2005 Index of Winners

SCOTT REILLY could remain content as the owner of the Retromodern home furnishings store and the city's foremost name in, well, all things retro and modern. But he takes his role a step further by working with the High Museum to bring to Atlanta some of dec-art's most notable experts and artists for lectures and speaking engagements that educate design collectors and enthusiasts. Thanks to his connections, no less than the legendary, then-98-year-old Eva Zeisel (known for organic design in silver, ceramics and glass) and Charles Ray Eames (grandson of Charles Eames, great-nephew of Ray Eames, and champion of the family furniture legacy) have made an Atlanta appearance. The icing on the cake: Everyone who attends the lecture is then invited to Retromodern to view its corresponding exhibition and enjoy a glass of champagne.

See related:

- Consumer Culture: Best Eclectic Furniture Retromodern (Critic pick)
- Poets, Artists & Madmen: Best Museum The High Museum of Art (Reader pick)
- Poets, Artists & Madmen: Best Museum Makeover High Museum of Art (Critic pick)

Emory University’s 185-acre LULLWATER PARK, nestled between Clifton Road and Emory’s Clairmont Campus, is home to a scenic lake, mature trees, and well-developed paths. Venture on the dirt trail that circles the lake, or take advantage of the paved path that meanders through the entire park. Lullwater, which is popular with students and non-students, joggers, fishermen, and those seeking a quiet place to read, is also home to Emory University President James Wagner’s sprawling English Tudor-style home.
Entrance on Clifton Road, across from the medical school. www.emory.edu.

Of the growing number of local podcasts — an MP3 file that can be downloaded into an iPod — we’re particularly fond of SKEPTICALITY, the brainchild of Roswell roommates Derek Colanduno and Robynn McCarthy. The duo offers commentary on urban legends and pseudoscience, such as the phenomena of attributing human traits to lifeless objects (McCarthy humanizes her black Jetta) and of spreading the myth that Earth was flat (Colanduno says scientists put the theory in textbooks to make religious leaders look “scientifically stupid”). The podcast, which has 75,000 subscribers, is regularly one of the top 10 downloads on iTunes, right up there with “The Al Franken Show” and ESPN.
www.skepticality.com.

With so many lofts and loft-style developments going up these days, it’s possible to get picky. For those who are holding out for a reclaimed industrial space in a cool old building right where the action is, there are the recently renovated TROY-PEERLESS LOFTS. Part of the larger Glen Iris Lofts complex across a side street from City Hall East (soon to be lofts itself), Troy-Peerless is a stand-alone, 1929, art-deco, former commercial laundry. Units have exposed brick, open floor plans and mezzanine bedrooms. And it’s only a short walk to a bookstore, grocery stores, restaurants, nightclubs — and the Atlanta police records room.
650 Glen Iris Drive. 404-685-9276. www.atlantaloftco.com.

Make sure you show up hungry to the GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL just outside Ellijay, the state’s apple capital. The annual event, now in its 34th year, spans two weekends at the height of October’s harvest season. In addition to the obligatory regional dishes — apple pie, apple butter, apple dumplings, and fried dill pickles — there are more than 300 vendors offering such mountain handicrafts as log furniture, birdhouses, blown glass and quilts your memaw would kill for. You’ll typically find local musicians a-pickin’ and a-grinnin’, and you might even find a peach, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Oct. 8-9, 15-16. Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds. 706-636-4500. www.georgiaapplefestival.org.

Sitting on the border of Cobb and Cherokee counties, many of MOUNTAIN PARK’s 250 cottages were built in the early 20th century as summer retreats for Atlanta’s elite, who gave the homes names such as “Park-Ur-Carcass” and “Shack-Toe-In.” Designated as both a wildlife refuge and a waterfowl nesting area, Mountain Park sits 23 miles from downtown Atlanta and is framed by rolling hills and two lakes. Residents now are doing their best to maintain the neighborhood’s charm despite infringing subdivisions, and Mountain Park’s recycling program and anti-pollution projects set an eco-friendly example for its neighbors.
www.mountainparklife.com.

Located just north of where Park Drive crosses from Monroe Drive into Piedmont Park, the PIEDMONT PARK DOG PARK is where the city's pooches, from Great Danes to Pekinese, run wild. The 2.5-acre doggie playground also has a separate fenced-in plot for small dogs and puppies. The place is paradise for dog-watchers - and perfect for Atlantans who don't have a Fido of their own to scratch that dog-owning itch.
www.piedmontpark.org.

For all your crunk desires, you can’t beat Hot 107.9. Riding in your old-school Olds, listening to everything from the Ying Yang Twins to T.I., Ludacris to Trap Boiz, the hotness factor is not so much boom-bip as it is beats to bump. WHTA-FM is probably the best place to hear tracks fresh off the latest mix tapes, which makes sense since the station employs at least four for-real DJs. Although the somewhat contrived diversity in the station’s billboards for its “A” Team morning show may throw you for a loop, you’d be loopy not to have your radio pre-set to the all-the-way-to-the-right station.
404-741-1079. www.hot1079atl.com.

During the past 15 years, nearly 1,400 Atlantans have learned the rudiments of stand-up comedy in Jeff Justice’s Comedy Workshop. Justice teaches students how to write and perform jokes and then sends the fledglings on stage in front of a packed house at the Punchline comedy club. The key to comedy is being yourself, Justice insists, which sets some students on a mini-metaphysical quest. Graduates include Ron Lester, who starred in Varsity Blues, and our own columnist extraordinaire Hollis Gillespie.
404-262-7406. www.jeffjustice.com.

In the 1880s, CABBAGETOWN was built to accommodate Fulton Bag & Cotton Mill workers. In the ensuing century, the neighborhood developed into an enclave of brightly colored bungalows and shotgun-style shanties — many with lopsided porches and junkyard art. Located east of Oakland Cemetery and north of Memorial Drive, Cabbagetown was home to folk artist Panorama Ray, who photographed the neighborhood’s barefoot and potbellied children, and avant-rocker Benjamin of the band Smoke, who dressed in drag and developed a beatnik mix of blues punk. Despite the recent razing of a historic building that housed the gallery and music venue Art Farm, Cabbagetown’s charm has survived infringing gentrification — and is still home to approximately 75 descendants of the original mill workers.
www.cabbagetown.org.

The only thing more embarrassing than getting naked in front of a stranger is having pesky pubes sticking out of a cute bikini. Hence the reason we ladies regularly do get naked for a stranger when it comes time for a bikini wax. The usually uncomfortable beaver deforesting is painless and quick at medi-clinical spa INSTITUT’ DERMED. We recommend a Brazilian (nothing left but a tiny landing strip) with Debbie Carroll, whose skills will leave you smooth and fresh in 20 minutes and include a plucking of any left-behind or ingrown hairs. Forget about bumps from shaving — you’ll be smooth sailing sans pain with this wax.
3726 Roswell Road. 404-261-5199. www.idermed.com.

It’s down to one store now in Atlanta, but give LOEHMANN’S credit for updating its selection to include some of the hottest brands for the under-30 set — Theory, Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Versace, D&G — in addition to the usual work clothes for career gals. It’s livened up its jeans section with Diesel, Seven, Mavi and other of-the-moment brands and, for those with a little extra spending money, the chain now carries Kate Spade bags and shoes. If you’re rushed for time, however, head straight to the back room: Everyone knows that’s where the best stuff is.
2480 Briarcliff Road. 404-633-4156. www.loehmanns.com.

All you shy closet kinks can keep your dirty little secrets safe by shopping on INSERECTION's website. The adult fantasy superstore's site is easy to navigate and well organized with colorful pictures and detailed descriptions of its products. With a full selection of videos, DVDs, toys, accessories, magazines, lingerie, video on demand, and an Inserection dating site, you can shop in the privacy of your own home 24/7. What’s more, you get a free gift with every purchase. Just remember, you have to be at least 18 years of age to do it.
www.inserection.com.

For those who didn’t know, SATELLITE RECORDS used to be an actual satellite, one of an East Coast chain of dance music vinyl stores. Now, however, Satellite is locally owned and operated, and doubly proud to be the shop around which both bleary-eyed bedroom DJs and transient transatlantic superstar jocks can be found. From humble beginnings in the basement of Wish to its current Moreland Avenue storefront, Satellite has remained the spot for record spinners, or just to spin through to pick up flyers for the week’s hawt happenings.
421 Moreland Ave. 404-880-9746. www.satelliterecords.com.

The crazy thing about the Lakewood Antiques Market is that, with its 1,500 dealer booths, you really do need the full three days that it’s open every month to see all that’s there. We’ve found beautiful antique buttons, gently used train cases, old apothecary bottles and enough vintage postcards and posters to decorate a whole house. And though the retro furniture and old-time armoires leave us wanting them immediately, we always find ourselves biting our tongue and making offers late Sunday afternoon, because we know that’s when we’re most likely to find a bargain.
2000 Lakewood Ave. 404-622-4488. www.lakewoodantiques.com.

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The trickling fountain and New Age music in its ultra-modern Buckhead spa are just the beginning of the soothing experience at DOBEL SALON AND SPA. Try the Desert Stone therapy, a Swedish massage coupled with hot stones, or the mineral-rich Italian Fango mud treatment to detoxify tired limbs. Other favorites include the cellulite-reducing Peppermint Sea Treatment and the Bacial pore cleansing (especially for men) to keep you clear of back-ne. Complimentary valet parking and refreshments keep the experience divine.
3365 Piedmont Road, Suite 1250. 404-264-1007. www.dobelsalon.com.

An inky paradise of perverse pain and pleasure, BLACK CAT TATTOO is located in Decatur and attracts and employs a number of L5P regulars. An unpretentious location is the headquarters for the heavily inked carnival of artists with a head full of design ideas and bodies that serve as a fleshy canvas to exhibit their craft. The house rocks in many ways since many of the employees and customers are active in the rock and burlesque scenes. Nervous first-timers are welcomed into the easygoing, no-pressure environment with a helpful, and yes, quite colorful, staff.
1059 Oak Tree Road, Decatur. 404-636-0400.

Can two music stores survive on the same street in a small hipster enclave? In Little Five Points, the answer is a resounding yes. Eric Levin has carved out a nice niche market for his CRIMINAL RECORDS enterprise, offering an impressive selection of domestic and import CDs. Oh, sure, DVDs, magazines, comics and toys are available, but this is the place for CDs. It’s rapidly turning into a great venue to catch a wide variety of live music, too. Criminal hosts a ton of cool, stripped-down in-store performances for your listening pleasure. After the set, get the artists to sign — what else? — their brand new CDs.
466 Moreland Ave. 404-215-9511. www.criminal.com.

Perfect for the beginner and novice shooter, and pretty good for experts, SHOWCASE PHOTO AND VIDEO SUPERSTORE has equipment and supplies for both digital and film photographers. Its selection of inks, instruction books, papers and printers push it well above the competition. Showcase’s selection is bolstered by its nostalgic (or is it purist?) persistence to keep real, old-fashioned darkroom chemicals in stock. The staff is surpassingly helpful, friendly even, and the accompanying Showcase School of Photography can help anyone take their skills to the next level.
2323 Cheshire Bridge Road. 800-886-1976. www.showcaseinc.com.

When friends come to town, there are few things we enjoy more than taking them on a quick drive by BUDDY’S and saying, “That gas station has a great selection of wine.” We bring the skeptical in to peruse the shelves filled with bottles ranging from the aptly titled Cheap Red Wine, to the crowd-pleasing bottles of Luna di Luna’s blends, and a refrigerator of chilled whites practically begging to be picked up for a cookout on the fly. Though the options tend to vary with every shipment, we’ve never found an occasion where we couldn’t stop in and find something to fit both the event and our budget.
1079 North Ave. 404-523-5414.