Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Gableman changes his mind about that Rindfleisch appeal #JohnDoe #JohnDoeII #JohnDoe2
“A Wisconsin Supreme Court justice on Tuesday withdrew his unusual request asking for his colleagues on the state’s highest court to review its decision not to hear an appeal of a felony conviction from a former aide to Gov. Scott Walker.” – source Interesting. I feel loathe to speculate about this turn of events because more »
Mocktails: Lose the Booze with these 13 Creative Drinks
6/30/2015 11:27:11 AM
Many Atlanta restaurants have stepped up their game when it comes to creative "mocktails." Find one that suits you in our list.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Georgia Coffee Roasters
Why wait in line at Starbucks when there are dozens of incredibly delicious local coffee roasters sprinkled throughout the state? Next time you need that caffeine jolt, head to one of our favorite Georgia roasters: Batdorf & Bronson (Atlanta): Though … Continue reading
The post Georgia Coffee Roasters appeared first on Blog.Exploregeorgia.org.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anthropologie, Onward Reserve open at Ponce City Market (SLIDESHOW)
This week marked strong momentum for the retail component of Ponce City Market, with the first three stores now open in the main building.
New locations of hip boutique Anthropologie and men's store Onward Reserve launched on Friday. Check out the slideshow for a sneak peek.
Home furnishings store West Elm opened its doors on Thursday.
Expect a slew of stores such as J. Crew and restaurants including Jia to open through the fall.
Chick-fil-A eyes New York expansion
Start spreading the news... Chick-fil-A Inc. has expansion plans in New York.
Chick-fil-A is scouting locations in the Albany, N.Y., region.
"We are currently researching sites in the Albany market, but at this time we have no sites," said Brenda D. Morrow, spokeswoman for the chain based in suburban Atlanta. "A bit premature."
BuzzFeed also reported on Friday Chick-fil-A plans to expand in Manhattan.
In March, Atlanta Business Chronicle reported Chick-fil-A would open a three-level store at… 
Former Atlanta Falcon starts record label, wants to sign old teammate
Former Atlanta Falcon Asante Samuel recently founded Eighties Nation Records and has expressed interest in signing the Falcons’ strong safety William Moore, according to the team.
The now-retired Samuel, an 11-year pro and four-time Pro Bowler, said he formed the label as “a way to help people get out of our hood and give them jobs and a way to stay out of jail.”
The Falcons reported Moore’s “catalog includes ‘W.A.R. (WillyMo Always Ready),’ a track first released in 2012. That year,… 
The presidential clown car: Trump trumps Walker, Bernie’s coming to WI, Jill Stein is in, and More
TRUMP ON TOP A FOX poll puts Jeb at #1 and Trump at #2 in New Hampshire. Scott Walker is not in the top. This Politico article says that the numbers are too good to be true and quotes pollsters who say “Everybody should calm down“. Whatever the case, I’m still going to take pleasure more »
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Fort Mac board approves deal with Tyler Perry
A long-anticipated deal to sell producer and actor Tyler Perry a large portion of Fort McPherson in southwest Atlanta won final approval Friday.
The McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority (MILRA) signed off on the controversial agreement at a special board meeting.
Perry, who has been eying the site for the planned relocation of Tyler Perry Studios, will purchase 330 acres at the former Army base for $30 million.
MILRA will lead the redevelopment of the remaining 145 acres as the… 
Beautifully Designed Big Canoe Bungalow
The home at 80 Cherokee Point in Big Canoe, Georgia boasts both beautiful design and a rustic, natural mountain setting. The 1+/- acre wooded lot on which this home sits comes complete with its own bucolic bubbling brook running through the backyard. The beauty of the changing seasons will display in full bloom and color for your front row seat enjoyment.
80 Cherokee Point Big Canoe, Georgia 30143
Pulling into the driveway you will notice the convenience of a freestanding, forward facing, two-car garage and a parking pad should additional space become necessary. The traditional front porch of the home welcomes you in true southern fashion. Once inside you will realize that the bright and open home is even more spacious than it appears.
Living Room
The floor plan opens readily as soon as you enter the foyer. Beautiful hardwood floors beneath and a gorgeous tongue-and-groove cathedral ceiling stretches to encompass the great room as well, leading you into the home’s warm environs. Large windows not only allow a look out over the rear deck but also literally pull natural light from outside, further beautifying the hardwood floors. The centerpiece of the great room is the large stacked-stone fireplace with custom built-ins.
Kitchen
The casual dining area rests between the kitchen and great room, fitting perfectly into the flow of the floor plan. The kitchen features modern appliances, designer counters and custom cabinets as well as a small serving island. The main level of the home also contains a light-filled sun room with an octagonal tongue-and-groove ceiling.
Sunroom
The master suite enjoys a large and picturesque window which looks through a screened portion of the rear deck and out to the scenic vista beyond, as well as a private exit leading to the rear porch and deck. The master bathroom features a dual vanity and separate garden tub, glass and tile shower enclosure and a tasteful tongue-and-groove wall treatment.
Master Bedroom
The home contains three additional bedroom, as well as a terrace level den. The terrace level provides access to the rear of the property via an elevated and covered rear deck.
Screened Porch
Terrace Level
As a weekender or full-time residence, this oasis away from the everyday will be a welcome addition to your family. Whether you enjoy the full array of outdoor activities available to North Georgia residents or just prefer to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature far from the activity of the city, the home at 80 Cherokee Point in Big Canoe is the one for you.
Four Bedrooms, Three Full Bathrooms
Offered for $350,000
80 Cherokee Point
Big Canoe, Georgia 30143
Diana Montague, North Atlanta Office, REALTOR®
Diana Montague
404.630.3002
770.442.7300
dianamontague@atlantafinehomes.com
The post Beautifully Designed Big Canoe Bungalow appeared first on Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty.
Take a great weekend vacation -- in Atlanta
Looking for a great weekend vacation? Forbes says to look no further than Atlanta.
The magazine’s online edition has a series called “Great Urban Weekend Escapes.” Friday, it recommended Atlanta as just that.
“The food scene is exploding, the city is rediscovering its joy of outdoor recreation, and it couldn’t be any easier to get to with the busiest airport in the country,” Forbes says.
It praises the city’s museums, Civil Rights legacy and food scene. However, the article also… 
Friday, June 26, 2015
Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend, June 26, 27 and 28
6/25/2015 04:29:43 PM
This is the first full weekend of summer, and Atlanta is celebrating with live music, movies, musicals and shows all over the city. Here are some of our favorite picks to keep you entertained this weekend.
Hi-Rez Studios Adapts to the Changing Online Gaming World
Many people would not consider gaming a spectator sport, but with more online free-to-play games and the ability to view and stream gaming, it’s fast becoming just as much of a competitive pastime as any other sport. Founded in 2005 by co-founders Todd Harris, Stew Chisam, and Erez Goren as a passion project to “create exceptional online interactive entertainment,” Hi-Rez Studios is located in Alpharetta, Georgia with more than 170 employees. It is an independent game publisher backed by sole angel investor, Erez Goren.
High-Rez designs and publishes online free-to-play games that players can download at no initial cost. Money is made later from optional in-game purchases. The majority of the revenue for High-Rez comes from “players purchasing virtual items that are cosmetic for their in-game character,” explains Harris. The studio has released three games to date:
- Their debut title, Global Agenda, was released in February of 2010 as an award-winning game earning “Most Anticipated Game,” “Best Gameplay,” and “Game of Show” at the Game Developers Conference and E3 Expo.
- Tribes Ascend debuted in April of 2012 as a free to play game for PCs, earning over 1 million plays.
- Their newest game, Smite, released in March of 2014, has been played by more than 8 million people worldwide; a number that is expected to grow.
While the company’s first two titles were well-received, they weren’t successful financially generating only a combined $10 million according to 2013 article in an industry publication. Goren’s investment of $30 million not only got the company started but also kept it running through the publishing of its first two titles which together generated just $10 million. Financial success only came with Smite which generated the bulk of the $25 million in its most recent fiscal year.
So what has been the key to its current success? Two things: devotion to quality game development, and focus on game development designed for spectators as well as players. Described as a “phenomenon” by Harris, the online gaming world has become somewhat of a spectator sport where the games are not only popular to play but also to watch. In this way, Hi-Rez is capitalizing on this shift in the gaming world by making their games both functional and competitive.
Industry insiders like Andrew Greenberg, president of the Georgia Game Developers’ Association, who also served as a consultant for Hi-Rez’s first game, agree. Greenberg was quoted in a recent article in Atlanta Business Chronicle as giving the studio credit for taking time to “learn from their past games and grow effectively,” by making their games enjoyable and uniquely competitive so that people enjoy both playing and watching.
Smite’s player base continues to grow. According to Harris, “We are taking that game to new geographical markets as well as platforms, including Xbox One this summer. ”
Image credit: © Altostratus under CC BY-SA 3.0)
Quick Bites: Pallookaville Junior, David Sweeney pop-up, and more
Pallookaville owner Jim Stacy has filed plans with the city to open Pallookaville Junior, a takeout-only version of his Avondale Estates restaurant, What Now, Atlanta reports. Pallookaville Junior, whose menu will feature items like poutine, pimento cheese, corn dogs, salads, and sandwiches, will be located at 1147 Euclid Ave. N.E., adjacent to 7 Stage Theatre and Java Lords.…
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Getting the Most Out of Your TI Allowance
After renegotiating a new lease or even a renewal, tenants often come away with a tenant improvement (TI) allowance that enables them to update and customize their space. Many tenants need to stretch those dollars as far as possible to get the most bang for their buck. One way to do so is to find someone who can provide a package of services from a single source, rather than hiring individual contractors for each piece of the project.
Dornier MedTech Teams with Michael Rice, VP, Project Manager, Cresa Atlanta
When Dornier MedTech, a global medical equipment company, decided to use their tenant allowance to renovate and redesign their office space, the company turned to Cresa’s Michael Rice, LEED AP, IFMA, IIDA, NCIDQ, to maximize value by providing both project management and design services for the project. In his role, Rice provided Dornier MedTech with professional project management services from the initial discussion of the company’s vision and schematic concepts for their space through the methodical, step-by-step process of a total renovation.
Dornier’s existing footprint encompassed approximately 24,000 square feet of front-end office space, as well as an attached 11,000-square-foot warehouse. The project’s scope entailed a five-phase, design-build renovation of the occupied office space and related workplace amenities.
In the first step of the project, Dornier approved Rice’s selection of a contemporary design palette with upgraded finishes and specifications of replacement materials that complemented Dornier’s existing workstations and furnishings while also fitting well within the TI budget. Rice then worked in tandem with the selected general contractor, B.J. Gunter, to ensure that all steps of the project were executed with minimum disruption to Dornier’s staff while efficiently monitoring engineering and build-out components. Using a systematic process, Rice coordinated with Gunter’s construction manager and sub-contractor teams to replace all floor coverings and to provide wall finishes, updates to lighting fixtures, required HVAC improvements, and selected new furnishings. The team also refurbished 150 file and storage unit cabinets.
Result: A Fresh New Space with Unexpected Extras
Thanks to careful and efficient management of time and budget, the team’s efforts resulted in:
- A new reception area
- An updated presentation/conference room
- A new break room with adjoining staff lounge
- Enhancements to the staff patio area
- Focused technology and AV items for the training room areas
- Fully upgraded restrooms
- Enhanced corridors and circulation
The budget was managed so carefully that funds were left over to create a corporate art program featuring bold colors that accent the workplace, as well as a “history wall” featuring Dornier’s archival photos. Rice called on A-R-T & Associates, an art consulting firm, to develop the art program.
Additional highlights of the project include:
- New, collaborative, “community” meeting spots blended into the existing workplace
- Modular flooring solutions with new, patterned carpets under open-area workstations
- New, tailored-pattern broadloom carpet and vinyl flooring installed in meeting area
Dornier MedTech was extremely pleased with the results and greatly appreciated the fact that Cresa could provide the total package of needed services—from floors to walls to ceiling—for the project. When working under a tight TI budget, it’s important to make the most of your money—while still getting the results you want – and engaging an experienced project manager can actually save you money.
Blog contributed by Michael Rice, Vice President – Project Management, at Cresa Atlanta. With Michael’s background in architecture, interior design and project management and over 25 years of experience, he is an expert in assisting Cresa Atlanta’s clients in relocations, as well as conversion of existing office space. For more information, contact Michael at 404-446-1861 or mrice@cresa.com.
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