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Best Bets: Indie Folk, Unusual Gifts and the Return of the “Santaland” Elf
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Denison Witmer. Photo courtesy of the Militia Group
TODAY’S PICK
Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter — and Sufjan Stevens pal — Denison Witmer crafts poignant folk-pop. His seventh album, the Nov. 11 release “Carry the Weight,” is his first new material since 2005’s lovely “Are You a Dreamer?” With Gavin Mikhail, Tyler James. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19. $18; $15 advance. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976.
WEEKEND HAPPENING
Looking for unusual, one-of-a-kind gifts? A couple of terrific events — both annual traditions — where you can score those unique pieces will take place this weekend. Callanwolde’s Holiday Pottery Sale includes functional, decorative and sculptural ceramic works from the center’s students and instructors at 7-9:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-872-5338. There’s also the “Big Angel Blowout.” This yearly holiday gift show includes a wide variety of painting, ceramics, photography, metal, mixed media work, fiber art, glass and jewelry by local and regional artists. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 21; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 22; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 23. Free. Whitespace, 814 Edgewood Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-688-1892.
LOOKING AHEAD
David Sedaris’ “The Santaland Diaries,” a holiday comedy based on the author and humorist’s experiences as an elf for Macy’s, returns to Horizon Theatre on Nov. 28. Recommended for ages 16 and older. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays. Nov. 28-Jan. 4. Performances on all holidays. $25-$30; $40-$45 VIP reserved seating. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-584-7450.
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Best Bets: Horse Feathers, Country Comfort and Luminous Lenox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Portland, Ore.-based Horse Feathers (from left): Nathan Crockett, Justin Ringle, Heather Broderick. Photo: Alicia J. Rose
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and it’s almost time for the big sparkling evergreen to glow atop Lenox Square. First, here are a couple of events on this side of Thanksgiving.
TODAY’S PICK
Idaho’s Justin Ringle is now part of the booming music scene in Portland, Ore., but the wide open spaces of his formative years are all over his music. He performs under the name Horse Feathers with collaborators — and brother and sister — Peter and Heather Broderick (and touring violinist Nathan Crockett). Ringle’s sparse, intimate songs evoke big sweeping vistas. Listening to the new album, “House With No Home,” is like having a bird’s-eye view of a lone figure on a vast plain, who warbles the prettiest of melodies, softly picks a guitar and is haunted by an unseen ghostly cello. 9 p.m. Nov. 17. $8. The EARL, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., Atlanta. 404-522-3950, 1-800-594-8499.
WEEKEND HAPPENING
In a genre dominated by solo artists, Alabama was a dominating force in country music in the ’80s. In fact, the quartet became one the best selling acts in any genre. The band no longer tours, though they’ve released a pair of inspirational albums since their 2003-2004 farewell tour. Randy Owen, the band’s frontman, is working on a solo career (“One on One” was release Nov. 4), but he’s also penned his memoir “Born Country: How Faith, Family, and Music Brought Me Home.” Owen will be at Borders in Buckhead at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 signing copies of the book. 3637 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-237-0707.
LOOKING AHEAD
It’s time to pull out the decorations at Lenox. Singer/songwriter Jewel and Tony-winning Broadway star Heather Headley will headline the Lighting of Macy’s Great Tree at Lenox Square on Nov. 27. 7-8 p.m. Free. 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. 404-231-2800.
For more fun things to do, check out accessAtlanta’s events round-up here.
Planning to attend any of these events or do you have something else on your calendar? Pitch in with your ideas for things to do. Tell us about the fun and/or fascinating events on your radar.
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Have you quit smoking?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. adults are lighting up less, but cigarette smoking remains one of the most deadly habits, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
The number of smokers has dropped below 20 percent for the first time. Roughly 19.8 percent of adults — 43.4 million people — were smokers in 2007, according to article on Reuters. That’s a percentage point below 2006.
The most significant drop was among African-Americans.
But the good news is tempered by the health consequences of those who do smoke. Smoking and secondhand smoke kill 443,000 people annually from cancer, lung disease, heart disease and other causes, the CDC said.
About half of people who start smoking as teens, die early, often in middle age.
What about you? Have you recently given up smoking and why? What are you doing to help you kick the habit?
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Would you return to work with $500,000?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Caleb Steele may be the envy of most metro Atlantans.
Steele, a contractor who installs epoxy floors and sports courts, won $500,000 on the Players’s Club scratch-off game. After claiming his prize, Steele did a noble thing: He went back to work.
“I’m a working man,” said Steele, 35, of Acworth.
What would you do in Steele’s place - go to work, quit or at least take a long weekend? In today’s economy, how much would it take to set you free?
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Best Bets: Photographing Power, Singing “Sanders” and Screaming Six-Strings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Minuteman II Missile in Transporter Erector Vehicle, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, 1992 by Paul Shambroom. From “Paul Shambroom: Picturing Power” at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.
Get over the mid-week blues by making plans for a little fun. And note that today’s pick is free if you go on Thursday.
TODAY’S PICK
“Paul Shambroom: Picturing Power.” Shambroom muses on the meaning of power in photos of nuclear arsenals and public municipal meetings. The AJC’s Catherine Fox calls the work “visually striking.” “His photos serve to focus our attention on his subjects (some of which we only know about in the abstract),” Fox writes in her review, “and provoke us to think about them.” 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 30. Closed Nov. 27. $5; $3 senior citizens and children; Thursdays free. Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, 535 Means St., Atlanta. 404-688-1970.
WEEKEND HAPPENING
The Sanders singers from “Smoke on the Mountain” and “Mount Pleasant Homecoming” are back for the holidays in “Sanders Family Christmas.” It’s Christmastime at the beginning of World War II and changes in the wind can’t silence the music in the air. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays (no 8 p.m. show Dec. 24); 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays. Nov. 16-Dec. 28. No shows Nov. 27 and Dec 25. $25-$35. Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 770-422-8369.
LOOKING AHEAD
Whammy bars, twin-guitar leads, loads of flowing hair and breakneck tempos are DragonForce’s stock in trade. The six-piece outfit’s “Through the Fire and Flames” was featured in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legend of Rock, causing an upsurge in sales for the ferocious yet fanciful - and surprisingly melodic - British sextet. The August-released “Ultra Beatdown” is the band’s latest album. 8 p.m. Nov. 21. $28; $25 advance. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-659-9022.
For more fun things to do, check out accessAtlanta’s events round-up here.
Planning to attend any of these events or do you have something else on your calendar? Pitch in with your ideas for things to do. Tell us about the fun and/or fascinating events on your radar.
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$500,000 isn’t alot of money. You can’t retire on it. I would invest it wisely, and keep working.... read the full comment by Mark | Comment on Would you return to work with $500,000? Read Would you return to work with $500,000?
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