Author Archive

Our Yard is Lovely. No Really, Just Ask Jason Travis!

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Have you checked out our “Host Your Event Here” page recently?  Not to brag (just kidding — clearly to brag), but it is looking mighty handsome these days.

Here’s why:

Photographer and righteous dude Jason Travis shot a wedding we hosted recently. Jason graciously agreed to let us use a few of the photos to hawk our wares, which is much better than just promising the space looks nice over the phone (our former method).

Please, take a moment to check out the page and Jason’s gorgeous work therein – much improved, right?

Wren’s Nest Fest 2010: Success!

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Wren’s Nest Fest was this past Friday, June 11th, and I think the best word to describe it would be “bonkers.”

This is not because of the volunteers (hard-working and wonderful) –

nor the attractions (please — like miniature farm animals even know how to do anything besides be incredible) –

nor the entertainment (our clown also provides sno-cones and popcorn — it’s fool-proof).

Nope, this year was bonkers because we had a whopping 750 attendees.  You know how many that is?  A MILLION.

(Oh, you think that sentence didn’t make sense?  Try entertaining 750 people for 5 hours, including a woman who insists you bring in police to ensure no one cuts in line for lunch.  She is firmly holding your wrist the entire time.  Now you make your brain work.  I thought so.)

Each year, Wren’s Nest is this amazing combination of community support, gleeful small children, and fun times, with a healthy smattering of “you’re kidding me.”  In short, it earns one of the best naps of the year, period.  I might still be napping — I’m not sure.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out this year — we very literally could not do it without you.  Check out the pictures if you’ve got a minute.

The Kids Are Alright — Tune In This Saturday at 9am on AM1690!

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I’m sorry, I shouldn’t make demands of you like that without the backstory.  I just get too excited sometimes!

This upcoming Saturday The Kids Are Alright program (AM 1690) will be featuring none other than esteemed executive director/voiceover enthusiast Lain Shakespeare.

Even better (unless you’re just into Lain’s sonorous voice — then there is nothing better), the show will have a theme: Brer Rabbit!  Well, Brer, other rabbits, and a touch of “wait a sec — animals can talk?”

The previously lauded Huckleberry Hound album is scheduled to make an appearance, as well as Wren’s Nest Staff Favorite Van Dyke Park’s “Jump!” and none other than “Little Bunny Foo Foo” (of course).

Even more excitingly, Akbar will tell a few stories on the air, which are bound to be excellent.  How do I know?  Because Akbar is always excellent.

AM1690  – The Voice of the Arts — is kindly featuring us to help promote Wren’s Nest Fest, which is next Friday, June 11th.  Please tune in and support not only Lain and the Nest, but the kind folks who were generous and thoughtful enough to include us.  Thanks!

ps- This isn’t Lain’s first rodeo.  Remember when he was talking about Song of the South‘s anniversary on WABE‘s City Cafe with John Lemley?

Not Included on the Wren’s Nest’s Events Page

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And we thought Ms. Nannie’s previous fan mail was good.

Behold!  The best response yet from our visitor surveys (you know, what you fill out after your tour to give us feedback):

Question: Is there any way we could improve your next visit to the Wren’s Nest?

(Real, not making this up, terrifically optimistic) Answer: “Spend the night with Nannie!”

Modern Family Depicts Our KIPP STRIVE Project

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Did y’all see Modern Family last night?

The story-line where Luke interviews Al Bundy (I suspect) totally mirrors the interview process of our KIPPsters and their respective Al Bundys.

Why, these are exactly the kind of stories we’re trying to preserve!

This old clip — my Dad’s favorite from That ’70s Show — may also provide a glimpse into the challenges of our KIPPsters’ interviews, especially the succinct way Kelso sums up his dad’s experiences.

Both clips serves as great lessons in Why We Have Adults Checking Things Over And, As A Result, Often Saying Things Like “This might be made up.” Hooray!

KIPP STRIVE Halftime Report

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Our (still unnamed; any ideas, people?) writing program with KIPP STRIVE Academy has progressed swimmingly.

While we’re taking a break right now (that pesky school schedule is really putting a damper on things), the students have conducted their interviews, written their accounts, and are currently polishing their second drafts.

We can’t show you any of their work yet, but we were lucky enough to have our (talented photographer) friend Ajay Pillarisetti document our last meeting.

This is Amanda and her student, Misha.  Amanda is the senior editor of Atlanta Magazine and the meanest person I know.  Can’t you just see it in her eyes?

Here KIPPster Rani is telling his partner, Jon, to focus on the work at hand. Jon is probably talking about birds again.

I can’t say anything glib here — I love this photo too much.  Way to be my kryptonite, Naima and Kimberly.

Matt and his partner, Mohammed, compare notes on how awesome the Kim King Foundation is for sponsoring this project.  Well, maybe they’re talking about Mohammed’s story, but probably not.

We won’t meet again with the students until July.  In the meantime Lain and I will be working on the nuts and bolts of the publication.  We’ve been so encouraged so far, by both our volunteers and students (and especially the KIPP STRIVE staff), it’s hard to have to wait so many weeks to meet again.

While we’re waiting, what should we call this program?  Ideas that have been bandied about:

Gumshoes, Shoo Flys, Raconteurs, Correspondents, Fabulists, Bird Dogs, any combination of anything.

Parks and Recreation: Someone Is Trying to Alter a Gazebo!

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Did y’all see last week’s Parks and Recreation?  First of all, it was pretty darn hilarious, if my cultivated sense of humor and I do say so.

Second of all, did you see how it showcased my worst nightmares?

I don’t understand why they’re framing Amy Poehler/Leslie Knope’s reaction here as over-the-top.  It seems underplayed, if you ask me.  In fact, I think a phone booth quick change and cape would be appropriate in circumstances like these.

This clip below actually made me gasp and hide my face behind a cushion, as I’m wont to do when something is HORRIFYING. (Or when someone is singing and it’s making me embarrassed for them, but that’s neither here nor there.)

This show, and in particular these scenes, do such a great job contrasting how people view history.  For some, it’s our foundation; for others, well, don’t you think it could use some freshening up?  I mean, it’s so old and outdated. Yuck.

You know which camp I’m roasting marshmallows in.

Also, if you’re wondering why Lain and I insist on chaperoning any event that’s using inside space at the Wren’s Nest, you have your answer.

West Fest — Complete with a Wren’s Nest Concert — is This Weekend!

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West Fest is a three-part West End extravaganza taking place this weekend.  Being sooo into extravaganzas like you are, you should totally come.

Let’s break down the three parts, chronological-style!

First comes the Wren’s Nest.  This Friday night, from 7 – 10pm, the Wren’s Nest will host the West Fest benefit concert, featuring Avery Sunshine and Elliot Holden.  Here’s some video, not of anything too related, but instead of something else musical that happened in our amphitheater that we like to bring up as often as possible:

On Saturday comes the Fest!  Gordon-White Park — the first BeltLine park — will host the festival from 10am – 6pm on Saturday.  The Fest is new this year and while the details are a touch nebulous, nothing has ever been so confirmed as its dog parade.  I’ve also heard rumor of an artists’ market, and I personally guarantee a beautiful day in the sunshine.

Finally, on both Saturday and Sunday, there’s the Tour of Homes!  (My, whoever that is on that page is BEAUTIFUL.  In fact, she haunts my dreams!)  The tour is pretty much my favorite thing every year — not only is it a great way to get to know our lovely historic neighborhood and the neighbors therein, but shoot, these houses are awesome.

Here are our pictures from last year’s concert and tour of homes.

Also, if you’re in the mood to house hunt, this is a great opportunity.  There are usually a couple places on the tour for sale (the bonkers one above, for example), and you’re bound to pass several more as you stroll.  Plus, you get to meet all of your potential neighbors in advance!  That’s worth its weight in, I don’t know, hula hoops.

You can buy tickets for all events right here.

Wren’s Nest Publishing Co. Editor Applications Due May 9th!

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This is the clock.

It’s ticking!

Applications to be an Editor in our life-changing, summer-making, generally enjoyable, highly competitive high school publishing program are due Sunday, May 9th.

I am super pleased to report that we already have a solid number of applicants, but we’re not nearly where we want to be by next week.  So far we’ve heard back from 1/12 of the high schools we contacted.  We can kick that up to 1/6, I just know it!

So!  Please help us get the word out where we couldn’t ourselves.  This really is a great opportunity for high school students — I wouldn’t lie.  Not about anything that isn’t funny, anyways.

All information about the program, including application forms, can be found here!

Brer Rabbit’s Modern Recipes for Modern Living

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Because I am a woman, I wanted to write about Brer Rabbit’s Modern Recipes for Modern Living, even though it was Lain’s discerning eye that found it.

Aside from the recipes, most of which are dessert, and more specifically, gingerbread-based (“The All-American Dessert”), there are some excellent pieces of advice to be found throughout the book.

For example, did you know Brer Rabbit Molasses Aids Meatless Meals?  ”Meat and liver are valuable sources of iron.  So when meat is missing from your menu — or reduced in quantity — help keep the family’s iron intake up to par by serving plenty of Brer Rabbit Molasses.”  Delicious logic.

Oh, you didn’t think of molasses as a meat alternative?  Well, “Scientific tests have shown Brer Rabbit Molasses is second only to liver as a rich food source of iron the body can use.”  So there.

Plus, “authorities tell us a surprising number of people need to get more iron.”  Time is clearly of the essence, especially since “plenty of iron in the diet is more important than ever now — when national good health is vital to America’s future.”  Thank goodness we’ve jumped that hurdle.

And if you’re worried about your food tasting a little too heavily of a syrup that’s 60% natural sugar, rest assured: “Not much molasses is necessary … but what a tremendous difference just a little makes.  Meats take on a new flavor … rich and zippy.  Vegetables step out of the humble, plain tasting class.”  I hate that class of vegetables.

If you see any recipes that strike your fancy in the index above, let me know and I’ll send you the text.  Brer Rabbit molasses is still defeating anemia from coast to coast, making lard the only elusive ingredient in these bad boys.  Yum!