DER BIERGARTEN OKTOBERFEST 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/29/20

CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST AT DOWNTOWN ATLANTA’S DER BIERGARTEN WITH EVENTS & SPECIALS EVERY WEEKEND DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER!

Party Oktoberfest-style with pig roasts, keg taps, live music, a virtual run and more!

Join us for the only authentic Oktoberfest party in Atlanta…. enjoy ‘Munich on Marietta’ in the heart of downtown. Oktoberfest specials and events will be available every weekend during the month of October—celebrate with pig roasts, keg taps, live music, food & drink specials, free (souvenir) glass Fridays, a virtual run and so much more! A full calendar of events and specials can be found here.

Socially distanced dine-in seating will be available inside and on the outdoor patio, following all recommended necessary health precautions.

Prost! (Cheers!)

THE HAUNTED HIGHWAY HALLOWEEN EXPERIENCE 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/29/20

Georgia’s Only Drive-Thru Halloween Event

Halloween is not cancelled!  We have found a way to save Halloween so all ages can continue to enjoy this special time of year with a drive-thru contactless experience near downtown Atlanta. Keep the fun traditions and excitement of Halloween alive this year in a safe, engaging, and interactive format.

Celebrate all the tricks and treats of Halloween from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle at The Haunted Highway Family Friendly Experience. Get dressed up with us and enjoy the spooktacular fun that makes Halloween what it is. This interactive experience will take you through a not-so-scary adventure suitable for Halloween-lovers of all ages; full of spooky ghosts, goblins, and ghouls with a few tricks and treats along the way.   Wind your way through Witches’ Cove, Candyland, Haunted Hall and a Pumpkin Patch to catch the Halloween spirit.  And capture some pictures and treats along the way.

“My children start planning their Halloween costumes in August and it’s become a family tradition to dress-up.  As Halloween approached and the pandemic remained, we were getting worried that Halloween would be canceled this year.  So we got creative!  We made a safe event for Halloween-lovers of all ages and found local actors, event organizers, set producers and marketers that were also passionate about saving Halloween to produce an event for Atlantans” said Event Organizer, Kevin Cregan.  “It feels good to support families and employ talented individuals by safely bringing a little joy this pumpkin season”

“We will also be supporting a Costume Drive to provide costumes for children in need including kids living in poverty, those with special needs, physical and/or mental disabilities, kids in foster care or those that have experienced a recent trauma or natural disaster. Attendees are encouraged to bring gently used costumes to donate through The Halloween Helpers, a non-for-profit organization, that last year alone saved Halloween for 10,000 children. We are thrilled to be able to provide Georgians with a way to bring a smile and a costume to children across the country”

The Haunted Highway will be open daily, from 3:00pm to 11:00pm from Friday October 16th – Saturday October 31st During the daytime, it be suitable for children ages 3 and up, and from 8 pm and on, frights will increase to terrify those brave souls PG-13 willing to travel down The Haunted Highway. Your 30-40 minute drive-thru only event is located in the parking lot of North Dekalb Mall, 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur, GA 30033 – conveniently located just off of Highway 285.

Tickets can be purchased online at thehauntedhighway.com

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What to expect:

  • Scenic Tunnels and Halloween Scenes:  Drive through a winding path and discover pumpkins, princesses, scarecrows, fairies, zombies and many others greeting you from their interactive scenes.
  • Don’t be surprised to see dressed-up characters along the way demonstrating their very own Halloween tricks.
  • A Photo souvenir so Halloween 2020 isn’t forgotten along The Haunted Highway
  • Dressing up in Costume is encouraged.
  • Halloween Treats and/or Non-Candy Goodies will be distributed in a safe manner.

Safety Precautions are Being Taken

-The speed limit is 5 mph once you enter The Haunted Highway.

-All guests must remain in their vehicle at all times, there are no restrooms or concessions on site.

-All vehicles must have current car insurance.

-The driver will be responsible for any damage and injuries that may occur, due to the fault of the driver.

-If vehicle windows are open, passengers must be wearing masks.

-There will be a maximum vehicle height restriction at the event.  No vehicles taller than 7’ 6” and no wider than 8’6” will be able to travel through The Haunted Highway.

Fresco Cantina Grille: Fresh is right in the name.

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/27/20

We came for the Summer Sippin Cocktail and stayed for the fresh food. And fresh is right in the name and we must agree, Fresco Cantina Grille is a perfect mix of fresh ingredients and classic Mexican fare! From perfectly seasoned classic street tacos, to a wonderful triple dip, to one of the best margaritas in all of Atlanta, you’re in for a fiesta! Plus, we went on Taco Tuesday, the holiest of taco days and if you’re looking for a good Taco Tuesday spot, the street tacos we mention below are two bucks! It was such a great price without skimping on the taste. Let’s dig in.

Whatever you do, make sure to get the fresh Pico de Gallo, guacamole, and queso trio. You can mix and match the trio with all your food! Like the freshly chopped Pico de Gallo with sweetness of corn and savory of tomatoes. We put this on everything and was the best topping for any taco! The guacamole was the right amount of spice and creaminess, while the queso goes with just about everything and was thick and creamy, as well. We mixed the guacamole and Pico together some and that was really fantastic, fresh and bright!

But we must profess our love for their Elote side dish! It was the star of the show with a great crunch and sweetness, topped with creamy cheese. Plus, the lemony, tangy, and sweet mayonnaise and that right amount of spicy seasoning rounded out the bite and brought it all together. Fantastic bite! Must try! The other side we got were the yuca fries. A hefty amount of yuca perfectly fried and topped with a little bit of cheese. Our advice is to use the fries instead of chips for your triple dip. The starchy and crisp goes so well with the creamy cheese or earthy guacamole. Yum.

For our Taco Tuesday fix, we got an array of tacos and really enjoyed the Al Pastor street taco and the tilapia regular taco the most. Starting with the Pastor, it was the perfect little bite with sweet and savory of the pork juxtaposed with the pineapple. This is one of those tacos that you don’t need to put anything on it. Just very good, plain and simple! Then, we loved the freshness of the tilapia and the fantastic sauce. Pro tip: top with guacamole and the fresh Pico, it adds a crunch and earthiness that pairs well with the flakiness of the fish and the creaminess of the sauce. We also liked the carnitas and barbacoa street tacos, and fried chicken regular taco. The carnitas and barbacoa were both rich and meaty, while the fried chicken was crunchy and creamy with a mayo-based sauce!

What brought us here was the Summer Sippin cocktail, the Blackberries Hot Volcano Margarita, and it was one of the best margaritas we’ve ever had the pleasure of trying. A blackberry muddled cocktail, shaken on a drink contraption, with spicy tequila and topped with a Snow cone that’s drenched in mango syrup. It was slightly spicy with the tart and sweetness of the blackberries, lime, and triple sec culminated in a flavor explosion when the mango seeped into the drink and brought a delightful sweetness on the back. It was an inventive and fun cocktail that we hope they keep on the menu!

Now that we think about it, we need to go back for the margarita before it’s gone.

CITY WINERY ANNOUNCES OCTOBER CONCERTS WITH LIMITED CAPACITY AND ENHANCED WELLNESS PROTOCOLS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/24/20

Raul Malo (The Mavericks), Ken Ford, Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, and more slated to perform at the intimate, yet socially-spaced room

 

Fans can now experience concerts at home thanks to new cameras for

HD livestreams with premium audio

 

City Winery announces exciting updates with enhanced safety protocols. Live music is back at City Winery with limited seating concerts featuring an incredible lineup including performers such as Raul Malo (the incomparable frontman of genre-defying band, The Mavericks), who headlines the reopening night on October 10 with two shows. Other concerts on sale include Ken Ford, who returns for four shows, including two brunch concerts, on October 17-18. Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, who continue the legacy of Ralph Stanley with their GRAMMY-winning band, perform two shows on November 1. The reconfigured seating layout includes widely-spaced tables with the same intimate feel Atlanta has come to expect of City Winery. The globally-influenced, wine-focused, and locally sourced menu will be available to enjoy for concert dining.

City Winery’s commitment to provide a space for guests and artists to safely and comfortably indulge their senses has never wavered, but their approach to doing so has certainly evolved.

Safety measures include, but are not limited to:

  • tables spaced 6 feet apart
  • all City Winery employees wearing masks and gloves
  • all guests required to wear masks upon arrival, when moving about the room, when finished eating & drinking, and when server is attending to a guest’s’ table
  • contactless temperature check & wellness questions upon arrival (includes City Winery staff)

Tickets for the full lineup (listed further down the release) of new shows are available Friday, September 25, at 12 p.m. ET. and can be purchased here. City Winery’s VinoFile members can purchase tickets 24 hours in advance on Thursday, September 24.

Another exciting update to the City Winery concert hall is the installation of cameras to livestream shows. In partnership with the new livestream platform, Mandolin, City Winery offers concert-quality audio, full HD video, and an unparalleled fan experience. These include public and private chat, watch parties, custom emoji reactions, meet & greet experiences and fan upgrades.

“Reopening is a process, but one thing remains constant – your safety, and ours, is of paramount importance. We are careful to err on the side of caution,” said Michael Dorf, Founder and CEO of City Winery.

He continued, “When you’re ready to return, we’re here for you. And if you’ve been to a concert, you know: the second set is the best set. We’ll make the most of ours. We can’t wait to welcome you home!”

Concert Tickets On Sale Friday, September 25

  • 10.10 – Raul Maulo – Two Shows
  • 10.17-18 – Ken Ford – Four Shows
  • 11.1 – Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys – Two Shows

BUCKHEAD VILLAGE FALL BLOCK PARTY AND SIDEWALK SHOP AND STROLL 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/21/20

Buckhead Village

 Buckhead Village is hosting a Fall Block Party + Sidewalk Shop & Stroll on

Saturday, October 3 from 11am-6pm and Sunday, October 4 from noon-6pm.

The community destination will welcome guests to enjoy open-air shopping from participating retailers like Alice + Olivia, Bella Cucina, Billy Reid, B.M. Franklin & Co, Theory, Buckhead Art & Co and Pinker Times, and complimentary fall treats – apple cider, Georgetown Cupcakes and flowers from Pinker Times – will be offered throughout the property. Visitors can also enjoy complimentary kombucha and cold brew coffee from Kea Beverages and live music at The Veranda, a newly debuted 1960-square-foot covered space bringing the outdoors in with lush greenery, soaring ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling screens.
 
Also on Saturday and Sunday, HERMARKET®️, a community and marketplace for woman-owned indie brands and the women who love them, will be popping up on Buckhead Avenue and feature products for purchase from makers including Suakoko Betty, Candy x Paints, Roots ATL, Tranquilo Teas and more. Founded by Jazlin Pitts and Kia Perry, HERMARKET also organizes virtual experiences and brand partnerships to provide a platform where women can discover and support these brands while connecting with each other.

 

To help guests and employees remain in compliance with new health and safety guidelines, Buckhead Village requires face coverings to be worn by property employees and visitors, provides hand sanitizer throughout the common areas, implements no-touch solutions at high-touch access points, enhances sanitation efforts in common areas and assists retailers and restaurateurs with touchless payment systems and mobile ordering.

RED’S BEER GARDEN PUMPKING CARVING KIT 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/21/20

Good gourd, it’s Fall! Beginning October 1st while supplies last, revelers can purchase a Pumking Carving Kit from Red’s Beer Garden. For $35, a kit includes one medium-sized pumpkin, tools for carving, a 4-pack of Southern Tier Brewing Co.’s Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale, a 4-pack of Bold Rock Carolina Apple Cider, two Koozies, and a Halloween Candy Goodie Bag. There’s no better way to ring in the Fall season with family and friends, fun pumpkin carvings, and festive beers. Share carved pumpkin creations on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag, #RedsPumpkingContest, for a chance to win a $25 gift card. The winner will be announced on Halloween. To pre-order, visit https://www.toasttab.com/redsbeergarden, choose “PUMPKIN PACK” from the drop down menu and schedule a pick-up for anytime October 1st at 2 p.m. or later.

Red’s Beer Garden is nestled between Grant Park and East Atlanta in Benteen Park, 1328 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. For more information, visit www.redsbeergarden.com or call 770-637-2299.

LUAU DINNER AT 9 MILE STATION 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/21/20

9 Mile Station

Tuesday, September 29th at 7pm

Tickets here.

Kick off the Fall season with a luau on The Roof! Join us on Tuesday, September 29th at 7:00PM at 9 Mile Station for a Hawaiian dinner party complete with a pig roast and tropical drinks. Grab your tickets for all-you-can-eat dining and two drink tickets per person (tax and gratuity not included). This event is outdoors on our open spaces on the 9 Mile Station patio to give you that tropical feel and plenty of space to spread out. Tickets are $75 each.
Menu
– Whole Pig Roast
– Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
– Hawaiian Meatballs
Sides
– Apple Slaw
– Coconut Rice
– Spam Fried Rice
– Grilled Pineapple Skewers
– Fried Plantains
– Hawaiian Rolls
– Fruit Platter

Kyma: An Ode to Greece

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/20/20

There’s a light breeze over the patio that’s randomly dotted with mosaic tile in blue and white patterns. The smell of candles and the ocean can be felt throughout the place, reminiscent of a warm night in Santorini or after a long walk through the Parthenon. With Kyma in Buckhead, you don’t need to get on a plane and head to Greece, because you can visit right here in Atlanta. The décor is pitch perfect with a lighted night sky inside to the beautifully crafted fireplace outside. Beautiful. But the best thing? The Food! Authentic Greek traditional fare elevated by carefully curated spices, flavors, and textures that work in harmony to create unforgettable dishes like lamb pie, Tsipoura fish, Octopus Mini, tartare trio, lamb chops, and everything else on this elegant menu. Let’s take a tour of Greece.

Starting with the array of meze that Chef Pano generously sent our way, we tried the Calamari, tartare trio (special of the night), lamb pie, Octopus Mini, spinach pie, and cheese. Starting with our two favorites, the Octopus Mini and the lamb pie, both bites were spot on! The Octopus Mini was the stand-out favorite meze of the tasting with the truly perfect cooked octopus, charred, and was almost like eating a very tender pork loin with a slight char and pop of the skin. Simply presented and seasoned well, it was the best octopus dish we’ve ever tasted. Just imagine this wonderful meat paired with capers and red onion to give it a little bite and earthiness. This is a must try. Second, the lamb pie, was everything you’d think and more with the crunch of the pastry, the spicy and flavorful lamb inside, and mixed with the yogurt to cool it down. It’s no wonder this beautiful dish is so tender, it’s cooked for 12-hours! Still thinking about this dish!

Everything else was just stellar, like the Calamari was cut into noodle-like strips and mixed with a creamy yogurt and bright zucchini to round out the fun dish that you can mix together yourself. We’ve never seen anything plated and done this way. We really thought it was spectacular! The special of the night was the tartare trio with tuna topped with caviar (fave), sea bass with spices and lemon, and salmon mixed with yogurt. All of them were savory, sweet, and a great little bite! Eat it with a spoon or on the crisp bread, either way you’ll really like these! One of John’s favorites was the cheese meze. It’s a Kasseri cheese that’s been sautéed and comes off rich and almost meaty, then finished off with ouzo for a boozy bite, lemon for brightness, and olive oil for earthiness. One of the best little cheeses you can ever get. Nothing screams Greece than a traditional spinach pie, AMIRIGHT? One of the staples we love in Greek food is always the spinach pie, but these little bites were just dynamite with a crispy shell and the spinach and feta came together exactly right.  You can’t go wrong with anything or any of these bites.

In between the meze and the entrée we got a break to cool it down with a trio of three salads. The watermelon, beet, and the Greek were all something you’d expect to be on a Greek menu, but they all have something that really make them stand-out. Take the watermelon and feta with the minty freshness and topped with a watermelon sorbet that cools and it melts and mixes well with the fresh watermelon and salty, creamy feta cubes. Yes, SORBET! As for the beet salad, it too is topped with a beet sorbet and boasts an array of beets, nuts, and an amazingly paired with warm sheep’s milk cheese. Creamy, earthy, and warm.  Finally, The Greek is just a perfectly seasoned and hearty cucumber, tomato, olive oil and basil. Simple and perfect.

As the night progressed, the sun started to set, and Chef Pano wowed us with the Tsipouri reveal from under a bed of grape leaves to show a whole fish, cooked with salt and seasoned with spices and simple lemon. They took it away to take the bones out and to butterfly it, but it was so fun to watch those grape leaves come off! Once the fish got back to the table, it was just as we thought, flaky and light with the right amount of seasoning, lemon, and slightly buttered olive oil that Chef Pano makes in house. It came with an assortment of sides and lamb chops. The lamb chops were perfectly cooked and had an amazing seasoning that gave the hearty lamb a little spice and a little earthiness. Roll them around in the tzatziki sauce, you won’t be sorry! As for the sides, the eggplant was amazing, like a hearty stew, with tender eggplant, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Then, add in the bright and tender kale wilted and seasoned with a generous amount of lemon. The both went well with the full-flavor and flakiness of the fish.

These amazing bites were perfectly paired with the Morpheus and Thirsty Philosopher cocktail, as well as a stellar Greek wine that drinks like a pinot grigio, called Boutari, a Moscofilero from Mantinia, Greece. The Morpheus was the favorite with a velvety and earthy gin mixed with St. elder, simple syrup, and hibiscus. Sweet and lively with a hint of booze on the back, just like we like it! The Thirsty Philosopher is a simple cucumber vodka drink with hints of cucumber, dill, and earthiness of gin on the back end. One of those drinks you could sip on with any entrée! Greeks love their wine and we know why. The Boutari is a fantastically drinkable, crisp, and light wine that pairs well with a light, flaky fish! Reminiscent of pinot grigio, it is one that we’d love to have again.

As the night sky turned to shades of deep purple and black, the lights from the restaurant spilled onto the patio and the candles were lit in the fireplace. The candles danced and leapt throwing shadows on the ground and creating a symphony of odd shapes. It felt like we were on a cozy street in Greece on a warm summer night.  Maybe we’ll stay for just one more moment.

OKTOBERFEST 2020 ROUND-UP

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/16/20

Celebrate Oktoberfest With Wild Heaven: 

It’s time to break out the lederhosen and dirndls and raise a stein in honor of Wild Heaven’s Oktoberfest Weekend! Beginning Thursday, September 24, 2020, until Sunday, September 27, 2020, revelers can celebrate the frothy tradition with special German-themed menus and a new craft beer release at both Wild Heaven West End and Avondale locations.  Created by acclaimed Brewmaster Eric Johnson, beer lovers are invited to sip on Old Country 80 Shilling Fall Ale and popular Fest Beer in 1 Liter servings. The Avondale location will be offering German-inspired pairings by Chef Shay Lavi, including Roasted Chicken in a bun, Schweinebraten Pork Roast, Schweinshaxe, a roasted ham hock in a bun, Würstl, sausages in a bun, Brezen pretzels, and Käsespätzle cheese noodles. Available at the West End location, Chef Donte will be serving up specialty bites, along with an outdoor food fest with guest chefs Terry Koval and Rusty Bowers, who will be firing up the Big Green Egg on Saturday, September 26th. Guests can take offerings to-go or enjoy on the patio. For more information, visit https://wildheavenbeer.com.
Prost to Oktoberfest at Red’s Beer Garden:
Crack out the lederhosen, Red’s Beer Garden has Oktoberfest deals that will be flowing throughout the month of September. Starting on Wednesday September 16th through Sunday the 27th from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., diners can enjoy local Flipper’s German style Cheddarwurst sausages, pretzels, and a house-made beer cheese dip.  Guests can also wash down Oktoberfest specials with a selection of Oktoberfest Märzens in bottles from their self-serve cooler and brews on draft. Take an order to-go or have a seat outside with a pup on a dog-friendly patio. Masks are required to order inside. Red’s Beer Garden is nestled between Grant Park and East Atlanta in Benteen Park, 1328 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. For more information, visit www.redsbeergarden.com or call 770-637-2299.
Raise a Pint, It’s Time for Oktoberfest at Dantanna’s: 
Beginning Friday, September 18th, join Dantanna’s in Buckhead for Oktoberfest festivities. Revelers can enjoy a German-themed menu created by Executive Chef Brad Parker while dining in, on the patio, or celebrating at home. An ideal starter, the fresh pretzel Brezen with Obatzda spiced cheese-butter spread is not to be missed. Serving dishes including Bratwursts sausages cooked with mustard and sauerkraut, Schweinebraten roasted pork with pan gravy, and Schnitzel, Dantanna’s Oktoberfest menu has a bevy of German-inspired dishes for all tastes. If that wasn’t enough, the menu of sides will make it a little harder to tighten the lederhosen with Kartoffelsalat potato salad, Kasepatzle cheese noodles, and Spaetzle butter seared dumplings. End the meal and satisfy any sweet tooth with a German Strudel stuffed baked pastry. Guests can also cheers to the occasion with a selection of German style beers. Dantanna’s Buckhead is located at the  Shops Around Lenox, 3400 Around Lenox Rd NE #304, Atlanta, GA 30326. For more  information or to make a reservation visit  www.dantannas.com  or call  404.760.8873.

VARUNI NAPOLI NOW OFFERING TO-GO COCKTAILS + A LIMITED TIME ONLY PIZZA KIT

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/15/20

Atlanta Pizzeria Serving Take-Anywhere Pouched Beverages for the First Time + Celebrating National Pepperoni Pizza Day

Pre-order the Bastardo now through 9/17, for pick-up 9/20!

From creative cocktails that will transport you to Italy to make-your-own pizza kits that can be enjoyed in the comfort of home, nobody celebrates the best cuisine on earth like Varuni Napoli! Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15, the Atlanta pizzeria will launch its first-ever to-go cocktail pouches showcasing a lineup of its three most popular sips. These hand-crafted, Italian cocktails pair perfectly with beloved Varuni pizzas. And, to commemorate National Pepperoni Pizza Day coming up on Sunday, Sept. 20, Varuni is offering a pre-order, one-day-only Bastardo at-home pizza kit, which is the restaurant’s bestselling pepperoni pizza.

Transportable and tasty, the Varuni cocktail pouches will be available exclusively at the restaurant’s Midtown location. These 8-ounce pouches of pure fun are bigger than a standard Varuni cocktail and can be purchased by customers 21 years and older at the takeout window located off Monroe Drive. The pouch lineup includes three of Varuni’s most popular cocktails: Negroni Reserva ($14) made with Barrel-Aged London Dry Gin, Campari, and Antica Formula Vermouth; Fresca Verde ($12) made with tequila, fresh cucumber purée, triple-sec, sparkling water, agave, mint and lime juice; and The Julia ($12) made with bourbon, San Benedetto peach tea, muddled basil and mint, ginger beer, raspberries, and blackberries. Conveniently located next to Piedmont Park, Varuni’s cocktail pouches are the perfect addition to pizza picnics in the park.

“After seeing how popular our Midtown takeout window has been for our customers during these unforeseen times, I’m thrilled that we are able to offer Varuni cocktails on the go as well,” said Varuni Napoli owner and Executive Chef Luca Varuni. “We also have big plans to honor one of our favorite holidays, National Pepperoni Pizza Day, with our Bastardo pizza!”

The Bastardo has been a customer favorite for years and is topped with fresh mozzarella, pepperoni cups, homemade nduja (spicy spreadable pork salumi in ragu sauce), Pecorino Romano, and basil. Each kit includes all of the necessary ingredients imported from Italy to make four delicious pies, including one can of Varuni branded tomatoes, four balls of dough, pepperoni cups, homemade nduja, Pecorino Romano, fresh mozzarella, flour, basil, and detailed instructions from Chef Luca himself. This ($80) kit is all-inclusive and is available for pre-order now through the end of the day on Thursday, Sept. 17 by calling 404-709-2690.  Kits will be available for pickup on Sunday, Sept. 20 at Varuni’s Midtown location (1540 Monroe Drive, NE Atlanta, GA 30324).