As DM’s Events Calendar shows, George Winston kicks off the Eddie and Agnes series tonight at Presser Hall on Agnes Scott’s campus.

In a recent interview with the AJC, Winston explains why he’s DRIVING from California to the Decatur event and why he’ll be performing without shoes.

Q: We know you don’t want microphones at this show in Decatur. What else can audiences expect from the performance? Will you perform in your socks?

A: Yes, shoes make too much noise on the floor. And I don’t like the sound of a miked piano. I’ll be playing fall and winter songs. Some Vince Guaraldi, folk and melodic piano, New Orleans R&B. I’m sure the drive over will inspire something, too. I have yet to make it to the Great Plains, Tennessee and Alabama. I want [the journey] to affect what I play. We’re all influenced by the seasons whether we think about it or not.

Sock-tip to the AJC’s Jamie Gumbrecht.

Tickets for the event can still be purchased HERE.

UPDATE II: Menu details, again from Farm 255 owner Olivia Sargeant…

a simple menu, including other proteins such as chicken and pork and lamb (also pasture or forest raised, and from our regional farmer-partners). there will be salads and vegetarian options, chef-driven sides and condiments like “marrownaise” and housemade ketchup, kid-friendly fried things like onion rings and okra, and seasonal veggies too. organic milk milkshakes and root beer floats and the like…things that make us all happy.

farm burger will be beer & wine only and like all new places we will cross our fingers that the powers that be award us our coveted license in time for our opening, as we’ve done our due diligence. beer will be like-minded to our food and highlight local folks, artisanal methods, and unique offerings. the can will be ubiquitous, as it’s less wasteful and more fun.

UPDATE: Here’s a response I just received from Farm 255’s owner…

Read the rest of this entry »

UPDATE: Looks like my question is even more theoretical at this point!  AJC reports “DeKalb approves budget with no tax increase”

While DeKalb residents won’t have to pay more in property taxes this year, they will see a loss in services, including the board of health, senior services and libraries. That loss could get worse.

…While the commission made deep cuts, no police officers, firefighters or sheriff’s deputies will lose their jobs, May said. The CEO had threatened that public safety employees would be laid off if a tax increase wasn’t approved.

However, the approved budget includes unpaid holidays and no take-home vehicles for employees.

Police say this will take thousands of dollars from officers’ salary, hurt morale and increase response times.

The AJC reports this morning that DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis has backed off his proposed 1.86 millage rate increase for the coming fiscal year, knocking it down to 1.08 mils, after “identifying $6.7 million more revenue, including collecting more probation fees and serving more warrants.”

Of course, if you listen to the chatter coming out of the DeKalb County Commission, they want none of that.  Since the CEO first introduced the idea of a millage rate increase a couple months ago, the commission has been adamantly against it.  Instead of a millage increase, the commission is suggesting…

…all county employees to not be paid on the remaining holidays in 2010, eliminating the majority of take-home vehicles and an early retirement program. Commissioners say they will consider layoffs if not enough employees sign up for the early retirement program.

So, what do you think the commission should do to close the $100 million budget gap?  Is the solution a combination of cuts and increases?  Or just plain ol’ budget cuts?

From the Wheel report of Carlo Petrini’s talk at Emory last night…

“When my grandfather finished his meal, he would collect the bread crumbs from the table, and if one fell to the floor, he would pick it up and kiss it,” Petrini said.

But now, he said, young people are not aware of the cultural importance of food.

“If your great-grandmother knew about this, she would be very anxious,” Petrini said, as he pointed to a student in the front row. “If you could talk to her and tell her you live in a society where you spend more to lose weight than to eat, your great-grandmother would say you are crazy.”

Don’t be fooled by the new name!  Trash Amnesty Day for your Decatur neighborhood is right around the corner!  (And by “around the corner” I mean April, May or June.)

Catherine over at the Decatur Minute primed the masses with a post yesterday, which launches Decatur residents from Midway to Westchester into a trash-gathering frenzy, anticipating the exciting Saturday to come.  Anything from “yard trimmings, building materials (that are not from the work of private contractors), tires, appliances (not containing Freon), and trash that would not normally be placed in pay-as-you-throw bags” will be collected.

However, don’t get TOO carried away BECAUSE…

Liquids, dirt, bricks, blocks, stone, rocks, concrete and motor vehicle batteries or parts will not be collected.

When will your neighborhood celebrate this most wonderous of holidays??  Open this PDF, sent out by Public Works, to find out!

(P.S.  I’ll be adding all the neighborhood dates to the “Featured Events Calendar” in case anyone forgets to collect up all those errant tires before the big day.)

Note: the picture above was not taken in the City of Decatur and merely serves as a pictorial reference to those unfamiliar with “trash”.