tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19806449056605604852024-03-17T23:03:28.476-04:00wanderlust ATLANTAPlanning a visit to Atlanta? Are you a local who has friends or family visiting Atlanta and you're not sure how to entertain them? Or maybe you’re just curious about Atlanta. There’s always something to do in Atlanta.
This blog serves as my sincere hope that the enthusiasm I have for Atlanta encourages you to venture out into the city and surrounding areas and experience it with the awe and wonderment that so many others do.Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.comBlogger993125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-73144835432431293552022-03-31T16:25:00.000-04:002022-03-31T16:25:23.550-04:00Atlanta Blooms! 2022<span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/atlanta-blooms/" target="_blank">Atlanta Blooms!</a></i></b>", now in its second decade, is one of the most beautiful events in all of Atlanta, and it's in your own backyard, at the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/atlanta-blooms/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b>. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiIu-X0O1pma1904IqLf3HiVZ7a_NCJXbGgcnFXuenxxrbRSPU9viPHo7Wp_Blrqh2fWmAB5sdpj80rDqwGwJ3yYRCfVzzZ5ldSdPLNtjizM8XvlPcSctRlwiHSLcKb3FduY6AJtPyHj1YV6s8O436oRM1qiZ13zh_t8J9V-e_e8FGUo1Uq669M0H/s736/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiIu-X0O1pma1904IqLf3HiVZ7a_NCJXbGgcnFXuenxxrbRSPU9viPHo7Wp_Blrqh2fWmAB5sdpj80rDqwGwJ3yYRCfVzzZ5ldSdPLNtjizM8XvlPcSctRlwiHSLcKb3FduY6AJtPyHj1YV6s8O436oRM1qiZ13zh_t8J9V-e_e8FGUo1Uq669M0H/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you know our Garden you know that there is always something going on, something new growing or expanding. If you haven't been in more than a year, it's time to go back and check out all that's new, which is a lot!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Atlanta Blooms! 2022</b> is featured throughout the Garden! You'll have the marvelous opportunity to e</span><span style="font-family: arial;">xplore hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths, as well as other spring blossoms. And check out the Garden's <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/category/atlanta/" target="_blank">Events Calendar</a></b> for opportunities to check out a variety of ways to grow bulbs, including container gardens and floating islands. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Also, be sure to watch for updates on <b>peak bloom times</b> at <a href="http://atlantabg.org" style="font-weight: bold;">atlantabg.org</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuatDOPyTDTdKZFndysR9KgmvO2j1S4eglx365vpEhIyDMg4e2KUCU9OkclybpptZ1sfLynKjsblMMN6hVSEk-WM-h2Dzh99hPTDfoQoBNZnpdQUQh7ClLifrpPV4qcShwLjjMMiJ3sYzOhkJFcDB5L_GP-UHg6zbypCo0tR54lAtdxlVRBLoarxC/s751/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_002_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuatDOPyTDTdKZFndysR9KgmvO2j1S4eglx365vpEhIyDMg4e2KUCU9OkclybpptZ1sfLynKjsblMMN6hVSEk-WM-h2Dzh99hPTDfoQoBNZnpdQUQh7ClLifrpPV4qcShwLjjMMiJ3sYzOhkJFcDB5L_GP-UHg6zbypCo0tR54lAtdxlVRBLoarxC/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_002_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's a LOT blossoming right now! The usual suspects--<b>tulips</b>, <b>daffodils</b>, etc.--are fully present, but there's also <b>flowering shrubs</b>, <b>flowering trees</b>...there are blossoms everywhere you look! It's definitely one of the more beautiful times to visit the Garden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The day I went, earlier this week, was a <b>heavy pollen day</b>, so I wore my <b>COVID mask</b>. It cut way down on pollen inhalation and it didn't look weird! How awesome is that?! I think we'll see masks around a lot more in springtime in the coming years. When I lived in DC I used an umbrella when it was snowing--a lot of people did--and I saw others using umbrellas when the sun was beating down, wholly unbearable. I don't think any of those protective measures are weird anymore!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rNCj0oRc5Avpnn9qnFNA9tRsCNzoycQau-s6gORCnzdLG-GIdZ7YQAGGs8UjEFFW8mvr40lNLTzTJ-T8MtZSwntKMoWR8vUbNzAleP_UwBmWnqzn8zAcU-xIHResIm6GgbFKUBMYsq3XvcKe13WWpwMbR9YywmZOFt_TlbGKnwfIMwfdUAe6Xv7p/s749/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_003_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rNCj0oRc5Avpnn9qnFNA9tRsCNzoycQau-s6gORCnzdLG-GIdZ7YQAGGs8UjEFFW8mvr40lNLTzTJ-T8MtZSwntKMoWR8vUbNzAleP_UwBmWnqzn8zAcU-xIHResIm6GgbFKUBMYsq3XvcKe13WWpwMbR9YywmZOFt_TlbGKnwfIMwfdUAe6Xv7p/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_003_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">My favorite flower is the <b>tulip</b>, so this exhibition is especially wonderful for me. I've told the story before, but please allow me to share it once more. When I was barely able to walk, we'd had a late frost at my grandmothers. Little Travis ventured outside and picked the only surviving tulip and brought it inside and said, "<i><b>Flower, mommy, flower</b></i>." I loved hearing that story growing up and it was the catalyst for my love of tulips. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you know that tulips are a <b><a href="https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/tulips-meaning-and-symbolism" target="_blank">symbol for</a></b> <b>true love </b>or<b> deep love</b>? And the <b>various colors</b> <b><a href="https://www.1800flowers.com/blog/flower-facts/tulip-color-meanings/" target="_blank">have meanings</a></b>, too. My favorite floral arrangement is red roses with white tulips. It's stunning!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53bBcIjaNOpJF2JJuIG9fZRnTDAepaBO35THDHZ0MxVB0m8-PkGvlFlIyN8v6V29p7wzSCL6Yct_kmhVAYfGecydgBcJ_NhEGZDIKdzMcuY5BBQwwrECowT7w9wNDxy12wfFSox7BYtIJDD4Zs2po6tqZVoi9PO53F3cn_J-INfMEirGM23a5_ewl/s730/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_004_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53bBcIjaNOpJF2JJuIG9fZRnTDAepaBO35THDHZ0MxVB0m8-PkGvlFlIyN8v6V29p7wzSCL6Yct_kmhVAYfGecydgBcJ_NhEGZDIKdzMcuY5BBQwwrECowT7w9wNDxy12wfFSox7BYtIJDD4Zs2po6tqZVoi9PO53F3cn_J-INfMEirGM23a5_ewl/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are several <b><a href="https://www.chihuly.com/" target="_blank">Chihuly</a></b> sculptures in the Garden--part of its permanent collection--that blend beautifully with spring blossoms. The one pictured above is in the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/levy-parterre/" target="_blank">Levy Parterre</a></b>, right about the middle of the whole of the Garden.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of sculptures, check out <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2022/02/orchid-daze-2022.html" target="_blank">Orchid Daze</a></b>, running in conjunction with Atlanta Blooms!, on display in the Conservatory and Orchid Center, but only through April 10. It features sculptures by <a href="https://kristinemays.com/home.html" target="_blank">Kristine Mays</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlpGU88RDHXfKo-1le3a14sHzlP41yiXD2Jn1fkn9yWpKsK2sMq5rOEkqF7OS66I5qrLVxR9Ryzjojn2WMJ7I-O7mPzkbeBeIfFH93FfxasYC2gRSQzV-jvICdEq8ZLkT2tu-c8iIRTQW8oWTtZkoPlN4kVLdQB3E16DMDAwFEBQySFM_zRqLL4-h/s651/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlpGU88RDHXfKo-1le3a14sHzlP41yiXD2Jn1fkn9yWpKsK2sMq5rOEkqF7OS66I5qrLVxR9Ryzjojn2WMJ7I-O7mPzkbeBeIfFH93FfxasYC2gRSQzV-jvICdEq8ZLkT2tu-c8iIRTQW8oWTtZkoPlN4kVLdQB3E16DMDAwFEBQySFM_zRqLL4-h/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's so much to see at this exhibition, so please explore the whole Garden! <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/atlanta-garden-map/" target="_blank">Get a map</a></b> when you first come in--the <b>Garden <a href="https://atlantabg.org/volunteer/" target="_blank">volunteers</a></b> are super helpful and sweet. I was a volunteer and docent here for years and it was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a way to share your time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Look right, look left, look across the Garden, and definitely look behind you for some truly awesome vistas/photographs that you just won't get if you don't look around. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are <b><a href="https://iphonephotographyschool.com/flower-photography/" target="_blank">a few tips</a></b> for photographing flowers with your phone camera. There are a lot on tips and tutorials on the Internet for flower photography. I recommend spending a little time viewing/reading those and use the ones that resonate with you. You stand the chance of developing your own style or perhaps improve on your current style! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r0iscVwto-77JD0b9Kr_BwSiMHjlhGolDJtw70Ni2aDFhTtO3XK-Sor7crd9L50fjTHHs1etSBtrSLlEwebixYgfyWCZJF77GmnWdNi9SzFrTMvu30afqxsPfRznZPt_r0FE-wir5nIiEIQWW7PT9mjG0mTeHdPZDbitlUW6EOWNCH9Ww_U8rlZU/s510/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r0iscVwto-77JD0b9Kr_BwSiMHjlhGolDJtw70Ni2aDFhTtO3XK-Sor7crd9L50fjTHHs1etSBtrSLlEwebixYgfyWCZJF77GmnWdNi9SzFrTMvu30afqxsPfRznZPt_r0FE-wir5nIiEIQWW7PT9mjG0mTeHdPZDbitlUW6EOWNCH9Ww_U8rlZU/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">All these blossoms bring out the beautiful <b>pollinators</b>! There's not reason to be afraid of them; they're busy pollinating and care more about the flowers than us visitors. And they make for some great photographs! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqVA8mr5HgH_q5uwbaGo6CAU-X4E2CUUnhc_elKxBYGy-dFF3QK5xPSjONylDfl1qRTJAyKSNyvfYUrMKUSU-Eq36QW71iBF4mmK_Nniv56nCgUkfRdcSUeM6NUjo1yqbAiWA1dtok_3IIWOn9JuYwxYp4UpbXkK8bJWzzJS_eIwZxP2JULX5whD1/s687/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_007_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqVA8mr5HgH_q5uwbaGo6CAU-X4E2CUUnhc_elKxBYGy-dFF3QK5xPSjONylDfl1qRTJAyKSNyvfYUrMKUSU-Eq36QW71iBF4mmK_Nniv56nCgUkfRdcSUeM6NUjo1yqbAiWA1dtok_3IIWOn9JuYwxYp4UpbXkK8bJWzzJS_eIwZxP2JULX5whD1/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I remember the first time I saw an orange azalea, many years ago at <a href="https://www.callawaygardens.com/" target="_blank">Callaway Gardens</a>. I was mesmerized! The Atlanta Botanical Garden has had them for a number of years now which I find exciting, and their azalea collection is growing with the relatively new <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/azalea-walk/" target="_blank">Azalea Walk</a></b>!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gYiJTzUdYHu5i0VbB_W3y9i-DuzSq-M9kO6jQ_oZAEzDTtEjKDUOLy2hi3UsHzrn3akxWChHsMvsWheoWAlDsU8HQa2HYWOl5Md_gSes9VBnpkUdef8dZYtrDHHLSPH2mPh3ybYPw2zayBr0UWkuKQ8Kt3Y37BhHNT1FU8ak06T39j60979JcV0B/s583/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_008_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gYiJTzUdYHu5i0VbB_W3y9i-DuzSq-M9kO6jQ_oZAEzDTtEjKDUOLy2hi3UsHzrn3akxWChHsMvsWheoWAlDsU8HQa2HYWOl5Md_gSes9VBnpkUdef8dZYtrDHHLSPH2mPh3ybYPw2zayBr0UWkuKQ8Kt3Y37BhHNT1FU8ak06T39j60979JcV0B/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_008_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love the purple flower pictured above, but I didn't know what it's called. I turned to the Garden's trusty <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/contact-us/plant-hotline/" target="_blank">Plant Hotline</a></b> (which you can call or email) and they came through--as they always have! It's a <b>Camassis quamash</b>, sometimes called a <b>Camas</b>. "<i>Thank you!</i>" to <b>Master Gardener Jeanne</b> for the assist! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">FYI, the Plant Hotline is operated by a team of Master Gardeners</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> who answer questions from all over the world! They respond remotely and onsite in the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/classes-education/libraries/" target="_blank">Sheffield Botanical Library</a></b>. They're truly remarkable experts, always super nice, and, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest assets at the Garden! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Camas are typically found in the Western U.S., so it's a real treat for us to get to see them here. The ones pictured above are over near the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/glade-garden/" target="_blank">Glade Garden</a></b> where you'll find the <a href="https://www.chihuly.com/" target="_blank">Dale Chihuly</a> "<b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/art-collection/radiant-yellow-icicle-tower/" target="_blank">Radiant Yellow Icicle Tower</a></b>" (which has replaced the former </span><span style="font-family: arial;">"<a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2016/07/atlantas-spectacular-chihuly-in-garden.html" target="_blank">Saffron Tower</a>"). You can't miss that tower!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Also, the new "creek" in <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/storza-woods/" target="_blank">Storza Woods</a></b> is complete so if you haven't been to the Garden recently, this will be a delightful treat for you!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbODKyxad2E-ZQ3PAIJg7ViPg7AtMEzpSYwnoEy_jYzSNHz-_2V2KX07YRZlUn12SqLlPfb42e0Q3g0gr4CZN6L0orDazr_Mfu8_l3Ym00xRo5C-MKDcvWdv4nfS6E34SmyQ8epQQicSF7nGLxcdLFVZGMEXl9_4-LVjwcUzGBln9wmsijyJjlrp2/s661/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_009_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbODKyxad2E-ZQ3PAIJg7ViPg7AtMEzpSYwnoEy_jYzSNHz-_2V2KX07YRZlUn12SqLlPfb42e0Q3g0gr4CZN6L0orDazr_Mfu8_l3Ym00xRo5C-MKDcvWdv4nfS6E34SmyQ8epQQicSF7nGLxcdLFVZGMEXl9_4-LVjwcUzGBln9wmsijyJjlrp2/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_009_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">While the Garden's Camellia Show was last month--because many Camellia varieties bloom in winter--there are still quite a few <b>gorgeous Camellia blossoms</b> on the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/camellia-walk/" target="_blank">Camellia Walk</a></b> near <b>Earth Goddess</b> in the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/cascades-garden/" target="_blank">Cascades Garden</a></b>. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're a member of the Garden, remember that your membership includes admission to the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/gainesville-garden/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden, GAINESVILLE</a></b>! They have super-fun exhibition going on right now titled, "<b><i><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/nature-connects/" target="_blank">Nature Connects</a></i></b>". The exhibit includes 15 larger-than-life (much larger in some cases) <b>LEGO sculptures</b>! It's going on through May 30, but don't wait...you know how quickly the days and weeks tick by!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqWWh5F2QiE3YN_rj4WGgV89OyQLhiwxwRvzIdstP6Eu_F9bXVzHWQ30fdwwIjP-vLlWjXatq_mHyu0ypvtfbukk4CUjQBoxyvISPYKF_so5l6NvMlrJ-XYPatiuZcnfDpgisUi3Inp36lkxekvPHNy2Sukn20EJuzwJ2oZP-3_PBXTr-TR3k5JtE/s585/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_010_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqWWh5F2QiE3YN_rj4WGgV89OyQLhiwxwRvzIdstP6Eu_F9bXVzHWQ30fdwwIjP-vLlWjXatq_mHyu0ypvtfbukk4CUjQBoxyvISPYKF_so5l6NvMlrJ-XYPatiuZcnfDpgisUi3Inp36lkxekvPHNy2Sukn20EJuzwJ2oZP-3_PBXTr-TR3k5JtE/s16000/Atlanta-Blooms-2022_010_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll share some additional photos over on wanderlust ATLANTA's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wanderlustATLANTA" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustatlga/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> pages, but do go see <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/atlanta-blooms/" target="_blank">Atlanta Blooms!</a></b> in person...it's truly magnificent! </span></p><p><br /></p></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com181345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA33.7901457 -84.373998133.786579123976047 -84.378289634423822 33.793712276023946 -84.369706565576166tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-33558756895908642562022-03-30T12:17:00.002-04:002022-03-30T12:17:28.986-04:00"The Light" at Horizon Theatre<p><span style="font-family: arial;">A must-see, "<i><b><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/plays/the-light/" target="_blank">The Light</a></b></i>" at <b><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/" target="_blank">Horizon Theatre</a></b> is brilliantly written and exquisitely acted by <b>Cynthia D. Barker</b> and <b>Enoch King</b>. You will laugh. You will cry. You will have conversations. Playwright <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7489023/" target="_blank">Loy A. Webb</a></b> said, "<i>I write to point toward hope. I want my work to be a neon sign in the darkness: This way out. This way to hope</i>."</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw_oIFEIcFb6SgV1thY8BC-wWWwvV-6Gq2jfEtuX-IALRZfpYHjsBWeY-qH9z0j0BO1ct28FseSJ22PxVJlE2O_WPJTusoR_GF7FGp8Y4p0s-4WzDCGxvLWyTc1nq3qZ4bPOyHIfK3Fx3v-kCP4LVPcclALdG4AKQaSVDE2fL6fJIUgje5Ljy3ogS/s510/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20099_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw_oIFEIcFb6SgV1thY8BC-wWWwvV-6Gq2jfEtuX-IALRZfpYHjsBWeY-qH9z0j0BO1ct28FseSJ22PxVJlE2O_WPJTusoR_GF7FGp8Y4p0s-4WzDCGxvLWyTc1nq3qZ4bPOyHIfK3Fx3v-kCP4LVPcclALdG4AKQaSVDE2fL6fJIUgje5Ljy3ogS/s16000/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20099_510pxW.jpg" title="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<i>The Light</i>", onstage now through Sunday, April 17, was set to open just before COVID hit in 2020. Believe me when I say it was <b>worth the wait</b>. I'm extremely grateful that Horizon Theatre moved forward with this production and believe it to be <b><i>the </i></b>must-see for 2022!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But don't just take my word for it. Local actor, playwright, narrator, and activist <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3745160/" target="_blank">Lee Osorio</a></b> said in a social media post, "</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>If you do not see <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cynthiadbarker/" target="_blank">@cynthiadbarker</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/enochaking/" target="_blank">@enochaking</a> in this play, you will miss one of the most amazing and necessary pieces of theater. Go see this play. Do whatever you have to, but see this play</i>."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ABOUT THE PLAY</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The press release announcing the play shared, "</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>A surprise marriage proposal takes an unexpected turn that upends the world of <b>Genesis </b>(</i>Barker<i>) and <b>Rashad </b>(</i>King<i>), forcing them to confront secrets from the past. The Light is a roller coaster journey of laughter, romance and reckoning that unfolds in real time, peeling away layers of truth, doubt, pain and ultimately, the power of love</i>."</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7vVGnD9WgoGnT6fB5bGiEzIVV5LPl5MB0tiiof1DgB4DTTmcSdmgtO4KxxA-as2Ea9oChNa0rUFNA1a3cg4GvJEshUbWDw9O1hIpuTXeBfs4acIRFwRfY1NU_88wFCOkjkA4YpxMkrGCJbz3zUp9-hciTz9N6L25GtPQPMhdeACe3MKYFDTpx3eQ/s710/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20095_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7vVGnD9WgoGnT6fB5bGiEzIVV5LPl5MB0tiiof1DgB4DTTmcSdmgtO4KxxA-as2Ea9oChNa0rUFNA1a3cg4GvJEshUbWDw9O1hIpuTXeBfs4acIRFwRfY1NU_88wFCOkjkA4YpxMkrGCJbz3zUp9-hciTz9N6L25GtPQPMhdeACe3MKYFDTpx3eQ/s16000/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20095_510pxW.jpg" title="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ABOUT THE CAST</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When I saw the cast announcement for this play I was ecstatic! Cynthia and Enoch are world-class performance artists...I recommend seeing everything they're in!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Suzi Bass award nominee </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/people/cynthia-d-barker/" target="_blank">Cynthia D. Barker</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> has been seen at Horizon Theatre in <b><i>Citizens Market</i></b>, </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2017/06/how-to-use-knife-is-top-notch.html" target="_blank">How to Use A Knife</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, and other popular plays. I love her work and she's a beautiful human being.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Atlanta native and film star <b><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/people/enoch-king/" target="_blank">Enoch King</a></b> has been part of the Horizon Theatre family for nearly two decades, with credits including <b><i>Sweet Water Taste</i></b>, <b style="font-style: italic;">Constellations </b>(which would be his breakout dramatic role), <b><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2013/02/horizon-theatres-heartwarming-waffle.html" target="_blank">The Waffle Palace</a></i></b>, and many years of <b><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2015/12/the-santaland-diaries-is-naughty-and.html" target="_blank">The Santaland Diaries</a></i></b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Co-director, <b><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/people/marguerite-hannah/" target="_blank">Marguerite Hannah</a></b>, has been on this blog numerous times (<b><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2013/02/horizon-theatres-heartwarming-waffle.html" target="_blank">The Waffle Palace</a></i></b>, <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2016/10/freed-spiritsunearthed-at-oakland.html" target="_blank"><i>Freed Spirits</i></a></b>) and is the only person pictured <b>twice </b>in my book, <i><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss</a></i>. You'll find both photos of Marguerite in chapter 47 featuring Horizon Theatre. She's an absolute delight on stage and off.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<i>The Light is a present-day love story complicated by the many things that go unsaid</i>," explains co-director <b><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/people/marguerite-hannah/" target="_blank">Marguerite Hannah</a></b>, Horizon's Associate Artistic Producer. "<i>The characters explore many questions about love universally... They <b>unearth the questions we have been taught not to ask</b>: Is surviving our past enough? Is a Black woman's accomplishments and personal strengths a strong enough salve for emotional wounds? Is gender bias a tangible issue for a community historically defined by racial discrimination?"</i> </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4-NCGbi4dk_T4_Ja6QaYWhxAQPiE00futD-pKxn4m4p5we3fxxviuEjcvsSBQF_pUXVThKqqDwoYKJ54DqIWjCSDyCH3n8ZT9PVJBC3HsQ5Y9H40cqAHZMHLTDE3qIchdq_Xq46R_mPJG4bhtAGbkNpFDiGTpUlsen2F3ZCcVdz93s__WKESCtlK/s510/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20096_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4-NCGbi4dk_T4_Ja6QaYWhxAQPiE00futD-pKxn4m4p5we3fxxviuEjcvsSBQF_pUXVThKqqDwoYKJ54DqIWjCSDyCH3n8ZT9PVJBC3HsQ5Y9H40cqAHZMHLTDE3qIchdq_Xq46R_mPJG4bhtAGbkNpFDiGTpUlsen2F3ZCcVdz93s__WKESCtlK/s16000/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20096_510pxW.jpg" title="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first part of this play, set in Chicago in 2018, is <b>funny</b>—sometimes <b>hilarious</b>—<b>playful</b>, and <b>romantic</b>. In the second portion (75 minutes total, no intermission) things get <b>serious </b>and <b>emotional</b>. If you have a heart you'll want a tissue or at least a sleeve. The very last scene, the last moment of the play, is my personal favorite. Even the actors were in tears...<b>impactful</b>!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYiVkWlPCzEl-UaDvWKAol8bf_Ns0-R1y6jZzj4TI_f3_HOuHjuOBO3_qN57Hg9yw9gw5FE8g7mfXazc8-RyWAvBYXJ_t3NvqY7mbsP_fkHtsSwND6jCm1w9wpvMO90FYIExjETc0Z9qVYPDsxEXD6iRFh4tAas_H24EJFd6fq77k3ejAEidimKll/s764/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20098_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYiVkWlPCzEl-UaDvWKAol8bf_Ns0-R1y6jZzj4TI_f3_HOuHjuOBO3_qN57Hg9yw9gw5FE8g7mfXazc8-RyWAvBYXJ_t3NvqY7mbsP_fkHtsSwND6jCm1w9wpvMO90FYIExjETc0Z9qVYPDsxEXD6iRFh4tAas_H24EJFd6fq77k3ejAEidimKll/s16000/The%20Light%20-%20Horizon%20Theatre%20-%20098_510pxW.jpg" title="The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I recommend seeing this as soon as you can so that you can tell everyone about it and/or bring other friends and family to see it. Get your tickets <b><a href="https://tickets.horizontheatre.com/events" target="_blank">here</a></b> and—always a bonus in Atlanta—parking is FREE! If you happen to be at <b><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/" target="_blank">Horizon Theatre</a></b> for the performance on Thursday the 14th, I'll see you then! "<b><i><a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/plays/the-light/" target="_blank">The Light</a></i></b>" will be onstage through Sunday, April 17.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com61083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA33.7620497 -84.3526148999999925.4518158638211531 -119.50886489999999 62.072283536178844 -49.196364899999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-81772924952136315382022-02-27T14:19:00.000-05:002022-02-27T14:19:13.968-05:00Orchid Daze 2022<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/atlanta-garden-calendar/orchid-daze/" target="_blank">Orchid Daze 2022</a></b> is in full bloom! Whether you've seen this gorgeous exhibition every year for the last decade or it's your first time, you will experience it with a dreamy sense of awe. Make your way to the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b> by Sunday, April 10 to see this magical exhibition.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiipjAY8Gfvol-I5oAzK2UZm0dVq3Di5_FLs1ppmdR27l7FZJFglari7EkOsYKbJBl1bedq0CAN_hdZUBXrtdxl-OFuJFFmrYqvNAF7U0kLeryMuXQBYxx-JxrpjvlnoxRcHF1wZjS-vrT0j8b87ndP4h-ArLF6yyKlppIzQ-_WON_yzmijweKWeFCf=s757" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiipjAY8Gfvol-I5oAzK2UZm0dVq3Di5_FLs1ppmdR27l7FZJFglari7EkOsYKbJBl1bedq0CAN_hdZUBXrtdxl-OFuJFFmrYqvNAF7U0kLeryMuXQBYxx-JxrpjvlnoxRcHF1wZjS-vrT0j8b87ndP4h-ArLF6yyKlppIzQ-_WON_yzmijweKWeFCf=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year's exhibition includes works of art by <b><a href="https://kristinemays.com/home.html" target="_blank">Kristine Mays</a></b>, a San Francisco-based artist. The exhibition, most recently displayed at <a href="https://hillwoodmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Hillwood Estate</a> in Washington, D.C., is titled "<b>Rich Soil</b>".</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL2ltuwhJJ27XJKMA2Z9l6UEMytX9zB59OBNEORzr7QJD_op96CCndPTeQmOhisRUZSVGduZOjzjD98mt35PJ_gzCyHdErFWeMq8j-1T-ud34Y65t2vLYxj6es-5Eqe6zeAn7PC8jCjMPc2Q9XuVoiBmeNtzCAr8pOy6YK193RXnqMYYL40A1mN3GR=s649" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL2ltuwhJJ27XJKMA2Z9l6UEMytX9zB59OBNEORzr7QJD_op96CCndPTeQmOhisRUZSVGduZOjzjD98mt35PJ_gzCyHdErFWeMq8j-1T-ud34Y65t2vLYxj6es-5Eqe6zeAn7PC8jCjMPc2Q9XuVoiBmeNtzCAr8pOy6YK193RXnqMYYL40A1mN3GR=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mays creates life-sized, three-dimensional figures from fine metal strands intricately woven together that often evoke a spirit of flowing movement or dance. Much of the inspiration for her work is a series of photos capturing the <b><a href="https://www.alvinailey.org/" target="_blank">Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater</a></b>'s performance of “<b><a href="https://www.alvinailey.org/performances/repertory/revelations" target="_blank">Revelations</a></b>.”</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMOCIgAbPZujVeVibCf4lqCUmdF1RZmJudpzbYZ37JIMWjXNgWwu9715w_9r2TncKVEiRxC1JOj0QZ0qlAsafpZ3F2y8ugY9tpZmTOg6KIT9m-49KkAolw_I-5FLyh6D3KVgKlXTzYasBcsGyY3VHe_FNl1EorEjW1yZR167CzRI5VW8E26aPQ1b59=s639" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMOCIgAbPZujVeVibCf4lqCUmdF1RZmJudpzbYZ37JIMWjXNgWwu9715w_9r2TncKVEiRxC1JOj0QZ0qlAsafpZ3F2y8ugY9tpZmTOg6KIT9m-49KkAolw_I-5FLyh6D3KVgKlXTzYasBcsGyY3VHe_FNl1EorEjW1yZR167CzRI5VW8E26aPQ1b59=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now going on for more than a decade, Orchid Daze is a beautiful way to experience the Garden <b>during the winter months</b>. When I went the other day, it wasn't crowded, but there was a lot going on. There were visitors, from all over the world, and what looks like renovation of certain parts of the Garden. There is always something going on here!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg09tIuugMI8O7AqsdW3srGNdFQkUBQhvz1IO07NCwrYGzefXTEDS5yvJ9SpUPC7k9IDqyt2Y42VaPOfDJ5WJztX53-_BqY3JjDD6K9GNFiF_-9v1YUsM38nhMGOwkX-S4go_9kOAfn72qIA4fw89BYdwEsn1qosVUdL7nwGcL4ct_17dNDIuVeECOn=s745" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg09tIuugMI8O7AqsdW3srGNdFQkUBQhvz1IO07NCwrYGzefXTEDS5yvJ9SpUPC7k9IDqyt2Y42VaPOfDJ5WJztX53-_BqY3JjDD6K9GNFiF_-9v1YUsM38nhMGOwkX-S4go_9kOAfn72qIA4fw89BYdwEsn1qosVUdL7nwGcL4ct_17dNDIuVeECOn=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">For the exhibition, Orchid Daze orchids are on display in the <b>Conservatory Lobby</b> and the <b>Orchid Center</b>. Both the Conservatory and the Orchid Center have multiple display rooms so be sure to explore them all. If it's your first time to the Garden be sure to pick up a <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/atlanta-garden-map/" target="_blank">map</a></b> on your way in through the Visitor Center.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFRRZfpmFKxFW0s_ESGo2Yx03nUP8qYE-4xpE4tKDC9EWc1oQ7vdkhgZhoo605f0Zoa7uRSS4mZBijgoGnq3CxqDV7rzdkgunRkw7VqS3a4CRnOwthMpB9WcQm9lnMcVXAGR1RK5ItBi3NNIjr8IMFL8c0rhwlOABDXUk0dM2cZwad8j1ZRtgbaxaQ=s696" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFRRZfpmFKxFW0s_ESGo2Yx03nUP8qYE-4xpE4tKDC9EWc1oQ7vdkhgZhoo605f0Zoa7uRSS4mZBijgoGnq3CxqDV7rzdkgunRkw7VqS3a4CRnOwthMpB9WcQm9lnMcVXAGR1RK5ItBi3NNIjr8IMFL8c0rhwlOABDXUk0dM2cZwad8j1ZRtgbaxaQ=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">The exhibition sculptures are displayed in the Reflecting Pond in front of the Conservatory, in the Conservatory lobby, inside the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/dorothy-chapman-fuqua-conservatory/" target="_blank">Fuqua Conservatory</a></b>, and the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/fuqua-orchid-center/" target="_blank">Fuqua Orchid Center</a></b>. There's also a wall display with information boards about the artist in the hallway leading to the <b>Conservation and Training Center</b> and the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/outdoor-kitchen/" target="_blank">Outdoor Kitchen</a></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Mays' said, “<i>My sculptures . . . create a form that reveals an invisible occupant, a soul, a life. I often say that I am ‘breathing life into wire.’ I love the idea of creating work where the focus reveals the essence of a person and that speaks to humanity as a whole</i>.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixs0LFaQ0kBCO7cnLvLqryHh0CCg52kP6Gpgj9gDj0S7cGEr21JcT0RHiFjbZ_2Pj1eirVCHoFVp6BQkuCRKR4BOU5LyLjBOW7s0M-p7Cq3eRwj96NGuWjrpSKAW5eqsyyoOpWp7i9Wu-cUocugeccWwjiQEbXzf_0oKF_GXsNeadnI6hpvhvbiOT0=s526" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixs0LFaQ0kBCO7cnLvLqryHh0CCg52kP6Gpgj9gDj0S7cGEr21JcT0RHiFjbZ_2Pj1eirVCHoFVp6BQkuCRKR4BOU5LyLjBOW7s0M-p7Cq3eRwj96NGuWjrpSKAW5eqsyyoOpWp7i9Wu-cUocugeccWwjiQEbXzf_0oKF_GXsNeadnI6hpvhvbiOT0=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're on the fence about what date to see Orchid Daze, consider going on Sunday, March 6 for "<b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/vanilla-sunday/" target="_blank">Vanilla Sunday</a></b>". Did you know that <b>vanilla is an orchid</b>? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggT-OUYK4Nn7g8AoQzL0pOcJrgQO-I9LlCMxZajf768PJ1ZJk6d_KCLTRFURpOMbUr1RJ9oKEZw3LAp2UKSl1_JwuszApnC_WBKON0VohGN27f2zjL5A1eUiPEHvG8C0PsQ8-UW7EI47PHjbFJzJh6C24OcxRbUOPsCowbNrKxgcqZ_MQXrjwitxOE=s630" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggT-OUYK4Nn7g8AoQzL0pOcJrgQO-I9LlCMxZajf768PJ1ZJk6d_KCLTRFURpOMbUr1RJ9oKEZw3LAp2UKSl1_JwuszApnC_WBKON0VohGN27f2zjL5A1eUiPEHvG8C0PsQ8-UW7EI47PHjbFJzJh6C24OcxRbUOPsCowbNrKxgcqZ_MQXrjwitxOE=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Orchid Daze overlaps another spectacular exhibition, "<b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/atlanta-blooms/" target="_blank">Atlanta Blooms!</a></b>". It officially starts March 1 and there's lots to see and there will be much more in the exhibition throughout its run which goes on through the end of April. I love having a <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/join/" target="_blank">membership</a></b> here so that I can go any time of year I want, which fairly often is impromptu. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmJmLyhXyPKt5HlzNZZAjheuSbSwEbgQfcDnJOq8fWs4WK3JdVZW-mTCWHwSOLWPt895CnKzF-pm7lCPcoA-7KRE9sLIKW2Itr9O0N4Br9jnrznmUZt7g_fk-w0ZhBfzcLCP44m1f2kB9p60uR6ARk53Lpz9Ye1nVlTSEJ_aDISzs9TvlCScEA6ZC-=s747" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmJmLyhXyPKt5HlzNZZAjheuSbSwEbgQfcDnJOq8fWs4WK3JdVZW-mTCWHwSOLWPt895CnKzF-pm7lCPcoA-7KRE9sLIKW2Itr9O0N4Br9jnrznmUZt7g_fk-w0ZhBfzcLCP44m1f2kB9p60uR6ARk53Lpz9Ye1nVlTSEJ_aDISzs9TvlCScEA6ZC-=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of the sculptures rise from carpets of <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/plant-profile/dancing-lady-orchid/" target="_blank">golden Dancing Lady orchids</a></b> as delicate <b><a href="https://www.southernliving.com/garden/landscaping-mistakes-home-value" target="_blank">moth orchids</a></b> hover in the background and long strands of exuberant <b><a href="https://www.thespruce.com/grow-vanda-orchids-1902867" target="_blank">Vanda orchids</a></b> encircle them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNMDZyji0JpOii_wCDW3wuWCB-cl4zlQB20TDXXAMvlGG06UBiuaZ-rgyRXI4kdXpHPSuM5oFJPEayO-sQGiqguGaVBWv8MgmlXG21vw1Xd_Mi5jmYxpD90Z31lkAA6icIXV7SCeF3uO4Pue3OJUcH0jIENmE2DpaLa62VSbAgOe_iUVcM8TxuxYhq=s653" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNMDZyji0JpOii_wCDW3wuWCB-cl4zlQB20TDXXAMvlGG06UBiuaZ-rgyRXI4kdXpHPSuM5oFJPEayO-sQGiqguGaVBWv8MgmlXG21vw1Xd_Mi5jmYxpD90Z31lkAA6icIXV7SCeF3uO4Pue3OJUcH0jIENmE2DpaLa62VSbAgOe_iUVcM8TxuxYhq=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Also happening concurrently with Orchid Daze is the <a href="https://www.atlantabonsaisociety.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Bonsai Society</a>'s "<b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/atlanta-bonsai-show/" target="_blank">Spring Bonsai Show</a></b>", running the weekend of March 19-20. If you've never seen this show you're in for a real treat! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJu0_thhqc3GA80YfGfAHTMgRI7rY0mI14tCRI4zAGlC2Mhmv0zT-bvj2F7vwKVjXyr5NwpDmMUT-rzyUf5qp5Us1c7DQthgR5x6hzL-eZpKq4OBIdaoLf2-csb8CvqgwDZMwPMDNjR7c4s20_BQnhO6zvc_U0IG-A-AC9ffYyimijRBlfcKOz-EBi=s696" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJu0_thhqc3GA80YfGfAHTMgRI7rY0mI14tCRI4zAGlC2Mhmv0zT-bvj2F7vwKVjXyr5NwpDmMUT-rzyUf5qp5Us1c7DQthgR5x6hzL-eZpKq4OBIdaoLf2-csb8CvqgwDZMwPMDNjR7c4s20_BQnhO6zvc_U0IG-A-AC9ffYyimijRBlfcKOz-EBi=s16000" title="Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you know that the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b> is home to one of the largest orchid collections displayed at a public garden...in the world? And <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/atlanta-garden-calendar/orchid-daze/" target="_blank">Orchid Daze</a></b> is a wonderful way to experience the Garden in winter! Go, enjoy.</span></p><p><br /></p></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com31345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA33.7901457 -84.37399815.479911863821151 -119.5302481 62.100379536178842 -49.217748099999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-16489429987755243962022-02-06T18:24:00.007-05:002022-02-06T22:02:40.117-05:00INTERVIEW: Keena Redding - Renaissance Woman<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Meeting <b>Keena Redding</b> was like meeting a friend of many years, except for the simple matter that we had not previously met. Nor did I then know that she's a wholly remarkable <b>Renaissance Woman</b>. Keena, a native Atlantan, is an <b>actress</b>, a classical <b>singer</b>, and <b>theatre artist</b>. At Horizon Theatre, where I first met her, Keena is the Development Director and it was recently announced that she is also their Director of Equity & Impact, a new role for the theatre. And there's more...</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNBTzYvirfTe731xrp1QtATFVobM7vUCtzOX-ikGv6NoXQcBVAUW7KOA3WR1MebMAmX1BmsmvPf1G5AJqyz9DPLrgx6rjzlctiBuSgRSWKiHctFmsQx_Yi8D7dqnauy_dHX5aDOuu2Gm5UT3APyWxciwgDsAH1UCd4dVvJyzu3wkPDIulds_2y04Mj=s663" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Keena Redding" border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNBTzYvirfTe731xrp1QtATFVobM7vUCtzOX-ikGv6NoXQcBVAUW7KOA3WR1MebMAmX1BmsmvPf1G5AJqyz9DPLrgx6rjzlctiBuSgRSWKiHctFmsQx_Yi8D7dqnauy_dHX5aDOuu2Gm5UT3APyWxciwgDsAH1UCd4dVvJyzu3wkPDIulds_2y04Mj=s16000" title="Keena Redding, Actress, Singer, Playwright" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keena Redding, Actress, Singer, Playwright</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Keena holds a Master's degree in Vocal Performance, she teaches theatre and gives music lessons, and she's the Music Director at Horizon's annual children's Christmas show, </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Madeline's Christmas</i><span style="font-family: arial;">. She's a mother--of the human and feline persuasions--she's an activist, and she's a </span><b style="font-family: arial;">playwright</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, which is why we're here today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Keena has graciously gifted me an interview about her first play, soon to be part of <b><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/" target="_blank">Theatrical Outfit</a></b>'s <b>The Graham Martin <a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/boxoffice/tickets/" target="_blank">UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL 2022</a></b>, a four-part series of <i>digital </i>readings of brand-new plays by Atlanta playwrights in partnership with <b><a href="https://workingtitleplaywrights.com/" target="_blank">Working Title Playwrights</a></b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll share more about the Unexpected Play Festival immediately following the interview with Keena. Let's jump right in...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Congratulations on your first playwrighting venture! Please, share with us a little about the play.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: Travis, thank you so much for having me on your blog. <i><b>THE BULLET</b></i> chronicles the long-time friendship of Buddhists <b>Robin Simmons</b> (black) and <b>Kristen Frazier</b> (white) as they navigate critical issues, including parenting adult children, in vitro fertilization, and politics. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, the play takes the audience on a powerful journey of friendship, betrayal and hope.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: You've acted, you've sung, you've directed...what made you want to become a playwright? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I have always loved writing and am excited to expand my creative expression into the world of playwriting. I feel so fortunate to have my play included in this important new play festival. I hope <i>THE BULLET</i> positively impacts all who experience it and that it helps to promote radical individual change.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: I had the great pleasure of listening in on one of your music lessons last year, online during the COVID-19 pandemic. You spoke of enunciating one's consonants. That single piece of wisdom was a huge help to me in doing radio interviews for <a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">my book</a>, in which <b><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/" target="_blank">Theatrical Outfit</a></b> is included. Thank you so very much. When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career as a professional singer?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I am so happy to hear that my music lesson had a positive impact on you. Thank you so much. I have known since I was a child that I wanted to pursue a career in theatre and music. Almost every Sunday afternoon when I was growing up, I would ask my parents and younger siblings to watch plays and musicals I would write, direct, and perform in. I love performing and anything to do with the arts and still do. The arts are my passion. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: You've performed all over Metro Atlanta...share with us a few of those places?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I have been so fortunate in my career. I have worked at the <a href="https://alliancetheatre.org/" target="_blank">Alliance</a>, Georgia Shakespeare, <a href="https://artstation.org/" target="_blank">ART Station</a>, <a href="https://atlantalyrictheatre.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Lyric</a>, <a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/" target="_blank">Theatrical Outfit</a>, <a href="https://www.auroratheatre.com/" target="_blank">Aurora</a>, <a href="https://get.org/" target="_blank">Georgia Ensemble</a>, <a href="https://outfronttheatre.com/" target="_blank">Out Front</a> (where I am on the advisory board), and <a href="https://www.horizontheatre.com/" target="_blank">Horizon</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: I've never heard life in the performing arts called dull. Please share with us a unique or unexpected happening your stage career.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I had the honor of performing alongside my amazing daughter, <b>Miquela Rivers</b> and fabulous student, <b>Eden Mew</b>, this past December in the concert version of <b><i>The Salvation of Ebby Scrooge</i></b> by <b>Larry Larson</b> and <b><i>Eddie Levi Lee</i></b> at Horizon Theatre. Miquela and Eden were both dynamic in the production and I was delighted to be on the stage with two young actresses whose talents and careers I have helped to nourish – truly an honor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: I'd be challenged if I said that most activists are shy people, so I'll ask the question. What issues/topics are you most passionate about and for what changes are you fighting?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I am most passionate about fighting against racism and the intersectionality of all “isms” that serve to marginalize and oppress. I deeply believe that unless we create authentically equitable, anti-racist systems, policies, laws, and hierarchical structures, our country and way of life is jeopardy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: This being a tourism blog, I must ask...when you do find some free time, what or where in Atlanta is a must-do experience for you?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I love <b><a href="http://littlefivepoints.net/" target="_blank">Little Five Points</a></b>. I love the people, the culture, the food, the shops, and the vibe. I have been going there since I was in high school. When folks come to visit Atlanta and ask me where they absolutely have to visit, I always say Little Five Points. Shout out to <b><a href="https://sevananda.coop/" target="_blank">Sevenanda</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/crystalblue1168/" target="_blank">Crystal Blue</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://www.camelispizza.com/" target="_blank">Cameli’s</a></b>! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: If you could meet and perform with any actor, singer, etc., real or fictitious, who would that be and what would you perform and why?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I would have performed with <b><a href="https://www.prince.com/" target="_blank">Prince</a></b> on his <a href="https://discography.prince.com/albums/purple-rain" target="_blank">Purple Rain Tour</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: I've only ever seen you with a bright and beautiful smile on your face. What's your secret to work-life balance when you're involved in such a multi-faceted career?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Keena</b>: I love to read, write in my journal, dance, exercise on my elliptical, and meditate. I also love watching British, female lead detective shows and snuggling with my cat, <b>Giselle</b>.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: "<i>Thank you, Keena!</i>" for making time for this interview. I am so grateful to know you and look forward to watching your career as it continues to blossom. Thank you also for the way you brighten every room you enter. You always make me smile.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrQLwm_XU7QcBygm_mF8u5SG4UYg9rv5bv7zg9lVq06AVUYkAVwSE9Su0ArB2HWwSnSVCqIISzH-cQ5dj5Ljm4uuth-Cy4ijVq5nrFcHSAgWvIZDpv48lpaQM2FGTXrw57Ca1Nqv_YdwLK6j7Hez7t0yMQTq9SV50hRhcGoxwlVL8v0AWVJ7tE5-j6=s510" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Theatrical Outfit's UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL 2022" border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrQLwm_XU7QcBygm_mF8u5SG4UYg9rv5bv7zg9lVq06AVUYkAVwSE9Su0ArB2HWwSnSVCqIISzH-cQ5dj5Ljm4uuth-Cy4ijVq5nrFcHSAgWvIZDpv48lpaQM2FGTXrw57Ca1Nqv_YdwLK6j7Hez7t0yMQTq9SV50hRhcGoxwlVL8v0AWVJ7tE5-j6=s16000" title="Theatrical Outfit's UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL 2022" /></a></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Theatrical Outfit's The Graham Martin UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL 2022</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Over four nights, from <b><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/" target="_blank">Theatrical Outfit</a></b>, some of the best talent in Atlanta will come together to share fresh and topical stories with you February 20-23, 2022, in a <b>live streaming event</b>. Plus, you the audience gets involved as every reading will be followed by a facilitated discussion led by <b>Amber Bradshaw</b> from <b>Working Title Playwrights</b> to give the writers immediate feedback for their next draft.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Keena's play, THE BULLET, will stream on Monday, February 20, 2022, at 7pm. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. And do check out Theatrical Outfit's <b><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/boxoffice/season-subscriptions/" target="_blank">main stage plays</a></b>, as well as the plethora of other entertaining content!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoylvvdhAJdYS6QoBBpv7jcQ6gjt4BxnUGRZW8NAcxonBUJasBE86grJzp3hHG877wqmvvh6dK4zWCeG2PFp1dgxGtQAAeBkBiREMNf1Y7QSLyaYcN14TGDt7oxgL9ypu_6D3BGp4IQEpKNZPL6NID46orfJIVLdFvKUpQU0GQ6tryGx0Lqav-ca7Z=s510" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Theatrical Outfit's UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL 2022" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoylvvdhAJdYS6QoBBpv7jcQ6gjt4BxnUGRZW8NAcxonBUJasBE86grJzp3hHG877wqmvvh6dK4zWCeG2PFp1dgxGtQAAeBkBiREMNf1Y7QSLyaYcN14TGDt7oxgL9ypu_6D3BGp4IQEpKNZPL6NID46orfJIVLdFvKUpQU0GQ6tryGx0Lqav-ca7Z=s16000" title="Theatrical Outfit's UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL 2022" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"THE BULLET" by Keena Redding at Theatrical Outfit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com184 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA33.7570269 -84.38956225.4467930638211541 -119.5458122 62.067260736178845 -49.2333122tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-6369388137501552662022-01-14T17:49:00.002-05:002022-01-14T17:49:21.465-05:00TOUR: Porsche Experience Center ATL <p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<i>Engineered for magic. Every day.</i>" That's one of <b>Porsche</b>'s taglines—and a brilliant one at that. But it also applies to <b>tours </b>of <b><a href="https://www.porschedriving.com/atlanta" target="_blank">Porsche Experience Center ATL</a></b>! Earlier this week I went on one of those tours and it was indeed an experience!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi13BdONOsJPX6l_BEFcfITGTA42nWNZALmZV0BOcnKsskKQXfilgDIeJbzj3iYWvZikCBjb3rkg_ladL8VhHP9O-VArThiiHjAnPOEZkpB8Y4j3uCs6ChXoUyzbBXG5TE3p8fdxcSSeQmnYuZbXy1_W4Ji7o1xjVs51sPU7hC-It7WKI-fXHvAI4jX=s572" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi13BdONOsJPX6l_BEFcfITGTA42nWNZALmZV0BOcnKsskKQXfilgDIeJbzj3iYWvZikCBjb3rkg_ladL8VhHP9O-VArThiiHjAnPOEZkpB8Y4j3uCs6ChXoUyzbBXG5TE3p8fdxcSSeQmnYuZbXy1_W4Ji7o1xjVs51sPU7hC-It7WKI-fXHvAI4jX=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We had two tour guides, one an engineer and one retired military and both friendly and funny. The tour is 90 minutes and is approximately 1 mile, so <b>wear comfy shoes</b>! We toured multiple floors, saw lots of exhibits, went to the simulator room, and went out on <b>Carrera Café patio</b> which overlooks the driving tracks!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't know if they do this for every group, but I got the sense they do, but they let us hang around after the tour and revisit the galleries we'd visited. They let us know that ahead of time which made it easy to relax and not feel like I missed something or didn't get all the photos I wanted. YES, <b>you may make photos during the tour!</b></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinjVHhmTqyh1WQkt5RO0bRg_goPO6ro5dr5S-ggGmd1p8W_Kfo6h1JOB2RLrwCNG2cygBgHQEjBjnrcngIWja6GoRg6hQQJHHH_2MNNfsz-UmkBar7yuSWe0sdsNWlTEoOI9k0P2DWO4Hk4Rkmj17kg3q-leV-KmbKG7_0FKbJM6KE3XfjZET5xgEF=s680" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinjVHhmTqyh1WQkt5RO0bRg_goPO6ro5dr5S-ggGmd1p8W_Kfo6h1JOB2RLrwCNG2cygBgHQEjBjnrcngIWja6GoRg6hQQJHHH_2MNNfsz-UmkBar7yuSWe0sdsNWlTEoOI9k0P2DWO4Hk4Rkmj17kg3q-leV-KmbKG7_0FKbJM6KE3XfjZET5xgEF=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This digital timeline display is interesting enough on its own, but getting to hear stories from our tour guides using visuals was excellent. The cool thing about this display is that you can <b>tap an image and it pops out, <i>then </i>you can touch and stretch the image</b> (easier with two hands) making it super easy for groups to see the image being discussed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When you're standing here, look up. There's an art installation hanging from the ceiling that doesn't make sense at first, but then walk under it and it will reveal itself to you. Snap a photo while you're there.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you've never been here but the building looked familiar as you drove up, you may have seen it in some <b><a href="https://www.marvel.com/movies" target="_blank"><i>Avengers</i> movies</a></b> as well as in <i><b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7049682/" target="_blank">Watchmen</a></b></i>, both using the building as their headquarters!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwBwZ-Y1UP_I3CuZNvOh0_u8NjMHSxt_wOzmgjtTZnxStxfcFdrim8GFb9Jj55zbx-P7hrKHuLmsP76G9cXW87DBUyD8OjowSE481Fpj1BUVJ3wHXwbLZiRigP1T5eqOoBOsSmhXd16rTLMcSQsGlJ5C1HIquGyDgkA8D8i8s5EK83m1La2HvIVseK=s510" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwBwZ-Y1UP_I3CuZNvOh0_u8NjMHSxt_wOzmgjtTZnxStxfcFdrim8GFb9Jj55zbx-P7hrKHuLmsP76G9cXW87DBUyD8OjowSE481Fpj1BUVJ3wHXwbLZiRigP1T5eqOoBOsSmhXd16rTLMcSQsGlJ5C1HIquGyDgkA8D8i8s5EK83m1La2HvIVseK=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I now have at least a dozen new favorite Porsches. I don't think I've ever seen a paint job like this. Striking, isn't it? If I understood correctly this is <b>their newest electric car</b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of electric cars, <b>Ferdinand Porsche</b>, the eventual founder of </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Porsche, had built an electric care in the late 1890s!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Sometimes, things we think are new are actually old. So, electric cars are not new, but they've certainly been reinvented.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh23RCX2fhe1HF1ZpEMSoAotSPZUvrS7YS98kc_o8ZLCZSMzVftT8me7e00oZ_7CboZE9aszj74CVs4ql-uP3CvWgBNc6vkQ2Ayjv1psJBqycwzPJT2mlRzD5lydeEeavc-fLA8w5pXCGw8_RmODe7cZ0VeBRNzy_ll1wvqjhtM6p0z5S2W4NJtdpdD=s510" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh23RCX2fhe1HF1ZpEMSoAotSPZUvrS7YS98kc_o8ZLCZSMzVftT8me7e00oZ_7CboZE9aszj74CVs4ql-uP3CvWgBNc6vkQ2Ayjv1psJBqycwzPJT2mlRzD5lydeEeavc-fLA8w5pXCGw8_RmODe7cZ0VeBRNzy_ll1wvqjhtM6p0z5S2W4NJtdpdD=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Near the electric car is a display where you can <b>customize your own Porsche</b>! The cars are not manufactured in this facility, but distribution is managed here and, if I recall correctly, you can pick up your new Porsche here and take it for a spin on the tracks here at the Center! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our tour guides told us about one customer who came in and customized their car <b>to the tune of $130,000</b>...basically a second car! Life is short...if you can do something like that, then do it!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIWCaqQmioLk-emhbqO0SWhatvG81hS3VnvWAlh9-GIN5ZRupptAKxZsMBc3WQk0-vkh_U5ZrZjeagC1uEHhen8-iPv2hqj43Olk8AccTORXu8WDWDhAqRXV6z3akPh8DLwCIJ4PQprY6oe17PDDMnvOVqNOVoHtFRcXy1Y0FyMm-E7tBd_13P2bHU=s617" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIWCaqQmioLk-emhbqO0SWhatvG81hS3VnvWAlh9-GIN5ZRupptAKxZsMBc3WQk0-vkh_U5ZrZjeagC1uEHhen8-iPv2hqj43Olk8AccTORXu8WDWDhAqRXV6z3akPh8DLwCIJ4PQprY6oe17PDDMnvOVqNOVoHtFRcXy1Y0FyMm-E7tBd_13P2bHU=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of the cars on display are vintage, most are newer, but this one is <b>the legendary "Speedster"</b>, first introduced in America in 1954 and it cost a mere $2,995! I do not know the year of the one pictured above, but if I had to guess I would say it's one of the older ones.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of older cars, this is fascinating! Unlike many other automobile manufacturers, Porsche <b>keeps in stock Porsche Classic Genuine Part...52,000 of them worldwide</b>. AND they're for cars that date back to 1948! I was stunned. I had no idea that any manufacturer had this practice. Oh, AND they're now they're even using 3D printers to make classic genuine parts! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh, you'll also get a peek into their restoration shop for classic Porsches! There's so much going on here!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You can see why I love going on tours. You learn so much and you become privy to information that you just won't get on a self-guided tour. And by the way, I'm torn between which I love more, the Speedster or the <b><a href="https://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/" target="_blank">911 Carrera</a></b>.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHpM-TYMXJozm-qoKKeJ7dLqd91q5GQP-lAKDZBJ2tPami-daFyJ3uitNhabs4T53Z-2oCMsTItwPXN6uV-IoKqnNgthMsgSx5K07KPHrzHv8Vqbz_XceMcUoCIWPeXMyLwbGMhnyOBmwt_f7yTPkCbfcdkRXf-D7lMsIcIlvc8e8I47AMrbiuHC1w=s510" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHpM-TYMXJozm-qoKKeJ7dLqd91q5GQP-lAKDZBJ2tPami-daFyJ3uitNhabs4T53Z-2oCMsTItwPXN6uV-IoKqnNgthMsgSx5K07KPHrzHv8Vqbz_XceMcUoCIWPeXMyLwbGMhnyOBmwt_f7yTPkCbfcdkRXf-D7lMsIcIlvc8e8I47AMrbiuHC1w=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the tour you'll visit multiple galleries, but the "<b>Colors of Porsche</b>" exhibit is striking, and quite colorful! There are different model cars on display, some I've never seen before, like the pink one pictured above. You'll get to see a lot of the custom colors Porsche offers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Within the signage in the gallery is a sign that notes: "<i>60 percent of people say that <b>color is one of the main factors</b> they consider when purchasing a car.</i>" I'm 100% in that camp! To be totally happy with a car I have to love the color. More on that in a moment...</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizxbedOqDYiMnZjnxjHcbimzhvRL2D_ti79-DklGQgxjLldx-Xv2y4ZNp_E91-GwiK7PUSspYUVKVK5uL4QGhWFzld7q9vXP9DenBBS56iNgQVAyB7WQ3xZYAyCrtvwlUJ20FMgyCORIKwo0LOTdB64ewDsZITp60cXySVRanfaTZY8FXy0qrmAMri=s510" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizxbedOqDYiMnZjnxjHcbimzhvRL2D_ti79-DklGQgxjLldx-Xv2y4ZNp_E91-GwiK7PUSspYUVKVK5uL4QGhWFzld7q9vXP9DenBBS56iNgQVAyB7WQ3xZYAyCrtvwlUJ20FMgyCORIKwo0LOTdB64ewDsZITp60cXySVRanfaTZY8FXy0qrmAMri=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b><a href="https://www.porschedriving.com/atlanta/off-the-track/simulators" target="_blank">Simulator Lab</a></b> is relatively new. In fact, they were still programming in various tracks (based on real race tracks around the world) and Porsche vehicle...you get to pick the track you want and the car you want! You can purchase a 30-minute or 60-minute drive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's a lot more to do here than I had previously realized!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi77Su7hJlRxpex2nVlWQLwdTTLc6YveiTPnYTgBpNj0AFj_meukM1A5Bmg5LJfCKRyovjjIYPkQ51Mt5iyVtI3iZhNpssgzElnHu8B8BhfusLT2Ugt20-ayXYbYr0a8FHpLO_WfBbu7ZsVv_dgn-u_WcDDYPgtP5b5qHhTrSDbwClzWh-H-wfP1mAO=s510" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi77Su7hJlRxpex2nVlWQLwdTTLc6YveiTPnYTgBpNj0AFj_meukM1A5Bmg5LJfCKRyovjjIYPkQ51Mt5iyVtI3iZhNpssgzElnHu8B8BhfusLT2Ugt20-ayXYbYr0a8FHpLO_WfBbu7ZsVv_dgn-u_WcDDYPgtP5b5qHhTrSDbwClzWh-H-wfP1mAO=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I always thought red was the most popular sports car color, but turns out it's silver. I guess red gets more media attention and silver is the <i>safer </i>color because of its resale potential. I've had a silver sports car and a black one. I would totally go for a red sports car next time! That was until I saw this <b>beautiful orange Porsche</b>. I'll have to give color considerable thought should I get another sports car. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What's your favorite car color?</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUEGH3E5aRvVIyB1Q0ebfjOJO9KMtX2X8gOUp43zS-aGv-ZRh-1Dz1ZvDvOxlU-B7kJhzcLRnk2icA4FIGAvE9a8SkMm1OJY0XpGmur4rB69FoEIqhyslKZ1kRmC5p2Y_GnyQrjTb3TVf_WXLIX3E0g2q9dbHkJOztWXXlKII_v6gkyinKJZ8YVVPG=s680" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUEGH3E5aRvVIyB1Q0ebfjOJO9KMtX2X8gOUp43zS-aGv-ZRh-1Dz1ZvDvOxlU-B7kJhzcLRnk2icA4FIGAvE9a8SkMm1OJY0XpGmur4rB69FoEIqhyslKZ1kRmC5p2Y_GnyQrjTb3TVf_WXLIX3E0g2q9dbHkJOztWXXlKII_v6gkyinKJZ8YVVPG=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After my tour, I stopped in <b><a href="https://www.porschedriving.com/atlanta/off-the-track/dining" target="_blank">Carrera Café</a></b> and had lunch. I had the Chicken Teriyaki sandwich and a glass of sauvignon blanc, which I enjoy out on the track observation deck is also a dining patio. Lunch was delicious and the view spectacular.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's also the upscale <b><a href="https://www.porschedriving.com/atlanta/off-the-track/dining" target="_blank">Restaurant 356</a></b>. You'll want to make reservations if this is something you want to do. They're currently only doing lunch, but check back to see when they're resuming dinner service.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijgq5D_LPBJOXLcvP4_J1iWGPPUqbFtxrGzGlGhvLySnOkb78qyCMpxuZr_mj9fICe9pnCP9-FBKR1HQkwRNW9fWUgDL8BVdKfNF5wWjdcfXrzfsH6BPKTlXpkjJXpNLl70COshIqPMJhEDXIOOlllJIMb6EppT4rduzFLlt1J6HydcDLif0QNaoIO=s510" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijgq5D_LPBJOXLcvP4_J1iWGPPUqbFtxrGzGlGhvLySnOkb78qyCMpxuZr_mj9fICe9pnCP9-FBKR1HQkwRNW9fWUgDL8BVdKfNF5wWjdcfXrzfsH6BPKTlXpkjJXpNLl70COshIqPMJhEDXIOOlllJIMb6EppT4rduzFLlt1J6HydcDLif0QNaoIO=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the things that I think people will really enjoy about this tour is that it's not loaded with tons to read. What there is to read are snippets. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For example, the display showing the <b>Porsche crest production process</b> is four small bits about the various steps. Even though there's not a ton of reading, like there can be at some exhibits, you'll leave feeling quite well informed. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4wp5pxs5EJGuc6mJZGhmzCh5rBgYzk50ZgpOBEf36M3YSj0HMIyK5OilJdz6hNexYw3DozbwB8tDQxTYt0lzv4sVgIbBPfsUWSfOYGc9gT7UQLvEFlGP6jY1oyAsubJnX6_r8u6fJwiNeAk55ZhSEZKvNqtE0n1l4HFxLnHRpqQjnu93zSmDQ-l1m=s635" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4wp5pxs5EJGuc6mJZGhmzCh5rBgYzk50ZgpOBEf36M3YSj0HMIyK5OilJdz6hNexYw3DozbwB8tDQxTYt0lzv4sVgIbBPfsUWSfOYGc9gT7UQLvEFlGP6jY1oyAsubJnX6_r8u6fJwiNeAk55ZhSEZKvNqtE0n1l4HFxLnHRpqQjnu93zSmDQ-l1m=s16000" title="Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porsche Experience Center ATL | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I took the <b>General Tour</b>, but you can opt for the <b>VIP Tour</b> which includes a ride around the 1.6 mile track! On that ride you're the passenger, but they have other drive experiences where YOU get to be in the driver's seat. There's something here for every automobile enthusiast, engineering fan, velocity seeker, history buff, and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">adrenaline-loving adventurer! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Be sure to stop by their well appointed <b>gift shop</b>, too! I had my eye on a Porsche model and some really sharp sunglasses.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Check out the <b><a href="https://www.porschedriving.com/atlanta" target="_blank">Porsche Experience Center ATL</a></b> and follow them on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PECAtlanta/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/pecatl/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b>, too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com10One Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354, USA33.6520096 -84.3986353999999895.341775763821154 -119.55488539999999 61.962243436178845 -49.242385399999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-27735985637676773112021-12-31T17:23:00.001-05:002022-01-01T21:40:44.962-05:00wanderlust ATLANTA's 2021 Photo Review<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Where to begin...where to begin?! 2021 was quite the year, to say the least. You know I like to keep things upbeat, so here goes...The <b><a href="https://www.mlb.com/braves" target="_blank">Atlanta Braves</a></b> won the World Series! <b>Theatres </b>that had been only operating online for 18 months are now beginning to reopen. Legendary restaurants have closed forever and <b><a href="https://www.tonetoatl.com/" target="_blank">new restaurants</a></b> are popping up all over the place! We have a new <b><a href="https://andreforatlanta.com/" target="_blank">mayor</a></b>. And there's so much more...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZp2WfG6cvbfQW6Tv1wF0mg3ohYSEbLcFAuzR4PalX5GgBYG3NsDU7W9HhjBtxjF-phUICOGAaQ-RxeHm_05dBRJKOB7gO85XmWlcG5fT0-vFcBKVX-_EXh7KfCSBcY5PAnjPHH2tWfdjNjjYE8648r28KWJy6G0LeL46py4OG8JjEELDqTv3_ihof=s617" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dogwood Bench in Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZp2WfG6cvbfQW6Tv1wF0mg3ohYSEbLcFAuzR4PalX5GgBYG3NsDU7W9HhjBtxjF-phUICOGAaQ-RxeHm_05dBRJKOB7gO85XmWlcG5fT0-vFcBKVX-_EXh7KfCSBcY5PAnjPHH2tWfdjNjjYE8648r28KWJy6G0LeL46py4OG8JjEELDqTv3_ihof=s16000" title="Dogwood Bench in Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2019/03/martin-marty-dawe.html" target="_blank">Dogwood Bench</a></b> in Piedmont Park | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I forget every year how much I enjoy writing this annual post. Not because it's initially fun, but once I start reviewing it I realize <b>just how much I've done</b> and get to relive some awesome bits that I otherwise might not have. It's truly my favorite post to write, I just forget. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year, given "everything" that was going on, my posting was light so the photos I'm sharing here are from the blog <b>as well as its social media channels</b>. I expect posting to return to "normal" in 2022, though, so stay tuned!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_jikusJpByOYiwiKufZfJe1r638wSOCIlDV6ZmmQzTXh6WYlWIAmzhpuje1lJKxQR71VlyzvSSl3WoyuvH1FvInyxhIFEtrEHaCKV7zIimcuQtDjESryYIVcRn4ikR3YfZkAUtCxegR82tSaOv_XfNuJn__V5uzsqaq1Bj_ADUoWAHiL2CnHtPOn5=s680" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts | Travis Swann Taylor selfie" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_jikusJpByOYiwiKufZfJe1r638wSOCIlDV6ZmmQzTXh6WYlWIAmzhpuje1lJKxQR71VlyzvSSl3WoyuvH1FvInyxhIFEtrEHaCKV7zIimcuQtDjESryYIVcRn4ikR3YfZkAUtCxegR82tSaOv_XfNuJn__V5uzsqaq1Bj_ADUoWAHiL2CnHtPOn5=s16000" title="Hero Doughnuts | Travis Swann Taylor selfie" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/03/hero-doughnuts-buns.html" target="_blank">Hero Doughnuts & Buns</a></b> | Travis Swann Taylor selfie</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the incredibly exciting things that happened to me this year was being </span><b style="font-family: arial;">nominated for 2021 Author of the Year</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, 'Specialty' category, by the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.georgiawriters.org/" target="_blank">Georgia Writers Association</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">. I didn't win—the competition was phenomenal—but I can still say "nominee" until perhaps one day I do win. Never say never, right?!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Among my early 2021 posts were some places in bustling <b><a href="https://summerhillatl.com/" target="_blank">Summerhill</a></b>, now growing exponentially! <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/03/hero-doughnuts-buns.html" target="_blank">Hero Doughnuts & Buns</a></b> is a fun destination, especially for this doughnut-loving guy. I have to limit myself otherwise I'm "taste testing" everything in the window! </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3QytPZ1tiXp48D3Gybimxv1JU5V2up9CE-T4DgWVI2yZwbWDviOYBD8AnaV60o_gnT9qdEfhqhoNmY07a3SeqIEWbFbUtMdBjHbJ-RltyJfS7rq5CB77pN7yExgQjLcudLHUbyhv0LUc-3aB3RKRmF1JDX7suobtl3DDB8l9BRIanIqC7bxraZhrP=s595" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3QytPZ1tiXp48D3Gybimxv1JU5V2up9CE-T4DgWVI2yZwbWDviOYBD8AnaV60o_gnT9qdEfhqhoNmY07a3SeqIEWbFbUtMdBjHbJ-RltyJfS7rq5CB77pN7yExgQjLcudLHUbyhv0LUc-3aB3RKRmF1JDX7suobtl3DDB8l9BRIanIqC7bxraZhrP=s16000" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/01/hot-dog-petes.html" target="_blank">Hot Dog Pete's</a></b> | Photo Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My very first post last year was from <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/01/hot-dog-petes.html" target="_blank">Hot Dog Pete's</a></b> which shares a patio with Hero Doughnuts & Buns. I've been back to both and have even attempted to replicate Hot Dog Pete's loaded fries at home...they were good, but theirs are the best!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll share some more of my other dining adventures—from luxury to comfort—a little further down.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuJ_SL918Dqm6Ddpa5yk1os6Hx4BAuaoJp-GSmIY0NbLgrv3Jht6Ys063ydcETcg8Vah62S7fgDe3SVNrix65eQYTcunPx_oOqCsYEG5AZF6BTXuV2xugM-oOl7QYZYZaDvKPr0kXTtbLPE4a-4eF7MR7aKBA_5jFqpYzVxFrYAN-9jyPqhxdbbeiy=s720" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Flair | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuJ_SL918Dqm6Ddpa5yk1os6Hx4BAuaoJp-GSmIY0NbLgrv3Jht6Ys063ydcETcg8Vah62S7fgDe3SVNrix65eQYTcunPx_oOqCsYEG5AZF6BTXuV2xugM-oOl7QYZYZaDvKPr0kXTtbLPE4a-4eF7MR7aKBA_5jFqpYzVxFrYAN-9jyPqhxdbbeiy=s16000" title="The Flair | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Flair | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I received my first two vaccinations at <b><a href="https://mercedesbenzstadium.com/" target="_blank">Mercedes-Benz Stadium</a></b> and the <b><a href="https://www.army.mil/" target="_blank">U.S. Army</a></b> was on hand managing logistics and administering the vaccines! <b>"<i>Thank you!</i>"</b> to MBS and the Army for doing this for Atlanta! I later got my booster at my doctor's office. Not as exciting but what a relief having it done!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I snapped the above photo of "<b><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2013/12/reflections-on-flair.html" target="_blank">The Flair</a></i></b>" in <b><a href="https://www.centennialparkdistrict.com/go/georgia-international-plaza" target="_blank">Georgia International Plaza</a></b>, next to the stadium, but didn't realize that it looked like "he" was getting his vaccine too, courtesy of the <b><a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlpl-the-westin-peachtree-plaza-atlanta" target="_blank">Westin Peachtree Plaza</a></b>, until after I was home.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_5ExVUe4xWQkOpirbjRm72lVEfUh4OgJdwDhoYXXeOe2J7j2O8XL11U5uLrG_6AM_VtSV0kmTi8jVM5rpfLzFcOS1DcHTRWxNvJskI9jHwjo68ra7tr6lyMo4Y4QfvHvZJm1ugqkALBAIy5U2Ri4FWWuIX1Qz7EF2cYTPqi0Zm9mw2drbLCO1ttJL=s665" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_5ExVUe4xWQkOpirbjRm72lVEfUh4OgJdwDhoYXXeOe2J7j2O8XL11U5uLrG_6AM_VtSV0kmTi8jVM5rpfLzFcOS1DcHTRWxNvJskI9jHwjo68ra7tr6lyMo4Y4QfvHvZJm1ugqkALBAIy5U2Ri4FWWuIX1Qz7EF2cYTPqi0Zm9mw2drbLCO1ttJL=s16000" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Spring is beautiful in Atlanta! This year I got to go to Historic Oakland Cemetery during <b><a href="Daffodil Days at Oakland | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" target="_blank">Daffodil Days at Oakland</a></b>. Already a beautiful cemetery, the bright yellow flowers made it even more special.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHgxths9R1aV3TXNXJ5vbbXHheczeDR1cQZR6Qk-qib_ncZm6YPcplIVBoA1q7bj1HUSLkbCaPhXvPoS0FnVMNkmjLqnsePhBNspnZKJBPPMISayWwyR_ChhbyHfjGGomudvdiSxa4XPF541WJGPk59hX99PQAVjfqKt25BfevXAxxtMBespWRwna7=s752" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Carmen and Colomba | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHgxths9R1aV3TXNXJ5vbbXHheczeDR1cQZR6Qk-qib_ncZm6YPcplIVBoA1q7bj1HUSLkbCaPhXvPoS0FnVMNkmjLqnsePhBNspnZKJBPPMISayWwyR_ChhbyHfjGGomudvdiSxa4XPF541WJGPk59hX99PQAVjfqKt25BfevXAxxtMBespWRwna7=s16000" title="Carmen and Colomba | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmen and Colomba | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My dear friend Carmen (left) visited from DC and bought her delightful and wholly fun friend Colomba who was visiting from the Dominican Republic. We visited a number of places! They stayed at <b><a href="https://thegeorgianterrace.com/" target="_blank">The Georgian Terrace</a></b> (my recommendation) and we had dinner at <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2017/02/top-10-atlanta-restaurants-by-numbers.html" target="_blank">TWO urban licks</a></b>, a personal favorite that they too enjoyed.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ_w8ba9ILGtDIHS0ZOgz-iyiEIlydYdLHNJnRa73QSrtxGuJdqjZkGPDE5UO5FNrclkYHn_uamFGsvQ8EjoluYu6p-IIA4myWUn4YJzDy7WcYt6sckcuKh8bNLH6G0Iu4iJqHaxVpC5Lq5dS_tJMdRk7HjLr-Rz2fxuD7E9FuCaiLYqN9wjQUJUb-=s510" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SUPERnatural at the Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZ_w8ba9ILGtDIHS0ZOgz-iyiEIlydYdLHNJnRa73QSrtxGuJdqjZkGPDE5UO5FNrclkYHn_uamFGsvQ8EjoluYu6p-IIA4myWUn4YJzDy7WcYt6sckcuKh8bNLH6G0Iu4iJqHaxVpC5Lq5dS_tJMdRk7HjLr-Rz2fxuD7E9FuCaiLYqN9wjQUJUb-=s16000" title="SUPERnatural at the Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUPERnatural at the Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We went to see <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/05/supernatural-glass-art-in-bloom.html" target="_blank">SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom</a></b> at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. I would return to see it a number of times throughout the summer.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmLTM0IkCTnilZErxgnDvCLPgRYiUyXdMt5yPwAUoIyFDoHx9Z4Y3XmlD-gharq7dn7PhUQbVXMOv4ZxN_AefOP0BB-5dG4JQ9TJ5K3eJoBhwFvR9UQaJ9eWzeDD46CCgPCvy3KJj4b2iDUE2gBUA2KkS0GyezE1BuRC6Kku-0SzwaR3omIeX9tzfS=s765" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Federal Reserve Bank Atlanta | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmLTM0IkCTnilZErxgnDvCLPgRYiUyXdMt5yPwAUoIyFDoHx9Z4Y3XmlD-gharq7dn7PhUQbVXMOv4ZxN_AefOP0BB-5dG4JQ9TJ5K3eJoBhwFvR9UQaJ9eWzeDD46CCgPCvy3KJj4b2iDUE2gBUA2KkS0GyezE1BuRC6Kku-0SzwaR3omIeX9tzfS=s16000" title="Federal Reserve Bank Atlanta | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The two days we had together was a super packed, fast-paced tour of Atlanta. Some of it was a driving tour but we also got out and walked a bit. Pictured above is the <b><a href="https://www.atlantafed.org/about/tours/museum" target="_blank">Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta</a></b> and we also saw the nearby <b><a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/buildings-and-grounds/atlanta-history-center-midtown/" target="_blank">Margaret Mitchell House</a></b>.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzXlSv9Q5A0ZPbGkdWbB1l2BtwhR9Rqm8GrGDFACb-pVz2x1nabjXvxt1DJZ8BvjE3XAJbqwtQEJZ9OldmT_plP13R8NrR7cPjyM3aLTeHt3yLIxsC7Jv2uTd5rI9LVkbK0c1ne_ccIAnh6RE-jycuZJatuxtM5bm17U_Uwczsaz96SXg3LLMQpyF0=s510" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mumbles the Rhino at Zoo Atlanta | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzXlSv9Q5A0ZPbGkdWbB1l2BtwhR9Rqm8GrGDFACb-pVz2x1nabjXvxt1DJZ8BvjE3XAJbqwtQEJZ9OldmT_plP13R8NrR7cPjyM3aLTeHt3yLIxsC7Jv2uTd5rI9LVkbK0c1ne_ccIAnh6RE-jycuZJatuxtM5bm17U_Uwczsaz96SXg3LLMQpyF0=s16000" title="Mumbles the Rhino at Zoo Atlanta | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mumbles the Rhino at Zoo Atlanta | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I got to go to <b><a href="https://zooatlanta.org" target="_blank">Zoo Atlanta</a></b> a few times this year and one of the highlights was seeing <b><a href="https://zooatlanta.org/animal-personality/mumbles/" target="_blank">Mumbles</a></b>, the zoo's first <b>Southern White Rhinoceros</b>, one of the newest residents. One of my Zoo visits was to a fundraising gala with my friend <b>Peggy</b>. There's something quite special about being 'dressed to the nines'...at the Zoo!</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVn_He4H42RCM15QS8FGE_waaG8KKu0U1aXJvXTrmaAK9k94P-0txDp3WnWh36LCeMwz6vtXlyDMqfxRy9nPyGtn63ToQqK9ePgiTleK7CHLenifftI9aalKpAHOWlRro8RCDScCuxaiO3WYmLMUbJwHTiK2xX5wtk3zE9u_ej7rnR9E-aji-q8KKj=s666" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey: The Exhibition | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVn_He4H42RCM15QS8FGE_waaG8KKu0U1aXJvXTrmaAK9k94P-0txDp3WnWh36LCeMwz6vtXlyDMqfxRy9nPyGtn63ToQqK9ePgiTleK7CHLenifftI9aalKpAHOWlRro8RCDScCuxaiO3WYmLMUbJwHTiK2xX5wtk3zE9u_ej7rnR9E-aji-q8KKj=s16000" title="Downton Abbey: The Exhibition | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey: The Exhibition | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A fan since Downton Abbey hit the airwaves, seeing <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/10/downton-abbey-exhibition.html" target="_blank">Downton Abbey: The Exhibition</a></b> was mesmerizing! I saw it in October and will be going again soon before it leaves, this month I think.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCV0yoM6HaLmJJFXBnzRJNE-5LfiTZu92VH6GQNLQpp-gBG3vInPnMucg-vfFCK6UZUo3nGFJF94lpjBwzmTWTk9sESxDOaCxlRIs3zs8TDv6WFPOCG0G_slwvA6nVkEVGW27GximQjvKN1X3tG_v_CoeMYHtr8VsSH905MC1WumE6JtZYtL4I7YAs=s732" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Battle & Brew | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCV0yoM6HaLmJJFXBnzRJNE-5LfiTZu92VH6GQNLQpp-gBG3vInPnMucg-vfFCK6UZUo3nGFJF94lpjBwzmTWTk9sESxDOaCxlRIs3zs8TDv6WFPOCG0G_slwvA6nVkEVGW27GximQjvKN1X3tG_v_CoeMYHtr8VsSH905MC1WumE6JtZYtL4I7YAs=s16000" title="Battle & Brew | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle & Brew | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">After seeing the Downton exhibition with my friends <b>MaryJo </b>and <b>Michelle</b>, we tried to go to one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Sandy Springs but they were not yet open. Across the parking lot was <b><a href="https://www.battleandbrew.com/" target="_blank">Battle & Brew</a></b>, a video game and gaming bar and restaurant. It'd been on my list for years and it did not disappoint! Such fun and great service! And that <b><a href="https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/TARDIS" target="_blank">Tardis</a></b> in the photo above...that's all the bathrooms, so it is bigger on the inside! </span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9d_2glWAz2aFaX3_xaciyAomJGPtv51Tu2Lzk0dY3o5EDiJhqXLO37plIFxW3D1Q10sG1VbGeKkz0ljQHNqXbui4OLWIdiGFTGKKC3it3duBBm5wULSOqEkwPp3JOqBM_o3lLhRdp4og1IlSM1PbRtMxAIoutmuQphDXJ_u4AdVRROZx1ToqLMZWr=s713" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bank Street Cafe | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9d_2glWAz2aFaX3_xaciyAomJGPtv51Tu2Lzk0dY3o5EDiJhqXLO37plIFxW3D1Q10sG1VbGeKkz0ljQHNqXbui4OLWIdiGFTGKKC3it3duBBm5wULSOqEkwPp3JOqBM_o3lLhRdp4og1IlSM1PbRtMxAIoutmuQphDXJ_u4AdVRROZx1ToqLMZWr=s16000" title="Bank Street Cafe | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bank Street Cafe | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">MaryJo and Michelle live in <b><a href="https://www.exploregeorgia.org/city/griffin" target="_blank">Griffin</a></b> and I spent a long weekend with them this summer. They took me on a whirlwind tour of the city, including drinks at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BankStreetCafeGriffin/" target="_blank">Bank Street Cafe</a></b>—awesome service! I'll be going back, to see MJ and Michelle but also so I can blog about it! This place is really happening!</span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn6tTb3ri6_CPhZZmpPPzdFu232Hrk47qCmYV6AL_7CM0AqNrfUTzK1gtloPU8q3OLEFqkuOkutXf-2yvUVKTDdSzI2m-Jf4M6AvurE88ctZUs1EVQMBhdhExGbA99To6WtfTbgunWhE7hQNdFxQhLD_UH16FIdGSOTrGeou0zspxaLlwZjVmmK6uF=s680" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blood Orange Mimosa at Babs Midtown" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn6tTb3ri6_CPhZZmpPPzdFu232Hrk47qCmYV6AL_7CM0AqNrfUTzK1gtloPU8q3OLEFqkuOkutXf-2yvUVKTDdSzI2m-Jf4M6AvurE88ctZUs1EVQMBhdhExGbA99To6WtfTbgunWhE7hQNdFxQhLD_UH16FIdGSOTrGeou0zspxaLlwZjVmmK6uF=s16000" title="Blood Orange Mimosa at Babs Midtown" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Orange Mimosa at Babs Midtown</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've done <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/search/label/Interviews" target="_blank">interviews</a></b> on the blog throughout the years, but have been doing quite a few more in recent years and I very much enjoy them! Here are some that I did this year:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2018/06/brunching-at-babs-midtown.html" target="_blank">Randy Adler</a></b>, Babs Midtown</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/11/interview-luc-helterbrand-author.html" target="_blank">Luc Helterbrand</a></b>, author and illustrator</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/01/interview-janet-montgomery-from-my-big.html" target="_blank">Janet Montgomery</a></b>, "From My Big Eyes"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/03/interview-marykay-decatur-alpaca-cottage.html" target="_blank">Marykay</a></b>, Decatur Alpaca Cottage</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://corrinasephora.com/" target="_blank">Corrina Sephora</a></b>, Metal Artist (publishing soon!)</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have others in the works so keep an eye out!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHoAbU8gPA8nDyYFxFm1pAyvr7HVWMYg0GJNXykZg04H18q7zX7PGvY-T5W91PxOP8kbw-9DCmOohTHXjllCz1p59Uf4HG3FjpBS-nCwurSRHLdF7vnK3IXi8xNsC9iXvnn4LrQH10rm6ORwB4X1IFDEheYH2HbChxDnz12s0VTZg4ejhebEzBIFL-=s655" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Evereman | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHoAbU8gPA8nDyYFxFm1pAyvr7HVWMYg0GJNXykZg04H18q7zX7PGvY-T5W91PxOP8kbw-9DCmOohTHXjllCz1p59Uf4HG3FjpBS-nCwurSRHLdF7vnK3IXi8xNsC9iXvnn4LrQH10rm6ORwB4X1IFDEheYH2HbChxDnz12s0VTZg4ejhebEzBIFL-=s16000" title="Evereman | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evereman | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd seen the "<b><a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/atlanta-planit-atlanta-public-art-evereman/" target="_blank">Evereman</a></b>" image for years and even seen this sculpture many times, but never knew the story behind it until I was walking through Castleberry Hill with my friends <b>Patti </b>and <b>Eric</b>. I highly recommend exploring a city on foot...you'll see so much more!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year also saw the first annual "</span><b style="font-family: arial;">111 Places Day</b><span style="font-family: arial;">", a global celebration of the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://www.111places.com/" target="_blank">111 Places</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> series of books. You'll remember that I had the great honor and pleasure of writing the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">111 Places Atlanta</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> book. I took this opportunity to do a </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://fb.watch/af7BtyEymg/" target="_blank">video</a> </b><span style="font-family: arial;">discussing my (growing) 111 Places books and how I have or plan to enjoy them. Lots of fun...I was having so much fun, in fact, that I forgot to brush my hair before recording the video, LOL! </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUNWcrE9Sgrnip4OKNEwVZpVyirzUnKj5KwVkDMmgdD0vHNRB4zUQtOLaPm-wwAgzrHvdqhaD6vY6ZN6eXE6iSz32cYVnsQP_Hp1YYSVBFcVvVX0oFt-pBGdUHHs6HIccCB5C2cJbRyGIezKtf0D6bqrsIMb7-vCZ1NZTH6BA67_FjRCFOMcwGhWmi=s510" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="East Point Historical Society Museum | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUNWcrE9Sgrnip4OKNEwVZpVyirzUnKj5KwVkDMmgdD0vHNRB4zUQtOLaPm-wwAgzrHvdqhaD6vY6ZN6eXE6iSz32cYVnsQP_Hp1YYSVBFcVvVX0oFt-pBGdUHHs6HIccCB5C2cJbRyGIezKtf0D6bqrsIMb7-vCZ1NZTH6BA67_FjRCFOMcwGhWmi=s16000" title="East Point Historical Society Museum | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Point Historical Society Museum | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of <b><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">my book</a></b>, I had my second in-person book presentation and book signing of 2021 at the <b><a href="http://www.senoiaareahistoricalsociety.org/" target="_blank">Senoia Area Historical Society Museum</a></b> and it was awesome! Several friends from around the area came and one friend, on his way from Nebraska to Tampa, timed his trip so that he could be there for my presentation—a wonderful surprise! And the mayor was there, too!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And just last month I was so honored to be the keynote speaker at the <b><a href="https://www.eastpointgahs.org/" target="_blank">East Point Historical Society Museum'</a></b>s Open House event not long ago. Another success! I've been there a number of times now and will keep going. I used to live in East Point, just down the street as it turns out!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I also had a virtual book event via the <b><a href="https://www.wrensnest.org/" target="_blank">Wren's Nest</a></b>, historic home of Joel Chandler Harris and today a museum. And I did a radio interview with John Clark on <b><a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/960-georgia-focus-57074796/episode/georgia-focus-111-place-in-77666953/" target="_blank">iHeart Radio</a></b> which was broadcast on <b>more than 170 radio stations</b> throughout Georgia! THAT was fun!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgg0uUmledcAga0b4ZpKlFeSe0d0d2xhWXOtc-qe_tOXAwWpWSPzu5sIS5bGsBWFKT9Td6dJV6NSP-lW_VpQuS22u5g-g_l-e9KjO6Xpl-RClg07AxsTh9VlNcdthdZWHzHf1PQ94PFIoK5tQRE5Q9tmjbUlROXfyCTplAwSd99CxBd4tY5l272wUMY=s617" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Coq Au Vin at Aria | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgg0uUmledcAga0b4ZpKlFeSe0d0d2xhWXOtc-qe_tOXAwWpWSPzu5sIS5bGsBWFKT9Td6dJV6NSP-lW_VpQuS22u5g-g_l-e9KjO6Xpl-RClg07AxsTh9VlNcdthdZWHzHf1PQ94PFIoK5tQRE5Q9tmjbUlROXfyCTplAwSd99CxBd4tY5l272wUMY=s16000" title="Coq Au Vin at Aria | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coq Au Vin at Aria | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you've never been to <b><a href="https://www.aria-atl.com/" target="_blank">Aria</a></b> in Buckhead before, put it on your list! I went with some dear friends and the chef prepared specially for us <b>Julia Child's recipe for Coq Au Vin</b>. I'm salivating as I type this. I could have bathed in that dish! So incredibly delicious. The whole experience was elegant, warming, and one that I'll remember for a very long time.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5fb1wnUnCL7xBKgfKbh_uiu4cPv4I7pvU8wNBnItBiGf7o2c4oDCqxDnIuN3apLs-l3uko4n4bFMjNWNSiwmUKl9puyvSm4-P1xQFJH3ayF63dVl7GoB2KOfjdzXU5FcjfaCPL-utqIiayss54A1zCSnuTUZDMLkgCy_w094V-2YuMmyhWxgo7Bm-=s603" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flat Iron Restaurant & Bar | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5fb1wnUnCL7xBKgfKbh_uiu4cPv4I7pvU8wNBnItBiGf7o2c4oDCqxDnIuN3apLs-l3uko4n4bFMjNWNSiwmUKl9puyvSm4-P1xQFJH3ayF63dVl7GoB2KOfjdzXU5FcjfaCPL-utqIiayss54A1zCSnuTUZDMLkgCy_w094V-2YuMmyhWxgo7Bm-=s16000" title="Flat Iron Restaurant & Bar | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar & Restaurant | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://flatironatl.com/" target="_blank">Flatiron Bar & Restaurant</a></b>, in East Atlanta Village, is THE place to go for comfort food. And it's not your typical, overdone comfort food either! They're one of the "tips" in my book but they could be a chapter! They could be a whole book, actually!</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha67LSrQLrgDB1AsKoh0ffuTaaQB0JAeYnGpRnQzuogl_Q-UUGaQigIHBXFnJ4nLMwbYUaRudLOdE9ZLLForRCtfxkkl6iWfmhVVJJTXbjwUu-XoqzolYQRUJiLN5YvFYQhwmQAOdnCibMfeljA9UK74h0dXzauLYWCH5K94_gUeyw7rtg8jvPJlD6=s722" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Inman Park Police Box | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha67LSrQLrgDB1AsKoh0ffuTaaQB0JAeYnGpRnQzuogl_Q-UUGaQigIHBXFnJ4nLMwbYUaRudLOdE9ZLLForRCtfxkkl6iWfmhVVJJTXbjwUu-XoqzolYQRUJiLN5YvFYQhwmQAOdnCibMfeljA9UK74h0dXzauLYWCH5K94_gUeyw7rtg8jvPJlD6=s16000" title="Inman Park Police Box | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inman Park Police Box | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've read about and driven by it hundreds of times, but I had never actually seen the <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/08/ancient-police-lockup-box-in-inman-park.html" target="_blank">Inman Park Police Box</a></b>! Finally I made it a point to find it and there it was...in plain sight!</span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtkE39AD1zsAjMKIgFP_ysdxMK972Rf1DbJr_gSakFdJ5HeFhC0vLvhoD_5xxealNH19P-F4NzcuxuLTHURxTtCEo3XZVk8SVPmXL5BmoZv8fZ74R4cFX6Wfhjmxe6st7hTemEQVsqV6YgzImSMa_W4ZdWAtEwO26963lkUgD96gWJX6ntJhfPb3fJ=s765" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SUPERnatural at the Atlanta Botanical Garden" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtkE39AD1zsAjMKIgFP_ysdxMK972Rf1DbJr_gSakFdJ5HeFhC0vLvhoD_5xxealNH19P-F4NzcuxuLTHURxTtCEo3XZVk8SVPmXL5BmoZv8fZ74R4cFX6Wfhjmxe6st7hTemEQVsqV6YgzImSMa_W4ZdWAtEwO26963lkUgD96gWJX6ntJhfPb3fJ=s16000" title="SUPERnatural at the Atlanta Botanical Garden" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUPERnatural at the Atlanta Botanical Garden</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of my visits to the Atlanta Botanical Garden this year was to see <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/07/supernatural-aerial-art-in-motion.html" target="_blank">SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion</a></b>. It was magnificent. <b>Mary Pat</b>, the CEO of the Garden, is truly visionary. I can hardly wait to see what she does next!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrvjh5TTDFds665PAA-A7Jn9gnAwROnMS3cE5nlHuixcGHBIuweDK4c4rdasWi3iPAEnbd7Z3mQlQySF4j34QahtWH37cdXVPBAiv6ljg4P0IpxXez-Bgw_r511Q6d-bpQ04LTczUBzzUn6NZkZziiQTFmRinpcmdWhKvjGLCI9C7cnUeyP1y9XPH2=s738" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrvjh5TTDFds665PAA-A7Jn9gnAwROnMS3cE5nlHuixcGHBIuweDK4c4rdasWi3iPAEnbd7Z3mQlQySF4j34QahtWH37cdXVPBAiv6ljg4P0IpxXez-Bgw_r511Q6d-bpQ04LTczUBzzUn6NZkZziiQTFmRinpcmdWhKvjGLCI9C7cnUeyP1y9XPH2=s16000" title="Scarecrows in the Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My autumn just isn't complete without seeing <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/10/scarecrows-in-garden-2021.html" target="_blank">Scarecrows in the Garden</a></b> at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It's so much fun! This year was different, but in a good way!</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4w3Lijvxz0sgICTF0fWVjK3hZ-stQTY5CwTUno47ivXamkCfZkaPsY76Z_b2o0qH9bm0ZYlaQvr3wx8tBAmV_ZHU9np8gwIa662STzZNRMRk9tBjFAPznxyqm3vYfFArtycerFqydYM9lOxXlKe1DDSHpWFGE7LnAFWoc-ZdAJxGW9k2BBssu-rnQ=s510" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Food That Rocks 2021 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4w3Lijvxz0sgICTF0fWVjK3hZ-stQTY5CwTUno47ivXamkCfZkaPsY76Z_b2o0qH9bm0ZYlaQvr3wx8tBAmV_ZHU9np8gwIa662STzZNRMRk9tBjFAPznxyqm3vYfFArtycerFqydYM9lOxXlKe1DDSHpWFGE7LnAFWoc-ZdAJxGW9k2BBssu-rnQ=s16000" title="Food That Rocks 2021 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food That Rocks 2021 | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph a couple of days of this year's </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://foodthatrocks.org/index.php" target="_blank">Food That Rocks</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> event in Sandy Springs. Such a fun and delicious event...with live music! It's from the creator of </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://tasteofatlanta.com/" target="_blank">Taste of Atlanta</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> so you know it's fun! I've actually photographed both events in the past...I truly do enjoy it!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTMWHLMr2VzmOoAHJ_Ql9Lr2MsUhxUnowlY6nwXyQPtH7o0XCObcO_V51XWeZ3FP2kylc1Q8zG3_V4lSPaU98oadSkHpWKToXRSD0Z7OkUaXXh3U4IhLjG3VxboduEieRpy01b1nTxJXkUemdKUhCZ3s3CpYQML6buT-HQ2wkrCkzHAA1RD-SreIHG=s510" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Family Photo Book for Theresa | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTMWHLMr2VzmOoAHJ_Ql9Lr2MsUhxUnowlY6nwXyQPtH7o0XCObcO_V51XWeZ3FP2kylc1Q8zG3_V4lSPaU98oadSkHpWKToXRSD0Z7OkUaXXh3U4IhLjG3VxboduEieRpy01b1nTxJXkUemdKUhCZ3s3CpYQML6buT-HQ2wkrCkzHAA1RD-SreIHG=s16000" title="Family Photo Book for Theresa | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Photo Book for Theresa | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As you know, I was also the photographer of "<i><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss</a></i>". Even though I'm not the caliber of many of my photographer friends, I have been a paid photographer for many years. This year I got to do a family coffee table book for my dear friend <b>Theresa and her family</b>—such a fun day! We started at the Millennium Gate and finished in Piedmont Park.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Last but certainly not least, in 2021 </span><b style="font-family: arial;">I hit the 1,000,000 views milestone</b><span style="font-family: arial;">! So, "</span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Thank you!</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">" to everyone who has been a fan for more than 11 years and to everyone who's ever shared a link or complimented a photo...I'm grateful to you all!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I wish that something wonderfully remarkable happens to each of you in 2022. A lof of somethings wonderful, in fact! Also, I encourage you to look back at last year <b>with a sense of gratitude</b> at some of the great things that did in fact happen and let's carry gratitude exponentially into 2022...let's <b>make it a fantastic year</b>, together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com24Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.38798245.4387615638211528 -119.5442324 62.059229236178844 -49.2317324tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-82908528661348897422021-11-07T13:06:00.000-05:002021-11-07T13:06:55.236-05:00INTERVIEW: Luc Helterbrand, Author & Illustrator<span style="font-family: arial;">To borrow a saying from my friend <a href="https://virginiawillis.com/" target="_blank">Chef Virginia Willis</a>, the person who introduced me to my editor..."<i><b>I love it when good things happen to good people!</b></i>" My friend <b>Luc Helterbrand</b> is a published author!!! His book, written and illustrated by Luc, is a delightful children's book that gifts the magic of shared memories...and a recipe!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxXB_yaQJ2HNXsz6L9tHVjlMaqS5NvOf4GiZ4xHVDeBgYQDJTnE7wn7dzE3qZEs4193RJEfVc2jgXPwv71MgtHBtX1CqoUuprn8QPsbAT7ocRBHV6mW49sWYBdkFw2WYulv4t0ZjRQPI/s628/Luc_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Luc Helterbrand, Author, Illustrator, "Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread"" border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxXB_yaQJ2HNXsz6L9tHVjlMaqS5NvOf4GiZ4xHVDeBgYQDJTnE7wn7dzE3qZEs4193RJEfVc2jgXPwv71MgtHBtX1CqoUuprn8QPsbAT7ocRBHV6mW49sWYBdkFw2WYulv4t0ZjRQPI/s16000/Luc_510pxW.jpg" title="Luc Helterbrand, Author, Illustrator, Photo courtesy Moruso Studios" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luc Helterbrand, Author, Illustrator, Photo courtesy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moruso_studios/" target="_blank">Moruso Studios</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The book is "<b>Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread</b>"</i>. Luc has generously granted me an interview so that we can share with you more about the book, its inspiration, and Luc's path to becoming an author and illustrator. Enjoy...</span></div><div><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: Please share with us a little about who you are, where you're from, and how you came to live in Metro Atlanta.</span></div><div><span><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: I am the fifth of six children and grew up in a small rural Italian community in central Missouri. My mother was from France and through her and my father's mother, I learned to love baking. As children we often enjoyed French desserts from my mother and classic American desserts from my grandmother. We were very lucky children and only as adults can we appreciate how good we had it. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">I went to college for Architecture at Drury University and shortly after graduating, I moved to Chicago where I married my college sweetheart and we had one child. We did get divorced, but we wanted to make sure that we shared in the upbringing of our son and when she received a wonderful professional opportunity, we all moved to Atlanta.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: You're a first-time published author! Congratulations! Please tell us a little about the book.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: <i>Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread</i> is a short story about a grandfather who is taking care of his grandson for the day and as a treat decides to have Billy make a dessert to share with his mom and dad.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: What was the catalyst for wanting to write a book and why this particular theme?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: I love children and I love baking. I also hope to one day be a grandfather and I want to share moments with my grandchildren and hope to pass along some of the desserts that I grew up enjoying. I want to promote the idea of grandfathers as caregivers. I also want to promote the family construction; love is the most important element. In this story, grandpa and grandson are of different races, but their love and affection are what I hope people recognize and focus on and emulate.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkF7dFtxGyDMP1qD8kAKJuN915HnuenTn1H7_UT0K3dD5E5RwWWEPlaABMQtWWzAdtN9NmkzNHBvUM_7F7nJcn7qFVwAxsQAqULD0ePjfSKuGQo16vQktxzzLEmQlSEYF8DU2G4YdMZA/s652/Baba+and+Billy+and+the+Chocolate+Banana+Bread21_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Illustration in "Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread" Photo courtesy of Moruso Studios" border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkF7dFtxGyDMP1qD8kAKJuN915HnuenTn1H7_UT0K3dD5E5RwWWEPlaABMQtWWzAdtN9NmkzNHBvUM_7F7nJcn7qFVwAxsQAqULD0ePjfSKuGQo16vQktxzzLEmQlSEYF8DU2G4YdMZA/s16000/Baba+and+Billy+and+the+Chocolate+Banana+Bread21_510pxW.jpg" title="Illustration in "Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread" Photo courtesy of Moruso Studios" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration in "<i>Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread</i>"<br />Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moruso_studios/" target="_blank">Moruso Studios</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: I already knew that you are an architect but did not know that you're also an illustrator. Is that a passion? Where do you hope that brilliant talent will take you?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: The only reason that I am an architect is because of my drawing talents. I have been drawing since I was very little. My mother was also a wonderful artist and she always encouraged me in it. Writing a book is something that she and I discussed when I was young too. She always said to write what I know. I hope to write many more books for children and young adults. I hope to be writing and illustrating books and images for the remainder of my life and that I can encourage others to share their interests and more importantly, their time, with those they love. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: The title characters are awesome, but some might wonder where is grandma?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: I want my characters to have backstories even when they aren't obvious parts of the main story line. My parents passed away when I was young, my father when I was ten and my mother when I was nineteen. In showing an image of grandma in the story, but not having her as an active character, implying that she had passed away, was my tribute to my parents. We carry our loved ones with us wherever we go, whether they are here or not. This story was inspired by the love of my mother and my grandmother and other people of whom I have shared fond memories.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: Is the recipe for the chocolate banana bread in the book? Why this particular dish?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: Yes...the story is the instructions and at the end are the ingredients. I have been instructed by my doctor to eat a banana every day. Well, that's a lot harder than you might think, so at times I have bananas that go past the point of ripeness that I want to eat them, so I needed to find a good way of using up all those overripe bananas. I like plain banana bread at times, but chocolate makes everything better, so I did some experimenting and developed this recipe. Everyone seems to really enjoy it and it makes for a very nice moist dessert.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn53i7VksfJCfu4rLJJyO7zkKL-yZognPdxDSvRI726Iu5MjE1kwkK9mBzKRzgEcvaHAWMiP1Bip6jdg0WTECytRb3IbL89TtzfJUz6Fy9_zZnyhvhywzW2XQO-M4n_ztVYhu2aLdUfE/s510/chocolate+banana+bread.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chocolate Banana Bread made by Luc, Photo courtesy Moruso Studios" border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn53i7VksfJCfu4rLJJyO7zkKL-yZognPdxDSvRI726Iu5MjE1kwkK9mBzKRzgEcvaHAWMiP1Bip6jdg0WTECytRb3IbL89TtzfJUz6Fy9_zZnyhvhywzW2XQO-M4n_ztVYhu2aLdUfE/s16000/chocolate+banana+bread.jpg" title="Chocolate Banana Bread made by Luc, Photo courtesy Moruso Studios" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Chocolate Banana Bread made by Luc, Photo courtesy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moruso_studios/" target="_blank">Moruso Studios</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: What was your favorite childhood book and why? What children's book authors have inspired you?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: I grew up in a large farmhouse that didn't have that many rooms so being in a large family, we had to share bedrooms. At night my mother would read to us at bedtime when we were little. My favorite books were the adventures of <a href="https://winniethepooh.disney.com/" target="_blank"><b>Winnie the Pooh</b></a>. She did all the characters. She had a soft French accent and when she read to us, it was magical. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">I'm inspired by many children's books authors. I love a simple honest story that is more images than words. I've been truly impressed recently by <b><a href="https://www.oliverjeffers.com/about" target="_blank">Oliver Jeffers</a></b>. His books are beautifully simple stories but are incredibly powerful in message.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: This is your first book. May we look forward to others? Is this a series? What other book ideas can you share with us at this time?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: There will definitely be more. I am not sure that there will be more "<i>Baba and Billy</i>" but this theme of grandparent and child is one I do enjoy. That relationship is very important and special. </div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">I have a second book written and I am generating character sketches right now. It's a story of a grandmother, "Mimi" and her two grandchildren who come to spend the weekend with her and help out in the garden.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBEqIAGIbnZo9A6fs1FrsUMyjzaj7Vyl0MdsdF0O7CXUY0ORLvzcNre9Xhp1enMHWmSyF9bY0QWPMVgidyy32SV0NftuR1KCE-CvjIvS3xQ5ynZ0w4LjfBcZ28UGD2sgJa3uKoEU5HPs/s660/Baba+and+Billy+and+the+Chocolate+Banana+Bread28_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Illustration in "Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread", Photo courtesy of Moruso Studios" border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBEqIAGIbnZo9A6fs1FrsUMyjzaj7Vyl0MdsdF0O7CXUY0ORLvzcNre9Xhp1enMHWmSyF9bY0QWPMVgidyy32SV0NftuR1KCE-CvjIvS3xQ5ynZ0w4LjfBcZ28UGD2sgJa3uKoEU5HPs/s16000/Baba+and+Billy+and+the+Chocolate+Banana+Bread28_510pxW.jpg" title="Illustration in "Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread", Photo courtesy of Moruso Studios" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration in "<i>Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread</i>"<br />Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/moruso_studios/" target="_blank">Moruso Studios</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: Where can future fans get your book? Do you have any book signing events coming up?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: You can get my book at <b><a href="https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en" target="_blank">Archway Publishing</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baba-and-billy-and-the-chocolate-banana-bread-luc-helterbrand/1140249522" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baba-Billy-Chocolate-Banana-Bread/dp/1665706759" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b>, or order from <b><a href="https://bookshop.org/" target="_blank">your local book store</a></b>. At present I do not have any signings setup, but I hope to soon. I would love to do some book signings at libraries or bookstores and do some book events, too. The book has only been available for a month, and this is my first book, so I am just now getting my author legs.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: Is there anything I haven't asked that you would like to share about yourself, your book, or the writing experience?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><b>Luc</b>: I hope everyone enjoys the story and that it inspires parents, aunts and uncles, as well as grandparents and children to spend time together, to find those little things that create lifelong bonds. They say food is love, but spending time together, sharing in our lives, is real love.</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjOjW1NTrKlUH8pLUtAvGo51OMOWN_6cO5PpiKlbSw4JL51QzZryQRB9mZkk673UtCZnV-gPWjCKA5IcL-AFLZD4vHn7LwUXws-flp91-y1b1mP2WoYw0KPWntZWkiHYNGdUz9mWKu6Y/s660/cover_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=""Billy and Baba and the Chocolate Banana Bread" by Luc Helterbrand" border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjOjW1NTrKlUH8pLUtAvGo51OMOWN_6cO5PpiKlbSw4JL51QzZryQRB9mZkk673UtCZnV-gPWjCKA5IcL-AFLZD4vHn7LwUXws-flp91-y1b1mP2WoYw0KPWntZWkiHYNGdUz9mWKu6Y/s16000/cover_510pxW.jpg" title=""Billy and Baba and the Chocolate Banana Bread" by Luc Helterbrand" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<i>Baba and Billy and the Chocolate Banana Bread</i>" by Luc Helterbrand</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: arial;">"<i>Congratulations!</i>" to <b>Luc</b> on becoming a published author! Friends and fans, please consider adding Luc's book to your holiday shopping list or buy it for your own kids, nieces and nephews, or your grandkids! Which loved ones will you be making chocolate banana bread memories with?</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;">Be sure to follow <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/moruso_studios/" target="_blank">Moruso Studios</a></b>, Luc's illustration brand, for announcements of book signings and Luc's future books!</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div></span></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-57763261107984712022021-10-25T19:32:00.001-04:002021-10-25T19:32:26.434-04:00Scarecrows in the Garden 2021<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the final week to see this year's <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/scarecrows-in-the-garden/" target="_blank">Scarecrows in the Garden</a></b> at the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b>! Remember that they're doing timed-entry tickets. They will take walk-ups, but this close to Halloween I recommend buying your scheduled tickets ahead of arrival to ensure you get to see this wonderful exhibition. This last day to see them is Sunday, October 31.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd6Q3IH7gALA8-7Z3W0MYnXoTUFrR4X79G-q4iyDaDKKDwreahv9m0Msm7tCdL8qQEMA5O-dQ-UftccQrd9KJ5FA8Bb9jdZy-QjoNWHb6esOqzbh7U3uL4QNzlHmTiWdde_P5Rt3amwQ/s749/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdd6Q3IH7gALA8-7Z3W0MYnXoTUFrR4X79G-q4iyDaDKKDwreahv9m0Msm7tCdL8qQEMA5O-dQ-UftccQrd9KJ5FA8Bb9jdZy-QjoNWHb6esOqzbh7U3uL4QNzlHmTiWdde_P5Rt3amwQ/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>The Fay Myceliana</i></b>" by <b>Whitney Brown</b> & <b>Janice Upson</b></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are some magnificent scarecrows this year, as always, but it's wonderful to see an event all these years later still presenting brilliant creativity! </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">On this particular visit, I was there only to see the scarecrows and make photos of some of them. I did not know that they had changed the locale of the scarecrows, so I was thinking that there weren't that many this year, having only visited the entry pathway and <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/the-lou-glenn-childrens-garden/" target="_blank">Children's Garden</a></b> where they've been displayed for years. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">NOW, the scarecrows are in those locations as well as in the </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Crepe Myrtle Allèe</b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> and all the way to the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/skyline-garden/" target="_blank">Skyline Garden</a></b>! There are LOTS of them! <br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2vyFuqaRQqKNLZdeX3tkUw6wX9Ik2pGgnpkvY0YpYNxQsnitkMIhIhNUqjtUxzN_KBOkPvKUVmDn-jq1HlaqaBWU-MVZpS3YF1e6arvScl3NB3PlY07C5CSza7K5QIW3lw1BesdaBGY/s730/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_002_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2vyFuqaRQqKNLZdeX3tkUw6wX9Ik2pGgnpkvY0YpYNxQsnitkMIhIhNUqjtUxzN_KBOkPvKUVmDn-jq1HlaqaBWU-MVZpS3YF1e6arvScl3NB3PlY07C5CSza7K5QIW3lw1BesdaBGY/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_002_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Hurloween</i></b>" by <b>Erica Evans Patton</b></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some are larger-than-life and some and teeny-tiny! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO285m8VY6mX3j8ZBN7k6Zp8fkOU4LVcl6Sw0-eW_s7ERSEQf2QxPK0Lf6A2I3_GIllXVwVlfBnOxk0aUzbpgQiMPSU5-S6ne5YNq_sQkETDxE2B1WYuTzcDKPQavlarETz0oFbkR4wH0/s708/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_003_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO285m8VY6mX3j8ZBN7k6Zp8fkOU4LVcl6Sw0-eW_s7ERSEQf2QxPK0Lf6A2I3_GIllXVwVlfBnOxk0aUzbpgQiMPSU5-S6ne5YNq_sQkETDxE2B1WYuTzcDKPQavlarETz0oFbkR4wH0/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_003_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Rosie the Vaccinator</i></b>" by <b><a href="https://www.assistanceleague.org/atlanta/2021/10/06/scarecrows-in-the-garden-october-2021/" target="_blank">Assistance League of Atlanta</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>Assistance League of Atlanta</b> is back! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you've been to <i>Scarecrows in the Garden</i> before, you just might recognize this "face", but as different charcters. She once even wore a blue dress, ruby slippers, and carried around her little dog in a basket. There's some truly delightful creativity at the Assistance League of Atlanta and they have an awesome <b><a href="https://www.assistanceleague.org/atlanta/thrift-shop/" target="_blank">thrift shop</a></b>! </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirWaOhaHkXMvkBjXPyvyOaIwpharXJoEhmWaURppGOQlCesop9QjH1OscCFBzfbhpGkSaiuc5NbmPYEzr_10oQj3OrdMo0IVo-vreEewFFrz04qGDkAKTZDUrJASZwTjnS2KDAzzPLa0/s765/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_004_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirWaOhaHkXMvkBjXPyvyOaIwpharXJoEhmWaURppGOQlCesop9QjH1OscCFBzfbhpGkSaiuc5NbmPYEzr_10oQj3OrdMo0IVo-vreEewFFrz04qGDkAKTZDUrJASZwTjnS2KDAzzPLa0/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Mr. Le-crow</i></b>" by <b>Buzzell-Holmes Family</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's your chance to enjoy some awesome <b><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us" target="_blank">Lego</a></b> creativity without the possibility of stepping on one. Great news, right?!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of evenings, <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/fest-of-ale/all/" target="_blank">Fest-of-Ale</a></b> is also going on through the rest of the month. It's the Garden's annual "beer festival" (try their exclusive "<b>Garden Beer</b>"!), evenings 5pm-8pm. If you go to Fest-of-Ale and want to see all the Scarecrows, go early because the Children's Garden closes at dusk/dark, but if you don't make it early there are still plenty to see on the other paths! </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4NH_aaf-n1pkH31djchpeZ84ZEcGnpssz0ZC6Ot7zvXZAZJKetg7aldlMmql_dxpyVMIIJ1c7W63vAyBvSYoXXij_Rkx5Alf_zjg5450T9_CyPSFJtxz2ANXvFL-EXU2KX1g_yEj5es/s510/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4NH_aaf-n1pkH31djchpeZ84ZEcGnpssz0ZC6Ot7zvXZAZJKetg7aldlMmql_dxpyVMIIJ1c7W63vAyBvSYoXXij_Rkx5Alf_zjg5450T9_CyPSFJtxz2ANXvFL-EXU2KX1g_yEj5es/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Illumi</i></b>" by <b><a href="https://zooatlanta.org" target="_blank">Zoo Atlanta</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Illumi is interactive! Take a photo and then take another one with your flash on. This one is in the Crepe Myrtle Allèe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Illumi is also an advert for Zoo Atlanta's upcoming and brand new <b><a href="https://zooatlanta.org/event/illuminights/" target="_blank">IllumiNights at the Zoo</a></b>, presented by Georgia Power. It's a Chinese Lantern Festival that opens to the general public November 22, 2021 through January 16, 2022. This nighttime event will feature more than 80 animal lanterns, some of them up to 20 feet tall!!!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcClPNzgb92svcxSM7nxIsNpeVXY5Kg3MI769_OjXrYY4lNFNNqC9am_NWaW-M36n5B_VfC-Kp9h0Vi7T6QPJ-0qLGWyxlTPItSkytjqNP8UTr_3F-MV2wmfiqv_PVFxBy23PeilFnNgc/s510/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcClPNzgb92svcxSM7nxIsNpeVXY5Kg3MI769_OjXrYY4lNFNNqC9am_NWaW-M36n5B_VfC-Kp9h0Vi7T6QPJ-0qLGWyxlTPItSkytjqNP8UTr_3F-MV2wmfiqv_PVFxBy23PeilFnNgc/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Venus</i></b>" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You'll find "Venus" at the entry to the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/kendeda-canopy-walk/" target="_blank">Canopy Walk</a></b>. I think she's brilliant! You can see some live Venus Fly Traps over in the Skyline Garden. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUKnwWSMnlCJ5YTJHbgIBFvR_fT7v8IN4bUgsoEf6Mknmx6NxX8cRiN6pXFyteG64lHjdRjpu0fcTvwlX3KeDYfA1mRisF7knyIVP19IE9CUDxjmZP-ouhjbVaqJnLo63Yn7iDulezPo/s724/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_007_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUKnwWSMnlCJ5YTJHbgIBFvR_fT7v8IN4bUgsoEf6Mknmx6NxX8cRiN6pXFyteG64lHjdRjpu0fcTvwlX3KeDYfA1mRisF7knyIVP19IE9CUDxjmZP-ouhjbVaqJnLo63Yn7iDulezPo/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Dr. Frankenstein</i></b>" by <b><a href="http://www.mse.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">MSE at GT</a></b></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">While you're there, and also closing this Sunday, October 31, are </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/07/supernatural-aerial-art-in-motion.html" target="_blank">SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> and </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/05/supernatural-glass-art-in-bloom.html" target="_blank">SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, so you have many great reasons to go to the Garden this week!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVSz1o2KxFHc24PEa5vjPN49S2TmRpfcIeyG-peVzsC6xAnxRgudwd_a1mBW2CBkaB0cu7G9-FgOVKhbKc8Gn5tFzU_MAMstCEvt3l1VRHLVO2j_zF7cyG3jN3QybH0xDoNstnbQ5mNs/s728/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_008_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVSz1o2KxFHc24PEa5vjPN49S2TmRpfcIeyG-peVzsC6xAnxRgudwd_a1mBW2CBkaB0cu7G9-FgOVKhbKc8Gn5tFzU_MAMstCEvt3l1VRHLVO2j_zF7cyG3jN3QybH0xDoNstnbQ5mNs/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_008_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Bee Love</i></b>" by <b>Alexander, Jacob, Buz and Dianne Smith</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Love this one! It's in the Children's Garden near an active, educational beehive.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI5CF7t1PTj1WditRPD12O9ee4X024mqDjsF_Y7bI9yYP7bFGhpJ_xn1_534w7B8wSGvlQ_vcm7IVY00fYjtmETHcHtT4pSb1Q4xDYShLGOkF52JODOQNAlmd0zoktDtVtfKgh08z9X0/s510/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_009_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI5CF7t1PTj1WditRPD12O9ee4X024mqDjsF_Y7bI9yYP7bFGhpJ_xn1_534w7B8wSGvlQ_vcm7IVY00fYjtmETHcHtT4pSb1Q4xDYShLGOkF52JODOQNAlmd0zoktDtVtfKgh08z9X0/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_009_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Don't Make Me Put My Foot Down</i></b>" by <b><a href="https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/2304" target="_blank">Mountain View High School</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When I saw where the grilling flamingo's are is when I realized that the display areas have been expanded. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At first glance I wondered if they were Australian flamingos—because of the "<i><b>shrimp on the barbie</b></i>"—but, alas, there are no flamingos in Australia, <a href="https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2017/02/australia-was-once-full-of-flamingos/" target="_blank">not anymore</a>. So, they're just having a great time grilling out! The detail on this display is brilliant...great job Mountain View High School!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OovDvr2CWILUiLR226iwGqCmbt9kD-2hfk7Que8SxVoKV-00qWLFUmedyeaWf4dqmIlhyphenhyphenwTarSPXc0Jb4KIFYEsLJ188S2roiWaRl48BRPJ1MMjnkuuByVp-gQpRjyNtzqYdcpVYR5E/s738/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_010_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OovDvr2CWILUiLR226iwGqCmbt9kD-2hfk7Que8SxVoKV-00qWLFUmedyeaWf4dqmIlhyphenhyphenwTarSPXc0Jb4KIFYEsLJ188S2roiWaRl48BRPJ1MMjnkuuByVp-gQpRjyNtzqYdcpVYR5E/s16000/Scarecrows-ABG-2021_010_510pxW.jpg" title="Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows in the Garden 2021 | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"<b><i>Tyranno-STRAW-rus-Rex</i></b>" by <b>The Howell Family</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're thinking about entering a Scarecrow in next year's event, involve the whole family! "<i><b>Tyranno-STRAW-rus-Rex</b></i>" was created by the very clever <b>Howell Family</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Remember to get your tickets online to see <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/scarecrows-in-the-garden/" target="_blank">Scarecrows in the Garden</a></b> to ensure you don't show up to a sold-out day or evening, especially if you're wanting to go Halloween weekend!<br /><br /></span></p></div></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com11345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA33.7901457 -84.37399815.479911863821151 -119.5302481 62.100379536178842 -49.217748099999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-89991778662412744172021-10-17T22:03:00.001-04:002021-10-17T22:09:00.731-04:00Downton Abbey: The Exhibition<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Recently at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina—the largest private residence ever built in America and very castle-like—<b><a href="https://www.downtonexhibition.com/" target="_blank">Downton Abbey: The Exhibition</a></b> is now on display in Atlanta, specifically at Perimeter Pointe in <b><a href="https://www.visitsandysprings.org/" target="_blank">Sandy Springs</a></b>, but only through January 2022.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're a fan of the award-winning, highly-acclaimed television show, <b><a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/shows/downton-abbey/" target="_blank">Downton Abbey</a></b>, and/or the <b><a href="https://www.focusfeatures.com/downton-abbey" target="_blank">blockbuster movie</a></b>, this is an exhibition not to be missed. There is much more here than I had expected and it's all wholly delightful!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_XieDE3dlHlmc_6EuYiLp6LB0EiUbe-PO4wKNOrKHielZmRpYkOQtpNL2yL8nkbmh_bVEDCyFjGDdEsSgdVsUxg8BnP8L1rU5iWLo7i2G67xhKRzNvDB9kgxalZI9Ka9M_e1mpZmggw/s680/Downton-Abbey_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_XieDE3dlHlmc_6EuYiLp6LB0EiUbe-PO4wKNOrKHielZmRpYkOQtpNL2yL8nkbmh_bVEDCyFjGDdEsSgdVsUxg8BnP8L1rU5iWLo7i2G67xhKRzNvDB9kgxalZI9Ka9M_e1mpZmggw/s16000/Downton-Abbey_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">You know you're at the right place because there's a huge "Downton Abbey: The Exhibition" sign on the building. It's the same place where "<a href="https://www.friendstheexperience.com/" target="_blank">Friends: The Experience</a>" was recently.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I arrived a few minutes before my friends and waited just inside because of the day's blistering wind (where did that come from?!). While there I got to chat with the very friendly welcoming host who was enthusiastic about the exhibition and quite thorough in his delivery of the welcome speak. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Part of what he or she will tell you is where to have your tickets scanned and that there's a table inside where you can purchase soft drinks, beer, wine, and bubbles! There's also a <b>photo-op</b>, which I recommend doing. There's no obligation to purchase the photo and you get to choose from four backgrounds (in the gift shop at the end). One friend had a beer, another had a glass of wine, and I had <b>bubbles</b>...it's Downton Abbey after all!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfteTFO1_lGyZMSSnzNJBOJj4h8fnJAtsVowv7_-W1oFsvUE0BgSrgD_YNKdjGpj_zYzPWEOsQ7HwEEwOkfAydf03ezhLccIX6_6LmbJmS3bRgUD6xP9eWEPtu8jfL_QdDWQ87EWjF2yA/s666/Downton-Abbey_002_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfteTFO1_lGyZMSSnzNJBOJj4h8fnJAtsVowv7_-W1oFsvUE0BgSrgD_YNKdjGpj_zYzPWEOsQ7HwEEwOkfAydf03ezhLccIX6_6LmbJmS3bRgUD6xP9eWEPtu8jfL_QdDWQ87EWjF2yA/s16000/Downton-Abbey_002_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">The exhibition is presented in eight (8) different rooms, some of which include the <b>Mrs. Patmore's Kitchen</b>, the <b>Crawleys' Dining Room</b>, the <b>Library</b>, and <b>Mr. Carson's </b>(the butler)<b> Pantry</b>. Noted in the series, in that time all maids and cooks were "Mrs." whether or not they were married.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This show goes far beyond satisfying a lover of period films. History buffs too will love it for its insights into the <b>Industrial</b>, <b>Edwardian</b>, and <b>Post-War eras</b>. While the families and story in the series are fictional, the creator of Downton Abbey insisted that as much as possible be <b><a href="https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a28984430/downton-abbey-crawley-family-true-story/" target="_blank">historically correct</a></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0UjyIYwlCOWGWG0tPdUma-yZQ_mmX5jVQXOJAAteX3oAyot5v-4k7HXLq-0ET-18Go-LbAxwr27Bx1aKBnJPRlwqvbNWdYpDF6ONJtFgiJCEkRuAsceuQdcy0DB4fRQ9o2Ijvi3SBxg/s510/Downton-Abbey_003_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0UjyIYwlCOWGWG0tPdUma-yZQ_mmX5jVQXOJAAteX3oAyot5v-4k7HXLq-0ET-18Go-LbAxwr27Bx1aKBnJPRlwqvbNWdYpDF6ONJtFgiJCEkRuAsceuQdcy0DB4fRQ9o2Ijvi3SBxg/s16000/Downton-Abbey_003_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While the <b>more-than-50 costumes</b> are a significant draw, the <b>Kitchen </b>is a fan-favorite, as well. It's one of the backgrounds you can choose for your keepsake photo, too—the one we chose. As big a foodie as I am, of course I love this room! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We noticed that there are no chairs at the heads of the table. Evidently, during that time the heads of the household <b>sat in the middle chairs</b> on the long sides of the table with the highest-ranking guests next to them.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhWA7CaXg2WR91Y8kJ6MSqHK5VvvjVEwO2-TgnUe-d1zsdf6RHDNVqttwTQhtRHHzkyKzua7Ml3wnbiznlKaTdhMbQB6lr2T5V9L6EEMTR84LdqH27Efgz9lQ9-DglrSmRANoAHxfWSo/s657/Downton-Abbey_004_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhWA7CaXg2WR91Y8kJ6MSqHK5VvvjVEwO2-TgnUe-d1zsdf6RHDNVqttwTQhtRHHzkyKzua7Ml3wnbiznlKaTdhMbQB6lr2T5V9L6EEMTR84LdqH27Efgz9lQ9-DglrSmRANoAHxfWSo/s16000/Downton-Abbey_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first gallery in the Exhibition features highlights of many characters in th show along with props including clothing, jewelry, books, documents, letters, and so much more! Hopefully most of the <b>display drawers</b> will be pulled out, but be sure to look for those that are not so that you don't miss something you wish you'd have seen. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaibjSEBEuRGGVYPN2spaQcnIKjA1hE8SulXgNh26NmglPS8eQWuQYTwaoiWMDuYkv8FEiE-j8d7ZuvyxCk7l-gwvAvEIkcPf5J4Ozq_E4NuppFT5cQvBgoYvN7h4Oi27KhMYL1LB6PU/s510/Downton-Abbey_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaibjSEBEuRGGVYPN2spaQcnIKjA1hE8SulXgNh26NmglPS8eQWuQYTwaoiWMDuYkv8FEiE-j8d7ZuvyxCk7l-gwvAvEIkcPf5J4Ozq_E4NuppFT5cQvBgoYvN7h4Oi27KhMYL1LB6PU/s16000/Downton-Abbey_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There is more than 40 minutes of video throughout the Exhibition, including a welcome video and a farewell video, all featuring cast members from Downton Abbey. One of my favorites is motion-activated and features Mr. Carson, toward the end of the Exhibition.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>Library</b>, one of the eight rooms in the Exposition, is made up of <b>three walls of animated video</b> with clips from the series. This immersive experience is a personal favorite and was enthusiastically discussed in our lunch conversation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of video, after our Exhibition visit, we lunched at nearby <a href="https://www.battleandbrew.com/" target="_blank">Battle and Brew</a>, a video gaming bar and restaurant, and a total H.G. Wells-ish pivot from where we'd just been. The service, food, and atmosphere here are fantastic! I'm a total geek who loves history and all-things-British (there's a giant <a href="https://www.doctorwho.tv/staying-in-the-tardis/" target="_blank">TARDIS</a> at the restaurant!), so this was a stellar day for me!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt4HGU4jbI9f-k1Ue9e0qwPPwh-hYApq9yzshE3ZNK8hz9v99mzal0FOqZAFIlzZySdjHClAFs0Fn0-doBY9PQYXi8MyFgXSWdz1Nd8dcUKmxyJJFTA3UmxoSnIXQTWAOkNzRrbLXwUU/s681/Downton-Abbey_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt4HGU4jbI9f-k1Ue9e0qwPPwh-hYApq9yzshE3ZNK8hz9v99mzal0FOqZAFIlzZySdjHClAFs0Fn0-doBY9PQYXi8MyFgXSWdz1Nd8dcUKmxyJJFTA3UmxoSnIXQTWAOkNzRrbLXwUU/s16000/Downton-Abbey_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The series, which begins in 1912, bravely addressed <b>homosexuality </b>(illegal and punishable by death in most of the UK until 1967), <b>Women's Rights</b> (approximately two-thirds of Britain's women were legally able to vote by 1918), and <b>racial prejudice</b>. Some examples of this are highlighted in the first gallery of the exhibition.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYu5T3YI8R_s51ISIKoJg9DWr4z1HNa9Nx7OX9uk-0ohIGgzgYtSfFGudI603HnuTQMZX3zh7FEQoZA8MXL07T5oK9SvTNiHUo_7LZI0W85tVHSJmVjGz4dSL1iZrApPSZd_1fpnsRpw/s660/Downton-Abbey_007_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYu5T3YI8R_s51ISIKoJg9DWr4z1HNa9Nx7OX9uk-0ohIGgzgYtSfFGudI603HnuTQMZX3zh7FEQoZA8MXL07T5oK9SvTNiHUo_7LZI0W85tVHSJmVjGz4dSL1iZrApPSZd_1fpnsRpw/s16000/Downton-Abbey_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A personal and fan favorite character in the series is <b>Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham</b> portrayed by phenomenal actress <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001749" target="_blank">Dame Maggie Smith</a></b>. At social gatherings and or around the dining table, if Downton Abbey is mentioned there's always a <b><a href="https://youtu.be/CkbBXE9ZNAk" target="_blank">Dowager Countess one-liner</a></b>, or several, in the conversation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One scene that makes me laugh out loud every time is when she's sitting in a <b>swivel chair</b>. (You'll know what I mean if you've seen it.) Turns out she's quite a good sailor. (Moment #6 in this <b><a href="https://youtu.be/TVMtffzbAwk" target="_blank">video</a></b>) Here are a few more Dowager Countess <b><a href="https://britishperioddramas.com/lists/maggie-smiths-best-quotes-dowager-countess-violet-downton-abbey/" target="_blank">quotes</a></b> for your entertainment...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTXSADyJ-XnN3KovGmq96vk-tA2mHrCad-5iZ0X_8vwbLj5AS3JYS0aLa1UTxxW7kfEOvs9Rdgsty9MAmmBikUyDt-cHclZ6PtmXxoJxe8IMEgsQqVKB8SgoUIKffDvACN4JhBzpQjnU/s680/Downton-Abbey_008_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTXSADyJ-XnN3KovGmq96vk-tA2mHrCad-5iZ0X_8vwbLj5AS3JYS0aLa1UTxxW7kfEOvs9Rdgsty9MAmmBikUyDt-cHclZ6PtmXxoJxe8IMEgsQqVKB8SgoUIKffDvACN4JhBzpQjnU/s16000/Downton-Abbey_008_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I imagine every fashion fan will be delighted by the costumes, perhaps even more so by the vast number of <b>jewelry and accessory props</b>...there are so many! I've been a fan of the <b><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/roaring-twenties-history" target="_blank">Roaring Twenties</a></b> since I was a kid, so the ones from that era are particularly fascinating. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflB8Xp-E09wstyIyKha1y-BDzGIzXuQighMBTbS0baDegcH0wO3W2R3c4vGKu7h4ESVnR8SKUTqWIm7KSd9LVA98v8wr39EKOtwvLBS0ZSKXKgMQs6p6mj6TDcEgUR7TPIJ2MiqvCtDY/s705/Downton-Abbey_009_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflB8Xp-E09wstyIyKha1y-BDzGIzXuQighMBTbS0baDegcH0wO3W2R3c4vGKu7h4ESVnR8SKUTqWIm7KSd9LVA98v8wr39EKOtwvLBS0ZSKXKgMQs6p6mj6TDcEgUR7TPIJ2MiqvCtDY/s16000/Downton-Abbey_009_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While there is considerably more variation in the women's costumes, jewelry, and accessories, the Exhibition is brilliant at showcasing more than a few of the men's costumes and accessories. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As I mentioned, there is a lot more here than what I expected. It's an order of magnitude greater than the <a href="http://www.powerofcostume.si.edu/" target="_blank">Star Wars costumes exhibition</a> I saw in St. Petersburg a few years ago. I think this exhibition does more of a deep dive, which absolutely fascinates. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu9trf0k1aSSYgbjBjf89lq1qmBbHzhwtrzN5tCf22RkiDKMVe5ATXGNwoCI1dcRKBjZB7_W1emwfW73p7AilNT0jlSmfDouwOv4kkwzUNk90bprWj_JLETPaPduOnL_5JOBcxZeGTe4/s666/Downton-Abbey_010_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu9trf0k1aSSYgbjBjf89lq1qmBbHzhwtrzN5tCf22RkiDKMVe5ATXGNwoCI1dcRKBjZB7_W1emwfW73p7AilNT0jlSmfDouwOv4kkwzUNk90bprWj_JLETPaPduOnL_5JOBcxZeGTe4/s16000/Downton-Abbey_010_510pxW.jpg" title="Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Sandy Springs, GA | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Abbey - The Exhibition | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.downtonexhibition.com/" target="_blank">Downton Abbey: The Exhibition</a></b> is elegant, exquisite, and exciting! It's been here for a while and will go away in January 2022, so you don't have the passing of another era to see it. If you've never seen the show, it's currently on Netflix. Whether you binge before you go or go just for the experience, I predict that you'll have a roaring good time!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p></div></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com21155 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30338, USA33.9335007 -84.34845385.6232668638211578 -119.5047038 62.243734536178849 -49.1922038tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-56568089965362843572021-08-30T17:16:00.002-04:002022-11-14T11:59:59.857-05:00"Ancient" Police Lockup Box in Inman Park<span style="font-family: arial;">In a 1935 article in <i>The Atlanta Constitution</i>, a reporter theorized that the "<i>interesting relic</i>", "<i>ancient lockup box</i>" in Inman Park, which had not been in use for more than 35 years at the time of that article, would likely be dismantled due to leaking and damaging stored parcels and coats.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">This is one of those rare incidents where preservationists in Atlanta have persevered and saved an artifact from old Atlanta, now at least more than 130 years old! Various reports tell that these lockup boxes were used in Atlanta from 1890 until around 1905.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXLyZEaiRAUmNgTn0otKdxMNynC7X7-4QMM4qOBB_Rzycqhe_RHkWuIvfoSq9FmUCThXH5PjDPDXIs-t6iZHQc4OUORzQSJu7C-hj2QwHIqdJOMlewCZi_dKPp2O4oLnaXFEc1jqJf_Y/s722/Police-Box_001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXLyZEaiRAUmNgTn0otKdxMNynC7X7-4QMM4qOBB_Rzycqhe_RHkWuIvfoSq9FmUCThXH5PjDPDXIs-t6iZHQc4OUORzQSJu7C-hj2QwHIqdJOMlewCZi_dKPp2O4oLnaXFEc1jqJf_Y/s16000/Police-Box_001.jpg" title="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of 1890, that's about the time that <b><a href="https://www.inmanpark.org/" target="_blank">Inman Park</a></b> was established and it was Atlanta's first suburb. Today it's certainly not considered an "outlying district" but it is an historic neighborhood—listed on the <b><a href="https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/inm.htm" target="_blank">National Register of Historic Places</a></b>—with an amazing annual festival, an abundance of charm, delicious and delightful dining destinations, and a unique police lockup box!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UZsLcFtw7PpdDLkwtffpc-05v-JODaKDFCVuhxQyWDJEVlpAxQprNkoAcuonbhwuLwMyV-TkuJ-O8SAAZJ6ItNN8JicfVHJtp-Qd-EaAjOFeWhatclYd2doTHaPreEcQPsUI-b-llbY/s765/Police-Box_002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UZsLcFtw7PpdDLkwtffpc-05v-JODaKDFCVuhxQyWDJEVlpAxQprNkoAcuonbhwuLwMyV-TkuJ-O8SAAZJ6ItNN8JicfVHJtp-Qd-EaAjOFeWhatclYd2doTHaPreEcQPsUI-b-llbY/s16000/Police-Box_002.jpg" title="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The photo accompanying an article in <i>The Atlanta Constitution</i>, dated June 30, 1935, shows patrolman M. R. Dodd standing next to this lockup box. Dodd said that his father, Asa Dodd, also a policeman, had used this same box 47 years prior.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDBBtmufKa86W5RR9XKGwWxSnEqkzW3nY4wQe_6D5lh9oI4FFSDgh2egNe9P2-85ZX4rPSaZ1x4qT9FuR5F4EtayqFFtm7HNaWSYrWCkAq1AZNdgRqJmtK3qQppOT8Ocv1XM2MvX2RT4/s728/Police-Box_003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDBBtmufKa86W5RR9XKGwWxSnEqkzW3nY4wQe_6D5lh9oI4FFSDgh2egNe9P2-85ZX4rPSaZ1x4qT9FuR5F4EtayqFFtm7HNaWSYrWCkAq1AZNdgRqJmtK3qQppOT8Ocv1XM2MvX2RT4/s16000/Police-Box_003.jpg" title="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The Atlanta Constitution</i> reported July 16, 1935, that Atlanta banker and collector <b>John K. Lottley</b> purchased the police lockup box for $1. Following the death of Lottley, this box was on display at the <a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/exhibitions/cyclorama/" target="_blank">Cyclorama</a>, in the basement, when the Cyclorama was in Grant Park.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwokmSyR5dNxI0zJ96b94dTF57KiIdLnOT2zrhMxMRyQk5AyHkoCJ5MwDGqtkR7TbmSMgSxG2VMakp6tuFUIVCF4JAKLHJySnQ27GKO5fmNfX2yUvBDuKX8fHFiiOm03jMRZlTKUouCY/s510/Police-Box_004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwokmSyR5dNxI0zJ96b94dTF57KiIdLnOT2zrhMxMRyQk5AyHkoCJ5MwDGqtkR7TbmSMgSxG2VMakp6tuFUIVCF4JAKLHJySnQ27GKO5fmNfX2yUvBDuKX8fHFiiOm03jMRZlTKUouCY/s16000/Police-Box_004.jpg" title="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">According to <b><a href="https://georgiawritershalloffame.org/honorees/celestine-sibley" target="_blank">Celestine Sibley</a></b> in a 1974 article in <i>The Atlanta Constitution</i> there was once a marker that accompanied the Lockup Box. The marker, dated 1935, read: "<i>Many a miscreant got his first taste of Atlanta hospitality when he was lodged in this lockup box to await transportation to roomier quarters. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"Nearly 50 years ago before the advent of telephone and motor-driven patrol wagon, the City of Atlanta installed four of these lockup boxes at various points. Arresting officers would confine their prisoners in the depositories while they would await the horse-drawn Black Maria which would make its rounds to collect human cargo as regularly as the postman does to collect mail. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>"These boxes also served as lockers in which police would store their helmets, night sticks, raincoats and other belongings. This particular lockup was located at the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Delta Place and although its use was abandoned by the city about 25 years ago, it remained there until acquired for this collection in July 1935.</i>"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFZ34F90sC-ZQN91y5F8p6c6-739Rtw0ZGurfduY0q3iMN6oTVssfoopY3EIOGLE4jDauaUy7Z9A266R4ayvueA9YAVBvZrqk-mPIYxPpFhLaw4U4_5OpZG2l5qsu53H4ksnDaFEWxR8/s510/Police-Box_005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFZ34F90sC-ZQN91y5F8p6c6-739Rtw0ZGurfduY0q3iMN6oTVssfoopY3EIOGLE4jDauaUy7Z9A266R4ayvueA9YAVBvZrqk-mPIYxPpFhLaw4U4_5OpZG2l5qsu53H4ksnDaFEWxR8/s16000/Police-Box_005.jpg" title="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I've found no record of what happened to the other three lockup boxes, but this one was returned to its original spot, where it sits today in Delta Park, in time for the 3rd Annual <b>Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes</b> held in late April 1974.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PYoeLL8HBprXYlTtrDaPZIYctLlhqUfD221DGG1Yz7aRQ2PNCWn8Khb46ipy5GFOPO4mUMgrb9ofCtcM23nDBzWwaB5d4zfQOIViTgCwi00WWpUgB00G1RxeBcDvXqwx2Xecmy9n52A/s765/Police-Box_006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PYoeLL8HBprXYlTtrDaPZIYctLlhqUfD221DGG1Yz7aRQ2PNCWn8Khb46ipy5GFOPO4mUMgrb9ofCtcM23nDBzWwaB5d4zfQOIViTgCwi00WWpUgB00G1RxeBcDvXqwx2Xecmy9n52A/s16000/Police-Box_006.jpg" title="Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police Lockup Box in Inman Park | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of blocks down the street is <b><a href="https://thetrolleybarn.com/" target="_blank">The Trolley Barn</a></b>, once the home of the first electric streetcar system in the United States! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Do check out the beautiful, vibrant, and historic </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.inmanpark.org/" target="_blank">Inman Park</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> neighborhood. But first, go to </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Delta Park</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> and step inside this piece of history, perhaps the last of its kind in the whole of Atlanta!</span></div><div><br /></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com1747 Delta Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA33.75563 -84.359238433.754737987802926 -84.360311283605952 33.756522012197067 -84.358165516394038tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-76917759161883171152021-08-26T21:33:00.001-04:002021-08-26T21:33:38.461-04:00Flatiron Bar in East Atlanta Village<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yesterday, after running some errands, I decided to experience lunch at a restaurant that has been on my list for years. I should not have waited so long...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://flatironatl.com/" target="_blank">Flatiron Bar & Restaurant</a></b> is awesome! Serving up <b>thirst-quenching beers and libations</b>, <b>award-winning delicious food</b>, in a <b>friendly neighborhood atmosphere</b> since 1997, this 21 and up, non-smoking bar with a <b>dog-friendly patio</b> is open from lunch until midnight!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmUmYwNdFRygkG98usLDV4EURP31k7OcAZFWsWpusUP-dIjC4uWg2ipQv8CdmbfAtBmlUGERVKMdBTpSc5zD74kjeuWLOrs84TqiWNikn6Llt8YuzxiUFvmwGwRmd0GMaGDMJ4xk4FpQ/s680/Flatiron_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmUmYwNdFRygkG98usLDV4EURP31k7OcAZFWsWpusUP-dIjC4uWg2ipQv8CdmbfAtBmlUGERVKMdBTpSc5zD74kjeuWLOrs84TqiWNikn6Llt8YuzxiUFvmwGwRmd0GMaGDMJ4xk4FpQ/s16000/Flatiron_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You'll see why it's called "Flatiron" as soon as you see the building. Did you know that Atlanta has more than one flatiron building? The downtown Atlanta 1897 Flatiron Building is <b><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">chapter 6 in my book</a></b> and Flatiron Bar in East Atlanta Village is the "tip" on the photo page! I'll share more about this particular building further down. Keep reading!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUummPsa6uHyQN1YALezkL2nT4GBa391FRAGk5cOyf_wxt_3PFmKPoh9c4UkSPncADoast2MUG2jlqNKzsgT2YJ53UNwFEhz6TzKvAFn4yPlqwI10FMB19dBDlU8O-qIWPv4gUyZJoOLs/s640/Flatiron_002_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUummPsa6uHyQN1YALezkL2nT4GBa391FRAGk5cOyf_wxt_3PFmKPoh9c4UkSPncADoast2MUG2jlqNKzsgT2YJ53UNwFEhz6TzKvAFn4yPlqwI10FMB19dBDlU8O-qIWPv4gUyZJoOLs/s16000/Flatiron_002_510pxW.jpg" title="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the first things I noticed here is how <b>attentive and friendly</b> the staff are. I'd barely warmed my barstool before I had a menu and a draft beer in front of me. The three people behind the bar were seemingly performing an elaborate symphony—serving, chatting with patrons, cleaning, bringing food and taking dishes...it's fascinating to watch! I was here at 3pm and there was a surprising number of diners—a great sign!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though I use "symphony" as a descriptor you can probably tell from the restaurant's chosen font for its sign that the music of choice is <b>Rock</b>. I heard something about live music, so that might be something you want to ask about when you stop in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I asked my server for recommendations for lunch. He went through a few and when I heard <b>Spicy Fried Cauliflower</b> my resounding "Yes!" screeched the recitation to a halt. I've had a LOT of cauliflower dishes over the years, but my Southerner love of all-things-fried has a new love. You can see the phenomenal crunch on these and the cauliflower was oh-so-creamy! I opted for the blue cheese dipping sauce, which is amazing, but there are others available. A <b><a href="https://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/brews/420-extra-pale-ale/" target="_blank">Sweetwater 420</a></b> draft was the perfect accompaniment. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SaK8SVzltGzXnXI4jc4OUFab4cV7ImvumQWUD1mmTzjt5kwLzbZi_feL4_xOU-WGWP-owO4oUCaFsDzdwsFaFiZjtOIAxqtxGEUQYhhV0k0nz2k4qFEagQ-N3dkIIaGPtXevB8XDSVo/s648/Flatiron_003_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SaK8SVzltGzXnXI4jc4OUFab4cV7ImvumQWUD1mmTzjt5kwLzbZi_feL4_xOU-WGWP-owO4oUCaFsDzdwsFaFiZjtOIAxqtxGEUQYhhV0k0nz2k4qFEagQ-N3dkIIaGPtXevB8XDSVo/s16000/Flatiron_003_510pxW.jpg" title="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The decor is, well, it's eclectic. There are stickers everywhere, an antler chandelier, neon in the upper windows around the main dining room, Edison light bulbs, various mediums of art, and taxidermy in the form of a warthog (or maybe it was a boar), a turkey, and several deer. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The deer with an eye patch made me laugh. Totally made me think of </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Nick_Fury" target="_blank">Nick Fury</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, of the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.marvel.com/" target="_blank">Marvel Universe</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, played by </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000168/" target="_blank">Samuel L. Jackson</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">. The eye could wander for hours just on the decor, from the tin ceiling to the amazing early 20th century architecture...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTIav4T_43RoGOwGeQeySZfqHcn5DPtD5cI8jxCtMLjJnvlWnKrrF7BCTEyV-8m4ltFnSxVC7aSkP4D_wY9Xd-roawAWOkw0fYk5jWWlT60QVJDU6LdBHSJ6w_UBJ_r0T2LFx1gUouZU/s510/Flatiron_004_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTIav4T_43RoGOwGeQeySZfqHcn5DPtD5cI8jxCtMLjJnvlWnKrrF7BCTEyV-8m4ltFnSxVC7aSkP4D_wY9Xd-roawAWOkw0fYk5jWWlT60QVJDU6LdBHSJ6w_UBJ_r0T2LFx1gUouZU/s16000/Flatiron_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I almost ordered the Umami Burger but opted for the Smash Burger. They all sound amazing! The <b>Smash Burger</b> is made with angus beef, beer-braised onions, house pickles, and American cheese, and I opted for the tots...some of the <b>best tots ever</b>! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The tots were super crispy, just the way I love them! The burger was delicious on so many levels. I love a loaded burger, but when it has only a few ingredients, those should be meticulously curated and of the highest quality and that's what we have here. When you have a burger craving, this is one that satisfies!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYQZ5mh7C2-gBE92mVsaAwnHlOqk4KQ5-QS5MgwO0u-NFR3Lk3JvMQIiMhdgtZ-0hAzj_Oo0R0sn9zcV6CzjrZV07PiFo08e7HBVzCT4hy_639abbn4Gsvmbq8wRp3mj20Z38aOB7oPw/s571/Flatiron_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYQZ5mh7C2-gBE92mVsaAwnHlOqk4KQ5-QS5MgwO0u-NFR3Lk3JvMQIiMhdgtZ-0hAzj_Oo0R0sn9zcV6CzjrZV07PiFo08e7HBVzCT4hy_639abbn4Gsvmbq8wRp3mj20Z38aOB7oPw/s16000/Flatiron_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While my tastebuds were being delighted my imagination was all over the place! Again, the decor is awesome and lends itself to all kinds of stories. I was on my own on this visit, but I <b>highly recommend visiting with friends</b>. Although I had a great time, I get the sense that this is a the-more-the-merrier situation. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14QZIC6ihPc2MgXx04hECDmZz7XMYxu2bkMM6OYnV3lRs9gHyIUfG83Iypm_Ilm31t1E6LieddlEge3u65YUMgWlTIKKbsxpIOH-wNGp50pxMj53UAgIt7XZU-NHVz8KuCPQOKODnqMw/s680/Flatiron_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14QZIC6ihPc2MgXx04hECDmZz7XMYxu2bkMM6OYnV3lRs9gHyIUfG83Iypm_Ilm31t1E6LieddlEge3u65YUMgWlTIKKbsxpIOH-wNGp50pxMj53UAgIt7XZU-NHVz8KuCPQOKODnqMw/s16000/Flatiron_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the recommendations my very attentive server had made earlier was the chicken wings and indeed others at the bar were enjoying them—it was obvious that I had to try them, so I got an order of the <b>Buffalo Wings</b> with the Blue Cheese sauce, of course. I enjoyed them later at home and they are indeed excellent! They also come in lemon pepper, barbeque, cowboy, and teriyaki.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZm8_Ee1oR3qNn_LJqglpnCEnGdRksNMZVlK-FKRy14htLfjOaBkIStv-wvRwFJxp2aNRj_aFggZA6vzGrwJwqB6adywB7Le5D6hb9rUXlSFddFGYSBoGwY0GhWdh_bpPqGLof6xxXyo/s603/Flatiron_007_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZm8_Ee1oR3qNn_LJqglpnCEnGdRksNMZVlK-FKRy14htLfjOaBkIStv-wvRwFJxp2aNRj_aFggZA6vzGrwJwqB6adywB7Le5D6hb9rUXlSFddFGYSBoGwY0GhWdh_bpPqGLof6xxXyo/s16000/Flatiron_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Flatiron Bar and Restaurant, Atlanta | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bar and Restaurant | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the heart of <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EastAtlantaVillage/" target="_blank">East Atlanta Village</a></b>, the ground-breaking for this building was Wednesday, November 2, 1910, for the future home of <b>East Atlanta Bank</b>, which you can barely make out on the front of the building near the 1910 marker at the top. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">According to an <i>AJC</i> article the following day, socialite <b>Miss Louise Marbut</b> "<i>took up the first shovel of earth</i>". The bank, which cost $5,500 to build, officially opened at noon on Wednesday, March 15, 1911, with a capital of $25,000. Following speeches, the opening was celebrated with "<b>an old-fashioned barbecue</b>"! I find it fascinating that the building's roots include a nod to sharing food and drink together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the profound lessons I've learned by living through a pandemic is to NOT ignore one's "want to experience" list! We've seen far too many businesses have to shutter their doors in the last year and a half. The opportunity for "I really want to go there, I'll go sometime soon" has vanished for so many places on our lists, whether written down or in our heads.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Life is short, my friends. Get out there and see and do everything you possibly can. Don't wait for "some day". Make that day today! Perhaps your list will now include <b><a href="https://flatironatl.com/" target="_blank">Flatiron Bar & Restaurant</a></b>!<br /><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com11520 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, USA33.7400341 -84.3450295.4298002638211571 -119.501279 62.050267936178848 -49.188779tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-58655606536675450382021-07-28T19:50:00.003-04:002022-01-01T16:17:04.995-05:00Brunching at Babs Midtown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;">Brunching at <b><a href="https://www.babsmidtown.com/" target="_blank">Babs Midtown</a></b> is a wholly unique experience. I've known the eccentric and delightful proprietor, <b>Randy D. Adler</b>, for years. We were colleagues years ago, but we've been friends much longer. Randy has a heart of gold, a quick quirky wit, and an incredibly strong love of food, family, and friends.</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Please, enjoy this interview Randy gifted me and then make plans to bring your friends in for <b>brunch</b>! And breakfast and lunch, too. It promises to be "<b><i>an experience</i></b>"!</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwc7b7cbJnB_cvOwgLkYSXRFsKyUrKnUcSLag5gfz0CRAL5ESgnS8B4l4E80CRT_XD967UwySuvHDEkYesa5O6uJUoWK9JBrlvIQ8Cyujds8n4bk6ow3EABaksjW9dJYQOYQeJoEqBHc/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwc7b7cbJnB_cvOwgLkYSXRFsKyUrKnUcSLag5gfz0CRAL5ESgnS8B4l4E80CRT_XD967UwySuvHDEkYesa5O6uJUoWK9JBrlvIQ8Cyujds8n4bk6ow3EABaksjW9dJYQOYQeJoEqBHc/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_001.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;">You'll find Babs Midtown at <b>814 Juniper Street</b>, one of the tree-lined main thoroughfares in Midtown. It's in the basement of a house (not where Randy lives), but the restaurant front faces south (left side of the house) and has a patio and lovely gardens with water features. It's easily accessible, just look for the maroon awning.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;">Once you're inside, to say the décor is <i>eclectic</i> would be an understatement, but as you settle into the environment, the theme coalesces. There are numerous collections and more than a few nods to the restaurant's namesake. More about that momentarily...</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;"><div dir="ltr" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;"><b style="font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: If I'm a first-time visitor to your restaurant, what should I order?</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222; line-height: 16.12px;"><b>Randy</b>: </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">We offer bistro and comfort food, made from locally sourced ingredients. If </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">you're looking for a hamburger, we're not the place—we've never done a hamburger, since day one! We don't do ground meat, except sirloin for a lamb dish. While you're looking over the menu, enjoy a cocktail. </span><i style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.thrillist.com/drink/atlanta/best-bloody-marys-in-atlanta" target="_blank">Thrillist</a></b></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"> named Babs Midtown's </span><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">Saki-Mary</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"> "</span><i style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>one of the best Bloody Mary's in Atlanta</b></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">"! And we won Atlanta's inaugural <b><a href="https://www.thebloodymaryfest.com/" target="_blank">Bloody Mary Festival</a></b>! It's quite popular.</span></div></span>
<br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuUqUuicpBL81hBFOCV5fW2fXOT2jj_pw7atDdoJ3cqURx6XZvy2z_8khlB24X0A4ON0FoHLlaKciseiYuM8aQUilLgx2LfTt88icJ7jnF4kO7DerpTMypIKyA0S1nzI3PnldMDxfB58/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuUqUuicpBL81hBFOCV5fW2fXOT2jj_pw7atDdoJ3cqURx6XZvy2z_8khlB24X0A4ON0FoHLlaKciseiYuM8aQUilLgx2LfTt88icJ7jnF4kO7DerpTMypIKyA0S1nzI3PnldMDxfB58/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_002.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">The above photo is Babs' <b>Country Club Chicken Salad</b> and <b>Sweet Potato Fries</b>. Delish! </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">On another visit I enjoyed Babs' featured pressed sandwich, the <b>Sundried Tomato Chicken Salad</b>! That's tossed in their house-made celery and black pepper mayo served with Sweet Potato Fries and curry-sriracha dipping sauce. Also delish!</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Where are you from and how long have you been in Atlanta?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Randy</b>: I am from Rye Brook, New York, but was born in Brooklyn.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I moved to Atlanta in 1982. I worked on the Pre-Opening and was part of the Opening Committee for the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead/Downtown and then served as Chef Tournant and Garde Manger Chef at the Ritz.</span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn0BK2UubOrLUl3fm_JmdDsHV_YZYm6dWsNujajHPphqWKwxaNSCreGnqZJv8UN1ujyK6S_ENp-f4RnQMrmZXf4t6ROwnPKo9JfYET8FQbdzerWd86xGMhamwxNj-1664QSgvwjtPCY8/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn0BK2UubOrLUl3fm_JmdDsHV_YZYm6dWsNujajHPphqWKwxaNSCreGnqZJv8UN1ujyK6S_ENp-f4RnQMrmZXf4t6ROwnPKo9JfYET8FQbdzerWd86xGMhamwxNj-1664QSgvwjtPCY8/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_007.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;">When Randy says, "<i><b>Put an egg on it!</b></i>", he's not kidding. The number of menu items, particularly the brunch menu, that has eggs or an egg is quite remarkable. I love eggs so this is a <i>philosophy</i> I can get behind. There's also an egg tie-in to the name of the restaurant. Keep reading...</span></span><br style="color: black;" /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: What got you into the restaurant business?<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Randy</b>: It paid much better than babysitting. (Ha!) Also, when you lock the door, the day is done. Every day is a new adventure, with different folks invited onto the stage to participate in my particular realm of reality.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9FX8qwXtb3neAOf61_4m-1S41UEmUjnQMd0qnFpOUmUiHmXb8dirtoVcP9XxGzcZy2LrqyzwKM8cMOuy5qJ3iMgOSlLhf6x5EUtT5mR3QCjmdaCZml7OdAWRPXh2mnOwPFVal329wcA/s765/Babs_095_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9FX8qwXtb3neAOf61_4m-1S41UEmUjnQMd0qnFpOUmUiHmXb8dirtoVcP9XxGzcZy2LrqyzwKM8cMOuy5qJ3iMgOSlLhf6x5EUtT5mR3QCjmdaCZml7OdAWRPXh2mnOwPFVal329wcA/s16000/Babs_095_510pxW.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><b style="font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: What was the catalyst that launched Babs Midtown?</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><b>Randy</b>: I wanted an outlet to create "<i><b>a great place to gather</b></i>", where food, fun, and fresh were all under one roof. It was also an outlet for my whimsical side. Since my former business of 28 years, The Preferred Caterer, was a full-service events and delivery option, Babs seemed like a natural extension. And I needed a challenge. I needed something that was done at night when you locked the door, and by "night" I mean 2:30pm. We're a breakfast, lunch, and brunch dining destination.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"> </span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqejrJwwSPK-p5WGbFoVbajZMWPAHz3JmtnnneAogclKIb7BYj3nv1fQd6hcEutIuYww1cqW1cGRBGth2IlxHbOp1_fmbwIxnBKN8wzY1HUWQ1RttjF9MNIMzFooBQUyX_rYrOzT4lto/s680/Babs_099_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqejrJwwSPK-p5WGbFoVbajZMWPAHz3JmtnnneAogclKIb7BYj3nv1fQd6hcEutIuYww1cqW1cGRBGth2IlxHbOp1_fmbwIxnBKN8wzY1HUWQ1RttjF9MNIMzFooBQUyX_rYrOzT4lto/s16000/Babs_099_510pxW.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">: When did Babs Midtown first open?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Randy</b><span style="font-family: arial;">:</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We opened 18 years ago on April 1</span><span style="font-family: arial;">st. Then I blinked and here we are 18 years later! I enjoy it. I can lock the door, I don't take this home, and it's my own kingdom. We're also the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">longest operating sole proprietorship in midtown that has not changed location. And our employees are loyal. Some of our staff have been</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> here 15 years.</span></div></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><b style="font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">: </span>If the Thrillest-recognized Saki-Mary isn't quite your speed, opt for the delicious, bubbly <b>Blood Orange Mimosa</b>! Randy serves it with "<i><b>a dollop of decadent reality</b></i>" in an oversized red wine glass. It will brighten your morning (or cure that hangover) quicker than coffee ever did--it does for me, at least.</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLDGlFCNaOas8UA56bO5mI15o5ypt7253FIBVPWoDLgUif5dginaR9AJ7siUQtt66Qsqg0QmRx-GMNuhhQowcbLZeDegEAbRN31pTmPB2mb9-MlftxsUYl3pD7EfuAUQ1b72GP-roCGQ/s680/Babs_098_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLDGlFCNaOas8UA56bO5mI15o5ypt7253FIBVPWoDLgUif5dginaR9AJ7siUQtt66Qsqg0QmRx-GMNuhhQowcbLZeDegEAbRN31pTmPB2mb9-MlftxsUYl3pD7EfuAUQ1b72GP-roCGQ/s16000/Babs_098_510pxW.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">: You've had a number of celebrities dine at Babs. Can you drop a few names for us?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Randy</b>: Hmmm…everyone is a celebrity when they're at Babs! A few names you'll know though include <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000443/" target="_blank">Goldie Hawn</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000621/" target="_blank">Kurt Russell</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001451/" target="_blank">Queen Latifah</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0651067" target="_blank">Ana Ortiz</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/justice-david-e-nahmias/" target="_blank">Judge David Nahmais</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.atlantafalcons.com/video/tony-gonzalez-falcons-all-decade-team" target="_blank">Tony Gonzalez</a></b> and his wife <b>January</b>, and <b><a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/" target="_blank">Martha Stewart</a></b> who was a lot of fun. And of course my regulars are a real treat...it's very <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083399/" target="_blank">Cheers</a></i>-esque sometimes.</span></div>
<br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54IHVXERee_SkW7Wggb-lAiYsBxDUFrsJVR5eJMIjVykSKHWHTf3ZhNGoYDDrTKgyESfc1E4PhnXKE4ofP1fxc9ZMvqI15YJbj1WYoIcy7NwJqTVgM94Y4NhhkKiC8BMHSTomLVGgYB8/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54IHVXERee_SkW7Wggb-lAiYsBxDUFrsJVR5eJMIjVykSKHWHTf3ZhNGoYDDrTKgyESfc1E4PhnXKE4ofP1fxc9ZMvqI15YJbj1WYoIcy7NwJqTVgM94Y4NhhkKiC8BMHSTomLVGgYB8/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_005.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dessert! There are always fresh, delicious desserts on the menu at Babs, but my favorite is the </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Banana Coconut Crème Layer Cake</b> frosted with white coconut frosting and served in a <i>give-me-a-straw</i> pool of organic <b>Israeli Date Syrup</b>.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: What's something that you'd like people to know about Babs Midtown that they won't know until they experience it?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Randy</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: Although we're in the heart of Midtown, I didn</span><span style="font-family: arial;">'t want to be a gays-only restaurant. We have a great mix of everyone! This restaurant is a safe haven for people. A few examples... (1) People are very comfortable being themselves here. (2) People have come out to their parents here--again, it's a really safe environment. (3) And we're such a unique experience that the owner of <a href="http://lastresortgrill.com/" target="_blank">Last Resort Grill</a> in Athens, Georgia, said that when Babs closes it'll be the end of an era.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FsO64coR5WdbC2M97eb136bGuipTU16hyphenhyphenVCaNcCpBV2K63Bk99kcKPyPDZIfiQkVPVKJwJ9crTOWCCk8CkY00jlOYtC9zg6I0dvOTQwqXIJXFD4sK76qfx1RaQ-82xaKFHA4_RvwzNo/s751/Babs_092_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FsO64coR5WdbC2M97eb136bGuipTU16hyphenhyphenVCaNcCpBV2K63Bk99kcKPyPDZIfiQkVPVKJwJ9crTOWCCk8CkY00jlOYtC9zg6I0dvOTQwqXIJXFD4sK76qfx1RaQ-82xaKFHA4_RvwzNo/s16000/Babs_092_510pxW.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b>Randy</b>: We've tried to do our part during the pandemic. I've made it a practice not to charge seniors on a fixed income more than $12 for a meal. During the pandemic, I've told them the register is broken...we've comped $5,000-$7,000 during this time. The blind enjoy dining here because they know I won't coddle them. Older people feel secure here. It makes a difference, too! We've had reports made and the results show that we're doing it right. Our customer retention rate is 78%, more than 70% of our customers drive here, and the average guests visits 3 times per month. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our menu changes every day now, and I put it up on Facebook. Surprisingly, 30% of our sales comes from frozen food. When they said, "Pivot or perish", we pivoted! We did not take federal loans we laid no one off of work, and we didn't cut off anyone's benefits. I'm proud that we've taken care of our staff and they in turn cheerfully take care of our guests.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #222222;">We’re more than Brunch…we’re a destination. As I tell our employees, you can go anywhere to get a meal. Give them a show and as many talking points as you can, which our art, snowglobes, and salt and pepper shakers all do. But the bottom line is good food that is locally sourced and delish, and staying true and being authentic to my values and standards.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c68y00lKWwu7TRP6uTCgFapkX5yEHWI0qEjYrWSRiInMpxYZQbDl8-EcLPGQj7eJoMQrBRbQutr9FDzscE8hPYvPqGcV0JI5VrxfsK0G3vFCWqyYtnYhM-kLzPNIncKSVr8-OyO8lnU/s787/Babs_093_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c68y00lKWwu7TRP6uTCgFapkX5yEHWI0qEjYrWSRiInMpxYZQbDl8-EcLPGQj7eJoMQrBRbQutr9FDzscE8hPYvPqGcV0JI5VrxfsK0G3vFCWqyYtnYhM-kLzPNIncKSVr8-OyO8lnU/s16000/Babs_093_510pxW.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">: I originally thought the restaurant was named for Barbara Streisand. She's a gay icon and Midtown is the gay mecca of the South. But it wasn't named for Streisand. So, Randy, how did Babs Midtown get its name?</span></div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Randy</b>: If you know the <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000691/" target="_blank">John Waters</a></b> movie <i><b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069089" target="_blank">Pink Flamingos</a></b> </i>(1972), starring <b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001145" target="_blank">Divine</a></b> as <b>Babs Johnson</b>, and you see all the Divine memorabilia around the restaurant, it becomes obvious that it's named for Babs Johnson, who coincidentally discussed eggs quite a lot in the film. Among the décor here at the restaurant is a framed original <b><a href="https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/6605-a-whiff-of-polyester-inside-the-odorama-process" target="_blank">Odorama card</a></b>, from the film <i><b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082926" target="_blank">Polyester</a></b></i>, the first of its kind to be used in cinemas! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of the décor, it may not look like it at first glance, but much of it is </span><span style="font-family: arial;">strategically placed to create conversations, and our guests do converse!</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
<br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu37yLgzi_2Tt1Cs6stEAhiEmd8yjTXaYCZkkkOmHjV86ddH3RVnjV4_p72LwPMOE4ohheoWB0nIYzrgekdZCGQvikm9sAYq9TN73lBnu-tqSBeUzmu2S3sQ7qfRgJ4LXDRWUCuFadQg/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu37yLgzi_2Tt1Cs6stEAhiEmd8yjTXaYCZkkkOmHjV86ddH3RVnjV4_p72LwPMOE4ohheoWB0nIYzrgekdZCGQvikm9sAYq9TN73lBnu-tqSBeUzmu2S3sQ7qfRgJ4LXDRWUCuFadQg/s1600/Babs-Midtown_2016-Spring-Brunch_006.jpg" title="Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Babs Midtown - "A Great Place to Gather"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 16.12px;"><br /></span></span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.12px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: What do you like most about owning a restaurant?<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Randy</b>: I enjoy the ability to adapt, the vision to create, and the reality of getting to embrace my concept of what food is and should be. I feel respected, not toyed with and not overworked. We are also part of the fabric of the neighborhood. I gambled when I chose this locale but I knew in my heart that this area was going to be the <i>heart</i> of Midtown. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I know I'm fortunate...I get to be <i>me </i>every day!</span></div><div><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.12px;"><b><a href="https://vimeo.com/146237956" target="_blank">VIDEO</a></b>: Have a listen at what other Babs Midtown customers have to say about their experience...</span></span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.12px;"><br />
</span></span> <br />
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/146237956" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLIH87efy8lhP05B_KPvhbWfYghJdl4eecF-qMSH5nkCyW2b_3_WMxfm7LbRb7t1dfEs7g5Jj3-aC-c75bu2rBYu1zMfeHYgqBCPkDi2K_hTsoyU8a-eqk31CiulNR12xNN6zqgZ02-s/s16000/Babs-video.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/146237956" target="_blank"><b style="font-family: arial;">A Great Place to Gather</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> from </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Joshua Allan Howard</b></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><center><br /></center>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: What do you do for fun?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Randy</b>: I </span><span style="font-family: arial;">collect <a href="https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/grater" target="_blank">graters</a> from all time periods. Of course I enjoy food. I like to read, the theatre, and traveling. Have a look at the decor in the restaurant and you'll see more of what I like. A personal favorite is a photo of movie director John Waters wearing a Babs t-shirt!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: Please share with us a little about The Tzedkah Project.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b>Randy</b>: </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.givetothetzedakahproject.org/" target="_blank">The Tzedakah Project</a></b> is a nonprofit, a fully accredited 501(c)3, that seeks to help others through financial and personal support. We launched it on my birthday during the pandemic, April 2020. We're currently focusing on people affected by the pandemic and when that's past us, we'll revaluate how we'll operate going forward. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">The Tzedakah Project <a href="https://www.givetothetzedakahproject.org/vision" target="_blank">works with community groups</a> that strive to improve the lives of individuals who are looking for a hand up, rather than a hand out.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><i><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b></i>: This interview barely scratches the surface of who Randy is and the depth of kindness in his heart. I hope we'll be friends for a very long time. In the meantime, </span></span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.babsmidtown.com/" target="_blank">Babs Midtown</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, an 18-year-strong dining destination, is indeed "</span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b>a great place to gather</b></i><span style="font-family: arial;">."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>
Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com2814 Juniper St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA33.7767485 -84.383157599999995.2909116301996839 -119.53940759999999 62.262585369800306 -49.22690759999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-67963448847047105652021-07-01T12:09:00.000-04:002021-07-01T12:09:24.558-04:00SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion<p><span style="font-family: arial;">During my last visit to the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://atlantabg.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, I once again felt like a tourist in New York City, craned neck looking up in awe at the towering skyscrapers. But there are no skyscrapers within the 30 acres of the Garden. But there's this...(<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQPVVAuhzOK/?utm_medium=share_sheet" target="_blank">video</a></b>)...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The second part of this summer's <b><i><a href="https://atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/atlanta-garden-calendar/supernatural-aerial-art-in-motion-glass-art-in-bloom/" target="_blank">SUPERnatural</a></i></b> exhibition is <b><i><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/supernatural-aerial-art-in-motion/" target="_blank">Aerieal Art in Motion</a></i></b>, by <b><a href="https://www.poetickinetics.com/" target="_blank">Poetic Kinetics</a></b> based in Los Angeles. In particular, this piece is called <b><i><a href="https://www.poetickinetics.com/dream-flora/" target="_blank">Dream Flora</a></i></b>, part of <b>Patrick Shearn</b>'s signature <b><a href="https://www.poetickinetics.com/skynet-art-series/" target="_blank">Skynet Art Series</a></b>. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKXN0T3tw_-B4QVPsxm39KNL5FLrR450pdq_XODRnmN2KB0dHu3SItE-l9llGSscUt9WRB4vLK6cjes3V6V9wh4avNbu6dMnVp_w6c6rmslbc6HBupnCOqAEgIuW8dAWY6UapfKJfqc0/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_001_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKXN0T3tw_-B4QVPsxm39KNL5FLrR450pdq_XODRnmN2KB0dHu3SItE-l9llGSscUt9WRB4vLK6cjes3V6V9wh4avNbu6dMnVp_w6c6rmslbc6HBupnCOqAEgIuW8dAWY6UapfKJfqc0/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Patrick Shearn</b> is also the founder of <b><a href="https://www.poetickinetics.com/" target="_blank">Poetic Kinetics</a></b>, which he launched in 2008 after a 30-year career in the film effects industry. Their large-scale works of art have been seen around the world. If this is your first sighting of one of their works, know that you are in for a spectacular treat!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa3a4qcCLWT84owc3Bwpgi_iHas-I8_jXnkCvzwfMNmV8YK1Ss7D9EgrxhnBFXGSkP34Zt1o7Jl9M1v0QHX43Ygh0jKHhtz_YeayImQTdreWR3b6Z_Wcf1PRUjDC8ABnCnE60w3Iq4RA/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_002_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa3a4qcCLWT84owc3Bwpgi_iHas-I8_jXnkCvzwfMNmV8YK1Ss7D9EgrxhnBFXGSkP34Zt1o7Jl9M1v0QHX43Ygh0jKHhtz_YeayImQTdreWR3b6Z_Wcf1PRUjDC8ABnCnE60w3Iq4RA/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_002_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope you get to visit on a breezy day. <b><i>Dream Flora</i></b> is composed of red, orange, purple, and yellow <b>nylon streamers</b> attached to webs of transparent nets that are suspended by ropes in the trees. Even the slightest breeze will make this piece of art dance!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyh3-s_w1UKEm0LdsK_Ltcf0NylGevQ5NV8YDAYzQO_nm-G41lSxRZDOVWiUVTCVeQdeWIYDGO0FQtOicW4Sgv4sy4YQKDFyiJ4STTageNQq2181HKKtoFKZ-LYnwjj0OVOCfV-ccMcg/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_003_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyh3-s_w1UKEm0LdsK_Ltcf0NylGevQ5NV8YDAYzQO_nm-G41lSxRZDOVWiUVTCVeQdeWIYDGO0FQtOicW4Sgv4sy4YQKDFyiJ4STTageNQq2181HKKtoFKZ-LYnwjj0OVOCfV-ccMcg/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_003_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion - "Dream Flora"</b></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpXnT1GzYtKa2eFywi6X-BZSYS-utPSCPNCIVGma1HADCw9AkH4nCM2NCki6pIEk28QXe_BttY-wTqpJm3mwEr1Y2Q97AnmIRdE4BTWbleYtaxrQtd8svobFpEAXx32lYzizovH27cRI/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_004_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpXnT1GzYtKa2eFywi6X-BZSYS-utPSCPNCIVGma1HADCw9AkH4nCM2NCki6pIEk28QXe_BttY-wTqpJm3mwEr1Y2Q97AnmIRdE4BTWbleYtaxrQtd8svobFpEAXx32lYzizovH27cRI/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion - "Dream Flora"</b></span></p><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS6imY1-TgitJA_445x_5Oy_NDEIS6pKOHq6AK9UiSI7PbS3ub8KqrImsdeUFIFl_W1CX4tKCv5K77IuYTmWGxa7VYQ15xbg_nyVyZ8tvkq3IlCTjBJIWR2KcuS8z6n-ZQ3F-OL5gIMo/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_005_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS6imY1-TgitJA_445x_5Oy_NDEIS6pKOHq6AK9UiSI7PbS3ub8KqrImsdeUFIFl_W1CX4tKCv5K77IuYTmWGxa7VYQ15xbg_nyVyZ8tvkq3IlCTjBJIWR2KcuS8z6n-ZQ3F-OL5gIMo/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At the point on the Canopy Walk where you find the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/art-collection/garden-gates/" target="_blank">Andrew Crawford</a></b> stools, <i>Dream Flora</i> branches off toward <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/art-collection/saffron-tower-and-arthur-m-blank-family-foundation-water-mirror/" target="_blank">Saffron Tower</a></b> placed at the fartherest northeast point in the Garden.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCNAvyCIcxCrsLr2Ii4ceRqWqt7Ih5Rs1mcyycl5GV3yPhFNWMH1HAdfxuSjaeOvv1RzLP0wnjhJ7RIxXEk2Cp2rgmW7ScJuEKRqk3Vh8sD9Skz4q-jj6uRD8Yo7U52g7WxcPR4xeaOM/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_006_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCNAvyCIcxCrsLr2Ii4ceRqWqt7Ih5Rs1mcyycl5GV3yPhFNWMH1HAdfxuSjaeOvv1RzLP0wnjhJ7RIxXEk2Cp2rgmW7ScJuEKRqk3Vh8sD9Skz4q-jj6uRD8Yo7U52g7WxcPR4xeaOM/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion - "Dream Flora"</b></span></p><p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC84LKFbVu4ThuoUmDdYJmWtd-gDLGJEc8KnSSgJanvkJk1YIwtIrppM75KNGpXAeKgPxNyvJuW4a9uJkxna-L5Fc2v6O8lbLYSZZ1tQhqg72NlpAUVHiuYU8uxnvvuv4Y6nMi2hStA1s/s657/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_007_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC84LKFbVu4ThuoUmDdYJmWtd-gDLGJEc8KnSSgJanvkJk1YIwtIrppM75KNGpXAeKgPxNyvJuW4a9uJkxna-L5Fc2v6O8lbLYSZZ1tQhqg72NlpAUVHiuYU8uxnvvuv4Y6nMi2hStA1s/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Almost at the end of the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/kendeda-canopy-walk/" target="_blank">Canopy Walk</a></b>, I realized that I'd not been looking down. I was so mesmerized by <b><i><a href="https://www.poetickinetics.com/dream-flora/" target="_blank">Dream Flora</a></i></b> that I wasn't paying attention to the Garden. That was resolved by another walk along the bridge, as well as under it where I got some awesome views of <i><b>Dream Flora</b></i>!</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdTev5aVYQADaLXoWlUU7bOl3PQmXQzV6MUJ03FbZiUKJcGlGIDy3UylpCJstdXM7iz4xo0CxTWa1X_kd0q3m9TxH2zbf2GzSsBq_DI1axE9gwpKoVxYcFPTJGW_Wh8DtW2QpwScMOdE/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_008_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdTev5aVYQADaLXoWlUU7bOl3PQmXQzV6MUJ03FbZiUKJcGlGIDy3UylpCJstdXM7iz4xo0CxTWa1X_kd0q3m9TxH2zbf2GzSsBq_DI1axE9gwpKoVxYcFPTJGW_Wh8DtW2QpwScMOdE/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_008_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">At 600-feet long, 40-feet high, the 12-feet wide serpentine elevated pathway known as the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/kendeda-canopy-walk/" target="_blank">Kendeda Canopy Walk</a></b> opened in 2010 </span><span style="font-family: arial;">is considered <b>the largest tree canopy-level walkway of its kind in the United States</b>.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Jj4Qq5lKCAJuYwD86rtDZ1z-1A-ULDrUdSpLW7b1_-xfKP1zbQm1lPhyJPdMA_cAR8OS6hS9dGio3YJK_m6d6lOawv-C-V-_PBKW71J4oxzblc9b8XLKxTsp7QzI-aEzmpvQ3Zz0oO8/s765/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_009_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Jj4Qq5lKCAJuYwD86rtDZ1z-1A-ULDrUdSpLW7b1_-xfKP1zbQm1lPhyJPdMA_cAR8OS6hS9dGio3YJK_m6d6lOawv-C-V-_PBKW71J4oxzblc9b8XLKxTsp7QzI-aEzmpvQ3Zz0oO8/s16000/Dream-Flora_ABG_06-2021_009_510pxW.jpg" title="Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dream Flora | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The two summer exhibitions, collectively called <i><b>SUPERnatural</b></i>, intersect near <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/private-event-rental/sourwood-terrace-and-canopy-walk/" target="_blank">Sourwood Terrace</a></b>. <b><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/05/supernatural-glass-art-in-bloom.html" target="_blank">Glass Art in Bloom</a></i></b>, by <b>Jason Gamrath</b>, continues in the more formal part of the Garden and all the way to the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/skyline-garden/" target="_blank">Skyline Garden</a></b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Check out <b><i><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/supernatural-aerial-art-in-motion/" target="_blank">Dream Flora</a></i></b> during the day or during the evening (or both!) during <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/cocktails-in-the-garden-2020-06-27/all/" target="_blank">Cocktails in the Garden</a></b>. This exhicit will be on display <b>through September 19</b>, but you know not to wait...see it now so you don't miss this spectacular opportunity!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com21345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA33.7901457 -84.37399815.479911863821151 -119.5302481 62.100379536178842 -49.217748099999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-38651615262586606372021-05-10T07:53:00.000-04:002021-05-10T07:53:14.973-04:00SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I can't express how exciting it is to have friends visiting again! Some friends recently visited from Washington, DC, and the Dominican Republic. We excitedly enjoyed a sneak peek of <b><i><a href="https://atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/atlanta-garden-calendar/supernatural-aerial-art-in-motion-glass-art-in-bloom/" target="_blank">SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom</a></i></b>, officially opening at the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b> on May 15, 2021! It's yet another magnificent yet wholly unique summer exhibition here.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kBz9qLmkDG0-a8Z1MQkKuWMRRE_hJ3m4lCyCI64-MWt0f1pssrGHWKVoYL4044JMq1ero3a7404trC9B7TngHU_ND41ERoMoWXypD3m-3iR8_rjY7KpHgHzTDVEa6Ukz_DKKJsH8PLA/s510/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_01_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kBz9qLmkDG0-a8Z1MQkKuWMRRE_hJ3m4lCyCI64-MWt0f1pssrGHWKVoYL4044JMq1ero3a7404trC9B7TngHU_ND41ERoMoWXypD3m-3iR8_rjY7KpHgHzTDVEa6Ukz_DKKJsH8PLA/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_01_510pxW.jpg" title="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This show, going on through October 31, 2021, features the work of contemporary glass artist </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.jasongamrathglass.com/" target="_blank">Jason Gamrath</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Gamrath's career has been inspired by fellow Seattle artist </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.chihuly.com/" target="_blank">Dale Chihuly</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, who has exhibited at the Atlanta Botanical Garden numerous times, including in </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2011/01/atlantapix-levy-parterre.html" target="_blank">2004</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> and again in <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2016/07/atlantas-spectacular-chihuly-in-garden.html" target="_blank">2016</a></b>, to name a couple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There will be a total of 13 installations, comprised of approximately 150 pieces of glass, representing brilliantly colorful blooming plants, and approximately 30 of those are new, specifically for this exhibition! </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5_Ynna4oeWPj9aMvtpMSg104W00NeMBlUPZVzEZfW8Avp5C8Pu2hdkQBGwGnY6-ukj0VewYQiHD-ec9idluRd1jWAqKdde6dUhybNjWADQTGdRVcSC_uSFCO1YdP9_nQxUFz2PPoM8U/s510/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_02_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Carmen & Colomba | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5_Ynna4oeWPj9aMvtpMSg104W00NeMBlUPZVzEZfW8Avp5C8Pu2hdkQBGwGnY6-ukj0VewYQiHD-ec9idluRd1jWAqKdde6dUhybNjWADQTGdRVcSC_uSFCO1YdP9_nQxUFz2PPoM8U/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_02_510pxW.jpg" title="Carmen and Colomba | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmen and Colomba | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been visiting this Garden since the late 1980s and I was totally blown away, so you can imagine how impressed my friends <b>Carmen</b> and <b>Colomba</b> were. It was their first time at the Garden. Actually, it was their first time to Atlanta and the Garden was their first local tourist attraction, which ended up being the favorite of their visit—and they packed a lot in! Of course I was thrilled to share the Garden with them, it being one of my favorite destinations in the city.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmiCZAzmUMBUIcTM6U8FxFgtHFq-PzLCihhOI8gUqE6UvOzrMAM5XqfOfijrFkxTS6ydMGwQea3z7IJ7bd-SlvYJM7j5VM0dOD1vjoGTPVG6HYuhRzl2GFC1HXjC9fNM2z68vdOai-2A/s765/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_03_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmiCZAzmUMBUIcTM6U8FxFgtHFq-PzLCihhOI8gUqE6UvOzrMAM5XqfOfijrFkxTS6ydMGwQea3z7IJ7bd-SlvYJM7j5VM0dOD1vjoGTPVG6HYuhRzl2GFC1HXjC9fNM2z68vdOai-2A/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_03_510pxW.jpg" title="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Garmath's interpretation of the <b><a href="https://www.thespruce.com/botany-of-columbine-flowers-2132551" target="_blank">Aquilegia</a></b> plant is magnificent! I didn't know it was fashioned after a real flower—too many science-fiction movies, I guess. These are "planted" in front of <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/longleaf-restaurant/" target="_blank">Longleaf Restaurant</a></b> where garden-goers were dining, mostly alfresco because it was such a beautiful day. Lots of photos were being made here.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXjZZLGG2rvUiU4LDWCF44iLpDQLGPpBOWc64sLDqj8RZKIG5JVF2bPYoOa7QOsaLk6jMFGCI1rEmRTGT4VPoY7Krmkj3qYOQApZHVurbHExK5jlqFIlP6kC6hQSHkb7j_wc8IR9xRuA/s510/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_04_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXjZZLGG2rvUiU4LDWCF44iLpDQLGPpBOWc64sLDqj8RZKIG5JVF2bPYoOa7QOsaLk6jMFGCI1rEmRTGT4VPoY7Krmkj3qYOQApZHVurbHExK5jlqFIlP6kC6hQSHkb7j_wc8IR9xRuA/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_04_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As is the case with so many flowers at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the <b><a href="https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/peony-facts/" target="_blank">peonies</a></b> are absolutely stunning! It's no wonder they're such a popular flower in <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/events-exhibitions/private-events-rentals/" target="_blank">bridal</a></b> bouquets. I love visiting the Garden this time of year...there's no other place like it in the city.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrtvAOp8fSUk-r30IG7KyxGSckjH4OrTZBjn8o5DxDfY_5g7LdeAzTQzsP2MgGcUvtzbQiThjZYQl2Ib5zBl8F49uYs04CmlNlh41t0dp4AvysutI1I-Urg5caVOySqd0ipL6r4PxYjc/s724/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_05_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrtvAOp8fSUk-r30IG7KyxGSckjH4OrTZBjn8o5DxDfY_5g7LdeAzTQzsP2MgGcUvtzbQiThjZYQl2Ib5zBl8F49uYs04CmlNlh41t0dp4AvysutI1I-Urg5caVOySqd0ipL6r4PxYjc/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_05_510pxW.jpg" title="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To call Garath's "<b>Large Orchids</b>" large is an understatement. I'm 6'2" they totally dwarf me! The ones we saw are along the <b>Great Lawn</b> and, of course, inside the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/fuqua-orchid-center/" target="_blank">Fuqua Orchid Center</a></b>, which opened in 2002 and has become one of the most popular attractions at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and for good reason...it's home to one of the largest collections of various species of orchids in the Southeast, the world even!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMljCMqZR0CsAwGrI4VC7nBcOyx4oN0ROmY8GavKh3ZzKatEpy0l-c0BvlPc8SDWuqOWXTlMJXhZa-jxPgvWGv4XEQT6srNf99F1yuE9WHejyovILMcNnmXXmwIcJTIuJ3_9-bxCygZ84/s687/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_06_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMljCMqZR0CsAwGrI4VC7nBcOyx4oN0ROmY8GavKh3ZzKatEpy0l-c0BvlPc8SDWuqOWXTlMJXhZa-jxPgvWGv4XEQT6srNf99F1yuE9WHejyovILMcNnmXXmwIcJTIuJ3_9-bxCygZ84/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_06_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As mentioned, I've been visiting the Garden for decades, but I don't recall a time when the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/rose-garden/" target="_blank">Rose Garden</a></b> was quite so stunning. It was like the Garden was showing off for my friends, for which I'm grateful. Did you know that the Rose Garden predates the incorporation of the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 1976? You'll learn a LOT on one of the Garden's tours!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1l3XWco38yxcOPhwgBNXdcz_dHCntECbL9JPq3PXspQHGJL7aKCWq_1Gnu4OFMu0psymGQgLY_5eunjYJIxSmi6LWK-rspck5PxtJSNjsa3naq6lLEuMYhgYhVC5yTDfhJnCuwB152A/s714/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_07_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1l3XWco38yxcOPhwgBNXdcz_dHCntECbL9JPq3PXspQHGJL7aKCWq_1Gnu4OFMu0psymGQgLY_5eunjYJIxSmi6LWK-rspck5PxtJSNjsa3naq6lLEuMYhgYhVC5yTDfhJnCuwB152A/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_07_510pxW.jpg" title="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Native to Africa, we got to see the real-time installation of a cluster of <b><a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/red-hot-poker/growing-red-hot-torch-lilies.htm" target="_blank">Kniphofia</a></b>, commonly known as <b>Red Hot Poker</b> plants or <b>Red Hot Torch Lilies</b>. The gardeners "planting" the towering sculptures were very kind in answering the burning questions that my friends had. That kind of courtesy goes a long way in making someone's day, so I'm grateful to them for enhancing my friends' visit to the Garden.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr8oZdejHIPUu2hKzraq4kiOeWx57Z7FhwYfNvy_07sGabMtHEMtICBgPLKSiIKSxwC64m2Nkl-S7kLxswGiRc_W4KVowuiDiDMNr-tx7GxWRk8wcqfL-PaojZ_eflr6rh2Ft9Kbqhhw/s640/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_08_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr8oZdejHIPUu2hKzraq4kiOeWx57Z7FhwYfNvy_07sGabMtHEMtICBgPLKSiIKSxwC64m2Nkl-S7kLxswGiRc_W4KVowuiDiDMNr-tx7GxWRk8wcqfL-PaojZ_eflr6rh2Ft9Kbqhhw/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_08_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We toured the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/desert-house/" target="_blank">Desert House</a></b> in the Conservatory where I got to explain that there are no cacti in the Desert House, but there are LOTS outside in the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/map-location/skyline-garden/" target="_blank">Skyline Garden</a></b>, some of them in bloom on this particular visit.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaMdb3Eivlcs7LIrQdqipJqnYlXz47ADoTPe0kHnwb7ohVF-Gs-hJMwM8Q7cjk4lAMbGQLqHYvsogG_ajj4JOTVqadcEjlwNaKokyV9gSrjDCGC5YfgY3H1PyDbCmB9wqkHuK1IxCWuk/s733/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_09_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaMdb3Eivlcs7LIrQdqipJqnYlXz47ADoTPe0kHnwb7ohVF-Gs-hJMwM8Q7cjk4lAMbGQLqHYvsogG_ajj4JOTVqadcEjlwNaKokyV9gSrjDCGC5YfgY3H1PyDbCmB9wqkHuK1IxCWuk/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_09_510pxW.jpg" title="SUPERnatural | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the aspects of the Atlanta Botanical Garden that I love most is the fact that every time you turn a corner, look up or down, side to side, you see yet something else that is <b>beautiful and fascinating</b>. Any visit to the Garden has the makings for a great day!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQPiiMF0UMoN39YoKErcNYhZMBpsONrV77EtHjnamP-OJGnFWhNtbnodzkeHFR-ageR_djNxohN1R0352BRZX0O6SZmRNbwpCTe8Nxo-6axnS8yUEh0JAlJ6qmqiH9Ai6tGll6vGrPRY/s673/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_10_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQPiiMF0UMoN39YoKErcNYhZMBpsONrV77EtHjnamP-OJGnFWhNtbnodzkeHFR-ageR_djNxohN1R0352BRZX0O6SZmRNbwpCTe8Nxo-6axnS8yUEh0JAlJ6qmqiH9Ai6tGll6vGrPRY/s16000/Carmen-n-Colomba_Atlanta-2021_10_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I also don't visit the Garden without a camera. Okay, I don't go most places without a camera, but I know that the <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b> will always provide amazing subject matter for my lenses. And it has consistently proven to be a favorite of friends visiting from out of town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Be sure to catch <i><b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/calendar/supernatural-glass-art-in-bloom/" target="_blank">SUPERnatural: Glass Art in Bloom</a></b></i> this summer and before it closes on October 31, 2021. And bring some friends...they too may find that it's a favorite of theirs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com11345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA33.7904235 -84.37465065.4801896638211574 -119.5309006 62.100657336178848 -49.218400599999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-40957274447622801352021-03-26T14:59:00.002-04:002021-03-26T15:09:28.162-04:00INTERVIEW: Marykay, Decatur Alpaca Cottage<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Atlanta has many fabulous places where out-of-town guests — or <b>staycationers</b> — can opt to stay, but <b><a href="https://decaturalpacacottage.com/" target="_blank">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</a></b> is among the most unique and utterly adorable! Guests consistently say that their experience was "<i>above our expectations</i>".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Marykay</b>, the owner and awesome hostess, gifted me an interview. Her story is quite fascinating and I'm certain that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Enjoy...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxtusI2PcjDBz0DNZH-UGtJL00XwkFDYg-ZWYLSBeGX7Q42lWXiXb5VjNMDJoea_UhHFbWGCehyphenhyphenndNkHmgoACuywVP-RSGKOw0Eej2oVmlkWtFLBQDzKtQAwZAZ0DXR4GEDxYo0Q_X8s/s510/01_3G5A9604+compressed_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Marykay at Decatur Alpaca Cottage | | Photo: Sarah Vitel Photography" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxtusI2PcjDBz0DNZH-UGtJL00XwkFDYg-ZWYLSBeGX7Q42lWXiXb5VjNMDJoea_UhHFbWGCehyphenhyphenndNkHmgoACuywVP-RSGKOw0Eej2oVmlkWtFLBQDzKtQAwZAZ0DXR4GEDxYo0Q_X8s/s16000/01_3G5A9604+compressed_510pxW.jpg" title="Marykay at Decatur Alpaca Cottage | | Photo: Sarah Vitel Photography" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marykay at Decatur Alpaca Cottage | | Photo: <a href="https://www.sarahellenvitel.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Vitel Photography</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b></i>: Thank you for talking with me, Marykay. Please tell us a little about you. Where are you from? How did you come to live in Decatur?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Marykay</b>: I was born in Ohio and we moved to the South when I was a preteen. I've lived in South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Hawaii, and of course Georgia. Atlanta is "home". I love Atlanta and I love Georgia. My family moved to an urban farm about </span>16 years ago. Before that we lived in Tucker. I've been in the area for
about 30 years. So, that's where I'm from, but you asked about me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was a
kid, I loved playing with my "dollhouse" — this Cottage is the grown-up
version of that. As an adult, I've been called innovative and interesting (and
sometimes even quirky), and a lot of my guests admire my attention to detail.
In addition to caring for the alpacas, the farm, and the cottage, I also have a
day job in global executive benefit that I love. I'm also a writer. I've
completed about nine chapters for my book, so far and hope to finish it this
year.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9D0wm73wZlftDqmKQiIwK8wzITCN54BfY7vmGsY7ZSnjn6bqZdwQd3q6VO3KsG83iAWQqy2Jo_u895zdjtvmdPBKwTRechrrqAtFCyUmQq6Gb4TE3zP9gAhW1E9EIZ4yhWdZv48eAVo/s510/02_MG_7508+compressed_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9D0wm73wZlftDqmKQiIwK8wzITCN54BfY7vmGsY7ZSnjn6bqZdwQd3q6VO3KsG83iAWQqy2Jo_u895zdjtvmdPBKwTRechrrqAtFCyUmQq6Gb4TE3zP9gAhW1E9EIZ4yhWdZv48eAVo/s16000/02_MG_7508+compressed_510pxW.jpg" title="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Why and how do you have a herd of Alpacas and Llamas in Metro Atlanta? What a delightful surprise! <br /><br /><b>Marykay</b>: Decades ago, I had wanted to become a veterinarian and was even accepted to vet school, but instead I opted to have kids because the years were passing quickly Instead, I fulfilled my love of animals by having quite a few pets and even doing wildlife rescue back in the day. Some years ago, I was visiting with friends in North Georgia who had a herd of alpacas and was asked "<i>Would you want to take on a herd of rescue alpaca?</i>" With little hesitation, I enthusiastically said “<i>Yes!</i>” and set about learning how to care for them including renovating an existing outbuilding on my farm to serve as their barn. Our first herd was four older males. <br /><br />Typically, alpacas who need to be rescued is because circumstances have changed, health issues, changes in a financial situation, or even an owner passing away. In the case of this herd, the owner’s husband had died and the herd was too much for her to care for. The life span of an alpaca averages between 15 and 20 years, so having a good plan in place for a herd is important. I actually have a plan for mine included in my Will as well as some financial support to facilitate any transition that might need to take place. In short, a commitment to alpacas and llamas is a long-term commitment. <br /><br /> In addition to the original four alpacas, I have adopted and rescued others over the years. "<b>Skyboy Blue</b>" — yes, they have their own names — is from Florida. He has blue eyes which is unusual. Two are from Kentucky. I currently have four alpacas, one miniature Himalayan llama ("<b>Beau</b>"), and one huarizo ("<b>Mr. Bingley</b>"). A huarizo is a cross between a llama and an alpaca and huarizos tend to be much smaller than llamas given that they are half alpaca. I also work closely with the nonprofit <a href="https://southeastllamarescue.org/" target="_blank"><b>Southeast Llama Rescue</b></a> as a volunteer to help raise funds.<br /><br /><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Okay, we have to talk about the chickens. What's their story?<br /><br /><b>Marykay</b>: That’s a fun story! One day when my son was 8 years old, he said, "<i>Momma, we need chickens</i>." Of course, I asked, "<i>Why?</i>" His response, "<i>Momma, because they're healthy and the cholesterol in a backyard chicken’s egg is way healthier than a grocery store egg! It's 'green' and we can use our kitchen scraps for compost AND feed the chickens. And they’re educational!! Do you know how much I'm going to learn from having chickens?</i>"<br /><br />At that point, he’d convinced me, if only because he was so clever in his "chicken sales’ pitch," so I agreed with the caveat that he meet three requirements...<br /></span><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">They have to fit into the budget I set;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">We would take great care of them, first and foremost as pets; and</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">They would have to lay pretty eggs (I wanted blue, brown, etc.).</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;">We got the chickens and they each have their own name. We have "<b>Peck-a-rino</b>" and a rooster named "<b>Irma</b>" because it was born when Hurricane Irma came through. We still have chickens today and have fresh eggs every day! <br /><br />I usually sell our organic eggs to friends, family, and neighbors, but last Spring, as we all went into quarantine, I told my neighbors I would gift our eggs to the neighborhood for as long as I could. In the end, I gifted more than <b>123 dozen eggs</b> during the first four months of the pandemic. That eggs were also in short supply at the grocery stores made it all the easier to choose to gift the eggs and it was something my family could do for others during a difficult time.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhZV67gKka3kVBTJGq7EyrsKveDZv8-Rv2EYGeoS6bymC8GTRhBz21ep_eMAmmA1jPNbC3vLCEYTeisW2U9eJMjHsVJDyFDHOS9GxI2NsnsGG4ceSZc1MZ6qmsQ8m6CTikxD0RYgOcDo/s766/03_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer-21_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhZV67gKka3kVBTJGq7EyrsKveDZv8-Rv2EYGeoS6bymC8GTRhBz21ep_eMAmmA1jPNbC3vLCEYTeisW2U9eJMjHsVJDyFDHOS9GxI2NsnsGG4ceSZc1MZ6qmsQ8m6CTikxD0RYgOcDo/s16000/03_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer-21_510pxW.jpg" title="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Okay, the reason we're all here...tell us about the cottage!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Marykay</b>: If we start at the very beginning, although my house was built in the mid-1950’s, based on architectural clues, we think the cottage was built in the 1940s. When I was in the market to buy a home, <a href="https://www.atlantaintowndwellings.com/our-team/cherie-king/" target="_blank"><b>Cherie King</b></a>, of <a href="https://www.atlantaintowndwellings.com/" target="_blank">Atlanta Intown Dwellings</a>, took me to this property. It was a 50s brick ranch, the front yard was nondescript, and there was not a lot of curb appeal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Already in my mind I knew I wanted a more cottage-like home and suggested we skip this one and move on to the next house. Instead, Cherie put her hand on my knee, and said, "<i>Marykay, these people have left their home so you can look at it. Get your ass out of the car and let's go</i>." So I laughed and got out of the car! I kid you not, two steps into the kitchen of the main house, I knew it was "home"...it had everything we needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Cherie then said, "<i>Let's go see the rest of it!</i>" Mind you, I had NO idea there was anything other than the main house. As we toured the acre and a half that comprises our urban farm, I saw the cottage, a workshop, several outbuildings, and a large field that was a part of the original dairy farm long ago. My grandparents had a dairy farm in Ohio so it seemed a really amazing symmetry moment! I was very excited, thinking “<i>How many people have an opportunity to live on a legacy farm?</i>”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">In no time, I crunched some numbers and bought it! That was 16 years ago! I actually have stayed in touch with the former owners' children. The oldest son came and stayed in the cottage a couple years ago and before he left, I shared some starts and plants from my garden that his parents had planted. So part of my garden is now in his garden in Tennessee. With tears in my eyes, he said, "<i>This means so much to me</i>." There is something really beautiful about the gifting and sharing of plants with others. It adds to the story of a garden and keeps the legacy living, so to speak.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">When his family lived here, his grandmother lived in the cottage until she moved to a retirement community. At that time, the prior owner turned it into a long-term rental. When I bought the house and moved in, the same renter had been in the cottage for 15 years! When I bought the house I was more than happy to let her stay and she stayed another five years until she decided to buy her own home. After that, I had two more long-term renters and when it was empty again, I thought I would turn it into a writer’s retreat for myself so I started fixing it up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Remember, I loved playing with my dollhouse as a kid, so this was a FUN project! I then reconsidered because my kids were growing and I would soon be an empty nester, so I started thinking about other uses for the cottage. I knew I didn’t want it to be a long-term rental again. About that time Airbnb was becoming a "thing" so I gave it a try. Now in our fifth year, the <a href="https://decaturalpacacottage.com/" target="_blank"><b>Decatur Alpaca Cottage</b></a> is one of the top wish-listed Airbnb’s in the South!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm currently considering a second a "tiny home" Airbnb for my urban farm. Depending on how the rest of the year goes, it may be a really fun project for 2022!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghODef_KnjsfspuoEXtN_0R38FXPoCKfZY8kdCfbERZuFkUf2Ou6YdNSgBGz_EDGDSJ0O9XsAeIfJn3LsHabV0c8PciJexzyCYcldf3OuCo3hC7420HOsWemc3RelXyh2S-iZ97VDO96k/s510/04_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer-6_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghODef_KnjsfspuoEXtN_0R38FXPoCKfZY8kdCfbERZuFkUf2Ou6YdNSgBGz_EDGDSJ0O9XsAeIfJn3LsHabV0c8PciJexzyCYcldf3OuCo3hC7420HOsWemc3RelXyh2S-iZ97VDO96k/s16000/04_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer-6_510pxW.jpg" title="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: When is Decatur Alpaca Cottage available for bookings?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Marykay</b>: We are open year-round. Weekends definitely fill up first throughout the year. Weekends tend to book 4 to 8 weeks in advance. I also recommend booking further in advance if there is a specific weekend guests want. Weekdays are typically easier to book with less notice and also have a lower rate than weekends. The <a href="https://decaturalpacacottage.com/" target="_blank"><b>Decatur Alpaca Cottage</b></a> has a a two-night minimum and our pricing varies, like hotels, based on season, events, and day of the week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">During the COVID-19 pandemic, I closed voluntarily for 3 months and, before we reopened, I expanded our already-robust cleaning approach with an even more rigorous cleaning and social distancing protocol to ensure our guests’ and my family’s safety. I've known my cleaning team for 25 years and that’s really helpful to know that the protocol I’ve laid out will be adhered to every single time. I have an incredible team of helpers who help me keep up with the demands of running a side business and keeping up with our urban farm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">When I made the tough decision to close the cottage in the first months of the pandemic, I continued paying my team. Their loyalty and diligence are important to me and I didn’t want to create a hardship for them if I could possibly avoid it. Not only were they appreciative, but it further solidified the long-standing relationships we have in partnership to make the cottage an amazing experience for my guests! In my opinion, kindness is rarely a mistake and, although it was a terrible situation, the pandemic created lots of opportunities for kindness, in big and small ways.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Before COVID, 60% of our guests were locals. Our farthest guest came all the way from Singapore! Since the pandemic, 90% of our guests have been locals. I expect that this ratio will fluctuate a bit as travel restrictions ease, but it is wonderful to have a safe haven to offer Atlantans and surrounding communities during this time!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We only do <b><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/plus/15936463?source_impression_id=p3_1616785491_kBfanJhHCvQPz%2FTM&guests=1&adults=1" target="_blank">bookings</a> </b>on Airbnb. There are two parking spaces next to the cottage and it sleeps four in a cozy 600 square feet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We're also available for weddings, birthday parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and other special events on a limited basis. During the pandemic, however, we are only hosting micro-events with no more than 15 guests. Although we've hosted events with up to 50 guests, the niche for our venue is smaller, more intimate events. The brand is about beauty and peace and intimate gatherings are more in alignment with that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">From time to time, I get requests to host pets. As much as I love animals (and I do!) we are unable to host fur babies. Alpacas see strange dogs as predators and it’s just not worth the stress on the herd. Our guests are very understanding and respectful about the need to prioritize the health of the herd and I appreciate that!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMbUMZ-94JX7ZtwuyC2U0JBKHO9r_c0uQo8ggPD6fniKDm3xCgjqT7dTaLxPU303ZdLrXW0c6pHHed3O6_p051Ajlpx2MQcBHh7wfdi4uDIHsYEH1f3cRsabgPVmsdEtcn_500ELxQ6E/s510/05_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMbUMZ-94JX7ZtwuyC2U0JBKHO9r_c0uQo8ggPD6fniKDm3xCgjqT7dTaLxPU303ZdLrXW0c6pHHed3O6_p051Ajlpx2MQcBHh7wfdi4uDIHsYEH1f3cRsabgPVmsdEtcn_500ELxQ6E/s16000/05_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer_510pxW.jpg" title="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b></i>: What are the most common questions you receive?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Marykay</b>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Over the years there
have been many questions, a few bizarre, but all respectful. The most
frequently asked questions are:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><b>#1</b> Don't they (alpaca)
spit? </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;">Answer: Yes, they do, but there’s always a reason when this happens. It's not a random occurrence. Usually, there's competition involved. It's usually to do with food, breeding, or space, or neglect. I've only been spit on once, on purpose, and I totally deserved it. I was being somewhat clumsy with one of the monthly injections the herd gets and Loverboy (one of our alpacas) let me have it. Rest assured that spitting on people is the exception, not the rule. If you hear a warning gurgle, they might be getting ready to spit, but it's probably at each other.</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>#2</b> What's the difference
between an alpaca and llama?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;">Answer: They're cousins and they get along well. There is a pecking order in a herd, always an Alpha of the herd. Both are Camelids, the same family as camels. Llamas tend to be more independent and have longer banana-shaped ears, and alpaca have short ears. All need to be in a herd of at least 3 and preferably 5 alpacas/llamas to be healthy and safe. No matter how cute it is, solo alpacas living with a family are not healthy and are apt to have behavior issues down the road. I’m a big advocate of responsible alpaca/llama ownership and pretty cut and dry about this aspect of alpacas, particularly as alpacas and llamas have become more popular. <br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43uc-8gw8Ro79GXP8cKgMw2bzL7b9lQcVLNEfKf4O3L5LhNvTyRY99nMaFk77RSRMs1MCsy1Lv6vreolmDYF0QtQ1TexfdqRUrq4gfLLEdWGbpsU2KMIH96rSLvghyphenhyphenN3XCmKx39ft7cc/s510/06_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer-27_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43uc-8gw8Ro79GXP8cKgMw2bzL7b9lQcVLNEfKf4O3L5LhNvTyRY99nMaFk77RSRMs1MCsy1Lv6vreolmDYF0QtQ1TexfdqRUrq4gfLLEdWGbpsU2KMIH96rSLvghyphenhyphenN3XCmKx39ft7cc/s16000/06_2985+Lavista+ct_low+res_V2_Metzer-27_510pxW.jpg" title="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: This is how sweet Marykay is...she added my new book, "<a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank"><i>111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss</i></a>" — some of the places are in Decatur and DeKalb County — to the small collection of books in the cottage for guests to enjoy and the response has been excellent! Thank you, Marykay!<br /><br /><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: What can guests expect upon arrival at Decatur Alpaca Cottage?<br /><br /><b>Marykay</b>: I host from a place of generosity. I truly enjoy going the extra mile and our guest reviews reflect this. Upon arrival guests are treated to a bottle of wine and special, custom cookies from a local bakery (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cookiesbykacie" target="_blank">Cookies by Kacie</a>). One of my favorite special touches is a piece of art that I commissioned with <a href="https://tinydoorsatl.com/" target="_blank"><b>Tiny Doors ATL</b></a>. It is a copy of the cottage door in miniature and is absolutely adorable. It’s a wonderful feature next to the front door of the cottage. <br /><br />The cottage is just a few steps away from the field gate. I'm meticulous about keeping the field clean to ensure the health of the animals and manage any odor. That said, alpacas are incredibly clean so it is very manageable. Many guest have commented that there's no odor and it’s important to me that they notice that! Guests can interact with herd from outside the field gate any time during their visit. I also give guests a bag of carrots with an instructional note of how to feed them. Our guests LOVE treating the herd with carrots and the herd loves it as well (of course!). After the pandemic, we hope to start up a "Meet & Greet" with the alpacas again, but won’t be able to offer those for the foreseeable future. <br /><br />We are an ideal option for a staycation. We're near downtown Decatur and we're close to Atlanta, but far enough away to enjoy a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.</span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"># # #</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYKia7Wtqiaf204SpOdhU2ypCi8DKCe07sEWbFsScSW1sngaE4xaIc-iGGkRaOdPNJd2mUJWNeBdWfv2oMO_uULlrAevJQsC10qLSAAMf3i8aqxqxBhzS5jlXlhndAK6z5wV0p-FlJIY/s510/cottage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYKia7Wtqiaf204SpOdhU2ypCi8DKCe07sEWbFsScSW1sngaE4xaIc-iGGkRaOdPNJd2mUJWNeBdWfv2oMO_uULlrAevJQsC10qLSAAMf3i8aqxqxBhzS5jlXlhndAK6z5wV0p-FlJIY/s16000/cottage.jpg" title="Decatur Alpaca Cottage" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Doesn't <b><a href="https://decaturalpacacottage.com/" target="_blank">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</a></b> sounds like a marvelous getaway? Be sure to follow Decatur Alpaca Cottage on their social media channels: <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/decatur_alpaca_cottage/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DecaturAlpacaCottage/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b>, <b><a href="https://twitter.com/alpacaDecatur" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNdZeeBB-VXwoaW6WDtc9EQ" target="_blank">YouTube</a></b>. And Marykay has a newsletter, too!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A big <b><i>"Thank you!"</i></b> to Marykay for the interview and for giving Metro Atlanta a delightfully unique experience!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">(NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of </span><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><a href="https://decaturalpacacottage.com/" target="_blank">Decatur Alpaca Cottage</a></b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">.)</span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com1Decatur, GA 30030, USA33.7748275 -84.29631235.4645936638211552 -119.4525623 62.085061336178846 -49.1400623tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-60839418125476271252021-03-10T09:18:00.002-05:002021-03-10T09:18:44.974-05:00Daffodil Days at Oakland<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happening now at <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com" target="_blank">Historic Oakland Cemetery</a></b>, <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/event/daffdays/" target="_blank">Daffodil Days</a></b> is absolutely beautiful and it's a vibrant signal that spring is well on its way to Atlanta!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfIAt272sYlLLrr7tiZwffUDx97NZooqWEA8O5oU9fWxi0oTtslk34wULaqirxj7VEHtHa-H-zcA7O0PnNax-XPexYi6obsQkrC-WKW-Z99fSWVUB9ZhKdbIb1ftRv-yQL6eT6K70GDA/s665/Daffodils_Oakland_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfIAt272sYlLLrr7tiZwffUDx97NZooqWEA8O5oU9fWxi0oTtslk34wULaqirxj7VEHtHa-H-zcA7O0PnNax-XPexYi6obsQkrC-WKW-Z99fSWVUB9ZhKdbIb1ftRv-yQL6eT6K70GDA/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This year's <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/event/daffdays/" target="_blank">Daffodil Days</a></b> runs from February 20 to March 15, but don't worry if you don't make it by the 15th. There are still a number of daffodils in bloom and yet-to-bloom, so you have a little extra time, but not much. Don't wait too long and totally miss this celebration of the daffodil.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When you enter the main gate, look for a sign that has a <b>QR Code to a map</b> that shows the largest concentrations of daffodils. Some smartphone cameras are automatically QR Code readers, but if you have to download one you can do so for free. The <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/oakland/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Daffodil-Days-Map-2021-1.pdf" target="_blank">map</a></b> is also available on Oakland's <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/oakland/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Daffodil-Days-Map-2021-1.pdf" target="_blank">website</a></b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Oakland is 48-acres, but a map isn't absolutely necessary, unless you're here to see the daffodils and only the daffodils. My visits to Oakland are never for just one thing. Personally, I love exploring for <b>fascinating architecture</b>, <b>interesting grave-marker designs</b>, and read the <b>epitaphs</b> which are sometimes humorous...on purpose. I love reading the <b>names</b>, too. And let's certainly not forget the gorgeous <b>stained-glass windows</b> in some of the mausoleums. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom7NzrC6c5ObHRKyn0vasmMT1s87kbffRxQfqtmHOZbPH82usK8dDPS2hwxDh-YCsGmrZ9QhyphenhyphenzvbUQj_Pv4oRp974gQt_DpD_ADDg8tHvVMwJYdSAFt-yEe6TywibHvAPyA1nSgoTCv4/s765/Daffodils_Oakland_002_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom7NzrC6c5ObHRKyn0vasmMT1s87kbffRxQfqtmHOZbPH82usK8dDPS2hwxDh-YCsGmrZ9QhyphenhyphenzvbUQj_Pv4oRp974gQt_DpD_ADDg8tHvVMwJYdSAFt-yEe6TywibHvAPyA1nSgoTCv4/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_002_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you can, and you're wanting make photographs, come by during the <b><a href="https://expertphotography.com/what-is-golden-hour-photography/" target="_blank">Golden Hour</a></b>, which is about <b><a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/atlanta" target="_blank">an hour before sunset</a></b> (or an hour before sunrise). I find this <i>time and date</i> <b><a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/atlanta" target="_blank">website</a></b> an accurate resource. If you're seeking out that fabulous Golden Hour light, you might want to plan multiple trips...this particular light, as beautiful as it is, is fleeting.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g9ULVvRDm3IYSPeROeL4HrL-u0ZKDhzUuhlx2HM8KGKsJP-q9KbjxcnALtTpvRKTBgu0ARfYgiwojnA_1kZMG2n7p5l14Ag_g9LEqgf6O8KCIXPy0fMzBRjmTAlK-Z9CItBn7rmX8N4/s746/Daffodils_Oakland_003_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g9ULVvRDm3IYSPeROeL4HrL-u0ZKDhzUuhlx2HM8KGKsJP-q9KbjxcnALtTpvRKTBgu0ARfYgiwojnA_1kZMG2n7p5l14Ag_g9LEqgf6O8KCIXPy0fMzBRjmTAlK-Z9CItBn7rmX8N4/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_003_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are approximately <b>70 varieties of daffodils</b> planted here! Look for as many as you can possibly find. They come in a variety of whites, oranges, and yellows, not to mention the vast array of shapes they proudly show off.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErwwuRKK85jFTw43wT-T_BOmENiAI2DeSvBLE7QCPIAlFyJ-MtA8VYXEyau9fLWGW_TqFAM-3wOiy7qjez2NCdS8NmurygY4jVKAq2eZgDbCgKFQKaKtaLvueSXjnqdOUb5UceDegZ5o/s651/Daffodils_Oakland_004_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErwwuRKK85jFTw43wT-T_BOmENiAI2DeSvBLE7QCPIAlFyJ-MtA8VYXEyau9fLWGW_TqFAM-3wOiy7qjez2NCdS8NmurygY4jVKAq2eZgDbCgKFQKaKtaLvueSXjnqdOUb5UceDegZ5o/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Not only is Oakland historic, so are many of its daffodils. Look on the <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/oakland/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Daffodil-Days-Map-2021-1.pdf" target="_blank">map</a></b> I mentioned earlier. Daffodil blooms mark where you'll find <b>signage</b> that shares the some of the history behind some of Oakland's beautiful yellow and white daffodils. You've heard of rescue dogs and rescue cats. Well, Oakland has rescue daffodils!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ya062y7-qQfwO9-LparU2Fr088HlauXYGr0o7frqJxtWVvU1nQNvF-zBRMe7g3e4FbNnF3-jFTRdN1Ga_XmtpAgo7Naj07YFXX_9AFqrinp1pr07c_vRZV_D89stqRgguImkMh0MELQ/s702/Daffodils_Oakland_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ya062y7-qQfwO9-LparU2Fr088HlauXYGr0o7frqJxtWVvU1nQNvF-zBRMe7g3e4FbNnF3-jFTRdN1Ga_XmtpAgo7Naj07YFXX_9AFqrinp1pr07c_vRZV_D89stqRgguImkMh0MELQ/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Be sure to check out the Cemetery's <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/blog/" target="_blank">blog</a></b> where you'll learn more about daffodils as well as an incredibly wide array of topics relative Oakland. It's truly fascinating!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvLevD7Rb4lqhp04PB1IPzb3qIFruqxYTejyxaBwouKIYTEOmnOZPgCdxL4VQuxrVkP7edTS5WjUxaVzzUciAtpznPVtljnKVR17Z78WBRyYO26YVnIksCmh9TPdvCZOvYAlBao18Ghw/s679/Daffodils_Oakland_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvLevD7Rb4lqhp04PB1IPzb3qIFruqxYTejyxaBwouKIYTEOmnOZPgCdxL4VQuxrVkP7edTS5WjUxaVzzUciAtpznPVtljnKVR17Z78WBRyYO26YVnIksCmh9TPdvCZOvYAlBao18Ghw/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you know that Historic Oakland Cemetery is one of the few historic cemeteries that has a <b><a href="https://www.oaklandcemeterystore.com/" target="_blank">giftshop</a></b> (currently open only online). It's in the <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/visitor-center-and-museum-shop/" target="_blank">Bell Tower</a></b> which also serves as the Welcome Center for cemetery visitors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't let that weird you out. In fact, cemeteries were basically <b>the first public parks</b> in the United States. While today we have many beautiful parks across Atlanta, Oakland has continued to be a place of gathering, many of its events being fundraisers that bring in funds to help care for and restore the cemetery grounds, and many of the events are also educational.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X1ThNfbudQhqPQtx3ueRjAAy7oya29KW1DHfXAgqeb7BB2uhhr4sZOKIR5U1wrGk7OI_4QQzkgDW4Be2DowBw4radvybYYTitRwwxqek0Oh3hg0tAdehfg_pt5NxrR-xV2Xewd3BMmc/s718/Daffodils_Oakland_007_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X1ThNfbudQhqPQtx3ueRjAAy7oya29KW1DHfXAgqeb7BB2uhhr4sZOKIR5U1wrGk7OI_4QQzkgDW4Be2DowBw4radvybYYTitRwwxqek0Oh3hg0tAdehfg_pt5NxrR-xV2Xewd3BMmc/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you'd like to do a little celebrity-spotting while you're here, check out the <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/famous-residents/" target="_blank">Famous Residents</a></b> page on Oakland's website. There are dozens of former <b>Atlanta Mayors</b>, former <b>governors</b>, <b>civic leaders</b>, famous golfer <b>Bobby Jones</b>, and <i>Gone With the Wind</i> author <b>Margaret Mitchell</b>, to name a few.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyD5FUOrMv2yPLTJyVBQDk4zo90QX-tysHWLfOP-_Lm9RDpTt8_7hHMEpTF_lv2lupfd_BkWhs00khZMclSNIK_a5NY02o0KIhiWZOriSlvyCVxmAj62dMBuwPXqKawmJRc2KxgreiOBQ/s630/Daffodils_Oakland_008_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyD5FUOrMv2yPLTJyVBQDk4zo90QX-tysHWLfOP-_Lm9RDpTt8_7hHMEpTF_lv2lupfd_BkWhs00khZMclSNIK_a5NY02o0KIhiWZOriSlvyCVxmAj62dMBuwPXqKawmJRc2KxgreiOBQ/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_008_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's a lot more in bloom here than just daffodils, including other <b>bulbs</b>, other <b>flowers</b>, and <b>flowering plants and trees</b>! Of practically every color! It's truly a beautiful time to visit Oakland. I'll include more of the other flowers in bloom on the <i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i> Facebook Page.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCnSN63rSKOxgv5n7ptKb6rmt3HuiErkt8jTogASIHoJvReesM8o2Jbxtfid5dQQgdS2QZk3FLuuMIpnH5Crc9hJGBngga9zzvCrXds2-YRVwh8HamaIpRu19eMId36z2uE8wOYdvBVc/s710/Daffodils_Oakland_009_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCnSN63rSKOxgv5n7ptKb6rmt3HuiErkt8jTogASIHoJvReesM8o2Jbxtfid5dQQgdS2QZk3FLuuMIpnH5Crc9hJGBngga9zzvCrXds2-YRVwh8HamaIpRu19eMId36z2uE8wOYdvBVc/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_009_510pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are <b>benches</b> on some of the gravesites for families of the deceased to use when visiting, but there are additional ones on pathways and gardens for general public use, including this one gifted to Oakland by the <b><a href="http://piedmontgardenclubatl.clubhosting.org/" target="_blank">Piedmont Garden Club</a></b>, which was founded in 1931...90 years ago!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You'll see a lot of <b><a href="https://www.almanac.com/plant/rosemary" target="_blank">rosemary</a></b> throughout the garden, also in bloom right now. While many of us use rosemary in our cooking, it's also a <b>symbol of remembrance</b>, thus the reason you'll see it in so many cemeteries.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrl7pL6ceD2gQYnrcpWQY7bn8iDEPmZZRwgkYn_SYVB2mzEOtSsN55-j-dKpPRu1EK4okeU6pr31wVQ_Zv_ZWQ7sBTavOIsvBiIFnzX0mjR4V1gyonq3j0mNpLEcRntS3q0rKkmIz8VvE/s793/Daffodils_Oakland_052_010pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrl7pL6ceD2gQYnrcpWQY7bn8iDEPmZZRwgkYn_SYVB2mzEOtSsN55-j-dKpPRu1EK4okeU6pr31wVQ_Zv_ZWQ7sBTavOIsvBiIFnzX0mjR4V1gyonq3j0mNpLEcRntS3q0rKkmIz8VvE/s16000/Daffodils_Oakland_052_010pxW.jpg" title="Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you'd like to learn more about the harbingers of spring, the beautiful <b>daffodil</b>, please visit the <b><a href="https://georgiadaffodilsociety.com/" target="_blank">Georgia Daffodil Society</a></b>'s website. Founded in 1954, this is an excellent daffodil resource for our growing region.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Make your way to <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com" target="_blank">Historic Oakland Cemetery</a></b> soon so you don't miss this year's <b><a href="https://oaklandcemetery.com/event/daffdays/" target="_blank">Daffodil Days</a></b>. As always, this event is self-guided and free, as is (limited) nearby parking. See you there!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com1248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA33.748727 -84.37312125.4384931638211569 -119.5293712 62.058960836178848 -49.2168712tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-83257132718935117102021-03-07T13:54:00.002-05:002021-03-07T14:01:46.006-05:00Hero Doughnuts & Buns<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, yes, I ate all the individual doughnuts in this post. No, no, it was not in a single sitting, but it easily could have been … they're delicious! #Yum #Yum #Yum #Nom #Nom #Nom </span><span style="font-family: arial;">You can tell I don't do selfies all that often … you can't even see my eye through the doughnut hole! But that's alright because this post is about <b>deliciousness</b>, a <b>huge patio</b>, and <b>excellent service</b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The new <b><a href="https://www.herodoughnutsandbuns.com/" target="_blank">Hero Doughnuts & Buns</a></b> on Georgia Avenue in Summerhill is outstanding! And it's a lot more than just a doughnut shop.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStNCJZRf-D7RVDSdyx__FPBjANv2k5jYqo3mE7yO3dSPiRXfIm9JggK_j3C18mUQb090Foi_klCgbkPm1aU19Lt1I8u8n6GomK5rjMXmR_o2ryq2xGGCFVnOjxIkpBn2N2-BkY0is__Y/s680/Hero_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Travis at Hero Doughnuts & Buns | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStNCJZRf-D7RVDSdyx__FPBjANv2k5jYqo3mE7yO3dSPiRXfIm9JggK_j3C18mUQb090Foi_klCgbkPm1aU19Lt1I8u8n6GomK5rjMXmR_o2ryq2xGGCFVnOjxIkpBn2N2-BkY0is__Y/s16000/Hero_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Travis at Hero Doughnuts & Buns | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Travis at Hero Doughnuts & Buns | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Pictured above is their <b>Cereal Milk</b> doughnut—absolutely delicious! It's reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons and lifting your cereal bowl to drink in the cereal flavored milk, not wanting to miss out on every sweet drop. I think on my next visit I'll try the <b>Strawberry</b> doughnut and the <b>Pistachio</b> doughnut. Their mouthwatering selections are quite varied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns is located at 33 Georgia Avenue SE, in the <b>Summerhill</b> neighborhood where the 1996 Olympic Games were hosted, and it's serving doughnuts, sandwiches, burgers, custard, and more in their 1,872-square-foot space with an awesome <b>1,664-square-foot patio</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Nick Pihakis</b>, co-founder of Jim N’ Nick’s Bar-B-Q, <b>Wil Drake</b>, and <b>Jeremy and Tammy Chambers</b>, the Atlanta operators of the Alabama-based Hero chain, are the business partners behind bringing Hot Dog Pete’s and Hero Doughnuts to Atlanta.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEDUVzKSxnoh58pKct7gl1MkWdJN8IP9Auyzh8B3KkR3twyfak5wvmNjMmHkkelPl1YdxN0ORyvP1JJF-N-U_GKjaTIxNKu95mV9Pf0pXv91OOhdQ1Op_hb_9AByfX3ueGoC2-NIFz1k/s654/Hero_002_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEDUVzKSxnoh58pKct7gl1MkWdJN8IP9Auyzh8B3KkR3twyfak5wvmNjMmHkkelPl1YdxN0ORyvP1JJF-N-U_GKjaTIxNKu95mV9Pf0pXv91OOhdQ1Op_hb_9AByfX3ueGoC2-NIFz1k/s16000/Hero_002_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Spring is upon us and we Atlantans love a great <b>patio</b>, and I think you're going to love this one. It's shared with neighbor and sister restaurant <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2021/01/hot-dog-petes.html" target="_blank">Hot Dog Pete's</a></b>, which I visited for the first time in January. The restaurant group that owns these two knows what it's doing!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The two-tier all-weather patio has an open area with umbrellas and a covered area, both of which offer some views of Atlanta's downtown skyline, including the sparkling gold dome of the Georgia Capitol Building and the 1996 Olympic Cauldron. Georgia Avenue has become quite the bustling place with more and more businesses opening all the time. In fact, renderings of some of the plans for <b><a href="https://summerhillatl.com/" target="_blank">Summerhill</a></b> depict exactly what you'd expect in a <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvQ1-CfcpcU" target="_blank">futuristic, international metropolis</a></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-oZ5MxickEfThDDWhAWeo43HatoVn2ju7MdpJtFPZkdnp8_sXhyphenhyphen4mVudBn_tXu1SbQ29e7kwYtxv97-ScgKH15COH2nHkVsxGFe749xAvoDynvDCAcQqSPnFObDOBU_swLpXto51GhQ/s680/Hero_003_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-oZ5MxickEfThDDWhAWeo43HatoVn2ju7MdpJtFPZkdnp8_sXhyphenhyphen4mVudBn_tXu1SbQ29e7kwYtxv97-ScgKH15COH2nHkVsxGFe749xAvoDynvDCAcQqSPnFObDOBU_swLpXto51GhQ/s16000/Hero_003_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Fresh is the order of the day here … every day! Hero's doughnuts are made in-house, including the creamy filling in their <b>Boston Cream</b> doughnut, pictured above just before it met my belly. Both of my visits were later in the day, but the doughnuts were still fresh. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm generally a giving person, but I'm not going to share my doughnuts with just anyone. Doughnuts are <b>the treat of all treats</b>! If it has chocolate on or in it, all the better. Just kidding, sort of. I'd share of course, especially when they're this good … it'd just be wrong to keep this kind of taste sensation to ones self.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rTIsr1EMSXy4jyO0FzDbIpI3DvbfZA4ogTmaJLWoyZBcZCbqh_iuMoH8yqKu9Me4BFcdc3pP3TDY-6CYG_CxSm2btcuhugGtcTldDAtbuH7lLBeE1Gbs3XcM1lfs4shJKQ-4ClJQLVY/s680/Hero_004_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rTIsr1EMSXy4jyO0FzDbIpI3DvbfZA4ogTmaJLWoyZBcZCbqh_iuMoH8yqKu9Me4BFcdc3pP3TDY-6CYG_CxSm2btcuhugGtcTldDAtbuH7lLBeE1Gbs3XcM1lfs4shJKQ-4ClJQLVY/s16000/Hero_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Okay, it's not <i>brand</i> new, but this was my first (and second) time there. After reading about its imminent opening for months, it lives up to every expectation I had and then some!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The menu, as the shop's name suggests, includes buns, aka burgers! And a lot more...part of their mission is to bring joy. It's "<i>a restaurant that continues to evolve with fun, satisfying sandwiches, salads and treats</i>."</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-83eH4uodvwynar8NA7c5SNMcal00d8ql7zjE1btvbIfUnoyGI9XfXRQfqa31TabhfmflFZTLhAY-tdqr4OJbYJ58_r2t5fVAcIwrX1X2JqczBoFmDnTE8gcZoaYxv8jtZFmZAzq7fo/s603/Hero_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-83eH4uodvwynar8NA7c5SNMcal00d8ql7zjE1btvbIfUnoyGI9XfXRQfqa31TabhfmflFZTLhAY-tdqr4OJbYJ58_r2t5fVAcIwrX1X2JqczBoFmDnTE8gcZoaYxv8jtZFmZAzq7fo/s16000/Hero_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was a doughnut fan long before </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.fox.com/the-simpsons/" target="_blank">Homer Simpson</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> came onto the scene, but after the iconic </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://randysdonuts.com/" target="_blank">Randy's Donuts</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> became internationally famous. I should say inter-planetarily famous. Remember the extra-terrestrial visitor making "<i>the international sign of the doughnut</i>" in <b><i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116996/" target="_blank">Mars Attacks!</a></i></b>? So, am I a doughnut connoisseur? No, but I've probably had as many as have many doughnut connoisseurs. I wonder if one can actually become a certified doughnut connoisseur? I'll have to conduct more research, just in case.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">These doughnuts are totally a treat, so when I find one that's this good, it becomes my go-to. I still have a few more varieties to get through before I've sampled Hero's entire doughnut menu, but I'm totally excited about doing just that! </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5dIKe4C80Kv9t0RmBIabqhOwSLLkK-V4QiQNaz-V3N7LBv9UzyarfSuNLg4Q4zeyFDhLBpk8cvEeRK6k_YLNqF6Pj-HBCwGF2rd6VxJTbpcUe5jTqKB9hRlV3fQDi63n8CbTaKY5rI0/s573/Hero_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5dIKe4C80Kv9t0RmBIabqhOwSLLkK-V4QiQNaz-V3N7LBv9UzyarfSuNLg4Q4zeyFDhLBpk8cvEeRK6k_YLNqF6Pj-HBCwGF2rd6VxJTbpcUe5jTqKB9hRlV3fQDi63n8CbTaKY5rI0/s16000/Hero_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On this visit I enjoyed a fresh, hot cup of coffee. On my first visit I had a beer. Their beverage menu has something for everyone, from the soda fan to the libation lover.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kx1VzKpCNUIzLhKy0Uda2avVzhgL3NxIk6F_kb72NnGWMbZgn1t8hBvKzTh8MCFKmPRbW7YINd4OVd4RMeFs2ZdJdRuydadHG_D0kVrkjjqmlzbYeK2hKms75YKOuFCaR7TYneRmdp4/s510/Hero_007_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kx1VzKpCNUIzLhKy0Uda2avVzhgL3NxIk6F_kb72NnGWMbZgn1t8hBvKzTh8MCFKmPRbW7YINd4OVd4RMeFs2ZdJdRuydadHG_D0kVrkjjqmlzbYeK2hKms75YKOuFCaR7TYneRmdp4/s16000/Hero_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've seen some people call Summerhill a "new" neighborhood, while in fact it's one of Atlanta's oldest neighborhoods. “<i>Before World War II, Georgia Avenue was lined with grocery markets and restaurants, shoe repair shops and convenience stores, butchers and bakers and ice cream makers, even a movie theater</i>,” reported <b>Marni Davis</b> in <i><b><a href="https://atlanta.curbed.com/2019/6/27/18761209/gsu-historian-deep-dive-georgia-avenue-summerhill" target="_blank">Curbed</a></b></i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns is part of a <b>resurgence</b> of Summerhill, making it not only a strong community, but a destination, one that will be fun and delicious for all Atlantans and those who visit her.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDQETs1GgNkpAnFFnTnbZsz2SMQU-WIJ8nHg8Dy07jwu8bB8LoT5jNbrzdth5mT9EEWgCTu56wNTAb-oHLEG7yuVUUZiYUm1rHc0g7zxXbpdmAmBnjTQ2Nf4vshE4N7k4PaFmFgx3amg/s734/Hero_008_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDQETs1GgNkpAnFFnTnbZsz2SMQU-WIJ8nHg8Dy07jwu8bB8LoT5jNbrzdth5mT9EEWgCTu56wNTAb-oHLEG7yuVUUZiYUm1rHc0g7zxXbpdmAmBnjTQ2Nf4vshE4N7k4PaFmFgx3amg/s16000/Hero_008_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Merch! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hero Doughnuts' merchandise game is a fun one. From Hero <b>t-shirts</b> to Hero <b>beanies</b>, Hero <b>stickers</b> to Hero <b>coffee mugs</b>, their merch game is strong.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcyHICGQ1zV23wEtz_3KfhVx-NJhubJp-dhapbyqTGuBKatWrStCzCYHXcrKsMrKNhLYnK8x3ZW7iowtAghs6F1dyIueAZC4qq-fTnoBSVPrQZRik-5c0rSdssr-uoxbnFlC16wsGCWw/s517/Hero_009_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcyHICGQ1zV23wEtz_3KfhVx-NJhubJp-dhapbyqTGuBKatWrStCzCYHXcrKsMrKNhLYnK8x3ZW7iowtAghs6F1dyIueAZC4qq-fTnoBSVPrQZRik-5c0rSdssr-uoxbnFlC16wsGCWw/s16000/Hero_009_510pxW.jpg" title="Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hero Doughnuts & Buns, Summerhill | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The next time you're craving a sweet treat, head to <b><a href="https://www.herodoughnutsandbuns.com/" target="_blank">Hero Doughnuts & Buns</a></b> and enjoy one, or a few, of their delicious doughnuts, and try it for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, too!<br /><br /></span></p></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com033 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA33.7366222 -84.3867705999999915.4263883638211539 -119.54302059999999 62.046856036178845 -49.230520599999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-31257875406678074882021-01-25T16:17:00.000-05:002021-01-25T16:17:47.295-05:00INTERVIEW: Janet Montgomery - From My Big Eyes<p><span style="font-family: arial;">When you meet an Atlanta blogger, you can pretty much bet that you will hear some interesting stories. Keep in mind that not all bloggers are reporters, but all bloggers are indeed storytellers. And each blogger is passionate about their chosen niche. It's made for some fascinating reading since the cultural phenomenon of blogging first came about in the late 1990s.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Especially in the last 10 years, since I launched <i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i> in August 2010, I've had the great honor of meeting quite a few Atlanta bloggers, one of those being <b><a href="https://www.frommybigeyes.com/about-me/" target="_blank">Janet L. Montgomery</a></b>, author of <b><i><a href="https://www.frommybigeyes.com/" target="_blank">From My Big Eyes</a></i></b>.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65LJG_YRkIkSxJPhYGBJZXv1kq3k-geZoZpScBLKdDE_gmcO6A7wfLA6mqvVteGbt9MRyyMfr_8Xsxc3SPkB9hstH7Fx9Cbwn544Ysh4pMt4_fdAc0LYDdpF2yvI-lZNHiG0b9aXEtDc/s639/Janet+-+Michelle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="From My Big Eyes | Janet's ensemble inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65LJG_YRkIkSxJPhYGBJZXv1kq3k-geZoZpScBLKdDE_gmcO6A7wfLA6mqvVteGbt9MRyyMfr_8Xsxc3SPkB9hstH7Fx9Cbwn544Ysh4pMt4_fdAc0LYDdpF2yvI-lZNHiG0b9aXEtDc/s16000/Janet+-+Michelle.jpg" title="From My Big Eyes | Janet's ensemble inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From My Big Eyes | Janet's ensemble inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I first met Janet when I worked for a company that was promoting private events at the <a href="https://www.foxtheatre.org/" target="_blank">Fox Theatre</a>. I hosted a group of bloggers for a behind-the-scenes tour and <b>Janet</b> was one of the guests, and a highly enthusiastic and engaging guest at that! We've followed each other on social media over the years and I'm happy to now share an interview that she so graciously granted me recently.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: Please tell us a little about you. Where are you from? What bought you to Atlanta? What’s your profession? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Janet</b>: I am from the small country town known as <b>Newville, Alabama</b>, which has a population of only about 500. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science I left historic <b><a href="https://www.tuskegee.edu/" target="_blank">Tuskegee University</a></b> and moved to Los Angeles for job opportunities. The Aerospace industry was booming in California and I wanted to experience and gain exposure to the big city life. I earned a Master of Management Info Systems (MMIS) from <b><a href="https://westcoastuniversity.edu/" target="_blank">West Coast University</a></b> while there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My parents weren’t big fans of flying to California to visit me. After 10 years, I decided I wanted to be closer to my family, so I headed back South, to Atlanta, Georgia. Professionally, I'm an IT certified Project Manager with more than 30 years of IT experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre;">I'm also a f</span>reelance writer. My first nationally distributed published article was in <i><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/upscalemagazine/" target="_blank">Upscale Magazine</a></b></i>. <i>“The Godfather Quincy Jones: The Life and Legacy of a Music Giant"</i>. I'm also a content creator, working with campaign managers to promote various Georgia brands and businesses. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCn58jZsTDZPNPkZBKi0o21mY8SFOaI8eXAq0JQhOKfvrEoXqzgAZsS-wH1lKlj1K2DpcQmOCt2DePdv9mbOtg7L8ykm7SjCMjJE2ZPxSrPZ-TIwbDwzmTzLVWq4SXEFKOebkccJe_Ko/s676/Janet+at+Tuskeegee+-+510pxW.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet attending an Atlanta Tuskegee University Alumni scholarship event" border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCn58jZsTDZPNPkZBKi0o21mY8SFOaI8eXAq0JQhOKfvrEoXqzgAZsS-wH1lKlj1K2DpcQmOCt2DePdv9mbOtg7L8ykm7SjCMjJE2ZPxSrPZ-TIwbDwzmTzLVWq4SXEFKOebkccJe_Ko/s16000/Janet+at+Tuskeegee+-+510pxW.png" title="Janet attending an Atlanta Tuskegee University Alumni scholarship event" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet attending an Atlanta Tuskegee University Alumni scholarship event</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Why did you start blogging?</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I needed a platform to share information and things that I wanted others to know about — to <b>inspire</b>, <b>inform</b>, and <b>influence</b>. Blogging is a passion. It started out as a hobby, but now, it’s turned into a small business used to help fund my son’s college educational needs. I am a single mother and he’s my WHY! </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoy7VXbETeLPkFbpcL9pHmm6jXLKiTzxLeHdqiwl0tpbARjXDFXx5KG_nPjE-Jeim7NjEkDFTmE4K2Ils338p_QlNWlRQITnWfdu283LvHjAf3kXckH-38qXNPoB7C6Ty4uy8sEOKbZU/s676/Janet+-+Aretha+-+510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet on the red carpet" border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoy7VXbETeLPkFbpcL9pHmm6jXLKiTzxLeHdqiwl0tpbARjXDFXx5KG_nPjE-Jeim7NjEkDFTmE4K2Ils338p_QlNWlRQITnWfdu283LvHjAf3kXckH-38qXNPoB7C6Ty4uy8sEOKbZU/s16000/Janet+-+Aretha+-+510pxW.jpg" title="Janet on the red carpet" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet on the red carpet</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Tell us about “<i>From My Big Eyes</i>”, please.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: I launched the blog on </span><span style="font-family: arial;">May 15, 2016. It was my birthday, so it's a date I can easily remember. It's a lifestyle blog with the tagline "<b><i>Sightings of People, Places, & Things</i></b>". You'll find posts about celebrities, places, products, home, money, fashion, beauty, travel, and entertainment! And even more! My website just underwent a redesign to include additional topics. Please let me know what you think!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVFKeOtg-UDTQw416Yrdc8ZnbHMGe-6M16JROr5EmM2M8_qpii1iFmd_8yP7q8gkTBNznsyO_EW0l9u0WDV1W91hXzoqHMbqlkf4597wF7j1FMxIWR37XZtWS33brzAWsxUCabpCmbsw/s767/Tony+and+Janet+-+510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet meets actor Tony Cox" border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVFKeOtg-UDTQw416Yrdc8ZnbHMGe-6M16JROr5EmM2M8_qpii1iFmd_8yP7q8gkTBNznsyO_EW0l9u0WDV1W91hXzoqHMbqlkf4597wF7j1FMxIWR37XZtWS33brzAWsxUCabpCmbsw/s16000/Tony+and+Janet+-+510pxW.jpg" title="Janet meets actor Tony Cox" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet meets actor Tony Cox</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Your logo is fabulous! Tell us about that? </span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">My logo was created from my own eyes — they're "my" eyes! I wanted something unique, different, and original. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I wanted something that could help people easily remember me and my brand. I worked with a graphic designer a</span><span style="font-family: arial;">nd that's where the blog gets its name, </span><i style="font-family: arial;">From My Big Eyes</i><span style="font-family: arial;">. I write from my perspective and about my life experiences. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF89n-NVbMQjXX53ghAmDPiF5g0LhR65pdbfvUCDqdl_JFpd5UdMos6fLNJBomxrghu6bv7B0AVMFwtAwld-QmnVCcvhy6UjI5-3B4gweg1GA_IvouabsMrbJ6H4iyNed-3WPyPv1TgVA/s510/LOGO+-+From+My+Big+Eyes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="From My Big Eyes | Logo" border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF89n-NVbMQjXX53ghAmDPiF5g0LhR65pdbfvUCDqdl_JFpd5UdMos6fLNJBomxrghu6bv7B0AVMFwtAwld-QmnVCcvhy6UjI5-3B4gweg1GA_IvouabsMrbJ6H4iyNed-3WPyPv1TgVA/s16000/LOGO+-+From+My+Big+Eyes.jpg" title="From My Big Eyes | Logo" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">What have been some of your favorite blogger experiences?</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Shortly after I started blogging, in 2016 I <b><a href="https://www.frommybigeyes.com/an-adventurous-trip-to-nyc-2016/" target="_blank">went to New York City</a></b> and was in the audience of <i><a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/" target="_blank"><b>Good Morning America</b></a></i> (GMA). Meeting <b><a href="https://www.biography.com/personality/robin-roberts" target="_blank">Robin Roberts</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.biography.com/athlete/michael-strahan" target="_blank">Michael Strahan</a></b>, and the <b>GMA team</b> was absolutely incredible. Experiencing all the behind the scenes was unforgettable. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG-0uTGbQyCCJhu0dS_HJwp8fOjE0gGbQX2XUCEPqnfzzOJeCM94o0QcX3hgbwMJW_GlRU42I2lWmC_PvZUgaXONyrUrhsbNKUO2fDRDVvlwMFg4ZD3FcNdvNyPhGMa11MxRaNplhHpU/s619/Janet+-+GMA+-+510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet on the set of Good Morning America" border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG-0uTGbQyCCJhu0dS_HJwp8fOjE0gGbQX2XUCEPqnfzzOJeCM94o0QcX3hgbwMJW_GlRU42I2lWmC_PvZUgaXONyrUrhsbNKUO2fDRDVvlwMFg4ZD3FcNdvNyPhGMa11MxRaNplhHpU/s16000/Janet+-+GMA+-+510pxW.jpg" title="Janet on the set of Good Morning America" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet on the set of <i>Good Morning America</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Janet</b>: Also, opportunities to attend amazing red carpet events in Atlanta and opportunities to meet and interview A-List celebrities, movie writers, producers from </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://tylerperry.com/" target="_blank">Tyler Perry</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, to iconic and legendary Civil Rights leader </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.biography.com/political-figure/john-lewis" target="_blank">John Lewis</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, Hollywood actor </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000242/" target="_blank">Mark Wahlberg</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, sports figures like </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shaq/" target="_blank">Shaquille O’Neal</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> and </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.michaelstrahan.com/" target="_blank">Michael Strahan</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, and R&B singer </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://theduperagency.wixsite.com/mskellyprice" target="_blank">Kelly Price</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, and so many more.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh07FlxYUp5ESuhhFOPOUuJJQkn8G_7jK9Wjnrw67NMNWxYAECbNFCSBZXDnCkzqBJDztKpaT8eZ_6Y4ClN8ZZTRtpwvYu0GyZGLb-yKceYXAhgXl_tnsaifNoeUX1IW0336d00nVoHA/s510/John+Lewis+-+Janet+-+510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet with Congressman John Lewis" border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh07FlxYUp5ESuhhFOPOUuJJQkn8G_7jK9Wjnrw67NMNWxYAECbNFCSBZXDnCkzqBJDztKpaT8eZ_6Y4ClN8ZZTRtpwvYu0GyZGLb-yKceYXAhgXl_tnsaifNoeUX1IW0336d00nVoHA/s16000/John+Lewis+-+Janet+-+510pxW.jpg" title="Janet with Congressman John Lewis" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet with Congressman John Lewis</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">You shared with me one of your bucket list items – to be an actress! Tell us about that experience.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I decided I wanted to work on the set of a television production here in Atlanta. It happened! I was an extra for two episodes of <i><b><a href="https://www.frommybigeyes.com/atlanta-blogger-big-eyes-makes-appearances-tv-show-saints-sinners/" target="_blank">Saints & Sinners</a></b></i> on Bounce TV and I a</span><span style="font-family: arial;">lso worked as an extra (</span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BttpzW6hXsV/" target="_blank">clip</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">) on the tv show </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>American Soul</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AizhZ0p3FfXVmU-_QgZG_llVaB2JI1cyUnXl-jQ3OvEY0ZF0JvixE9RaISnOxdQ4Y-nQDQz3xiAb8xmsQ3ZXbL8wY8J3PHmLPiTVtL86ZBQby-Cc1hnncVMYIX6lQ2Kk6cH-nEoYRkg/s680/Mark+Walhberg+-+Janet+-+510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet meets actor Mark Wahlberg" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AizhZ0p3FfXVmU-_QgZG_llVaB2JI1cyUnXl-jQ3OvEY0ZF0JvixE9RaISnOxdQ4Y-nQDQz3xiAb8xmsQ3ZXbL8wY8J3PHmLPiTVtL86ZBQby-Cc1hnncVMYIX6lQ2Kk6cH-nEoYRkg/s16000/Mark+Walhberg+-+Janet+-+510pxW.jpg" title="Janet meets actor Mark Wahlberg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet meets actor Mark Wahlberg</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s one person, place, or thing that Atlantans must not miss? </span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: <b><a href="https://www.sundialrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">The </a></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.sundialrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View</a></b>! The view is the perfect place to really capture 360° of Atlanta, and also the <b>Jackson Street Bridge</b> for Atlanta’s picturesque Skyline.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b>: Immediately after my book was published, "<b><i><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss</a></i></b>", Janet and I partnered on a giveaway of a copy of my book and one of her <b><a href="https://www.frommybigeyes.com/shop/" target="_blank">"<i>From My Big Eyes</i>" t-shirts</a></b>, which come in at least 26 colors!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmN_LcRPNzJCHd88fBvCn4-DqHE4TjTQw-z_T2YshBbZcjLVOWz3qpLZhUc7eZMVkkDMOL1U-l4cV9qfVEgrCKgohy5i-KR28ZOWKiyaVxCW_Xh6DMe7cxocGpZSIQnE9zmAJGnUYxCU/s623/Janet+and+111+Places+Atlanta_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet on Jackson Street Bridge | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmN_LcRPNzJCHd88fBvCn4-DqHE4TjTQw-z_T2YshBbZcjLVOWz3qpLZhUc7eZMVkkDMOL1U-l4cV9qfVEgrCKgohy5i-KR28ZOWKiyaVxCW_Xh6DMe7cxocGpZSIQnE9zmAJGnUYxCU/s16000/Janet+and+111+Places+Atlanta_510pxW.jpg" title="Janet on Jackson Street Bridge | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet on Jackson Street Bridge | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">What pearl of wisdom would you share with someone considering starting a blog? </span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Consistency is key, so show up everyday. Brand yourself.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_9GW08cvueROQRnaiwCzDsJpQWXMB2nPReAkm7pUD7SmfCksMk2GcEKqQ0vEwiCJVWwd0hi-J7li2w-_FlHpHrtbwtA9QAFhnqDssIMqutdsGQREa3DlKnbP0oHuSJkMWxL3Zo6JVHA/s674/Janet+-+Black+Panther+-+510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet on the red carpet" border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_9GW08cvueROQRnaiwCzDsJpQWXMB2nPReAkm7pUD7SmfCksMk2GcEKqQ0vEwiCJVWwd0hi-J7li2w-_FlHpHrtbwtA9QAFhnqDssIMqutdsGQREa3DlKnbP0oHuSJkMWxL3Zo6JVHA/s16000/Janet+-+Black+Panther+-+510pxW.jpg" title="Janet on the red carpet" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet on the red carpet</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">When you have spare time, what’s your favorite Atlanta tourist destination and why? </span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/" target="_blank">The National Center for Civil and Human Rights</a></b>. Such a great place filled with history that every American needs to visit just to see how far we have progressed and also to help understand how much work there is still to be done in terms of Civil Rights in America.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5v19o_AcKYxLe-jiY0FeECYlj9sGVE6vbs_O7QLpwc3uRXCt3vzc-w59oQ9Ga5VudYzGt0GMq9mNrFeYG6WrqgiCBU2ARjLvwp177mtvSvuCjGreQiprM0rP_wWGrlGNAQdqFTLLpG8/s799/Janet+-+BET+-+510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet on the red carpet" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5v19o_AcKYxLe-jiY0FeECYlj9sGVE6vbs_O7QLpwc3uRXCt3vzc-w59oQ9Ga5VudYzGt0GMq9mNrFeYG6WrqgiCBU2ARjLvwp177mtvSvuCjGreQiprM0rP_wWGrlGNAQdqFTLLpG8/s16000/Janet+-+BET+-+510pxW.jpg" title="Janet on the red carpet" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet on the red carpet</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">What’s something I’ve not asked that you would like to share? Something Atlantans don’t know about you.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Janet</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In my early twenties, I attended the <b>John Robert Powers Acting and Modeling School</b> in Pasadena, California. My dream was to become a fashion model one day. Now, I model outfits at home using my driveway as the runway for fun and to showcase fashionable styles.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp7jkX0uN2TGRjPMeo76WHL9uHjdU4CH7XlCL0dzTqlObeXoJRVQD0p0bmxxQ_zWyQRu8YAvOqzrpjrsMamPXLALEWb34FLfLIdbiGfQEJD6LQFzP3HWYKjqwYIkCT9hGlO5nEEbYBAg/s567/Janet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Janet Montgomery - From My Big Eyes" border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp7jkX0uN2TGRjPMeo76WHL9uHjdU4CH7XlCL0dzTqlObeXoJRVQD0p0bmxxQ_zWyQRu8YAvOqzrpjrsMamPXLALEWb34FLfLIdbiGfQEJD6LQFzP3HWYKjqwYIkCT9hGlO5nEEbYBAg/s16000/Janet.jpg" title="Janet Montgomery - From My Big Eyes" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janet Montgomery - From My Big Eyes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Janet Montgomery</b> has big eyes and big dreams. She treats life as an adventure, enjoying so much of what life has to offer, and then shares her experiences with us! Check out her blog, <b><i><a href="https://www.frommybigeyes.com/" target="_blank">From My Big Eyes</a></i></b>, and like and follow her social channels as her adventures continue...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com9Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.38798245.4387615638211528 -119.5442324 62.059229236178844 -49.2317324tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-77200936793964772432021-01-18T22:42:00.000-05:002021-01-18T22:42:06.313-05:00Hot Dog Pete's<p><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b>BEST hot dog in Atlanta</b> is at <b><a href="https://www.hotdogpetes.com/" target="_blank">Hot Dog Pete's</a></b> in the increasingly bustling <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/summerhill_atl/" target="_blank">Summerhill</a></b> neighborhood. This is not your childhood hot dog experience! Actually, I can't tell you the last time I had a hot dog that wasn't at a cookout or a baseball game, but that has officially changed for me. I'm now on a mission to make my way through Hot Dog Pete's <b><a href="https://www.hotdogpetes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/HDP-menu6-web.pdf" target="_blank">menu</a></b>, which means numerous returns to this awesome spot on Georgia Avenue, which boasts not only delicious dogs, it also offers beautiful views of Atlanta's downtown skyline.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtPgjx0yGUyLhGGhwqqPlLm5HfmfW_gQEP5Xuh6nino03U-TFWWRADvWY6qVTN1f_1W7CfpERpVYthmDuYUv670vOyR205NH6WBYV9T6_AqDmxxxCVuQUaS-LkGNop9UlJsqcFcAKDh0/s595/Hot-Dog-Petes_096.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtPgjx0yGUyLhGGhwqqPlLm5HfmfW_gQEP5Xuh6nino03U-TFWWRADvWY6qVTN1f_1W7CfpERpVYthmDuYUv670vOyR205NH6WBYV9T6_AqDmxxxCVuQUaS-LkGNop9UlJsqcFcAKDh0/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_096.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hot Dog Pete's is owned by <b>Nick Pihakis</b>, of <a href="https://www.jimnnicks.com/" target="_blank">Jim N’ Nick’s Bar-B-Q</a> (also amazing!). Nick named </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Hot Dog Pete’s for his business partner, and co-owner, </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Pete Graphos</b><span style="font-family: arial;">. Pete is the mastermind behind the Alabama-based chain </span><a href="http://www.sneakypetes.com/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Sneaky Pete’s Hotdogs</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, founded in 1966, and sold by Pete in 1986. The Atlanta shop pays homage to Sneaky Pete’s 50-year hot dog legacy in Alabama.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you can't tell by the last names, Hot Dog Pete's has decades of <b>Greek-American food culture</b> behind it. If you know me, you know that I lived in Greece for more than two years and absolutely loved (and still love) the food and the people. Of course I had to dine here!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwEyD69Ml3Kch7bNCQ8BTj-Vyz5EGYKRfK-MFRLzOgT6ksMNc9KEvWjkKVITGFHjWfIm_3arVHC8pvRiV528q1ex4gp-sTTbCQ3ebQZlOWWMK0kPzJzqe3RrwMr7jz3IWsg7edKEBfRY/s657/Hot-Dog-Petes_002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwEyD69Ml3Kch7bNCQ8BTj-Vyz5EGYKRfK-MFRLzOgT6ksMNc9KEvWjkKVITGFHjWfIm_3arVHC8pvRiV528q1ex4gp-sTTbCQ3ebQZlOWWMK0kPzJzqe3RrwMr7jz3IWsg7edKEBfRY/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_002.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm thrilled to see Summerhill coming to life again. It's one of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta, formed in 1865. It gained lots of attention as home base of the 1996 Centennial Olympics and the Olympic Stadium, which was immediately reconfigured as a baseball stadium for the Atlanta Braves. Unfortunately, the expected development in the neighborhood did not happen after the Olympics. It wasn't until the Braves left for Cobb County that Summerhill began experiencing a resurgence. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was upset when the Braves left downtown, but now that I see Summerhill growing into a popular destination, with numerous restaurants, shops, and a brewery, it's become obvious that the Braves' departure was a good thing for the neighborhood. Win-win!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwCYi2rLW-A40v315FDA-bJixuqtj8aMxZu_lt3hLVcc_Xw0JMroPzjCxJTLMfsXmzeFtGzwbXHDeoDb8rFQ8svCfuF2_pgJwr139dzZ0kTCXGmiKbMmAhUeiN8C3v14U5_bnyL6GJ0M/s539/Hot-Dog-Petes_003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwCYi2rLW-A40v315FDA-bJixuqtj8aMxZu_lt3hLVcc_Xw0JMroPzjCxJTLMfsXmzeFtGzwbXHDeoDb8rFQ8svCfuF2_pgJwr139dzZ0kTCXGmiKbMmAhUeiN8C3v14U5_bnyL6GJ0M/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_003.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On this particular visit, my first time here, I enjoyed <b>Pete's Special Dog</b>. This one has Pete's original meat sauce, diced onions, and mustard. Sounds pretty basic, but it takes hot dogs not only to the next level, but a few levels beyond that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The wieners are custom blended by <b><a href="http://www.fritzskcmeats.com/" target="_blank">Fritz’s Smoked Meats and Superior Sausage</a></b>–Kansas City’s oldest smokehouse, founded in 1927. Those wieners (and sausages) are cooked over charcoal, totally creating a sense of hot dog nostalgia. Also in the present, there's a vegan dog offering, too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The buns are brioche buns that are are baked fresh at Atlanta's own <b><a href="http://alons.com/" target="_blank">Alon’s Bakery and Market</a></b>, founded in 1992. Alon's is also where I get my birthday cake and cakes for other special occasions when celebrating at home. The best! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Check out the <b><a href="Check out the menu and I think you'll find Hot Dog Pete's on your must-visit list." target="_blank">menu</a></b> and I think you'll find Hot Dog Pete's on your must-visit list.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHvC1CitA2zaOYo1gAGq7sDFViTMkYvBfOaY4bI1WvmNhMO83AKzlS9pwkRNInbP8bHVPpH3eXsESVmXCxxc2-QhS-yier-tus1jabsUFjqiAMFOJ2vl70yk_3ytmXDNxSOB3GdYkXog/s592/Hot-Dog-Petes_004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHvC1CitA2zaOYo1gAGq7sDFViTMkYvBfOaY4bI1WvmNhMO83AKzlS9pwkRNInbP8bHVPpH3eXsESVmXCxxc2-QhS-yier-tus1jabsUFjqiAMFOJ2vl70yk_3ytmXDNxSOB3GdYkXog/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_004.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You can get fresh Waffle Fries, but why do that when you can get <b>Loaded Fries</b>! We're talking waffle fries, Pete's famous meat sauce, cheddar, pico, and mustard! Yes, I had the Loaded Fries on my first visit and I'm not sure I can go back to regular. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've had loaded fries before, but nothing quite like Hot Dog Pete's Loaded Fries. I'm one of those people who usually drown my fries in ketchup, but Hot Dog Pete's drowns theirs in <b>hot dog toppings</b>! Seriously...look at those! There are waffle fries under that glorious mound of hot dog toppings. And they're not just topped with toppings, there are toppings mixed throughout the fries, so you get toppings with every single bite. I even had some left to scoop up after the fries were gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of the other sides are <b>chili</b>, <b>onion straws</b>, <b>collard green slaw</b>, <b>cucumber and feta salad</b>, and more. Portions are generous, so if you leave here hungry, it's your own fault.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x0BdZj23uQj6G1hVpc2zoUvxMPpZs_AL3XRIzDLrIN-HY0BdYsRBJQDks3IXmq4Wo44hD6cQXVTYE1YkH7_VgP8JnfibQ8tLlSRO_BTOM_1k7GX681YPrjWbvDHQfCicfKPVmLocpV8/s697/Hot-Dog-Petes_005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x0BdZj23uQj6G1hVpc2zoUvxMPpZs_AL3XRIzDLrIN-HY0BdYsRBJQDks3IXmq4Wo44hD6cQXVTYE1YkH7_VgP8JnfibQ8tLlSRO_BTOM_1k7GX681YPrjWbvDHQfCicfKPVmLocpV8/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_005.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The patios — one covered and one with umbrellas and bistro lights — are spacious and nicely appointed with comfortable seating.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Beverage-wise, they have soft drinks and iced tea AND <b>milkshakes and ice cream floats</b>! Next time I'll have a strawberry milkshake, but this time I opted for a beer. They have several <b>local beers</b> — Yay! — and some domestic selections, too.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HnFQkK3BoYDVoaZGK5zKrnW_WmsI0_5uAn1bRa1oAorg8Mi5LSQunbS8sda6bE6iMOHXyJDb5dQ5fCgo5H0cpXm1qw30X98nvS3AQK4J29AhjuWPInm-HSwhNdffBRF0E-WqGnolcC8/s640/Hot-Dog-Petes_006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HnFQkK3BoYDVoaZGK5zKrnW_WmsI0_5uAn1bRa1oAorg8Mi5LSQunbS8sda6bE6iMOHXyJDb5dQ5fCgo5H0cpXm1qw30X98nvS3AQK4J29AhjuWPInm-HSwhNdffBRF0E-WqGnolcC8/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_006.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you enjoyed your Hot Dog Pete's experience and want to tell you friends, why not <b>tell everyone</b> by sporting a <b><a href="https://www.hotdogpetes.com/shop/" target="_blank">hat or t-shirt</a></b>? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In case you didn't know, that's a </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://georgiastatesports.com/sports/football" target="_blank">Georgia State University Panthers</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> helmet on top of the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.hotdogpetes.com/shop/" target="_blank">merch shelf</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">. Hot Dog Pete's is supporting their local team — </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://georgiastatesports.com/sports/2017/6/16/211628909.aspx" target="_blank">Center Parc Stadium</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> next-door (the former Olympic Stadium turned Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves before they moved to Cobb County) is home of the GSU Panthers football team.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0mb5bp1XPDEzhmfLIoE-G_cu5BIoGkBcZfvOi03ISC8JVhROP3XSF7s67_IrFa0TNBMkRF_wJ4VubqqbUkLSJIWq08nlw2MaP8Byzbw4LasI9lyj-bbivT2c5ldfA_S7f_H_xE070kc/s510/Hot-Dog-Petes_007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0mb5bp1XPDEzhmfLIoE-G_cu5BIoGkBcZfvOi03ISC8JVhROP3XSF7s67_IrFa0TNBMkRF_wJ4VubqqbUkLSJIWq08nlw2MaP8Byzbw4LasI9lyj-bbivT2c5ldfA_S7f_H_xE070kc/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_007.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hot Dog Pete's has its own <b>free parking</b> lot behind the restaurant, accessible from the front, and there's additional free parking nearby. This is the <b>awesome view</b> from the parking lot (<a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2013/08/1996-olympic-flame-tower.html" target="_blank">Olympic Cauldron</a>, <a href="https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/departments/city-planning/office-of-design/urban-design-commission/georgia-state-capitol" target="_blank">Georgia State Capitol Building</a>, <a href="https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlpl-the-westin-peachtree-plaza-atlanta/" target="_blank">Westin Peachtree Plaza</a>, <a href="https://www.georgia-pacificcenter.com/toc.cfm" target="_blank">Georgia-Pacific Center</a>, and <a href="https://191peachtree.com/" target="_blank">191 Peachtree Tower</a>) and you also see the skyline from the street level patio seating. Quite the view, right?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you have room for dessert when you're done here, pop in next door to <a href="https://www.herodoughnutsandbuns.com/" target="_blank">Hero Doughnuts and Buns</a>. I'm hoping to blog about Hero soon! Hero and Pete's are both part of <b><a href="https://pihakis.com/" target="_blank">Pihakis Restaurant Gruop</a></b>.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoV9bloHabdkRz6YUD1DNCVUuXLYEh_9JjuDFCeLkox3qclWb8Rg2sWLwZNqPtplA6XrLPXDo47LpnmGeHOE588N5QQRO3H1hsTDjgiZZRRX0rOA82AnbWRtdjAF2AQnTjF7P_cl3-ik/s666/Hot-Dog-Petes_008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoV9bloHabdkRz6YUD1DNCVUuXLYEh_9JjuDFCeLkox3qclWb8Rg2sWLwZNqPtplA6XrLPXDo47LpnmGeHOE588N5QQRO3H1hsTDjgiZZRRX0rOA82AnbWRtdjAF2AQnTjF7P_cl3-ik/s16000/Hot-Dog-Petes_008.jpg" title="Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog Pete's | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Did you notice that "Pete's" is spelled with hot dogs? Clever, right? You'll notice that everything here, every detail is done with thoughtfulness and for the purpose of creating a unique, totally fun experience for the customer. The service is awesome, too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I can think of 100 reasons to go to <b><a href="Hot Dog Pete’s is a celebration flavor, history and people—a delicious story told through an iconic food." target="_blank">Hot Dog Pete's</a></b> just off the top of my head. In their own words, this is the perfect reason to visit: "<i><b>Hot Dog Pete’s is a celebration of flavor, history and people—a delicious story told through an iconic food</b></i>." Hope to see you there soon!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">(This post is NOT sponsored. The opinions expressed here are my own and not influenced by anyone else.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com125 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA33.7367172 -84.3870314999999925.4264833638211556 -119.54328149999999 62.046951036178847 -49.230781499999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-65684149766948491832020-12-31T16:53:00.000-05:002020-12-31T16:53:22.917-05:00wanderlust ATLANTA's 2020 Photo Review<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is my favorite annual blog post because I'm reminded of all the wonderful things that happened over the last year and yes, even as horrible as 2020 was there were a number of happy happenings, which is what I'll focus on. This is a photographic look back at <i><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b></i> throughout 2020.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxlDoT63NYhytQbeZrZu2b8gR6Tymd-hv-uGVAHFHYCb0_h5X0EPWDEHKjGWXy3Iv7vIMleRmJzv2sKvLGxHwzMP6XKxTThep4YbtzOUOIC34ZVJeVe2lpFvhODsRgBlXuHvlPWQzOqo/s510/111+Places+IG+Takeover+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Travis Swann Taylor during an Instagram Takeover of @111Places" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxlDoT63NYhytQbeZrZu2b8gR6Tymd-hv-uGVAHFHYCb0_h5X0EPWDEHKjGWXy3Iv7vIMleRmJzv2sKvLGxHwzMP6XKxTThep4YbtzOUOIC34ZVJeVe2lpFvhODsRgBlXuHvlPWQzOqo/s16000/111+Places+IG+Takeover+2020.jpg" title="Travis Swann Taylor during an Instagram Takeover of @111Places" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis Swann Taylor during an Instagram Takeover of @111Places</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Have I ever told you that I'm allergic to the cold? It's not really an allergy, but I'm not a fan of cold weather, however I'm gregarious and extroverted enough that I don't let weather, of any kind, slow me down. The photo above was such a fun day but quite chilly! My book editor, <b>Karen Seiger</b>, gifted me the opportunity of hosting an Instagram Takeover of the <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/111places/" target="_blank">@111Places</a></b> channel to help promote my book.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For more than 10 hours on November 17, I was out and about in Atlanta — on a sunny but face-contorting cold day — visiting 10 places in <b><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">my book</a></b> posting videos and photos of those places. There's a <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHss6Fzjw5l/" target="_blank">special guest appearance</a></b> by <b>Lawson Wright</b> of <b><a href="https://myparentsbasement.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">My Parents' Basement Comic Book Bar</a></b>! Not intentional, but totally fun, there were a couple of <b>bloopers</b> during the day. Enjoy!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a quick summary of some of the awesome things that happened in 2020 and then I'll get on with the photo review...</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Officially became an author when my first book, <b><i><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss</a></i></b> hit shelves on August 10, 2020! </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Did a number of <b>book interviews</b>, all of them fun! Some of them are linked below (look for my book cover image).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Completed my first <b>hardcover wedding book</b>! One of my best friend's sister was married in Jekyll Island, Georgia, and I got to be their photographer and make the 200-plus pages keepsake book.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Created a <b>photo website</b> for a friend in Mississippi who lives on a huge rural estate, using photography that I'd made over two visits. The second visit was my only travel this year, and included a day in New Orleans!</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now, let's have a look back. These are in chronological order and this year, in addition to blog photographs, I'm including some photos from </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustatlga/" target="_blank">wanderlust ATLANTA</a></b></i><span style="font-family: arial;">'s and </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/111placesatlanta/" target="_blank">111 Places Atlanta</a></b></i><span style="font-family: arial;">'s social media channels.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYfAlqbNCLVKtfjGtmErpcVBg2or3i_kNjZ6Lv_1Ns_Nxp3RuOA8A2uT8Jukq4TrbYlvuwib1XrBdZbjGdApnbRUDopRU4alcrDLTaChs9YSlpj0UTGk3_OWSZSqwyHjwrFpGV13vbBs/s765/SCADFASH_paper+fashion_001_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fashioning Art from Paper - SCAD FASH - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYfAlqbNCLVKtfjGtmErpcVBg2or3i_kNjZ6Lv_1Ns_Nxp3RuOA8A2uT8Jukq4TrbYlvuwib1XrBdZbjGdApnbRUDopRU4alcrDLTaChs9YSlpj0UTGk3_OWSZSqwyHjwrFpGV13vbBs/s16000/SCADFASH_paper+fashion_001_510px.jpg" title="Fashioning Art from Paper - SCAD FASH - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fashioning Art from Paper - SCAD FASH - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/01/fashioning-art-from-paper.html" target="_blank">Fashioning Art from Paper</a></b></i> was my first <a href="https://www.scadfash.org/" target="_blank">SCAD FASH</a> exhibition. The museum had been on my list for some time — and I'd been to art exhibits at SCAD prior to the museum opening...I should have been going from the beginning. This museum is a must-visit!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRHQM0dXJFV0rYCXsp80L9IEPa-K-DhV3tuG-Av4MmVBQh6ywBMoKE_MdJXLKE_e-3FaGy_l99k5QlmKSfFejcUXc6USra9tuaekS2e-Qr6PgCWqEZTcPH40_OFMQaPGflx6ZGv4yryg/s765/Liberty+Plaza_Liberty+Bell+01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Liberty Plaza at the Georgia Capitol - Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRHQM0dXJFV0rYCXsp80L9IEPa-K-DhV3tuG-Av4MmVBQh6ywBMoKE_MdJXLKE_e-3FaGy_l99k5QlmKSfFejcUXc6USra9tuaekS2e-Qr6PgCWqEZTcPH40_OFMQaPGflx6ZGv4yryg/s16000/Liberty+Plaza_Liberty+Bell+01.jpg" title="Liberty Plaza at the Georgia Capitol - Photo by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberty Plaza at the Georgia Capitol - Photo by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">All the years I've lived here and I never knew we had a replica of the <b>Liberty Bell</b>. It's in <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/01/atlantas-liberty-plaza.html" target="_blank">Liberty Plaza</a></b> directly behind the Georgia Capitol Building, definitely worth seeing.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">#DidYouKnow The real Liberty Bell traveled to Atlanta and was on display during the 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition. On "Liberty Bell Day", which was October 9, the Bell drew 30,000 visitors to the Expo!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaOlVPcUnHZgAQ5mPHq4I1UU3nhqL3rSUQ037eUAxt5vegh5eAgxcU7BxUnhakymv5ka5dU13xfxam3Q8Hs2jUHE-GXQ8kWhnZZDPgE0_3omzaZw5aNiSh7RmUkQxzfELXi3W3mEXlig/s649/Red-Phone-Booth_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red Phone Booth - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaOlVPcUnHZgAQ5mPHq4I1UU3nhqL3rSUQ037eUAxt5vegh5eAgxcU7BxUnhakymv5ka5dU13xfxam3Q8Hs2jUHE-GXQ8kWhnZZDPgE0_3omzaZw5aNiSh7RmUkQxzfELXi3W3mEXlig/s16000/Red-Phone-Booth_01.jpg" title="Red Phone Booth - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Phone Booth - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For my birthday this year I went out on the town for a whirlwind dining and libations experience! My friend Barry and I started at <b><a href="https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/georgia/atlanta/dining/lumen" target="_blank">Lumen Bar</a></b> inside the Ritz-Carlton in downtown. I stop in here from time to time for a diversion and martini. We got downtown a little early so it was the perfect spot to start an evening-long blowout birthday celebration.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">From there, we headed to <b><a href="http://redphonebooth.com/" target="_blank">Red Phone Booth</a></b>, a wholly unique speakeasy experience in downtown Atlanta. This place is magnificent and you actually enter through a red phone booth, the kind that you've seen in London. We had the BEST bartender ever! The cocktail program and experience here is phenomenal. A must-do! Then...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1cstDjlemnxTt6WgWbZJYySUrNpXXnf8seiicRYovdk85vAI5fh4OKAn-UWIAV8dmi60lq2Jb7qGduCSFwiLpXiHapeaVtr31tsWQNsP3F2rBqvXl5MhPz2urpeDJUqIxB3V_DfzpOo/s510/Red-Phone-Booth_099.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Amalfi Pizza - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1cstDjlemnxTt6WgWbZJYySUrNpXXnf8seiicRYovdk85vAI5fh4OKAn-UWIAV8dmi60lq2Jb7qGduCSFwiLpXiHapeaVtr31tsWQNsP3F2rBqvXl5MhPz2urpeDJUqIxB3V_DfzpOo/s16000/Red-Phone-Booth_099.jpg" title="Amalfi Pizza - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amalfi Pizza - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">...we went upstairs to <b><a href="http://amalfipizzaatl.com/pizza/" target="_blank">Almafi Pizza</a></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> for dinner. With the same owners as Red Phone Booth, this dining experience did not disappoint! We had wine, calamari, pizza, meatballs, and dessert was the <b>creamiest tiramisu </b>and <b>perfect cannoli</b>...and champagne! </span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To cap the night off we went to one of my favorites, <b><a href="https://5church-atlanta.com/" target="_blank">5Church Atlanta</a></b>! The owner, <b>Ayman</b>, with his wife <b>Valerie </b>(both are dear friends), treated us to a <b>birthday champagne toast</b> with Roman candle-sized sparklers! It was the perfect way to finish a birthday and a great start to 2020.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EYSCAsrkp_kZl9niv7VfzOXxfgZY1lbPvGtOTr9-AtlQXgb0g166qshHVxP-DaIB4FH73oKClkUeyLI9ORsQSs2Nx52DrkmJeCZf9UrVLAQY2fYXaSq3MGxr_MSXeVawliEekmKnr04/s748/ABG_Orchid-Daze-2020_001_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EYSCAsrkp_kZl9niv7VfzOXxfgZY1lbPvGtOTr9-AtlQXgb0g166qshHVxP-DaIB4FH73oKClkUeyLI9ORsQSs2Nx52DrkmJeCZf9UrVLAQY2fYXaSq3MGxr_MSXeVawliEekmKnr04/s16000/ABG_Orchid-Daze-2020_001_510px.jpg" title="Orchid Daze - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/02/orchid-daze-2020.html" target="_blank"><b>Orchid Daze</b></a></i> is one of my favorite wintertime excursions! The <b><a href="https://atlantabg.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Garden</a></b> is beautiful year-round and their <i>Orchid Daze</i> exhibition is one of their most spectacular annual exhibits! In addition to the largest orchid collection in the Southeast they bring in thousands more orchid blossoms for a magnificent display.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuCYJT8dfm42ogeCMP874hpQeJvbpGDctRjZNnUnmsu3Gs7g6e4y5WB2oNuQWtsNMSnWkwukLmFNoET8H8cnF9He_BDeKtFZx2_kCT6t6jV_P55M_21lGowDVz5X25jf8bNK-IE9KTw8/s510/Atlanta+Blooms_001_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Orchid Daze 2020 - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuCYJT8dfm42ogeCMP874hpQeJvbpGDctRjZNnUnmsu3Gs7g6e4y5WB2oNuQWtsNMSnWkwukLmFNoET8H8cnF9He_BDeKtFZx2_kCT6t6jV_P55M_21lGowDVz5X25jf8bNK-IE9KTw8/s16000/Atlanta+Blooms_001_510px.jpg" title="Orchid Daze 2020 - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid Daze 2020 - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Another absolutely spectacular annual exhibition at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is <i><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/03/atlanta-blooms-2020.html" target="_blank">Atlanta Blooms!</a></b></i> which is a grand welcoming of spring in Atlanta. This year was a little different. I'd visited and made photos just before the COVID-19 lockdown in mid-March. I did the post a couple of days later and then went into isolation. I didn't blog again until May.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74wv7tCrxq7nmbVID5sSxc44bRg-VIGHz2ov3NmfdSYSJGxNTejRU5QaCKfvdX__eqAzJQk7gRQmx_EqIYtvBf_mEXg57TfB_bYDgVfuXkoJ1RpAP_E5Rnd5KKXVHWA5EX21yi5PDoyk/s765/Providence+Canyon+State+Park+-+011_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Providence Canyon - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74wv7tCrxq7nmbVID5sSxc44bRg-VIGHz2ov3NmfdSYSJGxNTejRU5QaCKfvdX__eqAzJQk7gRQmx_EqIYtvBf_mEXg57TfB_bYDgVfuXkoJ1RpAP_E5Rnd5KKXVHWA5EX21yi5PDoyk/s16000/Providence+Canyon+State+Park+-+011_510px.jpg" title="Providence Canyon - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Providence Canyon - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">When I started blogging again, I was still isolating so I pulled from a visit to <b><a href="https://gastateparks.org/ProvidenceCanyon/" target="_blank">Providence Canyon State Park</a></b> — to see <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/05/georgias-little-grand-canyon.html" target="_blank">Georgia's Little Grand Canyon</a></b> — which I'd visited the year before, but had not yet blogged about. This post is the one that got me outside again. It started fostering a strong desire to be outdoors again and it worked!</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJft-Gmr-0rHCW1jRvSmg-R7aM-AWA1losMSz5ZYIkUL2DnSg31zFq4MOio4X8XhC-EIo6emjpWTVloInx4c5Yzx0-kZ5q8znVELk3OuSYL5lByZ8LU7uXEUlbh-4IfFVB-KNFbggQlDc/s647/ABG+-+Alice+Wonderland+Reimagined+-+004+-+510s.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Alice's Wonderland Reimagined - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJft-Gmr-0rHCW1jRvSmg-R7aM-AWA1losMSz5ZYIkUL2DnSg31zFq4MOio4X8XhC-EIo6emjpWTVloInx4c5Yzx0-kZ5q8znVELk3OuSYL5lByZ8LU7uXEUlbh-4IfFVB-KNFbggQlDc/s16000/ABG+-+Alice+Wonderland+Reimagined+-+004+-+510s.jpg" title="Alice's Wonderland Reimagined - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice's Wonderland Reimagined - Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Atlanta Botanical Garden continued its summer exhibition for a third year, but this year it was updated as <b><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/06/alices-wonderland-reimagined.html" target="_blank">Alice's Wonderland Reimagined</a></i></b>...so much fun! These larger-than-life living sculptures are by a Canadian company in Montreal, <b><a href="http://mosaiculture.ca/?lang=en" target="_blank">Mosaiculture</a></b>.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMI9IrIVOhftKNtJ6Bg0Bcq6Wq0djtRMVD7JTpMH9u_p6uJTfnGg1k-m6v2vhyxW8Fi_apLAoijljUrwjlC8B_3fTndHQ_-tfc-7ss2Wz47fVgGmhddZTZLwLiA2AiRJiXWJyTssaduo/s510/ABG+Flowers+6-2020_001_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMI9IrIVOhftKNtJ6Bg0Bcq6Wq0djtRMVD7JTpMH9u_p6uJTfnGg1k-m6v2vhyxW8Fi_apLAoijljUrwjlC8B_3fTndHQ_-tfc-7ss2Wz47fVgGmhddZTZLwLiA2AiRJiXWJyTssaduo/s16000/ABG+Flowers+6-2020_001_510px.jpg" title="Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta Botanical Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">With extended hours and limited visitor numbers the Atlanta Botanical Garden had re-opened in late spring. It was fantastic to see the <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/06/late-spring-flowers.html" target="_blank">beauty of this place</a></b> once again, having practically been a recluse for so many months. Most visitors were great about masking up and observing social distancing and as the months wore on they got even better. We were/are living in history and a strange time it has been. Grateful for respites of beauty like the Atlanta Botanical Garden.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE9SA4Re8AxFfs6wTX2JgYQTwNqoBKPp6ds7ojecCCALt1df-r_WhNuW52bITUnMPC0Okq7I2DcNLijStbA1kFYveYmtPaaa192ECI4utzQQO0wkuSEVz45EgLxObZ-Bodi_ITX2WWnU/s765/1912_Silk-and-Stitch_DeKalb-History-Center_096_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Silk & Stitch - DeKalb History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE9SA4Re8AxFfs6wTX2JgYQTwNqoBKPp6ds7ojecCCALt1df-r_WhNuW52bITUnMPC0Okq7I2DcNLijStbA1kFYveYmtPaaa192ECI4utzQQO0wkuSEVz45EgLxObZ-Bodi_ITX2WWnU/s16000/1912_Silk-and-Stitch_DeKalb-History-Center_096_510pxW.jpg" title="Silk & Stitch - DeKalb History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silk & Stitch - DeKalb History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd visited the <b><a href="https://dekalbhistory.org/" target="_blank">DeKalb History Center</a></b>'s museum before the lockdown, to do some photographs for <a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">my book</a>, and got to see this magnificent exhibition. <b><i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/06/silk-stitch-at-dekalb-history-center.html" target="_blank">Silk & Stitch</a></i></b> celebrated fashion from the 1860s to 1960s through the lens of <b>fashion embellishments</b>. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The exhibition was up for much of 2020, but eventually had to make room for the next exhibition. Hopefully it may return one day so that more can see what an excellent exhibition it was. The DeKalb History Center is currently open <b>by appointment only</b>.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_99EjQ54OKYg05MMGkWqC4pmJW8bnNsU4pIAFYDazZF9CwHnEdBySXHgBLUTTmeVNuBJS-VRQFPVCpyOQU063GMw_8mMMIe8JqMrR4qCuU1uwQm5q65TZOAwzA95tDE_iU3LmkrMDIo/s752/New+Echota+-+003_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New Echota - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_99EjQ54OKYg05MMGkWqC4pmJW8bnNsU4pIAFYDazZF9CwHnEdBySXHgBLUTTmeVNuBJS-VRQFPVCpyOQU063GMw_8mMMIe8JqMrR4qCuU1uwQm5q65TZOAwzA95tDE_iU3LmkrMDIo/s16000/New+Echota+-+003_510pxW.jpg" title="New Echota - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Echota - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Still hesitant to go out and about very much, especially anywhere indoors, I again reached into my collection of photos of places visited but not yet blogged about. This post was about my visit to <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/05/new-echota-cherokee-nations-capital.html" target="_blank">New Echota State Historic Site</a></b>, former home of the <b>Cherokee Nation capital</b>, where the <b>Cherokee written language</b> was created, and where the <b><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears" target="_blank">Trail of Tears</a></b> began.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOM9z1bCj9D1DUFoptN_ayIzow7Jypuj4YQctnFfqIXNzWSlXBLsqqWvSIHhS44MK24rHTjJWdQqKzBsg1Qz6rlMTGPfQcG_e1y2SMmFjhx1bI8_WOEROVqNsOJrMs2LuGP7L_bT7VO8/s765/Frank+Smith+Rhododendron+Garden_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Frank Smith Rhododendron Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOM9z1bCj9D1DUFoptN_ayIzow7Jypuj4YQctnFfqIXNzWSlXBLsqqWvSIHhS44MK24rHTjJWdQqKzBsg1Qz6rlMTGPfQcG_e1y2SMmFjhx1bI8_WOEROVqNsOJrMs2LuGP7L_bT7VO8/s16000/Frank+Smith+Rhododendron+Garden_006_510pxW.jpg" title="Frank Smith Rhododendron Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Smith Rhododendron Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the summer's projects that really got me out of the house and some much needed exercise was a series of blog posts covering each of the nine individual gardens within the <b>Atlanta History Center's Goizueta Gardens</b>. I learned a LOT of fascinating history in the process. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">This post was about the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/06/goizueta-gardens-frank-smith-memorial.html" target="_blank">Frank A. Smith Memorial Rhododendron Garden</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLBjZDkRkcKzfcJ7bZb8tSV4AkaJGKMA4czwrRfeTcxWg6dBSjjEnZfA-hawyk2mZNB_mdB8dd16Z6JiCHdCYRYE7HPMuaZ3MhoHvz8En8gsORYviDUMX3z7sVsUpQ3R-Xm_z7iabdSI/s765/Arabia+Mountain+6-20+-+001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Arabia Mountain - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLBjZDkRkcKzfcJ7bZb8tSV4AkaJGKMA4czwrRfeTcxWg6dBSjjEnZfA-hawyk2mZNB_mdB8dd16Z6JiCHdCYRYE7HPMuaZ3MhoHvz8En8gsORYviDUMX3z7sVsUpQ3R-Xm_z7iabdSI/s16000/Arabia+Mountain+6-20+-+001_510pxW.jpg" title="Arabia Mountain - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arabia Mountain - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">July was my busiest blogging month and the most exercise I've had in years...it felt great to be outside again! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I started seeking out parks, state parks, and other hiking trails, and I found a lot! Some of them had been on my list for some time (I always have a list!) and others I found in <b><i><a href="http://hikingatlanta.com/" target="_blank">Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests</a></i></b> by <a href="http://hikingatlanta.com/about-the-author/" target="_blank">Jonah McDonald</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This particular post was about <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/arabia-mountain.html" target="_blank">Arabia Mountain</a></b>! I climbed to the top and explored the base...for hours. Could have walked/hiked all day!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GA2vmZwDVkduScpO0lMXkB5EXjJSiIkNrLfyHbHz_7ARZ9CZbeQ0xSab1CK-rLUuPfJG4gwZ7deP3-5GOomiFNFcxgXAB8LEAmWmIjY8BZY9RWYCCnxnP8PyANMpI2Qw9BfXqQsja-A/s783/AHC+Swan+Woods_098_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Swan Woods - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GA2vmZwDVkduScpO0lMXkB5EXjJSiIkNrLfyHbHz_7ARZ9CZbeQ0xSab1CK-rLUuPfJG4gwZ7deP3-5GOomiFNFcxgXAB8LEAmWmIjY8BZY9RWYCCnxnP8PyANMpI2Qw9BfXqQsja-A/s16000/AHC+Swan+Woods_098_510pxW.jpg" title="Swan Woods - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan Woods - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Continuing my coverage of the gardens at the Atlanta History Center, I trekked <b><a href="http://hikingatlanta.com/about-the-author/" target="_blank">Swan Woods</a></b>, adjacent to Swan House. My Goizueta Gardens series afforded me a wonderful research opportunity. I did a deep dive and learned more than I expected. For example, I knew that the elephant in this garden was named <b>Ambrose</b>, but wow, what a <b><a href="http://hikingatlanta.com/about-the-author/" target="_blank">story</a> </b>behind it! </span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHKmK-US5tI_Mj1VYpMTgl1kZVHJtNNoM9hs8ItUNk50C8XaAnRAJjqE_TYRzWver73ZcHs9VB_g1YR26C7Fh0ZSMDBlYHxdNuqxlE4TsEllfEGUtoIA_0oMj1e7kT-D9Qlca2vwzI08/s765/East-Palisades-Trail_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A Bamboo Forest on the Chattahoochee - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHKmK-US5tI_Mj1VYpMTgl1kZVHJtNNoM9hs8ItUNk50C8XaAnRAJjqE_TYRzWver73ZcHs9VB_g1YR26C7Fh0ZSMDBlYHxdNuqxlE4TsEllfEGUtoIA_0oMj1e7kT-D9Qlca2vwzI08/s16000/East-Palisades-Trail_001_510pxW.jpg" title="A Bamboo Forest on the Chattahoochee - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bamboo Forest on the Chattahoochee - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd been on the West Palisade Trail the year before and finally made it to the <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/a-bamboo-forest-on-chattahoochee-river.html" target="_blank">East Palisades Trail</a></b>. This was a 4-plus mile round trip, but worth every single step! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The sizable <b>grove of bamboo</b> on this trail, along the Chattahoochee River, is magical! The fallen bamboo leaves are so thick it feels like you're walking on pillows. At the far end of the loop is a highly-perched river overlook. It seems a lot of Atlantans found this trail this summer...I saw a LOT of social media posts about it. I highly recommend this trail to any and all lovers of the outdoors.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7FOhD5Xv4fygxw16_gtNm2RNJamQLm_FyYQA5K79Mten7krLbBAFv1Bk3h61uUe98r-UJtDpl2uYqZhwNa9n06-E87XZA3mlxCyXI3Cp31nzL-kkGhnn-JqnQv0vWAfEEwQ1eBjt4V0/s700/Sims+Asian+Garden+-+002_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sims Asian Garden - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7FOhD5Xv4fygxw16_gtNm2RNJamQLm_FyYQA5K79Mten7krLbBAFv1Bk3h61uUe98r-UJtDpl2uYqZhwNa9n06-E87XZA3mlxCyXI3Cp31nzL-kkGhnn-JqnQv0vWAfEEwQ1eBjt4V0/s16000/Sims+Asian+Garden+-+002_510pxW.jpg" title="Sims Asian Garden - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sims Asian Garden - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd visited the <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/goizueta-gardens-sims-asian-garden.html" target="_blank">Sims Asian Garden</a></b> at the Atlanta History Center many, many times, but I never knew the history behind the large turtle sculpture. The "<b>Turtle Tent</b>" was mass produced in the 1950s and 1960s, but few have survived into the 21st century. And just wait until you learn how it's connected with <b>Tyler Perry</b>!</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XlBsUuV-Bph_nEsowrBTZKirSd_nidMIpFaJRsuWmKkWWrYWCwxbEnmB2Se3DPzn1sJYRgh1-taAe1U4JIZBwaxImujUAReu2h4yoOZtQYxuWxAgdOZ-t2GHTqyayv-dJrIAGcJUTbo/s588/AHC-Quarry-Garden_004_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XlBsUuV-Bph_nEsowrBTZKirSd_nidMIpFaJRsuWmKkWWrYWCwxbEnmB2Se3DPzn1sJYRgh1-taAe1U4JIZBwaxImujUAReu2h4yoOZtQYxuWxAgdOZ-t2GHTqyayv-dJrIAGcJUTbo/s16000/AHC-Quarry-Garden_004_510pxW.jpg" title="Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/goizueta-gardens-mary-howard-gilbert.html" target="_blank">Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden</a></b> at the Atlanta History Center might be one of the least visited (based on personal observation), but one that is highly deserving of experiencing, especially for all of its "hidden" treasures.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z2NeroOHN_chEqEzhnZW8L4QcQ8n0GDVLzuof66VNN9x6UqXMvxCbdbgvPlU__ku6wLIymILkJitIEA13AWVpD85xk2hQkAxgSCjznGgtCFgk2R_AXSdrncr0peBJId4f2-9x06v3nI/s765/Yellow-River-Park_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Yellow River Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z2NeroOHN_chEqEzhnZW8L4QcQ8n0GDVLzuof66VNN9x6UqXMvxCbdbgvPlU__ku6wLIymILkJitIEA13AWVpD85xk2hQkAxgSCjznGgtCFgk2R_AXSdrncr0peBJId4f2-9x06v3nI/s16000/Yellow-River-Park_005_510pxW.jpg" title="Yellow River Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow River Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">By time I discovered and explored <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/yellow-river-park.html" target="_blank">Yellow River Park</a></b>, it was disheartening how COVID-19 had affected the upkeep of our parks and trails — the worst of it being litter being left behind by visitors seeking a respite from isolation. It took me back to the <b><i><a href="https://youtu.be/8Suu84khNGY" target="_blank">Crying Indian</a></i></b> commercial by the <a href="https://kab.org/" target="_blank">Keep America Beautiful</a> campaign of the 1970s. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our parks were having a difficult time keeping up with the exponentially increased number of visitors and the same or fewer number of staff. This park's saving grace was their lovely river vistas and friendly Park Forman, Danny. There are miles and miles of trails...exercise galore!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BQwPQ946Ugub-9Poq5JGLadFNycL_fIJ7td1JOha4KcAqis05eQGFtjAz9Jc8J9xOD_B01h1h_pD4iy3okaSSpjs53FI90x63pKRWNOr1XLVHDXFDgEUbmOdS_zEsncI9hqqrdfNzW0/s785/AHC_Smith-Family-Farm_010_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Smith Family Farm - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BQwPQ946Ugub-9Poq5JGLadFNycL_fIJ7td1JOha4KcAqis05eQGFtjAz9Jc8J9xOD_B01h1h_pD4iy3okaSSpjs53FI90x63pKRWNOr1XLVHDXFDgEUbmOdS_zEsncI9hqqrdfNzW0/s16000/AHC_Smith-Family-Farm_010_510pxW.jpg" title="Smith Family Farm - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smith Family Farm - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've visited the 1840s <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/goizueta-gardens-smith-family-farm.html" target="_blank">Smith Family Farm</a></b> many, many times, as a tourist and as a special event guest. There's a lot to see here and the farm animals are a special treat, especially the Angora goats!</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmfYv6TQd3wak8sRdSlcMdmb86ScXfNh2AlQP4ufPU2aIL0bvpmkUo4VsmdK270bgnKz4ZgEdPgN_3yADfa7ewKqLi5dcVN29XzXTosOvfg-r_-eqOvzSJGikoKAQ6gq54vQKhRKvX50/s765/Panola-State-Park_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Panola Mountain State Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmfYv6TQd3wak8sRdSlcMdmb86ScXfNh2AlQP4ufPU2aIL0bvpmkUo4VsmdK270bgnKz4ZgEdPgN_3yADfa7ewKqLi5dcVN29XzXTosOvfg-r_-eqOvzSJGikoKAQ6gq54vQKhRKvX50/s16000/Panola-State-Park_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Panola Mountain State Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panola Mountain State Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/panola-mountain-state-park.html" target="_blank">Panola Mountain State Park</a></b>, with its more than 1,600 acres, majestic trees, and vistas of Stone Mountain, is an exhilarating adventure. Unlike its neighbors, Panola Mountain has never been quarried, so its a pristine example of Georgia nature.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav3PMyej-6hnhaAy9z-VMj2Avoq8QCOpGko2vYCQD9rNr9RE4JM6lmY98c3jx6KuxFbhtgSbFJG172mVpoE1f5RDTIyyYslVIbZrgguummoEgVq0OlEOkF76lOtB-jof_Bc4Yteib6WI/s510/Dogwood+Bench_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dogwood Bench by Martin Dawe - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav3PMyej-6hnhaAy9z-VMj2Avoq8QCOpGko2vYCQD9rNr9RE4JM6lmY98c3jx6KuxFbhtgSbFJG172mVpoE1f5RDTIyyYslVIbZrgguummoEgVq0OlEOkF76lOtB-jof_Bc4Yteib6WI/s16000/Dogwood+Bench_510px.jpg" title="Dogwood Bench by Martin Dawe - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogwood Bench by Martin Dawe - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've done a number of interviews over the years, but this year, with fewer places to visit in-person, gave me the opportunity to conduct more interviews than usual. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo is from my interview with <b>Martin Dawe</b>, whose work is in <a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">my book</a>. This one is <b>Dogwood Bench</b> in Piedmont Park, a gift to Atlanta on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Here are the interviews I did this year...</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2019/03/martin-marty-dawe.html" target="_blank">Martin Dawe</a></b>, Cherrylion Studios</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/09/interview-joe-m-turner-magician.html" target="_blank">Joe M. Turner</a></b>, Magician and Keynote Speaker</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/09/interview-matt-torney-theatrical-outfit.html" target="_blank">Matt Torney</a></b>, Theatrical Outfit</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/10/interview-sarah-dylla-on-atlanta-96.html" target="_blank">Sarah Dylla</a></b>, Atlanta History Center</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/12/interview-morgan-on-frame-worthy-gallery.html" target="_blank">Morgan Wellens</a></b>, Frame Worthy Gallery</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I have some others lined up for early 2021, so stay tuned!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWZoRCtrhO2rvmvjNiF71dfLMyENifux-o3BNFhl_YiBr9jkFPJAtB972rz8jz1pBc6jd7902U2tr-Zs8Km7gSuj9eEVy_COIa8Mh4G1RgGbgsexrxgrLgqNxjNQDjfXfcBgdt1sOcYM/s722/AHC_Swan-House-Gardens_009_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Swan House Gardens - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWZoRCtrhO2rvmvjNiF71dfLMyENifux-o3BNFhl_YiBr9jkFPJAtB972rz8jz1pBc6jd7902U2tr-Zs8Km7gSuj9eEVy_COIa8Mh4G1RgGbgsexrxgrLgqNxjNQDjfXfcBgdt1sOcYM/s16000/AHC_Swan-House-Gardens_009_510pxW.jpg" title="Swan House Gardens - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan House Gardens - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've heard it said that the 1928 <b>Swan House</b> at the Atlanta History Center is the most photographed home in the city, which is easy to believe given its beauty and grandeur. If that's the case, just imagine how many photographs there are of the <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/goizueta-gardens-swan-house-gardens.html" target="_blank">Swan House Gardens</a></b>! They're splendid and even magical! If you saw the elaborate party scene in <b><i>The Hunger Games: Catching Fire</i></b>, you've seen part of the Swan House Gardens.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj337NIaV0a61AqJjmTCWPIOqvtlC3pqMxKL1PF3LCTMeFDYKLYYAhcGzBwXZpQiJyjyBKj5zcVWqcpmSR_mzowJVrnYgzCqt8u7IBE0Qi1kocyulMXwWYXP0XaJsz1JgUcEXEMb7DrCBY/s765/South-Peachtree-Creek-Trail_005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="South Peachtree Creek Trail - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj337NIaV0a61AqJjmTCWPIOqvtlC3pqMxKL1PF3LCTMeFDYKLYYAhcGzBwXZpQiJyjyBKj5zcVWqcpmSR_mzowJVrnYgzCqt8u7IBE0Qi1kocyulMXwWYXP0XaJsz1JgUcEXEMb7DrCBY/s16000/South-Peachtree-Creek-Trail_005_510pxW.jpg" title="South Peachtree Creek Trail - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Peachtree Creek Trail - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In my research for hiking and walking trails, I was super excited to find <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/south-peachtree-creek-trail.html" target="_blank">South Peachtree Creek Trail</a></b>...it's only minutes from my house and I never knew! It's now one of my favorite in the city, but not just because it's convenient, it's also varied and beautiful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vYFXwitaa_oxOkkXiIO7eYlLUI4JgfOqqxOHNu0b2SM-xQ1QiVXb0anO_KmJpUA-yCEuvNX-ZTCL3hZZKJJQobqB_B0M-inK3vJ9sl8-NKnAAoP385KUWVLZXmdTref2JEEextImCnQ/s734/Three-Creeks-Trail_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Three Creeks Trail - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vYFXwitaa_oxOkkXiIO7eYlLUI4JgfOqqxOHNu0b2SM-xQ1QiVXb0anO_KmJpUA-yCEuvNX-ZTCL3hZZKJJQobqB_B0M-inK3vJ9sl8-NKnAAoP385KUWVLZXmdTref2JEEextImCnQ/s16000/Three-Creeks-Trail_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Three Creeks Trail - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Creeks Trail - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A trail within a trail, <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/07/three-creeks-trail.html" target="_blank">Three Creeks Trail</a></b> is an offshoot within South Peachtree Creek Trail. It's also the site of the <b>historic Decatur Waterworks</b> and a favorite spot for graffiti artists. Oh, and yes, there are three creeks on this modest-length trail.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHILCEbhlsHFIImYLPwma091_rO3g2yBbVcA4EIm82cbVbPNt6MF53FPVR45AogGipBh1OYRJvtpOZn3q3_UIqMiL-md8s6-U1gWDFo9pxIcTl5vZF_tWKgQBhW_EF8BdFOQlpYecyLW8/s510/Olguitas+Garden+-+005_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Olguita's Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHILCEbhlsHFIImYLPwma091_rO3g2yBbVcA4EIm82cbVbPNt6MF53FPVR45AogGipBh1OYRJvtpOZn3q3_UIqMiL-md8s6-U1gWDFo9pxIcTl5vZF_tWKgQBhW_EF8BdFOQlpYecyLW8/s16000/Olguitas+Garden+-+005_510pxW.jpg" title="Olguita's Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olguita's Garden - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The second newest garden at the Atlanta History Center, </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/08/goizueta-gardens-olguitas-garden.html" target="_blank">Olguita's Garden</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">, named for <b>Olguita Gouizeta</b> — the namesake for the collective nine gardens at the Center. The Gouizeta family is among Atlanta's most generous philanthropic families, through <b><a href="https://www.goizuetafoundation.org/" target="_blank">The Goizueta Foundation</a></b>. Olguita's Garden is a formal yet comfortable garden, perfect for a small wedding or other intimate special event.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRNG3VsZ8fLRhTqDCv1qBlKDpk661Dfcg1ITUAsJxZmOyo69eCu1_blzONAzf4vEkwKjJKvAB8BMjfbomO1u1uHRGcKgEDuTIQ4-e_djSrvbREubR8QuJA07inhbFrTLkzYGRWLGMl2Q/s632/Thomas-Wilson-Talbot_001_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Thomas Wilson Talbot - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRNG3VsZ8fLRhTqDCv1qBlKDpk661Dfcg1ITUAsJxZmOyo69eCu1_blzONAzf4vEkwKjJKvAB8BMjfbomO1u1uHRGcKgEDuTIQ4-e_djSrvbREubR8QuJA07inhbFrTLkzYGRWLGMl2Q/s16000/Thomas-Wilson-Talbot_001_501pxW.jpg" title="Thomas Wilson Talbot - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Wilson Talbot - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This is one of those hidden-in-plain-sight treasures that you've seen a bazillion times, but never knew what it was. This bronze bust of <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/08/thomas-wilson-talbot-iam-founder.html" target="_blank">Thomas Wilson Talbot</a></b> has been in <a href="http://www.gpconservancy.org/" target="_blank">Grant Park</a> since 1948! Talbot was the founder of what is today the <b>International Association of Machinists</b> (AIM). The bust was placed on the 60th anniversary of AIM, one of the first union organizations formed in the United States and one of the few formed in the South.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuq_ByXUiEC4ddO3m4t9tfkgdEAiKmCHhIbvqmeZax4eUYw4cokYWkgmnznPnPSPw2PUFlmUcIqZFnsUerKn5Lm6zfbbyQ05SmVTYLaanesceeLqEguvP9Ofovw2yxvyq8ot9IOfS5m8/s774/111PlacesAtlanta-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss, by Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuq_ByXUiEC4ddO3m4t9tfkgdEAiKmCHhIbvqmeZax4eUYw4cokYWkgmnznPnPSPw2PUFlmUcIqZFnsUerKn5Lm6zfbbyQ05SmVTYLaanesceeLqEguvP9Ofovw2yxvyq8ot9IOfS5m8/s16000/111PlacesAtlanta-1.jpg" title="111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss, by Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss, by Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On Monday, August 10, 2020, my first book — as author <i>and </i>photographer — was officially published. I'm the author of <b><i><a href="https://www.111places.com/111-places-in-atlanta" target="_blank">111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss</a></i></b>! Part of a global series, 111 Places Atlanta is written first for locals — so it's places that even locals might not know about — and then for seasoned tourists. It was a lot of work, but oh so much fun! And I'll always treasure the new friendships gained while working on the book.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are some of the interviews and articles I'd had the pleasure of being a part of since my book was published...</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/16354364285/videos/935118966896938" target="_blank">Booth Western Art Museum</a></b>, "Art For Lunch"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">WABE's "<b><a href="https://www.wabe.org/111-places-in-atlanta-that-you-must-not-miss-guidebook-highlights-the-citys-treasures/" target="_blank">City Lights with Lois Reitzes</a></b>"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">WSB Radio's "<b><a href="https://od-cmg.streamguys1.com/atlanta/atl750/20200916185843-TheMarkArumShow09-16-20.mp3?awCollectionId=atl750-01&awEpisodeId=20200916185843-TheMarkArumShow09-16-20" target="_blank">The Mark Arum Show</a></b>" (mark 40:03)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Interview with "<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChefVirginiaWillis/videos/2850808715190889" target="_blank">Cookbooks with Virginia</a></b>"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://youtu.be/leVW0Ju9m9E" target="_blank">DeKalb History Center</a></b>, "Book Talk"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://atlantaintownpaper.com/2020/12/the-gift-of-reading-books-by-local-authors-for-the-bibliophiles-on-your-shopping-list/" target="_blank">Atlanta INtown</a></b>, "The Gift of Reading"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Interview on "The Writing Well" with <b><a href="https://annewainscott.com/now-is-a-great-time-to-check-out-111-places-in-atlanta-that-you-must-not-miss/" target="_blank">Anne Wainscott</a></b></span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw5QPc5sdN8WxgwvZUfiYxdwN2NSqVoPgr3P7KCfsKoj0hji1nuybU_W5Ac-TrkSALRkScfKENeckJopPE5mL0GrzTiCjamG3ZvUQzRbHhbRG5biO_lZLY4KguovF2_y9JKAVM99mfRU/s765/AHC+-+Veterans+Park+-+006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Veterans Park - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw5QPc5sdN8WxgwvZUfiYxdwN2NSqVoPgr3P7KCfsKoj0hji1nuybU_W5Ac-TrkSALRkScfKENeckJopPE5mL0GrzTiCjamG3ZvUQzRbHhbRG5biO_lZLY4KguovF2_y9JKAVM99mfRU/s16000/AHC+-+Veterans+Park+-+006_510pxW.jpg" title="Veterans Park - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veterans Park - Atlanta History Center - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The cast eagle in <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/08/goizueta-gardens-veterans-park.html" target="_blank">Veterans Park</a></b> is a gift from <b>Lloyd and Mary Ann Whitaker</b>, who were also instrumental in supporting the move of the <i>Battle of Atlanta</i> cyclorama painting from Grant Park to the Atlanta History Center. The round structure behind the eagle bears their names.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7vPqQb_Xf3t6VIrsu1wwdV_5t2Dar38TWGzx7GWLkeShZezq_3BOB9l_NNxwkHT5Doj7bI7gRRrRcfYn2Ke3CEoKijiOYyHFSTurSRpmDekA0b-P4jVSMpWWCfROjgrPOispwNKPXC4/s765/Monastery-Holy-Spirit_074_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Monastery of the Holy Spirit - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7vPqQb_Xf3t6VIrsu1wwdV_5t2Dar38TWGzx7GWLkeShZezq_3BOB9l_NNxwkHT5Doj7bI7gRRrRcfYn2Ke3CEoKijiOYyHFSTurSRpmDekA0b-P4jVSMpWWCfROjgrPOispwNKPXC4/s16000/Monastery-Holy-Spirit_074_510pxW.jpg" title="Monastery of the Holy Spirit - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monastery of the Holy Spirit - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on my list for a long time, the <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/08/monastery-of-holy-spirit.html" target="_blank">Monastery of the Holy Spirit</a></b> is splendid! Although the Abbey Church, welcome center, gift shop, and other buildings are currently closed to the public (due to the pandemic), the expansive grounds are open and all are welcome to explore. My personal favorite spot here is the <b>Magnolia Lane Meditative Walk</b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMGXLxI7NuvBU8qCsLtX6wLwSkeuWerlVcRMwwKK8o67AO-LgAYGrA8aovDrSzI-LkD1ijdzm5_byXKNtxDvbDg_Y1lpAqu2IH8bECyRERLVTnO1eWadzK_v_FFak38liT640p2R838o/s561/AHC_Entrance-Garden_007_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Atlanta History Center's Entrance Gardens - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMGXLxI7NuvBU8qCsLtX6wLwSkeuWerlVcRMwwKK8o67AO-LgAYGrA8aovDrSzI-LkD1ijdzm5_byXKNtxDvbDg_Y1lpAqu2IH8bECyRERLVTnO1eWadzK_v_FFak38liT640p2R838o/s16000/AHC_Entrance-Garden_007_510pxW.jpg" title="Atlanta History Center's Entrance Gardens - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlanta History Center's Entrance Gardens - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I completed my 9-part series of the Atlanta History Center's Goizueta Gardens with its newest garden, their <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/08/goizueta-gardens-entrance-gardens.html" target="_blank">Entrance Gardens</a></b>. The gem of this garden is a 60-foot-long "<b>Tree Table</b>". It was made from a white oak tree, which sprouted around 1880 — when Atlanta was barely more than 30 years old — but had to be taken down because of a decline in health. It's a beautiful example of thoughtful, meaningful repurposing. It's a piece of art!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj301oB6r0paFWxoum3CnyUBI1eTI4KE_enL6qHS-uVJZece4FCa9oPvD2S8cG-jj-hPn2KmWfy0Jimrhyphenhyphen-3US6Jpr-tEzI0BQxe6OPIrTxIZxrHpZYlWV4DeK0NKFSDUFo9kojhWR5z8c/s765/East-Point-Historical-Society-Museum_006_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="East Point Historical Society Museum - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj301oB6r0paFWxoum3CnyUBI1eTI4KE_enL6qHS-uVJZece4FCa9oPvD2S8cG-jj-hPn2KmWfy0Jimrhyphenhyphen-3US6Jpr-tEzI0BQxe6OPIrTxIZxrHpZYlWV4DeK0NKFSDUFo9kojhWR5z8c/s16000/East-Point-Historical-Society-Museum_006_510pxW.jpg" title="East Point Historical Society Museum - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Point Historical Society Museum - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">One of my few indoor museum visits this year was my first time to the <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/09/east-point-historical-society-museum.html" target="_blank">East Point Historical Society Museum</a></b>. When I went, I was the only visitor there so certainly a safe visit. This museum is fascinating! I especially enjoyed learning about East Point because I lived there for a year in the early 1990s. There's also a locomotive on the property. Go visit!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCwVXP61J0zMp6iHtkERJSpsM8fIJWmuxq-attfLEOgMfNa4_uA7TNoQ3Ja9e2pJZKLtilwIW6pOPFjPYzvakF8clWv_NUJCR-TLC-Ld3p7MyONpTxqZgWP7ChI7nZdR8AokJXWfZ1sk/s765/President-Jimmy-Carter_098.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jimmy Carter Statue - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCwVXP61J0zMp6iHtkERJSpsM8fIJWmuxq-attfLEOgMfNa4_uA7TNoQ3Ja9e2pJZKLtilwIW6pOPFjPYzvakF8clWv_NUJCR-TLC-Ld3p7MyONpTxqZgWP7ChI7nZdR8AokJXWfZ1sk/s16000/President-Jimmy-Carter_098.jpg" title="Jimmy Carter Statue - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimmy Carter Statue - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The only U.S. president from the State of Georgia, Jimmy Carter is immortalized in bronze on the grounds of the Georgia Capitol. The rendering is quite remarkable and designed with purpose. Enjoy the read about the <b><a href="Jimmy Carter Statue - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" target="_blank">Jimmy Carter Statue</a></b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk3l3fSw2FCFrkGrh24iVgD7ir_1tpDj2M-rY-T88F6Er2bT5atPsJHWIRoNgniP-O7sd9M_O6bn-nJz0WBqOFRjvX7ugB6T3HJmGOAw33Cd5dnj6DBM9y61a9ZHCPaGCcAe3-paVmsI/s750/Armstong+Suit_001_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Neil Armstrong Spacesuit - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk3l3fSw2FCFrkGrh24iVgD7ir_1tpDj2M-rY-T88F6Er2bT5atPsJHWIRoNgniP-O7sd9M_O6bn-nJz0WBqOFRjvX7ugB6T3HJmGOAw33Cd5dnj6DBM9y61a9ZHCPaGCcAe3-paVmsI/s16000/Armstong+Suit_001_510pxW.jpg" title="Neil Armstrong Spacesuit - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil Armstrong Spacesuit - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm a total space geek and even worked in aerospace for a number of years. When I made this photo of <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/09/neil-armstrongs-spacesuit.html" target="_blank">Neil Armstrong's Spacesuit</a></b> at Fernbank Science Center, I didn't realize the significance of it. Turns out, it's one of only a few in the world. It's an exact replica of the suit that Neil Armstrong was wearing when he became the first human to step onto the Moon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLcHhit-tlk1-4VomnKicemmlKfguVPHsbpeDsR11evBJZxS5174q_ttcaC-yGLASvXnBqzMv1wOEKStH7KKXDpbUHpReYWLHp_JoKmjmt3uEa2Q0PxlGdRMMCXLpGFFaETX36E30lR0/s639/01_Louis-armstrong_TC_touch_02_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Louis Armstrong - The Breman Museum - Photo: Herb Snitzer" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLcHhit-tlk1-4VomnKicemmlKfguVPHsbpeDsR11evBJZxS5174q_ttcaC-yGLASvXnBqzMv1wOEKStH7KKXDpbUHpReYWLHp_JoKmjmt3uEa2Q0PxlGdRMMCXLpGFFaETX36E30lR0/s16000/01_Louis-armstrong_TC_touch_02_510pxW.jpg" title="Louis Armstrong - The Breman Museum - Photo: Herb Snitzer" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Armstrong - The Breman Museum - Photo: Herb Snitzer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtual programming was the order of the day in 2020 and <a href="https://www.thebreman.org/" target="_blank">The Breman Museum</a> doesn't disappoint. On the contrary, their current special exhibition, "<b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/09/a-jazz-memoir-through-lens-of-herb.html" target="_blank">A Jazz Memoir</a></b>", is one of if not the best virtual art exhibitions I've seen. Extended through Wednesday, March 31, 2021, the exhibition features <b>Herb Snitzer</b>’s photography documenting America’s jazz scene. I'm grateful to The Breman for allowing <i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i> to see this phenomenal exhibition in-person.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03XaXb7WTqhV6J77VdgQCudKj0t2TcpxAUOECVC4qJMgoI262r1TPpg42Lke0IeleGvhoDe35yxy7COHdreTALnVOo_cbpxLVAwqvK4UL_3FNvldRWUbvYy4zvJPVxUrHEMQ2llJdC10/s510/Chocolate+Pie+-+Miller+Union_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Miller Union Takeout - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03XaXb7WTqhV6J77VdgQCudKj0t2TcpxAUOECVC4qJMgoI262r1TPpg42Lke0IeleGvhoDe35yxy7COHdreTALnVOo_cbpxLVAwqvK4UL_3FNvldRWUbvYy4zvJPVxUrHEMQ2llJdC10/s16000/Chocolate+Pie+-+Miller+Union_510px.jpg" title="Miller Union Takeout - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miller Union Takeout - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Takeout was also a reality in 2020, and what I've had has been delicious, especially when I and a few friends enjoyed a socially distanced, outdoor <b><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2020/10/miller-union-takeout.html" target="_blank">Miller Union takeout dinner</a></b>! This photo isn't their typical presentation — I composed it with the ingredients they'd packed up. It was the best chocolate tart I've had in years! Can hardly wait to go to the restaurant in-person again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLgVY6As0efRC9iSFHT39lXopZ13aa4rZe8pWFo0G_x86J5G-KYlg2NUYzOD5AS1obeh7v4rzwiWnx1AiO1GSO2V9JMGJ82GtYXP8BileYSvFX7Fw4YmysDXFfZv3_uO_5Ii-hleuPIc/s680/The+Phoenix.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Phoenix in Woodruff Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLgVY6As0efRC9iSFHT39lXopZ13aa4rZe8pWFo0G_x86J5G-KYlg2NUYzOD5AS1obeh7v4rzwiWnx1AiO1GSO2V9JMGJ82GtYXP8BileYSvFX7Fw4YmysDXFfZv3_uO_5Ii-hleuPIc/s16000/The+Phoenix.jpg" title="The Phoenix in Woodruff Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Phoenix in Woodruff Park - Photo: Travis Swann Taylor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">2020 had us see our Olympic Cauldron lit for the first time since 1996 during the <b><a href="https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/atlanta-olympic-cauldron-lit-this-weekend-for-first-time-since-1996/7hfy3pOvtxQtOMzsVdoMDI/?fbclid=IwAR0j06fjau79YbH_eK3l-ONZ-0KremIg67ZiDvEyMViBGcCwCP2A7ZnJej0" target="_blank">2020 Olympic Running Trials</a></b>. We saw the <b><a href="https://www.11alive.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/blue-angels-thunderbirds-atlanta-flight-path-schedule-times/85-cbbacf6f-9999-431b-912c-75c17b980044" target="_blank">Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds perform a flyover</a></b> of Atlanta, a salute to first responders. And it showed us a way of life that we'd not seen since the 1918 pandemic, resulting in <b>countless random acts of kindness</b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I leave you with a photograph I recently made of <b><i>The Phoenix</i></b> in Woodruff Park. The phoenix is the unofficial symbol of Atlanta and the statue's actual name is <b><i>Atlanta from the Ashes</i></b>. I'm feeling hopeful, even excited that we/Atlanta will rise from the ashes of 2020 and make 2021 one of the best years ever. <b>Happy New Year!</b></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com2Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.38798245.4387615638211528 -119.5442324 62.059229236178844 -49.2317324tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-35439081653893919052020-12-17T13:48:00.001-05:002020-12-17T13:48:14.839-05:00INTERVIEW: Morgan on Frame Worthy Gallery<span style="font-family: arial;">THIS art gallery is different and it's special...you may have seen its artists at the movies or on television!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://frameworthygallery.com/" target="_blank">Frame Worthy Gallery</a></b> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">represents two-dimensional artwork made by multifaceted <b>film and television industry artists</b> who have talent that extends beyond the big screen. They are painters, photographers, sketch, and multimedia artists who are also actors, screenwriters, directors, and producers, working primarily in the <b>Southeast</b>. </span><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBtj8JShc-m8tQipnxUU6Nr9oXDJaMWmcxC-CBJr5jJZnD9ZGw9-OWhoey-SWuyC39lqxMZ6ZDyx9G0NjiB5ZJ3MykkpkJuzHG7wP6CPDMxxygJcEBdaU52tSZxteXbew0wXTT-EGokA/s510/Morgan+Wellens+-+Headshot+2_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morgan Wellens, Founder & CEO, Frame Worthy Gallery" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBtj8JShc-m8tQipnxUU6Nr9oXDJaMWmcxC-CBJr5jJZnD9ZGw9-OWhoey-SWuyC39lqxMZ6ZDyx9G0NjiB5ZJ3MykkpkJuzHG7wP6CPDMxxygJcEBdaU52tSZxteXbew0wXTT-EGokA/s16000/Morgan+Wellens+-+Headshot+2_510px.jpg" title="Morgan Wellens, Founder & CEO, Frame Worthy Gallery" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Wellens, Founder & CEO, Frame Worthy Gallery<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Featured artists have worked on and behind the scenes of projects such as <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6483832" target="_blank">The Resident</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8416494" target="_blank">Doom Patrol</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4396630/" target="_blank">The Gifted</a></i>, and more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Up and coming actor herself, Founder and CEO <b>Morgan Wellens</b> granted me an interview to talk about the new art gallery...</span><div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Where are you from? What’s something Atlanta should know about you? <br /><br /><b>Morgan</b>: Long story short, my great grandparents on my Dad’s side traveled in through Ellis Island from <a href="https://www.lithuania.travel/en/" target="_blank">Lithuania</a>, I was almost a “Wellinski”! On my Mom’s side, I’m related to five U.S. presidents, one of whom was responsible for the largest bathtub in the White House. For me, I was born and raised in Georgia. Most people are surprised to hear I’m a native Peach. I have seen how the art scene has grown over the years, and continues to evolve. I hope to make a positive contribution to that. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimf96kFiThpbNA88z1mRsuwRPE3YJscCJUu2RsTURoiAEbgEQ4LtpT9-TzIbA1AIvXSKbsSQ6GVQfTNHNa29_yde_GcHMFQGUA1MNrEtQetF7hHszwd9VgYBPgrL_2OycfmjZjw0OSgM/s510/FWG+-+Anissa+Matlock+Morgan+Wellens_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morgan Wellens (right) with Anissa Matlock" border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimf96kFiThpbNA88z1mRsuwRPE3YJscCJUu2RsTURoiAEbgEQ4LtpT9-TzIbA1AIvXSKbsSQ6GVQfTNHNa29_yde_GcHMFQGUA1MNrEtQetF7hHszwd9VgYBPgrL_2OycfmjZjw0OSgM/s16000/FWG+-+Anissa+Matlock+Morgan+Wellens_510pxW.jpg" title="Morgan Wellens (right) with Anissa Matlock" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Wellens (right) with Anissa Matlock<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: What was the catalyst that led you to becoming an Actor? Entrepreneur?<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Morgan</b>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I am really big on my bucket list, and in 2017 I decided to check off being an extra on a movie set. It was a downtown, overnight shoot. I remember watching the sunrise from a hotel balcony, unsure if I would make it to my 9-5 on time, and thinking, “<i>There’s nowhere else I’d rather be</i>.” <br /><br />Being an entrepreneur is in my blood though. My grandparents used to have a thriving costume jewelry business back when clip on earrings were all the rage. Growing up, I saw my parents follow their footsteps, I learned to walk in the isles of <b><a href="https://www.scottantiquemarket.com/" target="_blank">Scott Antique Markets</a></b>.<br /><br />We lived the entrepreneur lifestyle, which doesn’t always look glamorous. Not everyone can feel secure in uncertainty, but seeing them thrive gave me the confidence to leave my 9-5 to pursue acting, and, now, open a gallery. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIb7_u6Esqw7ItloyBoaLHNhUxq_ynbT8hVFHCwyJT7vhEt-o9fMgY3SUDwW9xHgz5UPFP-iyfAVE9KGG3s4XO0dZfDBUBOU9-T7EMljgrwwvEcOkgTYN9Aa-JKtgjdBwdtFM640xZM/s765/FWG+-+Morgan+Wellens+Kai+Grebe_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morgan Wellens with Kai Grebe" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIb7_u6Esqw7ItloyBoaLHNhUxq_ynbT8hVFHCwyJT7vhEt-o9fMgY3SUDwW9xHgz5UPFP-iyfAVE9KGG3s4XO0dZfDBUBOU9-T7EMljgrwwvEcOkgTYN9Aa-JKtgjdBwdtFM640xZM/s16000/FWG+-+Morgan+Wellens+Kai+Grebe_510pxW.jpg" title="Morgan Wellens with Kai Grebe" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Wellens with Kai Grebe<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Michelangelo said, "<i>Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it</i>." With what philosophy do you approach your art?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Morgan</b>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">You know, they say “<i>10 years is the overnight success</i>”. It’s not exciting or sexy, but it’s probably the quote I live by the most. Hard work, perseverance, and consistency matter. Half the battle of being an artist is working at your craft every day, because breakthroughs come with time and repetition. I try not to attach the “success barometer” to my work. I’m an artist because I create. If success comes, I’ll be over the moon, but more than that, I love what I do which keeps me in the game through the rough times and rejection. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijm2daEo6rmb_U0F6jAW3ZnaBUcYFoAhX-cC9wsPOdob4YiaLXLF5jP9tTotD9idYAo1A-5jXHPLAESxoOS4lCxg2d5c30Y3vLzGRgmNBCI0EWtPve60mnK51fpjsmaI3oVUV3dAJPZE/s510/FWG+-+Morgan+Wellens+Alex+Ross+-+_Across+the+Cosmos__510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morgan Wellens with Alex Ross" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijm2daEo6rmb_U0F6jAW3ZnaBUcYFoAhX-cC9wsPOdob4YiaLXLF5jP9tTotD9idYAo1A-5jXHPLAESxoOS4lCxg2d5c30Y3vLzGRgmNBCI0EWtPve60mnK51fpjsmaI3oVUV3dAJPZE/s16000/FWG+-+Morgan+Wellens+Alex+Ross+-+_Across+the+Cosmos__510pxW.jpg" title="Morgan Wellens with Alex Ross" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Wellens with Alex Ross<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: When you have time to play tourist, where/what are some of the destinations in Atlanta that you most enjoy?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Morgan</b>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I have to be honest, I’m a sucker for <b><a href="https://poncecitymarket.com/" target="_blank">Ponce City Market</a></b>. I love walking the <b><a href="https://beltline.org/" target="_blank">Beltline</a></b> and being around all that energy. <br /><br />I also enjoy visiting the <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForwardWarrior/" target="_blank">Forward Warrior</a></b> wall in <b><a href="https://cabbagetown.com/" target="_blank">Cabbagetown</a></b>. For those who don’t know, it’s a long stretch of the most beautiful murals you’ve seen. Afterward, I might pop over to <b><a href="https://www.littlesfoodstore.com/" target="_blank">Little’s</a></b> for some sliders. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_n1DwAGJtoTfo5Jk88nm5cxMPapUzI8Spt4D_LP_3PaEiLEt_MDfoW_SvC8wcVP5HmUFnrQwBcgSB8RjyQmveb5hPKUQSOXGOjaypCUzqDCLvt3VfwhLPzEStHLdFTs3zMuGSnfo_iw/s510/FWG+-+Artwork+by+Eleonore+Dendy_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Artwork by Eleonore Dendy" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_n1DwAGJtoTfo5Jk88nm5cxMPapUzI8Spt4D_LP_3PaEiLEt_MDfoW_SvC8wcVP5HmUFnrQwBcgSB8RjyQmveb5hPKUQSOXGOjaypCUzqDCLvt3VfwhLPzEStHLdFTs3zMuGSnfo_iw/s16000/FWG+-+Artwork+by+Eleonore+Dendy_510pxW.jpg" title="Artwork by Eleonore Dendy" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork by Eleonore Dendy<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Why do you feel it's important for budding artists to not give up, to press forward with a career as an artist if they're truly passionate about it?<br /><br /><b>Morgan</b>: The grind as an artist is HARD. But honestly, most every career path in life is hard! Would you tell a doctor to go to school for less than 8 years because it’s a “waste of time”? Why then, as artists, isn’t it normalized for us to put in the same kind of dedication to our craft. We need artists. They change the way that we see the world. They expand our minds and open our hearts. <br /><br />Artists can show us a vision for the future when we can’t see it for ourselves. We saw a black president on the big screen long before Obama ran for office. Right now, it feels like possibility is at our fingertips and people are ready for change. We are craving and lifting up stories and visual work from new voices and underrepresented audiences. Make sure your voice can be heard. </span><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95PUyl50_S4QAS3g9-Fx2QOvHW0kjx4rPT5HbZxbGBH4MKVmbtblvlQIYLZ7t1rhEN2KPmBqBzrbSNNTh8AC8tOqSFMwpgdyP0YaDUy9VmaGkh7-rfBTjCx2wEQLA2sY63EJojkDYdVc/s510/FWG+-+Morgan+Wellens_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Morgan Wellens | Artwork by Aaron Simmons" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95PUyl50_S4QAS3g9-Fx2QOvHW0kjx4rPT5HbZxbGBH4MKVmbtblvlQIYLZ7t1rhEN2KPmBqBzrbSNNTh8AC8tOqSFMwpgdyP0YaDUy9VmaGkh7-rfBTjCx2wEQLA2sY63EJojkDYdVc/s16000/FWG+-+Morgan+Wellens_510pxW.jpg" title="Morgan Wellens | Artwork by Aaron Simmons" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Wellens | Artwork by Aaron Simmons<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://frameworthygallery.com/" target="_blank">Frame Worthy Gallery</a></b> launched its online marketplace last month, so head over there and do some <b>holiday shopping</b> and be sure to follow them on social media (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/frameworthygallery/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/frameworthygallery" target="_blank">Facebook</a>) so you can regularly see what's new! They will also have pop-up locations throughout Atlanta and a primary in-house presence at <b><a href="http://rolecall.co/Theater/" target="_blank">RoleCall Theater</a></b> at <a href="https://poncecitymarket.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Ponce City Market</a>. The featured artwork ranges from modern to abstract, whimsical, and thought-provoking. There's practically something for everyone!</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Morgan said, "</span><i style="font-family: arial;">The grind is real when you make the decision to become an artist for a living. </i><i style="font-family: arial;">Working restaurant jobs, gigs, driving services, you name it. If you are an artist, there's a good chance you're hustling. My goal is to help our team follow their dreams within the industry by taking over the 'left-brain' work so they can focus on the creative stuff</i><span style="font-family: arial;">.”</span></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">(Photos courtesy of Frame Worthy Gallery)</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com0Atlanta, GA, USA33.7489954 -84.38798245.4387615638211528 -119.5442324 62.059229236178844 -49.2317324tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-21993346213808313422020-10-30T10:41:00.000-04:002020-10-30T10:43:32.783-04:00Miller Union Takeout<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now, more than ever, it's crucial to <b>support our local businesses</b>. We've sadly already seen too many small businesses and restaurants close, many of them permanently. Let's keep our dollars here in our city, as much as possible, and enjoy some delicious food in the meantime!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I and a few friends recently enjoyed an alfresco dinner, socially distanced, and masked when not eating, on a friend's driveway. The weather was perfect and the company was delightful! Most of us had not seen each other in-person since the pandemic shutdown in March, so it was a joyous occasion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We ordered (<b><a href="https://www.millerunion.com/site/menu/takeout/" target="_blank">takeout</a></b>) from <b><a href="https://www.millerunion.com" target="_blank">Miller Union</a></b>, where <a href="https://www.jamesbeard.org/" target="_blank">James Beard Award</a>-winner <b><a href="https://www.millerunion.com/site/our-team/" target="_blank">Steven Satterfield</a></b> is the executive chef and co-owner, and <b><a href="https://www.jamesbeard.org/" target="_blank">Neal McCarthy</a></b> is general manager, certified sommelier, and co-owner.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpE9JbSRBCpAAeBMdgqpafx1HSH4eGkoPULrBtYm2HAD3eEpVYRd4FK_H8alMjsR2-Eog1s1tvCvBsJkkOw7UL5LvjudNAmI5vHYK39s0VX8iu9MmF55i1bmJ0bFmp4-1yRpFD_aNgZ8/s510/Chocolate+Pie+-+Miller+Union_510px.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chocolate-Pistachio Cream Pie | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpE9JbSRBCpAAeBMdgqpafx1HSH4eGkoPULrBtYm2HAD3eEpVYRd4FK_H8alMjsR2-Eog1s1tvCvBsJkkOw7UL5LvjudNAmI5vHYK39s0VX8iu9MmF55i1bmJ0bFmp4-1yRpFD_aNgZ8/s16000/Chocolate+Pie+-+Miller+Union_510px.jpg" title="Chocolate-Pistachio Cream Pie | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate-Pistachio Cream Pie | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When we arrived at Miller Union, Chef Steven even helped bring our takeout to the car. That's not something you see every day and we appreciated the special attention.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There were only glowing accolades for the food at our dinner. Our host prepared a delicious dessert for us, so I didn't try my Miller Union <b>Chocolate-Pistachio Cream Pie</b> until I got home. This isn't their presentation — remember, it was <a href="https://www.millerunion.com/site/menu/takeout/" target="_blank">takeout</a> — but I tried, hurriedly, to make it pretty. It was bedtime, but I couldn't resist having a taste. OMG! The chocolate, the candied pistachios...this was beyond delicious! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I had leftovers from every course, but lunch the next day started with this pie. I kept eating until it was completely and totally devoured. My chocolate cravings are delightfully satiated for a while.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnbVhOqwizOJWHzbR31FPXgth5-NcFPEkn-GyyBMMmgww3sXGBLUdNooAIZa5O1A371Nj2OUmBAARxGTHOGoKG-iJ5PLFzwbyO7GDf71ETlaPZAcbgD7gsWNS_a4HNo2ypp_lGULw3eY/s510/Half+Chicken+-+Miller+Union_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Roast Chicken | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnbVhOqwizOJWHzbR31FPXgth5-NcFPEkn-GyyBMMmgww3sXGBLUdNooAIZa5O1A371Nj2OUmBAARxGTHOGoKG-iJ5PLFzwbyO7GDf71ETlaPZAcbgD7gsWNS_a4HNo2ypp_lGULw3eY/s16000/Half+Chicken+-+Miller+Union_510pxW.jpg" title="Roast Chicken | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Chicken | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Chef Steven is a seasonal chef, his menus based on what's available from local farms. Our small group is appreciative that his </span><span style="font-family: arial;">dedication to seasonal cooking and his unwavering support for local farmers is the driving philosophy behind his restaurant. That he's a nice guy is icing on the cake.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For my entrée, I enjoyed the <b>Roast Chicken</b> (a half a chicken!), with pecan, butternut squash, shiitakes, peppers, and plum. Delicious! I never order chicken breast when dining out because if not prepared properly it's just plain dry, but this was one of the most<b> tender</b>, <b>juiciest</b> chicken breasts I've ever had! A couple of people had the <b>Duck Breast</b> and gave high marks for it, too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHA_QEke-SH64HH4NeC8SH2a2M5h61okIrWWdEm4slaFlAFVdooy1x-T3SeM1KmbJSwYOusglIImHmYGbt2v3VvaMKPTwXUpMAQA1oOmvtwwH__mswAeNYUraeFnl1Fm_cABIcRZTboU/s510/Feta+-+Miller+Union_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Whipped Feta | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHA_QEke-SH64HH4NeC8SH2a2M5h61okIrWWdEm4slaFlAFVdooy1x-T3SeM1KmbJSwYOusglIImHmYGbt2v3VvaMKPTwXUpMAQA1oOmvtwwH__mswAeNYUraeFnl1Fm_cABIcRZTboU/s16000/Feta+-+Miller+Union_510pxW.jpg" title="Whipped Feta | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whipped Feta | Miller Union | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">I had never tried feta cheese until I lived in Greece. I fell in love with it! While I was there, I had not had it whipped, so this was a new experience. I don't know what Chef Steven put in his <b>Whipped Feta</b>, but it's AMAZING! The housemade lavash and crisp crudité were wonderful accompaniments. This, for me, is one of those dishes that I'll order every single time I visit, when it's on the menu.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of visit, the restaurant is open for safely distanced outdoor and indoor dining, as well as takeout and family meals to go. And they've instituted impressive, thorough <b><a href="https://www.millerunion.com/site/safetyguidelines/" target="_blank">safety guidelines</a></b>. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6rcizDs2ao-qOQg8yEQaziBHjQcJCjgOYBMzCoOxt4oi_BZn0tM-iY50JvRDEca_z-z56otHmxv3M8UFByRqPEVPDkz4B-PZ6Zrx1cbJoOJl8vBnzE7ki8V-pCmjOItjMXdZrRS_3B0/s510/flowers_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Table Flowers | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6rcizDs2ao-qOQg8yEQaziBHjQcJCjgOYBMzCoOxt4oi_BZn0tM-iY50JvRDEca_z-z56otHmxv3M8UFByRqPEVPDkz4B-PZ6Zrx1cbJoOJl8vBnzE7ki8V-pCmjOItjMXdZrRS_3B0/s16000/flowers_510pxW.jpg" title="Table Flowers | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table Flowers | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Our doting hostess make beautiful centerpieces using flowers from her yard. Dining from <b><a href="https://www.millerunion.com/site/" target="_blank">Miller Union</a></b> made our group's socially distanced reunion all the more special. What a great evening and fabulous meal!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Remember...please <b>support your local</b>, <b>locally-owned restaurants</b>!</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com0999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA33.7819764 -84.4130809999999915.4717425638211523 -119.56933099999999 62.092210236178843 -49.256830999999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-66832773725839367002020-10-22T16:08:00.000-04:002020-10-22T16:17:57.208-04:00INTERVIEW: Sarah Dylla on Atlanta '96<p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you lived in or were visiting when the host city for the Centennial Olympic Games of 1996 was announced, you probably remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. A number of years after those epic games, the Atlanta History Center opened a spectacular "<i><a href="http://www.wanderlustatlanta.com/2012/07/centennial-olympic-games-museum_24.html" target="_blank">Centennial Olympic Games Museum</a></i>", which closed a few years ago when the Center acquired the <a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/explore/exhibitions/cyclorama-the-big-picture" target="_blank">Atlanta Cyclorama</a> and the <a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/explore/exhibitions/texas-locomotive" target="_blank">locomotive <i>Texas</i></a> from Grant Park, which required construction of new exhibition space temporarily displacing the Center's Olympic Games exhibition.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This summer, on the 30th anniversary of the announcement that Atlanta had won the bid, they unveiled a reinterpreted Olympic exhibition: "<b><i><a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/explore/exhibitions/atlanta-96-shaping-an-olympic-and-paralympic-city" target="_blank">Atlanta '96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City</a></i></b>". The curator of this magnificent new exhibition, <b>Sarah Dylla</b>, graciously granted me an interview.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk59xhAeJGcvGJ4l0Qh0gwmS8zm-T4vnuE_exDkVJpUaUyQ5cNSJWEdkaTi-aL4tTK8VKDtxVSF5zf5QJxsV76SDuOpUWSu8iX2wAXSidU1gQUrhg1iyi9ufhivfUB9mv_sjozcLfPGc/s596/AHD-96-Olympics_099_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Sarah Dylla, Olympic Exhibition Curator | Photo courtesy of Atlanta History Center" border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk59xhAeJGcvGJ4l0Qh0gwmS8zm-T4vnuE_exDkVJpUaUyQ5cNSJWEdkaTi-aL4tTK8VKDtxVSF5zf5QJxsV76SDuOpUWSu8iX2wAXSidU1gQUrhg1iyi9ufhivfUB9mv_sjozcLfPGc/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_099_510pxW.jpg" title="Sarah Dylla, Olympic Exhibition Curator | Photo courtesy of Atlanta History Center" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sarah Dylla, Olympic Exhibition Curator | Photo courtesy of Atlanta History Center<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Olympics are special to me, especially the 1996 Games, for numerous reasons. In the 1980s, I lived in Greece while in the U.S. Navy and I had the incredible experience of walking around in Athens' <a href="http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/culture/sport_in_athens" target="_blank">Olympic Stadium</a>, still in use today, where the modern Olympics were played in 1896! Fellow sailors were extras in an <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086713/" target="_blank">Emmy-winning TV mini-series</a> about the first modern Olympics, which was televised in 1984, the year I arrived in Greece.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I moved to Atlanta in 1987, just a few years before it was announced that Atlanta would host the 1996 Games. I remember sitting in my car that morning outside my office building. I was going to be late to work but absolutely had to wait to hear the announcement. When it was announced, "<i>It's Atlanta!</i>", dozens of car horns went off! Lots of us were a few minutes late that morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I enjoyed the incredible experience of attending two <a href="https://www.olympic.org/atlanta-1996/football" target="_blank">Olympic Soccer (Football) games</a>—including seeing Nigeria, who took the gold medal—and later got to attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Paralympics where <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001659/" target="_blank">Christopher Reeve</a>, of <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078346/" target="_blank">Superman</a></i> fame, was the Master of Ceremonies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It was a wonderfully exciting time in Atlanta!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Now, on to the interview...</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4Ucy-sVuDK5ZaMfUS8BiROHjYXB3jeeFIbCCnOp_lkmifidBl12fmJO6TX-GXye4ym-DO9OuSXnh37EvYh50Iig8pSqhseQA9rVmort_reFYuqFJOq1jf-h4gWyeTHfSyksZlAq3c1g/s548/AHD-96-Olympics_084_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Timeline Entrance | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4Ucy-sVuDK5ZaMfUS8BiROHjYXB3jeeFIbCCnOp_lkmifidBl12fmJO6TX-GXye4ym-DO9OuSXnh37EvYh50Iig8pSqhseQA9rVmort_reFYuqFJOq1jf-h4gWyeTHfSyksZlAq3c1g/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_084_501pxW.jpg" title="Timeline Entrance | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Timeline Entrance | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span>: The timeline wall leading to the entrance of the exhibition is magnificent! What details should visitors look for to get the full experience of this timeline?</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Sarah</b>: There are two timelines with the display. One showcases
Atlanta's history of self-promotion and growth initiatives since around the
time of the beginning of the modern Olympic Games to today. From establishing
itself as a transportation and industrial business hub, to pushing to become a
major league city, a convention destination, and eventually a city on the
international stage, the city of Atlanta has always quested for larger status.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The parallel timeline, which begins
in 1896 with the first modern Olympic Games, is used to show how the
Olympics, and eventually the Paralympics, grew in scale over their 100+ year
history into a major driver of urban change for their host cities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The timelines showcase artifacts,
torches, participation medals, and mascots from different Olympics (you’ll see our own <b>Izzy </b>and <b>Blaze </b>inside the core of the exhibition), as well as records and objects that document the city's 20th century development – don't miss the key to Mexico City given to Eastern Airlines to commemorate the first international flight from the city's airport.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This chronology sets the
stage for thinking about the Olympics as an urban project, a major growth
initiative, and a project that fits perfectly into Atlanta's past priorities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Overall, this exhibition
examines the impact of the Games on Atlanta and how residents can spur change in their own communities.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc4WgCZIW7YBnrfWiObuwgF6SuwxT6CcdpczHfeJfK3r85dXhGgwZwVbPHC2jBCpy0COfc8nHTVsZyl8raix6801AEXK6yuzUbEs1HLMWpLrgjuSdlffmGwe9o14u4Np9RIf5v6BSxZ0/s786/AHD-96-Olympics_083_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="1996 Olympic & Paralympic Torches | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc4WgCZIW7YBnrfWiObuwgF6SuwxT6CcdpczHfeJfK3r85dXhGgwZwVbPHC2jBCpy0COfc8nHTVsZyl8raix6801AEXK6yuzUbEs1HLMWpLrgjuSdlffmGwe9o14u4Np9RIf5v6BSxZ0/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_083_501pxW.jpg" title="1996 Olympic & Paralympic Torches | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1996 Olympic & Paralympic Torches | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">: In the former Olympics museum, all of the Center's Olympic torches were on display. While there are a lot in the new exhibition, why aren't they all in this exhibition?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: It's rare for an institution to have a nearly
complete Olympic torch set, so these torches are certainly treasures of Atlanta
History Center's collection. However, for that same reason we want the
collection to be flexible and available for other uses. They might be used for
temporary display in another exhibition and those not on display can be made
available to researchers and students or loans. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEamWVCF7PevO_IeWKuuZ81Igl_HmsMoB11s-LhlfS0yiRqUd2FI4XAQ8B1k4UGZ2dxqluX3D_DzHXdWturkqfXshOOQ_YBtntAh8kOmshRmx17WirZDzrquIw_Nn1FgLITwHZIxrR724/s765/AHD-96-Olympics_087_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Say Yes to Atlanta | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEamWVCF7PevO_IeWKuuZ81Igl_HmsMoB11s-LhlfS0yiRqUd2FI4XAQ8B1k4UGZ2dxqluX3D_DzHXdWturkqfXshOOQ_YBtntAh8kOmshRmx17WirZDzrquIw_Nn1FgLITwHZIxrR724/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_087_501pxW.jpg" title="Say Yes to Atlanta | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say Yes to Atlanta | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">NOTE: While the timeline continues to 2020, the entrance to <b>Payne Gallery</b> (a nod to Billy Payne's remarkable leadership in the bidding process and as administrator of the Games) is at the 1996 point in time, the year Atlanta hosted the <a href="https://www.olympic.org/atlanta-1996" target="_blank"><b>Centennial Olympic Games</b></a> and the <b><a href="https://www.paralympic.org/atlanta-1996" target="_blank">Paralympic Games</a></b>. Payne is also one of the major donors to the exhibition.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><blockquote><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial;">“<i>The exhibition examines the long-term impact of the ’96 Games on Atlanta with thoughts about how all of us can have an impact on our community</i>,” </span><span style="font-family: arial;">says <b>Sheffield Hale</b>, President & CEO, Atlanta History Center</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: arial;">. “<i>We tried to break out of the typical sports exhibition format that looks exclusively at the events and medals and look at what the Games meant to the city before, during, and after</i>.” </span></blockquote></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 19.9733px;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><i><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b></i></span><span style="line-height: 19.9733px;">: The exhibit is divided into four distinct sections: <i>Envisioning</i>, <i>Campaigning</i>, <i>Realizing</i>, and <i>Reflecting</i>. Which was the most challenging to curate and which was the most fun?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: The most <b>challenging </b>was the
final section, <b><i>Reflecting</i></b>. After walking through the story
and breaking it down, we had to decide how to end it. Yet reflections on the
1996 Games in Atlanta are ongoing. For Atlanta, the impact of the Games didn't
end at the closing ceremonies. There were lots of considerations: how to
illustrate big ideas like all the varied ways we formulate ideas and opinions
about an event, through changing landscapes, the media response, expert analysis,
or one's personal experience and memories. And we had to look at how those
things are still changing today with longer hindsight, new Games, and new
projects.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The <b>most fun</b> for
me was the second area, <b><i>Campaigning</i></b>! It starts with the bids
specifically, and then branches into stories about the variety of activities
happening in Atlanta in the lead up to the Games. The reality of the
approaching Games brought a lot of different ideas for changing Atlanta and
preparing for the event to the table, from both inside and outside of the
organizing committee. There was a push for a new state flag, a movement to keep
Cobb County out of the Olympics unless their anti-LGBTQ resolution changed, and
efforts from Mayor Jackson and other leaders to use the Olympic momentum to fight
poverty and improve the city. It was such a busy time!<o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcB0UeUb-yNl8HM3PYr71FmWkwqDUwJwlD7lKgPG_0ZzD-nxL74phznlgoHTwKY4q3NQYKb73DYm-6lyyoI_7EQSVjefEmEWWAx45_y_EuJRV4c20hyEKam4PTR71j8mVEckeUuFGn51w/s846/AHD-96-Olympics_085_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=""Atlanta From the Ashes" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcB0UeUb-yNl8HM3PYr71FmWkwqDUwJwlD7lKgPG_0ZzD-nxL74phznlgoHTwKY4q3NQYKb73DYm-6lyyoI_7EQSVjefEmEWWAx45_y_EuJRV4c20hyEKam4PTR71j8mVEckeUuFGn51w/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_085_501pxW.jpg" title=""Atlanta From the Ashes" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<a href="https://www.ocaatlanta.com/public_art/atlanta-from-the-ashes-phoenix-rising/" target="_blank"><b>Atlanta From the Ashes</b></a>" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">wanderlust ATLANTA</span></b><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">: In the <i>Envisioning </i>section there are people represented who were not directly involved in planning the 1996 Olympics. Why are they there?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: We wanted to use this section to look back a
bit, to showcase the big change-makers and influencers who looked at how the
city in the late 70s and the 80s could be so much more. Whether from positions
of city and business leadership or community organizing and activism, stories
of individuals like these folks highlight the different ways people thought
about bettering Atlanta. In their stories you can see how the city was becoming
ripe for hosting the Olympic Games, the roots of the bid, and threads of change
from a variety of perspectives that runs through the exhibit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qryTX7WDHPPM4-3agr_kOCMpjmpNy8ANCaWlCW6YICJ8cTmI3NbVi8ucgTFpBNa11rCO5WkHfrG_7SzqQvfKVOCraBeqtWKBNQCxMEmD333nXvpLF6N28p2Kb2q_bNOFnszfaz8G8UQ/s685/AHD-96-Olympics_088_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=""It's Atlanta!" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qryTX7WDHPPM4-3agr_kOCMpjmpNy8ANCaWlCW6YICJ8cTmI3NbVi8ucgTFpBNa11rCO5WkHfrG_7SzqQvfKVOCraBeqtWKBNQCxMEmD333nXvpLF6N28p2Kb2q_bNOFnszfaz8G8UQ/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_088_501pxW.jpg" title=""It's Atlanta!" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It's Atlanta!" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">wanderlust ATLANTA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 17.12px;">: In the <i>Realizing </i>section there’s a display of the front page of the <i>Atlanta Journal</i>, the headline reading, “<i><b>It’s Atlanta!</b></i>” The Center shared this image on Instagram and you got some surprising reactions. Tell us about that?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: The front page is definitely a nostalgic image
that brings back great excitement for those who remember it. Interestingly
enough, we always get funny comments related to the headline halfway down the
page: “<b><i>We finally won something!</i></b>” I think it speaks to a familiar
sentiment for Atlanta sports fans. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The second portion of
the main headline in that day's paper creates a more somber reaction: "<i>City explodes in thrill of
victory".</i> With the knowledge we have today of the tragic bombing
that was to come during the Games, this text certainly creates a bit of pause. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">There is a strong sense
of nostalgia about the Games from those who remember them in Atlanta, but there
are also difficult topics and experiences that are part of this story. There is
a section related to the story of the bombing in the exhibition. The display includes
a commemorative set of "Day-by-Day" pins that a fan collected, but Day
9, the day of the bombing, is missing.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2JlcCfR6mYBrdZnnETh_4SotF2JIDiefY_lJt6M-aA0wLAqBig7PSTKD9V6FpiZDgK9WfHSb3xOWQ9okaiUbCd8lRJBFc4mq_qJ4F22l2huHuwXHtIRbfJ7UGhkmuVj7uoCNXQtlz2E/s510/map+of+the+world+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=""Map of the World" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2JlcCfR6mYBrdZnnETh_4SotF2JIDiefY_lJt6M-aA0wLAqBig7PSTKD9V6FpiZDgK9WfHSb3xOWQ9okaiUbCd8lRJBFc4mq_qJ4F22l2huHuwXHtIRbfJ7UGhkmuVj7uoCNXQtlz2E/s16000/map+of+the+world+2.jpg" title=""Map of the World" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Map of the World" | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">wanderlust ATLANTA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 17.12px;">: Visitors should not miss the "<i>Map of the World</i>" painted by Olympic athletes staying in the Olympic Village on the Georgia Tech campus. What are some significant things to look for in this vibrant painting?</span></span></p></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: This relief map of the world was sitting in
the <b><a href="https://www.news.gatech.edu/features/georgia-techs-olympic-legacy" target="_blank">Olympic Village at Georgia Tech</a></b> where Olympians resided for the duration of
the Games. The Olympians painted and painted and painted over the course of the
two weeks! There are five panels and we invite you to stare at it for a while.
You'll see signatures, doodles next to athletes' countries and states, and there's
even a tiny </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1980644905660560485/6683277372583936700"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">Izzy</span></b></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif">!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTdQyvTmqe11OL3hRNIdGEgQD6ZlF_Yatv60pnl_3h8fvMcMaTtqEat-3f-zNeQVnl_UvH7bTdxne9ERs5uinYyhDpglE-wBrgJcLG_rxpfEL4Y8gKcSYP3l77b2jG8sxTbz_I9IT9Qc/s608/AHD-96-Olympics_096_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="1996 Paralympic Medals | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTdQyvTmqe11OL3hRNIdGEgQD6ZlF_Yatv60pnl_3h8fvMcMaTtqEat-3f-zNeQVnl_UvH7bTdxne9ERs5uinYyhDpglE-wBrgJcLG_rxpfEL4Y8gKcSYP3l77b2jG8sxTbz_I9IT9Qc/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_096_501pxW.jpg" title="1996 Paralympic Medals | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1996 Paralympic Medals | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">wanderlust ATLANTA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 17.12px;">: The Olympic and Paralympic medals on display are stunning. Are there any surprises here?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 19.9733px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: The text on the back of the 1996 Paralympic
Medals is in </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1980644905660560485/6683277372583936700"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">Braille</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif">. Some medals since '96 include Braille on the front. The
Paralympic Games go back to 1948, to the <a href="https://www.paralympic.org/ipc/history" target="_blank">Stoke Mandeville Games</a>, the
predecessor of the modern Paralympic Games, and an event that was established
as an athletic forum for British veterans of World War II. It was in very recent
history that the U.S. Olympic Committee changed their name to be more
inclusive. Today they are know as the <b>United States Olympic &
Paralympic Committee</b>. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Our exhibit parallels
how the Olympic Games <i>and</i> the Paralympic Games shaped and have
affected Atlanta.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Of the Paralympic medals
on display, the gold medal is new to our collection and the silver and bronze
medals on are on loan from athletes and sponsors.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2qys0a_F7ieE_a-5_LRu_k__JDv55apk5Bab2ZVl-ej9kAAORWV7268jD5dyODif8qKpmrdXDcMR2_PmdeF6Xu3VGrIhnosifel9VUxj6jc0rzz8I4Temx3-v58ljichQJ_NMuha3Bs/s510/AHD-96-Olympics_086_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hands-Free Interactive Display | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2qys0a_F7ieE_a-5_LRu_k__JDv55apk5Bab2ZVl-ej9kAAORWV7268jD5dyODif8qKpmrdXDcMR2_PmdeF6Xu3VGrIhnosifel9VUxj6jc0rzz8I4Temx3-v58ljichQJ_NMuha3Bs/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_086_501pxW.jpg" title="Hands-Free Interactive Display | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hands-Free Interactive Display | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">wanderlust
ATLANTA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 107%;">: There were some adaptations to the interactive displays throughout the exhibit prior to opening. Share with us
how those work?</span></p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: With the onset of the pandemic we pushed the
pause button in the spring and considered how we could reopen, a significant
concern being tangible interactives and touchscreens. Each section was going to
have an interactive element that highlighted learning objectives and asked the
visitor to question their own knowledge and ideas. Concerned about sanitation
and safety, we transitioned to touchless technology for our digital screens and
replaced some of the tangible activities with additional seating for now.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">One interactive activity
was initially intended for visitors to add a string, color-matched to their age
group, to a web of previous responses, weaving their contribution around knobs
to select answers to a survey. Now, through a QR Code and online survey,
visitors can still contribute and museum staff will <i>string</i> their
responses.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Other displays use
technology where one's hand becomes the cursor on the screen. It senses your
hand placement and movement. There are instructions on how to gesticulate your
hand to navigate and enter responses on the display. It's pretty cool, actually!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5li27Id2gmHYenhAz30iKjfrn8m_gZLCBJFQ0NP9i8DJO8R9zksF9OXr_jcWx1dppl3saXOKvLT8IUU3o3RlsocFGp1QLWA66nGT-pHinooBTjCDpYoD9OmHPm7Nra1XC-hQnJHvYi0/s720/AHD-96-Olympics_095_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Autographs | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5li27Id2gmHYenhAz30iKjfrn8m_gZLCBJFQ0NP9i8DJO8R9zksF9OXr_jcWx1dppl3saXOKvLT8IUU3o3RlsocFGp1QLWA66nGT-pHinooBTjCDpYoD9OmHPm7Nra1XC-hQnJHvYi0/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_095_501pxW.jpg" title="Autographs | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autographs | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">wanderlust
ATLANTA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 107%;">: I feel that
your combining of Olympic and Paralympic histories is brilliantly done. What
were the deciding factors in pairing these when those events were actually separated by
two weeks and thousands of people?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: Weaving the Paralympic story more fully into
this exhibition was a big priority for us. We spoke with different advisors and community
leaders and tuned in to current discussions on both around the world. Successes
of disability rights activism have led to increasing parity between the Games
over the years, and we wanted the exhibition to show Atlanta’s place in that
trajectory. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">In addition to that, hosting
the Games was nearly a 10-year process for Atlanta, and both the Olympic and
Paralympic Games were the result of a great amount of work behind the scenes. It
is that work and the resulting platform for larger issues that we wanted to
focus on in this exhibition, and that allowed us to break away from an exact
chronology at times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">On the Paralympic side
of the story, visitors can see how the bidding process was separate from the
Olympics and different than it is today. They can see how the healthcare community
in Atlanta and activists helped shape the 1996 Paralympics into something more
for the disabled community. And they can see connections to larger narratives,
like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990, the
same year it was announced that Atlanta would host the '96 Games, and a major
factor in venue construction. It’s a longer story that relates to the increases
in parity. The exhibit shows how Atlanta is a step along that path.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8GdqTpqjf_urDQHDmQivTFcmGr0_pluAlXIuMuvKVr-B9p8DXncFt_cWnCZZi0GCA-VwItxSkw8Uf8YD1Pf6OMUaYBF6LfK-z4DAbvn7ePoTqv02T3q3p7_cp6ucqsutepqfWScHi0s/s693/AHD-96-Olympics_093_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Olympic Cauldron model | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8GdqTpqjf_urDQHDmQivTFcmGr0_pluAlXIuMuvKVr-B9p8DXncFt_cWnCZZi0GCA-VwItxSkw8Uf8YD1Pf6OMUaYBF6LfK-z4DAbvn7ePoTqv02T3q3p7_cp6ucqsutepqfWScHi0s/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_093_501pxW.jpg" title="Olympic Cauldron model | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olympic Cauldron model | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">wanderlust
ATLANTA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 107%;">: What’s your
favorite artifact in the exhibition and why?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Sarah</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">: It has to be the model of the Olympic
Cauldron. It has an interesting backstory as it relates to the role of art in
the Games, the making of memorable TV moments, and the artist, <a href="https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/siah-armajani-whose-cerebral-works-embraced-art-architecture-and-conceptual-projects-has-died-aged-81" target="_blank">Siah Armajani</a>. The
model is an elaborate and delicate object made of balsa wood. And who could
forget the image of </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1980644905660560485/6683277372583936700"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">Muhamad Ali</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif">, who was living with </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1980644905660560485/6683277372583936700"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">Parkinson's</span></a><u><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue;"> at the time</span></u><span face="Arial, sans-serif">,
lighting the Cauldron via a pulley system to officially open the 1996 Games.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">It also speaks to the
heavy urban redevelopment efforts that come from the Games, and the site of
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/summerhill_atl/" target="_blank">Summerhill</a> with its many layers of history and neighborhood impact. The
Cauldron was attached to Atlanta's Olympic Stadium, which was built with re-use
in mind. And its connecting piece, the bridge, was intended by the artist to be
a symbolic connection between the neighborhood and the Games. After 1996, the stadium
was converted into </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1980644905660560485/6683277372583936700"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">Turner Field</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif">, which would be home to the </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1980644905660560485/6683277372583936700"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: blue;">Atlanta Braves</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> for many years. The Olympic Cauldron was moved a few blocks
north to Hank Aaron Drive and Fulton Street. Residents of Summerhill have seen
recurring plans for change from city leadership and private development, all impacting
them and rarely involving them. The Olympic development is just one point in a
long story of the neighborhood – a neighborhood where the Cauldron still stands
as a recognizable beacon. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzczYS5HaAofLu9bNOG56uidQW2CYUZcUVdSofvJJz3qDeJ92wpud6bODj6t5_7IdTqmy-C4pIbRgwzkZ2JyDGeoPYnyJFVvjTVRwH7YirlCAnFuGblylcgnKGm5FGikxWNSiWqsM6bk/s510/AHD-96-Olympics_094_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Olympic Stadium model | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzczYS5HaAofLu9bNOG56uidQW2CYUZcUVdSofvJJz3qDeJ92wpud6bODj6t5_7IdTqmy-C4pIbRgwzkZ2JyDGeoPYnyJFVvjTVRwH7YirlCAnFuGblylcgnKGm5FGikxWNSiWqsM6bk/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_094_501pxW.jpg" title="Olympic Stadium model | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olympic Stadium model | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">wanderlust
ATLANTA</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; line-height: 107%;">: The Atlanta
History Center is the steward of much of our Olympic and Paralympic history and
experiences. Do you feel this exhibit will elicit an emotional response from
Atlantans that we’re ready to once again bid for the Olympics? Do you feel this
exhibit says we’re ready to host again?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><b>Sarah</b>: The exhibit shouldn't be seen as a bid for another Olympic and Paralympic Games. It's meant to showcase how individuals—you and me and every Atlantan—can shape one's community. And help us learn from and inform our ideas about the future from examples of change in the recent past. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The biggest takeaway we hope for is that visitors see the Games as much more than a two-week event. In Atlanta, from early 20th century history to ongoing initiatives today, there have been so many pushes to make the city more accommodating for new industry (whether that is rail transit and shipping or movies), for big events and the recognition that comes with them (like the Olympics or the Super Bowl). The Olympics was a "typical" project for Atlanta’s leaders. It was a huge push to put the city on an international stage and that's what it did, but there were also so many other changes happening at the local level that Atlantans can still see, feel, and experience today.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Thank you, Sarah, for the interview. I personally am ecstatic that we again have an '96 Olympics and Paralympics exhibition for locals and visitors from the around the world to explore and experience. Touring the exhibit bought back many wonderful memories from those years and I learned a lot about the Games in Atlanta that I didn't know before. I highly encourage Atlantans, and visitors, to add this exhibition to your must-see list.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TBsINNU54ghiKUvgEQ3SaPB4vPBvKj30qcGKPbebMej8tJdcOw4l6TbbVDU-HjO4fHGENJ8QIsIAy55ceQbVQxPh-7OTkxC6AyLFelM_txYeEcIRDQ2laJTp0DmMVsVk1eLpZG5Mhow/s734/AHD-96-Olympics_091_501pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Izzy | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TBsINNU54ghiKUvgEQ3SaPB4vPBvKj30qcGKPbebMej8tJdcOw4l6TbbVDU-HjO4fHGENJ8QIsIAy55ceQbVQxPh-7OTkxC6AyLFelM_txYeEcIRDQ2laJTp0DmMVsVk1eLpZG5Mhow/s16000/AHD-96-Olympics_091_501pxW.jpg" title="Izzy | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izzy | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/explore/exhibitions/atlanta-96-shaping-an-olympic-and-paralympic-city" target="_blank">Atlanta '96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> is on display now at the </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com" target="_blank">Atlanta History Center</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">. Please see their <a href="https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/" target="_blank">website</a> for hours, tickets, and ongoing safety measures. "</span><i style="font-family: arial;">Thank you!</i><span style="font-family: arial;">" to Sarah for the interview!</span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com3130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA33.8418161 -84.3863195.5315822638211571 -119.542569 62.152049936178848 -49.230069tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-6032909283158206252020-09-29T17:39:00.003-04:002020-12-14T18:48:46.928-05:00A JAZZ MEMOIR: Through the Lens of Herb Snitzer<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>NOTE: <span style="color: red;">Extended through Wednesday, March 31, 2021!</span></b></span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Louis Armstrong</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Nina Simone</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Miles Davis</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Dizzy Gillespie</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Duke Ellington</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, </span><b style="font-family: arial;">John Coltrane</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, and </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Count Basie</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> are but are a few of the world-famous American musicians and Jazz legends that you'll see in </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Exhibitions/Now-on-View/A-Jazz-Memoir-Photography-by-Herb-Snitzer" target="_blank">The Breman Museum</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">'s newest exhibition, </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Exhibitions/Now-on-View/A-Jazz-Memoir-Photography-by-Herb-Snitzer" target="_blank">A JAZZ MEMOIR: Through the Lens of Herb Snitzer</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial;">. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Louis Armstrong | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBxAXdRnz5-yxzSWh6UjB_ppxumuym19M5kdP7Zz-mwVUvU6we9yrNy0NZrmLlZJXiH8zivlxVPglZM298tfRgng2S7mO6-nGVUI3V6IaSfi5Au61EM1FMJMu4sJIpOMMjMW8qXolDbM/s16000/01_Louis-armstrong_TC_touch_02_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Louis Armstrong | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.biography.com/musician/louis-armstrong" target="_blank">Louis Armstrong</a></b> | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><i style="font-family: arial;">A Jazz Memoir</i><span style="font-family: arial;">, on "<b><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Exhibitions/Now-on-View/A-Jazz-Memoir-Photography-by-Herb-Snitzer" target="_blank">view</a></b>" now through Wednesday, March 31, 2021,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> features Herb Snitzer’s photography documenting America’s jazz scene. It focuses on an early period, 1957–1964, of his more than sixty-year career. For most of that time, Herb was the photography editor for </span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b>Metronome Magazine</b></i><span style="font-family: arial;">, the primary magazine devoted to jazz, and published until 1961.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As you peruse the <b><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Exhibitions/Now-on-View/A-Jazz-Memoir-Photography-by-Herb-Snitzer" target="_blank">exhibit online</a></b>, you're "walking" through the gallery and can stop and view the photos, each of which has a circle next to the caption. First, hover over the citcle and you'll see a thumbnail of the photo with the caption. Then you can click on that thumbnail to see a larger version of the image. It's very well done, one of the best virtual experiences I've had of a photography exhibit. Be sure the click on the <b>yellow circles</b> in the gallery. Those are <b>videos</b>, including one featuring <b><a href="http://herbsnitzer.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Herb Snitzer</a></b> himself!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The above photo of <b><a href="https://www.biography.com/musician/louis-armstrong" target="_blank">Louis Armstrong</a></b> was made while on a tour bus. The <b>Star of David</b> that Armstrong is wearing was a gift from the <b>Karnovsky family</b> when he was a child. That family cared for him, fed and clothed him. Herb said that Armstrong, even though not of the Jewish faith, wore that Star of David for his entire life, and that Armstrong was the least prejudiced musician he ever knew.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Nina Simone | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8Gv_ZjTkCCjA4kcxBXOsIMS-8YaIF_fyeorDIB_-hVfI7qEOIKFo_s99DalgTWnUs1JNbUVMZeRv4TCfb9_0zYKCDyV9npIVo8j-P2q4nyuoUg-ylGsirK7jXA4pEXNe6JQpzPspNDg/s16000/02_Nina+Simone+1959-Photograph+by+Herb+Snitzer_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Nina Simone | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.biography.com/musician/nina-simone" target="_blank">Nina Simone</a></b> | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the things that I love most about this exhibit is that the placards are <b>written in first-person</b>. It's like having Herb standing next to you telling you stories about the people he's photographed and how meeting some of these international stars influenced his career and his life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For example, part of the <b><a href="https://www.biography.com/musician/nina-simone" target="_blank">Nina Simone</a></b> placard reads, "...<i>to photograph the talented, but difficult Nina Simone. Nina and I were the same age and we hit it off. In April 1986, she came to Boston where I was living and we re-connected which led to me photographing her two concerts in Bern, Switzerland in December of that year. ...She introduced me to Hans Zurbrugg, the producer of the Bern International Jazz Festival who hired me to photograph the festival for three years, 1987-89. This allowed me to reconnect with my Jazz friends from all over the world</i>..."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've loved jazz my whole life, but it's exhibits like this that get me super-excited about it again. A few years ago, the first show that I ever saw at <a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/" target="_blank">Theatrical Outfit</a> was "<b><i>Simply Simone</i></b>", a musical. Four actresses portrayed Nina at different times in her life and it was magnificent! The acting, the singing, the things that I learned about Nina's life were remarkable. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Count Bassie | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc0CiTpQ1Fd6TcskXj_WwXeJNIe84Aqg645cLmWd3St29GVZHvPxBwD3dZAmiWi7JZxVQY71OwMR9VL7UxM-KrB8HcVEcieO-zMDrICSvRc0H4qSrcZ4L6FFueaahKOsNOmh6kMa-HrU/s16000/03_Count_Bassie_YYYY_XXXX_-2_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Count Bassie | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.biography.com/musician/count-basie" target="_blank">Count Basie</a></b> | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's additional programming with the exhibition, including a </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="exhibition curator Tony Casadonte discuss Jazz, Photography and much more" target="_blank">Zoom Artist Talk</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> with <b>Herb Snitzer</b> and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">exhibition curator </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Tony Casadonte</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> on Thursday, October 1, when they'll discuss jazz, photography, and more! I had the pleasure of meeting Tony just as the finishing touches were being put on the exhibition. You're in for a treat! His passion for this exhibition is undeniable! </span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"</span><i style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #800180;">Jazz is more than wonderful music. It's a statement about people's desire and thirst for freedom, and with freedom, the sweetness of individuality and sense of self-worth.</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;">" </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial;">- Herb Snitzer</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tony is with </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://lumieregallery.net/" target="_blank">Lumière</a></b>, an exhibition partner, here in Atlanta where you can see more of Snitzer's work and that of many other illustrious artists. Lumiere is a photography gallery, founded 15 years ago to enhance the appreciation of the photographic arts and to showcase many of the master photographers of the last century. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Then on Thursday, October 15 at 7pm, there's "<i><b><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Jews-and-Jazz" target="_blank">Jews and Jazz: A Discussion of the impact of Jews on the Jazz Scene</a></b></i>" when <b>Gary Motley</b> and <b>Dr. Gordon Vernick</b> will discuss the significant roles that Jews have played in the Jazz scene as composers, performers, writers, and entrepreneurs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Both events are <b>free </b>but require <b>registration</b>!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Duke Ellington | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcsGlFX9CnGGW7aNRvlK4MNHd46j0bQV7MtiRP9eb3aIWQohVXEM5zkAQXYwDazCOi66DgTk-8eYWD28ghzYQYJ3FVtsQuDRJRRRGzOr-tp4LX4tbPHKuQ2mRlH3g5P8YcsYfWEd0CeM/s16000/04_Duke_Ellington_7920_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Duke Ellington | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.biography.com/musician/duke-ellington" target="_blank">Duke Ellington</a></b> | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"</span><i style="font-family: arial;">Presenting Herb Snitzer's marvelous camera work aligns with The Breman's commitment to the art of photography</i><span style="font-family: arial;">," says Breman Executive Director </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Leslie Gordon</b><span style="font-family: arial;">. "</span><i style="font-family: arial;">This exhibition is a great example of outstanding works by Jewish documentary photographers. In late 2019 and early 2020, we featured the highly popular </i><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Exhibitions/Henri-Dauman-Looking-Up" target="_blank">Henri Dauman: Looking Up</a></span><i style="font-family: arial;">, an overview of the French-born Holocaust survivor's photographs that acknowledged him as one of the preeminent photojournalists of the twentieth century. We are proud to host the current exhibition, </i><span style="font-family: arial;">A Jazz Memoir</span><i style="font-family: arial;">, and thrilled to be sharing Snitzer's iconic images with a broad public</i><span style="font-family: arial;">."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition to Snitzer's jazz photography are other works that demonstrate </span><span style="font-family: arial;">both his desire to use photography to effect <b>social change</b> and his belief that "<b><i>Injustice for one is injustice for all</i></b>," acutely relevant given the current social climate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Herb has lived in <a href="https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/" target="_blank">St. Petersburg, Florida</a>, (my birth city) since 1992 where he operates a gallery. HIs newest gallery, <b>Herb Snitzer Fine Art Photography Gallery</b>, opened in 2014.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Exhibitions/Now-on-View/A-Jazz-Memoir-Photography-by-Herb-Snitzer" target="_blank">A Jazz Memoir</a></b></i> was initially scheduled to open in April to coincide with the <a href="https://atlantafestivals.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Atlanta Jazz Festival</a>, but those plans were interrupted by COVID-19. But, that didn't deter The Breman from bringing the exhibition to the public. While the museum remains closed due to the pandemic, <i>A Jazz Memoir</i> is now on "display" in an enhanced virtual experience—and they've done a magnificent job of it!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRVWPsfsj5uCNi4y3XkQmVDY1B-Wabg40P5UNgnVBlkZ83212EbVPKAXz-2XnL5VaLPOqYV5S3wH9_rFstEeWrOM-1bPpQb4XA9rkRNoKruzlyGBIcyFreJws9Ti35Ehyphenhyphen6gmjDtSpJIU/s510/05_Pianist+Thelonious+Monk+1960-+Photograph+by+Herb+Snitzer_510pxW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Thelonius Monk | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRVWPsfsj5uCNi4y3XkQmVDY1B-Wabg40P5UNgnVBlkZ83212EbVPKAXz-2XnL5VaLPOqYV5S3wH9_rFstEeWrOM-1bPpQb4XA9rkRNoKruzlyGBIcyFreJws9Ti35Ehyphenhyphen6gmjDtSpJIU/s16000/05_Pianist+Thelonious+Monk+1960-+Photograph+by+Herb+Snitzer_510pxW.jpg" title="Thelonius Monk | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.biography.com/musician/thelonious-monk" target="_blank">Thelonius Monk</a></b> | The Breman Museum | Photo: Herb Snitzer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In a 1990s Los Angeles radio interview when asked what was the key takeaway he wanted people to get from his exhibition, he said, "</span><i style="font-family: arial;">A sense that African Americans have centrally <b>contributed to the culture and spiritual life of the United States</b>. Jazz is…a statement about a people's desire and thirst for freedom, and with freedom, the sweetness of individuality and sense of self-worth. … Jazz musicians have made a very important contribution to the United States. … We must salute Pops, Duke, Sarah, Miles and others <b>as major American artists</b>, not jazz artists—which they were—but American artists. Duke Ellington was the greatest American composer of the twentieth century, but you would never know it from the press. … Duke was the best … Martin Luther King was the best … W.E.B. Du Bois was the best, just as Sarah Vaughn's voice was the best. … I was expressing the injustice of it all</i><span style="font-family: arial;">."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The <b><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/" target="_blank">William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum</a></b> plans to make private, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">small-group tours available for members on a reservation basis, as conditions permit. In the meantime, <b><i><a href="https://www.thebreman.org/Exhibitions/Now-on-View/A-Jazz-Memoir-Photography-by-Herb-Snitzer" target="_blank">A Jazz Memoir: Through the Lens of Herb Snitzer</a></i></b> is free and available to the public online. See it now through Wednesday, March 31, 2021!</span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com21440 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA33.793688800000012 -84.38953215.4834549638211669 -119.5457821 62.103922636178858 -49.2332821tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980644905660560485.post-82193179472854497202020-09-24T16:39:00.000-04:002020-09-24T16:42:40.723-04:00INTERVIEW: Matt Torney, Theatrical Outfit<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/" target="_blank">Theatrical Outfit</a></b>, Atlanta's second-oldest professional theatre, announced at the end of August 2019 that the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">board of trustees had voted unanimously to name <b>Matt Torney</b> as its new <b>Artistic Director</b>. Torney assumed the role in July 2020 when Tom Key completed his 25th year at the helm of this downtown theatre.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Torney has led Theatrical Outfit over the last few months in returning audiences to the theatre, at first virtually, and when it's safe again, in-person! There's a LOT of programing coming up and Torney graciously granted me an <b>interview </b>to introduce him to <i>wanderlust ATLANTA</i> fans and followers and to share a bit about the upcoming programming.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsYh-pKUts54d9ACsUVH-McexEwh6iKCX0srw8veLmy1bDupPwGh_TDJl-JqWE0XFQgx6qoeKZeBoDuvC-ptMSr_pqBx_WhyrXtdYwBq2AXa3luKrclN-qVayQgjlK7U__Lbdha4QL_k/s678/Matt+Torney+2_510pxW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Matt Torney, Artistic Director, Theatrical Outfit | Photo: Teddy Wolff" border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsYh-pKUts54d9ACsUVH-McexEwh6iKCX0srw8veLmy1bDupPwGh_TDJl-JqWE0XFQgx6qoeKZeBoDuvC-ptMSr_pqBx_WhyrXtdYwBq2AXa3luKrclN-qVayQgjlK7U__Lbdha4QL_k/s16000/Matt+Torney+2_510pxW.jpg" title="Matt Torney, Artistic Director, Theatrical Outfit | Photo: Teddy Wolff" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Torney, Artistic Director, Theatrical Outfit | Photo: Teddy Wolff<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">(</span><b style="font-family: arial;">NOTE</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: This post is a combination of my conversation with Matt Torney, personal comments, and press releases. Torney's responses are not verbatim, but are edited from a conversation I had with him. I have endeavored to be as accurate as possible. I can honestly say that I am incredibly excited about what he is and will bring to Theatrical Outfit, a personal favorite.)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">—</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: Share with us a little about where you're from and how you came to Atlanta.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Matt</b>: I'm originally from Belfast, Ireland. I was there in the 1980s and '90s during the second half of troubles there...it was hard to make sense of it all and it sucked up all of your energy. As a young person with no interest in politics, art and theatre became my escape. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">My friends and I would go to plays—there was extraordinary theatre and writing—and do workshops. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I moved to Dublin, Ireland, to study theatre and English literature. In 2006, I moved to New York City and studied at</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank">Columbia University</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for three years then returned home and was freelancing across the Atlantic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I found myself curious about theatre communities outside of New York City. I'd seen the they each have their own flavor, their own feeling, and I was struck by the D.C. audience. In search of a deep immersion in regional theatre, in 2015 I moved to Takoma Park, Maryland, on the northeast border of D.C. and became the Assistant Associate Director at <b><a href="https://www.studiotheatre.org/" target="_blank">Studio Theatre</a></b> in northwest DC near Logan Circle. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A few years later, wanting to lead a theatre led me to Atlanta. I'm excited about the new programming and upcoming season!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwcE8GmmLIVtBFEbO6E3Jwn9rWHmuBddYWVnNDq97chDMnUAKFJpePvW1radcO4pe1qUf853_A6cc94vNhk_yg2M7TjBSxkg2fJ8oaKbztQNqR8tJne3ZKVDMV4LAV7qddNFP2C9dLa4/s16000/2020-21_TO_Season_SOCIAL_1200x1200_v1_DTD-Logo_510pxW.jpg" /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: red;">DOWNTOWN DIALOGUES</span></b> – a four-part series (the first is Thursday, September 24, 2020) of digital readings each followed by a live video podcast hosted by arts journalist <b>Gail O’Neill</b>, writer for <b><a href="https://www.artsatl.org/page/1/?s=GAIL+O%27NEILL" target="_blank">ArtsATL.org</a></b>. Gail will talk to experts and special guests about the play and its themes, incorporating responses to questions from the audience. The four titles in the series take a deep dive into important topics of today from equality to education to the environment, and all will be <b>brought to life by Atlanta’s finest actors and directors</b> for you to engage with from the comfort of your own home. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tonight's <b><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/shows/downtowndialogues/" target="_blank">Downtown Dialogues</a></b>, titled "<b><i>The Children</i></b>" is by <b>Lucy Kirkwood</b>, directed by <b>Susan V. Booth</b>, and stars <b>Ora Jones</b>, <b>Chris Kayser</b>, and <b>Tess Malis Kincaid</b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/shows/downtowndialogues/" target="_blank">Click here</a></b> to learn more about the Downtown Dialogues series and for tickets to the pre-show conversations with Torney!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">—</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">wanderlust ATLANTA</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: While Downtown Dialogues are free to theatre lovers, the pre-purchased VIP Pre-Show Package includes conversations with you. What will those entail.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Matt</b>: We didn't want Theatrical Outfit patrons and other theatre lovers to have to pay for this initial unique content. We want to make it as accessible as possible. Viewers can for free watch Downtown Dialogue readings and enjoy the post-show live video podcast in which a panel of experts and special guests dive deep into the play and its themes hosted by Gail O’Neill. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But we did opt to generate an additional experience.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> With a paid "ticket", or package(s), patrons are guaranteed a "seat" at the reading and post-discussion, plus they have access to a VIP pre-show discussion</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> with me, half an hour before the reading begins. It'll be more of a conversation, less of a presentation, a way to open the door a little bit and have real conversations with patrons, supporters, and subscribers. I'm excited to meet the larger Atlanta theatre-going community.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In a press release <b>Torney said</b>, "<i>We believe that theatre offers an essential place for dialogue in times of extreme disruption, and a space in which our community can celebrate, console, and most importantly, connect with one another. TO is committed to building programs that not only respond actively to the present crisis, but also serve as a long-term investment in our community,Atlanta artists, and our future as a Downtown theatre</i>."</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">—</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Some arts venues in Atlanta, in recent years, have experienced a change in leadership that resulted in significant changes in the patron experience. What, if anything, are you planning to change?</span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;">Matt</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: During the search it was noted that Theatrical Outfit was looking for someone who was in alignment with the theatre's </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/about-us/vision-mission-values/" target="_blank">Vision, Mission, and Core Values</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;">. If writing my own, it would have been a very close match. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My wife, who is a filmmaker and director, had her first feature shown at <b><a href="http://plazaatlanta.com/" target="_blank">Plaza Theatre</a></b>. Serendipitously, Tom Key was there, too! We discussed the civic responsibility of theatre, building community in real-time, the daily operations of the theatre, and how Theatrical Outfit can enhance Atlanta as a city. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's like we were already heading in the same direction, just getting there in different ways. Tom wanted someone to come in and continue, but things are rapidly changing, but we're adapting. Now we're focused on how we can be a home for Atlanta, how we can be a home for artists.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6JxKUN62MjyQ8LnNazG9OufYCdD03TUpvtIAQw2pxoxazpqYAJL6CyZ8-qLZWRSc3XrV1pkjthx55_KkI5U4LB7kjvWe_EmETx0x_eK4AaIfcuAVyuV0LRB1NIJfjnEWDaDbJk2GZ0A/s16000/2020-21_TO_Season_SOCIAL_1200x1200_v1_MIA-Logo_510pxW.jpg" /></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: red;">MADE IN ATLANTA</span></b> - This is a new play program. Theatrical Outfit is taking advantage of the disruption to their mainstage season to devote more time and resources to developing new work. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In a press release Torney said, “<i>What better way to spend this time than <b>focusing on the future, investing in great plays</b> about Atlanta and helping to develop ideas and writers. Our hope is that we will find amazing plays to premiere in future seasons that will make a big impact both here in Atlanta and around the country</i>.”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">—</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>wanderlust ATLANTA</b>: Do you feel it is important to keep a theatre downtown?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Matt</b>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, absolutely. It's the beating heart of the city. We want to offer Atlanta a place that is open to everybody, particularly to be a theatre that creates conversations so that those conversations and ripple outward and create change. As downtown adapts and grows, it's important for theatre to be here. This theatre is going to show up and engage with Atlanta and the South as a whole. We aim to show that the South is a living, growing place, not a place stuck in time. We're looking at ways to invest in the community and to create conversations about who we are and who we can be.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGP3Ul81HXqfodklTHTYyOqVLoRkYBMBTE8PBbpWAW9lUSxqor7dQ3TtjDJIwRNJHViifrzYU3xBCaSqujNLOX9S4Ofg5GtX0AGCb5UtIjAlzAzKhwlp-H3Y7vNhZFfXKxghnMGp5OY8/s16000/Welcome-Table_510pxW.jpg" /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><b style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">THE WELCOME TABLE</span></b><b> </b>- Theatrical Outfit is honored to host a special one-night event to benefit organizations that serve the downtown homeless community. The Welcome Table will raise awareness of the most vulnerable among us, shining a light on how the <b>homeless community</b> has been impacted by COVID-19 while raising funds to support the wonderful organizations working to mitigate that impact. Watch for future announcement about this event.</p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BDGcRqcbjKxjMf5VgMxb3S_iiidJeGty7i-cB4amUi7EZgVwFXkR0jRYYeSvs1-YadMnmlhDsyw9ds6iz8-oCbhhQ4j-ZayZFsPPA87gELhjlEU_pZRuCUGEKeWt2HzUSFd5dbUQ8oo/s16000/Unexpected-Play-Festival.jpg" /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><b><span style="color: red;">UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL</span></b> - In January, Theatrical Outfit is excited to once again partner with <b><a href="https://workingtitleplaywrights.com/" target="_blank">Working Title Playwrights</a></b> (WTP) for the <b>Unexpected Play Festival</b>. This month-long festival celebrates brand new work by local playwrights, all being heard for the first time. Each digital reading will be immediately followed by a discussion led by WTP Artistic Director <b>Amber Bradshaw</b> in which the audience will offer essential feedback that will help the playwright take the work to the next level.</p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXVJyW4b0jzkRV63l5Sonsi8fHeM0HsUcGQoKdGuPThSi72y6ZKRR3VvaV8ldbUXCLxJvxUEZ-vjAU7mxd9o2E7t9XXBBj13fEJE2riEBhLGCMi9VMf09IBqY27wVe-iDRUU_HkTVeeE/s16000/2020-21_TO_Season_SOCIAL_1200x1200_v1_MS-MAIN_510pxW.jpg" /></div><p></p><div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: red;">MAIN STAGE</span></b> – </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Then in Spring 2021, Theatrical Outfit plans to return to the mainstage with three smart, authentic, and vital live productions. As previously announced, <b><i>Tiny Beautiful Things</i></b>, based on the book by <b>Cheryl Strayed</b> and adapted for the stage by <b>Nia Vardalos</b>, will take to the stage rearranging TO in a bold new way. The season will also see a powerful partnership with Theatre J in Washington DC on a co-production of <b>Fires In The Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities</b> by <b>Anna Deavere Smith</b>. A third title will be announced shortly.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div>In a press release Torney said, “<i>We had two requirements for our return to live performances - the plays had to be excellent, and the productions had to be safe for both the artists and the audiences. We are reworking every aspect of how we produce to factor in the latest safety guidelines and will be re-evaluating constantly as we get new information. With flexible ticketing, filmed performances, and a highly trained front of house staff, we are confident that we can offer excellent theatre that embraces the challenges of COVID-19 and offers both flexibility and security to our patrons</i>.”</div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="font-family: arial;">Matt</b><span style="font-family: arial;">: We're confident that we can find a way to return to the theatre safely, while incorporating some digital alternatives. We're listening to medical experts, listening to the City, and we're taking our time to do it right. We're doing this in alignment with our Core Values and we're excited to start some new amazing conversations!</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jZ57Z8mG21f7jE62hs29E6c3JN9LF_iMFlXX5H-8sIvSw5fCXQO4HHR8NtBmotCjhZRmefYYwMfu3_0aVhskTcsfOb7CIK2dLdwvTIsofertLgcBuCVUfh9HP7mob1IJxzEEVfxl234/s510/2020-21_TO_Season_SOCIAL_1200x1200_v1_TWTCover_510pxW.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jZ57Z8mG21f7jE62hs29E6c3JN9LF_iMFlXX5H-8sIvSw5fCXQO4HHR8NtBmotCjhZRmefYYwMfu3_0aVhskTcsfOb7CIK2dLdwvTIsofertLgcBuCVUfh9HP7mob1IJxzEEVfxl234/s16000/2020-21_TO_Season_SOCIAL_1200x1200_v1_TWTCover_510pxW.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Travis</b>: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">You may recall that I've lived in Atlanta twice. The first time for 15 years, then 9 in D.C., and I've been back for 10 years. While in D.C., I attended shows at </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.studiotheatre.org/" target="_blank">Studio Theatre</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">many, many times, AND my former boss when I was at</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><b style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.intelsat.com/" target="_blank">Intelsat</a></b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">is on the Board of Trustees at Studio Theatre. Don't you love small world stories?!<br /><br /></span></p>Travis Swann Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04570754006631132918noreply@blogger.com084 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA33.7570269 -84.38956225.4467930638211541 -119.5458122 62.067260736178845 -49.2333122