Play poker in Newnan…for free. It’s a lot of fun!

Where are all of my Preston Mills Apartment poker players?  Considering the growth in popularity of the game over the past few years, I’m sure there must be at least a few.  I started playing the game a few years ago after watching players win millions of dollars at the World Series of Poker on ESPN.  Who wouldn’t be interested in winning millions of dollars playing cards?  Now, I can honestly say that poker has become my favorite game, hobby, recreation and everything in between.  I try to play at least twice a week.

Poker, particularly the Texas Hold ‘Em version, is a very easy game to learn, yet a very difficult game to master.  Each player starts with two unseen cards (called “hole cards”).  There are three rounds of cards dealt face up for every player to use (“community cards”) with betting after each round.  Three cards come in the first-round (“the flop”), followed by two-rounds of single cards (“the turn” and “the river”).  The best 5-card hand using any combination of the five community cards and their two “hole cards” wins whatever bets (made with poker chips) were made during the course of the hand.  Follow this link to see a the official poker hand rankings.

Trust me, it’s a lot of fun.  There are actually nightly tournaments played in Newnan at local pubs and restaurants like The Alamo (19 West Court Square On the Square, 770-683-2526).  It’s absolutely free to play and if you win, you can take home some cash!  The company that runs the game is called Aces & 8’s.  You can visit their website at acesand8spoker.com to find out more info and their weekly schedule.

Sure, there is an element of luck to the game, but for the most part, it takes some skill to win consistently.  If you have any questions about how to play, please feel free to drop me a comment!

(Photo Credit: tiffanyday)

Newnan’s annual Sunrise on the Square Road 5K Road Race

So a couple weeks back I blogged about my new interest in running as a means of excercise and getting fit.  Well, I’ve been hitting the road and even the treadmill in the fitness center and I’m glad to say that I’m still going strong!  I mentioned that I wanted to compete in the annual Sunrise on the Square Road Race in Historic Downtown Newnan too.  It takes place in about three weeks on Saturday, September 4.  Is anyone else planning on participating?  Who has run it before?  This will be my first 5K so I’m kind of excited!

There are actually three different levels of competition.  A little something for everybody, I guess…

The 5K @ 8:00 a.m. - for the seasoned (or even slightly seasoned, like myself) runners.  Awards vary by gender and age group.
The 1 Mile Fun Run @ 7:45 a.m. - for most everyone else.  No awards.
The Tot Trot @ 8:45 a.m. - for ages 2-6. Participants get a ribboon and t-shirt.

There is a registration fee of $20 that you have to send in along with the registration form that you can download right here.  You can also register online up until September 2 at www.active.com.  After that, the fee is $25.  That includes a t-shirt and refreshments at the race.

If you’re interested in getting started with running too and would like to consider weaving it into your own personal workout plan, here’s a great article I found that can help get you started.  Running really does the body good and gives you a new source of energy throughout the day.  And don’t we all need that?

(Photo Credit: gorbomb)

Imagine It!

Have your taken your child to The Children’s Museum of Atlanta yet?  I just found out that they’ve been running a Free Second Tuesdays promotion for quite some time now.  Sounds like a great opportunity to get them out there.  The next one free day will be August 10 and the free tickets will be available at the Museum starting at 1:00 p.m. (they close at 7:00 p.m.).

The free tickets are issued on a first come first served so if you’re going to go, you may want to get there early.  The Museum is about 40 minutes from Preston Mill in downtown Atlanta.

If you haven’t been before, it’s a great place for young kids to explore and learn.  Kids have a natural curiosity that guides them to explore everything about thier physical world…and this extends to other disciplines, such as history, languages, music and art.  I think that’s why its so important to feed a child’s curious mind at an early age.  For more information about the types of exhibits that they have there, check out their website or call (404) 659-5437.

Start your engines…

Who’s into drag racing?  It’s  a hot sport!  Pure american muscle powered by gasoline and adrenaline.  Well if you’re not into it yet, now is your opportunity.  Each Friday, Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts Friday Night Drag Racing down the one-eighth mile stretch of its pit road.  This Friday, July 16, they even have special class for Kid’s Power Wheel, Bike and Trike Races.  I’m sure if you have little one’s, they’d love to check it out.

While anyone with $20, a car and a driver’s license can compete, most people go as as spectators to take in all of the action.  A spectator’s ticket is only $7.  Outside parking is free or fans can park on the Speedway’s Infield for close proximity to the action for just $20. Motorcycle parking is free on the Infield.

In addition to the on-track drag racing action, a Show N’ Shine car show also takes place each Friday night.  All vehicles are welcome to enter and awards will be given for the top-three finishers in each class.

For more info, check out the Atlanta Motor Speedway website!  Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and nightly drag race eliminations start after 9:00 p.m.

(Photo Credit: SFB579)

Peachtree Road Race…and then fireworks!

Do we have any runners out here in Preston Mill?  If so, has anyone ever participated in the Peachtree Road Race that takes place on the Fourth of July?  I’ve always heard people talking about the race but I’ve never actually taken part myself.  I was thinking about doing it earlier this year, as I’ve been getting into running more as a form of excercise, but I chickend out .  From what I understand, it’s the world’s largest 10K race!

Unfortunately, it’s too late to register for the race now if you haven’t already, but you can join the over 150,000 spectators that line the route from Lenox Square to Piedmont Park.  Here are a couple more interesting facts I found out…

• The 55,000 runners will burn 34,000,000 calories running the 6.2 mile course.
• The states outside of Georgia with the most participants are Florida with 797, Alabama with 584 and Tennessee with 532.

If you do make it to midtown on the fourth, don’t plan on coming home early either.  Head to Lenox Mall for their massive fireworks display, aptly titled Lenox Square Legendary Fourth.  It’s the largest fireworks show in the southeast!  There will be kids activities beginning at noon and fireworks start at dusk!

(Photo Credit: MikeSchinkel)

The Atlanta Zoo exhibits “Fading Footprints”

The Atlanta Zoo is doing something new this summer that I’m actually quite interested in.   

This past weekend, after undergoing a year long renovation, they opened a new exhibit titled ” Trader’s Alley: Wildlife’s Fading Footprints,” an exhibit dedicated to animals that are targeted for unethical trade.  That’s a huge issue in the world right now, as many animal species are nearing endganerment from illegal trafficking.

“There’s a story being told along the path, and it’s critical because wildlife used for clothing, medicines, food and pets affects a lot of different and rare species.” – Raymond King, President & CEO, Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Part of the renovation included installing a new “treehouse” vantage point for viewing the exhibit.  Visitors will have viewing access to newly arrived Malaysan sun bears (the smalles species of bear) and two Sumatran tigers that have been off display for the past year while the zoo underwent renovations.  Also included are clouded leopards, three asian tortoise species and others.

I admit, I’m sometimes torn on the morality of zoos.  Is it right to keep these animals captive?  What do you think?  But this exhibit brings great awareness to an illegal animal trade problem that doesn’t get much attention otherwise.  And that’s something that’s environmentally responsible and worth supporting.  So if you’re looking to get your kids (or even yourself) hip to the animal kingdom, this is the ticket you want this summer.

Hot this weekend in Atlanta: The Midsummer Music Festival

Summer is in the air and Atlanta will be HOT like fire this weekend!  Your options are staying inside and running up your electric bill while burning the heck out of your air conditioning unit, or you can choose to get outside and enjoy the sun.  I choose the latter…and I’ve found just the perfect place to do it!

The Red Stripe Light Midsummer Music Festival goes down this Saturday, June 19 at Candler Park.  Entry is free, however those that are 21 and up are encouraged to purchase a wristband for $5 before 5:00 p.m. and $10 after.  I’m not sure if that gets you any free Red Stripe Light (seeing as they are the event sponsor, I’m sure there will be plenty on the premises), but that definitely gets you enjoying some great music.  Confirmed acts include legendary reggae band, The Wailers (who doesn’t love reggae music in the summer time?) and hot up and coming band Better Than Exra.

Additionally, an artist’s market featuring over 40 local artists will be on site and the soccer fields at Candler Park will be turned into the “Worlds Largest Hang Out Sports Area.”  They’ll have a huge corn hole tournament, bocce ball, Frisbee golf, hacky sack, volley ball, waffle ball and more.  There’s also a “Family Zone”, full with all kinds of activities like inflatable games, moon walks, face painters, arts and crafts, magicians and more.

Market Day is this Saturday. Be there at the Square!

Hooray for the first Saturday of the month! Historic downtown Newnan will be hosting Market Day this Saturday at the Newnan Courthouse Square from 10am to 2pm. You can stroll around the gorgeous streets of downtown Newnan checking out tons of locally grown food and locally made goods.

They will also have “Pickin’ at the Square” starting at 11am with local musicians jamming out. This is a really unique event in that musicians show up and play impromptu acoustic sets. The music goes for as long as the musicians want to play and all genres and skill levels are present.

Saturday’s weather is going to be beautiful with highs in the upper 80’s and a little cloud cover to keep the sunburn at bay. So plan to spend Saturday morning with your friends and neighbors enjoying downtown Newnan and, as always, the event is free and plenty of parking.

Photo courtesy of nzgabriel via Flickr

Wine About the Economy

Looking to kick back and un”wine”d with a nice glass of wine (do you see a theme to this posting)?  Well, on June 12 from 5pm to 9pm, Downtown Merchants in Newnan will kick off their first annual Wine About event on Main Street.

Over 15 varietes of wines will be available for sampling and each attendee will take home a commemorative wine glass.  The theme for the first event is “Wine About the Economy.”  There will also be meal specials offered and live entertainment.

Tickets are on sale in advance for $20 and can be purchased at Let Them Eat Toffee, RS Mann Jeweler, Morgan Jeweler, Panoply Interior Design, Fabianos and The Knitting Nook, among other downtown Newnan stores.

Are you going to watch the finale for LOST?

Attention LOST fans:

For the past six seasons, you’ve been on a roller coaster ride. On Sunday, May 23, the thrill ride comes to an end as ABC presents the final episode. If you’re a huge fan like I am, call your friends, grab a popcorn, and hit the Earl Smith Strand Theatre to find out whether the remaining survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 will unlock the mysteries and secrets of the island, whether they can thwart the plans of the “Man in Black,” and who the last candidate is. At 7 PM, catch a two-hour retrospective Lost: The Final Journey. At 9 PM, the final, extended 2 1/2 hour final episode begins. There are only 531 seats and only 531 people will be admitted. General admission/no assigned seating. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Concessions and full bar will be open for your snacking pleasure. Admission is free!

Earl Smith Strand Theatre

117 North Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060

Next Page »