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Cafe Intermezzo is bucking a trend.  Most establishments that make a large percentage of their income from alcohol sales decided they would become 21 and up establishments in order to let smokers continue to indulge in their establishments.  State law changed and that forced locations such as Manuel’s to keep their smoking clientele and make it harder for families and young people to enjoy their locations. 
Cafe Intermezzo is gambling that their extensive dessert, drink, and coffee menu will make the right decision remaining open to all clientele.  In addition to being an aftershow location for couples and friends, Cafe Associates say keeping their doors open to families is an important part of their service. 
One  patron at the Ashford Dunwoody location noted that after the change, business initially took a hit, but that three changes resulted:
First, new patrons who didn’t like all the smoke have found the cafe. 
Second, because people could not linger and smoke, tables turned over faster.
Third, regulars decided to return and keep the place going.
Now, with the renovations at the Ashford Dunwoody location, the restaurant will be able to accommodate more people and provide a wider array of atmospheres for their guests.  One section will be a juice bar, giving younger guests a tasteful alternative and place to be. 
The smoking ban forced choices and for Cafe Intermezzo this seems to have made them re-double their efforts improve service and widen the group of folks who can enjoy the restaurant. 

Did you know that the High closed a museum this year too? Yes, they opened their new facilities up by Art Center and used the contributions of thousands of Atlantans to do it, but no good deed goes unpunished.

The Folk Art and Photography galleries at the HMA @ Georgia Pacific are gone. That beautiful architecture by Scoggin Elam Bray? Gone. Now it’s day care center. (At least the space is doing something constructive)

What were they thinking? Thousands of people used those galleries every year. They provided an invaluable respite for folks downtown who wanted a little peaceful inspiration. They were free! And, perhaps therein lies the truth of the matter. As a noted producer in town is wont to say “Art Pays at the Door” and the Woodruff Arts Center folks want to make sure you keep paying.

Overall this is a bad decision. First, it isolates The High even more. Second, with no free access at all (they don’t even have free Tuesdays anymore) they condition people to think that art is not for everyone, just those who can afford it. Third they hurt students and teens. Yes. They have student programs, but tons of GSU students and High School students made their first visits to an Art museum without their parents at Georgia Pacific.

While the expanded High is a real asset to Atlanta, this is a very high price to pay, and they did not even ask the membership about it.

Hey everyone, I have a dilemma… I do not know where to go for my birthday. Last year I went to Taverna Plaka on Cheshire Bridge Road. I had a great time, ate great food, and then was hoisted on top of a table to be made into a spectacle. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. This year I want to top that atmosphere. Do any of you great “Metro folk” know of a nice restaurant where me and a few (20)+ friends can go and have a great time for my birthday.

Requirements : Fun Atmosphere
Reasonably Priced
Good Drinks
Good Service
Something I Will Remember !!

I know that y’all will have some great suggestions. The more upbeat the better !!

MARTA is doing at least Something right. Recently, I had occasion to take the bus. It used to be that all the buses were with at least two sets of doors. Some of them were even articulated.

Now, however, MARTA has purchased smaller shorter buses. These buses have one door and are generally 7′ to 10′ shorter than their more traditional sized counterparts.

Why are shorter buses better? There are at least three reasons:

1. They run at higher capacity. Rarely are MARTA buses completely full. The higher the passenger capacity, the less energy is spent dragging around useless empty bus space. The engines can be smaller and hence fuel savings are realized.

2. They reduce traffic congestion. MARTA buses make frequent stops to handle passengers. Shorter buses use less space and hence can pull into smaller curb cutouts and let more traffic by.
3. They have smaller turning radiuses. MARTA often uses residential streets when a route serves a large apartment complex off a main rd. These streets are smaller and in the past MARTA has created a stir because they have driven across the edge of a person’s lawn. Smaller buses are more maneuverable. This lets the buses avoid property damage and let traffic going the other way on the street get through!

Buses are a vital part of MARTA’s service. Many can’t afford to live walking distance from a train station and buses are their lifeline to the world. The more effective they are, the better.