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Happy Day

Happy birthday today to my best friend, the love of my life, and one of the smartest, kindest, funniest people I know: Cheryl Elster. You're not a year older, dear; you're a year better.

November Happenings

November is that crazy time of year when Thanksgiving fights with early Christmas celebrations and we just call it all "the holidays." Here are the top free community/family events in the Acworth/Kennesaw/Marietta, Georgia area for November 2007:

1. November 11  Marietta Veterans Day Parade. 3-4 p.m., starting at Roswell Street Baptist Church and ending at the Marietta Square.
2. November 29  Holiday in the Square. 5-8 p.m. Glover Park, Marietta Square. Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. and the Christmas tree is lit at 6 p.m. Santa visits with children until 8 p.m.

Take a look at these links for arts events in our area for November 2007:

1. The Art Place--Mountain View, Marietta.
2. The Art Station--Big Shanty, Kennesaw.
3. College of the Arts, Kennesaw State University.
4. Theatre in the Square, Marietta.

Upcoming concerts of note for November 2007 in metro Atlanta:

1. November 4  "The Appetite for Construction Tour" with Switchfoot and Relient K. 7 p.m. Atlanta Civic Center. Tickets $20 to $25.
2. November 8  Trans-Siberian Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Philips Arena, Atlanta. Tickets $48.50.
3. November 16  Don Moen and Paul Baloche worship concert. 7 p.m. Mt. Paran Church of God, Atlanta. Free admission, but $5 donations accepted at the door.
4. November 16  "The Remedy Tour" with David Crowder*Band, Phil Wickham, and The Myriad. 8 p.m. Tabernacle, Atlanta. Tickets $25 to $28.
5. November 23 "The Altar and the Door Tour" with Casting Crowns, Leeland, and John Waller. 7 p.m. The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth. Tickets $24 to $30.
6. November 30-December 1  Revolve Tour (for teen girls) with Hawk Nelson, Natalie Grant, KJ-52, and Ayiesha Woods. The Arena at Gwinnett, Duluth. Tickets $59 to $69.

18 Free Things--October 2007

As I type some cool fall weather is finally moving into metro Atlanta and it finally feels a bit like autumn. Here are the top 18 free community/family/arts events in the Acworth/Kennesaw/Marietta, Georgia area for October 2007:

1. Through October 2  "Best Of" Student Art Exhibition. Fine Arts Gallery, Kennesaw State University.
2. Through October 24  AfroCuba: Works on Paper, 1968-2003. Sturgis Library Gallery, Kennesaw State University.
3. October 3-21  North Cobb Arts League Juried Show. The Art Station--Big Shanty, Kennesaw.
4. October 5-November 7.  Woodfire Pottery Exhibit. The Art Place--Mountain View, Marietta. (Opening reception October 5. 7-9 p.m.)
5. October 6  Grand Opening of the Performance Center. 8 p.m. Performance Hall, Kennesaw State University. Reservations required.
6. October 11-December 6  A Measured Response: Charles Allen Wright Curated by Will Hipps. Fine Arts Gallery, Kennesaw State University. (Opening reception October 11. 5-8 p.m.)
7. October 12-13  Incredible Pumkin Trail. 6:30-9 p.m. Friday. 4-9 p.m. Saturday. Kennesaw Train Depot.
8. October 12-14  Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday & Saturday. 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta.
9. October 13  Cobb County Family Fun Fest. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Marietta Square. (In conjunction with the Cobb County Make-A-Wish 5K event, not free.)
10. October 13  Folk Tales of the Rails. 4-9 p.m. Kennesaw Train Depot.
11. October 13-November 3  Scarecrows on the Square. Marietta Square.
12. October 15  KSU Faculty String Trio. 8 p.m. Performance Hall, Kennesaw State University.
13. October 16  KSU Choral Ensembles. 8 p.m. Performance Hall, Kennesaw State University.
14. October 20  Harvest Square Festival. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Marietta Square.
15. October 20  Halloween Happenings. 1-5 p.m. Marietta Square.
16. October 20-21  4th Annual "Celebrate the Arts" Fall Festival. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. 12 noon-4 p.m. Sunday. The Art Station--Big Shanty, Kennesaw.
17. October 27  Halloween Carnival. 5-9 p.m. Logan Farm Park, Acworth.
18. October 30  Male Chorus Day. 8:30 a.m. check-in. 7:30 p.m. performance. Performance Hall, Kennesaw State University.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Well, I've heard hammering coming from some house near us all day...presumably some final summer home project begun this Labor Day weekend.

In the olden days, when I was young, back before shoes were required here in the South...Labor Day weekend seemed to be the official last fling of summer and the beginning of school and the fall season. These days I'm conflicted.  Did fall start on August 13, the first day of school, when it was still 100 degrees? Does it start this weekend when we cease from work to celebrate labor? Or does it begin September 23 per my trusty calendar? I guess when I feel that nip in the air and see those leaves start to turn brilliant colors, it will be fall to me.

To return to the real meaning of Labor Day, take a look at Tom Stern's post on how to celebrate the holiday 1882-style.

In our area, as in places all over the country, there are festivals and other events going on. Check out my previous post on the top 10 free family events for September.

You can also check here at the AJC for more metro Atlanta events this weekend.

Besides football, baseball, and the U.S. Open, TV on Labor Day weekend is a time for marathons and a telethon. The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon starts Sunday night at 9 p.m. EDT and airs in Atlanta on the UPN affiliate WUPA 69. Marathons on cable include:  5 hours of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, 8 a.m. Sunday on TBS; 8 hours of Survivorman, 7 p.m. Sunday on Discovery; 18 hours of Dirty Jobs, 9 a.m. Monday on Discovery; 11 hours of Crocodile Hunter, 11 a.m. Monday on Animal Planet; 12 hours of The Closer, 10 a.m. Monday on TNT; 20 episodes of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, 10 a.m. Monday on Disney; 5 hours of Damages, 3 p.m. Monday on FX; and 6 episodes of Top Chef, 4 p.m. Monday on Bravo.

Last but not least don't forget church Sunday morning. At NorthStar we will be celebrating communion with a special service.

I hope you relax and have a great Labor Day weekend!

10 Free Things--September 2007

As Labor Day (September 3) and the official start of fall (September 23) draw near, it's hard to get in the mood with high temps still in the 90s. But the hot weather can't last forever! Here are the top 10 free community/family/arts events in the Acworth/Kennesaw/Marietta, Georgia area for September 2007:

1. September 1-3 Acworth Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival. Cauble Park.
2. September 1-3 Art in the Park. Glover Park on the Marietta Square.
3. September 6-28 Contemporary Quilt & Fiber Alliance art exhibit. The Art Place-Mountain View in Marietta.
4. September 6, 13, 20, 27 Brown Bag Concert Series. Thursdays in September. 12 noon-1 p.m. in Glover Park on the Marietta Square.
5. September 7-27 Artist League of Cobb County art exhibit. The Art Station-Big Shanty in Kennesaw.
6. September 8 Summer Stars Outdoor Concert Series presents Banish Misfortune Celtic Band. 7:30 p.m. at The Art Place-Mountain View in Marietta.
7. September 8 City of Kennesaw Summer Concert Series presents The Great American Rock & Roll Revival. 8 p.m. at the Kennesaw Depot.
8. September 15 Marietta Antique Street Festival. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Marietta Square.
9. September 28 The Fish 104.7 FM 7th Annual Birthday Bash concert featuring Newsong, Nate Sallie, and Echoing Angels. 8 p.m. at the North Georgia State Fair at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. (Free with Fair admission.)
10. September 28-29 Southeastern Stamp Show. Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta.

Bonus events:

1. September 1 Celebrate Freedom Atlanta featuring evangelist Luis Palau and concert artists Aaron Shust, Bebo Norman, Caleb Rowden, Tracy Edmond, Brandon Heath, pureNRG, Nicol Sponberg, Anthony Evans, 33Miles, Big Daddy Weave, Matthew West, Mandisa, Nate Sallie, Michael English, Avalon, Natalie Grant, Mark Schultz, Steven Curtis Chapman, NEEDTOBREATHE, and Rush of Fools. 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers. Free.
2. September 1-2 U.S. 10K Classic Family Festival. Galleria Gardens in Atlanta. Free.
3. September 16 Curtains Up! Open House Festival. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. Free.

10 Free Things--August 2007

Surprise! August is here! Time to finish up summer and begin school again. Here are the top 10 free community/family/arts events in the Acworth/Kennesaw/Marietta, Georgia area for August 2007:

1. Now thru August 3 Artwork of Ranine Badawy, Jill Bennett and Jennifer Walker, The Art Place--Mountain View, Marietta.
2. August 9-31 Photography Exhibit, The Art Place--Mountain View, Marietta.
3. August 10-11 Kennesaw's Pigs & Peaches BBQ Contest, Kennesaw Depot.
4. August 11 City of Kennesaw Summer Concert Series presents broadBAND, 8 p.m., Kennesaw Depot.
5. August 15 thru October 2 "Best of" Student Exhibition, Kennesaw State University Fine Arts Gallery.
6. August 18 City of Kennesaw Parks & Recreation Department's Program Palooza and Citywide Picnic, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Kennesaw Community Center.
7. August 24 Glover Park Concert Series presents The Neons, 8 p.m., Glover Park on the Marietta Square.
8. August 25 Indoor Movie "Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest," 6 p.m., Kennesaw Community Center.
9. August 25 Summer Stars Outdoor Concert Series presents Kipley Trio Jazz Band, 7 p.m., The Art Place--Mountain View, Marietta.
10. August 29 thru October 24 AfroCuba: Works on Paper: 1968-2003 Exhibition, Kennesaw State University Sturgis Library Gallery.

Bonus Events (Not Free):

1. August 12 Starlight Summer Series presents Regina Carter, 7:30 p.m., Kennesaw State University Gazebo Amphitheater, $5.
2. August 26 Starlight Summer Series presents Connie Evingson and Mary Louise Knutson, 7:30 p.m., Kennesaw State University Gazebo Amphitheater, $5.

Chattanooga fun

The wife and kidlet and I got back home last night from a very short one-night trip to Chattanooga. Living in northwest metro Atlanta and so close to I-75, Chattanooga is so close it could be a day trip.

We had a great time even with the rain all the way up. We spent most of the first day at the Tennessee Aquarium, which I highly recommend. Having recently been to the new Georgia Aquarium, and also having been to the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee two or three years ago, I think the Tennessee Aquarium is much nicer IMHO. Especially with the addition recently of their new building Ocean Journey (the original building is called River Journey). Everything is laid out so well with plenty of signage and video screens to explain things and lots of friendly staff as well. Highly recommended. We also took in an IMAX 3-D movie: Dinosaurs Alive! Very cool.

BTW I saved about $15 buying those tickets at the AAA office! I knew all those years of paying dues would finally pay off!  :)

We spent most of the second day at the Creative Discovery Museum, which is a great children's museum just a couple of blocks away from the Aquarium. We've taken Jenni there several times over the years and she always loves it. Did I say most of the day? I meant all of the day. They are open 10-6 during the summer and we were there 10-6 (except for lunch). Jenni loves it! It really is cool with several different areas to explore including an art area, an inventor/science area, a music area, a dinosaur area, and a fun water area in the front. The second floor always has a changing traveling exhibit...this time it was Alice's Wonderland. Great place to take your kids at a great price. (Saved a dollar a ticket at the museum with my AAA card.)

We also discovered some great restaurants due to some online research before the trip. We had breakfast the first day at a place called Aretha Frankensteins. Love the name! Rachel Ray had breakfast here on her $40 a Day show. Of course we had to try what she had...it's called the Waffle of Insane Greatness! With a name like that you have to try it! It was indeed insanely great.

This is a place you don't just stumble onto. We followed our directions to it down a residential street that kind of looks like the Grant Park area of Atlanta...lots of older homes in various states of renovation or disrepair. It's a small restaurant in one of the old houses. What a great find!

We also ate at a place called The Blue Plate, another Internet find. It sits just off the Tennessee River in a tall building near the Aquarium. The decor is all stainless steel and blue, very modern, but the food is reasonably priced and delicious! All their food is obtained locally and prepared fresh. A great update on diner food. Another place that I highly recommend!

One more food place is an ice cream joint called Clumpies...great ice cream made on premises!

We also found a great new independent bookstore called Rock Point Books. It's on Broad Street not far from the Creative Discovery Museum. It has a great local/Southern flavor...a great space with a nice stage for booksignings and programs and also a cafe coming soon. Independent booksellers get harder and harder to find now because of B&N and Amazon. This is a great find for bibliophiles!

Be sure to check out Chattanooga soon. We plan to go back for a day trip during the holidays. I hear Rock City has a great holiday light display. And in the past the IMAX has shown The Polar Express...hoping they do so again this year!

More Free Things--TV Edition

For those of you who would rather stay in the cool house this holiday, here's a quick sampling of Fourth of July-related TV programming. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Documentaries

July 4: Exploding the Myths Fri. 6/29 at 10 p.m., National Geographic (also airs Sat. 6/30 at 1 a.m.; Sun. 7/1 at 12 p.m.; Wed. 7/4 at 12 p.m.; Fri. 7/6 at 6 p.m.)

History Detectives "Continental Currency; Short-Snorter; Liberty Bell Pin" Mon. 7/2 at 9 p.m. on GPB 8 (PBS) (also airs Thurs. 7/5 at 8 p.m. on PBA 30; Thurs. 7/6 at 12 a.m. on GPB 8)

Patriotic Movies

Patton Wed. 7/4 at 11:30 a.m. on AMC

Yankee Doodle Dandy Wed. 7/4 at 5:30 p.m. on TCM

The Howards of Virginia Wed. 7/4 at 8 p.m. on TCM

1776 Wed. 7/4 at 10 p.m. on TCM

Patriot Thurs. 7/5 at 1 a.m. on TCM

The Scarlet Coat Thurs. 7/5 at 4 a.m. on TCM

Specials

Salute 2 America Parade Wed. 7/4, pre-parade show at 12:30 p.m., parade at 1 p.m., on WSB 2

4th of July at Lenox Square Wed. 7/4 at 8 p.m. on WGCL 46

A Capitol Fourth Wed. 7/4 at 8 p.m. on GPB 8 (PBS) (also airs at 10 p.m. on GPB 8 and PBA 30; 11:30 p.m. on PBA 30; Sun. 7/8 at 4:30 p.m. on GPB 8; Mon. 7/9 at 1 a.m. on GPB 8), featuring  Hayden Panattiere, Tony Danza, Bebe Neuwirth, American Idol alum Elliott Yamin, Yolanda Adams, Dierks Bentley, and Little Richard

Taste of Chicago 2007/Fireworks Spectacular Wed. 7/4 at 8 p.m. on MNT

Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular Wed. 7/4 at 9 p.m. on WXIA 11 (NBC), featuring Joss Stone, Martina McBride, and American Idol's Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, and Melinda Doolittle

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Wed. 7/4 at 10 p.m. on WGCL 46 (CBS), featuring John Mellencamp

More Free Things--Holiday Edition

For a quick listing of Independence Day-related events in the metro Atlanta area, click here for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's listing. Not all are free, but many are. Also click here for a listing of North Georgia fireworks displays and other holiday events.

More info on "10 Free Things--July 2007"

An update to my "10 Free Things--July 2007" post. The City of Acworth has published an updated schedule and information on it's July 4 event:

The concert schedule for Wednesday, July 4th is as follows:

• 3:00 p.m.  "Soup" Theatre on Main Battle of the Bands winner
• 4:00 p.m.  "Cry in the Sun"
• 6:00 p.m. " Two Stone Johnson
• 8:00 p.m. " Flashback"
• DARK          Fireworks

Parking is available at City Hall and Acworth First Baptist Church.  Shuttles will begin picking people up from these locations at 3:00 p.m.

Non Profit vendors will be set up at the park selling food and drinks.  Inflatables will also be set up for the kids to enjoy for $1.00.

This concert is free to the public.  For more information, contact Acworth Parks and Recreation at 770-917-1234 or visit www.acworth.org.