Folk Fest 2010, August 20-22

By any chance, is anyone into folk art?  Folk art is differs from traditional country crafts and basket weaking in that it is a very personal form of art.  Examples of typical folk art are religiously inspired paintings, crude tin cut-outs, wood-relief carvings and environmental sculpture gardens created from refuse and other found objects.

Most folk artists are self-taught and do not necessarily seek to be recognized by the “art world.”  Instead, folk artists draw on their experiences and culture as muses for their expression.

If you’re interested, the world’s largest folk art show & sale – hosting 100 galleries & dealers from around the nation – will be coming to Atlanta from August 20-22 at the North Atlanta Trade Center (1700 Jeurgens Court, Norcross, Georgia 30093).  Admission on Friday, August 20 is $15 from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and that includes a Meet-The-Artists Party, as well as readmission.  Admission for  that Saturday and Sunday is $7.  Children 16 and under are free.  For more information on Folk Fest 2010, check out www.slotinfolkart.com.

Know when to hold ‘em and fold ‘em

Does anyone in Cameron Landing play poker?  I noticed when I was posting the Pin Strikes weekday specials the other day that they have Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournaments there on Wednesday and Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m.  For anyone still new to poker, it’s one of the fastest growing games in the world.  Make no mistake, it is only getting bigger.  I’ve even heard it referred to as “the new lottery” because so many amateur players over the past couple years have been cashing in at major poker tournaments.

I started playing about 3 years ago and I’ve bee addicted since then.  It’s really an easy game to learn how to play, just a very difficult game to master.  Sure, luck is a factor in the game.  But a skilled player can really rack up some chips, especially if he/she can master the science of probability and the art of reading people.

How To Play
Each player starts with two unseen hole cards. There are three rounds of cards dealt face up, for every player to use, with betting after each round.  The best 5-card hand using any combination of the five community cards and their two hole cards wins.  Follow this link to see a the official poker hand rankings.

I can literally talk for days about poker, so if anyone is interested in learning more about the game, just hit me with a comment.  The best way to practice is to just hop right in and learn.  It’s free to play at Pin Strikes Bowling Alley (across from Cameron Landing on Mt. Zion Rd.) and you can really learn a lot.  And then the next time you head to Vegas, you can be ready for the real thing!

(Photo Credit: tiffanyday)

Celebrate freedom…with fireworks!

Independence Day 2010 is almost here!  How do you usually celebrate the long weekend?  This is actually one of my favorite times of the year.  Sure, there’e BBQ’s going on all over the place with ribs, chicken, hot dogs, watermelon…ok, I’m getting a little off track now.

But another reason is the historical context.  I’m a huge history buff…I even have a degree in history.  The signing of the Declaration of Independence and the subsequent Revolutionary War changed the course of history by birthing the United States.  It was really an interesting time.  Which brings me to the reason for this blog.  Consider spending part of your holiday weekend at Nash Farm here in McDonough for the Georgia Indepedence Day Festival.  It’s only a short drive from here at Cameron Landing.

The Georgia Independence Day Festival (Nash Farm, Henry County)
Experience the Revolution! Meet our Founding Fathers, enjoy Colonial & Native American music and crafts. Kids will enjoy rock wall climbing, spider jump and inflatables. Join the Radio Disney Road Crew on July 3rd from 6:00pm – 8:00pm for cool games and prizes! Show your patriotism and join in our wagon & military parade honoring Soldiers from the American Revolution to the present. When the sun goes down get ready for Henry County’s biggest Fireworks Extravaganza!

And if you need even more fireworks in your life, check out the huge fireworks display at the Lenox Square Legendary Fourth at Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead.  It’s one of the hugest fireworks displays in the southeast and draws nearly a quarter-million people each year!  Kids activities begin at noon, music starts at 6:00 p.m. and fireworks kicki off around 9:30 p.m.

(Photo Credit: crabsandbeeer)

The Juice Box Bustle

Murder, mystery and dinner.  An odd combination, is it not?  Well, maybe not so much.  Dinner theatre is a great way to spend an evening.  If you’ve never been to one, it’s really kind of fun.

Basically, while enjoying dinner in a restaurant/dining room setting, actors around you play out a murder myster that you and your fellow diners have to solve.  Sound interesting?

Riverdale High School is actually performing a dinner-theatre/murder-mystery as a fundraiser to support the Hearts to Nourish Hope organization which provides jobs and summer enrichment for local teenagers.  The production is called “The Juice Box Bustle” and the drama is set in a 1920’s jazz bar.  The sets, costumes and props are all designed by students participating in the program.  A variety of songs from musicals, such as “Chicago” and “Sweet Charity” will also be peformed.  This is the fifth consecutive year the group has produced an original play to raise funds for the organization.

The show will run over three nights from June 30 through July 2.  Tickets to the June 30 performance will cost $5, and will come with dessert only. A full dinner will be offered during the July 1 and July 2 performances, for a cost of $25 per ticket.  Hearts to Nourish Hope is located at 345 Scott Road in Riverdale.  For more information, call (770) 997-4517.

Farmer’s Markets near Cameron Landing

Are you eating local? Not only have you got the agonizing decision of which of the wonderful fresh fruits and veggies do you want to purchase, but you have the choice of farmer’s markets as well. Just south of us, in Henry Country, you’ll find more farmers’ markets and locally-grown food options than you could possible imagine.

• There is the Thompson Market on Keys Ferry St. in McDonough. That market opened in April and will be in business until October- Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Then, there is the Henry County Farmers Market at Heritage Park. It opened on May 27th and will operate through September 30th. It will be open every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Event Center at Heritage Park in McDonough.
• The other Henry County Farmers Market, also sponsored by the 4-H club, is in Hampton and opened May 28th and will be open through September. It will operate every Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the park adjacent to the Hampton train depot.
• Lastly, there is the new market in the City of Locust Grove. That farmers market is open on the first Saturday of every month, beginning this Saturday (June 5) through November 6, on Highway 42 on the sidewalk between Peeksville Rd and the post office. Hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. to noon.

All these locations plus all the farm fresh goodies for sale means that it is going to be a yummy (if not decision fraught) summer indeed.

Decatur Arts Festival, May 29 & 30

Got plans for this Memorial Day weekend coming up? If you’re in town, why not make the trek from Cameron Landing up to Decatur for the Decatur Arts Festival going on May 29 & 30 from 10am t0 6pm.

Decatur’s biggest arts event kicks off with the unveiling of the official arts festival poster and culminates with the main events on Memorial Day Weekend. Get started Friday evening, May 28, with our ArtWalk all around Decatur. Then join us for new dance, theater and literary arts performances, musicians all day long on Decatur’s community bandstand, a juried artists market, the fine arts exhibition, a special Kids and Teens Arts Festival and more. Be a part of it!

If you go, plan on bringing an umbrella though. While it will be warm and sunny, weather reports show a 30-40% chance of rain.

Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park, May 29

Are you into jazz?  I was never really a huge jazz fan until a few years ago when an uncle introduced me to Coltrane.  Since then I’ve been hooked.  So I’m thinking about hitting up the Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park next Saturday, May 29.  I’ve been told that it used to be a huge event in Atlanta but then it got moved to a smaller venue a couple years ago and kind of fell off.  Now it’s back at Piedmont – the place were it started.

Among the performers this year will be Trombone Shorty, Marcus Miller, Diane Schuur, Jason Marsalis, Stanley Clarke and Spyro Gyra.  There will also be a performance by the Rialto Jazz for Kids All-Star Jazz Band, composed of top students from five middle schools.  Sounds like a very cool time.  Maybe pack a lunch, a bottle of wine and just relax while listening to some good music.

Watch a movie and connect with your inner child…

Did you know that every seven seconds, a baby is born in the United States?  That’s just a random fact I knew but I figured it was a good lead in to talk about a new film I want to check out.  It’s called….you guessed it…Babies.  It came out May 7.  Here’s a synopsis from Yahoo.com…

The first year is one of the most formative and exciting periods of a child’s life. This eye-opening documentary simultaneously follows four infants from different parts of the world and their progression from first breath to first steps. The viewer plays peekaboo with the film’s adorable cast including: Ponijao of Namibia, Bayarjargal of Mongolia, Mari of Tokyo, and Hattie of San Francisco. The film is visually stunning, as it paints a picture of the purity of humanity in its earliest stages of the journey. Best of all, the movie reminds us that although we may appear very different on the surface, our fundamental needs and the desire to be loved are all the same.

I have a feeling that it’s one of those movies that make you view humanity in a different light and connect with your inner child.  We all have one, you know. Besides, babies are cute and you get to watch them grow without having to change a diaper.  Check out the trailer and let me know what you think.  Here are links for showtimes to a few theatres that are near Cameron Landing.  Enjoy!

AMC Southlake 24

Great Escape McDonough 16

A closed mouth doesn’t get fed…

With the unemployment rate across the nation still sky high, many of us are just happy that we’re working. But that doesn’t mean that we need to put advancing our careers on the back burner either. If you’re working hard and have shown that your ready for the next level of responsibility, you shouldn’t hesitate to make the moves necessary to show that you have what it takes.

I came across this article on Yahoo.com that gives great tips on how to move up the career ladder. Here’s one of the tips:

“If you want a promotion, you need to clearly ask for it. If you don’t ask, you won’t get it,” says Laura Browne, the author of “Why Can’t You Communicate Like Me? How Smart Women Get Results at Work.” “No one is just going to hand you a promotion.”

If you think you can use the rest of the 9 Tips for Getting a Promotion, follow the link and check it out in its entirety. And if you have any good career advancement tips of your own, please leave a comment and share. Good luck!

Thai tonight?

Do you  ever get cravings for certain types of food?  If you get the craving for Thai and you’re not sure where to go, I think we’ve got the answer…

Flavors of Thailand

847 Spur 138
Jonesboro, GA 30236

(770) 471-6988

They’ve received great reviews on Yelp.com.  Here is what one reviewer had to say…

Authentic home-style Thai food and friendly family-run service are the highlights here. I love Thai food, and have come to believe there’s two “types” – restaurant-style, where cookbooks are followed and items taste of Sysco ingredients, and home-style, where everything starts from scratch. This is the latter.

Consistantly delicious, and always friendly – and for the price, you won’t find better.

If you know of any other great Thai food spots around Cameron Landing, please drop a comment and let us know!

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