA), she read at the first grade level. Even though she dropped out of school as a girl to care for her younger siblings, Goode always valued education. She volunteered at her daughter’s school and proudly put her daughter through college. Two years ago she decided, “It’s my time now to get my education. I want to read, get my GED, and go to college.” Thanks to LVA, Goode now reads at the 3rd grade level, has learned basic computer skills, and started teaching other adult students.
Jeffery Linzy came to LVA to strengthen skills critical to completing his GED. While growing up, he was ignored or put down when he asked for help in school or at home, so he stopped asking. As an adult, he was “tired of
feeling less than.” With LVA’s support and encouragement, “I was ready to prove I could make something of myself,” Linzy said. Now he is a positive influence to other adult learners.
LVA uses a student-centered approach to enable adult learners, like Goode and Linzy, to reach their personal literacy goals. Put simply, LVA meets students where they are. The nonprofit matches adult students who read below the 5th/6th grade level into free classes or with oneon-one tutors staffed by trained volunteers. Thirtythree classes per week at LVA’s Decatur office or the Decatur Recreation Center cover reading, spelling, writing, math, and entrylevel computer skills. LVA also offers English and citizenship classes.
With more than 800,000 adults in metro Atlanta who read below the 5th grade level, it’s no surprise that LVA always has more students than volunteer tutors and teachers. To address that gap, LVA started a student mentor program in January led by advanced students. Goode and Linzy agreed to serve as the first mentors.
“Linda [Goode] is a natural born teacher,” Board President Linda Mote said. “She talks to her students like adults, leads by example, and takes the time needed to foster learning. Two years ago, Linda didn’t know how to write a check. Now she shows her class.”
“When I was asked to teach, it lifted my spirits and gave me confidence. I’m giving back,” Goode explained.
It all starts with adults who have the courage to ask for help and volunteers dedicated to teaching them. “After 18 years, I’m here because I taught James to read and saw how much it changed his life,” Mote said. “We see that everyday at LVA.”
For more about LVA or to become a tutor, classroom teacher, assistant or donor, visit lvama.org.
For this month’s snapshot, we’re featuring the photography of Colin Potts, a resident of Kirkwood and Georgia Tech’s vice provost for undergraduate education. Potts’ photos capture the people, places and spirit of the historic neighborhood, which was formally established in 1899.
Kirkwood became a thriving farming community in 1827, and is also the location where the Battle of Atlanta began during the Civil War in 1864. For many years, Kirkwood was a municipality with its own mayor and city council and became a streetcar suburb when tracks were laid to the neighborhood from Downtown Atlanta. e current renaissance of Kirkwood began in the late 90s, with homeowners snapping up the Victorian and Cra sman bungalows. e neighborhood’s main street, Hosea L. Williams Drive, is now home to shops and some of Intown’s favorite restaurants like Le Petite Marche and e Pullman. Over on Memorial Drive, Ann’s Snackbar is internationally famous a er its “Ghetto Burger” was named the best in the country by the Wall Street Journal.
With an active neighborhood and business associations, plentiful greenspaces and fun festival scene (see details about the upcoming Kirkwood Spring Fling on Page 28), Kirkwood continues to thrive.
Clockwise
Celebrating 20 Years INTown
Celebrating 20 Years INTown
If you’re looking for an excuse to get off the couch this spring, these upcoming 5K runs might be just the ticket. Whether you’re running to stay fit or to help a local charity, there are plenty of events to choose from in May.
Stache Dash 5K is May 3 at 9 a.m. through the streets of Buckhead to benefit the One Love Generation, a non-profit organization that empowers youth to inspire positive local change through art, service and awareness. Grab a sombrero, put on a mustache and head over to Tin Lizzy’s – the start and finish line for the event – for this annual Cinco de Mayo race. onelovestachedash.com.
Beat the Street for Little Feet 5K is May 3 at 8 a.m. in the Oakhurst neighborhood in Decatur and will benefit the Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool. Find out more and register at
oakhurstcoop.com/events/5k/.
Put on your superhero costume and head over to Piedmont Park on May 10 for the SuperCon Fun Run. The event will benefit the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to prevent bullying. supercon5k.com.
The Brookhaven Bolt 5K is May 17 at 8 a.m. in Brookhaven. All of the proceeds are donated directly to
Ashford Park Elementary School. brookhavenbolt.com.
Salute to Our Troops 5K in Chastain Park on May 24 at 8 a.m. will benefit the Charity Benevolent Fund. mycbfund.org.
The Zombie Run is more about thrills and chills than improving your overall time. There will be two races on May 24: a daytime event that will be a 3.1 run with obstacles as man-eating zombies chase you. That night, Black Ops will feature a run through a burning, apocalyptic landscape with even more zombies. thezombierun.com.
Midtown Race for MAC is May 31at 8:30 a.m. in Piedmont Park to benefit the Midtown Assistance Center. midtownassistancectr.org.
To find more runs and races in your area, visit Active.com.
e Hearts with Hope Gala is May 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. e event raises funds for Partnership Against Domestic Violence. ere will be a silent and live auction, dinner and entertainment. For more information and tickets, visit padv.org/events/2014-hearts-with-hope.
Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital has been named one of the best hospitals in the nation for hip and knee replacements by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). e CMS study evaluated how o en a hospital’s patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge and also looked at how o en patients su ered a serious complication a er the operation, such as a blood clot, infection, problem with the arti cial joint or death.
Following a so opening at the end of last year, Flöt Spa ( otspa.net) is now o ering a full list of services and extended hours at 1045 Piedmont Ave. e spa is focused on providing relaxation and recovery, including sensory deprivation therapy via state of the art otation pods. Massage therapy, Reiki, and skin care treatments are also available.
e Resurgens Charitable Foundation recently reached a milestone in their philanthropic quest to give back to the metro Atlanta community by surpassing the $1 million donation mark. Funding has been distributed to organizations and projects that promote active and healthy lifestyles to people of all ages and ability levels. Several recent donations helped push the Foundation over the $1 million donation mark,
including: e Georgia Ballet, Lewis Elementary School’s Morning Fitness program, Shiloh Elementary PTA Safe Play Area, Vaughan Elementary School Playground, Henry County Parks and Recreation Special Olympics, North Metro Miracle League’s Camp Collinswood, and Wheelchairs 4 Kids. For more information, visit ResurgensFoundation.com.
e 12th annual AIDS Vaccine Ride to bene t will be hosted May 17-18 by Action Cycling Atlanta. e event raises funds to bene t AIDS vaccine research at Emory University and local service organizations. e two-day event takes riders from Emory to Eatonton and back. For more information, visit ActionCycling.org.
Atlanta Medical Center has received the Get With e Guidelines–Heart Failure Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award for implementing improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation for heart failure patients. is marks the 8th year that Atlanta Medical Center has been recognized with a quality achievement award
A division of ENT of GA South Atlanta Hearing Institute is proud to welcome audiologist, Dr. Carrie Dunn. Dr. Dunn received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Georgia and Doctor of Audiology degree at East Tennessee State University. Dr. Dunn has worked in both private ENT practices and university settings specializing in hearing healthcare of adult and geriatrics patients. Atlanta Hearing Institute offers the most comprehensive hearing evaluation and the latest state of the art hearing aid technology. She is now accepting new patients in the Buckhead office of the Atlanta Hearing Institute.
e Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously last month to hire Dr. Meria Carstarphen, le , as the new superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools. Carstarphen signed a three-year contract and will o cially begin work on July 7. Since her announcement as the sole nalist for the job, Carstarphen has made numerous appearances at schools and around the city. She has nearly 20 years of experience in public education and is currently superintendent of the Austin Independent School District. e search committee noted that under Carstarphen’s leadership in Austin the graduation rate improved to an all-time high and the dropout rate decreased, SAT and ACT exam scores increased and attendance rates improved to 95 percent. She previously served as the superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools in Minnesota, and in accountability positions for public school systems in the District of Columbia and Columbus, Ohio. Carstarphen’s professional experience includes teaching at the middle school level, as well as elementary education in Spain and Venezuela.
Heritage Preparatory School held a special History Day event in April with a women’s su rage parade and an unveiling of the Statue of Liberty. e annual event celebrates an era in history, and this year’s focused on American history from 1820. Students and sta alike were encouraged to as a character in costume from the era.
Pace Academy’s $32-million Aim
High capital campaign for a new Upper School has exceeded $35 million. e school’s Board of Trustees has designated the additional funds for the construction of a stateof-the-art stadium and track at Pace Academy’s existing Athletics Complex, right. e stadium and track will complete the school’s original vision for the property, which it acquired in 2005. e stadium will be named Walsh Field in honor of Leigh and Tim Walsh, both members of Pace Academy’s Class of 1981. e Walsh family’s contribution to the Aim High campaign is the largest alumni capital gi in Pace Academy history.
e Junior Achievement Discovery Center at the Georgia World Congress Center, which provides nancial literacy and work readiness education to middle school students, is busy and thriving a er opening a year ago. Recently, Jenner Wood, SunTrust Atlanta division president, and 30 other SunTrust employees taught students from Jean Childs Young Middle School about managing a household budget, using banking services, and making purchasing and investment decisions.
Atlanta Public Schools educator Rita Simmons, right, who teaches at Cleveland Elementary School, is one of 10 nalists for the 2015 Georgia Teacher of the Year. e nalists were chosen from a pool of 156 applicants who were selected as Teacher of the Year in their representative school districts. e applications were read by a panel of judges that included current and former classroom teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners and nalists, administrators, community leaders and others.
Midtown Alliance has appointed Chris Leighty as Director of Public Safety. Leighty has 25 years of law enforcement experience, most recently as Chief of Police with the city of Morrow, and 22 years with the Atlanta Police Department.
The Atlanta Police Foundation has released its annual crime report showing that the drop in crime in the city is more than double the national rate. Total crime dropped 30 percent in Atlanta from 2002-2012 compared to only 14 percent nationally. In 2013, there were 33,045 Part 1 crimes – a decrease of 3.6 percent from calendar year 2012 and a decrease of more than 33 percent since 2002. Part 1 crimes include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft and arson. The full report is available at AtlantaPoliceFoundation.org.
The Atlanta Police Department swore in 28 new officers in a ceremony on April 10. The officers completed 22 weeks of rigorous training at the Atlanta Police Academy, including classroom courses in constitutional law, local and state laws, policy and procedure, hands-on defensive tactics, arrest techniques and daily physical fitness. The officers are now taking part in 12 weeks of field training with veteran officers.
Fulton County Juvenile Court’s S.M.A.R.T. Moves Chess and Mentoring Program received a $1,000 grant from the Atlanta chapter of the Awesome Foundation. The grant will be used to further S.M.A.R.T. Moves’ mission to provide activities, services and mentors to help young men prepare for the challenges of manhood and responsible fatherhood. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for science, math, arts, reading and technology.
Georgia Power has donated a 2013 Nissan Leaf Electric Car to the Atlanta Police Beltline Path Force
Frontage. Private hiking trails.
Teresa Bidez 706-455-2911
MLS # 235510
MLS
MLS
Mineral Bluff, GA 4BR/3.5 BA $549,000
Mountain High Drive: Spectacular home with room for the gang! 3640 SF Lodge style cabin offers stunning panoramic views.
Steven Cockburn 706-889-3188
MLS # 236327
Mineral Bluff, GA 3BR/3.5BA $469,900
Raven Ridge Circle: Amazing view of GA/ NC/TN. Decks, porches, 3 fireplaces. Three levels of perfection. 1.74 acres
Carol & Lee Barbour 828-361-9713
MLS # 236569
Blue Ridge, GA 4BR/3.5 BA $448,800
Point of View: Turn Key! Luxurious cabin on 2+ acres. Excellent rental history. Spectacular Long Range Views. Mark Engledow 706-633-3988
MLS # 235654
Blairsville, GA 3 BR/4BA $445,000
Rileigh Ridge: Best mountain view in Union County. Incredible views from every room. Everything is top of the line.
Linda Bowen-Hughes 706-897-2956
MLS # 231149
Mineral Bluff, GA 3BR/3BA $439,900
Mahoosec Trail: Extraordinary cabin on 2.97 acres. Turn key rental or furnished private home. Excellent rental history.
Jackie Lumpkin 706-455-1830
MLS # 233289
Hiawassee, GA 3BR/2BA $399,900
Beech Cove Road: True LAKE CHATUGE
Frontage - you own into the lake. Every room comes with a view. Great dock.
Mary Lynn Durfee 706-835-7616
MLS # 233049
Blue Ridge, GA 3BR/2.5BA $399,700
Observation Lane: Rare opportunity. Exclusive club community of 4 homes. One level living on 6+ acres. Mountain views. Mark Reeves 706-455-2418
MLS # 236622
Ellijay, GA 3BR/3BA $365,000
Dover Highland Trail: Jaw dropping views. Quiet gated community offers estate size lots, paved roads, underground utilities. Irene Witt 706-889-2481
MLS # 236791
Blue Ridge, GA 4BR/3BA $369,000
Greenridge Road: Enjoy True Mountain
Living in this Chalet Style, log-sided cabin, 3.7 acres & multiple mountain views!
Donna O’Neal 770-356-9034
MLS # 231763
Blue Ridge, GA 3 BR/3BA $359,000
Pony Ghost Trail: Blue Ridge premier community Mountain Tops! Mountain View, paved roads, city water. Furnished.
Mike Miller 706-851-4641
MLS # 236211
Ellijay, GA 3 BR/3.5BA $340,000
Lamar Place: Mountain & Carters Lake
Views from every room. 3500 SF cabin with 3 levels of porches & decks.
Christine Cleberg 706-972-9301
MLS # 236555
Mineral Bluff, GA 2BR/3 BA $300,000
Henderson Lane: Large, bright mountain cabin on 1.4 acres. All levels offer covered decks focused on year around views.
Mary Ann Brown 706-633-8587
MLS # 236585
Consider joining a clinical research study at Emory University/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to improve asthma treatments for African-Americans/Blacks!
To participate in this study, you must:
• Be 5-21 years old
• Have at least one grandparent of African descent
Qualified participants will receive:
• Asthma medications
• Lung evaluations
• Compensation for time and travel
Jennifer Dodds - jcdodds@emory.edu - 404-727-5176
Alice Bruce - alice.bruce@emory.edu - 404-712-1773
Shaneka Douglas - sdougl5@emory.edu - 404-727-7687
*Excludes $99 Service A, please. Good through Sept. 30, 2014
Doesn’t Sylvester look handsome in his tux? This young kitty was rescued a year ago and is in search of a family to love. Do not think that the length of his stay means he is not a gentleman, because he absolutely is one. Sylvester is shy and sometime hides from people who come in to meet him, but he is never rude. Do you have room for this little man in your life? To adopt Sylvester or any of the other dogs and cats, visit pawsatlanta.org or stop by the shelter at 5287 Covington Highway in Decatur.
The annual Pet Cotillion to benefit Pets Are Loving Support (PALS) Atlanta will be held May 18 at Piedmont Bark on Amsterdam Avenue in Midtown. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Find out more at palsatlanta.org
A Night of Stand-Up Comedy at Nancy G's Cafe, 4920 Roswell Road, will benefit PAWS Atlanta on May 24 at 8 p.m, There will be four hilarious comedians on hand to raise money and awareness for the goal of putting pets into loving homes. pawsatlanta. org.
LifeLine Animal Project, the metro Atlanta nonprofit promoting lifesaving animal welfare solutions through its programs and management of Fulton and DeKalb County Animal Services, has named Anisa Telwar Kaicker, president and founder of Anisa International, Inc., as chair of the board of directors for 2014 and 2015. The organization is also pleased to announce the additions of Ashley Derrick, Amelia Fusaro and Lyza Sandgren to its board of directors.
I did not have a dog growing up. I’d venture to say that with 10 kids in the house my parents felt there was a gracious amount of chaos already. Maybe that’s why, as an adult, I’ve never felt much of a pull towards getting a dog or any pet really.
When Kristen and I lived in Cabbagetown, where canines are so beloved, we were conspicuously dog-less. Going out for a walk sans dog almost seemed suspicious. I’d imagine people rushing to post on the neighborhood listserv that they just spotted an adult male/curly hair/ mid 30’s/bouncing a tennis ball while walking through the park yet he had no dog…BOLO.
I do like most dogs, but I can be particularly averse to dog hair and certain dog smells and I’m not anxious to add those attributes to the household ambience. Not to mention that feedings, two or three walks a day and trips to the vet will make our already hectic schedules feel like we’re trying to catch the deluge in a paper cup (Prize to the first reader to catch the lyrical reference).
So imagine if you will what it has been like to, essentially, be a bystander in my own home as the dog ownership conversation between my wife and those crafty kids has steadily progressed. What started with “can we get a dog?” moved on to “if we get a dog…” to “when we get a dog…” without me offering as much as a peep. Sure, Kristen and I discussed it some in private and identified our hypothetical family pet. It would not be a puppy, maybe a two or three year old rescue dog. It would be medium in size. It would be great with kids and basically pretty chill. It couldn’t be too much of a shedder or a stinker or a barker. It should have only one eye.
Alright that last detail was tossed in after the fact, but Kristen’s sister, Kara, just up and adopted the exact dog we were hypothesizing about—Barley the oneeyed Lhasa Apso! He lost his other eye to surgery after an infection, but it just makes him that much more endearing. Kara lives nearby and brought him over to play one afternoon. Sure we fumbled over his name a good bit—Bailey, Barney, Charlie, Marley but he didn’t seem to mind. Everybody loved him, even me (a little bit).
Soon after, Kara had to leave town for a week and asked if we could take care of Barley. It was a test run of sorts. I wanted to know how quickly the kids would be bored with a dog (didn’t happen) or how much of a burden the caretaking would be (not much). I braced myself for the indoor accidents and furniture damage and actually there was some of that. He scratched up a leather sofa in the basement and was so excited one day when I got home from work that he peed on my shoe. But those are the types of things my kids are capable of, too, so why hold Barley to a higher standard, right?
Perhaps my views on dog ownership are evolving, but he had really not overstayed his welcome when Kara returned from her trip and took him home. I’m not weeping over here or anything, but it was pretty nice having the little guy around. At the same time, maybe he’s enjoying the quiet and calm of Kara’s house after a week of living at Grand Central Station? Hard to say, but I think he sort of enjoyed himself, running circles around the kids in the backyard, marking about 37 different spots on each walk, sleeping under Elliott’s bed.
I should probably run this by Kara first, but what does everyone think of shared custody of a dog? Is that a thing? People do it successfully with children, can we do
that with Barley?
Young Harris, GA 3 BR/3BA $268,800
Pinecrest Road: Updated ranch close to lake, Young Harris College. Excellent condition. Garden full of flowers.
Wellermina DeLong 706-896-3132
MLS # 228775
Robbinsville, NC 3BR/2BA $247,900
Walnut Lane: Home on 28+ acres – carport, deck, workshop, pad for 5th wheeler – much more…..excellent condition.
Jack Shingler 866-835-8500
MLS # 227998
Ellijay, GA 3BR/2BA $244,900
Walnut Mountain Court: Incredible view of numerous waterfalls from 1,722 SF log sided cabin. Property has 5 lots, 2.6 acres. Marilyn Drake 706-669-5539
MLS # 231125
Cherry Log, GA 3BR/3BA $239,000
Taylor Ridge Road: Perfect 3 level cabin on mountain top. Near Blue Ridge and Ellijay for all outdoor activities.
Louise Hudder 770-402-6081
MLS # 236106
Blue Ridge, GA 3BR/3BA $230,000
Mountain Peaks Road: Rustic Blue Ridge cabin on 3+ acres. Long range mountian view. Private wooded setting.
Anne Williamson 706-633-9487
MLS # 236013
Blue Ridge, GA 2BR/2BA $224,900 Red Oak Drive: Bank Foreclosure in excellent condition. Great starter or retirement home. 4 level, private acres.
Rita Gartner 770-331-4922
MLS # 234848
Blairsville, GA 3BR/3BA $179,000
Gibbs Road: Immaculate 2 Story country home near Lake Nottely. Tons of storage and extras. Seasonal Views.
Ann Britton 706-897-1388
MLS # 235616
Blairsville, GA 2 BR/2BA $169,900
Fortenberry Creek: Enjoy Awesome long range views. Quality in every detail. Convenient to hiking, fishing, camping.
Joan Shaw 706-994-8781
MLS # 234791
May 9, 1967: Atlanta artist Constantin Chatov’s portrait of the late Clark Gable as he appeared in the role of Rhett Butler in the movie version of Gone With the Wind was hung in Mayor Ivan Allen’s office at City Hall. The portrait, which had hung for many years in Loew’s Grand Theater where the film premiered in 1939, had been presented as a gift to the city.
May 9, 1914: The Ford Company submitted a request for a building permit to construct an assembly plant on Ponce de Leon Avenue next to the Southern Railway line. The building still stands as the Ford Factory Lofts, while the railway line is now the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine.
May 12, 1985: Yonge Street was renamed for Rev. William Holmes Borders, longtime pastor of the Wheat Street Baptist Church at 359 Auburn Ave. It first appeared in the 1870 Atlanta City Directory and was originally named for George Yonge superintendent of the Georgia Central Railroad.
May 13, 1905: The new Atlanta Terminal Station, called the Mitchell Street depot by locals, opened to the from 3:30 to 10:00 p.m. Located on what is now the site of the Richard B. Russell Federal Building, the facility designed by Architect P. Thornton
Marye and built by contractors Gude & Walker. With the opening of the terminal the Southern Railway announced the discontinuance of several flag stops, namely, Ponce de Leon, Walker’s Mill, Angier Springs, Fair Grounds (Piedmont Park) and Copenhill Park.
May 13, 1880: A catastrophe struck the DeGive Opera House on Marietta Street during the matinee of Paradise and Peri. Just before curtain, the cast, dressed in gauze-robed winged angel costumes, took their seats on the semi-circular, stage-tiers. Maggie Chapman, who played the title character from Persian mythology, rushed on stage enveloped in flames, screaming “Fire!” Others followed with costumes blazing. The stage crew seized the frantic girls and removed their burning clothes. A lighted gas jet in the dressing room caused the accident. Chapman, 24, was a teacher at the First Methodist Sunday School. Inhaling flames seriously affected her lungs and she was horribly burned around the neck, throat and arms. The only child of Sarah E. and Foster Samuel Chapman, she died from her injuries a few days later and was buried in Oakland Cemetery. Her tombstone, located near the Bell Tower, reads “Our Only Treasure.”
May 14: 1928: The Gillespie Auto Laundry System opened on the southwest corner of Ponce de Leon and Juniper Street. Noted in the March issue of the Atlanta Chamber’s City Builder magazine, B.K. Gillespie’s new scientific car washing process service was the first of its kind in Atlanta and the south. Property owner J. Carroll Payne had purchased the property and leased it to the Gillespie for 99 years. On Feb. 24, 1929, Payne transferred the lease to the Sinclair Refining Company. Currently rising on this corner is Emory’s $225 million cancer treating proton facility.
May 21, 1910: At Atlanta’s Terminal Station, 4-year-old Violet Spencer’s tiny hands unveiled the bronze statue honoring her late grandfather, Samuel Spencer. The Georgia native was the first president of the Southern Railway, now Norfolk Southern. From 1910 until 1970, Spencer’s seated-figure—designed by architect Henry Bacon, sculptor Daniel Chester French, and fabricator Piccirilli Brothers Marble Carving Studios—kept watch over the plaza until the station’s closing in1970. It was relocated toPeachtree Station in Brookwood and remained until May 1996 when it was relocated for the Olympics to Downtown’s Hardy Ivy Park. It can now be viewed in Midtown where it was relocated May 30, 2009 to the front plaza of the Norfolk Southern Corporation at 1200 Peachtree St.
Historian & Margaret Mitchell House docent Ann Boutwell can be reached at annboutwell@bellsouth.net.
Dr. Summers is a family medicine practitioner and her office sees children and adults. She has extended hours for flu shots and walk-ins (7:15-8:15 a.m. on Tuesday)
New Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Most
Location:
Fourteen West, REALTORS® is now Engel & Völkers Fourteen West.
Fourteen West, REALTORS® has assisted thousands of intown Atlanta home buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants with their real estate needs with the utmost care for more than 40 years. With our new name, Engel & Völkers Fourteen West, we remain committed to delivering Atlanta’s best real estate service. We have brought the largest, most successful, luxury real estate brand in the world to intown Atlanta. As Engel & Völkers Fourteen West, we have the international connections and support to assist the growing number of neighborhood friends relocating to and from Europe, South America, South Africa, Asia, Canada, and Australia. Contact us today to nd out how we can help you achieve your real estate goals.
Tucked between Virginia-Highland and Morningside, is a neighborhood now known as the Floataway Community. You might know it better as Zonolite Road, just off Briarcliff, but the former industrial and warehouse district has quietly evolved into a thriving enclave of entrepreneurial businesses, eclectic restaurants and a beautifully renovated park.
Zonolite Road got its first big push with the renovation of a warehouse complex that was christened the Floataway in 1997. In 1998, Chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison opened the still thriving Floataway Café in the space, and the reclamation of the neighborhood has been growing ever since.
There’s now a diverse tenant group in the four buildings that make up Floataway, such as artists, designers, animators, engineers, wellness specialists, entrepreneurs and restaurants. Some of the businesses include Go Productions, Brandshank Creative, Douglas & Company Hair Studio, Studio Lotus, Digital Additive, Intown Counseling & Wellness, Beacon Disability Advocates, Raven Prinz, Gearbox, Garnish & Gather and Z Café.
The success of the Floataway complex has brought more business to Zonolite Road, including the Quickshot Shooting Range, co-working space Desk and an art space for children and adults called Zone of Light Studio.
The community’s “backyard” is Zonolite Park, a 12-acre forest with footpaths along Peachtree Creek for visitors to explore. Nickel Bottom Community Garden, located in the park’s meadow, is an ongoing project that has transformed the area from a former industrial brownfield site into a flourishing green space incorporating community gardens, a quiet pond and walkable trails.
Amy Wilson opened Zone of Light Studio more than a year ago and says the Floataway Community was just the area she was looking for to open a business.
“I wanted a weird, eclectic warehouse space,” Wilson said. “Finding Zonolite Road and having the park right
there where we can run and play is perfect.”
The studio offers art instruction during school break days, art nights out, spring and summer camps, and customized themed occasions for children and adults year round, Wilson said.
To learn more about Zonolite Road and the Floataway Community visit floatawaycommunity. com.
Co-owner Harris Botnick helps customers with a purchase.
Sydia Bell
A JEWEL OF A BUSINESS
Snorkel, a 6-year-old Boxer, is the official greeter at the Midtown location of Worthmore Jewelers, and he has a business card to prove it.
Owners Harris and Gerri Botnick want their customers to know Worthmore is different from a traditional jewelry store, and if Snorkel isn’t enough to prove it, maybe the wine, soda or beer they offer will catch your attention. Customers can say goodbye to the customary dark wood and snobby attitudes found in many jewelry stores and enjoy the welcoming demeanor, which is offered to customers from all walks of life. Worthmore has been a passion project for its owners for 20 years with the first shop opening on Amsterdam Walk in 1994 and a second in Decatur in 2008.
“You will not find co-op advertising or sales associates aiming for one big purchase,” Harris says. “We want to build a relationship with his customers. An authentic relationship, which includes listening to and providing a experience for any customer no matter how large or small the sale.”
The Botnicks said their clientele started out purchasing simple silver
bands and return whenever there is another occasion – an engagement, commitment ceremony, marriage birthday or holiday. The shop also does repairs and offers appraisals.
Harris attributes Worthmore’s appeal to his trendy, fashion influenced, “what’s next” wife, Gerri. He says she is always on the lookout for eclectic, unique custom and antique/vintage pieces.
April 1– June 13, 2014
While locally owned, Worthmore attracts some of the largest names in the jewelry industry. “A ‘big” name isn’t a selling point when selecting designers to showcase,’ Geri points out. “It is more about the artistry and business practices of those designers. I don't’ want to do business with anyone if I’m only known as an account number. The same principal applies to the customers in the store.”
Worthmore has also created a culture of giving back to the community with partnerships with Georgia Center for Humane Education and the Boys and Girl Club.
Ranked the number three jewelry retailer in the country by industry organization Jeweler’s Circular Keystone, the owners are proud of what they continue to create in Intown.
$25 to $100 rebate per unit ON
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Silhouette® Window Shadings diffuse the sun’s rays, creating soft light that naturally illuminates your home. Save now with valuable rebates. Ask for details. Follow Us At Facebook or Twitter The Art of Window Dressing ideas booklet with this ad Georgia Blinds & Interiors 220 Sandy Springs Cir Ste 129 Atlanta GA M-F: 10am-5:30pm Saturday 11am-3pm 404-252-6991 www.gablinds.com Select Offer2 $25 to $100 rebate per unit* ON SELECT HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW FASHIONS April 1– June 13, 2014 * Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for purchases made 4/1/14 – 6/13/14 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. © 2014 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas. SPG14MB3 Silhouette Window Shadings
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M-F: 10am-5:30pm Saturday 11am-3pm 404-252-6991
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in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 7 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. © 2014 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas. SPG14MB3 Silhouette Window Shadings
Simon Property Group has announced “extensive” renovation plans for Phipps Plaza, pictured above, in Buckhead beginning this summer. The first project in a series of improvements will be an interior makeover with upgraded LED lighting, repainting the interior, luxury seating and lounging areas with Wi-Fi connectivity and chargers, upgraded restrooms and the installation of a hotel-like concierge service center. The parking decks will also get an upgrade with new flooring, automatic doors and LED lighting for better visibility. Phipps will remain open during the renovation and hopes to have the work complete in time for the holiday shopping season. Exterior projects are also in Phipp’s future, including a new “dramatic entrance” along Peachtree Road and a streetscape filled with luxury storefronts. Plans have also been announced for 320 luxury residential units and a 164-room hotel to be connected to the mall.
Alo Atlanta Downtown opened its 254-room hotel at 300 Spring St. last month. Operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Aloft was formerly a Days Inn before a multi-million renovation. The 10-story building, which underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, allows guests to check in with their smartphones, and features 2,500 square feet of meeting space, fitness center and the WXYZ bar.
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has seen a 150 percent growth since February of 2013, according to a report from President Suzanne Baugh. The nonprofit, which promotes economic growth and advancement for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender businesspeople in metro Atlanta, has also launched a new website (atlantagaychamber.org) and is working to increase its programing including the launch of AGLCC University for personal and professional development.
Midtown’s Domestic Comfort Furniture & Design (domesticcomfort.com) has relocated to a new showroom at 1512 Piedmont Ave. in Ansley Square. The new space is four times larger than their former space on Monroe Drive.
Kendra Scott, the Texas-based jewelry brand, has opened its first Atlanta location at Shops Around Lenox. Known for her statement and personalized jewelry, Scott will open a second location in Alpharetta.
Westin Buckhead Hotel was recently awarded the “Good Earthkeeping” award at the GHLA Stars of the Lodging Industry luncheon. The award was presented to the hotel for its low consumption of energy and resourceful installations. Earlier this year, Westin Buckhead installed new thermostats from Inncom that sense movement and light levels. This change has left the hotel with an average energy savings of 26 percent per month compared to its pervious non-automated system.
San Francisco-based clothier Chubbies Shorts has launched the Chubbies Man Cave pop-up shop at Onward Reserve, 3072 Early Street, Suite 100, in Buckhead. The shop will only be open for five months.
Bobby Jones (bobbyjones.com), which manufactures men’s and women’s sportswear and golf equipment, has announced it will mark its 25th anniversary by moving its headquarters to the 100 Terminus building on Peachtree Road later this year. The company is named after the Georgia golf legend who founded the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.
e Greater Perimeter Business Expo will be held June 5 at the Crown Plaza Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, in Dunwoody. The Expo, a collaboration of the Dunwoody Chamber and Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, will kick off with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. with keynote speaker Dr. Gene Griessman, host of Up Close on TBS, author and has portrayed Abraham Lincoln in a one-man show he created at venues around the country. There will be 100-plus exhibitors from around the Perimeter area showcasing their businesses, products and services. For more information, visit www.gpbe.org.
Out of 60 applicants, the city of Atlanta is one of only six national cities selected to participate in the Green Lane Project, which works with U.S. cities to speed the installation of protected bike lanes around the country.
These on-street lanes are separated from traffic by curbs, planters, parked cars or posts to make riding a bike an appealing option for more people. Other cities selected for the Green Lane Project include Boston, Denver, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Seattle.
Over the next two years, the city of Atlanta plans to launch its first bike share program that will include approximately 50 stations and 500 bikes. Plans are underway to build miles of multi-use trails, bike lanes, and cycle tracks.
“Over the next three years, Atlanta will add 120 miles of bicycle lanes, multi-use trails, and cycle tracks. Along with the rollout of a bike share system in 2015, we believe bicycling will become an increasingly popular way to get around Atlanta,” said Commissioner James E. Shelby, Department of Planning and Community Development.
“The Green Lane Project gives our planning staff direct access to international industry experts who have been doing this work for over 40 years,” said Atlanta Director of Planning, Charletta Wilson Jacks.
The city hopes to double the bicycle commute to work from 1.1 percent to 2.2 percent and double the miles of high-quality bicycle lanes and protected bicycle facilities to 60 miles, both by 2016.
Atlanta was one of six cities chosen to participate in the Green Lane Project, which helps speed the installation of protected bike lanes, like the one pictured here on West Peachtree.
Volunteers gathered in Downtown on Earth Day last month, April 22, to prepare planters that will be placed along the Atlanta Streetcar route. The effort is an extension of e Da odil Project, which started last autumn in Woodruff Park, as a way to remember children lost in the Holocaust. For more, visit daffodilproject.net.
e Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable convenes once a month to discuss the region’s current environmental issues – from water to energy, urban planning to policy and much more. Members of the audience are encouraged to ask questions, make comments, network and learn about Atlanta’s current and future opportunities for sustainable development. The next meetings are May 2 and June 6 at 7:30 a.m. (doors open at 7 for networking) at All Saints Episcopal Church, Ellis Hal, 634 West Peachtree St. For more information, visit southface.org/sart.
Park Pride has announced 10 recipients for the 2014 Inspiration Awards during the Parks and Greenspace Conference, recognizing leadership that has led to tangible results in parks and greenspaces in Atlanta. Nine of the Inspiration Award winners were commended for their participation as citizen advocates for Historic Fourth Ward Park: Judy Clements, Marie Cowser, Bill Eisenhauer, Jacqueline Echols, Ph.D., Derek Matory, David Patton, John Perlman, Markham Smith, and Cedric Stallworth. The tenth award-winner, Ellen Wickersham, has been a transformational change agent with Invest Atlanta since 2004 through her role as Senior Project Manager, Parks and Greenspace Acquisition. Over the decade, Wickersham facilitated the acquisition of 500 acres of new parkland in the City of Atlanta. Her passion for parks is evident through her role on Park Pride’s Board of Directors and as a member of the Parks and Greenspace Conference Committee. Though she is moving on from her position with Invest Atlanta, she will remain active and involved in parks and greenspace issues.
Festival season is in full swing and that means weekends of arts, crafts, music, food and more. Check out our guide.
Fiesta Atlanta
The 8th annual Fiesta Atlanta will take place May 4 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown. Billed as the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the southeast, Fiesta Atlanta features a daylong celebration of Latino culture and heritage with continuous live musical performances on two stages by international and national recording artists. Mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, a 5K race, arts and crafts and authentic foods are also part of the event. For more, visit FiestaAtlanta.com.
Sweet Auburn Springfest
The 30th anniversary festival will be held May 9-11 along Downtown’s historic Auburn Avenue, featuring three days of food, entertainment and information. Details were still be worked out at press time, but expect kids’ fun zone, senior citizens pavilion, a “Just for Women” area featuring resources and information, food and more. There will be live music from Gabe, Philip Michael Thomas, Jr., Venom, Melissa Cross, Big Greg, Free Byrd, Shae Mara from America’s Got Talent and any more. Visit sweetauburn.com for more information.
Buckhead
The festival returns to the paths of Chastain Park on May 10-11 feature more than 175 artists representing all disciplines. Live acoustic music, a children’s play area make for a fun weekend for the entire family. There will also be food from local food trucks including Yumbii, Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q, Tastee Truck, King of Pops and more. Parking will be available in the marked amphitheater lots, but no festival parking will be allowed in the residential neighborhoods around Chastain. For more, visit buckheadartsfestival.com.
The 12th annual Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes is set for May 17 at Bessie Branham Park. The day begins at 8 a.m. with a 5K road race, while the artist market will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be live music on two stages – one in the park and another in downtown – throughout the day and evening from The Hangarmen, Gareth Asher & The Earthlings, The Deadfields, Part-Time Weekends, The Well Reds, Sandzorn and Grinder Nova. A kids’ area, food from local vendors and a Barbecue Cookoff are also on tap. On May 17-18 is the Kirkwood Tour of Homes, featuring classic Victorian cottages to modern lofts and everything in between. Tickets for the home tour are $20. Admission to the festival is free, while proceeds from the home tour benefit the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization. For more, visit kirkwoodfling.com.
The 37th annual music extravaganza returns Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, to Piedmont Park. The line-up this year includes Ahmad Jamal, Airmen of Note, Bill Frisell, Ali Amir, Brian Hogan, Christian Scott, Cyrille Aimee, Darren English, Diego Figueiredo, Freddy Cole, Kemba Colfield, Roy Hargrove and many, many more. To see the full line-up and schedule, visit atlantafestivals.com.
The 26th annual festival will be held Memorial Day weekend in and around downtown Decatur. The event kicks off May 23 with an ArtWalk around Decatur and the Oakhurst neighborhood to participating galleries and businesses. The giant artist market downtown will be open May 24-25 featuring vendors from all over the region. This year’s music line up is headed up by Kristian Bush from Grammy Award-winning Sugarland, as well as Larkin Poe, Bonaventure Quartet and many more. See the full schedule at decaturartsfestival.com.
Looking ahead, the 31st annual Summerfest will be held June 7-8 on Virginia Avenue between North Highland and Park Drive. There will be arts, crafts, a 5K road race, children’s area and live music. The music line-up was not available at press time. For more, visit vahi.org/summerfest.
If you can’t make it to the west coast for the big Comic Con, the Wizard World Comic Con is happening in Atlanta from May 31 to June 1 at the World Congress Center in Downtown Atlanta.
Plenty of stars will be on hand including Nathan Fillion (Castle, Serenity), Norman Reedus, Lauren Cohan, Jon Bernthal and Michael Rooker of The Walking Dead, James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Torchwood), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes), Robert Knepper (Prison Break, Hitman) and may more.
Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Neal Adams (Batman, Green Lantern), Jorge Molina (X-Men, Fear Itself), Bob Layton (Iron Man, Captain America), John Tyler Christopher (Amazing Spider-Man, Secret Warriors), J.M. DeMatteis (Justice League Dark, Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger) and many others.
There will also be celebrity Q&As, a film festival, costume contests parties and plenty of opportunity for cosplay.
For tickets, information and a complete schedule of events, visit wizardworld.com/ home-atlanta.html.
404.981.7249
adammorrison@
The Alliance Theatre will host its 6th annual A Tony Evening at the W Hotel Midtown on May 10. The star-studded party benefits the theatre’s programs for youth and families
The special guest performer for the evening will be Megan Hilty, Broadway star of Wicked, the NBC musical drama Smash and the forthcoming film Dorothy of Oz Hilty recently released her debut solo album, It Happens All e Time, which included interpretations of compositions by contemporary songwriters and producers.
Atlanta’s own Francine Reed will open the entertainment portion of the evening’s festivities.
A Tony Evening will honor Victoria and Howard Palefsky for their commitment and support of the arts in Atlanta, particularly the Alliance and Woodruff Arts Center. Mrs. Palefsky currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alliance Theatre, and her many accomplishments include creating the first A Tony Evening and the Season Opening Gala events. She has served on the Board of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and has chaired the Atlanta Symphony Ball and the High Museum’s annual Gala.
Aside from his work as an entrepreneur, manager and investor, Mr. Palefsky serves on the boards of numerous public and private companies, he also serves on the Board of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and in 2013, assumed the role of chair of the finance committee.
For tickets and more information, visit alliancetheatre.org/atonyevening.
Men at Work: Constructions: Common threads of guns, rockets and monuments follow the theme of a hero’s journey in these works by Peter Bahouth, Paul Hagedorn and Gregor Turk. Closes May 13. Free. hagedornfoundationgallery.org
Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas: Nineteen concept cars from 1930s Europe to 21st century U.S. push the limits of imagination in this High Museum exhibit that pairs conceptual drawings with realized cars by Ferrari, Bugatti and more. Opens May 21. $12 to $19.50. high.org
Ben Steele: From This, a Mountain: Ben Steele’s newest body of work at Poem 88 is a complex experiment in filmmaking and special effects, where he creates painted images from light projections. Closes May 24. Free. poem88.net
Decatur Arts Festival: This 26th annual festival features more than 165 artists along with children’s activities and musical entertainment from Kristian Bush of country music duo Sugarland. May 24 and May 25. Free. decaturartsalliance.org
Brendan O’Connell Exhibit: Walmart isn’t just a shopping experience for artist Brendan O’Connell – it’s the focus of his paintings, which have been featured everywhere from the Colbert Show to The New Yorker. Closes May 31. Free. faygoldgallery.com
Simone Leigh: Gone South: Atlanta Contemporary Art Center presents the work of New York artist Simone Leigh, who uses installation, sculpture and video to speak on African culture, feminism and pop culture. Closes May 31. $5 to $8. thecontemporary. org
Returning Home: This three-person solo exhibition features fresh new works from Sam Parker, Larry Jens Anderson and Peter Ferrari at Kai Lin Art. Wednesday through Saturday. Free. kailinart.com
American Idiot: Based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning album, this Broadway musical at The Fox Theatre tells the story of three lifelong friends forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. May 1 through May 4. $30 to $85. broadwayinatlanta.com
Mass Transit Muse: A raucous city bus ride through the streets of New Orleans becomes a mix of spoken word, song, movement and monologue in this play, which is written entirely in rhythmic and rhyming prose. May 1 through May 18. $10 to $20. 7stages.org
Eric Clapton: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer Eric Clapton returns to Atlanta at Chastain Park Amphitheatre with blues-infused newcomer ZZ Ward.
May 3. $139.50 to $214.50. classicchastain.com
The Comedy of Errors: Two sets of twins, a nun and a case of mistaken identity highlight this Shakespearean tale of errors, upsets and fun at Atlanta Shakespeare Company. Opens May 8. $15 to $36. shakespearetavern.com
Shaky Knees Music Festival: Alabama Shakes, The National and Modest Mouse headline this threeday indie music festival at Atlantic Station. May 9 through May 11. $84 to $575.
Megan Hilty: Performer Megan Hilty found fame on Broadway in “Wicked” and “9 to 5: The Musical,” but she is best known for her recent role on the musical-drama TV series “Smash.” May 10. $39 to $75. cobbenergycentre.com
Back to the Baroque: The Atlanta Chamber Players conclude their season with a celebration of Baroque music and a major premiere by American John Harbison at the New American Shakespeare Tavern. May 13. $15 to $24.
End of the Rainbow: Actor’s Express looks at Judy Garland’s 1968 London comeback in this musical featuring Garland’s razor sharp wit and signature anthems. Opens May 14. $15 to $40. actors-express.com
The Heroic Greek: Leonidas Kavakos does double duty in this concert, playing violin and conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in a program of Bach, Sibelius and Beethoven. May 15 through May 17. $24 to $75. atlantasymphony.org
Xperimental Puppetry Theater (XPT): Dozens of artists come together to create original and bold puppet theater guaranteed to inspire and surprise adult audiences in this annual show. May 15 through May 18. $12. puppet.org
Friday Jazz: Arouse your senses with the sights and sounds of art and music by Louis Heriveaux at the most unique jazz venue in Atlanta – the High Museum of Art. May 16. $19.50. high.org
MAYhem: This Atlanta Ballet show at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is a no-holds-barred explosion of creativity and energy with world premieres by Helen Pickett and John McFall, as well as the return of Jorma Elo’s “1st Flash.” May 16 through May 18. atlantaballet.com
A Prairie Home Companion: Garrison Keillor’s longstanding public radio variety show returns to The Fox Theatre for a live taping. May 17. $35 to $77. foxtheatre.org
Party in the Park: Centennial Olympic Park’s one-day music festival returns with headliners Girl Talk, MGMT, The Joy Formidable, Stokeswood and Minus the Bear. May 17. $40 to $45. partyintheparkatlanta.com
TERMINUS: Audience members choose their own path in this post-Civil War South story, creating a uniquely personal and immersive journey at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve. Closes May 17. saiah.org
Ben Folds with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: An American singer-songwriter and record producer, Ben Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five and now performs solo. May 23. $46.50 to $85.50. atlantasymphony.org
Atlanta Jazz Festival: Bill Frisell, Freddy Cole, and Russell Gunn and his Krunk Jazz Orchestra are among the main stage acts during the 37th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park. May 23 through May 25. Free! atlantafestivals.com
Brew at the Zoo: Take your brew to an exotic outdoor destination as live bands and DJs perform throughout Zoo Atlanta with up-close animal encounters, unlimited sampling of beer and wine, and more. May 24. $43 to $85. May 24. zooatlanta.org.
Piedmont Park Conservancy will kick off its 25th anniversary by hosting Landmark Lunch on May 8 with keynote speaker Mayor Kasim Reed.
Landmark Lunch began in 1997 as an annual fundraiser for Piedmont Park. Hundreds of corporate and community leaders will don their favorite hat and meet under the tent atop The Promenade, overlooking the Legacy Fountain. Guests will be treated to a champagne toast as they arrive, followed by a delicious lunch featuring delectable, locally sourced cuisine.
“I am honored to be this year’s keynote speaker at the Landmark
Lunch,” Reed said. “For the last 25 years, Piedmont Park Conservancy has been a steadfast partner in revitalizing and expanding Piedmont Park. Because of their tireless commitment to maintaining the park as a world-class green space, surrounding neighborhoods are now bustling with successful businesses, young professionals, active families and great schools.”
Individual tickets are available for $125 per person and may be purchased online at piedmontpark.org. All proceeds benefit the Conservancy’s ongoing efforts to restore and maintain Piedmont Park.
We reached out via social media and asked our readers to tell us their favorite Intown breakfast spots. There were plenty of impassioned responses about the best places for biscuits, pancakes, bacon and eggs and other morning comfort food. We tallied up the restaurants that received the most raves to create a Top 15 list (in no particular order). If you don’t see your favorite spot, tweet it to us using hashtag #ATLBestBreakfast.
West Egg Café
@francesk tweeted us that West Egg was completely worth the wait, especially for the “amazing” pimento grits, while @julieorloff said she loved @westeggcafe so much that she moved upstairs at Westside Provision. Now that’s breakfast love, folks! 1100 Howell Mill Road, westeggcafe.com
Highland Bakery
“I’m a huge breakfast person in general,” said Trehvis T. Foster. “However,
each time that I eat at Highland Bakery, I’m never disappointed. The chicken egg benedict is amazing! You can’t go wrong with the sweet potato pancakes - truly one of a kind. 655 Highland Ave. (locations also in Midtown, Buckhead and on the campuses of Georgia Tech and Emory), highlandbakery.com.
Java Jive
“The Richie family votes for Java Jive,” said Norm Richie (whose wife, Clare, is one of INtown’s contributors). “I love the biscuits, Clare loves the Mediterranean omelet, our daughter loves the cheese grits, and our son loves it all. In addition to the food, we love the vibe. It’s one of the few places you can go where the owners really know their customers and stop and chat.” 790 Ponce de Leon Ave., (404) 876-6161.
Radial Café
Radial has long been a favorite of the INtown staff, as well as our readers. You can’t go wrong with the American Breakfast. My order: two eggs soft scrambled, bacon, grits and a biscuit
instead of the toast. And, of course, sweet tea. 1530 DeKalb Ave., radial.us.
Flying Biscuit
Our email and Twitter lit up with recommendations for Flying Biscuit. Us Intowners are partial to the original location in Candler Park (1655 McLendon Ave.) but their are locations also in Midtown, Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs and more for your biscuit fix. The turkey bacon is killer! flyingbiscuit.com.
Home Grown
Home Grown got plenty of Twitter love, including @sschutt who simply tweeted: Love their omelets! 968 Memorial Dr., homegrownga.com.
Thumbs Up
You tweeted us about pancakes the size of your face, omelets, bacon and eggs and the multigrain biscuits all served in a homey diner atmosphere. What’s not to love? 573 Edgwood Ave. (also on Marietta Street near Downtown and Decatur), thumbsupdiner.com.
Ria’s Bluebird
The unexpected loss of namesake and chef Ria Pell last year devastated the Intown community, but her restaurant continues to thrive, especially for the breakfast and brunch. @TeamGetz tweeted us: @RiasBluebird is pretty stellar! 421 Memorial Dr., riasbluebird. com.
American Roadhouse
“They give you so much food and it’s inexpensive,” said Charisse Byers. “I love the Roadhouse Breakfast: eggs, bacon or sausage, a biscuit, and the yummy home fries. I’ve been going here for years and love taking newcomers.” 842 N. Highland Ave., american-roadhouse.com
The White House
“All the food is good but the people are great,” said Charles B. Crawford, Jr., president and CEO of Private Bank of Buckhead, “It starts with the owner, Demosthenes, and finishes with Ella, who knows my order by heart - two poached eggs (medium), bacon, hash browns
(instead of grits), and wheat toast.” 3172 Peachtree Road, whitehouserestaurant. net
Folk Art
“Folk Art is a newer fave, especially for political breakfasts,” said B. Andrew Plant. “It’s a great combo of traditional breakfasts with twists and customization, and the retro vibe of the place is good. I feel like it has been there a long time. Burritos, tailored Benedict dishes and specials are my choices.” 465 N. Highland Ave., folkartrestaurant.com
Silver Skillet
Jim Brams from The Cooks Warehouse said the iconic Midtown breakfast spot, Silver Skillett, is a must. The classic diner serves up all the breakfast favorites with that extra touch of Southern comfort. 200 14th St., thesilverskillet.com
Sun In My Belly
“They have these biscuits are lighter than air,” said Jennifer Perry. “The Kirkwood Breakfast with the scrambled eggs with herbed boursin cheese, honey glazed bacon and the biscuit is my favorite.” 2161 College Ave., suninmybelly.com
Le Petit Marché
“The grits stack and the oatmeal is wonderfully sinful,” said poet and
Georgia Tech professor Karen Head. “And of course we all love owner Marchet Sparks. Her commitment to the Kirkwood community is fantastic.” 1984 Hosea L. Williams Dr., letpetitmarche. net.
J. Christopher’s
“J. Christopher’s on Ponce,” raved Judy McCabe Smith. “Fresh, healthy food and a great variety of breakfast items. The most well-prepared and consistent food. Best biscuits in town. Plus the staff is bright, friendly and superbly professional.” 774 Ponce de Leon Ave. (and other locations around the metro, including Decatur), jchristophers.com.
The rest of the best: The Mercantile on DeKalb Avenue, TAP, Bantam + Biddy, Dulce Vegan, J. Christopher’s, Hilda’s, Parrish, West & Mill, Carroll Street Café, Murphy’s, Original Pancake House, OK Café, Dough Bakery, Local Three, Another Broken Egg, Gato Bizco Cafe and Joy Café.
By Art Huckabee
One might think that a restaurant that takes its name from a 19th century essay on architecture and whose kitchen is run by a chef with a pedigree that includes working with the likes of Gunter Seeger and Joel Antunes would be a high-end, serious, white tablecloth kind of place. Not so with Seven Lamps and Chef Drew Van Leuven. This little over year-old dining spot takes high-minded ideals and serious cooking chops and turns them into a casual environ where savouries and small plates are king.
Located in the Around Lenox shopping center, Seven Lamps may elude you the first time you try to find it. The rustic-modern, trapezoidal-shaped space is comprised of lots of communal tables – there are only a few 4-tops – a small bar and an open kitchen. At peak hours, the brick walls reverberate the noise of the crowd. Don’t worry about intruding into the conversations of your tableside neighbors though, as you’ll be lucky to hear yourself. Then again, you’re probably not here for an intimate meal.
Our friendly server greeted us quickly and explained the night’s specials. Seven Lamps is a seasonal, farm-to-table restaurant and as such, the menu changes daily. If you’re like me and like to peruse a restaurant’s menu on-line before you
visit be forewarned that like many others, Seven Lamp’s will be outdated.
The small bar offers an interesting assortment of craft cocktails, wine, beer and jerk sodas. The Cyclone Kiss was a refreshing mixture of basil infused vodka, strawberry balsamic, lemon and cracked pepper.
The small yet varied wine list offers just about every wine by the glass… and if you haven’t had a Back
Forty Naked Pig pale ale or a Three Heads Rochestafarian wee heavy ale in awhile, they have both.
The one page menu is divided into oysters, savouries, small plates, pastas and plates; you’ll find yourself torn at where to start. While you’re deciding, a small plate of pickled veggies and crème fraiche, compliments of the chef, will get your stomach thinking.
The hand cut cottage fries are doing
Mr. Potato Head proud. These full circumference cuts are par-cooked, sliced and fried to a light crisp with a creamy center. A Duke’s mayo and pepper concoction is served for dipping. Order the house ketchup as well. The lump crab fritter was a baseball-sized serving of crab with a tasty cucumber and caper dressing.
If it’s sausage and cheese you’re craving, there are a variety of charcuterie and artisan cheeses. The mortadella mousse on Sicilian macarons is the best little “bologna sandwich” that your mouth has tasted since childhood. The pimento cheese served with aigre doux, French for “sweet and sour”, grapes, candied nuts and grilled baguette, is some of the best this Southern boy has had anywhere in the city. It’s creamy good and served not too cold as to dull the flavor.
Small plate standouts were the halfdozen quail eggs, the beet salad and the Southern fried quail. The sunny side up quail eggs with greens, radish and peppercorn dressing was a warm Caesar
Escape the chaos of daily life in this comfortable neighborhood bistro. Serving up affordable and delicious Southern comfort food, owner Nancy G offers a welcoming café where you’ll feel right at home. Chef AlKhaliq prepares traditional Southern favorites as well as contemporary creations, like the molasses-brined pork chop or the Georgia mountain trout. Enjoy an “express lunch” on a weekday or a picnic meal from the Chastain menu. Whatever you choose, Nancy G runs her restaurant with warmth and passion.
Nancy G’s Cafe 4920 Roswell Rd www.nancygscafe.com
There are more than 100 full-service fine dining restaurants in Sandy Springs. Reserve a table and enjoy a delicious meal in our community!
For more information about dining in Sandy Springs, please visit: http://www.visitsandysprings.org
salad but even better. The beet salad was a surprising amalgam of red and yellow beets, strawberries, pickled fennel, avocado, hazelnut and goat cheese. The quail was a “Panko-ed” crispy little fellow with a touch of sorghum for sweetness.
All of the Pastas are made in-house. The house-made Agnolotti stuffed with Fontina and ricotta cheeses was served with a spicy tomato ragu that contained bits of crispy pork. The dish evoked pleasant childhood memories of those familiar “Boyardee” products but was similarly too salty.
The plates offerings of the evening were a trout, duck breast, hanger steak and a curiously out-of-place hot dog. The wood roasted Bramlett Farms trout was perfectly cooked, served over a potato puree with poached cucumbers and those aigre doux grapes. The truffle vinaigrette added an interesting musky acidity to the dish.
There’s one more thing you should know about Seven Lamps. It’s becoming a destination restaurant for its burger, a burger that isn’t even found on the menu. Rumor has it that this 50/50, brisket/ top round beauty is a worthy contender in the on-going ATL burger wars. We plan to order it on our next visit. Seven Lamps is located in the Shops Around Lenox, 3400 Around Lenox Rd. and can be found on-line at sevenlampsatl.com.
Art Huckabee is one of Yelp’s Elite Reviewers, as well as a pilot, gourmet cook and food lover. Send feedback to tastingintown@atlantaintownpaper.com.
The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival returns May 29 – June 1to the streets of Midtown for a fourth year. The four-day event is designed to lead guests on journey through the Southern region with an extensive schedule of programs, events and guest appearances. The weekend will offer three distinct activities: Learning Experiences, Tasting Experiences, and Dinners & Events. The Learning Experiences include entertaining cooking and cocktail demonstrations, tasting seminars and panel discussions all designed by industry leaders. The daily learning sessions are rounded off with visitors having the opportunity to sample food in the Tasting Tents. In the evening dinners and events extend the festival’s learning and tasting programs to wrap up the day. Tickets are $100 per person for entrance to the Tasting Tents. A day pass, which includes three Learning Experience events, is $185. A three-day pass is $525 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
Taste of the Nation, a tasting event to raise money for childhood hunger nonprofit Share Our Strength, will be held May 8 at the Georgia Aquarium in Downtown Atlanta. The 26th annual event will feature dozens of restaurants from around metro Atlanta offering up bites for the cause. There will also be live and silent auctions, a wine tasting and live entertainment. General admission is $250 or $350 for VIP. To purchase tickets or find more information, visit atlantataste.org.
The 12th annual Taste of the Highlands will be held May 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. at John Howell Park in Virginia-Highland. Taste of the Highlands benefits Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and features menu samples from area restaurants. Last year, the event raised over $39,000. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 the day of the event. They can be purchased at tasteofthehighlands.com.
By the time you’re reading this, Cook Out should have opened its first Intown location in the former Mrs. Winners spot in East Atlanta. A second location on Northside Drive near Georgia Tech is expected to open in late summer.
The roster of tenants at Krog Street Market (krogstreetmarket.com) in Inman Park continues to grow with the announcement that Hop City beer and wine shop will open a 2,400-square-foot location in the Inman Park development. Hop City will offer an eclectic collection of craft beers, fine wines and growlers at an adjacent 750-square-foot bar. Also recently announced for the market: modern Japanese restaurant Craft Izakaya and a yet-to-be-named concept from Off the Dock Seafood.
Flip Burger (flipburgerboutique.com) in Poncey-Highland has finally opened its rooftop deck just in time for spring and summer dining.
Atlanta-based Boneheads Grilled Fish and Chicken (eatboneheads.com) has opened a new location at 264 Pharr Road in Buckhead. The sixth location of the franchise is located in the Eclipse building, in the space formerly occupied by Aqua Bistro.
Shoppers at Lenox Square in Buckhead hankering for a burrito bowl are in luck: Chipotle is opening a new location in the food court in May.
Decatur-based 7 Hens, which is known for its chicken schnitzel, will open a second location in Sandy Springs at Abernathy Square later this year.
Mama’s Cocina Latina (mamascocinalatina.com), formerly located at the corner of Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge roads, has moved to a new home in the former La Perla spot at 1951 Piedmont.
The Atlanta Food Truck Park & Event Center will host the second annual Surfin’ Saturday: Atlanta Food Truck Park & Event Center Surf Fest on May 10, from noon to 7 p.m. The music lineup includes s The Mystery Men, El Capitan & The Band with No Name, Moonbase, Gemini 13, The Surge!, The Crowkeepers and The Monterreys. Guests will be able to dine on a wide array of cuisine from food trucks as well as festive tropical cocktails from Raising the Bar. The park is at 1850 Howell Mill Road and admission is free. For more, visit atlantafoodtruckpark.com.
When it comes to vacation homes or retirement, Atlantans have a long tradition of heading to the hills. The foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, just north of the city, are known for breathtaking views and a sense of solitude, making it the perfect hideaway from Atlanta’s hustle and bustle.
June Slusser, President, Coldwell Banker High Country Realty, recounted some of the things that the north Georgia mountains have to offer, including an easy way of life, cool temperatures, no traffic congestion and proximity to the city. A big draw is recreation ¬– fly fishing, boating, golf, hiking, bicycling, to name a few –and there’s a thriving arts community with galleries and theaters. Also, the cost of living is relatively inexpensive when compared with similar lifestyles throughout the country.
She said that Blue Ridge is on the brink of incredible growth, and the most sought after properties were those with mountain views or located on lakes or rivers. Buyers also look for paved roads and easy access.
“More restaurants, shops and activities have come to the mountains and that’s bringing more tourism which results in visitors falling in love with the area,” Slusser said. “We find that after a trip to the mountains, people go home and begin researching real estate in the area.”
Visitors get excited when they realize they can enjoy the splendor of the mountains but still be near the action and culture of the city. Babs Price, Realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty, said that residents of metro Atlanta who want a second home often choose mountain homes because they’re closer than any beachfront property. They can drive an hour to their cabins, instead of five or six hours to a beach
getaway.
“Another big plus is that mountain homes are easier to maintain,” Price said. “Most of the mountain communities don’t allow grass lawns. The flora and fauna are what grows naturally. You just need a blower to blow the leaves off your driveway, then you can head out to play golf, hike or dine in one of our many fine restaurants.”
Some of the area hot spots, like Bent Tree, Georgian Highlands and Big Canoe, feature golf, tennis, hiking trails, horse stables, lakes and pools. Another important consideration, according to Price, is the availability of quality healthcare and the nearby award-winning Piedmont Mountainside Hospital.
All this brings a lot of interest. Nathan Fitts, of Nathan Fitts & Team with RE/MAX Town & Country, reported that there’s been a steady increase in vacation and retirement homes as the overall market and economy continues to rebound. New construction is on the rise with developments – like River Mist, on the Toccoa River, and River Escape in Cherry Log, between Blue Ridge and Ellijay – piquing a lot of interest.
“Even during the real estate crash over the last few years, we were fortunate, being in a resort type market, not to be as badly affected as most primary home markets,” Fitts said. “Many consumers saw the opportunity to buy while prices were low and the inventory was greater than it had been in years.”
Historically, the market was approximately 70 percent people looking for second homes and 30 percent people looking for retirement/primary homes, he added. In the last two years, however, there’s been a shift as more people are looking to retire to the mountains or live there fulltime. Currently, the market is about 50 percent second homes and 50 percent retirement/primary
homes.
“The Aska Adventure Area is popular because it’s close to many outdoor activities,” Fitts said. “There are activities like tubing, kayaking or canoeing down the Toccoa River, hiking and mountain biking on trails, and trophy trout fly fishing waters on the Toccoa River and Noontootla Creek. It’s also near the pristine waters of Lake Blue Ridge, a huge recreation lake for boating, skiing, jet skiing and just soaking up sun.”
Highlands and Cashiers, two towns just over the border into North Carolina, are natural fits for Atlanta folks looking to escape the heat of the summer, but still stay within a two-hour drive. Judy Michaud, President and Broker-in-charge of Meadows Mountain Realty, explained why: “At an elevation of 4,000 feet plus, the average daytime temperature in the summer here is only in the mid 70s, and is generally 12-15 degrees cooler than Atlanta. Surrounded by National Forest with its rich history, cool summer temperatures and enviable way of life, Highlands has long been a haven for Southerners.”
She added that Highlands is multi-generational. Grandparents who bring their grandchildren to the Highlands Plateau today were brought there as children and want to continue the tradition in their families. And, unlike most resort towns, the majority of summer visitors are also homeowners, and the town has a community of concerned citizens and cultural organizations.
Price said that she found the mountains’ biggest treasures after moving there. “When my husband and I moved to the mountains, we were drawn by the beauty and the cool summers. The big bonus was the people. There are so many nice people who live in the mountains that it’s just unbelievable.”
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Modern Atlanta (MA) will host the 8th annual Design is Human Week and Architecture Tour from May 31 to June 8 celebrating international design excellence from the U.S. and around the world.
As in past years, the MA Architecture Tour will be a main highlight of the week with more than a dozen homes and spaces on view, along with a satellite tour in Savannah. The Atlanta tour is June 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Savannah event is May 31-June 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 for both cities and can be purchased at modernatlanta.org.
Design Is Human week will feature guest talks, panel discussions, workshops, films and other design-related events. More than 50 international brands will have new, innovative products at the MA Design Expo.
MA co-founder Bernard McCoy said the organization is committed to growing design-commerce and connecting savvy consumers and professionals. “Design is Human fosters a continuous dialogue about the importance of design in our daily lives,” he said.
For a complete schedule of events, visit MA-designishuman.com.
Jamestown Properties has revealed model apartments for The Flats at Ponce City Market. Ranging in square footage from a 560-square-foot studio ($1,230 per month) to a 1,790-squarefoot three-bedroom loft ($3,395 per month) there are 259 homes to choose from. Move-in is expected to begin this fall. See more images and find out more information at flatsatpcm.com.
The Flats at PCM are part of the renovation of the historic Sears & Roebuck/City Hall East complex in the Old Fourth Ward. Once completed, the building will feature retail, businesses, a market hall, restaurants, rooftop leisure facilities and more.
“I
Students gather around tables in the Georgia Tech West Architecture Building listening to Herman Howard, their professor of architecture as well as the KAI Design Build director of planning and urban design. Howard announces an upcoming school event and his goal to critique their work during the class.
The project deadline looms in a few weeks, yet the twentysomething young people head to their desks with excitement. They enjoy the opportunity to design buildings and outdoor spaces that improve the quality of life for the residents in the northwest Atlanta neighborhoods near Georgia Tech. Brooke Chafin, a 3rd year student, raves about her class saying, “We look at architecture at a different angle.”
As an urban planner, Howard has worked tirelessly to revitalize underserved local stadium communities, which includes the Vine City, English Avenue and Castleberry Hill neighborhoods, as well as ones in other states and countries through collaboration with developers, non-profit organizations and the government sector. This commitment inspires his students with their projects during the semester.
For the first assignment, the professor gave the designers a choice to redevelop an area along Maddox Park making connections to the Georgia Tech campus. Brooke presents her colorful computer drawings for the redevelopment at the Atlanta Community Food Bank site and accompanying properties along Lowery Boulevard. Her plans include a farmer’s market, educational center and urban farm. Mindful of the budget restraints if this project were actually built, her eye-catching design for the farmers’ market stand is reinforced with affordability.
She teams with classmate William Fryer for the current and final project of this semester: to create transit-oriented development at the Bankhead MARTA site. Other students focus their attention on the communities surrounding other transit stations.
Brooke proposes a mixed-use project
near the Bankhead MARTA station with townhomes, retail commercial spaces, apartments and a park encouraging more people to live near the transit stations and lessen their reliance on cars.
William shares his renderings of camp for youths at Proctor Creek with pedestrian crossings along the waterway and the MARTA station. This project could bring attention to the restoration of a long polluted, yet once popular creek in northwest Atlanta and the adjoining neighborhoods.
While people think of architects as elitists in ivory towers who are
detached from the social issues facing communities, Brooke, William and their counterparts at other architectural schools demonstrate that my profession is nurturing a new generation of imaginative and socially conscious architects.
Melody L. Harclerode, AIA, a local architect, promotes the power of architecture and design as the PresidentElect of the Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Principal of Harclerode Architects (www. harc-arch.com). For more information, check out www.aiaatl.org.
Renewal Design Build was hired to turn this 1950s ranch house in Druid Hills into a showcase for the homeowners’ love of midcentury modern. With small, dark rooms and no access to the basement from inside, Renewal created a new open floor plan and a connection to the basement. The home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, which is perfect for a modern family who wanted to keep some classic lines. Though their ranch house was built in the 1950s, it was not a good showcase for this Atlanta couple’s love of all things midcentury modern. The rooms were cut off from one another, making the home feel dark, and there was no access to the basement from inside.
Fuqua Development has demolished the old Rock Springs shopping center and will soon knock down the old Taco Cabana restaurant (and more recently Mama’s) at the corner of Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge roads for a new mixed use development called Morningside. The 6-acre property will have 300 apartments and 44,000 square feet of retail space including anchor tenant Sprouts Farmers Market.
Charles Ackerman was presented with a plaque from Buckhead Coalition president Sam Massell to honor Ackerman’s real estate career. The recognition plaque contains a laminated full-page newspaper feature on his “Best of the Year” honor from the National Association, Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) local chapter. Ackerman has been a Director of the Coalition since February 1989, five months after its formation. He and Massell worked together in real estate in the early-1960s.
The Atlanta Humane Society was saluted for its adoption, rescue and pet welfare work at a champagne tea celebrating the new location of Harry Norman, Realtors Buckhead Northwest o ce. The new office at 4401 Northside Parkway has all the latest in technology and spacious conference rooms for clients and meeting. The 7,500 square foot space is home to 80 agents.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Atlanta has received a prestigious award at the annual 2014 Cartus Broker Network International Conference. Coldwell Banker was awarded the Gold Award, the second highest level of the excellence awards presented to Cartus Broker Network members. The Gold Award recognition is based on performance results related to a wide variety of goals including customer service, cost management, and effective analysis and marketing of homes.
Engel & Völkers has announced that Fourteen West, Realtors is the newest addition to its North American network and become Engel & Völkers Intown Atlanta. Fourteen West, has provided service in Atlanta for the past 40 years with many awards to its credit and 17 agents, including top producer Ken Covers.
The Southeast Chapter of the Institute of Classical Art & Architecture handed out the 8th annual Philip Trammell Shutze Awards last month.
Named for noted Atlanta architect Philip Trammell Shutze, the awards recognize individuals who are contributing to the creation of 21st century classical and traditional architecture and related fields. This year’s judges included Clinton Smith, editor in chief of Veranda, Russell Windham, founding principal of Curtis & Windham Architects and Marc Appleton, Principal of Californiabased Appleton & Associates Inc. Architects.
Interior designer Dan Carithers was honored in a special tribute for career, which spanned more than 50 years.
2014 Philip Trammel Shutze Award recipients:
An Italian Library
Morgan Creek Cabinet Company
Craftsmanship
South Florida Beach Retreat
D. Stanley Dixon Architect, Inc.
Renovated Single Family, over 4,000 square feet
Renovated Residence on Howell Mill Road
Laura Howard DePree, Architect
Renovated Single Family, 1,000-4,000 square feet
A Lake House in North Georgia
Laura Howard DePree, Architect
Residential Single Family, 4,000-10,000 square feet
The Patterson-Carr House
Tammy Connor Interior Design
Interior Design
A Garden and Pool Pavilion
D. Stanley Dixon Architect, Inc. and Howard Design Studio
Accessory Structure
Patron Award - Lifetime Achievement
Dan Carithers
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Bradford Smith 404-210-4141
MORNINGSIDE - Custom renovation w/open floor plan, top of the line kitchen, master on main, finished basement, deep fenced lot.
7Bed/6Bath $949,000
FMLS: 5272972
Rachael Blatt 404-285-9059
MORNINGSIDE - All brick home situated on quiet cul-de-sac, tons of bonus space, comfy screened porch, super garage, deck & fenced yard. 4Bed/2Bath $629,000
FMLS: 5273273
Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845
BUCKHEAD - Quintessential Georgian home filled w/natural light, artful renovation including vast casement openings, barrel ceils, spectacular rear courtyard. 4Bed/6.5 Bath $2,499,000 FMLS: 5279099
Sally Westmoreland 404-354-4845
GRANT PARK - Bungalow featuring 14’ vaulted ceils, spacious kit, beautiful hardwoods, craftsman fireplace w/custom bookcases, gorgeous bathrooms. 2Bed/2Bath $329,900
FMLS: 5273640
Bonnie Smith 404-406-1993
BUCKHEAD - Featuring eleven, 4-story townhomes designed by award winning architects Smith Dalia & constructed by Cablik Enterprises. 3Bed/3.5Bath $999,900
FMLS: 5182846
Allen Snow 404-931-1176
MIDTOWN - Luxurious penthouse unit. Magnificent views. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Granite c-tops. Hardwood floors. Spacious patio. Walk to everything. 3Bed/3Bath $349,900
FMLS:5273346 Patrick Jones 404-518-8787
Rea Kelly 404-428-9929
BUCKHEAD - Rarely available. Unequaled square footage on one level. 4 tiled balconies, chef’s kitchen, double master suites, amazing views of the city. 2Bed/2Bath/1HalfBath
$1,299,000 FMLS: 5206416 Marc Castillo 404-449-6862
MIDTOWN - Beautiful Southeast corner home. Spacious living area. Gated secured parking. 24 hr concierge. Resort-style amenities. 2Bed/2Bath $284,900
FMLS: 5253861
Judy Hollowell 404-441-9681
MIDTOWN - Desirable loft-living. Skyline view. Covered-gated-assigned parking. Open floorplan. Great amenities. Concrete floors. True walkable neighborhood. 1Bed/1Bath
$124,222 FMLS: 5275279
Drew Cockrell 404-323-2273
OLD FOURTH WARD - Sought after condo located on courtyard level. Excellent location and great investment opportunity.
1Bed/1Bath $152,500
FMLS: 5238187
Tonya Marlatt 404-518-8787
MIDTOWN - Final opportunity to purchase NEW inventory in Midtown! Dramatic design. Stunning views. Amazing curves. It’s 1010 Midtown. Incredible floorplan & walls of huge windows. 3Bed/3Bath $949,000
FMLS: 5181791 Sales Center 404-815-4622
MIDTOWN - Amazing views. Southern exposure. Spacious layout. Large balcony. Granite countertops, s/s appliances. Floor to ceiling windows. Walk to everything. 2Bed/2Bath
$374,900 FMLS: 5245940
Jim Fountain 404-431-1311
