Southside Atlanta Memories

Southside loses a faithful servant; Maurice Fain.

Didn't Mr. Fain teach Industrial Arts while we were there? What a nice family. I did not know him well in school, back in the -oh, wait, 1980s- Well, in F-ville, that was still 'back in the day' when they didn't encourage little girls to take industrial arts, so I didn't have occasion to run into him. What if they'd let me take an electronics class then? Hmmm...

The Fains were neighbors to the Cliftons and longtime teachers to the older boys. Mr. Fain gave a fascinating F-villi-a-in eulogy at Mr. Clifton's funeral, as well. The Fains have stayed faithful to the ideas that make the southside worthwhile, where neighbors help neighbors, and the old ties are the stronges.

HEre is Mr. Fain's obit in the Fayette Citizen. Thanks to Kathy Winton for posting.

Panama City Beach is doing just fine-just likeThunder Beach!

Hi Southside friends!

Long time and all-finishing up another semester of school, all that good stuff- and yes very worried about this terrible oil explosion and continuing gusher currently in the Gulf of Mexico. AS OF NOW: It is fantastic here- pics taken Saturday, May 8th, 2010, near Ms. Newby's.

 

Looking toward the State Park

Looking west toward Pineapple Willy's

I didn't take any pics today, but I should have! I was down there reading all but the first couple of chapters, which I had read earlier at work (shhh.) The air was fresh, the water clear, and the beach white. I had my lunch and whipped through the most amazing beach book!

Michael Lister is an honest to God local of the Wewa variety, and a well known author to boot. his latest, "Thunder Beach" is a page-turning good read. A good looking out- of work journalist- (is there any other kind these days?), a hot, and yikes, I mean HOT love interest- (yes, I had to skip some sentences...) together on a nail biting crime mystery-

but the SETTING- is your favorite place! Panama City Beach! You'll feel like you're back in PCB as you go through the old Miracle Strip, hit La Vela on a party night, and yes, even get to hang out on the pavement at good old Ms Newby's!

Of course, what's PC with out a visit to Hunt's - it's here, too- heck, he outs (really) a lot of our cool spots I wish he'd left a secret!

What is amazingly coincidental- if you believe in that sort of thing- is that Lister's unemployed hero and stripper heroine are digging into the depths of the crime we all on the Southside of Atlanta so want to eradicate-
forced prostitution and slavery!

I know- when you walk down the beautiful beach, with all the beach beauties, it makes you wonder how the professionals manage to compete with the amateurs, but where there's a buck there's a creep waiting to exploit the one with the buck.  

"Thunder Beach" goes ahem, yeah, undercover (sorry) and takes the lid off Panama City Beach and takes you back to the places you've hung out at, and come back to, all your life.

While I was on the beach this morning, I spoke with the niece of one of our remaining Mom and Pops down here on the East End. She said some places were giving out free nights because of the panic over the oil mess and its possible effects on out beaches. Like I showed you, nothing but fantastic right now.

Why don't you gas up the car, get a copy of Michael Lister's "Thunder Beach" and have the laziest, most productive, most memory filled week (or weekend) of your life?

COME ON DOWN, the WATER'S FINE!

Child prostitution, sex trade, Jesus, Saints...one of these things is not like the other..

SO-- blogroll. I was not going to do this; figured I had highlighted enough groups to get any of you started that might be so inclined to support folks involved in the skin trade.

My FC school mate Frank Mercer (now pastor at Rolling Hills Church, Southside) had this great post  featuring the Pocket Jesus. That link led to another, "I wish my wife still looked at porn. "  This linked to Victoria's Friends ,the site for a group that takes gift baskets to women working at clubs. At this point I'm in tears; I find this work really moving. But I was having a time trying to get any contact info to get a little more info on the VF group; totally understand the need for confidentiality; just wanted some bkgrnd. I think I may have succeeded in leaving a message, but still not sure.

So I go back on the social networking utility that sucks in so very much time, and there's Southside Runners with a link to Street GRACE, an Atlanta non denominational alliance with the mission to end sex ex of kids (CSEC) in Atlanta.

There was a project much like this in the early 20th century in Atlanta; very energized by young Atlantans wanting to change the city for the better; many churches were involved, and I can definitely see Linda on fire with the young Peter Marshall Presbyterians taking care of girls "in trouble" (she related some of this to me in rather guarded terms; I was a preteen and I suppose she did not want to shock me...) and getting together with scores of other young saints to plan their next foray. 

I'll try to find the old group- I believe it was affiliated with the 1920s Ivan Allen version of Forward Atlanta, sort of a civic clean up type thing that the Chamber of Commerce crowd wanted to see just enough to draw business, but not enough to draw blood; the church folks thought a little differently.

SO- If you were wanting more info on how to help kids -and adults- who are feeling hopeless today- here are some folks just like you to get together with. If you are at a time in your life when you just can't get out- aching joints, little kiddies biting your ankles, you can pray and/ or send a dollar.

Have a great Southside day!

Atlanta Child Murders, child prostitution in the news again (was there a connection?) Thanks also to some Southside Saints!

Just saw a nice Q&A on ajc.com with Jack Mallard, who has just published his account of the Wayne Williams trial. Wayne Williams was convicted of the main murders, but Mallard, who was the prosecutor who sent Williams to prison, says he considers some of the cases "open."

I went to Amazon.com and checked out as much of the book as I could, which was the isbn page, the table of contents (sigh), and Mr. Mallard's intro. The two customer reviews praise his trial narrative; too bad I didn't get to sample it. I for one am always thrilled to see a participant record his or her memories of an historic event and really look forward to reading the book.

I will say that in reading the ajc "conversation" and the book's introduction I did not learn anything I didn't already know from  Bernard Headley's exhaustive "The Atlanta Child Murders and the Politics of Race"  , published in  1999, eleven years ago, by Southern Illinois University Press. As you know, I've featured this book, which I stumbled upon in the old Panama City downtown library (BCPL) several years ago, on this blog on the right side of the page- feel free to click and order. If you have any interest in Atlanta in the '70s and '80s it is definitely worth your while.

Why were some of the other kids picked up? Did the ACMs teach us anything about our kids? Were some of the kids picked up for the purpose of making them into prostitutes? The Headley book brings up some of these questions. I mentioned in a recent post Moving in the Spirit, a non-profit that provides dance training to kids after school,, in hopes of helping them see their own worth, and keeping them out of harms way.

In the same post, I was highlighting Jim Garroway's Political Insider blog in the ajc.com mentioning Renee Unterman's curious opposition: her former peers in the Republican aisles. Unterman does not want children picked up in child prostitution cases arrested and handcuffed; she sees them as victims who need treatment and help. The column says that the Georgia Baptist Convention is siding with her opposition. In the "Comments" on the ajc.com column, a commenter states the belief that GBC has reexamined the bill and rescinded its support.  I wrote the GPC and got a VERY prompt- especially for a late Friday afternoon- reply from the AA, and Rev. H. Ray Newman, Sr., Specialist- yes, that's his job title, in the Convention's  Ethics and Public Affairs department. The administrative assistant (read woman who does everything and knows how those grey boxes with wires and typewriters on the front work) and Pastor Newman both informed me of a ministry that I'm thrilled to know exists,

Wellspring Living. This group is reaching out to and assisting victims of the sex trade, and was started by a handful of SOUTHSIDE women! Oh yeah!

I'm still waiting to find out whether the GBC is supporting the bill or not, but I will tell you I really appreciated Newman's graciousness in getting back so quickly, and in spite of my fairly accurate remark about secretaries -I mean Administrative Assistants- doing all the work- I believe Pastor Newman wrote his letter himself.

Please check out Wellspring Living, and let me know about any other groups you'd like to know more about. Do something for these women and kids- and the deluded men as well who are being chained up like a beat down pit bull by this selfish mess.

And check out the new Mallard book- but by all means - get Bernard Hadley's book, as well.  

Do children pimp themselves? Renee Unterman -politician, takes a stand.

In an unsettling turn of events, some Georgia legislators  have decided to ostracize their fellow, or should I say -sister- member of the Georgia Assembly for her stand for the victims of child prostitution. I would think the sheer rarity of seeing any politician actually taking a stand for anything would be enough to silence the body, but evidently that is not the case .

Please check out this piece in today's ajc.com to get the particulars on why some Republicans are slamming Unterman, (R,Buford) as soft on crime. Unterman maintains that since in the state of Georgia a person under 16 can not legally consent to sex, it stands to reason a person under the age of 16 cannot legally consent to prostitution, and therefore should not be prosecuted and sent to jail. She and most post Dikensian child and family advocates  have seen child prostitutes as victims of coercion and urged therapy. Even from a hard law and order point of view, these young witnesses can give prosecutors information about the workings behind the scenes if they are not scared into silence by handcuffs.

Check out the comments; as usual, some are silly, but there are some that are thoughtful.

According to the commentary, there are some groups supporting Senator Unterman . While not at all directly related to child prostitution, good old  Fayette Presbyterian supports a group in Glenwood that I enjoy hearing about; you are close enough to go check them out-

Moving in the Spirit is a non profit group that teaches dance to students who otherwise might not have a chance to be involved in after school lessons.  See if you are led to support this group or research other groups that do work for children that need to know what they are worth.

An Eastern philosopher from the first century said any person that harms a child, or causes a child to be harmed, should wish to be thrown into the sea with a giant rock tied around his or her neck, rather than the fate that might be visited upon him or her by an angry god.

I hope you, and your legislator are all aware of child prostitution in our Southside. It's not a pleasant subject, at all, but there's another ancient maxim that says if we have the power to do something good, but do not, then we are at fault. You can look here on this blog for some stories on this sick mess. 

Haiti on the southside: One band aid for ten doctors, or: It takes money to put fuel in these aircraft; ships.

Well I've wasted yet another Sunday morning trying to track down the original tenants of the building at 133 Luckie Street, home of Turner Enterprises.

Just getting some background; you see, Turner Enterprises has a plane bringing in much needed supplies to the people of Haiti and the workers struggling to help them survive the effects of the earthquake and the aftershocks that still dog the island and its capital, Port-au-Prince.

I know you Southsiders have such compassion you haven't even thought to wonder what this has to do with the Southside and why exactly this is being published here.

This video is courtesy Toby Blanton, Fayette County High School Class of '85. He is the Chief Pilot for Turner Enterprises and I cannot tell you how moving this clip will be. Toby's recording this in the plane headed back (to the Airport, presumably) for a reunion with his family, and his pillow. 

He tells us that on this trip they delivered to Haiti an NPR reporter, two Drs with the UNF, a CNN security officer, 500 pounds of supplies , 800 lbs of infant supplies such as Pedialyte, as well as rice.

Listen as he tells how  the woman heading an  orphanage -for which the supplies are intended, and her intrepid confreres- actually orphans themselves- get the truckload delivered.  Two boys laid on top of blankets covering the supplies and played dead to discourage hungry would-be diverters along the way. 

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/6ea6f8b1d4c3e999965fcccc208d50c5/video/9401489

The Turner Enterprises team then brought out some stranded US citizens, as well as an 85 yr old Haitian man who had been a hospital patient suffering from stroke when the earthquake hit. Someone had gotten him out of the wrecked building, but he was found helpless on the side of the road a few days after the first quake. The man actually has family here in the U.S. and is now in Florida being treated.

"The (Haitian) people are maintaining...but it's on the verge..."

You can see the weariness in Blanton's face and feel the exhaustion in his tired eyes. Yet one senses a small bit of old fashioned southside satisfaction in a job he's given 110%, and hear the hope in his voice as he outlines plans to head back out this week with more supplies, and airlift more orphans to Florida for haven.  

Toby advises us to please give money in lieu of visiting. He quotes a Dr. there who says, "There's ten doctors for every band aid."

Money buys fuel, money buys supplies.

Please give to a group that already has infrastructure and the all important established network of connections. The Red Cross, World Vision, Compassion: all groups that can put your dollars to work right away. I know the Florida Baptist Convention has established workers and orphanages and local indigenous churches they assist; your group may also.

Proud of you, Toby! We'll keep watching!

Here are a couple of videos from the ground that touch upon some of the logistical challenges that assistance comes up against.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/01/22/gupta.haiti.med.supplies.stuck.cnn?hpt=Mid

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weekend/haiti-earthquake-aid-workers-encounter-challenges-distributing-rations/story?id=9586331

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Merry Christmas, last minute gift ideas form a reader- Chick-Fil-A

As always Southside readers have the greatest ideas- see comments before:

If you have folks you haven't seen yet- pick up a Chick-Fil-A calendar for the New Year!

I'm currently watching the 1938 MGM adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" and it is a winner- full of great quotes: "You may be an undigested bit of beef." and Reginald Owen's delivery of "Humbug!"

AND Southsiders- Who is a wonderful blond vision of the Ghost of Christmas Past but Ann Rutherford! 

Have a fantastic Christmas day!

The Chick-Fil-A Cow! The best guest ever! Shopping with Santa in PC, Southsiders party and run!

LookLookLook!!! You don't know how excited I was to get my pic taken with the Chik-Fil-A Cow!

  He and his friend Ms. Burleson were kind enough to come to my work this morning and tell us about the excitement expected over at the Panama City Mall tomorrow (Fri Nov 13th) afternoon at 6:00 p. m.  Many of you have traveled here and shopped at our little mall; some of you might remember the days BEFORE Pier Park!  My southside friend JB used to show us the fantastically cool FLORIDA clothes they'ed find at---Gayfer's - before it became Dillard's. It is currently Dillard's, and staffed with some of the most knowlegable and helpful salespeople anywhere.

If you are a Chick-Fil-A fan, or a Santa follower, then you should be at the Panama City Mall tomorrow at 6:00 p. m. After Santa arrives (on a FIRE TRUCK!) and makes his way to Center Court, the first 100 children who visit Santa will receive a free plush REINDEER COW!  I said CHILDREN, now!

While you're there you probably will want to pick up some Chick-Fil-A- the service is cheerful and kind and helpful.

I will, ironically, be taking care of some Southside buisness- ok-pleasure- at the Shrine Club Saturday night in Fayetteville when we have another get together to Party it down with some Fayette County High School brethern and sistern!

I'm also happy to report that I'm visiting Decatur Presbyterian Church Sunday; they're graciously hosting an early Thanksgiving meal and I'm getting a chance to be a part of the festivities.   Decatur Presbyterian is of course the former sponsor of the DECATUR  cabin at Campmeeting, or Smyrna Campground, site of so many of my best Southside memories. The Decatur Cabin featured the pool table and the ping-pong table, and allowed all the 'young people' to hang out and sign names on the pine board walls and posts.

I alos plan to check out the PRR course JUST IN CASE I get a spot! Heres a pic from this past July of two much loved southsiders, retired Headland High teachers. Who knos? Maybe they taught Sharron Reeves, who later taught us at Fayette Elementary- The BEST fourth grade teacher EVER!

Can't wait to see you guys. 

 

They were our sunshine; farewell to a music lover's musician, J. O. Smith

The poor ajc.com just ran this notice of the passing of John Smith, of the Smith Brothers, most recently of Griffin.

Texas swing is a great favorite of mine, and western is a close cousin. I'm sure many of you have seen them together as the Sunshine Boys; they also performed as one incarnation of the legendary Light Crust Doughboys. They appeared in several Eddie Dean westerns and are featured  (scroll down, second subject on page) on this informative site, b-westerns.

And who says brass can't be fun? Not I nor anyone who's seen Fred Mills and his Canadian Brass. Mills has just left us, the students at UGA and music a lot poorer with his untimely passing after a car accident on 78.  

Two talented men; both pioneers in their fields. Fortunatly they've lived long enough to see their music appreciated by yet antoher generation of listeners and musicians alike.

Breakin' the Law... and World War Two memories of Third Army Civilian Supply Officer Linda Weller

According to the 'rules' of blogging, a blogger or blog editor is not supposed to post twice in one day, but here is another evocative, informative piece by Robert Averch ( a for-real Hollywood type, and from all appearances, somewhat paradoxically,  a dedicated family man) writing on one of my favorite subjects-- Hollywood in WW Two. [Disclaimer- you may or may not agree with all of his views or conclusions but his knowledge of Hollywood history and use of archival images is pure art.]

It got me thinking about Linda and Ft. Mac, and her actually pretty decent role in The Good War.  She told me the most amazing stories, all corroborated and even expanded upon by her buddies, all still thriving in the late '60s and early '70s. 

She told me of spiteful enlisted and officers who would, knowing her religion, cuss in every color of the rainbow to try to intimidate her and insult her ( a female doing man's work in this  man's army was not quite the wacky wave-fest one might imagine it to be...)

She told me of nights sleeping on the table in her office, of staying up all of some nights on Coke (ha ha- not that kind,) and I witnessed the ruin her  kidneys had become  by the '70s.

But what I took away  from that was that the years she gave to the United States Army at Conley and at Ft. Mac during World War II were the most exhilarating, meaningful years of her life. She was using her many and extreme talents (she was said later to be able to 'read' the early IBM punch cards at a glance.) in the service of a cause that she knew to be right and true. She solved problems and got the goods through to 'her boys' in Third Army, some of whom would write her gratefully and with specific requests, so great was their confidence in her.

I wanted to have lived in the 1940s, and sat or lay  enraptured in front of the TV any time 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' aired on 17, ditto 'Mrs. Minerver'  'This is the Army', and my biggie fave, 'The Best Years of Our Lives.'    (All of these can be found at these two sites, as well as at many others--TCM is actually playing another of my all time faves- Sergeant York-yes I know it was about WWI, but it was released in the '40s and of course was certainly "white propaganda" of the most delicious kind.

Linda of course remembered actually seeing these films when they were first released, many of them at Lowe's Grand, or the Fox. She also remembered the Bugs Bunny cartoons I loved so well -as shorts shown before some of these flicks.

The upshot is that I am still emmeshed in the early 20th century, a time when faith in the Lord, hard work, FDR, and penicillin were enough to conquer the world.

Enjoy the freedoms we do have, and sit down and watch one of these excellent movies with your family, and make some brand new Southside Atlanta Memories.