Community Blog

It’s hard to believe that a week from today is Labor Day and that fall is right around the corner. I love fall and everything about it, but it’s so hard to say goodbye to summer. We have to learn to say our riddance to seasons; some good and some bad. But, it’s the absence that makes the heart grow fonder and I have no problem with suffering through a few months of cold weather as long as I know summer will be back to grace me with its presence. Might as well make the best of the coming season!

Stone Mountain Park will be holding their 42nd Yellow Daisy Festival at the park from September 9th through the 12th which will display over 400 artists from 38 states and 2 countries. The fest started as a small arts and crafts show years back and has since turned into a coming of season festival for the entire Southeast. Come out and celebrate fall with plenty of shopping, food, entertainment and fun! The Band Perry will be performing on Sunday, September 12th, so be sure to catch the up and coming band perform their hit “If I Die Young.”

The festival will be a great time to reconnect with family and spend time with those that you see daily. The festival is free to everyone, Carrington Park. All you have to pay is the $10 for parking; that’s very inexpensive for a great day at the park!

Image via Wikipedia

The world renowned super R&B group is back together and ready to take the world by storm starting with Union City, GA. En Vogue, with the original group in tact for the first time since 2001, will be performing a FREE concert on Sunday, September 5th at Union Station Mall (1000 Shannon Mall) as part of the Labor Day spectacular. This is a shining moment for the city as well as the state of Georgia.

The supergroup formed back in 1989 in Oakland, California and hit the music world hard with their debut album entitled Born to Sing. The album went platinum with three number one Billboard hits, “Hold On,” “Lies” and “You Don’t Have To Worry.” They went on to release seven other albums with and without the original members and are aiming for a late 2010 release for their eighth studio album.

So, Carrington Park be sure to get to the venue around 6:00 p.m. (that’s when the gates open) with your blankets, chairs and picnic baskets because it’s going to be a jammin’ time! Plus, Union City is just a 30 minute drive from Jonesboro; I think En Vogue is worth that. Don’t You?

Photo courtesy of andy.birkey

We have a new poll up everyone! Do you think the Braves can hold of the Philadelphia Phillies and win the division? Take a second and vote on the poll to the right. We want to know!

I’ve had some pretty killer drinks, but nothing compares to Trader Vic’s Mai Tai! Seriously, the Mai Tai was created by rum expert Trader Vic in 1944, and the drink soon became the most popular rum cocktail in the world! That’s pretty amazing.

And now, the Atlanta Trader Vic’s bartenders have created their own rum cocktail called the Peachtree Punch. Along with the Mai Tai and Peachtree Punch, you will find over 70 cocktails to satisfy your thirst. They also serve stellar food too!

Now through Sept 30th, Trader Vic’s offers their homemade Mai Tai for only $6 everyday. That’s a steal for a large communal drink that can serve four people, so bring some friends to help…or your designated driver.

Trader Vic’s is located on 255 Courtland St NE at the Hilton Atlanta, so get a few neighbors from Carrington Park and head out to Trader Vic’s after work.

Atlanta native born Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., but known on stage as B.o.B will be performing this Sunday, August 22nd at Six Flags Over Georgia! He has garnered two number one hit singles in the U.K. with “Nothin’ on You” and “Airplanes,” while his debut “Nothin’ on You” also reached number one here in the States. At just 21 years old, B.o.B. has accomplished more than most, but looks to conquer the industry as his label mate T.I. has done.

We’ve all been to Six Flags, but have you ever imagined that you’d be performing there and in front of your home crowd? I know I haven’t! But, B.o.B gets to do just that this weekend. I’m definitely going; when do you ever get the chance to go ride all the rides you want and then go see one of your favorite rappers? Not too often. And the tickets are just $31.99 when you purchase them online.

So, get your tickets today Carrington Park! Six Flags is only about a 35 minute drive; I’d say it’s worth it for a fun-filled day at the amusement park!

Image via Wikipedia

After an injury plagued 2009 season the Falcons look to “Rise Up” this year and hit the playoffs running hard! Like all quarterbacks that come out strong their rookie year, their sophomore season is always under the microscope. Now that Matt Ryan is past that and on to his third season under center, he can focus on one thing: winning! Plus, he’s another year smarter!

With our first pick in the NFL Draft we selected Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, which was much needed after the departures of Michael Boley and Keith Brooking two seasons ago. Now that that void is filled, we can worry about who’s going to be our four wide receivers come September 12th. The Falcons’ depth at wide receiver is almost ridiculous, but it’s a good thing because we can put them on the practice squad and activate them at any time!

Michael Turner is healthy, Jerious Norwood is healthy, Ian Snelling is healthy and so is Ovie Mughelli. Our backfield looks good, let’s just home “Burner” Turner can continue his rumbling ways for 20 games. Yep, 20 games;  Super Bowl bound!

Let’s Rise Up and start this season off right by checking out the first preseason game tomorrow night at the Georgia Dome. The Birds will be taking on the Kansas City Chiefs and even though it’s a preseason game, they still need our support! I’ll be there, I have season tickets. Are any of you at Carrington Park going to join me?

Photo courtesy of hoyasmeg

Yeah, you can always get a huge box of freeze pops and continue to restock the freezer and eat them during these “dog days” to cool off, but don’t the same ol’ flavors of hard ice get rather old? Don’t you want something new to get you through the heat? Well, I’ve got your back!

Located in Forest Park is a small shop called La Estrella de Michoacan that offers seemingly hundreds of fresh fruit flavor Mexican paletas (ice pops). These pops have a refreshing flavor that isn’t beatable by any other name brand store bought ice pop. Flavors like mango, pineapple, guava and my favorite, coconut, line the freezers of this mom & pop shop. And the best part about the pops are the fresh fruit bits that you can taste through and through!

La Estrella de Michoacan doesn’t except credit cards, so bring your cash and/or change (you can scrape that change out of the ash tray); all you need is a $1.25! And it’s not hard to get there. They’re located on 4140 Jonesboro Road, you know where that is right? If not, I’ve gone ahead and mapped it out from Carrington Park for you! Enjoy.

Photo courtesy of joshuaheller

There’s a new poll up everyone! With Atlanta’s Independent Film Month getting started, we want to know if any of you plan on attending any of the film fests. Let us know!

I won’t say ‘Yes’ to that question, but I won’t say ‘No’ either. Atlanta has had several movies filmed year dating back to 1977 with Smokey and the Bandit and most recently the fifth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise (yes, there will be a fifth). The city has recently been “overtaken” by Hollywood with a conversion of an old fairgrounds into what will be Georgia’s largest movie studio in progress.

We do have one of the largest tax credits for film in the nation, which undoubtedly persuaded Hollywood to look our way when choosing sites for films. And now we have Hollywood in our backyard! I’m definitely not complaining because it gives me a great chance to break through as an actor! But, until then I’ll continue checking out our film festivals. You know, to help hone in on my craft! Film festivals are coming together in Atlanta this month. Here are two of the more prominent festivals:

• Peachtree Village International Film Festival – August 19th-22nd; Hyatt Regency Downtown Hotel. Formerly known as the Sweet Auburn International Film Festival, this fest will feature African-American feature-length films, shorts, documentaries and music videos, as well as panel discussions and parties.
• Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival (DocuFest Atlanta) – August 20th – 22nd; Carter Center. DocuFest will feature the ultimate in indie documentary film and video from around the world!

There are more film festivals that will be available during the month and I recommend you check those out as well. This month is a bonafide  film month for our city, so let’s embrace it Carrington Park!

A first for the city of Atlanta, ONE Music Fest is a indoor/outdoor event meant to unite through music. Head to the King Plow Arts Center this Saturday, July 31st for non-stop music and events to get you grooving. ONE will be loaded with 12 hours of music featuring national and local artists, live art, over 10 DJs, 6 hours of open bar (VIP tickets), food, an Art Expo and festival style fun for everyone!

With a wide array of artists set to perform,  you definitely won’t be bored the entire time you’re there. Even if you’re not feeling the music playing on the two stages you can always check out urban artist Chris Hobe’s work. It really is amazing!

But, check out the artists that are set to perform and tell be it shouldn’t be an awesome time:

• Common
• De La Soul
• Goapele
• Joi
• Mick Boogie
• DJ Mars
• Dres
• DJ Kemit
• Baby Yu

And so many more! Get your tickets now, the 40 bones is well worth it! I’ll see you there in my pink shoes!

Photo courtesy of presleyj

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