News that matters in the New Year

A few thoughts in the New Year:

We'd like to point everybody's attention to the "News that Matters" box in the right-hand column. It's basically Google News tickers compiled from the key words. Click any one of them and get the day's top stories on those subjects. My favorite one is "Neighborhoods." There's always good stories in there about what urban neighborhoods are struggling and succeeding with across the country, from Detroit to Atlanta.

Another thought: We'd love it if visitors would punch at least one of the ads scattered down the right-hand side of the page. They're harmless and fully vetted, and will just take you to the company's site. Look around, sure, but it's alright to click and return just to let the advertisers know this site is getting hits.

And slowly we are. We had a burst of activity around the launch and are now clicking ahead with a good bunch of people checking us out regularly. Here's to hoping that will continue, and grow. We'll do our best around here to keep it interesting.

Cheers to the New Year. All best everybody.

(Pix: The boss at Kirkwood News.)

Developer gives tree a break in K-wood

Kirkwood tree finds a champion.

A reader writes:

I was out running in Kirkwood and saw this sign. Has there been much discussion about protecting the trees? Thoughts on labeling them (like Oakhurst has)?

We'll see if we can get some more details on this particular tree this week. A good time to ponder the fact that developers, not just trees, need a hug sometimes.

Which neighborhood is this again?

The new Oakhurst neighborhood sign in the middle points into the heart of Kirkwood.

Oakhurst sign adorns Kirkwood
Is it official?

KIRKWOOD -- A distinctive Oakhurst neighborhood sign has appeared at the entrance to Kirkwood, at the corner of Rocky Ford and College.

It's not clear who placed it there, but there are facts about it that appear suspicious. Traveling east on College, the sign points into Kirkwood. Traveling west, however, the sign's arrow points north, under the railroad bridge and into Lake Claire. An older more city-looking directional sign at the same location directs travelers eastward on College in order to get to "Oakhurst District."

Though it's not immediately known how long the new Oakhurst sign has been there, it's presence comes at a peculiar time. Kirkwood business owners are in the middle of an effort to bolster the neighborhood's identity by putting up a distinctive "Welcome to Kirkwood" sign in the central business area as well as similar directional signs around the neighborhood.

Trulia's truths

Trulia is full of great real estate insights and intrigue. Just check out this Kirkwood map. Hell of a buyer's market.
(Pictured is 2033 Ridgedale, a 5/2 that sold for $370,000 on Oct. 29. Yee-haw!)

Gays 'thankful' for Kirkwood

Southern Voice recently gave a nod to K-wood on its list of things to be thankful for:

7 (at least!) dilapidated neighborhoods rescued and refurbished by gays: — Midtown, Grant Park, East Atlanta Village, Kirkwood, East Point, Castleberry District, Glenwood Park … We could go on and on, but there’s a clear reason Atlanta real estate agents know their clients can follow the rainbow flags to the next up-and-coming neighborhood.