Johns Creek to fight Love Shack

By DOUG NURSE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/25/06

Johns Creek is going to war.

About 900 residents of the new city converged at Chattahoochee High School to discuss what to do about the Love Shack, an adult business chain that wants to put a superstore in the heart of town.

They vowed to fight the owner, John Cornetta, in the courts, at city hall, at the Gold Dome and on his own turf.

"If they open, we're prepared," said Mayor-designate Mike Bodker. "If they don't open, we're prepared. We're prepared to regulate adult businesses in Johns Creek."

Cornetta, owner of the 10-store adult video chain, on Aug. 17 sued Fulton County in federal court for denying him a business license for a new 10,000-square-foot store at Jones Bridge and State Bridge roads.

Cornetta said the county should give him a regular business license because his store will open with less than 25 percent of its merchandise qualifying as adult material. More than 25 percent adult merchandise makes a store officially adult and triggers zoning restrictions and other enforcement issues.

Fulton County officials have said it's still an adult business and Cornetta needs to get appropriate zoning or move.

Fulton County senior attorney Steve Rosenberg received nearly a minute's applause when he proclaimed, "We plan to fight the lawsuit. We plan to keep the Love Shack shut down in Johns Creek."

Bodker said one of the first things the City Council will do when it takes office Dec. 1 will be to pass a series of adult entertainment ordinances. He said he's working on laws defining obscenity, adult entertainment, zoning adult businesses and banning alcohol at adult businesses.

He said state Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta) will introduce legislation re-establishing the state's obscenity law, which was overturned earlier this year by a federal appellate court.

One woman addressing the crowd suggested they could fill up the Love Shack's parking spaces, take pictures of patrons and create an unfriendly business atmosphere.

One man, Chris Wagner, 37, spoke against a crackdown on the Love Shack.

"It's a slippery slope," he said. "Once you start banning certain types of businesses, what's next? They're trying to force their morality on others. Fundamentalists are ruining this country."

Tom Embrey, 84, saw it differently.

"I live in a community close to where this is going," he said. "The whole city is against it because of the clientele that will be attracted, their moral character and their effect on children."

Jason and Meredith Malec said they're pleased that the authorities are trying to keep the store from opening.

"I was impressed," Jason, 35, said. "I was impressed so many people showed up. It demonstrates that people are fired up."

Tiger Woods celebrated his victory in the PGA Championship by flying to Houston to pick up a dog for his wife.

Elin Woods bought her husband border collie named Taz for Christmas. Woods got his wife a Labradoodle, a special breed of Labrador and poodle that they named Yogi.

He then spent his next two days not getting much sleep and picking up after the puppy.

"We have a puppy that's leaving a couple of new things around the house, so I had to take care of that," he said.

there's also yorkipoo, cockapoo, schnoodle, puggle, the list goes on. they're basically $2500 mutts. that's capitalism for you--as long as there are dumb people to fleece there'll always be folks there to take their money.

Then there's this piece of a story from an article on SI.com



What. The. Fuck.

Gotta say though, "Labradoodle" is kind of a neat word.

there's also yorkipoo, cockapoo, schnoodle, puggle, the list goes on. they're basically $2500 mutts. that's capitalism for you--as long as there are dumb people to fleece there'll always be folks there to take their money.

This first one from the AJC:

We'll have none of that 'up John's Creek' business from you, young lad.

Someone explain why those two articles made Yail vomit.

Does that mean mules are mutts, too?

People don't just crossbreed these things for purely cosmetic purposes. Poodles are less likely to shed, especially when compared to Labs or Goldens. Crossbreeding can also weed out breed-specific genetic maladies.

I'm also willing to bet that since dogs have been bred for quite some time now, your beloved Boston Terrier comes from a long line of capitalist mutts. Wikipedia says it's a English Bulldog + English White Terrier mix.

The first one, either he is against government repression of business practices OR is opposed to a haven for jack off artists and dickie waivers being near a school.

The second one, I can only assume is silly yuppies and their boutique dogs.

I think it's the repression, but at first I wasn't sure why he vomited either. As for the dog? I've heard about that cross poodle breed awhile back, so I don't find it regurgitory. I know lots of people who have cockapoos, they're great dogs in terms of temperment, health, longevity, as most mutts are. I assume the labradoodle is probably tops, as labs are awesome in and of themselve.

Yeah, as someone who is the proud owner of a finely bred dog, I am learning all about dog people and their weird ass shit.

I think Yail was just mad that we didn't have a fine smut/head shop within walking distance of our highschool.

I mean, how awesome would it have been to get a peep show on your lunch break.

Sometimes I Feel Like I'm The Only One Trying To Gentrify This Neighborhood

By Eli Kearney

When I moved into this neighborhood, I fell in love right away. Not with the actual neighborhood, but with its potential: It's affordable, there are nice row houses all around just waiting to be filled up by my friends, there's lot of open space to be exploited, and plenty of parking. Plus, this area has got a great authentic feel and, with a little work, it could be even more authentic. Perfect, right?

So why am I the only one doing anything about it?

I am always telling my other struggling artist, freelance graphic designer, and independent T-shirt-maker friends that this is the neighborhood to take it to. It's the next big thing. Sure, it's an hour from my day job and right next to a stinky canal and a power station, but that's the whole charm—it keeps the yuppies out.

It's frustrating, though. My friends insist they're happy where they are. But if they only saw the idealized neighborhood I see, where that rundown old health clinic is turned into a tattoo parlor, and that Last Supper mural is replaced with one featuring Radiohead or a stylized corporate octopus, they'd come around.

The problem is that the property owners here are clueless. They fill their yards with pavement and statues of the Virgin Mary, when all they have to do is clear that brush and we'd have a great beer garden or bocce court. They're spending all this money to renovate the old church, when it'd be put to better use split it up into condos. My landlord has no idea this apartment—hell, every apartment in this building—is undervalued. He could quadruple his profits by cutting my place in half. So I give him an extra 20 bucks a month hoping he gets the hint, but he just takes it out of the next month's rent.

Do any of these people appreciate what the neighborhood they're living in could be?

I'm trying to convince the owners of that taqueria on the corner to change their décor to incorporate some more of that funky Day Of The Dead motif I really like. But they insist on bland white walls. Ugh! I can barely pronounce the name, let alone enjoy its delicious, reasonably priced meals. Plus, you could take all the cool stuff from the five thrift stores and make one really great vintage shop. They'd make a fortune! And, you know, we would all have a fantastic view of downtown if only they'd tear down that dilapidated garage by the waterfront. Or, better yet, they could turn it into a restaurant with a roof deck. Can you say "brunch on the harbor"?

I can't be the only one who'd like to see a community garden and dog run around here, can I?

It sure would help attract people like me if there was a record store, too, and not the one with the giant Shakira cutout in the window. I mean a decent one. I went in to see if they had the new Fiery Furnaces, and they had never heard of it. They said they'd see if they could order it for me, but I declined. I mean, what's the point of supporting a local business if it's not cool?

It feels like I'm the only one trying to do any good around here.

When I first moved in, I loved the 50-cent coffees—it was like living in the '80s—but I wish they'd listen to me and start making lattes. I know I'd pay the extra three bucks, and I'm sure everyone else around here would, too.

I've tried being proactive. But none of the locals I've talked to about bringing in a co-op health-food grocery store have seemed excited at all. Nor have I gotten any of them to take part in my community open-house idea for hip young people to come see what this neighborhood is capable of. What did they do instead? They had a barbecue. With very loud music.

I mean, I don't want the people here to leave. I just want them to stay inside more. Especially if they're not going to do anything to bring this community to life. But they're always out on their stoops, just playing dominoes or talking. I like talking, but I do it inside, where it was meant to be done. It makes me uncomfortable to have people watching me all the time. Not that I think they'd do anything, but I just like to be a little more private.

Also, their dogs stay outside and bark all day. I like dogs just fine, but why can't their dogs be smaller and more nervous?

It's getting to the point where I feel like I'm tilting at windmills. But I can't give up—I know this neighborhood would benefit from the diversity of more people like me moving in. If you need a good place to live, come check out my 'hood. It's quirky, but it could use a few more creative types to get it jumping. But no developers—those guys just ruin it for the rest of us.

The first one, either he is against government repression of business practices OR is opposed to a haven for jack off artists and dickie waivers being near a school.

The second one, I can only assume is silly yuppies and their boutique dogs.

People don't just crossbreed these things for purely cosmetic purposes. Poodles are less likely to shed, especially when compared to Labs or Goldens. Crossbreeding can also weed out breed-specific genetic maladies.

I'm also willing to bet that since dogs have been bred for quite some time now, your beloved Boston Terrier comes from a long line of capitalist mutts. Wikipedia says it's a English Bulldog + English White Terrier mix.