Decatur Cemetery, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Al)

As seen in Emory Commons (aka the Publix Plaza at North Decatur/Clairmont) this morning.  Anyone know what going on/in the old (old) Blue Elephant space??

is out Christmas shopping today.  [Editor's Note: But here's an email that DM received this morning from a reader with a literary angle.]

I recently found a signed copy of Margaret Anne Barnes’ autobiography, A Buzzard Is My Best Friend, on my mom’s bookshelf. Ms. Barnes died in 2007 and was best known for her novel, Murder in Coweta County, which was turned into a movie. I decided to look her up online and learned that she lived in Decatur and died at Emory Hospital. Now I’m curious whether any of your readers knew her and/or knows where she lived.

Incidentally, the book initially belonged to my uncle, to whom it was inscribed. In her inscription, Ms. Barnes mentioned the Amos family, the founders of AFLAC, for whom my uncle worked. Apparently, she was a close personal friend of that family.

In addition to learning about where she lived, I’d love to hear anything else anyone may know about her life. Thanks,

Delores

This Week

12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief, tonight, HBO, 7:30pm, with Bruce Springsteen [who once wrote Fourth of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)] and the E Street Band, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, the Rolling Stones, Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, the Who, and more, free, but feel free to donate.

Sal Lizard, author of Being Santa Claus, Saturday, December 15th at 2pm, Eagle Eye Bookshop, free.

Amy Ray (yes, that Amy Ray!), T Cooper (author of Real Man Adventures), and Scott Turner Schofield present Tall Tales and Real Man Adventures, Star Bar, Saturday, December 15th at 7pm, free. Click here for more information.

Selig has secured all permits to build the Walmart at Suburban Plaza according to the Medlock Area Neighborhood Association website, ad they are scheduled to begin construction early next year.

In related news, the long-time Suburban Plaza tenant, Decatur Estate and Wayback Antiques, reports they have found a new spot for their store at 2272 Lawrenceville Highway, which is the location of the old Jake’s Roadhouse, next to O’Reilly Auto Parts and across from Home Depot, according to MANA site.  They plan to reopen in the Spring of 2013.

From CSD…

Oakhurst Elementary has teamed up with the nonprofit branch of Carter’s to sponsor a pajama drive for children around the country who are currently facing challenging situations, including those recovering from the devastating impact of Super Storm Sandy.

Oakhurst welcomes community support of its pajama drive which lasts until Friday, December 14th. Would you like to participate? The greatest need is for new pajamas for school-age children (sizes 6 to 14), but sizes from infant to adult (for teenagers) will also be put to very good use. Oakhurst has a donation box set up in the front hallway of the school, so please join in Oakhurst’s spirit of service and compassion and help them fill up the box with new pajamas! http://oakhurst.csdecatur.net/