the buzz By Kristi Casey Sanders
food + b e v e rag e
Drink up!
Celebrate the opening of Gordon Biersch’s second Atlanta location by enrolling in their Passports Rewards program. For every dollar spent, members earn Passport Points, which may be redeemed for dining benefits, including special dinners, shopping privileges with the restaurant’s retail partners or fantasy vacation packages. Cards are honored at all restaurants managed by the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group, which includes Big River Grille and A1A Ale Works, at locations across the U.S. Membership benefits include preferred seating, special offers and invitations to “members only” events. Sign up: Cost is $20, which members get back in restaurant credit with their permanent card. Sign up at gordonbierschrestaurants.com or in person. Two Atlanta locations: 848 Peachtree St. NE, Midtown, 404-870-0805; 3242 Peachtree Rd. NE, Buckhead, 404-264-0253.
trav e l + l e is u r e
Let’s roll ... This weekend, instead of sitting on the couch, sign up for a three-hour downtown Atlanta City Segway Tour. Before you know it, you’ll be zipping around the city, learning about its founding, civil rights history and seeing some of the incredible amenities added for the 1996 Olympics. Best of all, Segways don’t tire you out. To move, you simply shift your balance to the front or back. Note to “Ghost Hunters” fans: They offer an evening “Ghosts and Legends” tour, too. Get on board: Downtown tours depart from 50 Upper Alabama St., Ste. 256, daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Price is $70/per person. Group rates also are available. For more information, visit citysegwaytours.com/ atlanta or call 404-588-2274.
GIFT + DÉCOR
In this economy, giving someone a gift card is a dicey investment, because you don’t know if the company will go out of business. And generic gifts don’t express anything. So if you really want to show someone you care, check out the eclectic selection at Donna Van Goghs. From fine oil paintings and folk art, jewelry and glass art to metalwork, T-shirts, handmade cards and kids’ books, the store is stocked with locally made art, which means that every purchase helps support Atlanta artists. And the shop offers free gift-wrapping, which is a nice touch. Get artsy: 1651 McLendon Ave. NE, Candler Park, Atlanta; 404-370-1003; donnavangoghs.com. 60 EncoreAtlantA.com
Kristi Casey Sanders; jenny schisler
Art a go-go