AboutAtlantaGA: October 2015

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Smart Morningside Manor

At 1705 Merton Road in Atlanta, Georgia sits a beautiful brick Tudor home amid lush green gardens and the tall pines of Morningside Park. On a huge corner lot that it has occupied for more than 60 years this home displays the best of mature landscaping and historical style. State of the art technology upgrades have been added to create a “smart home” residence of inimitable character and appeal.

1705 Merton Road NE Atlanta, Georgia 30306

The grounds are breathtaking. Stone pathways navigate around brick columns and walls and through a wonderful variety of seasonal and perennial foliage anchored by a decorative fountain in the rear. A stone paved rear patio attached to a covered outdoor patio with sunlight in a tongue and groove ceiling and integrated grill is the perfect place from which to enjoy these beautiful natural surroundings.

Delightful Outdoor Living

Inside the home, luxuriant style and design are apparent from the moment you venture through the portico front entrance into the formal foyer. Dark hardwood floors on the main level are met by a meticulously milled dark natural grain staircase and elegant moldings. The great room features a wall of windows, coffered ceiling and exquisitely sculpted fireplace. Squared and arched room transitions alternate as you move through the open floor plan of the main level.

Spacious Foyer

The gourmet kitchen features a large central island with a granite countertop and produce basin and mini cooler. Stainless steel appliances and an integrated refrigerator are also present amid custom display cabinetry, granite counters and tile back splash.

Kitchen

The formal living and dining rooms receive natural light from large windows which further enhances the dark hardwoods.

Living Room

The huge master suite is carpeted and features a large sitting area. The master bathroom is beautifully tiled with separate dual vanities with single slab marble counters and a leaded glass window over a garden tub with custom marble trim.

Master Bath Suite

The home also features a walk-in wine cellar, a state of the art media home theater and a study with gorgeous built-ins. Outdoor lighting and sprinkler systems are smart controlled as are the climate control, video security and multi-room sound systems.

Media Room

It is hard to imagine finding a home of this age in this area with absolutely nothing left to do. With six spacious bedrooms, the home still has enough room to be able to offer a rare flexibility for a variety of configurations. Privacy luxury and location combine to present to you the ideal residence at 1705 Merton Road in Atlanta, Georgia.

Beautiful Landscaping

Six Bedrooms, Five Full and Two Half Bathrooms
Offered for $2,495,000

1705 Merton Road NE
Atlanta Georgia 30306

Kevin Grieco, Intown Office, REALTOR®

Kevin Grieco
404.822.4156
404.874.0300
kevingrieco@atlantafinehomes.com

The post Smart Morningside Manor appeared first on Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby's International Realty.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

60% of WI disapproves of Walker’s job performance in WPR/St. Norbert poll

This comes from a poll with a small sample: 603. Notables: 57 percent of those polled say that Wisconsin is headed in the wrong direction. Russ Feingold leads against Ron Johnson. 51 percent to 40 percent. 60 percent of Wisconsinites disapprove of the way Scott Walker is doing his job. In fact, 40% of Wisconsinites more »

BC-Louisville preview

We tend to get so focused on our frustrations and issues, that sometimes we don't realize other teams are struggling too. Louisville is one of them. They're young and have also had injuries. But the biggest difference between our 3-4 and their 2-4 is that they scheduled better opponents. But regardless if you are losing to an SEC power or an ACC underdog, losing takes a toll on the team. The key this week will be which team can recover from their struggles.

What's on my mind (not totally related to this game)
Some people are viewing the youth movement as Addazio throwing in the towel on the season. I don't. But if BC stops competing in games and losses all the games the rest of the way, Addazio and Bates are in big trouble. I don't think BC fan expectations are too high, but we are not a "lovable loser" fanbase. People (myself included) will be outraged by 3-9. Fundraising will be an issue as will ticket sales in 2016. You can preach patience and development but you better compete and win on occasion.

Three Simple Keys
1. More designed runs for Smith. I am not sure why they are not doing this. Maybe they fear injury. I don't know. But we need him to run the ball more. Even if it is not successful, the threat of him running will open up other things.
2. QB pressure. The defense is dependent on it. Last week the front four couldn't do it on their own. We need them to step up this week.
3. Don't play field position. Addazio's inclination to punt in the opponent's territory is comical at this point. We need to be more aggressive. I would rather see Hail Mary's into the endzone than a punt.

Gambling Notes
-- Addazio is 6-7 on the road as BC's coach
-- Petrino is 27-4 at Papa John's
-- Petrino is 6-5 in ACC games
The current line is BC+7.5

Factoid
Other than Louisville, BC has played two other Kentucky-based teams (Centre and Kentucky). Yet Louisville is the only program we've played in the state of Kentucky.

Scoreboard Watching
Duke goes to Virginia Tech this weekend. We're about to face the Hokies. They've been a hit or miss team this year. Will they show up next week at Alumni? I don't know. Let's see how they do against Duke.

I hope to see...
a long rushing TD. How has this not happened yet against a real team? Teams are still crowding the line. We still have some speed backs there. What we need is one guy to plow through.

BC is in trouble if...
We cannot control the clock. I don't like Addazio's mindset of always controlling the clock, but I think it is needed this week. It would also imply one or two long productive drives.

Bottom Line
I don't feel great about this game. While I think Smith will get the offense moving, I do think Petrino will find ways to attack this defense. I think it will be like Clemson with plenty of deep passes connecting, but with BC forcing even more turnovers. I think a late pick seals the must win for BC.
Final Score: BC 21, Louisville 17

Sunday, October 18, 2015

How AP and the WI press does damage control for Governor Drunken Sailor

Yet again I get the impression that Associated Press does whatever it can to protect and/or repair Scott Walker’s image. Compare the headlines and stories on Walker’s recent FEC filing: From Washington Post (author – Jenna Johnson): How Scott Walker spent $90,000 a day to lose an election From U.S. News and World Report more »

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Everybody didn’t have access to the Democratic Party debate

The editor of Buzzflash at Truthout recently wrote that, “By offering the debates on television only to paid subscribers of television packages that included CNN and Fox News, the most important political interaction between candidates for president of the United States was, essentially, privatized.” If you’re living with a net-enabled digital device seemingly glued to your more »

Monday, October 5, 2015

Al Jazeera America feature on Madison, Wisconsin homelessness

A friend of mine had shared this story on facebook and I idly clicked it not knowing what I was in for. I saw the string of cars and vans along a curved street and thought, “Hey. That looks sorta like that area by Milwaukee Street.” Oh. That *IS* that area by Milwaukee Street. The more »

Al Jazeera America feature on Madison, Wisconsin homelessness

Thursday, October 1, 2015

BC-Duke preview

All seasons have a broken record aspect to them. I feel like this great defense covering the mistakes of an awkward QB rotation will be the theme for weeks to come. Is there any other way it can play out? Take this week for example. Flutie will start and probably get most of the snaps. But is he going to do anything remarkable to win the job permanently in really wet weather? Unlikely. While Smith will get snaps, his limited time also gives him fewer opportunities to show he can do more than run. My fear is that neither will ever play enough to shine and instead it will become which guy makes bigger mistakes.

What's on my mind (not totally related to this game)
Addazio talked patience in his media appearances this week and there is also plenty of fan chatter about lowering expectations. I find all of it premature and a little disconcerting. Injuries happen. Having to play young QBs happens. Collectively we had low expectations for Addazio's first two seasons and his teams performed well. Now, in Year 3, why can't we expect him to do well again? We are already have three wins and have one of the best defenses in the country. Even with sloppy QB play, we should compete with every team on our schedule and still finish at .500 or better.

Three Simple Keys
1. Connect on at least three play actions passes. There were so many open WRs last week biting on our runs. Those plays should be there this week. Whoever is QB needs to hit the open men (in stride). It will lead to some huge plays.
2. Let them have the short stuff. In order to avoid our pressure, I think Duke will try to dink and dunk it down the field. I have no problem with that. It makes big plays less likely. Field goals will be iffy in this weather. And I think we are very capable of forcing turnovers on short passes.
3. Redzone scoring. Kicking is always an issue. Heavy wind and rain won't make it easier. BC needs to capitalize with touchdowns any time we get near the endzone.

Gambling Notes
-- Cutcliffe is 1-1 against BC
-- Addazio is 3-3 in October as BC's coach
-- Addazio is 4-4 in ACC road games
The current line is BC+6.5

Factoid
BC won its only game in Wallace Wade Stadium.

Scoreboard Watching
Notre Dame at Clemson is probably the biggest ACC game of the week and are arguably the two best teams left on our schedule. I am hoping one team exposes the other and gives us hope for our contest later in the season.

I hope to see...
A big Jeff Smith TD run. I know there are plenty of Flutie fans out there. I don't dislike the kid, but I just think Smith is a better fit for everything we are trying to do. If he makes a big play, I think Addazio will roll with him and the offense will finally have some identity. Flutie feels like a square peg in a round hole.

BC is in trouble if...
They give up another non-offensive touchdown. This defense can cover a lot of mistakes but they can't stop points given away on a turnover or Special Teams screw up. If it happens against Duke, it will cost us the game.

Bottom Line
I started off with the broken record analogy...well maybe it applies to bloggers too. I just feel this is the week where we figure it out on offense. I think the OL blocks well, Smith and Rouse cross Duke up on the option stuff and BC controls the tempo and score.
Final Score: BC 17, Duke 9