Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > July
July 2008
How to find a home in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hello, all. Newcomer Mike Benzie here filling in for newcomer Jamie Gumbrecht, who’s spending the next two weeks auditioning for the reality program “Farmer Wants A Wife.” (Editor’s Note: That is not actually accurate.)
Because I rented an apartment for the first six months I was here, I had plenty of time to drive around neighborhoods and scour Web sites before settling on a home in East Point. This was by plan, and I’d recommend getting to know the area before making such a big purchase, if you can. Here are a few things I learned.
Here are a few more sites I liked.
And since many of you are newcomers, and I can’t list everything I learned in my Atlanta home buying experience, feel free to share your advice for this little community Ms. Gumbrecht has started. Comment below or send e-mail to me or Jamie.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Moving
Really, it’s tax-free. Maybe.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Duluth mom shops at The School Box during the tax-free holiday in 2003.
I did my requisite back-to-school stories five years ago when I was a wee little AJC intern, but I’d forgotten one thing: sales tax holiday, which runs July 31-Aug. 3.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, if you need to buy computers, bibs or ice skates.
See, this is not a blanket tax-free few days. There are rules. Reporter Phil Kloer pointed out some of the quirkier items on the list — corsets and ski suits for everyone! — which only reinforces this advice: read the fine print before you shop.
It’s handy for parents spending a fortune on children that just won’t stop growing and forming their own personalities. (Sheesh. Is it so much to ask?) But there’s no rule that you must have kids or be buying for them.
Fair warning: I hear the crowds will be crazy. Some people say it’s not worth it.
And if clothes and school supplies aren’t really your thing, remember that Oct. 2-5 offers up tax-free purchases for the energy- or water-efficient products with a sales price of $1,500 or less.
For more info about the sales tax holidays, check out this Georgia Department of Revenue Web site.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Fun stuff
A sure-fire way to make a friend in town.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stories about pets and moving always seem to involve teary good-byes or cat hiding under beds for a month. If you’re lucky, it’s a funny-in-hindsight kind of story about Fluffy decided to do her business in the Chik-Fil-A parking lot, next to the Girl Scout troop on its way back from camp.
My pets-and-moving story is an AJC Pet Tale this week. The quickie version: my move here accidentally meant that my two cats, Emmett and Megatron, took up residence with my wonderful, generous grandparents in Michigan. To fill the void, I have a cuddly foster cat through the Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends.
But let me say this: finding other animals lovers is a great way to meet people and get into the community. And if all else fails, you’ve got at least one guaranteed friend.
Here are a few local pet resources to get you started in the area:
Atlanta area dog parks: I’m not even a dog owner and I think this is cool. It’s a map of all the local dog parks, plus information about hours and regulations. If you know of one that isn’t included, just shoot over an e-mail and it’ll be added.
Atlanta area animal control: This gives information on local animal and pet ordinances, and contact information for animal control agencies. Remember, you can adopt pets from many of those organizations.
Atlanta area adoptable pets: This list, provided by LifeLine, works with local animal care groups to aggregate available pet listings to make your search easier.
Atlanta Humane Society’s Pet of the Week: This one is just a cutie named Lefty.
What other local pet-related resources do you use? We’ve got a whole Web site dedicated to our furry friends, but any recommendations left here will be shipped downstairs to the folks that make it work.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Our Community
How do you volunteer around Atlanta?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A student gets a free eye exam from a volunteer at Cherokee County’s Give A Kid A Chance event. Here are more of photographer Andy Sharp’s photos from the event.
A story in Sunday’s AJC says Atlanta and Georgia rank low when it comes to the number of people that volunteer.
The story by Alan Judd says Atlanta ranked 31 among the 50 largest metro areas and Georgia ranked 43rd among states, according to the independent federal agency Corporation for National and Community Service.
The good news is the work of 1 million metro Atlanta residents is totaling about $3 billion worth of time and effort. The story says the average Atlanta volunteer gives 38 hours per year, which is in the top half among metro areas. That means that folks that do volunteer are giving a lot of time.
Every time I move some place new, there’s an involvement lag. I like to know my way around the area and decide how I’d like to help. Then, the search begins for organizations I trust and admire, who need a service I can provide in the free time I’ve got. I’ve had great experiences and some that just weren’t a great match — I’m much better at helping teens write than at teaching fourth graders about math.
I have to believe that a city like Atlanta has something for people of many skills. Even quick searches around here reveal groups that need help, whether you’re passionate about blood donation, community theater, affordable housing, alternative transportation or animal welfare.
I’ve had luck in the past finding opportunities through work. (Funny how newspapers tend to have lots of, you know, information.) You can find volunteering organizations and opportunities through organizations like Hands On Atlanta, which has a handy search of a projects and groups that suit your skills and available time. United Way of Metro Atlanta has some info for volunteers, too.
An AJC story from June said MySpace and Facebook users use the social networking sites to get involved and start their own movements.
I’d like to hear from long-time residents and newcomers, though, about how they found the organizations they volunteer for, and what other resources might be out there.
What gets your volunteer hours, and why?
Volunteers and bike riders, both kids to adults, work on bikes at SoPo Bicycle Co-op in East Atlanta. Read more about it in this AJC story.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Our Community
How to vote, advance or absentee.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s Newcomer question answers one of my own: how do you vote if you’re out of town on an Election Day?
By voting in advance or absentee, like this Gwinnett County voter signed up to do in 2000. (No word on whether you still get a sticker.)
1. Vote absentee.
You can request an absentee ballot up to 180 days before, but it must be returned by the end of Election Day. If you’re voting in the Aug. 5 runoff between Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Vernon Jones and Jim Martin, your request will need to be in by Aug. 1. When I talked to the Secretary of State’s office, they recommended that absentee voters fax in requests to assure that ballots arrive in time.
To vote absentee…
Make sure it is in writing and contains the address to which the ballot must be mailed the election in which you want to vote.
You are not required to provide a reason why you want to vote absentee, but the application still allows you to circle one. If you don’t want to provide one, just circle “NR.”
Mail or fax it to your County Board of Registrars’ office. You also can pick it up, fill it out and deliver it in-person.
2. Vote in advance.
This option allows you to cast your ballot in-person on the Monday-Friday before the election. You can’t vote the day before an election.
To vote in advance…
Go to your advance voting location - note that it might be different from your usual polling place. Call your County Board of Registrars’ office to find out about advance polling locations.
Fill out an application (or download it and bring it with) and provide an accepted form of photo ID.
Vote on an electronic machine, just like on Election Day.
Not sure what you’d be voting on or for? Check out the updated online voter guide.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Questions & Answers
Where in Georgia would you send dancing Matt?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s a happy, wacky video on the Internet — I know, hard to believe — of this guy named Matt Harding.
He’s doing a kicky, elbow-flailing dance in all kinds of exotic locations: Solomon Islands, Madagascar, South Korea’s demilitarized zone, Portugal, India, Texas. All kinds of happy, wacky people join him for a dance. Turns out that being a goofball is an international phenom.
The New York Times wrote about it a few weeks ago, when it had a piddly 4 million viewers. As I’m typing, it’s got about 7.5 million.
Right around 3:21, between The Netherlands and Mexico, there’s Matt in Atlanta, dancing in the fountains at Centennial Olympic Park. According to this map, he was here Sept. 17-19, 2007. That is, unmistakably, our fountain.
UPDATE: Thanks to Reader Bobby for pointing out a blog post from the dancer himself about his time in Atlanta. He was initially denied access to Centennial Olympic Park, and the blog says they considered moving it to Woodruff Park, which would’ve been fun in its own way.
It’s just a few seconds, but it makes me smile to see our city and its goofballishness in there. I’m a sucker for a cheery viral video, especially one that feels familiar. (I’m not even bothered by the shout-out to the sponsor at the end. It doesn’t get in the way or beg for cash.)
If Matt came back - you’ll note that he’s done this a few times - where would you send him in Georgia? If you had one view of Georgia that you’d want 7.5 million people to see…
Remember, Q&A Friday: If you’ve got a Newcomer-ish question you want answered by readers, or with the blood, sweat and tears of my research, leave it in the comments or e-mail me. I’ll see what kind of answer I can get you for Friday’s post. I make no guarantees about readers, but I certainly don’t bite.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Favorites
Atlanta trip planners: Google Transit vs. A-Train vs. MARTA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Navigating a new city is quite hard enough, but doing it on public transportation can be terrifying: where do I get the bus? Is this the right direction? Is this my stop? Wait, I was supposed to transfer where? And what is this Doraville stop you speak of?!
Newcomer or not, anybody leaving their car and its $100 gas tank at home is getting used to the bike, bus, train and walking way of life. Does that mean you just don’t go anywhere anymore?
I hope not.
Atlanta’s got at least three transit mapping resources available online. I tested them out on Apres Diem, a Midtown after-work destination we’re always trying to visit, but never do because all of my happy hour pals have weird schedules and transportation needs.
Here are my potential routes, and my experiences getting them on A-Train, Google Maps and MARTA’s trip planner with a 5:30 p.m. weekday departure time from downtown Atlanta…
Three miles. How bad can it be, right?
Pros: Produced locally by Citizens for Progressive Transit. Includes bike commuters. Offers maps for walk, bike, walk/transit and bike/transit. Features a shortest route, and a route with the fewest transfers.
Cons: Couldn’t find my starting address, so I had to point it out on a map. No mention of fares.
The Route, using walk/transit: walk to MARTA’s Five Points station, catch the Northbound train to Midtown station, catch the Virginia Highland No. 45 bus NE until Monroe and 8th, then hop off and walk to my destination.
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Pros: Includes easy-to-find maps for driving, taking transit or walking. Clean and familiar, like other Google mapping systems. Easily identified addresses just by Googling the names of businesses.
Cons: No bike routes, no fare information.
The Route, by transit: walk to MARTA’s Five Points station, catch the Northbound train to Midtown station, catch the Virginia Highland No. 45 bus NE until Monroe and Virginia, then hop off and walk to my destination.
Travel Time: 11 minutes by car, 28 minutes by transit, 58 minutes walking.
Pros: MARTA-made, so the ultimate authority on fare info and schedules. It didn’t find my destination, but it does have a searchable list of popular destinations for easy mapping. Mentions a variety of routes, departure times and travel times. The only trip planner that let riders check a box for “accessibility needed.”
Cons: Address finder is incredibly difficult to use. (Don’t include city name, state, ZIP code or punctuation; it seems to confuse the system.) It took several tries for it to identify my starting point and my destination. At one point, it said no routes were available. Less descriptive about the routes offered. No bike information, although you can take your bike on buses and trains!
The Route: walk to MARTA’s Five Points station, catch the Northbound train to North Avenue station, catch the No. 27 Monroe Drive/Cheshire Bridge to Lindbergh Station bus until near my destination on Monroe Drive.
Travel time: 18 minutes
That was one little run-in with these systems. It’d be a stretch to think any of the times are correct. Next step, I guess, is to try the routes. I’d try any of them, and maybe a carpool, too: nobody mentioned how I was supposed to get home.
How do you map out the path to your destinations? What experience do you have with these mapping systems? Share in the comments, and let me know how it went.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Getting Around
Coyotes in the cul-de-sac.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A coworker here has been regaling me with tales of mangy, sinister-eyed dog-beasts that lurk in his neighborhood and prey on poor defenseless housecats while their owners brew the morning coffee.
Talk of the town, he swears. He even wrote the imaginary headline: “Coyotes in the cul-de-sac.”
I see a lot of strays roaming around, and given the number of bears and other wily creatures that’ve shown up in the area, I shouldn’t have raised my eyebrow so high.
Indeed, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Melissa Cummings told me, there are coyotes in all 159 Georgia counties. It’s almost cliched, she says, but it stands true: “As we’ve expanded, we expand further into wildlife territory.”
So yes, newcomers, that may well be Canis latrans peering at you from your backyard. They’re particularly active in the spring and summer because it’s baby time, so they’re feeding for more than one.
The DNR got more than 2,000 complaints last year, and the number seems to rise every year.
“Coyotes are those animals that are very adaptable and can make due in whatever sitaution they’re put in,” Cummings says.
Sure enough, the AJC has written coyote-sighting stories pretty often. This guy was spotted in Buckhead in 2004:
So here are the coyote basics, for those who might’ve wondered which neighbor has the weird-looking dog. Also, here’s a DNR’s coyote fact sheet from the DNR.
Coyotes wouldn’t normally eat Fluffy or Fido. In the wild, they hunt alone, and they eat fruit and small animals. (They’re excellent rodent control.) When they’re living outside your subdivision, they’re happy to eat your garbage, your pet food and sometimes, your pet. Remember, though, that coyotes shouldn’t get all the blame. There are plenty of free-roaming dogs, owls and some domestic animals that will be happy to do the same.
They’re shy and not very big, just about 20-45 pounds as adults. They might get more brazen if they’re hungry and your yard appears to have some low-hanging fruit, literally or figuratively. They get a bad rep, maybe because of cartoons and that poor bird that’s forever and always in danger? Wile E. Coyote was unusually focused, though.
The DNR doesn’t have the manpower needed to trap and haul away coyotes. But it will provide you with a list of approved trappers in your area who will catch and remove the animal for a fee. To contact the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, call 770-918-6400.
Before trapping, consider other options. Removing one coyote will not necessarily remove the problem. There can be many more coyotes that will move into your area. Usually, trapped coyotes are euthanized.
Here are a few tips from the DNR to help you live around coyotes.
- Take pets indoors during primary hunting times, from dusk till dawn.
- If pets must remain outside, install fencing and flood lights to keep predators away.
- Small livestock and poultry should be kept enclosed or sheltered. Coyotes aren’t known for messing with large livestock, but free-roaming dogs are.
- Don’t feed coyotes! Ever!
- Keep grills, pet food and bird feeders off limits and cleaned up.
- Make trash cans inaccessible, with tight lids and indoor storage, if possible.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Make This Place Make Sense
Where should a newcomer meet a date? (Other than North Druid Hills.)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
North Druid Hills and Briarcliff: where Chik-Fil-A and passion meet?
Let’s call it a public service announcement, a testament to knowing Atlanta better than the Census data lets on.
No matter what you’ve heard: North Druid Hills probably isn’t the best place in Atlanta to meet a date.
Money magazine, the same folks behind the Best Places to Live list, apparently feel they have the number-crunching authority to tell you where to meet a mate.. (For the record, Atlanta was a measly No. 13.)
Yeah, I know I’m new here, but…really?
I’m not an authority on dating and relationships, here or anywhere. We have dating bloggers and their merry band of commentators for that.
North Druid Hills seems perfectly nice place to pick up groceries, grab a quick lunch, head to the synagogue, raise 2.5 children and a Labrador. Those quoted in the AJC story seemed a little perplexed. There was, I kid not, head-scratching, whenever I brought it up.
Maybe it works on paper — although we’re still trying to figure out exactly what North Druid Hills is — when looking purely at population stats and proximity to places like Emory University, Decatur and Buckhead. Regardless, it hardly seems like it fits in with Berkeley, Cali. and Boulder, Co., which also appeared in Money’s Top 10.
And maybe I’m so very wrong, and the Panera parking lot is really where it’s at.
For the love of your neighbors, will someone with a little more knowledge please prevent a flock of newcomers from showing up at the Dunkin Doughnuts, wondering where the party is?
Let’s forget the numbers for a minute: what IS the best place around this town to be single, or rather, to become not single?
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Make This Place Make Sense
Q&A v. 10: Help a guy find a beer?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This week’s post about local beer and its level of deliciousness yielded all kinds of fun, interesting comments. (Hey, beer drinkers! You’re nice!)
So let’s do a favor for a Newcomer reader, shall we?
This week’s question comes from Reader Jeff: “OK, I know most of y’all are from/within the metro ATL area, but does anyone know of any micros in the Albany area?”
And what about around here? A simple Google search turns up a few lists, but I want to know yours.
By the way, here’s a Dec. 2007 AJC story explaining some of the tough rules that Georgia brewers face.
And another column from December 2007, rating Georgia craft brewer optimism with a pint half-empty/pint half-full gauge.
As always, your questions are welcome. I try to answer them throughout the week and get posts up on Friday, or turn your questions out to readers. Send your questions to me at jgumbrecht@ajc.com, or leave them in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Getting Around, Questions & Answers, Yum!
Atlanta’s Best Everything
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Best of lists: pretty gimmicky, woefully incomplete, but so easy to breeze through, so easy to love or loathe.
More than that, I’m actually fascinated by Best of the Big A, the AJC’s spin on best of lists. So far, it has taken nominations for best barbecue and ZIP codes.
Who cares about the winner, the best of? The nomination list is an unburied treasure chest of Atlanta life that I’d never know otherwise. If it’s someone’s favorite, there’s a reason. I love when the comments actually share that reason. Please, people! Elaborate!
I’m kind of excited to see what’s next.
Here are a few other local Best Ofs. If you know of more, share ‘em. Newcomers got to learn somehow, right?
Creative Loafing just ended its Best of Atlanta poll, and results will be released in September.
Atlanta Magazine has a Best Of search that goes back to its 2002 poll.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Fun stuff
Local beer just tastes better.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I drink far more beer now that I live in Atlanta, probably more than I ever have in my life, including the year I turned 21. It’s tasty. The weather is hot, beer is cold. I drink tea at work, I want something more entertaining after.
But mostly, it’s because I’m a little enchanted by local beer. When I lived in Michigan, I drank a fair amount of Oberon and Labatt, which we thought of as local. (Yeah, we claim Canada.) Back in Kentucky, I liked Kentucky Ale, too, but I liked bourbon more. Local, local, local. Yum.
A story in the AJC this week said local breweries might have a chance to expand now that Anheuser-Busch is being swallowed by Belgian beer maker InBev. It could be bad news, too, if the ever-shrinking number of distributors shrugs off the smaller guys.
The same story says craft beer is big in the Southeast, though. Retail sales jumped 31.6 percent in five Southeastern states in 2007. We’re No. 1!
I kind of like the point that Sweetwater Brewery’s Steve Farace made, now that Anheuser-Busch is owned by Belgians: “The only truly American-owned beers are going to be craft brewers.”
Of course, my experience is pretty limited. Sweetwater 420, IPA and Blue. (Like alcoholic gumballs!) Athens’ Terrapin Golden Ale.
And what else should be on the beer menu? Share your favorite in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment | Categories: Yum!
Election day packing list: bring your ID.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When you head out to vote today — polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — bring a bottle of water or an iPod to amuse yourself in a long line. (Especially if you’re voting before 9:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m., the busiest hours, according to the Secretary of State.)
Don’t bring your campaign buttons and signs; they’re not allowed within 150 feet of a polling place.
But please, bring a piece of government-issued photo ID.
Here’s the list, straight from the Georgia Secretary of State..
At your polling place, you’ll fill out a voter’s certificate with your name and residence address. Poll workers will verify that you’re registered in that precinct. (To be sure, search for your polling place ahead of time.)
You will have to present a piece of government-issued photo ID, but don’t think you’re out of luck if you don’t have a Georgia driver’s license.
Here’s a list. You need only one.
- A “properly issued” Georgia driver’s license.
- A valid voter ID card or photo ID “issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia, any other state, or the United States authorized by law to issue personal identification containing a photograph.” (Newcomers, take note of what the Secretary of State press office told me yesterday afternoon: what they’re looking for are people legally able to vote who met the registration deadline and offer up a government-issued photo ID, even if it’s not from Georgia.)
- A valid U.S. passport.
- A valid employee ID card with a photo of the elector from a U.S., state, county, municipality or other entity of the state.
- A valid U.S. military ID card with a photo.
- A valid tribal identification card with a photo.
Also: a first-time registrant by mail — that’d be me! — may provide a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector.
If you, newcomer, registered to vote and didn’t show proof of address or a photo ID at the time, you can do so at the polls. It’s fine if it’s, say, your Kentucky driver’s license. (Although you’re supposed to update that within 30 days of establishing residency here. Um. Oops?) Bring something with a current address to make it absolutely clear that, yes, you are registered, live here legally and have a right to vote.
So what if you don’t pack properly? You can fill out a provisional ballot. But for that to be counted, you show a photo ID with two days following the election.
Happy voting!
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Newcomers, are you ready to vote on Tuesday?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fellow newcomer, I know, you’re all bogged down in moving and unpacking and trying to get used to your new job, and your new apartment and getting your dog acclimated to the new yard and your skin to quit breaking out in all this crazy Atlanta humidity and and and…
And maybe you got a library card or a driver’s license and registered yourself to vote here. You know, somewhere between looking for the cheese grater in the “kitchen stuff” box and mapping a better route to work.
And now there’s an election. Tomorrow. And you know exactly nothing about what’s going on.
Don’t panic.
The AJC/League of Women Voters online guide will provide you with a sample ballot and candidate profiles. Don’t even worry yourself with all those unfamiliar names you don’t need to know; just type in your address to start learning about what you’ll be asked to vote on.
Not sure where you’re supposed to vote? Here’s the Secretary of State’s guide to polling places.
Not registered? Well, you can’t vote Tuesday, but get on that. November is swiftly approaching. Here’s some information on how to register.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Current Events, Uniquely Georgia
Ponce de Leon of the past
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After a brief holiday jaunt into Florida, where Ponce de Leon is a local celeb, the question came up: How did Atlanta’s Ponce de Leon Avenue get its name?
Apparently, we had a fountain something like what Juan was looking for.
Ponce de Leon Avenue owes its name to freshwater springs located near what is now City Hall East. They emerged after construction buried a spring that railway workers relied on for drinking water. They searched for another in the woods and found cold, fresh water that seemed to carry another benefit: health.
“It is said that a considerable amount of sickness prevailed among the men of the railroad camp at the time it was established,” Franklin Garrett wrote in “Atlanta and Environs.”
“Yet, after being in the vicinity of the springs for a few weeks, and drinking the spring water exclusively, most of those who were sick found themselves growing steadily better.”
What came next was a miracle of marketing, if not really medicine: The springs’ fame spread and Atlantans began to travel the dusty two miles to have a drink. Dr. Henry L. Wilson, a former physician and big-time property owner, named it “Ponce de Leon” to stir “fountain of youth” feelings about it. Wagon delivery of the water began, The Atlanta Constitution published stories about it and a resort, of sorts, sprung up around it. People behind the street car system saw the chance for big business and extended the Peachtree Street Line north to what is now Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The site would later be home to Ponce de Leon Park and early in the 20th century, Ponce de Leon Ballpark and the Atlanta Crackers baseball team. Ford built a headquarters there, then Sears Roebuck built a distribution center.AJC business blogger Maria Saporta wrote in a column in 1999 that encouraged bringing back Ponce de Leon Lake by digging up the springs and adding mixed use development.
What we have there now is a Whole Foods, Home Depot and City Hall East. Here’s a link to a future redo of the City Hall East site called Ponce Park and a November 2007 ATLArts blog post about it.
Look familiar? Here’s the Sears Roebuck building on its opening day in 1926, with no sign of the springs.
Additional sources on this are “Atlanta and its Environs, Volume 1” by Franklin Garrett; “What’s in a Name?” by Eva Galambos and “Georgia Place Names” by Kenneth Krakow, with thanks to the AJC librarians and Don Rooney at the Atlanta History Center.
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Atlanta’s Best and Worst Bike Routes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Even if you’ve done the impossible and memorized an Atlanta map in your first months here, you probably didn’t learn the topography, or the potholes. Alas, the map doesn’t show where drivers speed or where the bikes lanes end.
Right about the time I thought I knew where I was going, my car went boom, a bike was left in its place and my delusions of geographic confidence were dashed. My petite four-cylinder engine climbed easily on the inclines around my apartment, but a chain, two wheels and my wimpy, languid calf muscles, mixed up with a bunch of cars and bikers in moisture-wicking bodywear?
Well, I didn’t cry, exactly. On the outside.
The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign conducted its first count of cyclists at eight locations around the city this month, looking at the who, where and how of Atlanta biking. An AJC story by Mike Maciag said some riders skimp on personal safety equipment and even long-time bikers have trouble negotiating the best routes for easy, safe, direct travel.
And let’s be honest: what happens now that gas prices go up and people inexperienced with biking and Atlanta are trying out a much different vehicle?
Here are a few options:
Practice: Rebecca Serna, the Bicycle Campaign executive director, suggests riding a route on a Saturday or Sunday before you attempt it for the Monday morning commute. Know the potholes, know the parallel grates, know when it doesn’t work and you need another plan.
Education: The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign offers classes on Confident Country Cycling and Confident City Cycling, which cover safety inspections, tire-changing, crash avoidance, lane positioning and trail etiquette, among other topics.
Maps: ABC links to bike mobility maps to help with navigation, and ATrain has a build-your-own feature for to walk, bike or use transit. (ABC’s downtown and midtown maps are being updated now, and should be available within a month.)
Bicycle Campaign survey results tallying the best and and worst bike routes are expected to be released in about two weeks, but already some favorites are clear. There’s Edgewood Avenue — the street pictures above — which has a long bike lane that connects residential neighborhoods and downtown. The intersection of Moreland and Euclid in Little Five Points was popular, but also had a lot of cyclists riding illegally on sidewalks.
Peachtree Street is a personal favorite of Serna’s. Pedestrian activity makes it fun, traffic moves slowly because it’s so heavy and there’s power in numbers: Serna’s not the only one that loves it.
What do you say, geography-lovers, biker-riders and sympathetic drivers: what are the best and worst routes for biking, whether for fun or for commuting? And what’s the best way to get to know these roads?
And remember: if you have other questions, about just about anything Atlanta-ish, leave ‘em in the comments or email me at jgumbrecht@ajc.com. We’re back to our regularly scheduled Friday Q&A this week.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Getting Around
Breathe easier in a smoggy Atlanta.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The right view of our pretty city on a sunny day will give you…not a very nice view at all.
Something like this.
Ewwwwww.
It’s nitrogen oxides from cars, trucks and power plants combined with volatile organic compounds from trees and vegetation. Then add sunshine that bakes it into ground-level ozone. Take a shallow breath, everyone — that’s smog, and we’ve got lots of it.
Sure, I knew that before I moved here: big city, more pollution, no surprises. But it’s been a while since I’ve lived any place where the morning news has the smog report as a standard feature. What can I say? I like breathing.
But Atlanta is No. 12 on the American Lung Association’s 2008 list of cities with the worst ozone (smog) pollution, and No. 6 for year-round particle pollution.
Our worst smog summer was 1999. Our levels have gotten better, but the Environmental Protection Agency still says 1 million people are at risk because of air pollution, in particular active children who spend a lot of time outdoors, active adults who exercise outdoors and people with asthma or other lung conditions. (Peachtree Road Racers, yeah, that included you.)
Here’s a metro Atlanta smog report that is updated hourly, and includes all kinds of interesting and gross background. And here’s a handy story from reporter Stacy Shelton that tells you more than you want to know about the air you’re breathing.
Want to do something about it? Check out the Clean Air Campaign, which offers rewards to people who change their commute, and offers smog alerts and tips.
Newcomers, do you notice the smog having an impact on you? Long-timers, what do you do to breathe easier?
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Take me to your Big Chicken: Georgia’s roadside attractions.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is a chicken, a big one, appropriately named “The Big Chicken.”
It’s the kind of thing the AJC puts on intern scavenger hunts on their first day of work, the unmistakable sorts of landmark used for giving directions — “Turn right two streets after The Big Chicken.” — that inspires its own hatching public art projects.
Kitschy roadside attractions are the kind of in-jokes a newcomer ought to learn when planning to make this a home. They’re gaudy, an endangered species and really: where else has a 65-foot fish leaping overhead?
I can (and have) spent hours perusing Roadside America, which lists among its Georgia favorites: a Statue of Liberty replica in McRae and Babyland General Hospital (birthplace of Cabbage Patch Dolls!!!!) in Cleveland and the World’s Largest Peanut in Ashburn. Apparently, there is a rival peanut in Durant, Oklahoma.
The Big Chicken gets its own entry on the site, but apparently isn’t a favorite. (For more Big Chicken history, check out this Marietta-approved site.)
Big fan of the Big Chicken. (Big! Ha! See?! I’m in on the joke! Oh wow. Need to stop now.)
What other roadside crack-ups, tourist attraction or highway exit? Share!
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Your MARTA-riding tips, published.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the help of a few lovely Newcomer readers, here it is: The Beginner’s Guide to MARTA.
It’s a pretty basic guide, especially considering that ridership is up 15 percent. Plenty of people tacked on tips (and the requisite sneers and grumbling) at the bottom.
Another tip I’d like to add: Consider adding MARTA police to your contacts list, just in case. The number is 404-848-4911, or #MPD on an AT&T, Verizon or Spring phone. Blackberry users can dial #673.
Feel free to add more tips here, and those for other public transit systems in the area. I’d like to get a nice guide up on the site full-time.
And remember: if you have other questions, about just about anything Atlanta-ish, leave ‘em in the comments or email me at jgumbrecht@ajc.com. We’re back to our regularly scheduled Friday Q&A this week.
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Q&A, v. 8: A look at Google Street View in Atlanta.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
View Larger Map
This view? Google Atlanta’s offices in Midtown.
Reader had half-panicked, half-thrilled questions about Google Street View. It took a few weeks to get answers, but here they are…kind of.
More questions about being new and curious in Atlanta? Drop them in the comments or write to me at jgumbrecht@ajc.com. I’ll do my best to get them answered for Friday’s Q&A.
How did Google collect Street View images? They just drive cars that gather GPS data coordinated with 360-degree images collected with rooftop cameras. Earlier imagery was provided by a third party, but it’s all in-house now.
Why isn’t my neighborhood included? Elaine Filadelfo, a spokeswoman for Google, says they don’t drive on private property and private roads; that might keep them from collecting some neighborhoods. But when I asked about neighborhoods like Candler Park, which is quite public, but not covered by Street View, she said, “There may be no specific reason,” and added “It’s nice to hear people want it.”
Are they still collecting Street View information in Atlanta? Are images updated? She didn’t know specifically whether they were still gathering information in Atlanta, but said their primary focus is on expanding into other cities. They’d like to update images, too, but again, the priority now is on expansion. “It’s like a time capsule,” she said.
How can I report an inappropriate image? Google has handy-dandy directions right here. They’ll remove an inappropriate image on your property, or blur faces that were missed, but don’t expect them to erase the image of the guys walking into the strip club…
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Panic at the Starbucks? Maybe not for Atlanta’s other coffee shops.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yes, about 600 Starbucks stores are going to close. No, we don’t know which ones. (You can find a list of the types of stores likely to close, though.)
Call it oversaturation or a sign of Suze Orman’s dominance. Call it an unfortunate possible loss of jobs for lots of employees…er, partners.
Call it annoying to have to travel another two blocks! For coffee! Jeeeez.
But as I interviewed Starbucks regulars yesterday, I wondered if we can call it all that bad?
Maybe, several said, it would give local coffee shops a chance. Even an under-performing Starbucks will get a lot of business, relatively speaking. It becomes a routine, it introduces people to coffee and it has a mighty marketing team.
And when it closes, coffee drinkers will look for a similar product conveniently located on the same path: Doug Bond, the owner of Atlanta-based San Francisco Coffee said when the North Highland Starbucks closed, his stores saw 30-40 more customers per day at his two nearby stores. (SF just opened a third in Candler Park, too.)
For those that call coffee “Starbucks,” the way most of us call any frozen treat on a stick a Popsicle with a capital, trademarked “P,” it could be rough. Of course, chances are high another Starbucks is somewhere very nearby.
But least two coffee drinkers I spoke to yesterday said they like a good local coffee house — they just weren’t as easy to find. One described it as a “shortage” in the city.
I stumble into a Starbucks every so often, but I just happen to live around a lot of local places. (If only they knew how many AJC stories have been produced at their tables.) I had no idea what was coming in the cup on my first visit, but it has all tasted fine so far. (And one serves ice cream. Nevermind the coffee — I’ll have the chilled, creamy scoop of peanut butter cup in a sugar cone, thanks.) And would I have found them if I didn’t live across the street? Hm…maybe not.
I’m writing with four months of coffeehouse experience here. What’s your drink, where does it come from and do you think Atlanta’s coffee house culture is what it should be?
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Finding Atlanta’s favorite fireworks.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The random, late-night cracks and whistles lately remind me that July 4 celebrations are near, but what’s the best place to see, hear, smell, enjoy a real fireworks display? As in, the real ones, not the kind set off with a plastic lighter by someone likely to lose a finger.
The AJC created this handy list and map of July 4 events.
Better yet, a compendium of helpful fours: fireworks displays, events that don’t necessarily involve fireworks, fireworks you can legally use in Georgia (yea sparklers!) and safety tips.
All that said, it appears that fireworks will be exploding all over Atlanta on Friday. If you’ve got a favorite, a fireworks tradition, or a lead on a great spot to watch them, share down in the comments!
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Georgia’s finest, fiercest, freakiest college mascots
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Uga VI in 2003.
I guess I just didn’t realize how big a deal Uga, the bulldog, was. I’ve read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil!” I attended a Big Ten university! I’ve lived here for a few months now! I should have known how important college mascots here, especially here.
Instead, I was surprised to see 141 pages of tributes to the pup on Legacy.com. That’s serious adoration. (Update: make that 173 pages as of 10 a.m. OoooK. Wow.)
Lest you also be caught unawares, I’ve posted a list of Georgia’s public university mascots and nicknames, assembled with the help of AJC librarian Sharon Gaus. (Honest: I didn’t even know most of these schools existed until now.)
- Georgia is home to both Fighting Geese and Fighting Owls! Who knew?
- We seem to love our cats. We have two Jaguars, Cougars, two Bobcats, Wildcats and two Tigers. Also, there are Red-Eyed Panthers, and Pounce, the blue Panther. (Rawr.)
- University of Georgia keeps a live mascot in Uga, but also the absurdly tall, back-flipping, wave-to-the-kids kind. His name is Hairy Dawg. Not as cute as Uga, but easier to maintain, I guess. (By the way, there are 33 Division 1A schools with live mascots, including Georgia. USA Today built this map of mascots. Suffice to say, bulldog is a bit more reasonable than Baylor’s black bear.)
- I suspect all these mascots have names, but I the most interesting I found was ENAC, the mascot for Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. It’s Cane, as in Hurricanes, spelled backward.
- I think the nomination for the weirdest one — not including the Fighting Owls — goes to the Waycross College Swamp Foxes. Indeed, the mascot is a big smiley fox. I wonder if he knows he shares a nickname with Francis Marion, the father of guerilla warfare?
- Wait, I take that back. How about Clayton State University’s mascot, Loch. There’s a legend written on the Clayton State Web site that asks “Is it a beast? Is it a friend?”
So what’s the fiercest and favorite of them all the public schools? You can pick from the list below…
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton: Stallions
Albany State University, Albany: Golden Rams
Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah: Pirates
Atlanta Metropolitan College: Red-Eyed Panthers
Augusta State University, Augusta: Jaguars
Clayton State University, Morrow: Loch (a Laker supporter, apparently)
College of Coastal Georgia, Brunswick: Mariners
Columbus State University, Columbus: Cody, the Cougar
Dalton State College, Dalton: Roadrunners
Darton College, Albany: Cavaliers
East Georgia College, Swainsboro: Bobcats
Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley: Wildcats
Gainesville State College, Gainesville: Fighting Geese (Laker the Goose)
Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville: Bobcat
Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville: Grizzlies
Georgia Highlands College, Rome: Chargers
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta: Buzz, the Yellow Jacket. (And, I stand corrected, the Ramblin’ Wreck.)
Georgia Perimeter College, Decatur: Jaguars
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro: Eagles
Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus: Hurricanes
Georgia State University, Atlanta: Pounce the Panther
Gordon College, Barnesville: Highlander
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw: Fighting Owls
Macon State College, Macon: Mustangs
Middle Georgia College, Cochran: Warrior
North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega: Saints
Savannah State University, Savannah: Tigers
Southern Polytechnic State University, Marietta: Hornets
South Georgia College, Douglas: Tiger
University of Georgia, Athens: Bulldogs, Uga and Hairy Dawg.
University of West Georgia, Carrollton: Wolves
Valdosta State University, Valdosta: Blazers
Waycross College, Waycross: Swamp Foxes
