As always, LOTS going on in Downtown for Independence Day. Check out all the events, restaurant specials and more ADNA has collected!

July Food and Fireworks

From the Luckie Marietta District Mailing List:

At the center of the District’s holiday festivities is Centennial Olympic Park’s 4th of July Celebration.  Arrive at the Park early to secure a good seat and enjoy fun for the whole family!  Children’s activities include arts and crafts, face painting, performances, inflatables, stilt walkers and more!  Live music begins at 5:00, culminating with the headlining band Vertical Horizon.  The finale of the evening is the AirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular, Atlanta’s best fireworks display synchronized to patriotic music.

There’s no better time to visit the National Museum of Patriotism, where kids get in FREE and adult admission is discounted to $10 on the 4th. Enjoy patriotic activities, ceremonial ringing of the Liberty Bell and re-enact the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

When you’re in the District for the 4th, enjoying a meal, a drink, and soak in the atmosphere at one of our fine restaurants.

• Visit STATS for $3 Dos Equis and a live DJ.  The $10 entry includes an appetizer buffet and the great rooftop view of the fireworks over Centennial Olympic Park.
• Legal Sea Foods is also celebrating with table seating on their balcony patio overlooking the Park’s festivities.
• 11 Stories at the Glenn Hotel offers a view of downtown and the fireworks from one of Atlanta’s premiere rooftops.
• Peasant Bistro will be open for lunch and dinner – go early for a great table overlooking Centennial Olympic Park.  Enjoy $5 martinis and $3 beer specials in the bar.

What’s Happening – Saturday, July 4th

From “Downtown Live,” the monthly e-newsletter from Central Atlanta Progress

FRIDAY, JULY 3 – SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: UNDERGROUND ATLANTA
Celebrate 4th of July at Underground Atlanta
Irish Bred celebrates Independence Day with $9.99 pitchers of Bud and Bud Light and a live DJ after 10 on Friday July 3rd and 4th.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK
All-Star Lineup at Centennial Olympic Park’s 4th of July!
Centennial Olympic Park’s 4th of July Celebration offers a full day of fun and entertainment for the entire family including Atlanta’s best fireworks display. The AirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular will also be broadcasted live in high-definition television on 11Alive WXIA-TV and the soundtrack simulcast on Q100 at 99.7FM

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: SUN DIAL RESTAURANT, BAR AND VIEW
Enjoy the 4th of July at the Sun Dial
There’s no better place to see 4th of July fireworks than The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar and View, with three different options offering something for everyone.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: LEGAL SEA FOODS
Drop Anchor at Legal Sea Foods for Dinner and Fireworks
Celebrate July 4th with a five course, chef’s tasting menu served alfresco on their second floor patio with direct views to Centennial Olympic Park.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: THE MARK ULTRALOUNGE
Oscar G at the Mark Ultralounge
Poplife & The Mark Atlanta are proud to present award-winning songwriter, producer, and DJ, Oscar G.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: STATS
STATS Celebrates July 4th
Visit STATS for $3 Dos Equis and a live DJ. $10 entry includes a delicious appetizer buffet and the great rooftop view of the fireworks over Centennial Olympic Park.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: 30 TABLES
30 Tables and 11 Stories For the Fourth
View Downtown’s fireworks from one of Atlanta’s premiere rooftops.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: ROOM
Burgers and Beer on the Patio
Build your own burger with special toppings $8 for an 8 oz. burger, $5 for a 6 oz. burger $2 bottled beers

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: PASCHAL’S
4th of July at Paschal’s
Celebrate the 4th of July at Paschal’s in Historic Castleberry Hill. 3 Courses for $35 per person, inclusive of Ice Tea or Lemonade. Featuring a Smoke House Platter with Barbecue Ribs, Chicken and Smoke Sausage Links.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: PEASANT BISTRO
Independence Day Specials at Peasant Bistro
Peasant Bistro will be open for lunch and dinner on July 4th. Go early for a great table overlooking Centennial Olympic Park. $5 Martinis and $3 beer specials in the bar.

SATURDAY, JULY 4
LOCATION: MAX LAGER’S AMERICAN GRILL AND BREWERY
BBQ, Blues, Brews & Great Views
Visit Max Lager’s American Grill & Brewery for a family-style BBQ dinner followed by Atlanta’s best fireworks from Centennial Olympic Park.

Traffic & Road Closings July 4

Also from Central Atlanta Progress, “Navigator” tips for Downtown Atlanta

2009 Peachtree Road Race

When: July 4, 2009
Where: Street of the City of Atlanta
Route: The race will start on Peachtree St. at Lenox Rd. It will travel south on Peachtree St. to 10th St., east on 10th St. and end at 10th and Charles Allen Dr. All of the streets on the race route will close at 6:00a.m. on the morning of the 4th . Other street closures will include 10th St. between Charles Allen and Monroe Dr., 8th St. between Charles Allen and Monroe Dr., and Monroe Dr. between Kanuga St. and Virginia Ave. The race route will reopen as the runners proceed south on Peachtree St. The other street closures will reopen at 3:00p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 55,000

Fourth of July Fireworks at Centennial Olympic Park

When: July 4, 2009
Where: Centennil Olympic Park
Details: Event starts at 12noon with activities and live entertainment at 5:00p.m. Fireworks will start around 9:15p.m. Centennil Olympic Park Dr. between Simpson St. and International Dr. & Baker St. between Luckie St. and Williams St. will be closed from 9:15p.m. to 10:15p.m. for this event.
Estimated Attendance: 50,000

ATTENTION!

Due to a scheduling conflict the planned July 14th ADNA Mayor’s Forum has been canceled.

Watch for updated ADNA meeting information in an eblast on July 8.

If you are not sure you’re on the elist and would like to be included click here to submit your email address.

BTW, for that same day:

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – 7 PM Atlanta Firefighters Association Mayor’s Forum:
Peachtree Presbyterian Church campus, 3434 Roswell Road, NW, in the
Canyon Room at the Lodge.  The Lodge is across Roswell Road from the
main church.

On June 22, 2009 the MARTA Board of Directors voted on the 2009-2010 MARTA budget which includes changes and modifications to the current fare and parking structure as well as service hours.

Please be advised of the following MARTA fare increases that will take effect on October 1st and service modifications that will take effect on August 15th.

These changes will begin October 1, 2009:

MARTA Fare Changes:

Single Trip now $2.00
Ten (10) Trip now $20.00
30-Day Pass now $60.00

These changes will begin August 15, 2009:

Parking Fee Changes:
Long-Term Parking at Brookhaven/Oglethorpe, Kensington, Lenox Deck, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs now $5.00
Long-Term Parking at College Park, Lindbergh, Doraville and North Springs now $8.00
Free Daily Parking (no change)

These changes will begin October 1, 2009

Rail/Bus Service Changes:
Adjustments to rail and bus service will include frequency modifications of up to five (5) minutes. Please visit www.itsmarta.com for specific bus routes that will be affected.
The last buses and trains will remain running until 1am (this is not a change).
Please visit www.itsmarta.com for more information.

ADNA Mayor Candidate Forum
Tuesday July 14 – 6:30 pm

The next ADNA Community Meeting will be a forum with candidates in Atlanta’s mayoral race.  Georgia Pacific auditorium is the site for the July 14 meeting with help from the League of Women Voters and moderated by CNN anchor Richard Lui.  Meeting will start at 6:30pm (note earlier start time!).

ATTENTION!

Due to a scheduling conflict the planned July 14th ADNA Mayor’s Forum has been canceled.

Watch for updated ADNA meeting information in an eblast on July 8.

If you are not sure you’re on the elist and would like to be included click here to submit your email address.

BTW, for that same day:

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – 7 PM Atlanta Firefighters Association Mayor’s Forum:
Peachtree Presbyterian Church campus, 3434 Roswell Road, NW, in the
Canyon Room at the Lodge.  The Lodge is across Roswell Road from the
main church.

Coming up July 27- August 9:
Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week(s)

This event showcases Downtown Atlanta restaurants with special dining promotions of three-course dinners for $25.00 per person, plus tip, plus tax. Many of Downtown Atlanta’s finest dining establishments were selected to take part in this fabulous food event. There are no passes to buy, coupons to carry or cards to punch. You simply attend the restaurant of your choice during owntown Atlanta Restaurant Week and select from a special three-course dinner menu. Reservations are made by calling the individual restaurants or booking online. Click here for a list of participating restaurants.

Reuben’s Deli at 57 Broad Street is now open for retail sales, so in addition to their usual menu fare you can purchase Boar’s Head deli meats by the pound, sliced cheeses, assorted bread loaves, Lavazza coffee, home-made carrot cake, side items, and much more.

Or if you have a special order or catering requests, they welcomes your special request.

They are also in the process of obtaining a liquor license for wine.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Claudio at 404-589-9800. He would love to hear any suggestions and/or ideas from the downtown residents.

Hours are Mon. – Thurs. 8am – 6:30 pm, Fri. 8am – 4pm, Sat. 10:30 am – 4pm.  Closed Sunday

Passing along some bulletins from Central Atlanta Progress, which does a great job of tracking Downtown Atlanta bar & restaurant events, deals and openings…

Mai Tais
Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron invented the Mai Tai in 1944 and Trader Vic’s in the Hilton Atlanta proudly serves the world famous cocktail today. Be transported to the Pacific Islands with its exotic décor, Polynesian cuisine and tropical cocktails. Each Thursday, Mai Tai’s are $4.50 all night with live music from Tongo-hiti from 8 p.m. till midnight. www.tradervicsatlanta.com

Mussels
Each week, Peasant Bistro features all you can eat Mussels on Monday night. Choose from Au Nage, Provencal or Curry.
$15 All you can eat
$20 All you can eat – with a glass of house wine
$25 All you can eat – with bottomless glass
Return on Thursdays for live jazz with $4 martinis and $5 appetizers. www.peasantatl.com

Martinis
Visit Rise Sushi Lounge every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for Rise Late Night. (10:30 p.m. -2 a.m.) Select sushi and Asian tapas are half priced, with $5 martinis and $3 beers. Sundays feature the $10 bottomless wine glass! www.risesushilounge.com

Now OPEN!!!!!

Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
300 Marietta St.

Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria (300 Marietta St.) is Concentrics‘ third venture in Downtown Atlanta’s Luckie Marietta District.

Max’s will wow Atlantans with the simple, delicious and authentic pizza that New Yorkers have loved for years, courtesy of New York native and pizza lover Chef Nick Oltarsh.

The restaurant’s signature feature, the only genuine coal-burning oven in Georgia, enables Max’s to serve perfectly crisp and piping hot pizzas, creating a unique taste and texture that has been a hallmark of New York City pizzerias for more than a century. Embracing the traditional art of pizza making, Max’s invites guests to enjoy a taste of the Big Apple’s best paired with Atlanta’s Southern hospitality.

More Info: www.maxsatl.com

Another event to benefit dogs, run by our nearby neighbors in Castleberry Hill.

Paws for Wine
Monday, July 13, 2009
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Wine Shoe/ Castleberry Point Courtyard
Nelson Street (Castleberry Point)
Atlanta, GA

Please join us for an evening of wagging tails & wine tasting to help raise funds for the Castleberry Hill Railside Dog Park.

$5 for wine tasting, $2 raffle tickets.

Treats and water for your four-legged friends!

We are sad to report the sudden death of Jeff Swanagan, whose hard work was invaluable in the birth of the Georgia Aquarium, of which he was executive director and president. Swanagan, who had lived in a condo at Museum Tower overlooking the aquarium, left Atlanta last year to become executive director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Swanagan died Sunday evening of an apparent heart attack.

Swanagan was a good friend to Downtown Atlanta. He attended many ADNA events, getting to know his neighbors and letting us all know what was going on with the Aquarium and what exciting things might be up in the future.

Updates:

• New Story, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (6/29/09)
• News Story, Columbus Star-Ledger (6/29/09)
• News Story, WOSU Radio (6/29/09)
• News Story, WABE Radio (6/29/09)
• News Story, Atlanta Business Chronicle (6/29/09)
• Obituary, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (6/30/09)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Mourns The Loss Of Executive Director Jeff Swanagan