Resources
{ Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 }
Gene Kansas, Sidewalk Radio
If you live in Atlanta and you’re interested in art, architecture, design, development, city planning or preservation, then you should be making an appointment to listen to Sidewalk Radio every month. Each episode is guided by host Gene Kansas‘ passion for culture and community, covering a wide range of topics like the impact of the beverage community on Atlanta to the architecture of MARTA stations. But before you decide to catch up on Sidewalk Radio on am1690, take a minute to meet the host with the most…
Q. Favorite Atlanta neighborhood?
A. Ansley Park is a perennial favorite, I fell in love with it the moment I moved here 16 years ago. I love that it is in the “middle of it all”, bordered by the arts district on one side and Piedmont Park on the other, but intentionally designed to feel like you’re “away from it all”. I also love its rich history and because it makes me feel like I’m in New Orleans with the gorgeous oak-lined streets.
Q. The most underrated thing about Atlanta is…
A. Well, as we all know, Atlanta is a very self-promoting town. Finding something underrated and unknown here can be a challenge. I’d have to say that despite being a transient type of city, we’re actually really high up there when it comes to appreciating community.
Q. A fairy godmother puts you in charge of Underground Atlanta and gives you carte blanche to do whatever you’d like with it. Thoughts?
A. Hmmmmm…good question. If I had control of Underground Atlanta I’d promote the Zero Mile Post (the literal spot that marks where the city started) to a much higher degree. It’s an important part of our reason for being. Otherwise, I really try to stay away from there. Is that wrong?!
Q. You’re asked to create the essential Sidewalk Radio Atlanta weekend. What’s on the agenda?
A. Sidewalk Radio explores art, architecture, design, development, city planning and preservation so it would have to be a long weekend, but I think I’d try to spend the whole time on Peachtree. To quote urban planner and Sidewalk Radio guest David Green, “Peachtree Street is the cultural heart of Atlanta”, so an anthropological adventure along that famed corridor seems right on time. The agenda would include a show at the Fox Theatre, a drink at the Georgian Terrace, a burger at The Vortex, a visit to the High Museum, a pop-in at Perkins+Will to thank them for being our sponsor (shameless plug!), a Southern Cola hand crafted by Greg Best at Holeman & Finch, chips and salsa at Jalisco, a visit with Elton John to see his private art collection, and of course an all expense paid shopping spree at Lenox and Phipps.
Q. What is Sidewalk Radio, and why should everyone tune in?
A. Sidewalk Radio is a monthly radio show on AM 1690 “The Voice of the Arts” that features local experts and their insights about Atlanta’s creative and cultural community. The show is very conversational and informative with nods to our developmental history, to dynamic places and movements in a state of flux, and to our hopefully illustrious future. If you like cool, creative, interesting things and you love Atlanta, then I hope and think you’ll really dig Sidewalk Radio. Did I mention you can listen anytime on iTunes?! November’s upcoming show explores the Atlanta restaurant world. Check it out and enjoy!
{ Friday, January 28th, 2011 }
1439 Lachona Court Open House
A few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but brag about my listing at 1439 Lachona Court. On Sunday, I’m holding an open house at this beautiful, spacious, well appointed four bedroom ranch.
The open house is from 3-5 on Sunday, January 30.
A few reasons why you should either attend, or forward on this information to a friend or colleague:
1. The house itself is fantastic, and for four bedrooms in this particular location (and price point), you’d be hard pressed to find anything that can hold a candle to it.
2. Not to beat on the location drum too hard, but 1439 Lachona Court is minutes from I-85, Emory, CDC, Toco Hills Shopping Center(s), multiple synagogues, schools, churches and more. Spend more time walking, and less time driving.
3. According to weather.com, it’s going to get up to 60 degrees in Atlanta on Sunday. As much fun as it might be to surf real estate listings online, it’s even more fun to see them in person. Leave your jacket at home and come visit.
4. Scoutmob’s Deal of the Day is 50% off at Broadway Cafe, which is just a stroll away from the open house. Nothing like house hunting after enjoying half off at the best kosher vegeterian (and pizza) joint in town.
The Details
Where: 1439 Lachona Court, Atlanta, GA
When: Sunday, January 28, 2011, 3-5 p.m.
Why: It might be your next house (more information, pictures, etc.)
{ Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 }
The $17,000,000 Two-Bedroom Buckhead Condominium
You don’t typically associate $17,000,000 condominiums with Atlanta, but I recently came across one while searching the multiple-listing service. It’s clearly large enough to accommodate more than two-bedrooms- and I suppose that anyone buying a condo at that price can always throw up a wall or two to create some extra sleeping quarters- but still, I was pretty blown away. Even in sky high real estate markets like New York and Los Angeles, $17 million brings in an additional bedroom or two!
So, what do you get for your money? Your very own floor, outfitted with a billiard room, media room, 4,000 bottle wine cellar, dining room that can seat 30, home gym, library and massage room. Pretty swank digs- click here to check them out yourself.
To put things in context, this palace in the sky is listed at $13,050,000 more than the next most expensive two-bedroom on the market in Atlanta (a unit that’s located a few floors below, in the same building) and $16,900,000 more than the lowest priced two-bedroom condo in the Atlanta market (a $10,000 “fixer-upper” in unicorporated Dekalb County).
If you’re interested in searching real estate listings using virtually the same tools that Realtors use, shoot me an email at jon (at) yourownsanctuary.com. I’ll set you up with a free ListingBook account, so you can snoop through everything from $10,000 investment properties to $17,000,000 dream homes.
{ Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 }
PEDS: An Atlanta Pedestrian’s Best Friend
Ok, so Atlanta’s not always going to register as a world-beater on Walk Score. Anyone that has spent any time in our fair city knows this already. There is, however, a fantastic non-profit organization that’s doing a ton to make the metro Atlanta area a more pedestrian friendly place. PEDS is dedicated to the plight of the walker, biker, stroller and runner, and it is one of the great unsung heroes in raising the quality of life of neighborhoods throughout the city.
Whether it’s a broken sidewalk, a hazardous utility line, an intersection that needs a cross walk or anything in between, PEDS’ online tool makes it easy to let the right people know about the problem. The site offers pretty exhaustive resources on just about every pedestrian-related topic that you can imagine, as well as “take action” items that empower visitors to get more involved with their local community.
PEDS is definitely a site worth bookmarking, and an organization worth supporting.
{ Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 }
Renee Kutner, Peace By Piece Organizing
Your desk need not look this in order for you to turn over that new leaf to get organized.
In my day to day, I see homes that run the organizational gamut. Often times, homes are in “model home” type showing condition- evidence of a smart, educated and motivated seller. But just as often, I see disorganized, borderline messy homes. And every once and a while, I see a home that’s a legitimate candidate for the breakout cable hit show Hoarders.
Renee Kutner is a master in clutter reduction- or, as her title describes her- a Chaos Adviser. Her firm, Peace By Piece Organizing, helps individuals and businesses organize and put everything in its right place. Her well organized Five Questions, below…
Q. One simple organizing tip everyone can use?
A. One tip that can benefit everyone: See what happens if you stop thinking of your closets as a place to store stuff and instead consider them a place to retrieve things. My Facebook page is full of more organizing tips – check it out and become a fan (and then recommend it to your friends!).
Q. As an Atlanta native, what’s your advice to transplants relocating here?
A. The great thing about Atlanta is that everything is a 20 minute drive away; the bad thing about Atlanta is that everything is a 20 minute drive away! Pick your neighborhood carefully.
Q. 24 hours riding MARTA, 12 hours driving the Perimeter, or 6 hours walking up and down Peachtree?
A. Definitely 6 hours walking Peachtree. I’ve never quite done that, but I did do it for just under 2 hours when I ran the Thanksgiving half marathon one year, and it was such a fun experience!
Q. Is clutter ever fun?
Fun or foul? You be the judge...
A. Sure, when it’s a clutter of cats! In all seriousness, I love what I do and for me clutter represents a challenge and a chance to design something new, so I always find it to be fun – as long as it’s not in my house.
Q. Favorite Atlanta neighborhood(s)?
A. This is a tough one. There are so many great ones, and they’re all so different. Personally, I love Decatur, Virginia Highlands, Dunwoody and driving by the homes in Buckhead.
Q. What is Peace by Piece Organizing and why is it awesome?
A. Peace by Piece Organizing is a company dedicated to helping people achieve peace of mind through organization. Rooms, closets, offices, storage areas – we make all the pieces less overwhelming so that you can enjoy your space and get more done within it. We offer general home organizing (basements, playrooms, kitchens, garages, closets, etc.); home or business office organization (physical and e-mail filing systems); pre-home sale de-cluttering; pre-move preparation; new home and new room set-ups; time and task management coaching; and gift certificates for brides-to-be, new moms, housewarming gifts or other occasions. It’s awesome because whether you feel buried in papers, you’re sick of being late because you couldn’t find your keys, you park your car in the driveway because the garage is too full, or you’re overwhelmed by an upcoming move, we can all benefit from calming the chaos in our lives.
