News - Drinking with Dems
Alfred Lord Tennyson once wrote, “Drink to lofty hopes that cool, Visions of a perfect State.” The founders of Drinking Liberally, an informal Democratic discussion and drinking club, couldn’t agree more. The Atlanta chapter of the national group promises to “promote democracy one pint at a time” and will meet Thurs., April 21, and every Thursday thereafter at Thinking Man’s Tavern in Decatur. After the Dems’ spirit-crushing losses last fall, Drinking Liberally, which formed in 2003 in New York City, has been working to find more immediate goals for the liberal agenda. The Atlanta chapter intends to uphold that ideal.
Drinking Liberally will meet at Drinking Man’s Tavern, 537 W. Howard Ave., Decatur, at 7 p.m. For more info, visit www.drinkingliberally.org, e-mail emily@drinkingliberally.org or call 917-548-8427.
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW: The League of Women Voters and Hands On Atlanta will host its annual legislative review with speakers such as Richard Ray, the Georgia president of AFL-CIO, and Maggie Garrett of the ACLU. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thurs., April 21, at 600 Means St. in the Hands On Atlanta building. RSVP to office@lwvaf.org or 404-577-8683. For more info, visit www.voteatlanta.org.
PIEDMONT PARK FORUM: On Thurs., April 21, at 7 p.m., the Atlanta Planning Advisory Board will hold a public forum in the Atlanta City Council Chambers, 55 Trinity Ave., to address the proposed Piedmont Park North Woods master plan, which includes the construction of an 800-space parking deck. The hearing will give citizens a chance to voice their opinions on the future of Piedmont Park. You may also fax your concerns to 404-892-3946, or mail them to APAB Park Forum, c/o Richard Rauth, Box 20061, Atlanta, 30325.
SECURITY SUMMIT: Georgia Tech will host “Brand New Day: Open Networks and Open Society” on Thurs., April 21, at the Global Learning Center, 84 Fifth St., from 3-5:30 p.m. Reed Hundt, former chairman of the FCC and current senior adviser to McKinsey and Company, will deliver the keynote address. To RSVP or for more details, visit gtisc.gatech.edu or call 404-894-4233.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY: The Fulton County Department of Environment and Community Development will host an Earth Day Festival on Sat., April 23. Interactive activities are planned to promote the importance of protecting natural resources. The festival will be held at Burdett Park, 2945 Burdett Road, College Park, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. For more info, call 404-730-8097.
ATLANTA CLEANUP: On Sat., April 23, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Keep Atlanta Beautiful will host a cleanup of in the southwest part of the city. The cleanup will start at 903 Oakland Ave. To volunteer, visit www.atlantaga.gov or call 404-330-6897.
BELT LINE TALK: The Friends of the Belt Line will hold a public forum to spread information about the Belt Line, a proposed 22-mile loop of light rail that would circle the city, linking dozens of neighborhoods. The meeting will be held Sun., April 24, from 4-6 p.m., at Therrell High School, 3099 Panther Trail. More meetings are scheduled citywide; to find one in your neighborhood, visit www.beltline.org/Default.aspx#events.
LUNCH WITH BARNES: The League of Women Voters of DeKalb County will host its annual community luncheon with guest speaker former Gov. Roy Barnes. Barnes will speak on “Illuminating Government - Georgia’s Open Records Act.” The event will be held Fri., April 29, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Emory Conference Center Hotel, 1615 Clifton Road. For more info, call 404-321-0913 or e-mail dekalb@lwvga.org. The reservation deadline is Fri., April 22.
OBESITY SUMMIT: The Georgia Department of Public Health estimates that 30 percent of middle-school students are overweight and that the problem is intensified in the inner city. The Chauncey H. Robinson Youth Foundation will sponsor a one-day summit to address the issue Sat., April 30. The summit will bring together health experts and community members to help suggest practical solutions to this societal problem. The program will be held at Paul L. Dunbar School, 403 Richardson St., from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more info and to register, e-mail bcu4@cdc.gov or call 404-784-7903.
POPE ITEMS ON DISPLAY: Gifts from the recently deceased Pope John Paul II to President Jimmy Carter are on display at the Carter Center through Sat., April 30. The Carter Center is located at 441 Freedom Parkway and open daily until 4:45 p.m. For more info, call 404-865-7101 or visit www.jimmycarterlibrary.org.
SOLID WASTE MEETINGS: Public meetings will be held in several Atlanta communities to help create a 10-year plan for waste reduction, collection and disposal. To find the time and place of your local meeting, visit www.atlantaga.gov/Calendars/PublicMeetings.aspx.
VOLUNTEER FOR THE ELDERLY: Senior Connections is looking for volunteers to help prepare and deliver meals to home-bound seniors. For more info, visit www.srconn.org or call 770-455-7602.
CALLING FOSTER PARENTS: Creative Community Services is urging residents to consider opening their homes to abused and neglected children. Foster parents receive monthly financial assistance for the living and medical expenses of each foster child. For more info, call 866-618-2823 or visit www.ccsgeorgia.org.
GOOD FOR GRADY: Grady Health System is recruiting volunteers to help in hospice, guest services, rape crisis and Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. Volunteers are asked to commit for at least three months. For more info, call 404-616-4360 or visit www.gradyhealthsystem.org.
CL EVENTS
POLITICAL PARTY: Creative Loafing’s next town hall meeting takes place Wed., May 11, 8 p.m., at Dad’s Garage Theatre, 280 Elizabeth St.
Want to publicize a political or civic event? E-mail publicagenda@creativeloafing.com.??