Lalah writes in…

Here’s a heads up for a great family-n-friends festival this weekend in Pine Lake.  If you’ve never been you are missing out.  It’s one of the most beautiful places in metro Atlanta for a fall festival!  Here are the details:

LAKEFEST! Art, Music, Food and Fun! Pine Lake, located between Decatur and Stone Mountain, will hold its annual arts-and-music festival Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 6 & 7). This friendly, intimate and highly interactive festival offers something for everyone, including over 40 artist vendors, live music and comedians, activities for kids, and delicious food. On Saturday, have fun on the beach with a sand sculpture contest (prizes!). On Sunday, join in the sidewalk chalk art contest, and then cheer on the annual Floatzilla parade on the town’s central lake. A hands-on family art area will be available. For more information, performance schedule, and directions visit http://pinelakefest.com/

Saturday: 10am  Music, food and fun all day, music ends at 7:30

• 10 am     Community drum circle, all are welcome to join in
• 11-2pm  Sand sculpture contest on Pine Lake beach, prizes in all categories
• 4pm       Pet contest and parade

Sunday: noon-5pm

• 12:30-2pm  Chalk art contest, prizes in all categories + fun to watch!
• 1:30        Origami class
• 4:00        Floatzilla, boat parade

See a full schedule of events at www.pinelakefest.com

The Cousins Properties folks sent out a press release this morning announcing some new additions to the Emory Point retail portfolio, including nationally well-known brands like Bonefish Grill and LOFT, which is owned by Ann Taylor.

Also coming to Emory Point is a gourmet burger joint called “Burgerfi“, which according to the release “resembles hamburger stands from the 1950s and 1960s, but with a twist – it only serves all-natural, grass-fed beef with no chemicals or additives.” and currently has 22 locations around the country, Paradise Biryani Pointe, which will offer “many variations of biryani – a popular, rice-based dish – and features Indian, Persian and Middle Eastern inspired dishes in a unique café atmosphere.”, and an “electic women’s boutique called “Francesca’s Collections”.

According to the release, 82% of Emory Point’s retail space is already filled and that many of the restaurants and shops will be opening starting in November.

And in case you need a retail recap up until this point (ha!), other retailers already announced include: fab’rik, Lizard Thicket, American Threads, The General Muir, La Tagliatella, Jazmin Spa, JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Marlow’s Tavern, Tin Lizzy’s and CVS, among others.

photo courtesy of Fresh to Order

• “Walk there!” Decatur signs are up [Patti Garrett]
• The Optimist named “Restaurant of the Year” by Esquire [AJC]
• New MARTA chief highly regarded at job he’s leaving [Saporta Report]
• Let’s Go Braves!! [AJC]
• Replica of Disney’s Haunted Mansion for sale in Duluth [ABC]
• King of Pops offers reward for stolen safes [Facebook]
• Do you know where your children are? Is that a good thing? [NPR]

Map courtesy of NPR’s Krulwich Wonders blog

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.

Comments close on Monday.

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