"History is more or less bunk"

Ford Factory Building
699 Ponce de Leon Avenue
In the National Park Services' National Register of Historic Places

• Built in 1914
• Served as Ford's southeastern operations headquarters from 1915 until 1942
• Model T's (1915-1927), Model A's (1927-1932), and V-8's (1932-1937) were assembled here
• Building sold to the War Department in 1942 for use as an Army-Air Force Storage Depot and Offices of the Third Air Service Area Command
• The building currently houses the Ford Factory Loft apartments and a number of retail stores on the ground level

"History is more or less bunk. It's tradition. We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present and the only history that is worth a tinker's dam is the history we made today." -- Henry Ford, Interview in Chicago Tribune, May 25th 1916

Gettin' Friendly

NakedJay has easily become one of my favorite new pals on Ponce. Today he sent me these pics (that are worth way more than a thousand words) that demonstrate how he has left his own personal mark on Ponce de Leon Ave.

Jay's love of boozin' it up in the buff at Friends on Ponce has led the management to update their "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" policy (as seen on the sign below).

Kudos to the big guy (trust me, I cropped the pic myself) for keeping it real and letting his hair (and pants) down to have a good time.

Crack is Whack

Steph D. (and this Schmoo look-alike) reminds us that Crack is (in fact) Whack!








As seen behind the (coincidentally enough) "Crack" Kroger on Ponce.

Meet Karen and Jacob (sorta)

Check out these two "virtual spokespersons" for the new clothing store Needless Mark-Up that will be opening next door to EATS at the end of August. The website isn't fully finished yet, but these two SitePal "bots" are worth checking out--Karen is on NM-U's main page and Jacob is on the customer page, FYI.

Needless Mark-Up bills itself as "a top-of-the-line clothing recycling store." I do love the sandblasting job they've done to the exteriors of their red-brick building and very glad to see them sticking to the character of Ponce's architecture (but they might want to rethink those bright purple awnings).

Best "Crack" on Ponce

This ad has always "cracked" me up over the years
and I was finally able to get an image of it
(Thank you, David Magazine).

Visit Dr. Greco the next time you need an adjustment (attitude or otherwise).

Still Dead to Me, but...

I have absolutely no intention of going, but I must give them props for finally having SOMETHING in the way of local events at the Borders on Ponce.

Irish Musical Group, Anuna Performs at Borders

Wednesday, August 15th, 12:30pm
650 Ponce de Leon Ave

Anuna's site
(They're kinda "witchy woman" lookin' - Lord of the Rings meets Stevie Nicks-ish)

Why Borders is Still Dead to Me

Shameless PLUG

A BIG THANKS to Mike and our friends at PLUG Atlanta for the new ISIOP imagery.

PLUG is a really cool site that instantly plugs you into what's current in the neighborhood--from shows and concerts to poetry readings and gallery openings. You can view (or post) "virtual" event fliers on their site, the way you would on a telephone pole on Ponce.

Tech-savvy AND environmentally friendly...way to go, boys...we love it!

Crescent Moon Postcard Vacation Contest

Want to get rewarded for your summer travels?

Well pick up a Crescent Moon postcard before your next trip and mail it into them (from the road) before the end of Summer (September 4th) to qualify for some great prizes (the official rules are posted here and on a poster by the restrooms in the restaurant).

mmm...Free Heaps...yum.

UFO on Ponce?

Apparently the drug problem on Ponce is far worse than we ever imagined. I almost hesitate to post this one, but it is Ponce after all...and we're committed to honoring the good, bad, and the ugly. So here is your 15 minutes of fame, boys...cherish it "in Atlanta, Georgia" while you can.

It's Not the Size of Your Azio

...but what you do with it that counts.

340 West Ponce de Leon
Atlanta, GA 30030
404-373-4225

Get Directions

Sunday to Thursday: 11am-10pm -- Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm

Fifty Nifty - EATS Style

Proceed to the Plaza Theatre Tonight

The Procession - A short film written and produced by Michael Palma and Tom Rittenhouse and directed by Tom Rittenhouse about two young men on their way to their friend's funeral.

PREMIERES WEDNESDAY JULY 18th at THE PLAZA THEATRE (1049 Ponce De Leon Ave)... SHOW STARTS AT 9:30pm...Tickets are just 5 bucks....so check it out and support our local filmmakers.

Open Door Policy

I have been wondering for a while now what was going on in the early hours of the morning across from Fellini's on Ponce. Masses of homeless folks were converging on one house (910 Ponce de Leon Ave); the yard literally covered in people (looking like a homeless version of Hitchcock's "The Birds").

This "house" is the Open Door Community, founded in 1981 and follows the Catholic Worker tradition of offering "a loving relationship with some of the most neglected and outcast of God's children." Not only do they provide meals, showers, clothes, medical services and worship service, but they also serve as an advocate for the homeless and oppressed. In the South, this is what we call "good people."

Check out their site and if you have items to donate (they need t-shirts and men's walking shoes pretty badly) or order a copy of Sharing the Bread of Life (a 25th Anniversary history of the Open Door).

A Bird's Eye View

Click on the image to enlarge it and get a full appreciation (it's cool!)

Take that
Google Earth!

Now You See It...

Calling All Chamber Maids

Dekalb Chamber of Commerce's Quarterly New Members Reception
17 July 2007 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Office
One Towne Center - 150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 400.
Decatur, GA 30030 - 404-378-8000 x 224

An Island Getaway

Flower Power is alive and well on Ponce.

Island Flowers and Gifts is in a very cool space (the exposed brick, ceiling tiles, and chandeliers all work well in the little shop) at 1043 Ponce.

IF&G is big on events and exotics (not really a "send Mom a dozen roses" florist)--credits include being the official florist of Super Bowl XXXIV and 2003 CL's Best of Atlanta. Flower Power, indeed!

It's A Jungle Out There

Thursday 7/12/07
10:00 a.m.

Inflatable Zoo @ Ponce de Leon Branch Library
980 Ponce de Leon Avenue, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30306
Google Maps

404-885-7820

Find more events at the library

McD's: It's A Wonder They Still Serve Beef

The McDonald's on Ponce is truly an amazing place when you stop and think about it. Though a mere fast food chain on the surface, it is so clearly an integral part of the neighborhood. With a steady flow of all kinds 24-hours-a-day and a regular cast of street people, it reflects all that is Ponce, really.

In these summer months, I have seen more than a few hustlers and homeless folks come in from the heat to order just a cup of water or to seek an hour's refuge in the air conditioning. They are never hassled by the staff, and are treated with the same dignity and respect as the paying customers--because they ARE part of the neighborhood.

Da-Da, Da, da-daaah...I'm lovin' it!

Your Chocolate's In My Peanut Butter

I received this email update last week from ISIOP's friend, Steven Horowitz at Java Jive. It seems two of our favorites on Ponce have collided:

"Hello- We enjoy reading the column and thought we'd share this with you. Maybe not such a big deal, but surprising to us. The fellow who normally stands at the corner of Ponce and Briarcliff, you did a piece on him- cane and bulge, came into Java Jive this week. I've actually never seen him anywhere but that corner. Nevertheless, he was perfectly polite and a rather sweet fellow. Older than I thought, seeing him close up. Told me he never ate out but that he had seen us in Creative Loafing. Said the food was as good as his own and that he might become a regular. We were glad to make his acquaintance and hope he does become a regular. There would be something Karmically Ponce about that! Cheers, Steven"

Hocus Focus: Bloomers

compliments of ISIOP friend, Michael David Murphy
www.whileseated.org

Hostel 2 on Ponce

Now for something from our "more than a little unsettling" dose of reality file.

While enjoying some afternoon conquistadoring recently, I happened upon this curious wall (located behind Liberty Tattoo). Tagged and missing a few cinder blocks, it seemed interesting enough on the surface, but being the explorer that I am, I decided to peer inside one of the portals created by a missing cinder block.

Expecting to see an empty building, or one stocked with piles of junk, imagine the jolt I got when I saw this lone chair and table (centered as if it was someone's living room). It was beyond creepy and instantly gave me thoughts of movies like Hostel, so I snapped my pics and briskly walked in the other direction.

Whether this place is just a hangout for local thugs or a homeless person's living room, it's a reminder of the "hidden Ponce" that lies below the surface and that we often miss during our own daily routines.

Separation of Church and Gay

On August 8 of last year, Bishop Ronald Warren of the Southeastern Synod filed formal charges with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) against Pastor Bradley Schmeling (of St. John's Lutheran Church on Ponce) based on his committed relationship with Rev. Darin Easler. ELCA policy currently excludes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in relationships from the ordained ministry.

Just this week, on July 2, the ELCA Committee on Appeals denied Pastor Schmeling's appeal and removed him from their clergy roster (for fear that he was gettin' some).

The less-judgemental and extremely unified congregation of St. John's, however, continues to stand by their man and gets a big thumbs up for demonstrating that it's O.K. to be gay and a man of God at the same time.

This not-so-long-distance dedication goes out to Pastor Schmeling and his congregation:





St. John’s Lutheran Church
1410 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
(404) 378-4243

Hostel on Ponce

Atlanta never struck me as the hostel type of town, but oh yes
Ponce is home to the ONLY hostel in the city.

The Atlanta International Hostel, located at 223 Ponce de Leon Ave,
actually fared surprisingly well in customer reviews on hostels.com

For travelers, the main benefits of Hostels include:

1. the low price of the accommodation compared to alternatives such as hotels and bed and breakfasts
   
2. the opportunity to interact more with other travelers (often from all over the world)
3. less formality
4. more interaction between guests than in traditional hotels
5. opportunities to make new friends in a foreign environment
6. many hostels provide activities for their guests for a nominal charge or no charge at all

Lose Your Virginity On Ponce (every Friday)

Plaza Theatre
1049 Ponce de Leon Ave

Now That's EYEtalian!

The Fellini's on Ponce has one of my favorite patios in the city (though the parking situation can be a challenge some days). There's something about that babbling fountain and their slices that just soothes the soul. And I have very fond memories from my poorer days of being able to eat out for under $4 (now I can afford to add the salad--another one of my favorites in the city--or upgrade to a calzone). Definitely an Atlanta tradition that has stood the test of time.

Hannah Montana