GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK

A good week for …

> Early voters. Georgia no longer requires an excuse to vote before Election Day. That meant no lines, no stress and no drama for thousands of residents ready to make their pick in the first week of advance voting.

> The Warren/Holyfield Boys and Girls Club. Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps stopped by the Atlanta club Wednesday to teach kids about setting goals and staying active. He also answered a few personal questions from an inquisitive teen journalist. Now we know Phelps sleeps through his alarm just like everyone else.

> Chad Leonard. Earlier this month, the Nashville, Ga., angler bagged a big one in the Alapaha River: a feisty 30-pound, 4-ounce longnose gar. The state Department of Natural Resources said the 56-inch-long fish is a record catch.

A bad week for …

> Metro Atlanta commuters. According to U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday, an estimated 94,592 residents travel 90 minutes or more to work —- one way. No wonder commuters are taking a closer look at intown developments and telecommuting.

> The Atlanta Braves. For the third year in a row, the banged-up hometown boys won’t be heading to the postseason. Many fans long for a return to the days when the team was a lock for the division title.

> Main Street Natural Gas. Lehman Brothers’ collapse hit home when the Kennesaw nonprofit lost a $709 million gas supply contract with a subsidiary of the investment bank.

Send your nominations for Good Week/Bad Week to staff writer Michelle Ewing at mewing@ajc.com.

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