With all the negative news that we news and infotainment websites pile on to your workaday lives every day, I’m always more than happy to post a random act of kindness.  A reader writes in…

My sincerest thanks to the person who found my ATM card at the Wells Fargo ATM near Cafe Lily on Wednesday and turned it in to the bank.  I received a call from the bank to come by and pick it up at the window before I realized I had left it. A very kind, helpful gesture that saved me much trouble.

– A grateful Decatur resident

Big Tex Cantina, Decatur GA (photo courtesy of Tracy)

A variety of news sources report that Bad Dog Taqueria has opened its doors in Emory Village.  Creative Loafing’s Omnivore posted part of their press release, which gives some info on what the selection will be…

Using fresh and local ingredients, patrons can satiate their appetites with any cultural quest from Argentina to Korea at Bad Dog. Diners can start their meal with a mix of traditional corn, yucca, plantain, and boniato chips served with three salsas – salsa fresca, plantain pineapple serrano and smoked tomato – or grilled guacamole.

The inventive and playful menu features nine mainstay tacos served on soft tortillas for just $2.99 a piece, including: The Bollywood, a traditional vegetarian Indian samosa with curried potatoes, peas, and served with tamarind coriander chutney; We’ve Got Seoul, a Korean BBQ pork belly taco with Kimchee slaw and salsa verde; Go Fish!, a plantain-encrusted tilapia taco with creamy cilantro sauce and cabbage slaw; and, the Uncle Morty, slow roasted brisket with marinated grilled onions served in its own special sauce.

While the menu is eclectic, Bad Dog’s Yo Mama’s Taco, is the only taco served on a familiar hard shell and promises to be a traditional beef favorite for those who forgot their passport or still prefer the way it was done in the 80s. Taco elements can also be served over a bed of romaine and weekly taco specials, salads and burritos are also available.

This is a follow up on the dog mentioned in the post last night. Tracey writes in…

My neighbor’s dog got away from the St. Francis Animal Clinic yesterday…. can you please get the word out? He made his way across Lawrenceville Highway (a miracle in itself). He was seen near Medlock Elementary School. He lives in the Midtown/Buckhead(Brookwood) area and we’ve all heard the amazing stories about dogs finding their way home, so I want to open up my search as far as I can. We are trying to get this viewed by as many people as possible and when things go *viral* it can work.

Lost Dog – Harley – Missing – May 26th – Last seen near Medlock Park & Medlock Elementary Sch. in Decatur, GA. Harley is a miniature Greyhound and was wearing a red collar when he went missing. Last seen, he still had the dog leash attached to his collar. Please call with any information about Harley’s whereabouts. Stacy Wells: (404)556-9956 or Tracey Miller: (404)932-4773

From the AJC…

Migrant farmworkers are bypassing Georgia because of the state’s tough new immigration enforcement law, creating a severe labor shortage among fruit and vegetable growers here and potentially putting hundreds of millions of dollars in crops in jeopardy, agricultural industry leaders said this week.

…Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, said he has been in close contact with Labor Commissioner Mark Butler and Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black about the shortage, calling it the most severe he has seen. Hall said it’s possible state officials could hold job fairs to steer some of Georgia’s unemployed workers to these farm jobs, which pay $12.50 an hour on average. The state’s unemployment rate is now at 9.9 percent.

Sure it’s backbreaking work, but a job’s a job, right?  Local food advocates?  The under-employed? Hello?

Take it, Colbert…

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On behalf of the Decatur Education Foundation I wanted to thank all of you who participated in the fundraising efforts for Tools for Success (which raised over $1,600 as well as your support of the Decatur Adult Prom which raised an additional $1,400 for Tools for Success). This year you helped us give out 8 brand new Dell laptops to graduating seniors headed off to college, removing an obstacle (lack of technology) that could have hindered their progress. It was a thrill to see this new initiative embraced by the community and we plan to continue the tradition in the coming years. If you have ideas for raising funds for this worthy cause or want to learn more about the work that DEF does in the community let me know.

With gratitude,

Gail

I’d also like to thank Joe and Michelle, who thought up and organized much of the prom, and all the DM readers who donated to the Tools for Success program this past year.  Big donations and small were all very much appreciated!  Decatur rocks.

As part of the Decatur Arts Festival taking place this weekend, the Southeastern Photographic Society will have over 50 images on display for the entire weekend at Sammiches N’ Stuff. A variety of themes and subjects will offer something for everyone. Many of the images are for sale, most with prices under $150.

Everyone is invited to the opening reception on Friday evening which is part of the Decatur Artswalk, our city-wide art experience that’s free and open to the public.

Sammiches N’ Stuff which offers fresh menu items for breakfast and lunch daily, will have snacks and beverages available during the reception. The café is located just off the square on McDonough across from the Dekalb courthouse.

The Southeastern Photographic Society (SPS) helps its members learn the skills for capturing great images and sharing them with others through field trips, lectures, competitions and workshops. Formed in1976, they now have over 200 members. Learn more at www.spsatlanta.org

This post is sponsored by the Southern Photographic Society.  View larger versions of all the pics above after the jump.

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