Authorities search through mounds of rubble in hopes of finding survivors of the huge, deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant that flattened much of West. Hey, why cant I vote on comments Cracked only offers comment voting to subscribing members. Subscribers also have access to loads of hidden content. Deadly Feet Update WindowsA man suspected of driving while intoxicated was arrested Thursday morning after a crash in northeast Atlanta that killed a local bartender. About 4 a. m., a man driving a silver Porsche SUV crashed into a stopped motorcyclist at Ponce de Leon Avenue and Clifton Road, dragged him several feet and pushed the bike through the intersection, Atlanta police night Cmdr. James D. Patterson said. The victim was 3. Patrick Kuhen, who worked at the Bon Ton Boil House, a Vietnamese Creole restaurant that opened earlier this year in Midtown. The restaurants co owner, Eric Simpkins, told The Atlanta Journal Constitution Its been a hard day. Our work family has been in shock and dismay, but were attempting to cope together at the restaurant today. Deadly Feet Update JavaHe really meant a lot to all of us. Easily one of the best bartenders I have known, and an even better human being and friend. APD Cmdr. James Patterson describes motorcycle crash that shut down Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. Video by John SpinkAJC. The restaurant also released this statement He was a co conspirator, a leader, a mentor, a confidant, a counselor, a gentleman, a scholar, most importantly he was a true friend, and one of the most genuinely good people many of us have had the pleasure of knowing. His generosity of spirit, and conscious honesty, obvious passion for life, and open nature inspired all of us. Patrick Kuhen far left with his co workers at the Bon Ton, where he was the head bartender. Credit Bon Ton Boil House. The restaurant was closed temporarily Thursday but plans to reopen Friday. It will host an event to celebrate Kuhens life Monday from 5 p. Tarus Riggins Credit Fulton County Sheriffs Office. The driver of the SUV, identified as Tarus Riggins, 3. DUI and following too closely. The investigation blocked Ponce de Leon Avenue at Clifton Road for four hours. Lanes reopened about 8 a. Know whats really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJCs crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox. Deadly Feet Update Browser' title='Deadly Feet Update Browser' />The Deadly Nightshade I dont like grass. Im not a cow, I cant eat it. Christine. The last few months have seen an upswing in gun violence, burglary, car chases and more. And perhaps Im more of an optimist although I prefer Optimistic Realist, thank you very much because while I see the crime or rather hear about it, I also seeLocal Kids Participating in Na. No. Wri. Mo. I was invited by my daughters teacher to come by an after school session of Na. Insaniquarium Game For Mac more. No. Wri. Mo. For those of you not in the know, November is known as National Novel Writing Month Na. No. Wri. Mo which is empowering for writers and aspiring writers alike. I walked around the room, stopping to talk with the kids, answer questions on spelling, and more. There were at least fifteen of them in the room snacking on chips, typing away, and having a fun time. It makes me wish that Na. Deadly Feet Update Adobe' title='Deadly Feet Update Adobe' />No. Wri. Mo had been a thing when I was a kid. I dont remember being encouraged to write certainly shamed for not writing in the assigned journals we all had to complete but not encouraged to write in any other fashion. This changed in high school in San Francisco when I attended a small private school where we primarily learned out of books through independent study. It was there that I was allowed to escape from the torturous diagramming of sentences and instead jump headlong into the creative process. I love that my daughters fifth grade teacher was hosting this and encouraging the kids to just write, in whatever form it took. When we moved here four and a half years ago, we had been homeschooling our daughter for a couple of years. I joked that we were half committed before to it, and fully committed to homeschooling now that we lived in the city itself. Circumstances changed and when we enrolled the kiddo this year, I had a great deal of mixed feelings and trepidation. I am, however, incredibly impressed with the kindness, involvement, and dedication that each of my daughters teachers provide to her and to her classmates. As homeschoolers, we encountered and tried to dispel many myths about what homeschool is or can do. On the flip side, however, Ive learned that not all public school is the same, and that there are some phenomenal teachers out there. After Ms. L. told the group, Christine is our visiting author the kids came up, looked at my books, and asked questions. How long does it take to write a book was the predominant question. They seemed a little daunted by the answer It depends. For me, anywhere from six weeks to several years. I cant help imagining one or more of these kids in a few years cranking out a YA masterpiece that will change their lives and start them on a writing path. Harmony Project KCI cant say enough good things about Harmony Project KC From the phenomenal teachers and their smiling faces, to the difference they make in so many childrens lives, our community is lucky to have them. My daughter was in the very first class, nearly three years ago now, and plays the cello. In case you are new to the area, Harmony Project KC provides FREE music education to youth living in the Northeast area. This includes singing in a choir, learning to read music, play the recorder and other basic instruments, and then transitioning to classical instruments again, all provided at zero cost such as the cello, viola and violin. They recently added more instruments, but Ive been out of the loop on what those are. You can learn more about them by visiting their website and their Facebook page. Our Neighborhood Associations. As silly as it might sound, I had never heard of neighborhood associations before moving here. And I questioned the need or worth of them until I had attended plenty of meetings. Even after my husband joined our neighborhood association in Lykins and eventually ended up as president, I remained dubious. What was it really forWhat could it accomplish And until this fall, an evening class for the kiddo had prevented me from attending our Lykins monthly meetings on the 2nd Monday. I went to Novembers meeting, the first in a year or two that I was able to attend, and was bowled over. There were speakers, so many of them, and they were talking about investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in rehabbing existing structures currently abandoned, building new housing in vacant lots, and revitalizing an area that I have come to love. We also were lucky to have a police officer, one of those tasked with community outreach, available to give us a Crime and Grime update, as well as someone from the CID and NEAT, asking for help with creating more safe and crime free destinations for our youth to go to on Friday and Saturday nights. I found myself volunteering, having come straight from Na. No. Wri. Mo at our local elementary school, to host a writing class for teens. In the up and coming Maker Space on 1. I left the meeting so excited about the future of our neighborhood. In my minds eye I could see cute bungalows rising in the empty lots, decrepit and boarded up homes sparkling with a fresh coat of paint and new windows and all of them filled with families of all ethnicities and walks of life. If you want to see the future of our community, you need to attend one of your neighborhood association meetings. Northeast Kansas City Historical Society. I moved here to live in an old home. I adore old homes and consider it a banner day when I get to see the inside of one and explore the changes the years have wrought upon it. Each year, the Northeast Kansas City Historical Society holds a walking tour of around 4 6 homes. We were lucky enough to be one of those homes on the 2. All of the years all six have been phenomenal and it is a joy to hang out with others who share my love of architecture and want to help preserve it. If you love the older architecture here in Kansas City and would like to See and learn more about it. Attend a home tour or serve as a docent you get to see them for free when you doMeet others including a historian who share your interests. Support a group dedicated to preserving our architectural history. Then I strongly recommend you consider a membership with NEKCHS. Its just 2. 0 per year and you will get reduced prices on tickets for the Homes Tour the second Saturday of October, as well as a discount on their books and merchandise. They also have an amazing book out that highlights so many of our historic properties and a second one coming out in February 2. These Are Only a Few. Ive listed a small handful of organizations and activities that are occurring. Half a dozen more have occurred to me while writing about theseThere are so many good things happening in our area. And I hope to continue to focus on the positive, not the negative, even as we take steps to stop the negative from occurring. I count myself as lucky to live here and I hope that you do as well. Email Newsletter. I write about everything from gardening and community, to education, the writing process, DIY, and more. I maintain four blogs, write fiction and non fiction books, and I am a community educator. Click here to join the email list and receive ONE monthly newsletter that will provide you will all of the links to my blogs, updates on my writing projects as well as book promotions and special pricing. Your email will NEVER be sold or shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.