Fresh Loaf

Blue Genes, the clothing boutique in the Around Lenox shopping center that has been broken in to seven times in the past eight years, might be getting a run for its money as the most burgled outpost along Lenox Road.

This morning, police began investigating yet another such burglary, this time at the Macy’s in Lenox Square Mall, where approximately 80 pairs of blue jeans worth an estimated $10,000 were stolen. Burglars found their way in after smashing a plate glass window at the front of the store.

These two victims are, of course, far from alone. Atlanta recently ranked second in a survey of the nation’s most dangerous cities, with property crimes increasing by 7.6 percent in 2008 compared with the previous year. And as the AJC noted, these recent break-ins don’t even set these two stores apart on their own block:

(more…)

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Residents will return to the streets of Atlanta all this weekend to voice their support for Iranian democracy.

Locations for this weekend’s protests, which are supported by Amnesty International and the American Friends Service Committee:

Friday (today), June 26, 6:30 p.m.
Lenox Mall on Peachtree Street

Saturday, June 27, 6 p.m.
Roswell Rd. NE & Johnson Ferry Rd. NE, Sandy Springs

Sunday, June 28, 4 p.m.
CNN Center, Marietta Street at Centennial Park Drive

Last Saturday, nearly 200 residents gathered at the CNN Center in dowtown Atlanta to voice outrage over the violent crackdown on Iranians who contested the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. CL captured photos and video of the rally.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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PAT BERTOLETTI WINS KRYSTAL SQUARE-OFF AT LENOX: They’d never allow this sort of thing at Phipps.

Though it lacks the prestige of competitive hot dog eating (record: 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes), the implied anal torture of competitive jalepeño eating (record: 247 in eight minutes), or the incredulity of competitive cow brain eating (record: 17.7 pounds in 15 minutes), competitive hamburger eating is the pro-eating’s hot new sport.

Witness Saturday’s Atlanta Krystal Square Off qualifier at Lenox, where a crowd gathered to watch pro-eaters Krystal’s signature miniature burgers. The easy winner was Pat Bertoletti. The second-ranked eater in the world, Bertoletti consumed 66 Krystals in just eight minutes, earning him a spot at September 27’s $50,000 world championship in Chattanooga.

» See more pics at CL’s Side Show Atlanta

(Photo by Alan Friedman)

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Whether it’s with sparklers at a backyard cookout, or choreographed explosions lighting up the night sky, most people enjoy heading outside to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. Here at CL we are no exception, so we went ahead and put together a roundup of where you can calm your fireworks craving this Fri., July 4.

Not one to disappoint, Stone Mountain will celebrate the Fourth with a dual lasershow and fireworks display. Come early to enjoy all the park’s attractions for the day and then find a comfortable spot on the Memorial Lawn to check out the new and improved Lasershow at 9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks from the top and bottom of the mountain. $10 parking fee per vehicle. 770-498-5690. www.stonemountainpark.com.

The annual Fourth of July event at Centennial Olympic Park is becoming a tradition for its family-friendly and fun activities. From noon to 5 p.m. bring the kids to enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, performances, stilt walkers, inflatables and more. Beginning at 5 p.m., local band Stokeswood will put the evening in high gear, with a performance from 911 Band following. The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra headlines the musical event at 8 p.m. and will feature solo performances by actor Ric Reitz, vocalist Wendy Bennett and string trio True Dixon. The AirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular will wrap up the event with an amazing show framed by the downtown skyline and synchronized to a selection of patriotic music. Can’t make it to the show? 11 Alive (WXIA-TV) will broadcast the show live, and the music will be broadcast on radio station Star 94 (WSLC-FM). 404-223-4090. www.centennialpark.com. (more…)

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We don’t know how they’ll get blooming dogwood trees onto the pavement at Lenox Square Mall, but that’s where this year’s version of the Dogwood Festival will be held. Organizers made the announcement today that the 72nd annual festival will move to Buckhead from its traditional spot in Piedmont Park, which is off-limits this year because of the drought.

It will be a different kind of atmosphere, for sure. Part of the fun of the festival is going out to Piedmont Park as spring bursts into the air. Will it inspire a one-for-all, all-for-one vibe? Or will it kill the entire vibe of the festival?

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Organizers of the venerable Dogwood Festival — long a spring tradition at Piedmont Park — will hold a press conference tomorrow (Friday) to announce its new location for this year.

Seeing as how the press conference will be held at Lenox Mall, and Lenox was one of the locations the festival was considering, you can probably put one and one together.

Piedmont Park is off-limits this year to major festivals due to the drought. Organizations have complained that the city’s late notice has left them scrambling to find alternative sites. The festival is planned for April 4, 5 and 6.

Stay posted for updates.

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