Ugh.

Sorry, I thought a virtual grunt might make me feel better.

Let’s see…nope.

This new Decatur edTV video shows charter school consultant Debbie Pipin laying down some ground rules for the  CSD Leadership Teams.  Even in the after videos, you can tell that some of the participants (both parents and educators) have that “what have I gotten myself into?” look on their face.   Good stuff.   Thanks Andrea!

According to Pipin, some of the big no-no’s for team members are engaging in “parking lot meetings” after-hours and speaking out against a vote after it has passed.  Also, teachers on teams need to be cognizant that if they are seen talking alone at school, it could be seen as discussing issues outside of meetings.

Actually this blog is like a giant, virtual parking lot meeting where everyone wears paper bags on their heads.

Oooh…catchy, new blog title.

At least some of our vacant spaces are filling up.

Carl sends in this update from the Decatur Market…

Recently we learned that one of favorite galleries, the Boswell Gallery in Decatur was closing after 3 great years. So we got to thinking, what if we added a gallery component to our list of projects and made it a co-op to give emerging artists and artisans more opportunities for success?

Would we be able to bring the very best that Atlanta has to offer in a cost effective, stylish manner that would appeal to everyone?

Once we decided to open the gallery, we decided to add a small outdoor market in front on Friday and Saturday nights. The five restaurants and four boutiques in the immediate neighborhood love the idea!

The new Decatur Market & Gallery opened on Oct. 3 to immediate success. The layout is smart and stylish with excellent artists and artisans showing their work in a sophisticated environment. The outdoor market will accommodate 10 vendors each Friday and Saturday night.

If you haven’t seen the gallery yet, stop by! (153 Ponce de Leon Pl., Decatur 30030; 404-377-0755) It’s open Tues. – Sat. 10-6, and stays open while the market is operating in front on the weekends. Be sure to mark your calendar for the grand opening on Sat., Nov. 1st.

There’s a great question on Oakhurst’s Message Board that’s inspired me to ask a similar question here:

How many trick-or-treaters come to your door on Halloween? (Don’t forget to mention which neighborhood you live in)

I ask because many newcomers are caught unaware by the critical mass of children that take to Decatur’s streets with demands of Snickers bars and Reeses on All-Hallows Eve.

That was us last year when we unknowingly didn’t buy enough candy and my wife was browbeaten by a 12-year-old punk for not turning off all the lights and putting a “No Candy” sign on the door fast enough.

We’d rather not have a repeat performance of that.

Seems like we’re in the midst of another wave of store closings around town.

Rusty Tanton forwards this message from Victory Vintage Home…

Dear Friends of Victory Vintage Home:

As our five year anniversary approaches, I’ve made the decision not to renew our lease here. There are a few reasons but first let me say that we ARE going to stay in the lamp shade and lamp repair business; we’ll be moving these to Kudzu Antique Market starting 11/1/08. We will also continue to make hanging lights and sell great refurbished vintage lamps and a little furniture there too.

My experience here has been superlative and I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for coming to the store and/or visiting our web site on a regular basis. I feel privileged to have had your business, and that made my decision to close very difficult. In the end, these uncertain economic times and my own desire to try some new things prevailed.

Rest of the note can be found after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »