I Saw It On Ponce

Pimp My Hay-Ride

2007-10-29T06:22:00.000-05:00

Like many of the scenes on Ponce, I'm not quite sure what exactly is going on here (and I'm not sure that I want to)--but I caught a glimpse of this fella "directing" the grounds crew at the Druid Hills Baptist Church, just across from Publix and the Majestic Diner.

The Great Pumpkin

2007-10-25T12:21:00.000-05:00

With Halloween just under a week away, we should all be reminded to run out today and grab some candy and good carving pumpkins to wow (and spook) those costume-clad kiddies (as if half of the things they've witnessed on Ponce, haven't numbed them already).

Swing by Whole Foods (home to these Jack-o-Lanterns to be) at 650 Ponce, Publix at 1001 Ponce, Dekalb Farmers Market at 3000 East Ponce, or Kroger at 725 Ponce tonight, punkin'.

Doughnut Hole

2007-10-19T07:06:00.000-05:00

The burnt out "N" in the Krispy Kreme sign was too good to pass up this morning (as were a couple of hot glazed- mmm, donuts!)

A Kodak Moment

2007-10-12T05:04:00.000-05:00

Did you know that back on May 19, 2001, Atlanta mayoral candidate Shirley Franklin's campaign headquarters opened at 300 Ponce de Leon Ave. The opening was tied to Franklin's 56th birthday celebration. She's come a long way baby.

And now we know who the real Mayor of Ponce is.

Raymond's World Famous Boiled Peanuts

2007-10-10T09:40:00.001-05:00

Here's a great shot of the Raymond's World Famous Boiled Peanuts fruit stand on Ponce (and Moreland) submitted by ISIOP friend, Dennis W. You can find other great pics from Dennis on his Flickr site.

Mmmm...boiled peanuts, brings me back to a simpler time...and begs the question: "Do you eat the shell of a boiled peanut or not?"

These are a few of my favorite things...

2007-10-08T09:27:00.000-05:00

So I have two new favorite Atlanta-based blogs to add to the ISIOP links today...they're both equally fun and decidedly different, but each is "oh so Ponce".

First, Straight from the A, which features local gossip and classic videos from Alexyss K. Tylor (you know, the "penis/vagina power lady"):

And then there is In Decatur, which does a great job of documenting the past, present and future of my beloved Decatur (and other Dekalb goings ons). There was a great post this weekend on McConnell's Five and Dime.

Waiting For #2

2007-10-04T06:42:00.000-05:00

Used Car Salesman

2007-10-03T05:53:00.001-05:00

OK, so I have seen a number of sales in my day: garage sales, yard sales, tag sales, estate sales, ...hell, even Soupy Sales, but never before had I seen a sale like this one. This enterprising young fellow in Clarkston has displayed all of his wares out onto every surface of his ride.

So I guess the old saying is true..."When life hands you Mercedes, make retail space"

I Want My Egg McMuffin!

2007-10-02T07:27:00.001-05:00

O.K., so I'm not a HUGE fast food person, but grabbing an Egg McMuffin on the way to work in the morning usually offers me the opportunity to not skip the most important meal of the day AND to hit snooze a couple extra times.

So, you can imagine my angst at the noticeable absence of the ever-popular Mickey D's on Ponce lately. There is some mystery construction going on that promises to be completed by October '07.

The next nearest McDonald's Atlanta locations, though only 4 miles away are WORLDS apart from my beloved Ponce.

1 2350 CHESHIRE BRIDGE ROAD
2 2210 N. DRUID HILLS ROAD
3 1105 NORTHSIDE DR
4 2929 PEACHTREE ROAD, N.E.

No Beers

2007-10-01T07:26:00.000-05:00

...as if (the law and) that measly little board could come between me and beer.

Get SMART

2007-09-28T02:35:00.000-05:00

We mentioned it back in June and the time has finally come...The SMART fortwo, a small car with a big urban solution, is coming to the streets of Atlanta and will make it's stop at Whole Foods on Ponce next weekend. The event is part of smart USA’s “street smart” road show, a national tour to introduce the car to the U.S. market.

The event will feature:
· Four fortwo vehicles for media and consumer test-drives on a closed course
· A mobile smart exhibit, with interactive displays and virtual safety demonstrations
· Safety display showing the tridion cell (reinforced steel cage), dual and side airbags, electronic stability program and more
· Opportunity for consumers to register as a smart “insider”

WHERE: Whole Foods, 650 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308
WHEN: Friday, October 5 – Sunday, October 7, 2007 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

First and Foremost

2007-09-27T08:57:00.000-05:00

The First Christian Church of Decatur (at 601 West Ponce) is an unmistakable fixture in Decatur and on Ponce and offers one of the best "picture postcards" around.

"Amen!" to that.

Can't Stop the Serenity This Weekend

2007-09-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

Can't Stop the Serenity is a screening of the 2005 movie Serenity (based on Joss Whedon's short-lived, but much loved series Firefly). Screenings are being held all over the globe and all proceeds benefit Whedon's favorite charity, Equality Now.

Atlanta's 2007 Goal: $3,000

Location: Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave
Date: Sunday, Sept 30
Time: 6PM (doors open at 5:30) for prize drawings, etc., movie starts at 7 PM

Purchase tickets here.

Book of the Month Club

2007-09-24T09:07:00.000-05:00

Ponce de Leon Park, 1888

Brannon and I encourage you to check out this new book called Peachtree Creek: A Natural and Unnatural History of Atlanta's Watershed (by David R. Kaufman).

It contains info and photos on the early days of Ponce de Leon Ave., the natural springs (now buried under City Hall East) and Ponce de Leon Park (that was along the lines of Coney Island, back in the day).

Wiggin' Out

2007-09-18T10:52:00.001-05:00

This "road kill" was found along Ponce, across from the Yaarab Shrine. Question is... Is it a wig or one helluva mess of extensions?

What's the Rosh, Hashanah?

2007-09-17T15:19:00.000-05:00

We love this pic of a "Jewish Super Dad" walking with his children to Synagogue this weekend. It was post-Rosh Hashanah (if I've got my dates right), but the holiday only made it seem even more appropriate to post. Shalom, y'all!

Little People, Big World

2007-09-14T10:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a pic from George Mitchell's amazing book Ponce de Leon. This is Dennis Dinion, whom the book alleges is the actor who played the mayor of Munchkin Land in the Wizard of Oz (though that's not what IMDB tells me). Regardless, Dennis is in drag for the Miss Star Lite Pageant that was held at the Star Lite Lounge back in the late 70s'/early 80's.

Does anyone remember where on Ponce the Star Lite Lounge was?

Going Both Ways

2007-09-14T10:01:00.000-05:00

MDM found these words of wisdom scribbled on a post near the public library on Ponce. I find this sound advice much more helpful than those damned pedestrian crosswalk signs (that are getting run over more and more every day, btw).

You Can Take It With You

2007-09-06T07:38:00.001-05:00

This guy carried this mattress a good mile or so down and across Ponce. It won't be long now before some enterprising call girl follows his lead. "Turtle Hookers of Ponce"- just you wait.

Air Apparent

2007-08-29T06:13:00.001-05:00

Somebody needs a hug this morning.

Top 10 List

2007-08-22T10:43:00.000-05:00

This week Atlanta City Councilwoman Mary Norwood announced the 10 worst bottleneck intersections in the city....drum roll please...

#10 Piedmont/Roswell at Habersham/Piedmont/Old Ivy
#9 Piedmont at Peachtree

#8 Monroe at Piedmont
#7 Marietta Bolton at Atlanta Road
#6 Howell Mill at Chattahoochee
#5 Haberham at West Paces
#4 Collier Road at Peachtree
#3 Collier Road at Howell Mill
#2 Cascade Road at I-285

...and the #1 bottleneck intersection in the city is...

#1 Briarcliff at Ponce de Leon
(probably thanks to our buddy Willy Terry)

*(n = 1000, for all you nerdy types)

Good Friday Mass

2007-08-21T06:48:00.000-05:00

The last Friday of the month Critical Mass meets at Woodruff Park downtown and rides the streets of Atlanta (the route is always "creative" but more often than not, proceeds down/up Ponce) to increase bicycle visibility and to create a stronger community that promotes alternative transportation.

The next one is set for Friday, August 31, 2007, 6:30 PM.

Thanks MDM!

Random...

2007-08-18T18:58:00.001-05:00

...act of freakiness

Toldja So...

2007-08-17T21:42:00.000-05:00

ISIOP called it back in April (and, technically, that's a Poncey High address and was most recently a Storehouse Furniture store, Lisa)

"Urban Outfitters is opening its second Atlanta location, in a well-known Virginia-Highland store.

Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters Inc. (Nasdaq: URBN), which sells trendy men's and women's apparel, accessories and footwear, is taking the 14,000-square-foot space at Ponce de Leon and North Highland avenues at the former MarketOne gourmet food site."

Atlanta Business Chronicle - August 17, 2007
Lisa R. Schoolcraft

Kiss 'n Ride

2007-08-17T08:03:00.001-05:00

Some amorous "commuters" on Ponce this morning.