Atlanta, GA

Weekend Ideas for Friday, November 30, 2007 – Sunday, November 2, 2007

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Today my coworker just mentions in passing that she was in a rap video. Even though I live in Atlanta, I don’t really run into people that have been in rap videos. Therefore, I had to post this and share…She’s the blonde nurse at the beginning. The video can be seen on BET.

In college, my friend Casie continued her family tradition of cutting down your own Christmas tree. I had never done this before. My family usually waited to the last minute and went and bought a tree at the nearest location to our house. But my one-time experience of cutting down our own Christmas tree was pretty exciting. They give you a saw and you have at it on the lot to cut your own tree.

Here are the nearest locations to Atlanta where you too can cut down your own Christmas tree this season:

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Creative Loafing gave its 2007 Best Neighborhood Award to – East Atlanta Village.

The East Atlanta Village is located about a mile directly south of Little 5 Points on Moreland Avenue, or about 3 miles east of downtown on I-20.

This once was very rowdy (slightly scary) part of town has turned into a hip, eccentric neighborhood. Its main strip has restaurants, boutiques, bars, furniture stores, coffee shops, beauty salons, and more…

Here are some of my personal, not to missed stops in East Atlanta:

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Georgia’s football team beats Georgia Tech for the Seventh Year in a row!! Score 31 – 17. And then get this…the Georgia Tech coach gets fired two days later.

Even though I am a graduate from the University of Georgia, I never much got into the football world. This is an oddity because Athens, Georgia loves some Georgia football. The Friday before a game RVs start driving into town and parking on campus. The town turns into a sea of red and black. I have always been a big fan of the tailgating – but the games I can take or leave.

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So have you ever wanted to get in your pjs and look at art in a museum? Well, get in your jammies and head over the High Museum of Art this Friday, November 23, 2007. Once a year, the museum hosts an all nighter event. Well – actually, the event will stop at 2am…and I think the parties don’t really stop till 6 in the mornin.

From 9am – 2am, there are scheduled programs happening. More child geared events in the earlier part of the day and adult event when the kids doze off. View “Louvre Atlanta,” and “Inspiring Impressionism.” Activities include live music, art making activities, dance lessons, a special movie marathon, and more. Wearing pajamas will get you a discount at the museum shop and entered to win prizes throughout the day and night. FULL SCHEDULE BELOW

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Thanksgiving is the time of year people often reflect on their blessings and seek volunteer or charitable opportunities.

Here are some ideas for how to give back this Thanksgiving season:

Kroger and Publix have pre-made bags of food ranging from $10-$18 that you can add to your bill. These bags will be donated to local charitable organizations for those in need. This ranks easiest thing you can do for giving back this Thanksgiving.

Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless is still in need of donations and drivers for pick-up and delivery. This organization hosts are large Thanksgiving day meal and events at Turner Stadium for the hungry and homeless of Atlanta. The event lasts from 10:00AM - 4:00PM with a free seven course meal, medical clinic, barbers and beauticians, clothing distribution, kid’s corner, home delivery of meals, church services, free entertainment and giveaways of toiletries.
For more information, please visit: http://www.hoseafeedthehungry.com/ or email their volunteer coordinator at: volunteer.hfth@gmail.com

Project Open Hand Thanksgiving Meal is still in need of donations and drivers to share prepared Thanksgiving meals with metro Atlanta residents living with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses. For more information on how to help, please visit: www.projectopenhand.org

Children’s Restoration Network seeks volunteers to help cook, serve and share Thanksgiving Dinner with the residents of shelters and group homes. Various times and locations. Volunteers are also needed to cook a turkey or ham at home, take it to a shelter, and then help prepare the rest of the dinner there. Call 770 649-7117 for more information.

Frugal Mania has an entry on how to feed a family of five for Thanksgiving for $30.

Before you gorge yourself with turkey and stuffing, thousands of Atlanta residents and visitors will be running the annual Thanksgiving Day marathon and half marathon. My hat goes off to you all as I sleep in that morning.

Half marathon starts at 7am and the full marathon starts at 7:30am. The full marathon begins outside Turner Stadium in downtown Atlanta and is a loop course for 26.2 miles. The half marathon starts off on Peachtree Road, north of the Clairmont Road intersection, within walking distance of Chamblee MARTA station. To view the course map, visit Atlanta Track Club’s website at: http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/at03001.htm

Carpooling and using MARTA are strongly encouraged. The half marathon is very popular and runners are asked not to arrive later than 6:15am due to the crowds. The minimum age to run the marathon is 16 and 12 for the half marathon.

You can still register online with the late fee – up until November 18. Late entries will also be accepted in person at the packet pick-up on Tuesday ONLY, November 20, 11AM-8PM. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 8PM, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20. To strongly discourage late entry, the late fee is $70.00 for the full marathon and $60.00 for the half marathon.

Packets must be picked up at the Expo, InterContinental Hotel, 3315 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA, (404) 946-9000:
• Tuesday, November 20, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 21, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Packets will contain bib number and timing chip. If you do not wish to be in the results, you may turn in your chip at the Expo.

The best part – All participants will received a long sleeve cotton t-shirt.

For some Thanksgiving Day cooking tips visit: http://www.elementarychef.com/

A New Year’s style party in November? Sounds fantastic….Really any reason to wear a swanky red dress, sip cocktails, and tell fabulous stories about myself sounds like a good time. This event just happens to benefit children with AIDS as well (hence the red dress).

Tomorrow, November 15, 2007, HERO, an organization that aids children around the world living with AIDS, is hosting its annual New Year’s style extravaganza to raise funds. This years party will be held at the Georgia Freight Depot (65 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr,
Atlanta, GA 30303) from 8pm to 2am….Did you catch that 2am – on a school night. That’s another good reason to attend. Tickets are $55 ahead of time, $65 at the door. Gourmet light appetizers wil be served courtesy of Food Studio, a selection of complimentary cocktails (plus a cash bar), dancing,
DJs, and much more! Parking is available in pay lots surrounding the Georgia Freight Depot. There’s a fun video of last year’s party held at Fever on youtube. To view it, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flTulHNpzvE

Also as a side note, HERO was started by two University of Georgia graduates. One of the guys I went to high school with and the other guy was President of the student body while I was a student at UGA. It seriously amazes me the ambition and success of these guys – and for such a good cause. For more information on HERO, visit their website at: www.heroforchildren.org

Also, to catch some recent celebrity support for the awarness of AIDS, check out this Salt N Pepa recap: http://www.watchingvh1.com/reality-rewind-1112-salt-n-pepa/

Recently, I have been entertaining the idea of pursuing a gold medal in Olympic figure skating. It’s really not a completely bogus idea since I did compete as a child and had a coach tell me I could be an Olympic contender. Let’s just forget the fact that I was around 7 years old at the time. I don’t think this is a gift you loose. (Please do not comment with any dream buster ideas) For my native Atlanta readers, I use to skate at Stone Mountain Park - when there was still a rink there, pre-1996 Olympics.
So anyways, here are places in Atlanta you can add some winter, holiday cheer and enjoy ice skating – whether you’re going for the gold or just hoping you can stand on skates.

Closest option to the city:

Centennial Olympic Park: Just for the holidays, the park constructs a 64-foot-wide, 115-foot-long rink – larger than previous years. This is a good spot for people living ITP and are just looking to skate in circles a bit. The downside to this rink is there’s no zamboni, so ice can get very choppy. $6 for a 90-minute skate session; $2 skate rental. 4:30-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 4:30-11 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays. Nov. 10-Jan 6. Except: closed Dec. 25; special hours Nov. 22-23, Dec. 24, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-222-7275, www.centennialpark.com.

Atlanta Ice Forum, Duluth, GA: Located off Satellite Boulevard in Duluth, this is the closest actual rink to Atlanta. They offer public skating times at scheduled times 7 days a week – be sure to check their website for times. They also offer group and private skating classes for children to adults. Plus have an adult hockey league. $7 to skate, $3 skate rental fee. www.iceforum.com
Fun Fact: This is where the Thrasers practice!

IceForum at Town Center: Located in Kennesaw, most of the same information for the Duluth location applies to this location as well. www.iceforum.com
If you’re ready to buy some skates, get some lightly used ones at IceForums sale:
The Georgia Figure Skating Club Consignment Sale.

Monday, November 12, 2007 from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Saturday, November 17, 2007 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Perfect for Christmas or just to get your child that dress or skates they have always wanted!

So get out on the ice - here’s a lady that braved the ice and blogged about it: http://www.discussingbreastcancer.com/my-ice-capades/

It’s the weekend – try something new.

Here are some weekend ideas for Friday, November 9, 2007 through Sunday, November 11, 2007. Feel free to leave more ideas you have in the comments section.

University of Georgia plays Auburn. If you are a UGA fan, the Senior UGA football players are calling for a black-out. So come to the game dressed in all black.
(A little dreary – but hey black is the classic color – and all the fans should look slender)

Liquified presents Eric Prydz at Wetbar, Fri. Nov. 9, $15 at the door, 21 and up

Take a tour of the 2007 Atlanta Magazine Dream Home in the historic East Lake neighborhood. This house has a classic design but full of all the luxuries that only a small percentage of Americans can afford but all of us can dream of. For more information visit, atlantamagazinedreamhome.com

Shakespeare Tavern presents King John. 2-for-1 tickets on Fri. Nov. 9, call the box office and mention this special when you reserve tickets. For more information, visit their website at www.shakespearetavern.com
If you haven’t been to this theater, I HIGHLY recommend it. They have traditional English food available and beer/wine. The venue makes you feel like you’re at an authentic Shakespeare performance. I promise you won’t be disappointed. It’ll help you be smarter too.

Sketchworks Theatre’s comedy night Friday and Saturday night 8pm, Sunday 5pm. $15 tickets online, $17 door, DISCOUNT! Enter the promo code ATML for $5 off tickets online.
PLUS: A $55 Gift Certificate to “Six Feet Under” Pub & Fish House
given away at each performance!

“Sketchworks Theatre group is no laughing matter, they take their
comedy very seriously! The cast and crew are all total professionals.
The performances will make you laugh till you pee yourself. They also
give lessons that cover writing, performing, and improvisation. Be
sure to visit their web site so you can view clips of past
performances to get a little taste of the action. These folks are
very clever people!”
-Gary Wright II President, CEO Clever Things, LLC
http://www.sketchworkscomedy.com

And look good while you’re going out this weekend - it’ll help you feel good. Check this out for some tips: http://www.bargainstyling.com/

Last night was the annual Suzi Bass award ceremony held at the Egyptian Ballroom at the Fabulous Fox Theater. This award ceremony is for local Atlanta theater productions recognizing all areas needed to produce a theatrical production - from lighting, director, actors, and more. The award ceremony is a black tie event, and it exudes old Hollywood glamour.

Marietta’s Theater in the Square walked away as the big winner this year with eight awards.

I have personally had the privilege to work with 5 of this year’s nominees with the current production of Water Coolers at Horizon Theater. Water Coolers is in its final week of performances, so I strongly encourage you to come see some of the best talent in Atlanta. For more information on Water Coolers, visit Horizon Theater website: www.horizontheatre.com

Although everyone wants to be a winner – it’s quite the feat to have been nominated in such an incredible pool of talent. Congratulations to all the nominees, winners, and the unrecognized artists of Atlanta who share their talent with this city every year.

Here are the nominees and winners (in bold) for this year’s Suzi Bass Award:

2007 Spirit of Suzi Award Jerry’s Habima Theatre

2007 Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwrighting Award - Eddie Levi Lee and Larry
Larson for their play Charm School produced this season by Horizon Theatre
Company

Outstanding Featured Actress - Play

Carol Mitchell-leon *The Bluest Eye *Horizon Theatre
Jackie Prucha *Waiting to be Invited *Theatrical Outfit
Jill Jane Clements *The Chase *Theatrical Outfit
Jill Jane Clements *Turned Funny *Theatre in the Square
Kate Donadio *All The King’s Men *Theatre in the Square
Kathleen Wattis *Based on a Totally True Story *Actor’s Express
Valerie Payton *Romeo and Juliet *Shakespeare Tavern

Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical

Amy K. Murray *Sister Act the musical *Alliance Theatre
Ellen McQueen *Cabaret *Shakespeare Tavern
Jennifer Akin *Mount Pleasant Homecoming *Theatre in the Square
Karen Howell *Mount Pleasant Homecoming *Theatre in the Square
Libby Whittemore *The Great American Trailer Park Musical *Actor’s Express

Outstanding Featured Actor - Play

Andrew Benator *Brooklyn Boy *Jewish Theatre of the South
Chris Kayser *Glengarry Glen Ross *Alliance Theatre
Jason Dirden *Ceremonies in Dark Old Men *True Colors
John Benzinger *The Pillowman *Actor’s Express
John G. Preston *Othello *Georgia Shakespeare
Neal A. Ghant *Glengarry Glen Ross *Alliance Theatre
Ric Reitz *Turned Funny *Theatre in the Square

Outstanding Featured Actor - Musical

Alan Kilpatrick *Mount Pleasant Homecoming *Theatre in the Square
Brandon O’Dell *The Thing About Men *Horizon Theatre
Craig A. Meyer *A Year with Frog and Toad *Synchronicity Performance Group
Dolph Amick *The Great American Trailer Park Musical *Actor’s Express
Jeff Watkins *Cabaret *Shakespeare Tavern

Outstanding Choreography

Jeff McKerley * Cabaret * Shakespeare Tavern
Jen Macqueen * A Year with Frog and Toad * Synchronicity Performance Group
Marguerite Derricks * Sister Act the musical * Alliance Theatre

Outstanding Music Direction

Bryan Mercer * A Year with Frog and Toad * Synchronicity Performance Group
Dale Grogan * Respect * Gfour Productions/Bob & Gudrun Cuillo
Michael Kosarin/Brent-Alan Huffman * Sister Act the musical * Alliance Theatre
Michael Monroe * Mount Pleasant Homecoming * Theatre in the Square
Renee Clark * Cabaret * Shakespeare Tavern

Outstanding Costume Design

Douglas J. Koertge * The Servant of Two Masters * Georgia Shakespeare
English Benning * I Am My Own Wife * Actor’s Express
Garry Lennon * Sister Act the musical * Alliance Theatre
Joanna Schmink * The Violet Hour * 7 Stages
Katherine Aurora Callahan * A Year with Frog and Toad * Synchronicity Performance Group
Sydney Roberts * Othello * Georgia Shakespeare
Sydney Roberts * Pericles * Georgia Shakespeare

Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder * Sister Act the musical * Alliance Theatre
Jessica Coale * Beckett’s Memories * 7 Stages
Liz Lee * Cuttin’ Up * Alliance Theatre
Liz Lee * Othello * Georgia Shakespeare
William H. Grant III * Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue * Alliance Theatre

Outstanding Scenic Design

Derek Kinsler/Nick Collins * A Year with Frog and Toad * Synchronicity Performance Group
Jonathan Williamson * The Great American Trailer Park Musical * Actor’s Express
Kat Conley * Othello * Georgia Shakespeare
Kat Conley * Pericles * Georgia Shakespeare
Lisa Johnson * Voices Underwater * Synchronicity Performance Group
Shaun L. Motley * Cuttin’ Up * Alliance Theatre
Tamara McElhannon * 9 Parts of Desire * Horizon Theatre

Outstanding Sound Design

Chris Bartelski * 9 Parts of Desire * Horizon Theatre
Clay Benning * Cuttin’ Up * Alliance Theatre
Clay Benning/ Kendall Simpson * False Creeds * Alliance Theatre
Joseph P. Monaghan, III * Turned Funny * Theatre in the Square
Klimchak/Clay Benning * Pericles * Georgia Shakespeare
Mimi Epstein * Voices Underwater * Synchronicity Performance Group

Outstanding Director - Play

B.J. Jones *Glengarry Glen Ross *Alliance Theatre
Fred Chappell *Turned Funny *Theatre in the Square
Jasson Minadakis *The Pillowman *Actor’s Express
Kenny Leon *Ceremonies in Dark Old Men *True Colors
Lisa Adler *9 Parts of Desire *Horizon Theatre

Outstanding Director - Musical

Clint Thornton *A Year with Frog and Toad *Synchronicity Performance Group
Dex Edwards *Mount Pleasant Homecoming *Theatre in the Square
Freddie Ashley *The Great American Trailer Park Musical *Actor’s Express
Heidi Cline *Cabaret *Shakespeare Tavern
Peter Schneider *Sister Act the musical *Alliance Theatre

Outstanding Ensemble - Play

9 Parts of Desire * Horizon Theatre
Glengarry Glen Ross * Alliance Theatre
The Bluest Eye * Horizon Theatre
The God Committee * Theatrical Outfit
The Pillowman * Actor’s Express

Outstanding Ensemble - Musical

A Year with Frog and Toad * Synchronicity Performance Group
Mount Pleasant Homecoming * Theatre in the Square
Respect * Gfour Productions/Bob & Gudrun Cuillo
Sister Act the musical * Alliance Theatre
The Great American Trailer Park Musical * Actor’s Express

Outstanding Lead Actress - Play

Agnes Harty *Educating Rita *Red Clay Theatre
Farida Kalala *I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young
Lady from Rwanda *Theatre in the Square
Linda Stephens *Turned Funny *Theatre in the Square
Mary Lynn Owen *Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue *Alliance Theatre
Park Krausen *Othello *Georgia Shakespeare
Veronika Duerr *Romeo and Juliet *Shakespeare Tavern

Outstanding Lead Actress - Musical

Agnes Harty *Cabaret *Shakespeare Tavern
Claci Miller *The Great American Trailer Park Musical *Actor’s Express
Dawnn Lewis *Sister Act the musical *Alliance Theatre
Sara Onsager *The Thing About Men *Horizon Theatre
Wendy Melkonian *The Great American Trailer Park Musical *Actor’s Express

Outstanding Lead Actor - Play

Daniel May *The Pillowman *Actor’s Express
David Milford *All The King’s Men *Theatre in the Square
Doyle Reynolds *I Am My Own Wife *Actor’s Express
Eddie Levi Lee *Charm School *Horizon Theatre
Glynn Turman *Ceremonies in Dark Old Men *True Colors

Outstanding Lead Actor - Musical

Bryan Mercer *A Year with Frog and Toad *Synchronicity Performance Group
David Jennings *Sister Act the musical *Alliance Theatre
Jeff McKerley *Cabaret *Shakespeare Tavern
Jeff McKerley *The Thing About Men *Horizon Theatre
Spencer G. Stephens *A Year with Frog and Toad *Synchronicity Performance Group

Outstanding Production - Play

9 Parts of Desire * Horizon Theatre
I Am My Own Wife * Actor’s Express
I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady from
Rwanda * Theatre in the Square
The Pillowman * Actor’s Express
Turned Funny * Theatre in the Square

Outstanding Production - Musical

A Year with Frog and Toad * Synchronicity Performance Group
Cabaret * Shakespeare Tavern
Mount Pleasant Homecoming * Theatre in the Square
Sister Act the musical * Alliance Theatre
The Great American Trailer Park Musical *Actor’s Express

For another look into the inside world of acting, check out: www.alwaysauditioning.com

November 2, 1936 - Atlanta is in the midst of the Depression.

Instead of being paid in cash, Atlanta city employees were being paid in scripts. A script was basically an IOU from the government. Workers could get their scripts cashed by various downtown Atlanta businesses. However, the businesses took their cut of the payment. A script worth say $100 would get $80. Very similar to how current day check cashing offices works.

However, the one business in Atlanta that was cashing employees scripts at 100% was Rich’s department store. This built alot of loyalty to the store after the Depression. Many Atlantans opened Rich’s credit cards after the Depression.

Here’s an image of what people were making in Atlanta back in 1936. White teachers salaries were $30 a week. A black teacher made about 2/3 that amount.

Maybe some transients to Atlanta or younger folk aren’t familiar with Rich’s. It was bought out by Macy’s back in 2003.

Interesting Fact: Founder of Rich’s Department Store - Morris Rich - is buried in Atlanta at the famous, Oakland Cemetary

For another look back in Atlanta history - check out my entry on when Atlanta was burned down: http://www.about-atlantaga.com/what-would-i-be-doing-today-in-atlanta-back-in-1864/