• Decatur man missing after Nepal quake texts wife to say he’s safe [AJC]
• Hoping to Resuscitate a Portion of Atlanta’s Heart [NYT]
• What preceded Phillips Arena? Photo: Omni Coliseum in Downtown Atlanta [ATL Urbanist]
• Average lifespan in Atlanta varies quite a bit by zipcode [NYT]
• Atlanta for Kids Travel Guide [NYT]

Map courtesy of the NYT

Wow, there’s a been a pretty overwhelming response to the Slide the City post from late last night!  So far, the server has done a good job of handling the traffic.  Let’s hope it stays that way!

There have already been some questions about the cost of admission for the giant, 1000-foot water side that will run down West Ponce on Saturday, July 25th, so we followed up with the city for more details.  Public Communications Officer Casie Yoder tells us that Slide the City will be similarly priced to the Decatur Beach Party.  That event was $8 in advance and $10 at the gate last year.

Additionally, she pointed to Slide the City’s FAQ for important minimum requirements and answers to other frequent questions about the slide.  Here are answers to some of the most pertinent ones…

Is there an age or height limit?

All who are over 46 inches tall and over 5 years old are invited to slide, but remember if you’re under 18 you’ll need to get a sign off from your legal guardians.

What happens if it rains?

Rain or shine we’re sliding, so come on out and enjoy the slide. I mean you’re going to get wet anyway.

What do you do to address water conservation?

Water conservation is also a priority at our events. We strive to have zero environmental impact on the community. The Slide was designed to have zero water loss, and it treats and recycles the water safely and efficiently throughout the day. When permitted, we donate the water back to the community. Methods of disposal include local reclamation centers, parks, golf courses and other places dependent upon local regulations.

Can I bring my pet?

For health and safety reasons, we cannot allow pets on the slide.

Can I use my GoPro or Selfie Stick on the Slide?

Yes! Bring them along and get some awesome footage and insta worthy photos!

Photo courtesy of Slide the City website

NEW! UPDATE: Tickets for this event are now scheduled to go on sale Wednesday, June 10th.  Click over to our latest post on the event for more details.

UPDATE: Once you read thru the initial announcement below, click over to our new post that answers questions about the admission price and get the minimum requirements to slide.

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What the what??!  From The Decatur Minute blog…

In celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Decatur Business Association, the DBA along with the City of Decatur has decided to shake up our traditional summer event, the Decatur Beach Party, and make a huge SPLASH this summer. For one day only, there will be a 1000 foot long water slide in the middle of W. Ponce de Leon Ave, stretching from Clairemont down just past Ponce de Leon Place. The event is called Slide the City and this event has been sweeping the nation!

You can expect more details ( and ticket information) in the next few weeks but for now, mark your calendars for  Saturday, July 25th and start shopping for your favorite inflatable!

Check out the video of the slide here

“Honey, I’m just going to slide down to the CVS and pick up my prescription.  Be right baaaaaaaack……”

According to the Slide the City website, events are scheduled all over the U.S., including yet-to-be scheduled events in Atlanta and Athens.

Photo courtesy of Slide the City website

If you’ve been over to the plaza on Clairmont just north of North Decatur Road that houses Community Q and Bhojanic lately you may have noticed that the old space at the northern end of the building, which used to be Scoreboard,s is sporting some new wood siding.  This is Concentrics Restaurants‘ latest offering in Atlanta – Mason Tavern, as was first reported by Tomorrow’s News Today back in December.

A recent job posting on Craigslist provided us with the most detail we’ve seen to date on the spot….

Mason Tavern, your newest neighborhood home away from home, is redefining classic tavern cuisine in the heart of North Decatur. A collaboration with acclaimed Concentrics Restaurants, a centralized railroad trestle faced and zinc topped bar anchors the space that also boasts distressed chocolate leather covered booths, blackened wood, steal and hickory accents. An al fresco patio backed by industrial garage doors offers a great warm weather option. An intimate community gem where the inventive tavern fare speaks for itself, Mason Tavern will feature lunch and dinner menus, where you’re sure to find an offering that fits your appetite, as well as feature a plethora of late night menu options and weekend brunch.

Also, the Tavern’s Facebook page recently announced Mason’s Executive Chef is Jason Hall, who according to Eater,

…previously served as the opening executive chef at Max’s Wine Dive in Midtown before parting ways in September. He was interim executive chef at The Brasserie & Neighborhood Cafe at Parish, another Concentrics restaurant, between Zeb Stevenson’s departure and Stuart Tracy’s hiring.

Seems like the turkey successfully made it across Scott Boulevard and is currently pursuing the residential streets of Chelsea Heights.  Rob sent along this pic this morning.

We also received a report that the turkey briefly left the city limits last night and took a stroll down Artwood.

• Jeni’s Splendid says Listeria likely in more products, production kitchen [ABC]
• Wine Talk With Cakes & Ale Assistant Sommelier Melissa Davis [Eater]
• Eddie’s still rocks after all these years [Champion]
• Birding in Atlanta and beyond [Saporta Report]
• “Turning the Tables” by Joel Dias-Porter [Poetry Foundation]
• Atlanta in the Top 10 of Large Metros with the Largest Shares of Children [City Lab]

“Dendroica pinus” by Ken Thomas via Wikimedia Commons

I recall a good amount of interest from the masses the last time we posted an update on closing the Stone Mountain PATH trail gap back in 2013.

Well, here’s a good bit of news – and some nice history – for all you pedal pushers and sneaker jockeys :-), courtesy of the PATH Foundation…

DeKalb County, PATH, and CSX Railroad are negotiating an agreement that would allow PATH and the County to complete the missing segment of the Stone Mountain Trail between Glendale Road and Clarkston. The discussions are preliminary at press time but all parties are at the table attempting to reach an accord.

In 1992, The old Decatur to Stone Mountain trolley right-of-way was ‘discovered’ by the PATH Foundation founders during their search for a suitable trail corridor that would connect the Olympic venue in Atlanta to the cycle venue at Stone Mountain Park. This lovely, tree-lined corridor stretching from downtown Clarkston to Stone Mountain Village, had been deeded to DeKalb County by Georgia Power Company after being abandoned decades before. Needless to say it was just what the doctor ordered: a continuous, publicly owned corridor that was level and virtually free of obstacles.

The first foot of trail PATH ever poured was on the trolley corridor near the corner of Country Address, just east of Clarkston. A mile of trail was completed at this location and used as the ‘model mile’ to convince potential donors that trails were good and PATH was the real deal.

PATH went on to complete a majority of the trail between Freedom Park and Stone Mountain before the 1996 Olympics. One glaring exception was the half-mile segment west of Clarkston including the bridge over I-285. There were too many issues involved with crossing I-285 and encroaching onto railroad right-of-way for a young, inexperienced nonprofit to resolve in a timely fashion.

The recent negotiations were encouraged by the fact that DeKalb County condemned the edge of the CSX right-of-way for trail development late last year. Rather than continuing the court case, the parties have agreed to pursue a settlement that will allow a trail bridge across I-285 into Clarkston but would exit CSX right-of-way east of I-285. The PATH design team is altering plans to reflect terms of the agreement in hopes the project will move forward. Stay tuned.