Rob Giersh took this great pano shot of the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable at Fall Fest last weekend.

See the larger version of the image here. Thanks Rob!

From Walt Weimar:

“Dream in Green” Gala

You’re invited to

the 7^th annual party for the Olmsted Linear Park

Sunday, March 6, 2011, 7 pm – 10 pm

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Tickets: 404-377-5361 or olpa.atl@att.net

Information: atlantaolmstedpark.org

When Charles Beveridge visited Druid Hills to view the restoration of the neighborhood’s linear park, designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, he judged the effort to be “the most thorough and comprehensive replanting of any Olmsted project undertaken in the last 25 years.”  Beveridge should know. He is the foremost Olmsted expert, having edited the nine volumes of Olmsted’s papers and consulted on Olmsted restoration projects throughout the nation.

Beveridge’s comment was welcome news to the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance, the group that has spearheaded the rehabilitation and preservation of the park. This winter, the implementation phase of the decade-plus project will be complete, and OLPA is throwing a party to celebrate.

In what promises to be the neighborhood party of 2011, the “Dream in Green” gala will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011, from 7p.m. to 10p.m. at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.  Co-chairs Rhonda Mullen and Claire Sterk promise an evening to remember with chances to connect with neighbors and park lovers, listen to live jazz, and sample delectable hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails. Both a live and silent auction will feature beach and mountain getaways such as a weekend at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville (across from the Biltmore grounds, which Olmsted also designed)—along with fine art, rare wines, roundtrip airline tickets, and more.

Atlanta-based landscape architect Spencer Tunnell, who has interpreted Olmsted’s original 1904 plans for OLPA, sees the evolution of his work over the past 13 years as paralleling OLPA itself.  Tunnell started his designs on the northernmost segments of the park by filling out Olmsted’s detailed plans for Springdale, Virgilee, and Oak Grove parks. He established vistas, articulated high points, and made modifications when necessary to accommodate the widening of Ponce de Leon Avenue, which runs alongside the park sections. In Deepdene, his work broadened to interpret Olmsted’s intent in the largely conceptual drawings the master architect made. One guiding principal that inspired Tunnell was Olmsted’s vision to capture a resource—a forest preserve—to set aside for the future.

During these same years, OLPA has grown from an organization dedicated to the implementation of plantings, hardscapes, and natural habitats to one with a broader vision. Now the group turns to building an endowment that will be create a lasting legacy for the park—even becoming a springboard for other community-building efforts.

“Olmsted knew intuitively that green space and parks make us happy,” says Tunnell. “He knew the importance of preserving land for the future, to save something undeveloped. He knew that this place could spur the Platonic ideal and become a place to study, play, come together, reflect, and be calm in the midst of our busy-ness. One hundred years later, that dream has come true.”

OLPA President Kirk Elifson echoes Tunnell’s sentiment: “The Olmsted Park is a legacy for all Atlantans, now and in the future.”

Submitted by Randy Pimsler:

The zoning committee which meets next Wednesday, November 3rd at 7 pm at the Epworth Methodist Church will review four applications:

1. Variance for a Replacement Garage 475 Clifton Road
2. 292 Moreland Avenue (Wrecking Bar) - Liquor License Review
3. Initial Design Proposal - Review and Comment - Dekalb and Glendale (northwest intersection)
4. Transit Oriented Development at Candler Park Marta Station - Initial Presentation - Review and Comment

Please contact Randy Pimsler (404-522-5046) for additional information.

Hey all. If anyone lost something at Fall Fest, please check the list of "found items" below. If one of these is yours, please contact Walt Weimar at 678-361-4792.

Fall Fest found items:

- dark green "Crazy Creek" lawn chair with label that reads "Bugler (Slutsker)"
- olive green "Bison" brand square-topped hat (a sort of graduation-style cap, casual style)
- women's sunglasses, dark plastic, no brand name
- woman's long-sleeve light-color JJ Basics knit top with star-shaped metal 6-button front
- single glove, black/brown or purple fleece with exposed finger design
- plastic childs baby doll with pink cloth pajama outfit
- Old Navy pink cotton long-sleeve top for infant or child (size 4-5)
- plastic Office Depot bag with three button clasps for ID badges (no badges attached)
- black "BYO by Built" neoprene/poly express lunch bag (zipper top, blue interior, contents include candy and sunglasses)

From Mark Clement:

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS
Saturday, October 30

Rated PG; 94 minutes;
When a meteorite from outer space hits a young girl and douses her with the alien liquid Quantonium it turns her into a 48 foot monster. She is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. This crew of reluctant heroes is asked to save the earth from the evil alien Gallaxhar in this animated comedy.

Another great intown festival is just around the corner, on Saturday November 6 from 11 am - 6 pm. Check out the Cabbagetown Chomp & Stomp web site for more information.

From Kate & Cherie:

On behalf of the Fall Fest committee, we want to thank everyone -- especially the 200+ (!!!) volunteers who pitched in to help produce the event -- for making this weekend one to remember. In addition to the fantastic music, art, food, kid activities and everything else, it was just an all-around great time to bond with neighbors, make new friends and spend time with old friends. Thank you to everyone who helped to put on the event and to the many friends and neighbors who attended.

We'll give a quick summary of the event at the November 15 membership meeting, including a read-out from Dave Aynes on how the event did from a dollars and cents standpoint. Between that and plenty of free beer (leftover from Friday's much-acclaimed Fall Ball), you don't want to miss that meeting.

Last but not least, Fall Fest 2010 t-shirts are available for sale! Look for the button on the right side of the page. Coming soon! Like, maybe even later tonight. :)

By now everyone surely knows that the best festival in Atlanta is happening right here in Candler Park this weekend. Candler Park Fall Fest is this Saturday 10/23 (noon - 9 pm) and Sunday 10/24 (noon - 8 pm). Festival admission is FREE thanks to our fabulous Fall Fest sponsors.

The 5K race is Saturday 10/23 at 11 am and the Tour of Homes is Sunday 10/24 from noon - 6 pm.

Get all the details at the Fall Fest web site.

And we're excited to announce a new feature that is brand-new to Fall Fest this year: a live feed of the festivities, brought to you by SMIRKLIVE. Just click the image below (starting Saturday at 10 am) to see a live broadcast of the festival. When you see how much fun everyone is having, you'll have no choice but to head on over to the park!

From Mary Alice Bray:

House #1 on the Candler Park Tour of Homes is home to David and Elena Lasker.  This artistic couple have restored their house back to its original Craftsman style. David did much of the work himself. With an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, David is a master furniture designer, builder and craftsman. You probably have seen his benches in the atrium at the High Museum and anchor desks at CNN Center. Learn more at davelasker.com.

Come see more of his designs on the house tour on Sunday, October 24.

Thanks to Randy Pimsler, we've got some great shots of The Great Leaf Monster (aka Ken Edelstein) in all his glory, and the fantabulous Fall Fest float. Thank you to everyone who came out, and to everyone who made the float come together. What a great day!

Ooh, and guess who made the photo gallery in the AJC (see slide 16)! Our very own JoJo Ross, channeling Rosie the Riveter in the Fall Fest float. Go JoJo!