Better Mornings Atlanta’s Corrina Allen stormed Decatur this morning at 5am for multiple segments featuring Decatur as a “Hip Zip”.

And all segments are already available online, including:

Welcome to Decatur

Decatur: A Great Place For Kids

Decatur Rules the Roost

Shopping, Eating Fun in Decatur

Despite the early call, it looks like there was a great turnout at Parkers!  Videos feature lots of familiar faces, including Bill Floyd, Cheryl Burnette, the AsianCajuns, Carl Black, the Butt Nazi and many more.

h/t: The Decatur Minute

The misses forwards me an email that announced Scottdale’s Duckbill Studios Spring Sale started last Saturday.

Beginning Saturday, April 25, the gallery at Duckbill Studios will come alive with over 100 pieces of original and affordable art by more than 6 professional artists for Duckbill’s annual spring sale. The Art Sale is open to the public from April 25-May 9, with a kickoff on Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM – 2:00 PM.

The Spring Sale is Duckbill’s opportunity to offer pieces at 10% – 50% off retail prices to our community. The gallery has art glass including functional pieces (cups, plates, vases, perfume bottles, candlesticks, bowls), paperweights, ornaments, sculpture in a variety of styles and price points, insuring that everyone-from the serious collector, to the art-buying novice-can find something that suits their space and budget. Read the rest of this entry »

"Hey! Stop Your Smooching! Its My B-Day!"

Pete the Cat is turning 10! And his showroom of choice, The Seen Gallery, is planning a summer celebration surrounding Decatur’s most famous blue cat.

Caren at The Seen Gallery sends out the invitation, since Pete lacks opposable thumbs to do it himself…

THE SEEN GALLERY PRESENTS JAMES DEAN: “A DECADE OF PETE”
Honoring the 10th Anniversary of Pete the Cat

On Display June 13 through July 29, 3009

Opening Night Reception on Saturday, June 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. Featuring Complimentary Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres

Atlanta, Georgia (April 29, 2009) – The Seen Gallery is proud to host James Dean’s newest series of paintings, “A Decade of Pete,” on display Saturday, June 13 through Wednesday, July 29, 2009. The exhibition honors the 10th anniversary of “Pete the Cat,” the scrawny cat who became a beloved member of Dean’s household and the inspiration for his paintings in 1999. Co-owners of The Seen Gallery, Bill Bibb and Amy Bradford, will host an opening night reception to celebrate the exhibit on Saturday, June 13 from 7 to 10 p.m., featuring complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

As one of Atlanta’s most beloved artists, James Dean’s creations are instantly recognizable.  He is well known for incorporating “Pete the Cat” into likenesses of famous art works and artists in his paintings. “Pete the Cat,” a local icon for many years, has burst on the national art scene and continues to bring a smile to children and adults alike.  Recently published in the children’s book, Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes, by Eric Litwin, Dean’s artwork continues to garner national attention and praise.

“We have represented James since opening as a fine art gallery.  The journey with James and his art through these seven years has been one of the things that make the gallery business worthwhile,” says The Seen Gallery Co-owner Bill Bibb.

“It’s been a simple thing,” says Dean. “It’s just touched people and that’s really what it’s all about on any level. It makes people smile. I’m an artist who makes people smile.”

For more information about James Dean and Pete the Cat, please visit www.petethecat.com.

An True Anomaly: An Empty Leon's (AJC pic)

For those of you who comfort yourselves during those hours when Leon’s is closed by flipping through the seemingly endless reviews of your favorite “sustainapub”, here’s another by the AJC.  This time by Meredith Ford Goldman.

The appetizers, beer, and bocce all get a shout out.

Oh, and in case you hadn’t heard: no more rabbit fingers.

Patti's Facebook Pic

First on DM: A tipster who wishes to remain anonymous informs DM that Patti Garrett will also seek the District 2 city commission slot vacated by the out-going Mary Alice Kemp.

Garrett sent out a letter yesterday announcing her candidacy.  Here it is in full…

Hello Friends!

I wanted you to be among the first to know that I have decided to run for the Decatur city commission, representing District 2!  Mary Alice Kemp, who has represented us well the past eight years, has decided not to run again in the fall of 2009.  We certainly appreciate the service she has given to our community.

When Gary and I moved to Decatur from Chattanooga eight years ago, we made a commitment to become active in our new home as we had been in Chattanooga. We could not have anticipated the great opportunity Decatur affords us as residents to uniquely participate in true community.  We have relished being a part of all of that Decatur has to offer-being in a walkable, diverse community; participating in numerous community events; and volunteering with the Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project, the Barbeque Blues and Bluegrass Festival, and the Decatur Arts Festival, to name just a few. I also welcomed the chance to serve in leadership roles on the Boards of the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association, the Oakhurst Community Garden Project and with the Decatur Holiday Tour of Homes, which I have chaired for the past several years.

Since moving here, I have loved being immersed in the life of our city and have grown to care deeply about this community that has given me so much. I want to give back to our community and see our city continue to thrive and prosper.  While there are many wonderful aspects to Decatur, there are also opportunities to explore to make this an even better place to live.    I will be back in touch with you in the next few weeks as we formalize my campaign. Thank you in advance for your support. I would also like to know the issues you think are important to our community. I look forward to hearing back from you!

Sincerely,

Patti Garrett, for City Commission District 2

Scott sends in the reason in pictoral format…

And yes, that’s a car bumper at the base of the pole.

Kudzu Takes Over Atlanta

Apparently the popular History Channel series “Life After People” featured Atlanta, along with Chicago and London, last night.   And I for one am pissed that I didn’t get to watch the slow deterioration of my hometown!  Where were you “informed” blogosphere and ATL know-it-alls!?

I guess I’ll have to make do with watching clips on the show’s website.

From what I can tell, it looks like Chicago got a majority of the focus in last night’s episode as the Chicago River flooded downtown, Wrigley Field was blanketed in ivy and the cities two tallest buildings (Sears & Hancock) crumbled to the ground.  Here in Atlanta, the illustrated results of a human-free environment were limited to kudzu-run-amok and the quick proliferation of feral pigs.  (If that isn’t a reflection of stereotypes about the South, I don’t know what is!)

But after watching simulations of that quick-growing vine taking over our city streets and transit lines, I’ve been inspired to preemptive action.  I am calling for the immediate importation of thousands of feral goats to the city.  I want to see kudzu-eating goats everywhere!  Not just at Decatur cemetery, but on our streets and in our neighborhoods, eating everything in sight!  And once they’ve dealt with the kudzu, we’ll use our army of goats to combat those crafty feral pigs!  Goats v. Pigs! Goats v. Pigs!

My political future is bright.  Oh yes.

h/t: 13th Floor

…or Dre55c0d35 or whatever it was!

Carl is on a roll and sends in this pic.

I wonder what kind of shop it’ll be… What do you think?

I’m going with a salad dressing emporium…

Carl sends in this pic…

By now, I’m sure most folks have seen Bistro in a Box open in the Trackside strip along College Ave and wondered to themselves or a hungry spouse, “What kinda food do they have in there and how can I try it out?”  Well now owners Kevin and Dionne McGee are opening their doors to the community with an official Grand Opening on Friday May 8th and Saturday May 9th!

Along with a chance to meet and welcome the owners to the neighborhood, Bistro promises “an array of complimentary appetizers, entrees, salads, delectable menu items, and featured wines”, along with “fun raffle drawings and door prizes.”

For more info on Bistro’s catering offerings, look after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »