Shootings in Baltimore

This kind of stuff makes me sad to read, especially when I’ve spent the weekend away telling everyone how super brill Baltimore is…

More shootings in Baltimore

‘Baltimore police say one man was killed in a double shooting in southwest Baltimore.

Police say officers found a man shot and wounded in a car and another man wounded on a nearby sidewalk around 1:15 a.m. Saturday. The man in the car was taken to a hospital, where he died. The other man was expected to survive.

The slaying brings the city’s homicide total for the year to 202. It’s the second consecutive year there have been more than 200 slayings in the city after the total dipped to 197 in 2011. The city has one of the highest per-capita murder rates in the nation.’

202. 😦

Atlanta, Georgia

So, this weekend I headed to Atlanta to play netball (a game that we play in the UK, and which is popular in the Caribbean, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, and one that is going to take the USA by storm, mark my words!!).

I didn’t see much of Atlanta, because I mostly saw the inside of a hotel and netball courts at a school, but I did note the following things…..

1. 2nd Chance Bail Bond
I drove past this curious place a few times. When I first saw it, it was night time and at first I thought it was an inviting saloon or bar, all lit up and with some rocking chairs on the porch.

See, makes you want to go in!

Then I saw that it was a bail bonds place.

I realised that I noting about bail bonds, so I Googled it, naturally.

Thanks!
‘I am very thankful and blessed. I needed to get my boyfriend out of jail and really didn’t have the funds to do so. I called A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds, explained my situation and they were ready to help. My concern was since I didn’t have a lot to put down, I was waiting on them to say No but instead it was YES!!! They also allowed me to settle my account with a payment plan. No situation is to small for A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds. Now my boyfriend will be able to go back to work and be home with the kids. Thank you Ryan. Call A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds, where you will receive professional, caring, honest HELP. THANK YOU RYAN!!!!!!!!’

‘When my daughter called to ask for help…
When my daughter called to ask for help because she was put in jail, I didn’t know what to do, being out of state!!! After many phone calls I found Ryan of 2nd Chance Bail Bonds. He worked thru the process with me, helped every step of the way, even provided transport to his office when my daughter was released. I really am thankful and recomend (sic) Ryan of 2nd Chance Bail Bonds to any parent who has to face this situation. Thanks again, Ryan.’

Response from Ryan
‘Dear parent, Your absolutely welcome! I’m glad you got in touch with us because we know how it is to have a loved one in jail while being in a different state. Especially your own child. I’m glad we could make it as easy as possible for you in such a difficult/unexpected time because we find that to be extremely important in this business. That’s what separates us from the rest. We are the best! Thank you for your business.’

I don’t think I still know what bail bonds are, but I do think if I ever needed one, I would go to 2nd Chance Saloon – I mean Bail Bonds – and I would say hello to Ryan. Actually, I guess one of my relatives would because I would be in jail…

Because everyone deserves a Second Chance….

2. Kentucky fried chicken‏ looks big in Atlanta

Large chickens

I just wish there had a been a sign for ‘Kenny Rogers’ Chickens’….

(U.S folk – ‘to roger’ is a vernacular verb used in the UK to mean….. 😉 …..so to us, ‘Kenny Rogers(‘) Chickens’ is very, very funny…). Actually, I think it’s called ‘Kenny Rogers’ Roasters’, now, but the former is definitely funnier….

3. The Chattanooga

I saw signs for Chattanooga, Tennessee, as in ‘choo-choo’, which excited me very much!

Chattanooga train thing!

There is also a river called the Chattahoochee, which I just wish I had had time to see, because I love the name 🙂

4. Coca-Cola Museum

The World of Coca-Cola Museum is one of Atlanta’s main tourist attractions. Fact.

Cola fountain (not really)

If you want your teeth to rot and to get your kids hyper, this is the place to go….

I had no idea it was in Atlanta, but very proud of it they are too!