Register for the sew-a-thon this Friday night, September 18, 2009, at Whipstitch, Atlanta’s fabric store inside the Beehive Co-op.  It’ll be like that party you had when you were younger, and you put on a blindfold and tried to shove a needle through a furry jackass, but without the blindfold and fur.  Come stitch and win prizes, like jewelry and groceries and tea.  The last one weaving gets a weekend in the north Georgia mountains for a sewing retreat.  The alternate gets a plaque in the mens room.

And don’t forget to admire the exculpatory-clause laden waiver reviewed by the Atlanta accident lawyers at Moebes Law, LLC.  We’re there to keep the peace.

please let it me…please, please, please.

i woke up this morning (and i didn’t get myself a gun, but instead headed to the marta station) and i could feel to cool crispness that i associate with fall.

and oh dear god, i hope it is.

is it just me or has this summer been especially brutal with the humidity? maybe i’m only noticing it now because i am marathon training but damn has it taken it’s toll.

i know many of you love the summer with your beaches and outdoor festivals and what-not. as for me, i am ready for fall.

okay, it’s friday afternoon, which mean i want, no i NEED, to know what you kids are up to this weekend. it is what i live for, it’s what gets me through the final hours before i can hop on the marta #140 and get my ass home.

your intrepid author will either be a)watching the red bull soapbox derby (assuming it’s not raining) or b) hanging out at either the brewhouse cafe (if i can get a table) or the midway pub (if i can’t) to watch manchester united v. arsenal (assuming rain cancels plan a.)

how about you, kids. what’s going down this sat and sun?

Hopefully, it won’t be the summer “take cover from the torrential rain and deadly lightning” festival, but regardless, the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival is usually a good time.  There’s food, music, and drinks for the grownups.  For the youngsters, there’s storytellers, jugglers, and signing.  Children are permitted to eat and drink, too, but it’s unlikely to be much of a draw for them.

Best I can tell, there are no clowns.  Some of us are not upset about a likely absence of clowns.

But what about dogs?  Can the dogs enjoy the festival?  Apparently not.  Unless you’re certain attendance will stay below 10,000, you’ll be violating a city ordinance if you bring your pet.  It’s like the “fewer than 15 items” line at the store, but with fur.  And fines.  Maybe it’s nothing like the “fewer than 15 items” line.

The 5k starts at 8am tomorrow; the rest of the festivities begin at 10am.  We’ll likely head that way after the runners are finished.

my favorite atlanta-based rock band is not one of those trendy indie bands. you won’t see their name painted on the krog street underpass or read about them in paste. yes, our city has plenty of those and many are very good, but my favorite atlanta band has to be roots rock combo the beggar’s guild (web facebook myspace).

i love these guys because they play tight, well written rock songs about all the great rock themes. the music is catchy and fun and they are pretty incredible musicians. i have been to see them live many times and never left after a bad time. they also happen to be pretty decent dudes, the kind of musicians you want to support. even if drummer jon chalden is a cardinals fan. seriously it’s good enough to get me to overcome that objection.

anyway, the guys are playing tonight at smith’s in support of sam thacker and his cd release. i don’t know sam thacker at all, but i can tell you this, if the guys in the beggar’s guild are playing with him, he’s probably pretty good.

so go check ‘em out.

tickets $10 advance until 2pm today on ticket alternative, or $12 at the door.

it’s friday afternoon and that means we want to hear what the heck you are up to this weekend?

debauchery? revolution? strange mystical ceremonies?

or are you just planning on relaxing at home after a 14 mile run and eating some incredible cupcakes like yours truly?

let us know….

The AJC’s website has created this tool that allows Atlantans the privilege (privilege?) of using a simple drop down menu to choose their neighborhood and see its recent crime statistics.  Go ahead and click the hyperlink.  It’ll make you look like the local “informed citizen” at that cocktail party you’re attending tonight.

I knew my neighborhood had about 250 break-ins last year.  Now I can stay up-to-date with who’s getting robbed and where!

Enjoy…

Two years ago I wrote about a robbery that took place on Dekalb Avenue while six people – minding their own business and having a lovely evening with friends – were showered with gunfire.

Two years since I wrote.

TWO. YEARS.

Today at 10am the defendants will be entering guilty please in courtroom 4E.

Defendants Tremaine Lovelace and Lanorris Moore will be entering guilty pleas on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 10:00 in court room 4E before Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams.

These two defendants are charged with the August 25, 2007 home invasion and armed robbery at 992 Dekalb Avenue in Inman Park:

Six couples were sitting in the residence when they heard gunshots and realized that the residence was the target of gunfire. The couples then tried to escape by jumping from a second story balcony. Three of the people were seriously injured during the escape. Thirty to forty rounds of ammunition were found in the residence when the police arrived. The two men were apprehended immediately at the Inman Park Marta Station.

Please come and support our victims as they take this important step in seeking justice.

Sharla Jackson
Community Prosecutor
Zone 5

My proposal for punishment: maybe we let those six folks who were fired upon share thirty to forty rounds and fire back. I’m just sayin’: if we still lopped hands off for shoplifting…

Saturday evening at about 9pm, one of my neighbors went for a walk about the neighborhood.  As he hit the intersection of Delaware and Woodland Avenues, a Honda Civic pulled up.  A young man got out, aimed a rifle at my neighbor, and demanded his wallet.  The perpetrator drove away and out of the area before police could catch him.

As one who frequently goes for runs around the neighborhood at that hour, this news was particularly alarming to me.  It’s also a bit ironic that I felt more comfortable going for evening runs at Balad Air Base in Iraq–where mortar attacks are a nightly occurrence–than I feel jogging within a 1-mile radius of our house in SE Atlanta.

In an effort to “take back the streets,” our neighborhood has been gathering on Saturday evenings by Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church from about 7pm-9pm.  Children and dogs are encouraged to come.  Last night, there was a tractor for the kids to ride, and City Council candidates came to discuss their positions and hear from local voters.  This Saturday, the group will gather at 6:30pm, and the tractor will be back.  Please consider participating!

Last Thursday some friends and I went out to eat in East Atlanta. We went to meet at Blue Frog Cantina but there was a 30 minute wait. We weren’t up for that so we went across the street to The EARL. Every table was taken. We tossed around a few other ideas and then I mentioned the new southern cooking restaurant, Chazz, on the corner of Flat Shoals and Glenwood.

Chazz is at 517 Flat Shoals Ave. next door to Club 529. I’m a little anxious for Chazz because it’s in “that spot.” You know the spot where nothing ever stays open long, where a new business opens and closes every 3 months?

If Chazz keeps doing what they did on Thursday then I’m optimistic for their future. We asked who Chazz was, Chazz is the owner’s son.

As soon as we walked in we were welcomed warmly and the wait staff quickly set up a 4 top for us. I got the feeling I was at someone’s home, not a restaurant. Old soul music from Al Green and James Brown played. A birthday party was happening in the middle of the restaurant and they were having a great time, laughing and shouting.

The waiter came over and took our orders. I love soul food so everything on the menu looked good, so I asked for his recommendation. He asked if I had any diet restrictions and I said no. He recommended the pork ribs, with candied yams and mac ‘n cheese. I know this is heresy to some but I’m not a big fan of yams. So I opted for the collard greens.

It only took a little over 10 minutes for our food to arrive. I had 5 ribs covered in sweet BBQ sauce. The meat fell off the bone. The mac n’ cheese was delicious. The collard greens were my least favorite. I don’t like my greens chopped, I like them in long strands and with a little kick of spice. Each plate also came with cornbread which was also excellent.

After we ate the owner came over and talked to us. He asked if everything was ok. He put his hands on my shoulder and gave me firm, caring squeeze. He genuinely appreciated our business. All 4 of us were happy with Chazz.

I loved the personal touch at Chazz. Again it feels like you’re at someone’s home, not a restaurant in the middle of East Atlanta. My meal was only $10 and I left a $2 tip. So for $12 I got a great meal and great service. I highly recommend checking out Chazz when you’re in the mood for some great soul food.