Fresh Loaf

Videodrome, the Poncey-Highland movie rental store that’s been a go-to for film buffs since 1997, was robbed Friday night.

Owner Matt Booth tells CL that a male suspect entered the store at approximately 10:45 p.m. and browsed film selections. After purchasing a movie, the suspect allegedly displayed a gun to the clerk and demanded the contents of the register. (Booth declined to say how much cash the suspect took.)

No one was injured during the robbery. An Atlanta Police Department spokesman told CL he was working on providing more details about the case. We’ll update when we hear word.

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Poncey-Highland community members and Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall next week will begin a four-month planning effort to determine how the intown neighborhood should grow.

Councilman Kwanza Hall

According to a press release from Hall’s office:

Among the topics to be considered during the four-month process are land use issues; traffic calming; greenspaces and streetscapes; historic preservation; and sustainability.

The second community meeting for the master plan, a public workshop, is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Druid Hills Baptist Church. The workshop will include child-friendly urban design activities led by the Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects. At the end of the morning, children will share their vision for the future of Poncey-Highland with the adult participants in the workshop.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17, in the Carter Center’s Cyprus Room from 7:00-8:30 p.m. For more information call Hall’s office at (404) 330-6038 or send him an email.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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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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Local bands and DJs are coming together to raise funds and awareness after a Dec. 3 home invasion in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood rattled both the community and Atlanta music scene.

On Thursday night at 9 p.m. at the Highland Inn Ballroom on North Highland Avenue, the Gaye Blades — which includes members of the Black Lips — and Noot d’ Noot, along with a “special surprise guest,” will headline a night of raffle giveaways to benefit local musician and DJ Chris Devoe and community activist Rachael Spiewak of SoPo Bicycle Co-op. Guest DJs will also spin records throughout the night.

Criminal Records, Youngblood Gallery, Sweetgrass Salon, Charis Books & More and other local businesses are contributing items for the raffle.

“Our tagline for the event is ‘It’s a neighborhood watch,’” says Suzy Moran, one of the fundraiser organizers. “We want it to be a benefit [for the victims], but also a way for the community to come together.”

Organizers are requesting a $5 donation at the door to help the victims.

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