Friday, March 4, 2016

13 Georgians make the 2016 Forbes Billionaires list

From The Atlanta Business Chronicle:

The United States has 540 billionaires, more than any other country in the world. And several of them reside in the Peach State.

Cox Enterprises Chairman Jim Kennedy -- net worth of $9.9 billion, No. 108 in the world and No. 42 in the United States
James Chambers, Katharine Rayner and Margaretta Taylor -- net worth of $6.4 billion, No. 178 in the world, No. 66 in the United States
Chick-fil-A Inc. Senior Vice President Bubba Cathy -- net worth of $3.4 billion, No. 495 (tie) in the world and No. 179 in the United States
Chick-fil-A Inc. Chairman and CEO Dan Cathy -- net worth of $3.4 billion, No. 495 (tie) in the world and No. 179 in the United States
The Home Depot Inc. founder and philanthropist Bernie Marcus -- net worth $3.5 billion, No. 495 (tie) in the world and No. 179 in the United States
The Home Depot Inc. and Atlanta Falcons owner founder Arthur Blank -- net worth of $2.7 billion, No. 666 in the world and No. 240 in the United States
Rollins Inc. CEO Gary Rollins -- net worth of $2.6 billion, No. 688 (tie) in the world and No. 248 in the United States
Rollins Inc. Chairman Randall Rollins -- net worth of $2.6 billion, No. 688 (tie) in the world and No. 248 in the United States
Media mogul Ted Turner -- net worth of $2.2 billio n, No. 810 in the world and No. 288 in the United States
Mohawk Industries Inc. CEO Jeffrey Lorberbaum -- net worth of $1.9 billion, No. 1,067 in the world and No. 372 in the United States
Spanx Inc. founder Sara Blakely -- net worth of $1.19 billion, No. 1,577 in the world and No. 486 in the United States

Eleven Georgians were on the list in 2015 -- check out their wealth last year here.

Anne Cox Chambers gave away her wealth last year to children James Chambers,Katharine Rayner and Margaretta Taylor and is not on the list this year.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Beer Lovers Unite: Hop City’s Girl Scout Cookie & Beer Pairings

Another cool idea from Scoutmob:

Adulthood is Awesome: Hop City’s Girl Scout Cookie & Beer Pairings

Being an adult has its perks, namely when we get the chance to dunk a Thin Mint into a tall cup of chilled and sudsy … beer.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Pairings of four different classic Girl Scout Cookies with four different craft brews, expertly selected by the beer-lovin' geniuses at Hop City
  • The chance to hob-nob over hops and pints with your fellow cookie-lovin’ brew-minded brethren
SCOUT NOTES
Fact: being a grown-up can be kind of a downer. First off, we have bills, social calendars, and all sorts of responsibilities we can no longer whine our way out of, no matter how hard we’ve tried. (Trust us, we’ve tried.) It’s rough. But then… every now and then, something graces our lives that shows us how rewarding it can be to be over 21. And today that reminder is this: the combination of Girl Scout Cookies and craft beer, compliments of Hop City and Scoutmob. 

A Cat Cafe is Coming to Atlanta

From the folks at Eater:


Pixabay/Vedanti
Feline lovers, rejoice

Cat cafes have become a global phenomenon, first gaining prominence in Asia in the late '90s and then popping up in United States cities such as New York, Seattle, and Austin over the past couple of years. At long last, Atlanta is getting one of its own. Owner April Hill tellsCreative Loafing she hopes to open Happy Tabby Cat Cafe this summer.
For those not in the know, a cat cafe is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a normal coffee shop with the added bonus of a bunch of cuddly cats hanging out. Standard practice calls for the cats to be up for adoption, so if a patron falls in love, they can take home a new companion.
So what can feline-friendly Atlantans expect from Happy Tabby? Hill shared some details with CL.
  • Location: Downtown Decatur or Poncey-Highland. "They both want me really really bad so I kind of have the upper hand."
  • Amenities: The cafe will serve pre-packaged foods and "standard coffee shop beverages." There will be wifi too.
  • The cats: Hill hopes to regularly have 15 to 20 on hand, and they'll all be adoptable. The space will be big enough to accommodate 15 to 20 humans at a time.
  • Costs and restrictions: The cafe will likely charge a $5 cover, and patrons will be limited to one-hour windows. Picking up the cats, unfortunately, will be forbidden.
Happy Tabby already has a Facebook page and website where interested parties can sign up to get early discounts on cat visits. Hill tells CL she plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign to help fund opening costs.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Cup of Tea and Astrology Reading

Saw this on Scoutmob and it looks like a pretty cool idea!  $45 gets you an astrology reading and a hot pot of coffee or tea.

Your Spring Awakening: An Astrology Reading at Magical Muses

Trust us, nothing beats a morning or afternoon cozied away with a hot cup of tea while letting Sheila work her magic. You’ve got a lot to look forward to… in the year ahead, that is.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • A half-hour long Astrology session with Atlanta’s famous intuitive Astrologer, Sheila Polstein
  • A piping hot cup of coffee or herbal tea to warm you as you look at the year ahead and have a Spring Awakening in 2016

SCOUT NOTES

We’ve all pondered the big questions: Why are we here? What’s my purpose? What does the future hold for me? And we could wrestle with those questions forever, but thankfully we don’t have to. This is where intuitive Astrology comes in, and we’re feeling pretty happy to know a professional Astrologer personally. Yes, Scouts, you get to spend the afternoon with Sheila at the Magical Muses Metaphysical Center and gain insight on the inner workings of your mind and spirit. Now, take all of your preconceived notions of what an intuitive Astrologist would be and leave them at the door – Sheila is the real deal. In fact, Sheila learned the science of Astrology for the most practical of reasons: farming. She grew up on a farm where her grandfather would use the Farmer’s Almanac and Astrology to determine how he nurtured his crops, and taught Sheila in the process. It was years before she started applying her gifts to the future of people, and in turn discovered she had quite a gift for it. Over her years operating the Magical Attic at CafĂ© Jonah, and now in her own space, Sheila has garnered quite a following and fan base – from regulars, to consulting gigs with some pretty highfalutin' companies and organizations. (You know who you are.)
And now you’ll get a taste of all the enchantment the Magical Muse houses. After calling Sheila to schedule your appointment, she will get to work assembling your own personal Astrological chart, using only your name, birth date, place and time. Then, on the day of your appointment, you’ll be greeted with your choice of either a piping hot cup of coffee or an herbal tea to warm you as you get ready to be enlightened about your soul's true purpose. Once you settle in, Sheila will work her magic – using her practical knowledge of the stars in the sky to forecast the year ahead, along with some mystical intuition. Sounds like a pretty dreamy way to spend a day, if you ask us. 

THE NITTY GRITTY

  • Offer expires 90 days from date of purchase
  • Each individual purchase covers a single person
  • No walk-ins, must call the Magical Muses to schedule appointment at 404-538-1414
  • Limit one per person, may purchase up to three as gifts
BUCKHEAD
110 East Andrews Dr. Suite 201,
 Atlanta, GA 30305

Purchase here

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Chick-fil-A's new promotion encourages more family time

Chick-fil-A's new promotion encourages more family time | Clark Howard

Bike the Atlanta Beltline on this Patio Bar Tour

Saw this article for the AJC written by Lesli Peterson on a "Bike The Beltline Tour" with places to stop and have a cocktail and enjoy a patio.  Some don't look to be exactly on the Beltline but could be fun to try this:

Kevin Rathbun Steak’s outdoor patio sits just feet from the Beltline. CONTRIBUTED BY: Blake Burton & Square Feet Studio

We all love the Beltline, and spring makes it even better with longer days and warmer weather. Tune up your bike, grab a friend and take our self-guided tour of these 10 patios, heading north to south along the Beltline.
Orpheus Brewing. Orpheus overlooks Piedmont Park, with optimal people-watching opportunities. It's an artisanal brewery offering free tours and tastings, with an incredible patio. Thursday - Sunday visitors purchase a $12 tasting glass that Orpheus fills with free beer. There are no bar snacks or fancy hors d'oeuvres, but you're welcome to bring your own. Doggies are welcome, too.www.orpheusbrewing.com. 1440 Dutch Valley Place, NE, Atlanta.
Loca Luna. Move from brews to mojitos at Loca Luna, the Beltline's Brazilian stop for tapas and live music every night. The party patio includes draped string lights and a waterfall view; it's a South American oasis. loca-luna.com. 550-C Amsterdam Avenue NE, Atlanta.
4thand Swift. Think farm-to-table dining, with a craft bar program. Across from Ponce City Market, you'll find 4th and Swift. An awning protects you from the heat; the industrial chic atmosphere will have you lingering well after you've cooled off. Try a classy cocktail or a craft beer, and bring your canine to the party. Dogs are welcome on the patio. 4thandswift.com. 621 North Avenue N, Atlanta.
TWO Urban Licks. Sit on the patio at TWO, people watching the passersby on the Beltline. Live music and a packed establishment mean high-energy fun. Drinks may take a while, but relax, the tour has only just begun. Biking with Fido? Not a problem; dogs are welcome on the bottom patio but not upstairs.www.twourbanlicks.com. 820 Ralph McGill Boulevard, Atlanta.
Pure taqueria. Make your way to Pure, where the patio awaits you with a bit of shade and great views of the street. Sure, it's known for it's OTP status, but Pure has no lack of friends at the Inman Park location. You'll want to order the Margarita here. Need some delicioso carbs before your next bike haul? Try the jalapeno mac and cheese. puretaqueria.com/inman-park. 300 N. Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta.
Barcelona Wine Bar. Communal spaces near the outdoor fireplace are the perfect place to grab a glass of vino or try a small plate. If you're looking to eat,Barcelona's patio is also the best choice. It's quieter than the inside and likely to get you seated more quickly. www.barcelonawinebar.com/atlanta.htm. 240 N. Highland Avenue, Atlanta.
Parish Neighborhood CafĂ©. Rustic charm and deep-seated leather sofas encourage you to take a load off. Don't miss the Parish patio; it's hard to see from the Beltline. You'll need to leave your bike at the top of the stairs and head below ground-level. Doggies welcome. www.parishatl.com/p/the-neighborhood-cafe.html. 240 N Highland Avenue, Atlanta.
Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall. Rustic and modern mesh at this perfect snack stop. Set up at one of the communal tables and watch dusk roll in under the string lights. Bring your dog, soak up the sunshine and enjoy a fun cocktail at Ladybird.www.ladybirdatlanta.com. 684 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue NE, Atlanta.
Kevin Rathbun Steak. Relax on the breathtaking brick patio of Steak. Take your drink on the side at one of the tables, or relax near the fireplace lounging area. If you're not up for another cocktail, try the coffee. They serve J. Martinez & Company's Sumatra Mandheling, a spectacular gourmet blend.www.kevinrathbunsteak.com/menu.html. 154 Krog Street, Atlanta.
Superica. Krog Street Market overflows with quaint shops and satisfying restaurants, including Superica. Try Tex-mex meals in a cozy comfortable atmosphere. With a bike rack right beside the patio, this is the place for a margarita stop. Visit on the weekend for live music. supericaatl.com. 99 Krog Street, Atlanta.
No bike? No problem. Begin your tour at the Irwin Street entrance, where you can rent bikes from Atlanta Beltline Bicycle for as little as $15 per day. www.atlantabeltlinebicycle.com. 151 Sampson Street NE, Atlanta.

Establishment

Rumor has it  Establishment will be open this weekend at it's new location in Colony Square.  It will be on the 14th Street side of the property.  The parking deck is next to the W.  Establishment used to be in Buckhead and was decorated with a lot of reclaimed wood and EDM lovers.  Should be a fresh and welcome addition to the Midtown "scene", as it was lacking a good place to have an after dinner drink.   I've heard they will also be serving food as well.   Hopefully the music will be just as great as the last spot.