odds and ends Archives

Dekalb County Sheriff’s Fundraiser – November 18, 2011 – Tin Roof Cantina

November 16, 2011 by Thom Abbott

I don’t know about you, but I certainly have very high admiration for someone who is willing to get up every day and put their life in danger so that I may NOT be in danger. That takes some serious @*#*@! I know I could not do it.

So, to know there is some small part I can do to make that job easier is a cool thing to me. Sadly, if we did not have so much government waste, we could probably pay for equipment like this.

But so be it. This Friday, drop by the Tin Roof Cantina (just off of Druid Hills Road at 2591 Briarcliff Road) and join in this event to raise money and purchase additional bullet-proof vests for officers.

Starts at 5pm. Hey, you know how bad Friday rush hour can be!!! Just swing in here and hang out for a while. Of course, be responsible when you drink and drive!

How Much Space Do You REALLY Need?

November 14, 2011 by Thom Abbott

We are already starting to see changes in building trends. But, we ARE still building big homes. Sure, if you have 3-5 kids, relatives visiting all the time, etc. you need some space. But, in the United States, we have a tendancy to think big and that we need all this space.

But do we really? If designed properly, how much space COULD you live in? The smallest condo I’ve seen in Midtown Atlanta happens to be one I use to own. At 606 sq. ft. most people found the space way to small to live in. Of course, it was not my full-time home, so I had room in my house to keep my “stuff.” But, along with the size of the house, there IS all that stuff? Do we really need it?

Could you live in 258 square feet? Maybe, if designed right. I know my 606 square feet were certainly not designed to best use of space, but had I lived there full time, I had already discovered ideas of ways I could of made the space work for me.

But, here IS what you can do with 258 square feet!

Dennis Quaid Lists Montana Ranch For Sale at $14M

October 24, 2011 by Thom Abbott

It seems that actor Dennis Quaid has taken a liking to surfing, and would rather have a ranch in Hawaii than in Montana. (Yes there ARE ranches in Hawaii!) So, he has listed his Montana spread for a cool $14,000,000. That’s some cattle for you!

Seriously, my Montana property is located North of Quaid’s ranch in the ever pristine Paradise Valley, which runs from the small town of Livingston, South to Gardiner and the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The wide valley is home to many famous Hollywood types, including Jeff and Susan Bridges. (Their ranch actually borders my land!) Home Depot Founder and Atlanta Falcon’s owner Arthur Blank owns a huge rance there as well.

Dennis Quaid Montana Ranch Listed by Glaicer Sotheby’s International, the ranch consists of 418 acres with the main home of 5,200 sq. ft was desigend by Frank Cikan and was featured in Architectural Digest in 2003. It overlooks Six Mile Creek and the Absaroka Mountain Range. There area also 4 additional “guest houses” (bigger than what most of us live in!) a ranch manager’s home and various barns and corrals for horses.

Home to the “Hollywood Legends” Warren Oates, Sam Peckinpah and Dennis Quaid, for over 30 years, the ranch borders the Gallatin National Forest.

The ranch is located about 10 minutes from Historic Chico Hot Springs Resort and Spa with its aclaimed Chico Dining Room and about 30 minutes from the aforementioned Livingston. Bozeman’s Gallatin Field is located less that 2 hours drive, and is served by Delta , Frontier, and United Air Lines. The airport even has garages for rent to store your Suburban (a MUST have and the Montana vehicle of choice) so you can get to and from the airport.

Atlantans who wonder who Dennis Quaid is will be able to see him in the upcoming film, What to Expect When You Are Expecting which just wrapped filming in Atlanta and also stars Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez.

Here are a couple photographs of the ranch, compliments of Glaicer Sotheby’s International.

Dennis Quaid Montana Ranch Kitchen — Kitchen in the Main House

Dennis Quaid Montana Ranch Views — Now, THAT'S a View!

If you think you might like some Western living, give me a call at 770.713.1505 or contact me, and I’ll be happy to tell you more about life in Montana!

Zombie Apocalypse? Atlanta Says Bring It On

October 20, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Zombie Apocalypse Atlanta As a blogger, I’m NEVER, repeat, NEVER at a loss for topics. Sure, I’m a real estate broker and you want real estate information and or listings, right? But, it’s important to KNOW about where you want to live, not just about WHAT you want to live in.

One of my long list of topics is the exploding “Hollywood Goes Atlanta and Georgia” topic. Movies are happening everywhere here. Why? Well, a number of reasons, but let’s just say that we have some cheap labor. (I’ll write about that in a later post.)

But, the country is taking note of Atlanta….Zombie’s and all! The Walking Dead is filmed South of Atlanta and just started its second season. (The first season was filmed more in Atlanta proper and used the old Bell Quarry just west of Downtown as a main scene.)

Atlanta’s zombies have even made it to the New York Times, so I’ll let you read even more about it.

Documentary on Atlanta Architect, Developer John Portman

October 19, 2011 by Thom Abbott

I think pretty much every major city in the U.S. can find at least one individual that made a remarkable difference on their city. It might be for taking the city from the brink of nothing to a cultural center, or from a sleepy cow town to a metropolis.

In Atlanta, one of the most notable people that had a profound impact on the development of Downtown Atlanta, and on architecture world wide, was John Portman.

Now, people will have an opportunity to learn more about this legendary architect and developer in a new documentary by two-time Emmy winning producer Ben Loeterman, titled, “John Portman: A Life of Building”. The film made its international film festival debut at Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (The Netherlands) October 8, followed by a repeat showing on October 9.

The documentary will make its United States film festival debut at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in New York October 21, with a second showing October 22. Additionally, the film has been selected for screenings at A Design Film Festival in Singapore in November 2011 and at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in Chicago in 2012. After that, I’m not sure where you may be able to see the film, but this trailer is certainly a GREAT teaser for what the film is like.

To give you an example of his “mark” on Downtown Atlanta, the picture has red dots on some of the buildings he designed and built.

Atlanta Georgia John Portman Buildings

Atlanta Haunted Houses

October 18, 2011 by Thom Abbott

Atlanta Haunted Houses 2011 Ah…tis the season. No wait! That holiday comes later. It’s time for ghosts and goblins and Atlanta Haunted Houses! Shreeeek!

Now, in all honesty, I’ve never been big on haunted houses. In fact, I don’t even do the costume thing. But, a good haunted house, well, that really DOES make for a Halloween!

If you are looking for a place to get your fright on, here’s a couple options.

Our first is an ADULT ONLY, NO ONE UNDER 21 ALLOWED option. Hmmmm.

Atlanta Chamber of Horrors, 695 North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308

Chambers of Horror is Atlanta’s first and only extreme adults-only, R-rated haunted house, a month-long horror attraction at the Masquerade music complex in Midtown Atlanta. I think the website says it all….

“THERE EXISTS A PLACE…
WHERE YOU CAN LIVE YOUR WILDEST DREAMS…
YOUR MOST DEVIANT FANTASIES…
YOUR SICKEST PLEASURES…
WHERE YOU CAN FEEL SOMETHING AGAIN…

If you go, will you be sure to come back here and post a comment about your experience…if you can!

Netherworld Haunted House, 6624 Dawson Blvd, Norcross, GA 30093

One of the most frequently asked questions on this site is “Is it scary?” They respond with a rather complicated answer. “Yes.”

Again, let me know if you make it back.

13 Stories Haunted House, 2975 Ring Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144

For many years, 13 Stories Haunted House has been striking fear in the hearts from all over. In 2011, their outside attraction has been revamped and is now called BIG TOP SECRET in 3D. (I can ONLY imagine!) The outside does not give a clue as to what the inside has in store for you.

Ok, just writing this post made my heart race. Again, if you visit any of these Atlanta Haunted Houses, please stop back here and give us a first hand account of your experience.

‘Cuz Lord knows I’m not going through one of these! I’ll stick to handing out candy to the kids!

13, was added outside our location to add extra value and thrills for our customers. In 2010 Maximum Evil was our second attraction and was a huge hit. But new for 2011, our outdoor attraction is being revamped and transformed into an all new attraction, something never before seen. The name of the attraction/project is called BIG TOP SECRET in 3D. The outside views of this haunt are very deceiving. You must experience Big Top Secret in 3D to know what goes on inside. You will not soon forget your experience insode Big Top Secret!

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