Decatur Heights Dad reports that the sandwich franchise “Erbert & Gerbert’s” is opening a location in the contemporary-style commercial strip on E. Ponce de Leon Ave next to the Asian market, just beyond the city limits.   (Here’s the Google Streetview, if you’re still unclear as to where we’re referencing.)  A check of their website confirms it.

According to the site, Erbert & Gerbert’s serves up subs, soups, sides and desserts and was founded back in 20 years ago in Wisconsin.  The sandwich shop currently only has stores in Colorado, Minnesota, North & South Dakota and Wisconsin.

According to Wikipedia, they have an interesting way of preparing subs…

They prepare their sandwiches differently from their competitors: they “take out the guts”, (cut the bread and take out the soft white dough part).[8] Nothing goes to waste; they leave the guts on top of the sandwich when they are done. They emphasize quality ingredients[9] and often are located near college areas.

“Cyclops” from Charles Berkowitz on Vimeo.

This sounds like a rather intriguing talk and film.  From Emory’s Carlos Museum…

Jonathan Shay, clinical psychologist and winner of the 2007 MacArthur “genius” award, will discuss his groundbreaking work to treat combat trauma and other effects of warfare on veterans and their families using Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey in a lecture titled, War is War is War is War is War on February 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The lecture will be followed by a screening of Odysseus in America by filmmaker Charles Berkowitz.

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Though the city still can’t release the name the downtown hotel will eventually take, in our one hotel town, this is big news.

Here’s the city’s official line on the upcoming Clairemont Avenue Holiday Inn renovation…

The new hotel investor is committing to a capital investment of approximately $10M to be put towards the hotel and conference center that will cover every aspect of the overall property – every finish, every surface, every piece of furniture, etc., They plan an affiliation with a premium hotel brand but the official change will take place after the renovation is completed.

Good luck.

Willow Lane, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Adrea)

Like (or require) the gluten-free bun at Farm Burger? Here’s a press release from Pure Knead posted on the Celiac Disease Community website…

We are *delighted* to announce that our retail shop will open on Saturday, February 26th! A few of the many products you will see include our well-known buns (both original and multigrain), hoagie rolls, rosemary bread braids, olive boules, baguettes and croutons!  Of course, you can’t have a great bakery without great dessert!

…We will be open from 9am to 1pm, with both fresh and frozen options for you.

So here’s where to find Pure Knead:

186 Rio Circle, Suite C – Decatur, GA 30030 – 404-377-5567

If you are familiar with Dekalb Farmers Market, we are just down the street. Rio Circle is just off of Laredo Drive, which runs directly into the Farmer’s market. Look for the signs for Southern Sweets bakery; we are located in the same building (Suite C in the back half of the building). Mapquest will find us, so use it if you aren’t from around the Decatur area!

h/t: Dana Young (via Twitter)

Gov. Nathan Deal announced his plan this morning to keep the HOPE Scholarship program alive as education costs continue to rise.  From the AJC…

Only the brightest of college students – those with at least a 3.7 high school GPA – will see HOPE cover all tuition, Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday morning as he released a drastic plan to cut escalating costs to the popular lottery-funded program.

For those earning at least a 3.0, the scholarship will cover at most 90 percent.

As for pre-K, parents will see the free program cut from 6 ½ hours to four, Deal said, adding that the change will allow the state to open more slots to the program.

According to the AJC, Democrats also support the proposal.  More details on the entire plan can be found in the AJC article linked to above.

This once glaringly blank wall along Church Street will soon have five – count them FIVE – glorious windows!  Thanks Cakes & Ale!

Marietta Street, Atlanta GA (pic submitted by Rob)

Another item on tomorrow night’s Decatur City Commission meeting agenda: a $38,000 change-order to make changes to the West Ponce de Leon/Trinity car and bike lanes.

Here’s a rundown of the additions/alterations being proposed to the City Commission in a letter from Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon (pg. 28 of the meeting materials)…

• “Bike Box” at West Ponce and West Trinity Place: $11,000
• Re-striping of West Ponce between Trinity & Pinetree: $5,100
• Changing material used to stripe bike lanes from paint to a “more durable thermoplastic”: $5,600
• Misc, signing sand cleanup: $3,800
• Additional paving materials needed for milled portion of  West Ponce: $8,500
• Contingency: $4,000

According to Saxon’s letter, funds are available in the approved project budget to pay for these additional expenses.

Pic above: An example of a “bike box” in Seattle