Q: I remember when Metropolitan Avenue (U.S. 19/41) was Stewart Avenue. Who was that “Stewart” of Stewart Avenue?
—Lance DeLoach, Thomaston
A: Think way back before the expressway began construction in the 1950s and you, your parents or your grandparents may remember that Stewart Avenue was a main thoroughfare leading people from the city to the airport and back. Don Rooney, curator of urban and regional history for the Atlanta History Center, uncovered the story behind the name for us. It was named for Andrew P. Stewart, who served as the Fulton County Tax Commissioner, beginning in 1889 and held that position for 26 years. Stewart, who was born in Jackson, Ga., came to Atlanta as a boy and his first job was polishing stoves in a hardware store. He later opened his own stove, tinware and house furnishings business in Atlanta, and he died on Oct. 29, 1916.
Q: What are the differences between the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day parade?
A: They both have the luck of the Irish, but Savannah's parade is bigger, older and on the actual day. That's no blarney. Atlanta's parade is on March 12. Irish eyes are shining on Savannah, whose first parade was in 1813 and hosts what organizers call the world's second largest St. Patrick's Day parade. Atlanta's parade, with its bagpipers, dancers, clowns, kids, bands, antique cars, police units and other marchers, began in 1858. It begins at noon at Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill Boulevard and ends at Underground Atlanta.
Q: When does the season start for the Gwinnett Braves? What special events are planned during the season?
A: The Braves won't play ball at Coolray Field until April 7, but you can see the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on March 9. The Gwinnett Braves are promoting a new campaign called "More than a Game," and it seems that no pop culture icon – from "Glee" to Harry Potter to Prince Williams' royal nuptials -- will go ignored with special nights and expos at the Lawrenceville ballpark. Gleeks and muggles will be part of the crowd during theme nights related to the popular Fox TV show and "Harry Potter" books and films. There will be more than peanuts and Cracker Jacks offered on kids-eat-free nights (one Monday a month), fireworks (on Friday night games starting April 15) and the chance for kids to run the bases (on Sundays). The other "kids" in your family – dogs – also can come to the park on the fist Sunday home game of every month. Those are some brave groundskeepers.
What do you want to know?
If you’re new in town or just have questions about this special place we call home, ask us! E-mail Lori Johnston at q&a@ajc.com.
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