Sara Cheshire

Atlanta Trivia Scene

2010-02-24T21:36:00Z

More so than some other cities, you can test your smarts at team trivia nights at various restaurants all over the city. Prizes are usually restaurant/bar cash credit or a round of beers and can be a fun way to pass the time.

This Thursday there is a chance to win extra goodies with a special trivia and food event. TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE is being hosted by Athenos with help from Cindy Simmons at STAR 94, on Feb. 25 at the Cellar 56. The grand prize is a vacation for two to South Beach. Not too shabby.

To RSVP for this FREE event: REGISTER at www.Facebook.com/Athenos or http://www.epkzone.com/athenos2T1LRSVP/atlanta.html.

You can also check out the schedule of regular team trivia events in Atlanta by visiting teamtrivia.com. Yelp has some reviews of trivia venues. The Local, Smithe's Old Bar and Hand in Hand are some local favorites, with Joe's on Juniper having adult-style questions, or for Simpsons fans, you can check out the Simpsons trivia night at Mellow Mushroom in Midtown.on Mondays.

Atlanta Growth and You

2010-02-07T04:16:00Z

I was driving around the city today listening to the song on a cassette tape I had recorded when I was 11. "Love Shack" came on, which I found ironic. Then, at age 11, the term "Atlanta highway" sung by a band out of Athens, Ga., meant nothing. If you would have told me that I would be one day living in Atlanta I wouldn't have believed you.

It seems I am not the only one who didn't expect to end up in Atlanta. According to the City of Atlanta's Web site, "the metro population has grown in the past decade by nearly 40%." Indeed, CNN Money ranks Atlanta as #1 the as fastest growing city from 2000 to the present.

What does that growth mean for you or for someone looking to move here? Well, for one, the lack of development restricitons has meant clear cutting in suburban forests and potential for growth beyond what the city's resources can handle. Luckily we are out of drought, but water has been a concern for the city, especially with the Tri-State Water Wars that have had Georgia, Florida and Alabama fighting over area water resources. Supposedly we have been drawing water illegally from Lake Lanier, which we can no longer do, and this session of the Georgia Assembly will start figuring out how to keep the city operating with less water (see Creative Loafing's 2010 General Assembly issue summary).

The other long-standing issue related to growth has been traffic. Luckily living and working in certain places can make your traffic woes smaller along with using MARTA. But MARTA has been struggling to stay afloat financially for years because it lacks state funding. And the continuous lack of policy or efforts to get more funding for transit has caused Atlanta to lag behind other comparable metropolitan areas for public transportation. Transit does help take cars off the road, cars that are also polluting the air as well as ticking you off in traffic. We were lucky that the summer of 2009 was cooler and had more rain, which meant our number of unhealthy air days was greatly reduced as compared to previous years, but we can't always rely on the weather to ease smog.

So again, ironic that the B-52s were singing about the "Atlanta highway" on the edge of the population boom and the upcoming traffic difficulties that didn't exit back in 1989. So next time you hear "Love Shack", maybe think of giving up more love to the city, and watch your water use and be kinder to MARTA.

For more information, see:

Cold Weather Activities in Atlanta

2010-01-13T02:20:00Z

I don't know about you, but I am glad that Atlanta's temperature is actually above freezing after the recent ice and arctic blasts. I find myself lucky to be here, and not in Canada. If I'm waking up to 20 degree weather, I hate to think what it is there. Luckily, the long underwear and scarves are needed only a few weeks of the year in Atlanta, but for those colder days, here are some ideas of things to do:

Go running. Or biking. Or indoor rock climbing. The Atlanta Track Club and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition both offer runs and bike rides throughout the winter, or see Atlanta Rocks or Wall Crawler for indoor climbing.
Hit up one of the museums - the High Museum of Art (free the first Saturday each month to Fulton County residents), Georgia Aquarium, Fernbank (where you can also catch an IMAX movie)
Warm up at live music spots (Eddie's Attic, Star Bar, Highland Inn Ballroom, 10 High, Five Spot, The Earl, Tabernacle, Blind Willies, Northside Tavern, etc.)
Rent a movie. Of course there is Blockbuster, but you can get more unique movies at Movies Worth Seeing or Videodrome. The High also offers artsy films and the Midtown Arts Cinema sells wine/beer and Fork and Screen in Buckhead offers food for some alternative movie-going experiences.
Go ice skating at Centennial Olympic Park until Jan. 31
Bundle up and enjoy fake snow and sledding at Stone Mountain (a.k.a. Snow Mountain)
Join a gym. L.A. Fitness and I believe the Colony Square Athletic Club offer the cheapest rates
Go dancing or learn how to dance. For swing, see the Atlanta Swing Era Dance Association, for salsa, visit salsa listings on the Georgia Tech site. Tango and ballroom are alive and well too -- just do a Google search for more information. Major studios in the area include Dance 411, Take Hold Ballroom and Academy Ballroom
Go to a show or sports event at Philips Arena, Georgia Dome, Cobb Energy Arts Centre or Fox Theatre

New to Atlanta? How to Get Involved

2009-11-15T02:38:00Z

It can be hard relocating to a new place, and Atlanta has its share of people from around the country.

So what do you do to get involved and meet people?

Check Access Atlanta, Creative Loafing and Atlanta.net for event listings. Access Atlanta also has a weekly email of top bets for the weekend.
For those up for last minute ideas, Creative Loafing offers their picks of the top 5 things to do daily.
With the mild climate, outdoor activities can be done most year round. There are regular groups who jog, bike and skate, with organized tennis, kickball, soccer leagues and more along with lots of 5ks at various festivals. Check the Atlanta Track Club, active.com, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, GOKickball or do an online search for your favorite sport. Tennis courts are throughout the city, some free, for playing as well, and sports fields at Grant Park and Piedmont Park can be rented.
If you like watching sports, there are some good local bars where you might come across other big fans - Taco Mac, Stats, Brewhouse to name a few.
Volunteering is another way to meet people. Hands on Atlanta is a large central charity information group, and many environmental projects are available as well -- check out Earth Share of Georgia and Idealist.org for more event and volunteer ideas. Some larger organizations with regular volunteer opportunities include Piedmont Park, Trees Atlanta, Woodruff Arts Center, and the Fox Theatre.
Politically, there are open neighborhood and planning meetings, Young Republicans and Young Democrats to get you started. Most neighborhoods have associations as well.
Local mainstream radio stations often host and run events, so listen to the radio or check out some of the local stations online such as Star 94, 92.9 Dave FM and Kiss 104.1
The alternative and local arts scene is alive and well. Wonderroot connects several art communities and regular shows/events are at Eyedrum. Many restaurants and neighborhoods have art strolls (such as Castleberry Hill) and art openings (such as Young Blood Gallery) on regular basis. Or if you play an instrument, there are several community orchestras, bands and choirs.
If you like food and writing, you can write/read reviews on Yelp.com and attend some of their meetups and recommended events. Wine and beer tastings occur all over the city too and live music and drinking at the Sweetwater Brewery.
The literary-minded have options for poetry and spoken word jams and readings. See the Apache Cafe', Atlanta Writer's Club or Poetry Atlanta.
There are plenty of places to social dance and take classes, which can provide a large community of people to meet. Check out the Atlanta Swing Era Dance Association and Georgia Tech has a fairly inclusive salsa dance guide. Tango and contradance have good followings as well.
Taking classes or getting more professional development is another way to meet people. Callanwalde and Emory Center for Lifelong Learning have adult classes, and several language institutes are around the city such as the Goethe Center and the French Cultural Center have classes and events.
Or go to meetup.com for hobby groups in just about all other areas that are not listed here

Is Atlanta walkable?

2009-10-09T21:51:00Z

Most people would be quick to tell you that Atlanta is not a walkable city. It is a car city. It likes driving fast on the interstate and big parking lots and sprawled suburbs. Yes, it can be very centered on the car, but Atlanta can be more walkable than most people realize.

In a study that came out in December 2007, Atlanta ranked 14th out of 30 large metropolitan cities for walkability. Areas that topped the list of walkable hots spots included Atlantic Station, Midtown, Decatur and Buckhead. Another study cited Five Points, Poncey Highlands, Inman Park and Midtown as some of the most walkable areas (see the full Atlanta neighborhood walkability list) and I would agree. As someone who lived in Atlanta without a car, I can attest that you can in fact live without a car, and that areas such as Virginia Highland and those mentioned above do make living in Atlanta without a car feasible. You can also type in your address to get a specific Walk Score and see how you compare with other residents in the city.

For information, check out the Top 5 Most Walkable MARTA stations

The Atlanta Flood

2009-09-24T16:23:00Z

Atlanta has been all over the news lately regarding our weather woes. Most of us are now thrilled that it is no longer raining. For over two weeks there was overcast and rainy weather that led to flooding, primarily around Nancy Creek, Sweetwater Creek and the Chattahooche River.

Though, for some of us, we haven't really seen much. For those that live in the metro area, not much visible flooding occurred, other than some wet basements and sitting water in low areas. The city of Atlanta is located on a ridge south of the Chattahoochee, keeping us a little dryer. Well, there was the flooding of the I-75/I-85 downtown connector that most of us never thought we'd see or would ever expect to see. And the Krog Tunnel near downtown was fit for canoeing during the worst of the disaster, though the restaurant Canoe, which I had been meaning to visit, was nearly entirely underwater from its location on the banks of the river near Buckhead.

There have been sanitary water concerns due to a water treatment plant failing. Sewage has been mixing with the Chattahoochee, making clean-up more dangerous. As Creative Loafing put it, don't let you kids play in the flood waters.

I do feel sad for the families who lost entire homes, and I can't imagine the state of the Chattahoochee once the river goes down. I imagine there will be a lot of debris and trash. Hopefully there will be some organized river clean ups. Appropriately, Rivers Alive with the Sierra Club had previously scheduled a partial river clean-up this coming Saturday at Life University.

In better news, the reservoirs have been refilling after the long drought. In the past week, Lake Lanier actually rose about three feet and Lake Allatoona a whooping eleven feet. Otherwise, besides lingering dampness and humidity, we seem to be moving on. See this article for ways you can volunteer to help flood victims. Or if you are looking to move or build a home, make sure you consult the City of Atlanta's Watershed Protection to make sure you aren't in a flood plain and learn how to get flood insurance.

Local Radio Station Bashes Intown Living

2009-09-02T02:01:00Z

I was slightly offended this morning when the male morning talk show host, on what I believe was Star 94, go off on a caller. The caller happened to live in my intown neighborhood, and the host asked her, "Why would you want to live in a crime zone?!"

The ability to walk to the store or to schools was lost on him, but I was a bit taken aback by his lack of interest and confidence in living in the city, which overall I don't believe really portrays Atlanta well, nor is sending the best message to listeners. Plus, the suburbs have not been immune from break-ins and crime.

The ironic part of hearing this talk show this morning was that just yesterday I was really experiencing the best of what intown has to offer. Sure, I have had my moments of being fearful and frustrated, but when the city works, it works.

For instance, I love the fact that if I'm hungry at 10pm, I can walk a block to the local pub and get food. Yesterday I ran into my landlord there. On the walk back I see a girl on a bike and a couple walking their dog. This morning I had a sidewalk walker totally witness the dropping of my cell phone and my cursing while on my driveway. I didn't realize someone else was around until I looked up and exchanged a humorous look with the passerby. I'm not sure you can be as entertained in the suburbs, but I suppose that depends on your humor.

And other mornings I might run into my neighbor as I head to the train and say hello. And that is a big part of living intown -- at least for me, I run into people I know wherever I go - the park, the store, a restaurant. Plus, with the ability to walk or bike it makes life feel more simple, like being a child again with the neighborhood at your feet. On its best days, intown living seems like a large playground or college campus. It is especially nice when you have friends that live within a 10-minute commute, making it seem that much more communal. My suburban friend even commented on how much more lively things were, and nice to see people out after dark at local non-chain restaurants or getting artsy at theaters or music clubs.

Surely there are better places to be intown than others, and perhaps the radio host didn't really take into account that Atlanta is a big city, and crime comes with that. So you just be a little more cautious and keep your car doors and home doors locked. The other issue too is that this radio host grouped all the intown neighborhoods as if they were all the same. Neighborhoods change quickly in the city and all have very different crime levels and characteristics. I would not live in Grant Park or Old Fourth Ward, examples he cited, yet I live intown. I am here because of the community, of knowing the people around me, and because even if I am alone, I can walk out the door and come across people and activities and be connected to the city or even a stranger, witnessing my early morning foibles.

Green Concert Supports Piedmont Park Expansion

2009-08-14T04:17:00Z

Talk about a community event - Paul McCartney performs this Saturday in Piedmont Park. Not only is this a big concert in its own right, but the proceeds help support a 53-acre expansion of Piedmont Park. And it isn't everyday you have a former Beatle playing in your back yard, literally for some who live in the surrounding area. Be advised too that part of 10th Street is already closed and all of it near the park may be closed Saturday. Plus, all lanes of the Southbound Connector, with the exception of the HOV lane, will be closed Saturday.

This concert is the second green concert, with Dave Matthew having performed in the park two years ago. The green concert means that there will be no parking and concert-goers are asked to do an alternative commute - walk, bike or take MARTA (see MARTA directions and updates on getting to the Green Concert). I'm thrilled that there may be many new riders exploring the transit system, which while not perfect, does work well in certain cases, especially for getting to the airport or an event in midtown or downtown.

So what is the expansion that the park conservancy is hoping to implement with funds from this mega concert? Park space will be developed north of the dog park heading up near Ansley Mall and up and around the Atlanta Botanical Garden. A skate park and basketball courts are on the master plan along with creek restoration, a community garden, a carousel and more (see the park expansion PDF plan).

Currently plenty of events are hosted in the park and you can find everything from comedy improv, concerts, festivals, tango, a green market, community kickball leagues and even a drum circle. The Piedmont Park Conservancy, along with other area non-profits, is a great place to become a member and support this great city resource. And, one membership perk would have been an early option to sign up to volunteer for the Green Concert and see McCartney for free.

Why live in Atlanta?

2009-08-13T03:33:00Z

During the first year I lived in Atlanta I was waiting on a MARTA train and the man next to me recognized a friend of his on the platform. They shouted a conversation to each other, and I still remember their parting words, "Atlanta sucks you in. Hard to leave once you're here."

I admit, I never thought I'd be here this long. Sure, it has its issues and quirkiness, but recently I really had the chance to step back and appreciate some of the perks of living here.

Mild, often sunny winters
Maybe two scenic snow falls and no shoveling of anything
A beautiful spring season (especially if you don't have allergies)
Giant trees
Lots of young people and trendy/edgy/fun places to hang out
Diversity that isn't overwhelming (one perk of sprawl)
Relatively affordable housing as compared to other large cities
Diverse employers and work opportunities
Good and plentiful restaurants that aren't chains
Lots of patio dining
Airport with competitive prices and direct flights to just about anywhere in the world
At least there is a train
Many options for driveable weekend trips to the mountains or to the Atlantic or Gulf coast
Piedmont Park - who else is lucky enough to have someone like Paul McCartney perform in their backyard?

Atlanta on the Cheap

2009-07-31T14:27:00Z

I recently discovered Atlanta on the Cheap - a Web site full of deals and discounts around the city. I know many people are being more frugal right now, but generally, there have always been fun things to do that don't have to cost much. And if you are looking to be thrifty with date ideas - here you go. Groupon and Atlanta Half-Off are other sites that allow you to get gift certificates and deals for various concerts, restaurants, spas and more.

Speaking of cheap, this Saturday, and all first Saturdays of the month, the High Museum is free to Fulton County residents. There is also free live music at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park every Sunday evening in the summer as part of Unplugged in the Park -- just to give you a couple other ideas.

Happy freebie-ing!

Who is going to be the next Atlanta Mayor?

2009-07-14T13:30:00Z

For those out of the loop, this year we will vote on a new mayor as Shirley Franklin ends her term. The big four candidates are Lisa Borders, Kasim Reed, Mary Norwood and Jesse Spikes. If you want to get a head start on getting informed, this weekend Campaign for Atlanta will host the first mayoral forum where candidates will talk about their platforms.

Here is what you need to know:

July 18 Saturday Forum #1 - Basic Services - Public Safety & Competent Bureaucracy
3:00pm to 4:15pm Lisa Borders
break
5:00pm to 6:15pm Kasim Reed
July 19 Sunday Forum #1 - Basic Services - Public Safety & Competent Bureaucracy
3:00pm to 4:15pm Mary Norwood
break
5:00pm to 6:15pm Jesse Spikes
August 15 Saturday Forum #2 - Solvency
3:00pm to 4:15pm Lisa Borders
break
5:00pm to 6:15pm Kasim Reed
August 16th Sunday Forum #2 - Solvency
3:00pm to 4:15pm Mary Norwood
break
5:00pm to 4:15pm Jesse Spikes
All Forums will be held in the Cyprus Room at the Carter Center (453 Freedom Parkway, NE. Atlanta, GA 30307)

You must register for the mayoral candidate forums online and be seated 15 minutes prior to the start time.

The AJC also put together some information on who is supporting/giving money to the candidates, if that also provides some insight on who the big business and activist leaders support.

Somewhat related, City Council also has six seats up for grab - see the city council candidates here courtesy of Creative Loafing. I will be posting a city government 101 piece soon, so stay tuned if you have no clue what so ever what these people do. Voting takes place on Tuesday, November 3 for all races.

July 4th in Atlanta

2009-06-30T13:46:00Z

I typically like to take advantage of the long weekend to get out of the city for the 4th, but, if you are staying in town, here is a good list of firework shows in Atlanta and Creative Loafing has an awesome full list of Atlanta 4th of July events that may or may not include fireworks.

I personally have only been to Centennial Park and downtown Decatur for fireworks. Decatur is nice...low-key and family-friendly. Centennial offers a neat perspective of the fireworks reflected off the buildings downtown and the water in the park. I hear Lenox offers a big show. For all these events I'd recommend taking the train, as they are very accessible to MARTA and means you don't have to worry about parking and trying to fight traffic getting home. Decatur has a station, Lenox has a station, and there are two ways to get Centennial Park on MARTA.

More off the beaten path ideas include Reclaim Independence Day Block Party at the Five Spot for punk, indie, rock and soul music or the Buckhead Beach Party, which has a free shuttle to the Lenox fireworks show. If you don't know someone who has a rooftop deck for firework viewing, you can also pay for your own sky view by getting a hotel room downtown or in Buckhead, or even doing the Sun Dial downtown in the Westin Hotel. They have several firework-watching packages from the top of the hotel:

Level 71
• menu price $69 p/p
• reservations available 5:30-10:45 p.m.
• half off for children 6-12
children 5 and under - free
• credit card required to hold reservation
• parking validation only 3 hours and
only upon availability in hotel
• access to lounge upon availability

Level 72
• $45 ticket price includes food + non
alcoholic beverages (iced tea, lemonade
& soda)
• event is from 7-10p.m.
• tickets can only be purchased at
www.ticketalternative.com and not at
the door
• validation only 3 hours and only upon
availability
• access to lounge with $10 up-charge and
based on availability (able to choose
lounge access when purchasing tickets on-
line or when they arrive that evening)

Level 73
• cover charge beginning at 5:00pm--$30.00
p/p includes 1 alcoholic beverage
• half off for children 6-12 and free 5
and under
• limited food menu
• no validation for parking

Supposedly STATS Restaurant downtown also has a rooftop deck with a great view and the $10 entry includes an appetizer buffet.

Other ideas include watching and cheering on the Peachtree Road Race runners. They end up at Piedmont Park at 10th and Charles Allen this year. Getting breakfast at TAP on Peachtree (opens at 6:30am on race day) or at the Flying Biscuit in midtown or the neighboring restaurants can be a festive way to start the day. If you are running or wanting to watch, here are the MARTA directions for the Peachtree Road Race.

Top 5 Atlanta Festivals

2009-06-10T00:37:00Z

I've found that your perspective of the city changes the longer you are here. In the early days I did all the major touristy things. Now, seven years later, I like digging out a more unique and earthy side to Atlanta, and it doesn't include the Dogwood Festival or the Laser Light Show.

With that said, here is my current list of top 5 festivals, and meanwhile, if you are looking for something to do this weekend, check out Reynoldstown 14th Annual Wheelbarrow Festival...a little off the beaten path.

Inman Park Festival - April
The Inman Park Festival is HUGE. Blocks and blocks of arts, several music stages and a crazy parade. Being in a cool, historic, tree-lined neighborhood doesn't hurt either.
Grant Park Festival - August
This festival is super mellow. Even if it might be hot as heck, the festival isn't crowded and is sprawled throughout wooded Grant Park. There is plenty of room to play frisbee, basketball or tennis...or do the Corks and Forks wine and food tasting. The park also has a pool and the zoo, so lots of options for a slow summer day.
Chomp and Stomp - November
You can't beat paying $5 for all you can eat chili from local restaurants and local residents. Festival goers can vote on their favorite restaurant chili and you can even purchase your own booth if you want to share the chili love. The event usually has some really awesome bluegrass music as well.
BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass - August
I had a blast at this festival last year. The blues was awesome, the BBQ was awesome. Held in Oakhurst, it is a very laid-back, neighborhood gathering.
Reader's Pick
Ok, so I haven't yet been to all the festivals, but other festivals that draw a crowd that might also find a niche with you include: the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Decatur Beer Festival, Corndogorama and the famous Little 5 Points Halloween Festival.

Taking MARTA to Atlanta Events

2009-06-04T05:43:00Z

You might have noticed my fascination with writing blog posts on public transportation. I'm in it most days for one, but for some time I've been working on an Atlanta MARTA guide book. Things are on a roll again and hope to be finishing the book this year and have it available for sale. In the meantime I've built a companion Web site for some quick tips and timely information on current events in the city and how to get there on MARTA. The book will provide a little more detail and cover other topics, but the web site offers a great way to write a quick note and piece of advice to make things easier.

Upcoming Atlanta events this week include Screen on the Green (Dreamgirls), Thursday in Centennial Park, and the Virginia Highlands Summerfest on Saturday and Sunday. Both are great opportunities to hop on the train. The Summerfest makes my list of top 5 festivals (will post a blog about this soon) and it usually is a fun time. Here are the directions on how you can get to Virginia Highlands Summerfest on MARTA and party all you like or just avoid traffic and parking. Be sure to visit the web site again for updated information and directions to your other favorite spots.

Exploring Atlanta's Pools and other Unusual Summer Fun

2009-05-27T02:53:00Z

For those who dig public pools in the city, the exciting news of the season is the new pool renovation at Piedmont Park. I walked by it before it was open and it looked phenomenal...both the pool and renovated bath house. The Grant Park pool is also surprisingly a great spot. It has a separate children's pool and a large adult area. The strapped down lounge chairs do remind you that you are in the city, but none the less, it is only $4 and you have the trees, sports facilities and animals of neighboring Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta.

I can't comment on the Candler Park pool, but it is another local spot along with the Martin Luther King Center pool, but that one is all indoors. Access Atlanta was nice and complied a complete public pool listing in and around the city if you want more options.

Of course, there are plenty of condos and apartments with pools if that is your crowd. It just can be nice to mingle with the community outside of those settings. You can always "Shoot the Hooch" as well - tube/raft/kayak/canoe down the Chattahoochee, which definitely puts you more directly in touch with city.

My other pick would be to check out some of the local hotel pools. The historic Georgian Terrace Hotel has a rooftop pool...plus it offers Midtown nightlife and the Fox Theatre right outside the door, so you can book a room, have a pool with a view and plenty to do. Atlanta.net actually has a great listing of local hotel deals and packages that include local attractions. The hip W Hotels even offer a 20% discount to locals (plus see the picture above for their swanky 16th floor pool at the downtown location).

Don't forget, whether you are chilling at the public pool or crashing a local hotel pool, make a stop at the downtown Hilton's tiki bar Trader Vic's to add to that exotic, tropical vacation vibe. I also wouldn't miss a Braves Game, or at least catch a drink or dinner on the patio at Six Feet Under midtown (the Georgia fried catfish is pretty tasty) where there is an amazing skyline view where you can also see fireworks from the baseball game if it is a winning night.