Tired of throwing money away every time your heat kicks on.  Feel like living a greener lifestyle but don't know where to start?  Check out:

http://greeningneighborhoods.com/

This was passes along to my by Lauren Welsh so thank her for the find.

Oh, on a side note: Those of you who do not know what you are paying for gas need to find out.  A very quick and easy way to save on your gas bill is to shop around for another gas provider.  It is extremely easy and can save significant $$$.

-Trey

This is a post about two of my favorite things: Candler Park Market and beer. Mix them together for a winning combination. But you knew that already.

I do have a point, though, if a beer recommendation qualifies as a point. It's a new beer that Candler Park Market carries, the Dogfish Head Festina Peche, and yes, it involved peaches. But wait! It's not peachy in a gross, sweet, wine coolery kind of way. It's peachy in a "tastes like summer" kind of way. I got some yesterday, had one last night, and am now an enthusiastic convert. You will be too. Give it a try!

Although...now I'm gonna have to race over to CPM to buy some and stockpile it before y'all beat me to it. CPM, save me some before it flies off the shelf!

This morning Alex, my three year old, and I went for yet another popsicle at the Candler Park Market. He got a sherbet Push-Up like he always does, I got a boatload of napkins, and we headed outside to sit at the little cafe tables in front of the market.

Much to our delight, we were treated to a bird show that included Mama Sparrow, Papa Sparrow, and at least three adorable baby sparrows that appeared to be nothing but giant mouths. They had built a makeshift nest under the eaves of the roof, and little bits of tell-tale nest material were dangling down from their perch.

In the fifteen minutes we were there, Mama and Papa Bird must have made at least ten trips to and from the babies, delivering some kind of dilectable treat, although we couldn't tell what it was. They also gave me the hairy eyeball when I tried to get close enough to take a picture.

The point of the story? Well, there isn't one. But if you like birds, and who doesn't, treat yourself to a nice snack or beverage at the Candler Park Market, and keep an eye out for our new bird neighbors.

I love Candler Park and I feel most people living here and reading this feel the same way.  I think of Candler Park as a haven between "big city" livin' and the small town you watched on Leave it to Beaver.  Downtown Little Five Points keeps us funky and fresh (and from saying things like "Golly!") but just a few blocks off the busy square are the patterned sidewalks, stoic trees, and old homes that are signatures of our neighborhood.  Even more of a trademark is our beautiful Candler Park on McClendon Drive.  I am fortunate enough to make it to the park about 5 days a week enjoying our fields, playground and pool.  

Though Candler Park is our largest park, it certainly is not our only park.  We're lucky enough to have so much greenspace in our neighborhood, Iverson, Freedom, Goldsboro they're all here in our little slice of the city.  Many areas of Atlanta are barren when it comes to greenspace-I guess that is one of the reasons I feel so lucky to live here-we have the opportunity to enjoy parks by walking a minimal distance from our homes.  Living in a place that values parks and the earth is so important to me.  Having greenspace accessible makes me use it so much more frequently.  I feel obligated to make a plug for Park Pride here as it does so much to advocate for our parks and remind you to stay abreast of the city's budget cuts.  Candler Park is a place that I have built my life and I hope to spend many years walking, running and swimming in one of the many things I heart about Candler Park: its Parks.  

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[Publishing note: We're always searching high and low for web site content contributions, especially editorial pieces. It can be anything at all, so long as it sorta kinda even-a-little-bit relates to our neighborhood. Thanks to JoJo Ross for her article! Just a reminder that if you have anything you'd like to post, please send it my way.  - Kate]

We moved to Candler Park in 2006, just before having our first child. Since then, that baby has become a tyrannical toddler, we had a second kid, sold the first Candler Park house and bought another, and decided that we'll stick around a while. Candler Park has been good to us, and we feel right at home. Here are a few of our favorite things in Candler Park:

1) Candler Park Market: It's summertime, and to a three year old that means POPSICLES. We've been taking our son, Alex, to Candler Park Market several times a week for a Push-Up. You know, that wonderful / terrible neon orange-green-pink sherbertish tasty treat. We rarely go a day without Alex demanding a piligramge to Candler Park Market. Oh, and they've got a great beer selection too. ;)

2) Our Neighbors: Is it wrong to think of your neighbors after thinking of popsicles?!? This list is not in order of importance! Anyway, we live on Hooper, one of the three dead-end streets off of Oakdale, and we looooove our neighbors. Fun, smart, interesting, reliable, helpful...they're everything you could want in neighbors. We really hit the jackpot.

3) The Dog Party: If you haven't been to Freedom Park, right off of Druid Place, on a weekday early evening, you're missing out. Lots and lots of dogs, not to mention good human camraderie. Check it out.

4) Patios: One of my favorite things about Atlanta is patios, and Candler Park has lots of 'em. Fellini's probably wins the prize for best "lounging outside in Candler Park." And odds of running into someone you know -- a neighbor, co-worker, whomever -- are pritty pritty pritty good, as Larry David would say.

5) Secret Destinations: If I publicized them, they wouldn't really be secret, now would they? But let's just say that Candler Park has the absolute best semi-hidden cooperative garden complete with wonderful goats and chickens and sneaky entrances and just general fantasticness (is that a word?).

6) The Park! Whether it's golf or basketball or swimming or playgrounding or, well, just wandering around, the park in Candler Park is a winner. What's not to like?

7) Little 5 Points: This thirty-something mom ain't nearly cool enough for piercings and head shops, but L5P still has a lot to offer. Lots of shops and restaurants -- including our new favorite, The Porter Beer Bar, and just a generally fun and awesome vibe.

8) Bee, Butterfly and Bird Island: Our neighbor Michelle Hughes spearheaded a wonderful nature-y oasis in Freedom Park, just adjacent to Mary Lin Elementary. I love having this plantalicious area near in our neighborhood, and also love having neighbors who would think to create something like this.

9) Walks Around The 'Hood: Sure, the sidewalks mostly suck. But you can't beat walking around Candler Park. So many impromptu convos with neighbors; just today a neighbor we'd never met, someone who lives a few blocks from us, offered us a raspberry bush from his yard. You never know who you'll meet on a walk, or what you'll discover. Fun.

10) Green: Parks, parks, and more parks. Gardens. Big ole trees. As my grandfather used to say, a city without trees isn't fit for a dog! And our little corner of this city certainly is.

Those are just a few of our favorite things about Candler Park. What are your favorite things?