Media Coverage      

 February 2, 2008  

The accompanying photo was taken at "The Mystick Krewe des Acadiens Bal Masqué"  held at the Fabulous Fox Egyptian Ball Room on February 2, 2008.  This group picture of these three women was taken at the entrance to this magnificent ball room.  Each is from Fayette County and operate successful businesses in Fayetteville and Peachtree City.   Pictured from left are Cindy Buchanan, of Hair, Inc., Dee Murphy, of The Georgia Shrimp Co., and Linda Lake, of Lake Metal Roofs, Inc. 

A new state law about wine and restaurants is not as cut and dry as many thought.   Even though the state now says it's "ok" to get your unfinished bottle of wine to go many cities say it's still illegal.

ATLANTA (My FOX Atlanta) -- A new state law about wine and restaurants is not as cut and dry as many thought.  Even though the state now says it's "ok" to get your unfinished bottle of wine to go many cities say it's still illegal.   This law -- which many people call "Merlot to go" -- went into effect Tuesday.

The problem is some city ordinances supersede the new state law -- meaning the Merlot and the Chardonnay must stay. 

It's the dinner rush at a Peachtree City restaurant. But the wine isn't leaving this table.

"Well, it seems like if you bought it, you should be able to take it home if you didn't finish it," said customer Ken Weaver.   And everybody from the state legislature to a restaurant owner agree.

"If someone buys a good bottle of wine and they want to finish it home, because they don't want to drink it all and drive, I think it makes perfect sense," said Anthony Murphy, owner of the Georgia Shrimp Company in Peachtree City.   But the new state law that allows that means nothing right now in Peachtree City.

   


Picture of Ant Here
 

"Generally unless state law makes a blanket statement saying this is how it is for everyone, local jurisdictions can have stricter rules," said Peachtree City spokesperson Betsy Tyler.

And the strict alcohol rule is in the Peachtree City law book.  Like some Georgia cities there's strong language about what you can do with booze you've bought.

"Our ordinance is set up to where you can't have both package and  consumption at the same location," said Tyler.

There are some places -- like the city of Atlanta -- where the "Merlot to go" law went immediately into effect.   But the Department of Revenue says there are some things you should know, before you put the wine in your car.

• The restaurant must seal every bottle with tamper resistant tape.
   

• The bottle must be stored in a trunk or glove compartment on the way home.
   

• And it's wise to keep the restaurant receipt with you if you get pulled over.

The Department of Revenue says ask the restaurant if you're not sure what the law is where you're eating.  One law that did change statewide in regards to this is the open container law.   If you eat in a city that allows you to take home wine but get pulled over in a city that doesn't you will not be cited for an open container.

Story content produced by FOX 5 Atlanta WAGA

July 16, 2008 ...

The Citizen put the call out to kids, looking for local budding chefs to "Cook for the Gold" in conjunction with Young Chefs Academy's Kitchen Olympic Games on June 21, 2008.   Tons of entries were received of kids favorite summer recipes.  These were then narrowed down to ten finalists who participated in a "cook-off" for a chance to win some great prizes from Young Chefs Academy.   Judging the final entries were Rick Miles, owner of Young Chefs Academy,  Dionne Ryff, Marketing and Promotions Manager from The Citizen Newspapers, Dee Murphy, owner of The Georgia Shrimp Company, and  Ben Marx, long time Young Chefs Academy Master Chef...