TSPLOST may no longer be a household acronym, but apparently the Clifton Corridor light rail line is by no means dead.  From the Atlanta Business Chronicle…

The Federal Transit Administration and MARTA are moving forward with a study of a possible new light rail transit line that would run through the Clifton Corridor, two years after metro voters defeated a tax that would have funded the line.

The proposed 8.8 mile line would extend from the Lindbergh MARTA station through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters and Emory University and Emory Hospital campuses to the Avondale MARTA station.

…Atlanta Business Chroniclereported last January that the CDC is considering an expansion over 10 years at its campus near Emory University that could lead to a 30 percent increase in workers and the construction of a big new laboratory and parking deck. At a public hearing on March 20, area residents expressed concerns that such an influx of new commuters would be too much for the already congested corridor.

Map courtesy of 2013 Clifton Corridor Steering Committee Presentation

Barrett writes in and gives us all a heads-up of an attempted break-in at the Pure Gas Station on East Ponce Monday night.

Just wanted to inform of an attempted break in last night at the Pure Station.  Luckily they didn’t make it in but with the holidays coming it might be a good idea for residents and business owners to be aware when locking up at night.

And here’s the official Decatur Police report from Deputy Keith Lee…

n 10/21/2014 at approximately 0722 hours, Officer Speed responded to the Pure Gas Station which is located at 249 East Ponce de Leon Avenue Decatur, GA, 30030 in reference to a previous burglary.  Officer Speed arrived and met with the complainant, identified as Barrett Tibbetts.  Tibbetts informed Officer Speed the business was secure and undisturbed when he had left on 10/20/2014 at approximately 1800 hours.  Tibbetts stated he observed the front door to be damaged, but still secure, when he arrived back at the location on 10/21/2014 at approximately 0700 hours.  Officer Speed observed the front door trim to have all been removed, as well as the mailbox in the doorway.  Officer Speed photographed the damage then processed the scene.  Officer Speed recovered five latent print cards from the outside of the front door glass.  Officer Speed supplied Tibbetts with a case number.  The photographs were attached to the report.  The latent print cards were turned over to Sergeant Vandiver of the City of Decatur Criminal Investigations Division.

Have you seen the signs around downtown Decatur?  Homegrown Decatur sent out this press release that provides all the details for this Sunday’s Halloween Parade…

 HOMEGROWN Decatur announced that the annual HAINTS & SAINTS Parade, sponsored by Atlanta’s own Voice Of The Arts, AM 1690, will be held on October 26, 2014. HomeGrown owners Lori Ronca and Beth Thompson strive to bring the intown Atlanta community together to celebrate Decatur’s rich history, revive the excitement of a community parade, and to hopefully, bring the weird out in all of us!

Decatur’s parade history began back in 1899 with Maury Mable. Ole’ Maury donned his black silk top hat and paraded down Ponce de Leon Ave annually for 51 years. Sometimes the parades were huge; sometimes they were just him!  Rolling holiday parades have been scarce of late. That is, until the fun-loving HomeGrown Decatur gals decided to bring parading back to Decatur Maury Mable style!

Get a look at historic photos of old Decatur and Mr. Mable leading the parade here

The event begins at noon with the HAINTS & SAINTS Classic Car and Hearse Cruise In on Trinity St. in the Callaway Building parking lot. Folks from all walks of life are sure to be wowed by the tricked out rides and music provided by Decatur’s own bluegrass band, The Porch Bottom Boys.

Line up for the HAINTS & SAINTS Halloween Parade begins at 3 p.m. for vehicles and floats at the Decatur Post office, located at 520 W.Ponce de Leon Ave., followed by the walkers at 3:30. Anyone may walk or roll in the parade; floats, bands, and groups larger than 5 can register online at www.decaturhalloweenparade.com. As the parade begins at 4 p.m., the police will do a rolling closure in front of the parade.

Baton Bob will be on hand, dressed in his own black silk top hat, Maury Mable style, to lead the way.

Wait! There’s more fantastic weird fun to come! As the parade wraps up, let the HAINTS & SAINTS Jam commence! Bands, including, Wasted Potential Brass Band, Black Sheep Ensemble, Mercury Orkestar, and Scofflaw will take turns jamming in the Gazebo on the square.

All proceeds will benefit The HomeGrown Grant for the Arts and will be administered through the Decatur Education Foundation and Decatur Arts Alliance, with a focus on Arts education and seed grant funding for emerging artists. A group of select local artists have tricked out a vintage fridge, soda machine turned into beer cooler and an amazing custom corn hole board set. Yours for the bidding.

After such a full day of getting your weird on, we know you will be famished and parched! Be sure to visit one of the many amazing restaurants and watering holes in downtown Decatur; many will be offering specials for parade participants.

Information and details at www.decaturhalloweenparade.com