Where Dreams Live...In Atlanta
I love Atlanta. I love Atlanta for its people, food, and culture. But I truly believe my favorite thing about Atlanta is its knack for being home to terribly interesting and truly eclectic places. My absolute favorite place to go in Atlanta is the Fox Theatre, aka The Fabulous Fox Theatre. Honestly, the Fox truly is fabulous. From the first time I went to see Atlanta Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker," I have remained genuinely intoxicated by the place. Honestly, what are the chances of having a Bedouin-meets-Egyptian-meets-Venice during the Renaissance-style structure placed in the heart of Atlanta during the Great Depression? The Fox is obviously an Atlanta icon. Every local I know has a "Fox Story," so to speak. I've been fortunate enough to witness various ballets, the Rockettes, and Lady Gaga on the Fox stage. It's truly a kaleidoscope of culture, inside and out. It is one particular aspect of the culture of the Fox that lead me to this post, and that is the current plight of the "Phantom of the Fox," Joe Patten. Mr. Patten has actually been living at the Fox for the last 31 years. On a local morning news show this week, Mr. Patten appeared to discuss his current dispute with the owners of the Fox, who approached Mr. Patten about his living situation at the theatre. (You can read the story here, http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.aspx?storyid=152079) Mr. Patten's situation brought to my mind many thoughts about the Fox, the way we treat the elderly, and what is truly sacred to our society. I'm not going to bore you with my musings on these topics, but I am going to leave you with this: Beauty and history are sacred. I hope to never witness the demise of the beauty of places such as the Fox Theatre. I also believe people like Joe Patten remind the world of the history around us, and how it must be protected. I'm pleased to announce that things between Mr. Patten and the Fox appear to have been resolved and he can stay at the Fox as long as he desires. I was also pleased with the outcry of support from the public for Mr. Patten. So, while you take a gander at one of my favorite places, remember to take care of the things, people, and places you hold dear. And, most importantly, make the time to enjoy them.
