Re:Imagine Atlanta

ORG HELPS KIDS BECOME MEDIA MOGULS   (8/9/15)

    If you sent a kid to camp this summer to swim, learn crafts and some Indian history; you might have missed the canoe.

     Re: Imagine Atl, a fairly new non-profit, just held a summer camp called The Green Room. Youth from diverse backgrounds came together with Atlanta filmmakers to create original music videos for area musicians.
 
     The event also featured guest speakers from the entertainment industry, live music by locals and screenings of the films made by campers.

     “We were so excited to develop this amazing program,” said Susanna Spiccia, Executive Director of Re:Imagine Atl. “This program unites young people in many exciting ways.”

     Spiccia, who went to college for a business degree, fully intended on starting a non-profit. In fact, for7 years she sold safety equipment for construction sites so that she could start the organization.

     “I’m from Atlanta, I love this city, my vision is to connect the city,” said Spiccia. “Youth today have many diverse interests. My idea was to find an activity that they could do together. What a better way to bring them together than to teach them how to make videos?”

     The organization is still considered ‘grass roots’, but has been getting the attention of national
sponsors. Georgia Tech has signed as an educational partner.
 
     Re :Imagine Atl works with kids from all-over the city. Professionals from the industry are proud to give the training. Many of the youth can work every machine in a professional media studio.
 
     “Not only do the participants learn about the film and music industries,” said Spiccia, “…they developa mutual respect and empathy towards each other. This is really great.”

     This organization needs help from former members of the music and film industries. Re :Imagine Atl is asking the community to donate media equipment like cameras and editing software for their mission.

     Contact Susanna Spiccia at Susanna@ReImagineATL.com or see the web site http://www.reimagineatl.com/.

-- -- -Ray Macon

Updates Daily

      Editor's Note:  This blog is being BACK-LOADED (programmed chronologically) to include stories that were either not published or were printed in periodicals outside of the targeted audience.  My work from 2016 has not been transferred. I have current rotating writing projects. 
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St. Charles Stainz

MONROE NEIGHBORS ARE BAND MATES    (7/9/15)

     If you’re driving by St. Charles Avenue and Monroe Drive you might hear old rock music.  Don’t bother calling the neighbors, they won’t answer the phone. 

     “We ARE the neighbors,” laughed John Ballam, who plays bass guitar for the St. Charles Stainz.

      These are not teenagers holding band practice in a garage. Most of the Stainz are over 50.

      “Some of us are past residents that have moved, or currently reside here,” said Joe Binns, who plays the drums. “We all have professions. This includes a graphic designer, a political consultant, a
communications director, a hair stylist, and a computer code writer.”

      The Stainz get together every Thursday in an attic to jam on some old classic rock. Skill levels vary widely. “Some of us have been in bands (major and indie labels) and for others this is the first time they have played with a group,” said Joe.

     Tired of jamming her fist to the ceiling during practice hours, John’s wife Jamie Graham joined as aback-up singer. “If you can’t beat ‘em, well…” Jamie laughed, “…sing with ‘em.  I've been in a few bands before as back-up singer.” By day Jamie is an Atlanta attorney.

     Acoustical Guitarist and Singer Jeff Jones played around Atlanta and the Southeast since 2000 with the bands Moose Knuckle, The Gorilla Cookies and Man Bites Dog. His voice has an ‘old school’ quality that is appreciated by these neighbors. In the past, Jeff has opened for famous bands like 38 Special and Confederate Railroad, among others.

     “If you’re good at remembering names, who are we?” laughed Steve Valk. Steve moved to Atlanta in 1978 so he could work for the Journal-Constitution.  Steve plays the congas for the Stainz. 

     Valk strums the conga and the reads-off a list of the night's musician neighbors.  “Let's see there is
me, Casey, Jamie, Mark, Dwight, Joe, John, Jeff and ...Colin."

     At the last name, a man plays a familiar melodic rift.

     A powerhouse musician, Colin Arnstein began playing guitar at 13. He’s the type of talent that might get lost in the melody and take everyone on a 10-minute musical interlude.

     “I’ve written over 100 songs,” he said. Colin moved from Sarasota, Florida to attend Emory
University and has been in Atlanta ever since. He earned a B.A. in music at G.S.U. and later studied
under the tutelage of Thomas Thoreson of the ASO. “We experiment with music,” laughed Colin.

     “Everyone is welcome,” laughed Joe Binns. “We practice weekly and the whole block eventually finds a way to our music."

     To check-out this happy group of friends, contact Joe joebinns@gmail.com or see the video made of the neighbors during a fun  Crawfish Boil.  

-- -Ray Macon

Profile: Graphic Comic Artist Griffis King

COMING SOON: ATLANTA, THE COMIC BOOK     (7/8/15)

     He arrived in Atlanta with a dream and thirty dollars.

     Griffis King, a designer and trainer of some of Atlanta’s finest athletes; has been working on a book about ‘…making it in the big city.’ Well, making it any place if you have a dream.

     “I am writing and illustrating a graphic novel,” said King. “It follows the adventures of a boy and his companion throughout a fantastic world. His ultimate goal is to make a claim and a name for himself, becoming happy and strong.”

     King is called ‘Griff’ by his friends at the gym. One glance and you assume by the muscles that he is a fitness trainer. But you might not know the story behind his comic.

     Griff came to Atlanta years ago from South Carolina.

     “I had been struggling with many jobs, trying to make myself adhere,” said Griff. “It affected my happiness along the way.  I felt as though I was a square peg trying to fit into a triangular hole. It just wasn't working.”

     Griff knew he had to make a change and follow his passion for design. He began making small amounts of money on illustrations. After a while, more projects came his way.

     “It was that spark that propelled me into what I am doing now,” said Griff. “I quickly found that my degree in design held a lot of components that could easily be used in any artistic capacity.”

     As for his Atlanta experience, the novel synopsis does sound parallel. 

     “The novel loosely ties into my own story,” said Griff. “The characters brave the wilds of the new world, and are thrust into a whirlwind of fetes of strength. There is magic, beasts, and dark forces.   The characters meet some strange and wonderful people along the way!”

     If you have a dream, Griff has some great tips. “I really buckled down and got serious. That seriousness paid off, “Griff said. “My work snowballed into bigger and better projects. I am a happy man, now-a- days, doing something that I really enjoy.”

     To inquire about the graphic novel, contact Griff at this email: gwillking@gmail.com

-- -Ray Macon

Griff King on stage as a military force all by himself. 

(Photo courtesy http://www.projectq.us/)

Eat-Work-Live Spaces Growing

WHOLE FOODS PLANNED FOR MIDTOWN     (7/9/15)

     Where is there room in Midtown for a behemoth grocery store? In a luxury tower, of course!

     Plans are in the works for Austin Texas-based Whole Foods Market, Inc. to move into Midtown.

     Talks are underway for Whole Foods to acquire a 60,000 foot space to house the store under two planned high-rises on the corner of 14 th and West Peachtree.

      Miami’s commercial real estate giant The Related Group is proceeding with plans to build two luxury residential buildings in phases at that location.

     The first building will hold 400 units. As the tower nears completion, the grocery store or similar
retailer will build underneath or at street level.

     Technically this will be the second Whole Foods located in Midtown, with the other located off of
Ponce de Leon Avenue across from the newly renovated Ponce Market.

     “I’m glad to hear they are coming,” said Sally W., who was shopping ten blacks away at the Publix near the Georgia Tech campus. “It’s a short drive to the current Whole Foods, but there are a lot of traffic lights. I would welcome the convenience of it.”

Real estate professionals praised the project, sighting its convenience to MARTA and the Connector.
Numerous high-profile professional firms are also located in the area.

The current plan is to have the Whole Foods Midtown store opened by 2018.

-- -Ray Macon

Profile: Artist/Owner Tony Olivas

TAT CONVENTION A FEAST FOR THE EYES          (6/9/15)

     Sacred Heart Tattoo, with two locations in Atlanta and Norcross, has been a leader in the art of tattooing for along time.

     Owner Tony Olivas opened his first location in Little 5 Points during the spring of 1994.   At the time, tattoos were not as popular as they are today, being embraced by more musicians and artists than mainstream fans.  

     In June, Sacred Heart Tattoo hosted the 19^th annual Atlanta Tattoo Expo at Wyndam, Atlanta Galleria.

     As the Southeast's premier event celebrating the tattoo lifestyle; the event featured live tattooing from 100 of the best tattoo artists in the nation, celebrity guests, tattoo contests, parties, and more.

     “Each year, this event has grown exponentially in terms of artist participation and attendance,” said Olivas, who is also the founder of the event. 

     “I attributed that growth directly to the tightly-knit spirit of the tattoo industry in the Southeast.  The tattoo industry may have evolved in terms of acceptance by the mainstream; but the level of positive support among artists has never changed.”

     After 19 years of continued growth, the Atlanta Tattoo Expo is a testament to that.  Hundreds of people attended the event.  

      Some visitors with their own tattoos had lost track of their favorite artists.  A lot of attendees came for curiosity.  Others were just there to see some of the best living artwork in Atlanta.

     “Our artists' styles vary as much as our clientele's requests,” said Olivas.   “We have thousands of designs to choose from, or talk to one of our artists about an original, custom creation. “

     Sacred Heart will also repair, re-color, or cover faded tattoos--turning them into dazzling new pieces of art.   There's photo proof of that from previous customers.

     “Our studios accept walk-in customers, or make an appointment.” said Olivas.  “We are members of The Alliance of Professional Tattooists and the National Tattoo Association.”

     To find out more, go to the web site: http://www.sacredhearttattoo.com

-----Ray Macon

                                                                   Art by Chris Barton

                                        The King of Tats? Tony Olivas of Sacred Heart Tattoo

Profile: Social Advocate Michael Mills

GIVE BACK WITH S.G.E. ATLANTA

     The club has a big name, and like any great organization, has big ambitions.

     The S.G.E., or Social Giving Experience was created by Michael Mills.  The concept is simple: Atlantans come together for networking, dinner and drinks; learn about community issues and solutions from local charities; and bundle donations for greater impact.

      “There’s no minimum or maximum gift,” said Mills.  “Hopefully our attendees can leave feeling good about an organization while motivating the donor to get involved.”

     Mills, who many remember from Georgia’s 2010 political race for Secretary of State, failed to qualify for the runoff.  Voter turnout was low.  Yet this motivated him to work even harder to get the community involved in more than just politics. 

     Michael Mills is the president of PR 1776, a business that provides corporations, non-profits and individual brands with full communication capabilities.  Mills saw a need in the community for businesses and philanthropic organizations to meet.  And meet often.

     The Social Giving Experience is based upon the “giving circle” concept, where people pool their charitable donations and jointly decide what charities to invest in while also increasing their knowledge of the issues solved by the recipient.

     The concept is new in practice but has its roots in Mutual Aid Societies and other forms of giving that date back hundreds of years.

     “For attendees, it is about having a fun experience, trying food at a new local restaurant, and the experience of hearing from non-profits,” said Mills.  “Those organizations benefit from honing their presentation skills and getting valuable feedback (and leads) from the community.”

    S.G.E. recently met at Grindhouse, one of Atlanta’s best boutique burger restaurants.  There, two non-profits competed for a chance at donations, while refining their pitches.   

     Many people want to help a non-profit but they don’t know how to begin.  Other donors worry that their money is not making an impact.  The S.G.E. meetings attempt to erase those fears.  Audience members are free to ask questions.  Later, a survey is passed to see which organization was the most effective. 

To get invited to one of the dinners and hear about how you can help, contact the organization’s web site: http://sgeatl.wix.com

     ---Ray Macon

 

Michael Mills of the Social Giving Experience