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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2009 > January > 02
Friday, January 2, 2009
Budget Fun for the New Year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Decatur-based singer-songwriter Caroline Herring, a nationally lauded local treasure, will perform a free show at the Decatur Library on Jan. 8. Photo: Kevin Garrett.
Spend the first few days of the new year spending nothing — or almost nothing. Here are a few big deals in arts and entertainment, and a budget dining option.
NIFTY NEON
You’ve probably seen Stephen Antonakos’ work, even if you don’t realize it. His neon sculpture, “Four Walls,” greets airport patrons on the escalators at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. The sculpture’s presence there was threatened earlier this year, but a grass-roots campaign to save it proved successful. Here’s another place to see Antonakos’ art, and you won’t have to buy a plane ticket. In fact, you won’t have to spend a thing, because it’s free. “Darkness and Light” is a show of drawings and models built around installations of neon light. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays; noon-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Feb. 15. ACA Gallery of the Savannah College of Art and Design, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-815-2931.
CRAZY QUILTS
The Arts Clayton Gallery in Jonesboro offers an interesting perspective on our roller coaster world with “Crazy Quilts for Crazy Times” The show consists of winning entries from the Georgia Quilt Council’s “Quilt Challenge,” with nearly 30 individual variations on the “crazy quilt” theme. An free opening reception takes place 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 8. The show continues 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 30. 136 S. Main St., Jonesboro. 770-473-5488.
OPRAH’S TRAINER
Oprah pal and former trainer Bob Greene, a bestselling author and exercise physiologist, shares his latest books for better health, “The Best Life Diet” and “The Best Life Diet Cookbook” at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Acworth. Greene will be in the store 6-8 p.m. Jan. 8. Free. 3826 Cobb Parkway. 770-966-1226.
SWEET CAROLINE
Decatur-based Mississippi native Caroline Herring will easily win over any audience with her haunting melodies and sharp lyrics, which she delivers in a voice that conveys pain and regret. She’s one of the Atlanta area’s best-kept secrets but continues to make waves on a national level. “Lantana,” her latest album, was one of NPR’s “Folk Alley’s” Top 10 folk albums of the year. Herring plans to head into the studio in January to record the follow-up. 7 p.m. Jan. 8. Free. Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. 678-436-3237.
PASTA FOR PENNY-PINCHERS
The Old Spaghetti Factory is celebrating its 40th anniversary by giving you a present. On Jan. 6 at dinner, the Oregon-based restaurant chain will offer a complete meal for about $3. Kids’ meals are about $2. Guests will have their choice of six selections, and each meal includes a salad, a spaghetti entree, fresh bread and spumoni ice cream. After the 40th anniversary special on Jan. 6, guests get 40 percent off complete classic meals on Mondays and Tuesdays for the following three weeks of January. Check out the restaurant’s online home for more info on these frugal feasts and directions to the Atlanta location at 249 Ponce de Leon Ave. in Midtown.
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