News Archives

Drop Dead Diva Begins Filming New Season

March 6, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Thom Abbott as Police Officer on Drop Dead Diva

“Drop Dead Diva,” the Lifetime drama series has begun work on their new season which will premiere this summer. The show films in Peachtree City and starts Margaret Cho along with Brooke Elliott, who plays the main character, Jane.

You might recall that last December, I posted that Margaret Cho had moved from uber-suburbiaville Peachtree City to Midtown Atlanta. The show will feature more “dancing dream” sequences with Paula Abdul, Wendy Williams and Margaret who competed on Dancing With The Stars.

I had the pleasure of working on this set numerous times last year, so Mr. Casting Director…I’m waiting for my call!!

Photo Courtesy of PopWrap/New York Post and Michelle Sisco

Atlanta Police To Discuss Redrawing Patrol Zones

March 1, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Police protection is something many of us probably take for granted. But probably because we have never had a specific need to call the police. But when you call you want them there, and you want them there quick.

Such is the reasoning for the Atlanta Police Department to hold a series of community meetings to discuss redrawing the boundaries of the 6 patrol zones to ensure the fastest response times and to maximize police resources, according to Police Chief George Turner.

There will continue to be six patrol zones. Twelve additional “beats” will be added within those zones. A beat is a geographic area to which one patrolling officer is assigned per shift. There currently are 66 beats in the city of Atlanta.

The public meeting for Zone 5 which includes Midtown, Atlantic Station, Ansley Park, Sherwood Forest, Home Park and a portion of West Midtown) will be held March 30 at the Atlanta Civic Center‘s Piedmont Room, 395
Piedmont Ave. at 7:00 p.m.

Residents should make a point of attending this public meeting to learn more about this proposal, how it will impact Midtown Atlanta and voice your opinions.

Here is a map of the current Zone 5:

Some Pretty Good Advice From Real Estate Expert John Adams

February 28, 2011 by Thom Abbott

As we all know, the housing market around the country and in Atlanta has taken a huge hit and we may not have hit rock bottom yet. Real estate markert expert John Adams had some advice for buyers and sellers.

Advice for Buyers:

1. Waiting is the wrong choice. Even if prices drop further (doubtful), we have already begun to see interest rates rise, and they won’t be dropping again for years. Lock in a fixed rate and a low price NOW.

Read the rest of the story at MyFox.com

Coca Cola Relocation to Midtown Atlanta

February 22, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Coca Cola World Headquarters Midtown Atlanta

“Things go better with Coke.” Remember that commercial campaign for the famous soft drink? Well, Midtown Atlanta will certainly be getting “better with Coke” as Coca Cola begins a transformation of their Midtown/North Avenue campus which will include the relocation of up to 600 employees.

The 35 acre campus, located just West of Midtown on North Avenue will be reinvigorated with a $90 million renovation of its 1.8 million sq. ft. campus, most famous for 1 Coca Cola Plaza, the tower with the logo on top. In a statement to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, spokeswoman Kerry Tressler stated, “The effort is part of reaching our goal of being a great place to work in our 2020Vision and to meet the needs of a high-performance workforce.”

Coca Cola Relocation to Midtown Atlanta

The relocation of employees and the renovations are part of the $13 billion acquisition of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.’s North American operations, which was done last October.

This project is great news for Midtown Atlanta! The Coca-Cola campus is convenient to numerous Midtown high-rise and single family homes. New higher paying jobs could certainly mean more buyers for the many condos available as well as shoppers and diners for Midtown’s retail and restaurant business.

As these individuals move to the new and improved Coke Campus, we will be ready to help them Search for their new Midtown Atlanta Home.

Food truck owners seek room to grow

February 21, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Advocates for Atlanta’s burgeoning street food scene say it has the potential to grow five to 10 times its current size and could become an economic driver that puts hundreds of local residents to work.

Enlarge photo

Johnny Crawford Jcrawford@ajc.com The Yumbii truck serves people in front of the Prominence building on Piedmont Road. The Atlanta Street Food Coalition is appealing for friendlier rules for the mobile businesses.

But to do so, they’ll need a friendlier permitting process, more favorable small business loans and regulations that open up areas in which to operate.

Read More of the AJC Article Here!

Note: I’ve yet to try this guy! It’s on my list for next month and I’ll do a follow up post. Have you been to the Yumbi Food Truck? Let us know!

Sidewalks In Midtown Atlanta

February 14, 2011 by Thom Abbott

You know what they are. You probably use them is some form or fashion at least once a day. Sidewalks.

A sidewalk is defined by Dictionary.com as, “ a walk, especially a paved one, at the side of a street or road.

So in an urban environment, you’ ve got them everywhere. And they require maintenance. But the $100 question is WHO is responsible for that maintenance.

Sidewalks In Midtown Atlanta

Well, in the City of Atlanta, YOU, the property owner to which that sidewalk abuts to are responsible for that maintenance. Yep. NOT the city of Atlanta, but YOU, the property owner. So, that might explain why some of Atlanta’s sidewalks, and especially in Historic Midtown, are in tough shape. You are probably going to spend $2000-3000 for something INSIDE your home, and not on the sidewalk in front of it!

If you have a sidewalk you traverse on a regular basis, but find it dangerous, say from tree roots or just a state of disrepair, you can contact the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works at 404-330-6240 or e-mail Commissioner Richard Mendoza at rmendoza@atlantaga.gov.

Additionally, Midtown Neighbors’ Association allocates a limited amount of money in the form of a matching grant to assist a homeowner who wants to repair their sidewalk. More information is available here.

Coca Cola Relocation to Midtown Atlanta

Sidewalks In Midtown Atlanta

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