Fresh Loaf

The rumors are true, the Highland Inn did indeed suffer a two alarm fire last night (Thurs., Feb.), but reports that it burned to the ground are greatly exaggerated.

According to Valerie Culkin — who books music for the downstairs Ballroom Lounge — there was an electrical fire that broke out due to a short in a wall on the main floor. The fire started in a wall socket. The room was vacant and an electrician has since examined the socket in question and reportedly said that sometimes it just happens.

A walk around the perimeter of the building reveals that there are no signs of fire damage to the exterior. “I think the media made it out to be much worse than it really was,” said property manager Steve Harvey.

(more…)

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11 Alive reports:

The small Midtown Atlanta hotel, on North Highland Ave. near North Avenue also houses a restaurant, a ballroom and business offices.

Atlanta Fire Officials tell 11Alive News, second alarm units and crews were added as a precaution. The fire caused damage to four rooms and other rooms have smoke and water damage. Several residents required assistance from the Red Cross.

There were no injuries and the cause is under investigation.

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Yellow nails? She must be a smoker!

Amount Georgia lawmakers want to raise the price of cigarettes to offset a $2.4 billion deficit: $1

Georgia’s current tax on cigarettes: 39 cents

Nation’s average cigarette tax: $1.19

Estimated revenue the proposed cigarette tax would generate for the state: $350 million

Estimated tax revenue that would be raised if Sunday alcohol sales were allowed: $4.8 million

Number of signatures on an online petition calling for alcohol to be sold in stores on the Sabbath: 52,070

Dollar amount of a proposed “pole tax” that state lawmakers want strip club patrons to pay at the door: $5

Price of admission after 10 p.m. on a regular night at the Cheetah: $10

Minimum estimated revenue that could be generated if casinos were built in Atlanta and along the Georgia coast: $600 million

Sources: AJC, Associated Press, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, PetitionOnline.com, TheCheetah.com, 11Alive.com

(Photo courtesy of Photos.com)

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A new poll from 11Alive shows U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss with a strong lead over Jim Martin and Allen Buckley, his respective Democratic and Libertarian opponents in the race.

From the home of the late and legendary Guy Sharpe:

Incumbent Republican US Senator Saxby Chambliss has a comfortable lead over Democratic challenger Jim Martin and Libertarian Allen Buckley. If the election were held today, Chambliss would defeat Martin and Buckley, 53 percent to 36 percent and 8 percent, respectively. While Buckley’s overall polling total was comparatively low, according to the polling data, the third party candidate would receive 22 percent of the vote from independents, 11 percent from those under 50, and 24 percent from those who rarely go to church. The data suggests that Buckley’s votes would come primarily from Martin as opposed to Chambliss.

The last sentence is interesting. Libertarians think they could have a chance to swipe some votes from Chambliss’ base. This poll suggests that’s unlikely.

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— Griftdrift returns from a snorkeling adventure in the Gulf of Mexico to weigh in with a spot-on analysis of Secretary of State Karen Handel’s decision to remove PSC Commission candidate Jim Powell from the ballot, and a judge’s subsequent decision to put him back on the ballot.

—Lori posts a pictorial tribute to Fire Station No. 7, which was closed yesterday due to the city’s budget crisis, on Mingaling. There’s nothing there about Shirley Franklin going “Philadelphia” on the protesters who don’t want to lose their fire station — and almost needing her own fire put out — but there’s some pretty pictures.

— Over at Jason Pye’s blog, he passes along info that Bob Barr, former CL columnist and now presidential candidate, has opened up an on-line store where you can pick up campaign t-shirts and hats. They’re spiffy.

— In a campaign of a different sort, there’s a long back and forth on ATLmalcontent regarding a fellow blogger’s tome on the requirements for a male to be a feminist ally. Which is something we should all aspire towards, no?

— A new trend in Atlanta television news is called “backpacking.” No camping involved. Just news reporters doubling as camerapersons. Doug Richards at Live Apartment Fire explains how WXIA is trying to get a bigger bang for the buck. And essentially telling viewers: Expect less.

— Over at the Wren’s Nest, someone has discovered that the family of Joel Chandler Harris sued Coca-Cola for copyright infringement in 1932. Br’er Rabbit didn’t win because Br’er Coca-Cola out-foxed him.

— I’m still trying to figure this one out, but the ladies at Pecanne Log seem to have this inexplicable crush on our own Thomas Wheatley, to the point they appear to gush over him with every post. Today, there’s no Thomas-gushing going on, but there is a nice sigh of relief that the Crum and Forster building has been saved from the clutches of demolition by those ramblin’ wrecks over at Georgia Tech.

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You should know that I’m in a really dark place right now. Decatur Metro passes on word that Flip Spiceland, my man crush, is stepping down after seven years at 11 Alive News, NBC’s Atlanta affiliate station. My admiration and sheer wonder for this man has been well-documented, so I just would like to be brief and let Flip know … Spice … buddy … thank you.

In honor of the man, here’s a hilarious piece in the Morning News, a Brooklyn-based online magazine, about weathermen with awesome names. Flip is ranked No. 1.

(Photo courtesy of 11Alive)

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11 Alive’s “Atlanta & Company” invited me on today to chat about, among other things, the cover story I did for CL about President Bush and his monumental mismanagement of the War on Terrorâ„¢.

Unfortunately, our live interview was preempted by a live press conference by the man himself, President Bush.

He’s trying to silence me, but mark my words, he will fail.

“Atlanta & Company” will air my interview at 3:35 a.m.

I dare you to wake up and have a live news conference then, Mr. President.

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