Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Back to School Fun
Hard to believe that for many students this is the last weekend before school starts back. What happened to Summer? Well, there's still time to get in a little more fun this weekend and here's a list of just a few of the events happening in and around Columbus, GA. Don't forget—you can find out more about these happenings and others by checking out the Community Calendar .
You have a chance this Saturday (Aug 7) to tour the home and grounds of one of the most unique individuals to walk this earth…and maybe other worlds! The home is called Pasaquan and the former resident was an artist named Eddie Owens Martin, who dubbed himself St. EOM, & this guy was truly a character! He grew up poorer than poor in southwest GA, left home at 14, traveling through Georgia and Florida, then made his way to New York City where his true abilities as an artist came shining through…even in Greenwich Village he was considered one of the more flamboyant artists! He got very sick & started having visions of tall, ghostly figures from a land called Pasaquan and they instructed him to carry out their vision of a place of peace and beauty and this is how his extraordinary home, painted in a fashion you have to see to believe, came about. You won't see anything else like it…anywhere. You'll find out more about this peculiar folk artist when you take the tour…I can't believe his life story hasn't been made into a movie yet. This is a guy that would boil a big pot of rice only to trash the rice but use the starchy water to put in his hair so he could get it to stand up straight! See what I mean? Pasaquan is located in Buena Vista, GA (238 Eddie Martin Rd) and the tour is taking place from 10:00am-4:00pm and admission is only $5. (229.649.7513) pasaquan.com
If you’re in the mood for a little live music this weekend…live music that’s outdoors under the stars and…won’t cost you a dime…then here’s what you may be looking for! There's a concert taking place this Saturday night at 7:00pm (Aug 7) at Wetherby Field at Ft. Benning and this is for everyone, not just folks that live on post. The band being featured is one from the area called “706” and they are a rock/alternative band. I haven’t heard these guys, but they are being featured because of audience request, so they obviously have a strong following and should put on a good show! There are some seats at the field but you may want to take a beach towel or chair and find a good spot in the grass…just take some bug spray with you. To get to Wetherby Field, just take the Custer Rd. exit off Victory Drive…and you don’t even have to go thru any gates to get on post. Remember, this one's FREE! (706.545.3328)
If you’ve got kids and are looking for something fun for them to do on this last weekend before school starts back…they may enjoy this! There’s a really cool art gallery in Smiths Station called the Sarah West Gallery of Fine Art and if you haven’t checked it out yet, you really should stop in and take a look. They’re kicking off a series of workshops for kids and young adults that will take place each Saturday (10:00am-12:00pm) in August and each one will have a different theme…like this Saturday is called “A Study in Cubism” where you get to create your own cubist masterpiece from the inspirations of works by Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, by using pencils, markers, glue, paper and acrylics. Participants don’t have to artists, just bring an imagination! Cost of the class is $40 or $150 if you take all four sessions. The gallery is located at 2750 Lee Road, Suite A in Smiths Station, AL. (706) 480.2008 thesarahwestgalleryoffineart.com
Have you had enough of working under fluorescent lights this week and need a dose of real sunshine and some fresh air? Then you might want to check out the hike going on with the Pine Mountain Trail Association this Saturday (Aug 7). This is a moderate 3-mile hike and hikers of all ages are welcome and you don’t even have to be a member of the association or pre-register. Just make sure you take water and snack/lunch and wear some good hiking shoes! A little history about the trail: It’s a 23-mile footpath with a main trail and connecting loops, that crosses and follows the beautiful Pine Mountain ridge. It lies inside Roosevelt State Park near Callaway Gardens and it’s nature at its best…quiet woods, sparkling streams, misty waterfalls, rock outcroppings, scenic overlooks, and you might even see deer and turkey! Meet at the Fox Den Cove parking lot on GA HWY 19 in Pine Mountain, GA by 10:00am. There's no cost to join in on the hike. (706.596.0497) pinemountaintrail.org
If you need something to look forward to on Monday night, the crew of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center is having an Astronomy Night at Callaway Gardens. Do a little star watching with your own telescope or take a peek at the heavens through one of their powerful telescopes they’ll have set up. It’s kind of cool to have the experts on hand to tell you exactly what you’re looking at! 9:00pm, Monday (Aug.9) FREE! 706.649.1470 ccssc.org
Enjoy this last weekend of "freedom," but remember there's still more Summer fun to come!
Now, go have some fun,
shelby