About Atlanta's Midtown

For those of us that live in "The Big City" there are all kinds of different issues or challenges we live with. Some are the same for those that live in a suburban neighborhood or smaller town, and some are very unique.

But one thing we can all agree on is, we would not have the peace of mind or a sense of security without the men in blue, our police and our firefighters! I for one could not run into a burning building, or chase after a criminal. (Ok, don't ever tempt me to chase you down....)

And sometimes a pretty thankless job! Recently, in Midtown Atlanta, Zone 5 (which covers the Midtown area, and especially the Peachtree Street Corridor) has changed how they patrol. They now have "beat cops" that actually walk the streets. They park their patrol car, and walk a 3-4 block radius from their car. This enables them to be on the street, talking to residents and business owners alike, and be more in touch with the neighborhood. Yet, they are still close enough to their patrol car, should they need to respond to an urgent call in the Zone. In fact, when I was in the office this past week, one of the officers came in to ask if he could fill his water bottle. I said, "Heck, you can fill your water bottle, use our restroom, or take five minutes in the a/c. We are just glad to have you on the street!" Imagine walking with the 50 some pounds of equipment they carry, and in dark blue, in 90+ degree heat and humidity! Whew!

But there is a way that you as a Midtown Resident can learn more about what your Police Officers do, and how they do it!

Attend Citizens Police Academy! The mission of this program is simple: "To educate the citizens of Atlanta with the operation of their police department while obtaining valuable feedback from those citizens to enhance police/community relations."

The Academy includes over 30 hours of instruction over a 10-12 week period. Here, you will see how officers are trained, tour areas such as the 911 Communications Center, and participate in a Ride-A-Long Program. (Can I run the siren and lights...please...please?)

There is also Firearms Safety training and Emergency Vehicle Operations training where you get to use the departments simulators. (Hint...let's try to teach them how NOT to wreck an expensive police car!)

And then there's the K-9 and Bomb units!

Can you even think of a better way to get to know what these men and women go through or how they are trained? I can't and you can bet as soon as I'm done with this blog, I'll be filling out my application!

Speaking of, visit the Atlanta Police Department, click on Police and Community, and you can download the brochure and application right there!

I attend the Monthly Safety Meeting of the Midtown Neighbors' Association, and serve on the Board of Directors as the Membership Chairman. This involvement has given me the opportunity to learn about crime and safety issues in my neighborhood, as well as meet many of the fine officers of the Zone 5 Precinct.

It's important to give back to the community I live and work in, and getting to know how my Police Department operates is a great way to appreciate all that these men and women do to give me a peace of mind and sense of security when I leave my condominium and walk the streets of Midtown Atlanta.

Many of us have writer's block when it comes time to do a blog post. Or, it just might take more time than we have to pull the pictures we want to use, get our facts straight, etc. In my case today, it's early am, and the start of a really long day.

So, I just decided to keep it simple, and share a peaceful picture with all of you! I hope it starts YOUR day off great, and reminds you of how simple, yet complicated the world can be!!

As Midtown Atlanta grows with new places to live, such as the recently opened Viewpoint Midtown and soon to open 1010Midtown and Luxe, the need for more shopping and, so it seems, restaurants is obvious. As a resident of Midtown, I'm all for place to eat, but I hope that our developer "friends" at Novare Group and Selig Enterprises realize the need for some "down to earth" retail options for those of us that really LIVE in Midtown. I know that retailers have specifics they look for in a location, but we can only hope they will adjust those requirements (store size being one of them) to look at Midtown and the Midtown Mile as a place to locate a store. Come on Banana Republic, A & F or Old Navy....bring us a store so we don't have to drive to Atlantic Station orLenox Mall.

But, the restaurants do seem to keep on coming! That being said, I will say the latest list of "newcomers" to Midtown announced this past week by 1010Midtown, so have some variety, and should add some spice to the choices of places to go! Here's a quick rundown of what they have lined up so far:

Ri Ra Irish Pub is an authentic styled Irish pub, complete with decor salvaged from original Irish Pubs. From their website, it looks like it could be fun place to hang out. Current locations include: Arlington, VA, Atlantic City, NJ, Bethesda, MD, Burlington, VT, Portland, ME, Charlotte, NC, Evansville, IN, and Providence, RI.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant's website promises that "there is never a dull moment...the music is pumping, the mood is upbeat..." Now that's what a I call eating....Sushi with a BeaT!!!! This one looks like it will be a fun one!

When you visit the website (if you do) click on "Gallery" and check out the pictures of some of their previous restaurant openings! Looks like fun to me!

Atlanta does have it's share of sushi restaurants, but I think (hope) this one will take it to a whole new level, and be a "place to be seen" in the Midtown neighborhood!

Third on the list is Piola. This picture is from their New York City location. Other USA locations include South Beach, Hallandale Beach, FL and Washington, D.C. The website lists Naples and Miami, Florida as upcoming new stores. (Hey guys, update the website...we want Midtown Atlanta in there!)

Ok, let me make a quick disclaimer...I've not had breakfast or lunch yet....and I could eat everything on this menu....Yum Yum! But then again, who does not like good Italian cooking! Their website says "the most genuine Italian tradition of simple and delicious food combines cleverly with a a particular service and ambiance for the demanding and modern customer, who chooses Piola aware of the fact that feeling comfortable is as important as eating well. People from all walks of life and backgrounds meet and gather at Piola, since they are sure to find their own space in an atmosphere that balances freedom and well being with good taste." When's the Grand Opening!!!!

And rounding out the announcement of Upcoming Midtown Restaurants is Noon Midtown. Not much information at this website, other than it will be sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and breakfast items with focus on locally-grown produce and sustainably-raised meats. (should I know what that means?) Midtown is certainly lacking on breakfast options, so this will be a welcome addition, and will serve the residents of 1010Midtown, as well as the new Lowes' Hotel, just across Peachtree Street!

As Membership Chairman and a Board Member for the Midtown Neighbors' Association, I see some great future Happy Hour sites with these locations! If any owners/managers of these businesses, read my blog, I'll be calling you!

Mark your calendars for this weekend and some dates in the future, and get out and experience some of the fun things that Atlanta has to offer!

2^ND ANNUAL BBQ COOK OFF For those competing, it's a match up to see who makes the best bbq in town! Yum Yum!! Attend and you get to sample and vote for your favorites. Saturday, June 14, Stone Mountain Village, 891 Main Street, Stone Mountain 770/879-4971 stonemountainvillage.com/events.htm

AMERICAN HYDRANGEA SOCIETY GARDEN TOUR The Annual Garden tour will take you to 6 gardens that showcase Atlanta's rare hydrangeas Saturday, June 14 10am $20 404/355-6512

ART IN THE CITY: THURSDAY NIGHTS AT THE HIGH Extended hours on Thursdays, 5-8pm. Includes music, lectures, wine tastings and other events. High Museum of Art-Midtown, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 404/733-4444 http://www.high.org/

BREWS AND BOOZE: THIRD ANNUAL CREATIVE LOAFING BEERFEST (Now here's a PARTY!)

Creative Loafing hosts its third annual beerfest in Woodruff Park. Music, beer and booze. What more can you ask for??? Saturday, June 14 Tickets: $15-30 Woodruff Park, 51 Peachtree Street, Downtown Atlanta Atlanta.creativeloafing.com

CALLANWOLDE'S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: JAZZ ON THE LAWN Callanwolde's Jazz on The Lawn series presents special outdoors concerts featuring the best local jazz musicians. Acclaimed saxophone artist Nick Longo an dhis 7-piece band will open the concert series. Friday, June 13, 7:30pm $12-15 Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, 404/872-5338 callanwolde.org

COCKTAILS IN THE GARDEN Ok...sounds high class...spend an evening in the garden while learning about different plants. June's theme: Boxwoods and Bloody Mary's (Where DO I sign up!!!) Thursdays, 6-10pm and continues through September 1 Free-$12 (Maybe that means Bloody Marys or Virgin Mary's??) Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Avenue, Midtown Atlanta, 404/876-5859 atlantabotanicalgarden.org

CONCERT IN THE PARK FEATURING WESLEY COOK Enjoy a cup of Bruster's ice cream after an evening of music. Saturday, June 14, 6-8pm. Free-$5 (Here's that Free to Pay thing again??) Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. 770/394-3322 www.dunwoodynature.org

We'll be looking for you on the streets of Midtown!

Ok, now as I typed my blog title this morning, I can certainly come up with several answers to that question. But an experience yesterday, still left me amazed and bewildered.

I was meeting clients yesterday to show them the "newest kid on the block", Viewpoint Midtown. They called to say they were running a few minutes late, so I just waited for them in the Sales Center.

You all might recall a previous post I did about the Viewpoint Specials where they are offering some incredible savings on the homes in this new condo development right on Peachtree Street.

While I was sitting there, at least 4 "groups" (they could of been a couple, one was 4 people, but only 1 said they were looking) came into the sales center, filled out an information card, and waited to meet with a sales rep. Not a single one came in with a REALTOR with them!!! I'm thinking....hmmm...how can I get these people as buyers. And this is not the first time! A week ago, I was also in the Sales Center, and I asked the receptionist how many of the people waiting (there were 10 "groups" that day!) had agents with them, or indicated they were working with and agent, and she replied....NONE!!!!

So, now I'm back to my title question? WHY would you not want to work with a REALTOR? Don't know someone? Think it will cost YOU more money? Think you know more about real estate than those of us that have been selling for years and have the education to go with it? I wonder.

For a potential Buyer that might be reading this, here's just one example....I sold a home in Viewpoint before this new incentive program started. I negotiated for my Buyer, Hardwood flooring upgrades, stainless steel refrigerator included, washer/dryer included, AND.....AND....$14,000 off the price! Not only that, I was able to get a couple other stipulations in the contract that a Buyer working on their own would of probably not ever thought of.

Buyer's, contrary to popular belief, we REALTORS really ARE good People! We really ARE here to help YOU get the best you can. Our services do not cost you more when you buy. (Ok....yes, there might be an exception to that one...but rarely)

Next time you are out to shop for a new home, let a professional REALTOR, like The Thom and Ray Team help you with your purchase. And what could be more convenient if you are looking at Viewpoint Midtown...our office is just a block away!