![Straight from the "A" [SFTA] ~ Adventures of an ATLien!](http://straightfromthea.com/wp-content/themes/straightfromthea/i/spacer.gif)
O.S.A.M. = Old School Atlanta Memories
Hey you guys…I want to introduce a new feature that starts tomorrow. I’ve finally taken a cue from a few of the StraightFromTheA veterans who suggested that I start compiling videos of celebs speaking on their favorite Atlanta memories. I’ve gotten quite a few for you gus and have decided that since Friday’s are already slated as the day I post ‘flashback’ videos, I’d continue with that theme and include a new video each week of O.S.A.M.s or Old School Atlanta Memories. A few I’ve already captured on film include my boo, Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, who reminisced about his days chillin at Charles Disco and Slim from 112 who cut the video short when he found out my ties to one of his teachers. 
I can’t wait to share them with you!
I’ve also recruited a fellow ATLien who’ll be writing under the moniker ‘Ms Auburn’ as in Auburn Ave. Ms Auburn will do her O.S.A.M column each Friday as well. Of course ALL of you are invited to join in on our Old School fun. I’ve even promised to reveal some of my tales of growing up in the SWATs (translation = Southwest Atlanta). If you’d like to submit a picture, video clip or simply want to share your fond memories of driving down Peachtree Street during Freaknik, chillin at Five Points or spending all your allowance at the Gold Mine game room in Greenbriar Mall, hit me up at StraightFromTheA@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to share your memories with the world. And guess what? You don’t even have to worry about me putting a name to your afro pic unless you want me to…
I can’t wait!!!
quantumPeach
February 12, 2009 @ 1:31 pmF.I.L.A.
Man, I remember just playing in the streets all day long. walking to the candy lady and still being careful of who you talk to, after all Wayne Williams was still kinda fresh on folks brains. Paying for a MARTA ride with loose change. During the summer we would spend almost every Saturday in Grant Park or Piedmont park, grilling of course! i remember when the hookers were still walking Stewart Ave, we used to get Rally’s burgers over there after coming back from swimming at South Bend park or Mozley park. i remember when they built the Kroger City Center on Cleveland ave, we used to live on the other end of Cleveland. There would be a lil break away fair that would pop up in the K-Mart parking lot. Oh yeah, lets not forget the fair that would be at the Braves Stadium. I was really hurt when they tore it down. We would go skating at Screaming Wheels or Skate Town. Watch Atlanta Jams on monday(?) nights and hit Sharon’s showcase, oh yeah do not forget MBK.
LIONEL PLAYWORLD…who remembers that place? it was freaking huge, or so it seemed! i remember when they built Tri-Cities, we used to bowl over there and get wings from the chinese restaurant in the plaza with Chick-A-Loe’s (East point).
We would cruise the AUC just riding past 559 and getting stuck in all the traffic. it was the best. you could literally turn your car off, sit on the hood and watch the people. it was the greatest and after that we would hit the Waffle House on Old Nat’l, where a fight was bound to jump off. Oh yeah, and who can forget Arnell Star-American Rap Makers and that show that would come on after it? Those programs had ALL the local music. oh, what about riding the pink pig and going to watch the lighting of the Rich’s Christmas tree? It always made me happy when riding into the city and seeing that twinkling star in the horizon. The Rich’s basement…enough said. I miss the old Rich’s, it was truly a shopping experience.
overall Atlanta has definitely evolved but there are still many spots that are the same as they have always been.
ATL4Sho
February 12, 2009 @ 3:47 pmATLien I shot you a email today. I can’t wait to see what you come up with on this topic! QuantemPeach you got me and my coworkers over here arguing about Rich’s and Macy’s downtown. We used to all go down there and shop during lunch. I remember there was a restaurant in Rich’s that I almost could never afford so I would head over to the mickie dees across the street while they ate with plates and forks and ****! haha! We can’t recall the name of it.
I remember skatetown but what you really know about the dirty south? huh? how bout JELLYBEANS! WHAT!?!? Hell yeah…I made my mom by me some red skates so I could put some black glittery shoestrings in em. My older brother went to Therrell and I wanted to be just like him. I ended up at Mays BTW. I can’t go on cause I want my story to be anonymous and I’m revealing too much info! HAHAHAHA!
Good looking out ATLien! We need some reflection right about now.
P
February 12, 2009 @ 7:14 pmOh my goodness, this is going to be great!
Listening to ‘kast as a teenager had me ready to move to GA in 95 but sadly the rest of GA isn’t like the A.
I can remember summer of 96 cruising on Peachtree before the no cruising zones. It used to be crunk every night.
I know someone is going to talk about “The Gate.” I had friends that used to drive down from SC State to the A to hit the Gate. I tried to go one time but it was closed.
Like QuanPeach said, 559 was the ish too. I never made it inside but the cruising was straight. Or just park and walk around. The box Chevy with that “Tick followed by that bump.”
I hit JJ’s Rib shack off the strength of mob’s “soul food” the floor was filthy so I couldn’t eat but ninjas I rode with had the munchies and ate that ish up.
I’m not a smoker but I remember riding with my friend when he copped 1,2 or 3 dollar sacks( I think they called them penny sacks) in University Homes. I had never heard of anyone selling that small a sack. Lol, only in the A.
spartylicious
February 13, 2009 @ 1:15 amI have so many fond memories of living in the ATL. It was either driving down to Atlanta from MSU for the Freaknik. Oooh, holding up traffic on 75/85, getting numbers and making plans to hook up. After moving to ATL for law school, I just remember hanging out and getting too wild in the Velvet. I can’t think of the particular night, but I was there every time dancing with my girl Kelly front and center on the stage. Shooot, I even remember having a good *** time at the old folks hangout on Old National and that hole in the wall on Campbellton (?). We’d only have to pay to get in and then the men would have the drinks for the rest of the night. They were so cool. I like that we could go to the upscale clubs, or rather meat markets. Remember that one over there by a Kroger? Then you could go to the hood club and still enjoy yourself. I also loved the diversity of Atlanta. I used to hit up the Havana Club when I wanted to get my Salsa on. Love it.
The best clubs are in Atlanta. You can go out all night and then take your drunk *** to the Waffle House on Northside with the rest of the drunks. That’s the best. I miss y’all. Hit the club for me this weekend for Sparty.
I love this site b/c it makes me feel good when I can my people looking good and doing it big. I’m always lurking, but I don’t usually reply. This post made me come out of the shadows.
sugar babee
February 13, 2009 @ 12:08 pmGrowing up in the “A” Well we grew up off Auburn Ave when there were prostitutes walking Auburn, we used to get our allowance on Friday and get up Saturday morning clean the house and walk downtown,Damn riding the #3 Auburn Ave we could save that little bus fair to go to Mcdonalds or Burger King downtown (i wonder why the dont have anymore with the upstairs) We loved going to Kessler’s to get colored Levi’s and Walter’s to get some fresh Stan Smith.
Those were the days
bels
February 13, 2009 @ 2:54 pm@ ATL4Sho – i went to Mays too! i have so many memories being from Adamsville/SWATS. i can truly say that I LOVE Atlanta. i’ve traveled to many cities and countries in my short life time, and there is not one place that compares to Atlanta. my fondest memories are the clubs. i was younger than the other Harper High folks in my hood. so they took me everywhere. i was all up in 559, Charles Disco, Sharon Showcase, Illusions, …with a fake drivers license. i remember going to 559 one time (i think Snoop Dogg performed there when he first got on the scene), but that little *** club was so packed. i was literally pressed up against the bar to point that i couldn’t even turn around and see the show.
i remember wanting to be on Atlanta Jams so bad. so i finally made it up to Club XS and got my dance ticket and waited my turn. i was a dancing fool. so when i got on that dance floor and i felt that camera on me, i was breaking it down like i was on soul train! you couldn’t tell me nothing.
another memory was hanging out at the McDonald’s on MLK across from Yasin’s Seafood. that was the hangout spot in high school after the Friday football games. and going to different rival high schools for basketball games and peeping the chicks out just to see if they were FLY like me. my mom didn’t have much money and i couldn’t really afford the name brand ****. but i could put some gear together. i stayed unique and fresh to def.
remember the talent shows. and everybody and they momma had a dance group.
remember, Down By Law????
who remember how Six Flags used to be OFF DA CHAIN??? remember that lil dance club they had in the park. i think that might have been the only reason i went to six flags. and to meet the boys too of course. lol
i know this ain’t that far back in the day. but Club 112 was one of my all-time favorite clubs. i done just about everything in that spot (except for having *** or giving head LOL).
STR8fromtheA – you should have a O.S.A.M party somewhere!!! i own an entertainment company. so let me know. we could make that happen!
Destiny
February 16, 2009 @ 1:44 amOMG!!! Screaming Wheels was the S#it until club nikki came. It brough a whole differnt crowd to stewart Ave
Destiny
February 16, 2009 @ 1:47 amLionel Play World…turn that frown…upside down!!! OMG
Destiny
February 16, 2009 @ 1:49 amATL4SHO. Did you know Mrs. Lofton from Mays?
Destiny
February 16, 2009 @ 1:52 amAfter Screaming Wheels changed with the opening of club Nikki, MBK was the place to be. I stayed at 559 and I went off to the Navy and came home on leave ready to hit up 559 and my friend said it burned down. I was hurt.
Destiny
February 16, 2009 @ 1:56 amsugar babee where did you live Wheat Street? I went to Walden Middle my 6th grade year. Stan Smith!!! Walter’s!!!
Destiny
February 16, 2009 @ 2:15 amThe Box…911 (the dance crew at Screaming Wheels), For Sisers Only (when it costs only $5), Doug vs. Mays games at Clark, Auburn Fest, Diadora shoes, Dopeman Nikes, Budweiser Fest @ Lakewood Amphith., Hightower Train Station, Grady Homes, Capital Homes, Gartrell Court, Harry’s Photos downtown, Was anyone in Upward Bound?
quantumPeach
February 16, 2009 @ 1:44 pmoh snap, who wasn’t in Upward Bound? LOL @ Harry’s which one, the one downtown, in the Kroger Citi Center on Cleveland Ave or the one in Discount Mall?
No lie, just on Friday my homeboy pulled out a leather bookbag that he got from Kessler’s. It still had the tag on it and everything!
ATLien
February 16, 2009 @ 2:03 pmHow bout the Harry’s in the Greenbriar Flea Market…What?!?!
Freddy Knox
March 19, 2009 @ 6:34 pmits not the best song but its pretty cool
tekvest
May 20, 2009 @ 2:53 amWhat about the petty skate center on columbia drive or club flavas?