Chances are someone you know is graduating from high school this weekend. It’s a bittersweet time for everyone, from parents to kids – well, maybe not everyone. Teachers are probably pretty stoked to be getting rid of some of your precious angel babies. But I digress. And with graduation comes the end of school for kids from kindergarten through college, but what to do with the little buggers when they aren’t in school for the better part of the day? » Read More

Do you love baseball but hate driving into Atlanta? Or do you shudder at the thought of paying so much money to go see the Braves? Then try baseball on a budget and start small with the Gwinnett Braves! They might be a minor league team, but the stadium and the players are nothing to scoff at, and you still get hot dogs and beer, just for less money and a shorter wait in line. ... » Read More

I’m super sad I won’t be able to partake in what promises to be an epic event, so I need you guys to go so that I may live through you! It’s time once again for Zoo Atlanta’s annual Brew at the Zoo, where the grownups can kick the kids out, have unlimited samples of beer and wine and check out the more than 1,500 animals that call Zoo Atlanta home. Not only do you ... » Read More

Grab a blanket and the family and head over to Ashton Hills Golf Club for Screen on the Green next Friday night. Snuggle up under the stars and watch “Parental Guidance,” and get there early so you can enjoy family-style meals being served picnic style from the Village Grille. It’s the sort of thing that kicks your summer off right, being with family, watching a movie that will (hopefully) make you laugh, and enjoying life. ... » Read More

For more than three decades the Atlanta Jazz Festival has been filling Piedmont Park with the sounds of jazz. Old school, newfangled and every style in between, spend the weekend reacquainting yourself with the old and experiencing the new faces in jazz music, as dozens of musicians, from international to local high school bands, take one of the many stages for the festival. You can also participate in jazz education workshops, an interactive kid zone ... » Read More

There’s no disputing that the book “50 Shades of Grey” took the world by storm, just as there should be no argument, from those who actually read it, that the book was atrocious. But rather than punish ourselves for reading it, why not take back our power and realize that the only real way to win, is to mock the book and its characters! If you’re filled with self-loathing (or not), head over to The ... » Read More

The best form of entertainment has always been reading – at least for me. You can be anyone, go anywhere, and learn anything – all from a book. And if you’re looking to update or increase your library then The Montessori School of Covington is the place to go today and Friday. Open from 3-8 p.m. Thursday and 3-6 p.m. Friday, the school will have books for elementary, middle and high school-age on sale through ... » Read More

You know summer is coming when Atlanta starts their outside concerts in Centennial Park. This weekend check out Party in the Park with Ellie Goulding, Electric Sons and Passion Pit. Gates open for the one-day concert at 3 p.m., with music starting at 3:15 p.m.  and going until 11p.m. – rain or shine. You can even pay extra and get yourself a VIP pass to meet the performers. Keep in mind, Ellie Goulding has played ... » Read More

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have miles of Atlanta streets to wander on your bike or on foot without worrying about being plowed down by a MARTA bus? Well here’s your chance to find out! For four hours on Sunday 2.7 miles of Peachtree Street will be closed to cars and open to YOU! You can ride your bike, walk, skateboard – you can travel in any way that does ... » Read More

The kids are almost done with school, and you know what that means. It’s time for vacations! But vacations take time and usually lots of money since you always have to go into those awful souvenir shops at the beach and take a picture standing in front of the giant shark mouth. » Read More

All the beer you want to drink, live bands, East Atlanta people watching and awesome weather? That’s what you’ve got to look forward to if you get tickets to the 10th annual East Atlanta Beer Festival this weekend. Taste beers from more than 100 different companies, eat some tasty food, watch three bands, listen to some DJs and just chillax in the sun. It's really a great way to spend the day. And you don't actually ... » Read More

The Historic Douglass Theatre, in partnership with the Central Georgia Opera Guild, will present the Metropolitan Opera’s latest production of “Rigoletto” during a Gala evening to celebrate the operatic production and end of the season. This new version of “Rigoletto” was originally seen live in movie theaters in February as part of the groundbreaking The Met: Live in HD series, which transmits live performances to more than 1,900 movie theaters and performing arts centers—including the ... » Read More

The 11th annual Madison Chamber Music Festival will open May 21 with a dinner concert at Town 220. This spectacular evening of music will feature “the world’s first classically-trained garage band,” Time for Three. These string players are versatile wonder boys; trained at Curtis Institute, they perform repertoire from Bach to Brahms to bluegrass, from original compositions to the Beatles. They have performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to jazz clubs, and from European festivals to ... » Read More

No matter what mom is into, you can share a special mother’s day by painting pottery together. From coffee cups to serving platters, hang out together and paint something that will last forever – or at least until you have slippery hands while unloading the dishwasher. I love this idea, because it’s perfect for all ages. You can take wee ones and let them put their handprints on a coffee cup for mom to use ... » Read More

My mother used to make biscuits so hard they would dent walls, and once tried to make a meatloaf in the crockpot. Three guesses how that turned out. So if you mom is like mine – of if she just likes to cook – then get her cooking classes for Mother’s Day! The Viking Store has cooking classes all the time. From Italian to pies – they’ll teach you right. If you wanted to take ... » Read More

Picking your own strawberries is one of those things that is so much fun it should be illegal. If you were required to pick them, I’m sure it would be much less entertaining, but since you aren’t you can feel free to plan and pick and giggle and get muddy – to truly have an amazing time. It’s fun for all ages, so it’s a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend. Why order ... » Read More

If you mom is a little more adventurous, then the New Moon Kayak Tour might be the place to go this weekend. My mother would tip us both over into the lake, but your mom might be more coordinated. If so, this sounds like an amazing idea. Take a ranger-led tour of Lake Rutledge and relax while watching the stars. The ranger told me that the new moon lets you see the stars better, so ... » Read More

Take a drive to the mountains to celebrate mom this weekend at Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery, because nothing says I love you like being your mother’s designated driver! But this isn’t just any old winery. They consistently win awards and were even featured in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine – that’s nothing to scoff at. Plus they offer “Napa-style” wine tours and tastings. I have no clue what that entails since the closest I’ve been ... » Read More

Does your mom get tired of flowers? Is she bored to death with the thought of brunch rather than sleeping in on Mother’s Day? Then read on, because there’s no reason you can’t ditch the cliché this Mother’s Day and do something that will make your mom remember just why you’re her favorite child – or why you should be from now on. » Read More

You might not need an excuse to go have some spectacular Mexican food and a couple of margaritas this weekend, but if you want to seem like someone who doesn’t normally imbibe, then use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse and head to Los Charros! Not only will you get the grub, you’ll also get to watch live bands. And if you are really into the holiday you can celebrate on Saturday at their Honey ... » Read More

Recently I was discussing gift-giving with someone and explaining that while I adore receiving gifts, I love giving them just as much because of the joy they bring to others. That, in itself, is like another gift for me. And while this newsletter is very much about entertaining yourself, what's really amazing is that a lot of times, you can do both and not really even notice it. » Read More

Don’t let the headline deceive you, the Indie South Fair might be dripping in ironic mustaches and smell a little like patchouli from all the faux-hippy college kids, but it hasn’t been going strong since 2007 for no reason. A huge “craftstravaganzaa,” there’s music, food, crafting workshops for the kids, a vintage market and art from locals, as well as other artists all over the southeast. From paintings to knitting and everything in between, you’ll ... » Read More

Do you have a predilection for the spooky? If so, make plans to go on the McDonough Haunted History Tour this weekend. McDonough might be known as the Geranium City, but it has a darker side, and if you sign up for the tour you’ll get to hear all about the fabled hauntings, ghosts and things that go bump in the night in this charming little city. Haunted theaters, Confederate ghosts and train crash victims ... » Read More

I’m a firm believer in fairy tales and in creating magic whenever possible This weekend it becomes even more possible to believe in magic when the annual Fairy House Festival comes once again to Chimney Park. Hundreds will converge on the little park behind the library to tour the fairy houses that are created throughout the year, listen to live Irish music by students from the Atlanta Irish Music School and play an undoubtedly lively ... » Read More