Sunday, January 27, 2008
Quick, Radar

Radar

OBAMA READS SP!

Okay, we can’t prove it. But is it really coincidence that Sen. Barack Obama struck his best Martin Luther King Jr. pose at Ebenezer Baptist Church last Sunday, just as our Jan. 20 cover asked whether he is indeed “The next MLK”? We think not. Anyway, the senator electrified the Sunday morning service, stressing a need for unity that would have made the late civil rights leader proud. The next day—the official King holiday—the historic church hosted a 40th annual commemorative service that saw former president Bill Clinton endure a slight dig from Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin for calling Obama’s candidacy a “fairy tale.” But the highlight had to be MLK’s daughter Bernice King busting into a rap with Christian rapper Lil iROCC Williams. No, really.

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GOING TO THE DOGS

Nothing says generosity of spirit like dressing your pooch up in a fancy get-up and parading him or her in front of a crowd. At least, that’s the lesson we came away with from Doggies on the Catwalk, a pet fashion show at Grady High School on Jan. 17. The event, produced by Grady’s fashion program, Urban Couture, featured local celebs including Baton Bob, Leslie Fram, Mara Davis, Tom Sullivan, Mitchell Anderson and WSB-TV’s Monica Kaufman —and their pets. The whole thing was a benefit for Pets Are Loving Support (PALS), which provides vet care to companion pooches for critically ill and disabled Atlantans—news that no doubt helped four-legged fashion icons like Duke (below, right) endure the whole thing with a little dignity.

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THE END OF AN ERA

Hats off, please. Groundbreaking alternative rock station 99X has ceased broadcasting—at least on its familiar 99.7 frequency. (You can still find it on HD radio and online at 99X.com, where it’s pioneering something called “visual radio”). But as one door closes, another one opens. By the time you read this, sister station Q100 will have set up shop at 99.7; its morning-drive program The Bert Show (right), already moved in last week, giddily enjoying the new frequency’s powerful 100-watt signal.

Officials at Cumulus Atlanta, parent to both stations, are keeping mum as to what will replace Q100 on the weaker 100.5 signal starting Jan. 28. But you shouldn’t be surprised to hear morning miscreants The Regular Guys back on the air, says a source close to TRG jocks Larry Wachs and Eric Von Haessler. But don’t expect the same old show. The duo has an exciting new plan up its collective sleeve, according to our source: not getting fired. Best of luck with that, guys.

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SNOW DAY

Atlanta experienced one of its rare snowfalls last weekend, an event that made the national news. Some built snowmen, some cursed timid locals not familiar with driving under such conditions. And some, like our own graphic designer Jason Mallory (right), struck a more thoughtful tone. Is he contemplating the fickle ways of Mother Nature? The breathtaking beauty of freshly fallen snow? The melting of the polar ice caps? Nope. He’s pondering the eternal question: “Which is better—Rock Band or Guitar Hero III?”