Fresh Loaf

A new AP report on census figures shows Atlanta is among the 25 fastest growing cities in the U.S.

The bureau found the population shifted from 520,368 persons in July 2007 to 537,958 in July 2008, about 3.4 percent.

We’re all so accustomed to gridlocked traffic and construction cranes that “Atlanta is growing” doesn’t seem like news.

It is.

Remember, despite the metro area’s half century of uninterrupted rapid growth, City of Atlanta lost population from the 1970s until the 1990s.

Also of noted: Last week the Atlanta Regional Commission released a report showing metro Atlanta is the second fastest-growing metro area in the country this decade after Dallas. By 2040, metro Atlanta is expected to be home to 8.3 million people.

Good thing local and state leaders are working so well together to meet our transportation and water needs.

(Correction: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated the 2000 U.S. Census showed a decline in Atlanta population from 1990. Here are the correct numbers.)

Bookmark It

Good news! This weekend’s nonstop rain gave Lake Lanier a boost. Bad news! The metro region’s chief source of drinking water may have peaked for the year.

Three days of rain lifted Lake Lanier to its highest level since late 2007.

But the half-foot gain may be the last big hurrah for metro Atlanta’s primary water source before next winter. As temperatures start to climb along with water use, Lanier most likely is “peaking out,” said the state’s top water official.

“We’re still well off where we’d hoped to be,” Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director Carol Couch said Monday.

Bookmark It

— It’s Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving hangover where we begin the annual ritual of creating creative ways to use leftover turkey. Hopefully, we’ll be so tired of turkey by next Tuesday that we won’t elect one to the U.S. Senate. Sean Quinn of the great FiveThirtyEight site, did a compelling analysis before the Presidential election, based on what he saw at local campaign headquarters that he visited across the country. In short, Obama’s swirled with activity while J-Mac’s were largely either closed or deserted. Quinn is in Georgia and stopped by Martin’s office in Gwinnett County — Obama’s field workers were there with a beehive of activity. Can Jim Martin shock the world?

— The folks at Down Right remain confident the Big Sax Machine will roll to victory. He’s got the money, he’s got the world’s greatest Tina Fey impersonator coming down and there’s the annoying fact that Martin has all the charisma of a rock.

— All that has served to make the Sax Machine’s people more than a little arrogant. As Amy at Georgia Women Vote notes, the incumbent’s chief strategist has labeled Martin as “insignificant.” He also compared Martin to his dog. But does that dog have any bite?

— The media was all over the water shortage last year, but now it’s yesterday’s news. Funny thing, though. As Chad at Atlanta Water Shortage notes, Lake Lanier is about to reach an all-time low, which isn’t good news for those of us who consume its waters.

— And, finally, for those of you who still get your music from the radio, Gray at Left On Lanier has discovered a cool site for you. Type in your favorite station’s call letters, and the station’s play list is a click away.

Bookmark It

— A somewhat sobering post at Atlanta Water Shortage. They chart out Lake Lanier’s levels over the last three years. Right now, the lake is down to 1,055 feet above sea level. That’s nearly 10 inches feet lower than this time last year, and equal to the level last November.

— At The Daily Whim, Reid Stott says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s idea to dip into our Strategical Oil Reserve to lower gas prices is foolish and amounts to little more than pandering.

— At the Daily Kos, there’s a tantalizing call for Obama to name Max Cleland as his vice-presidential running mate.

— Duane Moody’s birthday is coming up and to pre-celebrate, he shares five songs he’s certain we’ll all love.

— It’s going to be a long August because Live Apartment Fire is going on a break, although Doug Richards assures his loyal readers that he’s pre-packaged some timeless posts that will go up throughout the month. Today, there’s rules for a local TV shot game that could have you toasted in minutes. And if you’re a Tom Waits fan, you’ve got to see the press conference clip Richards has posted.

— And speaking of amazing video, A.man.I at My Urban Report went down to Orlando for the World Yo-Yo Contest (who knew?). A true how’d-they-do-THAT? pleasure to watch.

Bookmark It

So I get off work tonight at about 11:50 pm (I’ll explain later) and there’s all these text messages, phone message and email congratulating me.

– Buzz Brockway on the reaction to inclusion of one of his questions in last night’s CNN/YouTube debate. The question is linked on Buzz’s site.

—–

As was the case during the last bit of rain we got, Lake Lanier dropped even further yesterday in spite of the rain. In fact, since this blog started (October 16), the lake has dropped every single day.

– Atlanta Water Shortage answers the question “Did the rain help?”

—–

What is it about politicians from Hope, Ark.? They sure know how to work a room. Huckabee may be a Bible thumper, but he’s clever. And unlike that other Arkansas governor, I think he’s genuine. I just don’t want him to be president;

– ATLMalcontent offers conditional props to Huckabee.

Bookmark It

Yes, Georgia, there is a water Wiki. Brought to you by the mysterious “Mickey,” the all-knowing agua infomaster behind the oh-so-resourceful Atlanta Water Shortage blog, the Wiki is a place for users to pool facts and provide a more encyclopedic database for all things water crisis. It’s small now, but as Wikis go, that’s how they all start out.

Bookmark It

At first I was optimistic to see a proposed action against these young, foolish boys who brandish their boxers. But if I put myself in the shoes of a teenager, I would strongly appose [sic] this legislation. Don’t misunderstand me. I hate the “baggy pants” fashion. But we are the land of the free.

— Anthony Moore at job-hoppers-haven on a proposal to ban saggy pants in school. If the city does ban baggy pants, I hope they make an exception for people showing off their dramatic weight loss.

—–

They weren’t specifically told anything about a ban on water for the use of the rink, but officials “felt it would be better if the water came from a place where it isn’t in such short supply.”

— Atlanta Water Shortage on the decision to use imported water to fill Centennial Olympic Park’s ice rink.

—–

Though she wrestled primarily as a heel, I’m glad to have found a picture of her with a smile on her face…because that’s how I’ll always remember Moolah.

— Mike-El at Here’s Your Holiday pays tribute to the Fabulous Moolah, who died last Friday. If you’re a fan of or simply intrigued by the Fabulous Moolah, I recommend checking out the documentary Lipstick & Dynamite: The First Ladies of Wrestling.

Bookmark It

If you add it all up, you have 528.33 million gallons before the ban and 479.44 million gallons after. That’s a drop of just over 9%. Where does the 15-20 figure come from?

— The blog Atlanta Water Shortage questions a recent AJC story that states water consumption has dropped 15 percent to 20 percent since the state banned outdoor watering.

Hmmm…maybe we need to encourage climate change to increase hurricane intensity and frequency to alleviate water shortages.

— Tim Haab at Environmental Economics responds sarcastically to Georgia officials who blame 2007’s relatively uneventful hurricane season for the current water crisis.

• • Take a “Navy” shower. Rinse, turn water off, soap up, turn water on and rinse again.
  • Gentlemen – shave in the sink. Ladies – if this is too acrobatic, shave in the shower, but do so during the “soap-up” portion of the “Navy” shower.
  • Do like Mayor Franklin and keep a 10-gallon bucket in your shower. When it is full, water outdoor plants. You can also keep a bucket in your kitchen. Pour water you would normally pour down the sink into the bucket.

— Michael at Gay Orbit wants us to imagine Mayor Shirley Franklin in the shower.

Bookmark It