The Grange was bustling this morning in preperation for filming of Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too?”  The pub is closed today and tomorrow for filming.

No star-sightings to report, just lots of sleepy-looking grips.

FYI…the distortion in the photo above is due to my walk-while-snapping technique, not because the pub was being sucked into some kind of vortex.

Could on-demand printing of books save small bookstores?  No comment from Barnes & Noble screams “quite possibly” to me.

Rick forwards a great article from the Boston Globe about a bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont that has taken delivery of the country’s first “Espresso”, an on-demand “Book Machine” that prints books – covers and all – while you wait.  Right now, the machine has access to 85,000 titles, but obviously the sky’s as limitless as those for the much hyped (and IMO) uninspiring Kindle.

So, Little shop.  Any interest?

Yesterday the AJC profiled Decatur’s Easy Living pedicab owner and operator, Mike Gerke, in a larger article about how Decatur is the only place in the metro-region where one can flag down a leg-powered vehicle on your way home from dinner.

In Atlanta, bike taxis seem to run into some pretty entrenched city past-times like poor budgeting and driving.

Atlanta City Councilman Ceasar Mitchell said he likes pedicabs’ credentials as environmentally friendly small businesses that can fill the transportation gaps between buses, taxis and sightseeing vehicles, but it’s tough to make a priority when budgets and public safety occupy officials’ time.

He wants to hear more, too, about how to operate the vehicles safely and effectively in Atlanta’s notoriously heavy traffic.

Marcia sends in this press release…

Is Sydney Rhame One of America’s Most Amazing Kids?

Decatur’s own Sydney Rhame is one of 16 finalists in the Kudzu.com Most Amazing Kids in America contest. Fans and friends of Sydney Rhame are encouraged to vote at the Kudzu.com contest page: http://www.kudzu.com/guides.do?guidename=kidsAmazing

[Rhame is ahead in her matchup thus far, with by far the most votes of any candidate!]

The field narrows down to the top eight finalists on Wednesday, July 1; top four finalists on July 15; and the winner will be determined on July 22.

The Kudzu.com contest winner receives $1,000 in prize money. When asked how she’d spend the money if she wins, Rhame said, “Well, I’d like to get a cell phone since I’ll be in middle school next year, but I really do need to get a decent-sounding guitar.”

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First on DM…

The Grange Public House will be closed this coming Monday and Tuesday for filming of Tyler Perry’s upcoming sequel “Why Did I Get Married Too?“, which stars Janet Jackson.

The Decatur neighborhood pub was originally slated only to be closed Tuesday, but the unexpected death of brother Michael has altered Janet’s schedule.  Therefore filming will take place Monday, but the Grange will remained closed both days.

Small world.

Carl forwards a reminder from the Brick Store boys that tomorrow is the big, tap-a-keg-an-hour fest in celebration of 12 years on the Square in Decatur.

Here again is the lineup – with BeerAdvocate links for your convenience (don’t say I never did anything for ya!)

12pm –  Duck Rabbit Brewery “Pauls Day Off” American Strong Ale
1pm – Sweetwater Oak Aged (Bordeaux French Oak 2nd run) Creeper Belgian IPA
2pm – Highland Cattail Wheat (Trappist yeast version)
3pm – Allagash Interlude Wild Ale
4pm – Atlanta Brewing Co. ‘08 Winter Ale in Pappy Van Winkle
5pm – Allagash Confluence Wild Ale
6pm – Ballast Point Victory at Sea Coffe Vanilla Imperial Porter
7pm – Allagash Victor Strong Dark Ale
8pm – Oskar Blues Stranahan Barrel Aged Gordon Double IPA
9pm – Allagash Victoria Strong Pale Ale
10pm – Oskar Blues Stranahan Barrel Aged 10 Fidy Imperial Stout
11pm – Allagash Hugh Malone Belgian IPA
12am – Oskar Blues Stranahan Barrel Aged Dale’s Pale Ale

It’s the last Friday of the month, so that means it time for shopping and mixing your liquor during Fab Fridays on West Ponce!  And this weekend, an added bonus…a Staycation Sunday on Church Street!

I’m a little short on time, so I hope Catherine doesn’t mind that I pull straight from her Decatur Minute post. Even if she does, she’s all the way in Charleston this weekend, so I’m safe until Monday.

Friday: Fab Friday in WePo. Visit the shops along West Ponce de Leon Avenue for a special shopping experience. Participating shops include Boogaloos, Heliotrope, Sawicki’s, Kaleidoscope, Peggy’s Boutique, Nathalie’s Fish House, Tastings, Eviva, Fabutique, Cafe Cliche, Decatur CD and Whit’s End.

Sunday: Church Street Staycation, 1-4 p.m. The merchants of Church Street have planned a Sunday afternoon of summer fun packed with entertainment – kid activities, live music, street performers, cool treats, special discounts, trunk shows, artist demonstrations and door prizes. Participating shops include Mingei World Arts, Java Monkey, The Seen Gallery, Leon’s, Hoopla, and Taste.