Archive for May, 2008
Wren’s Nest Crows Are Only Alive Because Nannie is Allowing It
Today’s Wren’s Nest Revelation:
Nannie can kills crows with a sling shot.
We have a giant crow that lives in the backyard. It’s loud and ominous. Nannie has said that she will bring out the slingshot if it harasses children at Wren’s Nest Fest, while Jeri repeatedly added “They’re scavengers, they’re scavengers” (the crows, not the children).
I’m not sure if Jeri and Nannie were having an actual conversation or just generally speaking about a similar topic, but they sure brought the point home: evil crows will not be tolerated at The Wren’s Nest (Fest).
So if the crows were holding you back, fear no more: the Wren’s Nest is safe!
Never a dull moment, folks.
Categories: Birds other than wrens, Bravery, Really? |
Tar Baby Is Alive and Well on the Internet
The other day Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) included the phrase “tar baby” in a memo to his GOP colleagues.
“Hispanic voters are a swing group in this election and future elections. John McCain, being from a border state, may be out of sync with many Republicans but he has standing among Hispanics. Barrack Obama has not made the sale to Hispanic voters. Thus, this issue is a tar baby for anyone who touches it, with land mines everywhere.”
Political bloggers have eaten this right up. Yesterday, Tim from Baby Got Books directed me to this post over at the political blog The Crypt. The comments are particularly enlightening.
Seriously, if you’re bored at work today, you should at least skim the 210 comments (at press time). The spectrum of opinions about the phrase “tar baby” is incredible and, apparently, infuriating no matter what side you’re on. I particularly like the people who suggest that others “get a history lesson and watch Song of the South.”
Also interesting is that it takes quite some time before either Joel Chandler Harris or syntax enter the discussion. [Tar Baby?]
Previously–
Tar Baby in Classic Saturday Night Live Sketch
Response to the Charlotte Observer’s Tar Baby Editorial
Categories: Tar Baby |
Remember the Art Block? You Might Be the Only One
Some of you might recall The Art Block, the new summer camp we posted about a few weeks back.
Welp, at press time nobody has signed up. Not a single person. That’s less than two people! Infinitely less, some might say.
The problem is, this thing starts on June 2nd.
The idea for the camp (not mine, but I certainly think it’s a good one), is that middle school age students will write, act in, and produce a play in two weeks. We’ve got three different organizations (The Wren’s Nest, Fly-By Theatre, Hammonds House) who are each providing a professional artist to teach the kids in a different field. (Confused? Click here.)
Fine, right? Fine. Maybe a little hard to explain, but fine.
With 0 kids signed up, we’re left scratching our heads, especially since Fly-By Theatre has hosted successful camps like this in the past.
Understandably, our first professional writer bailed. At the time, dedicated funding had fallen through (this has since changed), nobody had signed up, and in good conscience we simply couldn’t continue to allow him to pass up other jobs.
In a last ditch effort to get some kids for this camp, my colleagues and I have decided to, more or less, offer scholarships for worthy applicants (read: those applicants with a pulse) and offer up one last hurrah of awareness.
So, all that said, here are a few questions for you to ponder–
- Do you know any 11 – 14 year olds with free schedules who live in Atlanta and would want to do something like this?
- What is the fatal flaw about this idea?
- When you have to coerce kids into attending a camp, is that (a) good parenting / camp administration; (b) the time to call it quits; or (c) an opportunity to have a “guinea pig” round to practice for next year?
- Is it the name? It might be the name.
- Should money be involved in this at all? If it were a competitive admission process instead, do you think we’d still have 0 kids signed up?
- Do you think this an issue of not filling a need in the market, not reaching our target market, or our target market spending all their money on gas?
Now go, internet consultants! Do my bidding!
Categories: Good Questions, Nonprofit Management, This is awkward |
Historic Blockbuster Museum From The Onion
First of all, this is absolutely pitch-perfect. If we took ourselves seriously, you’d find each of these people at the Wren’s Nest, no doubt.
Second of all, it’s particularly funny to me since I just read about The Waffle House Museum that’s currently under construction nearby in Avondale.
In fact, last week it was voted “best museum you’ve never heard of” by the readers of The Sunday Paper. We’ve probably never heard of it because it hasn’t opened yet. And when it does open, it won’t be open to the public most of the time. Sheesh.
[Thanks to the Onion, and hat tip to goldenfiddle for alerting the staff of the Wren's Nest.]
Categories: Historic Preservation |
Whose Birthday is it Today at the Wren’s Nest?
One of these people is celebrating a birthday today.
Nope, not him.
Not her either, though she looks ready to party.
He’s fictional, dummy.
Nuh-uh. Good guess, though.
I’m pretty sure not him. Though I didn’t actually check.
Bing bing bing bing! That’s right, today is Executive Director Lain’s birthday! Look at you, smartypants.
Here’s Lain hesitantly celebrating his birthday for the first time.
The goals for this year’s celebration are:
- Lain does not pass out headfirst into a cake. A beer, maybe.
- Lain vaguely understands what’s going on.
- Charlie Brown flatware (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it).
Please join me in wishing Lain the happiest of birthdays. Or at least one that ranks in his top 17.
Categories: All Grown Folks, Birthdays |
We Need Your Help at Wren’s Nest Fest
Summer is on the horizon here in Atlanta, which can mean only one thing: Wren’s Nest Fest!
Well, that or it’s time to stock up on deodorant. Your call.
(Real poster to come soon. In the meantime, be in awe of my photoshop skillz.)
Wren’s Nest Fest, our annual community festival, will be held Friday, June 13th (spooky!) from 9am to 4pm. Now, you’ll certainly hear more about this event as it approaches, but in the meantime, we’ve got a favor to ask.
From reading this blog, you may have ascertained that the Wren’s Nest is not exactly rolling around on piles of jewels and gold coins.
If a house could roll, I mean. And if any house could, it would be this one. But I digress.
The point is, we work on the cheap, and can’t afford to do otherwise. Which means we depend on the kindness of others quite a bit, and we REALLY need that kind of kindness on June 13th.
(This could be you!)
If you are able to volunteer to help out (if that wasn’t clear, that’s what what I’m asking — for you to come here and do unpaid labor), we’ll do our best to cater to your specialties.
You’re an artist? Looks like it’s facepainting for you!
A top-rated chef? You’ll grill the best hot dogs ever!
Animal enthusiast? You’ll be great at telling children to pet bunnies gently. I said GENTLY!
Greedy cash-monger? You can work the admission table!
Hate children? You can tell them what to do and pretend they’re your underlings! No touching!
Best of all, as thanks for your help, you will receive a complimentary… t-shirt! HOLY MOLY!
(Oh! The bounty! Though this year’s will be electric blue, just so you know.)
If you think you’ll be able to help out for even a couple of hours, please let us know. The comments section is a great place to start. Thanks!
Categories: Celebrity Requests, Events, Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable |
Joel Chandler Harris MADE The Office
Earlier this year, the staff of the Wren’s Nest directed you to an awesome Uncle Remus name drop on The Office. Please recall–
Recently, in a series of mind-boggling coincidences, evidence has linked Joel Chandler Harris not only to the themes and jokes of The Office, but also to the professional development of its cast.
In short–Joel Chandler Harris MADE The Office.
Curious? Read on.
The other night I was hanging around Twain’s Billiards and Tap, obviously researching the friendship between Joel Chandler Harris and Mark Twain. (You may recall that Joel Chandler Harris also MADE Mark Twain.)
From across the bar an acquaintance recognized this executive director diligently taking notes. We had a brief discussion–
Her: “Say, do you know the television show ‘The Office’?”
Me: “I don’t really have time for this.”
Her: “Do you know Kevin from The Office?”
Me: “Look–I am very busy.”
Her: “Do you know that he grew up in Atlanta?”
Me: “Yes, yes, as did fellow cast member Ed Helms. I noted it in my blog several months ago, thankyouverymuch. Now if you don’t mind, I’m busy drin–researching.”
Her: “Wait! Did you know that in 6th grade Kevin from The Office performed in a school play based on the Uncle Remus stories?”
Me: “Lady! Pleas– No, no I did not.”
Her: “Did you know that an encore performance of that very play was performed on the stage at the Wren’s Nest?”
(Probably not the same performance.)
Me: “Get. Out.”
I thanked her for the information, and promptly returned to my research.
Now, if we can assume that…
(a) Joel Chandler Harris created both the character Uncle Remus and the now-museum home The Wren’s Nest,
(b) Kevin from The Office’s professional career got its start in a 6th grade play that was based on the Uncle Remus stories and performed at the Wren’s Nest,
(c) Ed Helms, who also grew up in Atlanta, has also quite probably visited the Wren’s Nest,
(d) This one time the writers from The Office used “Uncle Remus” as a punchline,
…then we can safely deduce that Joel Chandler Harris MADE the second best show currently on television. (The first best is definitely Rock of Love. I mean 30 Rock. One of those, anyway.)
What’s that?
You say Ricky Gervais made The Office? Please.
Stephen Merchant? Nope.
Mindy Kaling? Come on! Be serious.
It was Joel Chandler Harris people, Joel Chandler Harris. Clearly, royalties are in order.
In closing, thank you to Mark Twain who inspired (one might say made) Twain’s Billiards and Tap, which supplied the venue for this fortuitous meeting and inspiration for this blog post.
And thank you again to Joel Chandler Harris who inspired (ahem) Mark Twain.
Categories: Inappropriate Beer Drinking, Joel Chandler Harris, The Office |
New, Polished Version of the Wren’s Nest Theme Song
The braintrust that is the Duck and Herring Company has done three important things recently–
- Released their brand-spankin’-new Warm Weather Pocket Field Guide.
- Recorded a soon-to-be-released podcast for said Field Guide.
- Recorded an updated, polished version of the Wren’s Nest Theme Song for said podcast.
The staff of the Wren’s Nest recommends that you buy the Warm Weather Pocket Field Guide while supplies last, then listen to the new version of our theme song below.
We’ll keep you posted on the podcast.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Previously–the live version.
Categories: Fame and Fortune, Sing Songery |
Decatur Storytelling Festival Pictures and Recap
On Monday when I said I would cover the remainder of our weekend exploits “tomorrow”, I clearly meant, “the next day I work at the Nest, which will be Wednesday, because working part-time is great though unnecessarily confusing!”
Getting on with it, Lain and I set up at the Decatur Storytelling Festival Saturday, which the Wren’s Nest sort of sponsored–one of our storytellers, Donald, was the emcee, while Curtis, another Wren’s Nest Rambler, performed.
(Curtis with a great shirt.)
It was a really neat concept, with great attractions including the craziest balloon-animal-maker I have ever seen. Seriously. Skywriting planes made out of balloons?! I mostly stared at her in favor of talking to people.
(Not the balloon artist, but Queen Glitter was still worth a stare.)
The location was also very unique, though apparently not as unusual as Lain and I originally thought. It was held in the Decatur Cemetery (which is beautiful, p.s.) and as Donald’s white-folks-in-residence we discovered that “white people always want to tell stories in cemeteries”.
Is that on stuff white people like?
(Fowl, cemetery.)
But I’ll tell you this: no matter where they are, children will go ABSOLUTELY CRAZY upon seeing a giant Curious George mascot. We would hear a child gasp and look to see a poof of dust where the child had been. It was nuts.
(Hannah, Isaac, and C.G.)
There were also (both real and fake) ducks to chase, faces to be painted, and, you know, storytelling to watch… but mostly kids exclaimed “CURIOUS GEORGE! Mom, hold my bubbles!” and subsequently disappeared.
(Donald with the also-ran. Donald, Duck. Get it?)
The only downside to the whole event was the gross weather. Somehow, it was the coldest 66 degrees I’ve ever felt. It was damp, windy, and rain was threatening, which certainly affected attendance.
And our will to live. See:
Now, if you missed this storytelling event (and… you did), there’s another on the (immediate) horizon! Tonight Wordsmith’s is hosting Story-Time for Grownups (naughty?). While there won’t be any mascots (that we know of), there will be drinks. Success!
Categories: Birds of a feather, Birds other than wrens, Events, Storytelling |
New Picture of Joel Chandler Harris
Well, it’s not really new, but it’s new to the internet. This was Joel Chandler Harris in 1873. He was about 28.
This picture has been sitting in an old scrapbook for years, along with a million other old clippings, pictures, and memorabilia. I figure we need a few interns working in 24 hour shifts for a couple years to scan in everything.
Anyway, I think this picture is phenomenal.
Huey Partners–the folks who designed our handsome brochure–scanned it in. They’re designing some old-timey advertisements for us, and I think this image may make the cut.
Now all we need is a place to print the advertisements on the cheap.
And by cheap I mean for free!
Back in the day, when we had a representative from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, we’d get a couple thousand dollars worth of donated ad space. That isn’t the case anymore.
Anyone want to hook us up?
Categories: Good Questions, Joel Chandler Harris, Marketing Tricks |