Fountain pen: a publication of Centennial Olympic Park, Vol. 6, no. 4 (Winter 2002)

Fountain Pen

A Publication of Centennial Olympic Park

Winter 2002

get into the
Holiday Spirit

at Centennial Olympic Park

The holidays are right around the corner and Centennial Olympic Park has all you need to get into the spirit of the season. Just in time for Thanksgiving break, the Park will open the ice skating rink and turn on thousands of dazzling lights, transforming the Park into a winter wonderland guaranteed to bring smiles to children and the young at heart.
Come and skate at the only outdoor ice skating rink in all of Atlanta in the Park's Southern Company Amphitheater. The rink, a special part of the Holiday in Lights festival, is open Nov. 22 through Jan. 5.
For $5 you can skate for an hour and a half. If you don't have skates, you can
continued on page six

Get into the holiday spirit at Centennial Olympic Park! The popular holiday spectacular begins Nov. 22 and runs through Jan. 5.

Centennial Olympic Park Neighborhood

Keeps
EEveryone wants a beautiful front yard, especially places sure to attract thousands of visitors per week. In 2005, the Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola will have one of the best front lawns in town Centennial Olympic Park. The attractions will be just steps away from the Park, bringing variety and flavor to downtown Atlanta. The Coca-Cola Company's decision to donate the land for the Georgia Aquarium, as well as to relocate its World of Coca-Cola from its current location near Underground Atlanta, will transform the empty space into a major enter-

Growing and Growing
tainment destination. The 5-million-gallon Georgia Aquarium and the larger, more interactive new World of Coca-Cola, which has hosted more than 10 million visitors since opening in 1990, will share parking and a plaza area.
The two attractions will join the area already occupied by the Park, the Georgia Dome, the Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena, The Tabernacle, CNN Center and the soon-to-be completed Children's Museum of Atlanta. The area, expected to be Atlanta's turnkey tourist epicenter, will likely attract even more restaurants, retail,

continued on page four

Centennial Olympic Park
Brings Smiles to Metro Atlanta

Even the smallest gestures can make a difference. That was Centennial Olympic Park's hope when they gave vibrant murals composed by dozens of children at the Park's Fourth Saturday Family Fun Days back to the community.

Throughout the Fourth Saturday Family Fun

Day series, children rolled up their sleeves and

helped create a mural based on a variety of Fun

Day themes, including "Flights and Kites,"

"The Great Outdoors" and "It's About Sports."

Each mural was painted under the supervision

of a professional artist from Young

Audiences of Atlanta.

A special thanks

These murals were then

from all of us at

donated, first-come, first-serve, to metro-Atlanta not-for-profit

Centennial Olympic Park

organizations. The murals now

to all of you who

have a new home in the Atlanta Children's Shelter, The Bridge, the

made this effort

Carrie Steele-Pitts Home, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

a successful one.

and Atlanta New Century

School.

For more information on the organizations that received the murals, please visit their Web sites.
Atlanta Children's Shelter www.atlantachildrenshelter.com The Bridge www.thebridge-atlanta.org Carrie Steele-Pitts Home www.csph.org Children's Healthcare of Atlanta www.choa.org Atlanta New Century School - www.atlantancs.com
During each Fourth Saturday Family Fun Day, a professional artist and park visitors co-create a mural. This mural, made during the "Cultural Arts" Fun Day, will be given to a local non-profit organization.

Children at the Atlanta Children's Shelter surround the new mural that will bring color and joy to their space.

"Just a note to say thank you for thinking about the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home with two beautiful large pieces of art. Presently, we have placed both pieces in our recreation room for everyone to enjoy. We are deeply appreciative to all who took part in developing this art for our Home. Thanks again for sharing!"
- Ollivette S. Allison, executive director of Carrie Steele-Pitts Home

2

CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK
Still Stomping Ground of Champions

Tw o w o m e n are putting
Centennial Olympic Park in the headlines of Woman's D a y magazine. Paige Bullard and
Sharon Veillette's weight loss success story, which includes a daily walk through the Park, will be published in an upcoming issue of the popular women's publication.
Every day at noon, the women lace up their sneakers and tackle the

21-acre Park's brick pathways and stairs, getting closer to their goal weight with each step.
Bullard began the half-hour daily walks Oct. 1, 2001, in addition to maintaining a healthy diet and joining a prayer-based weight loss support group.
"I wanted to start walking," says the 35-year-old paralegal who lives in Acworth, Ga. "I wanted to do it at lunch, and I wanted a buddy to walk with me."
Veillette, a 35-year-old mother of

two and a legal

assistant at the

same law firm,

stepped up to the plate. "I had a depressing day, and she came in and said, `Come on, walk with

Sharon Veillette (left) and Paige Bullard (right) celebrate their one-year anniversary of walking and sensible eating in Centennial Olympic Park. The women's weight loss success is scheduled to appear in Woman's Day magazine.

me,'" Veillette

said. "And we just started doing it."

Veillette admits she didn't like

walking at first, but Bullard kept invit-

continued on page six

Helping Hands Pitch in and Party

AT CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK

Centennial Olympic Park got a facelift, along with the rest of Atlanta, during the nation's largest service day of the year. More than 15,000 volunteers donated their time to a variety of projects throughout Atlanta for the popular Hands on Atlanta Day, held Oct. 5.
Families, groups of friends, individuals and volunteer teams from local organizations pitched in at 200 service projects throughout metro Atlanta, which included everything from painting and renovating schools to preparing meals for the homeless.
Centennial Olympic Park received some tender, loving care from the community as well. Volunteers planted a variety of seasonal flowers

and shrubs throughout the park and food, beverages, live entertainment

pulled weeds.

and prizes.

After a morning of hard work,

"Hands on Atlanta Day

brought so many great people

to the Park," said Jennifer

Tinker, volunteer coordinator

for Centennial Olympic Park.

"We would love to have them

throughout the year. We have so

many opportunities that would

suit anyone's schedule, if they

do not want to wait until next

year to lend a helping hand."

Centennial Olympic Park was not just the site of the after-party. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and tackled planting shrubs and flowers in the Park as part of Hands on Atlanta Day, Oct. 5.

For more information on the Park's volunteer opportunities, you can check out the

Park's Web site at www.centen-

volunteers gathered at Centennial

nialpark.com. You can also call Jennifer

Olympic Park for a Celebration of

Tinker at 404.223.4093, or e-mail her

Service party complete with free

at jtinker@centennialpark.com.

3

Atlanta United InDeed

on September 11

Just one year after the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, Centennial Olympic Park was filled with thousands of people, patriotism, unity and reflection at the anniversary event, United InDeed. The sounds of the Salvation Army band and the Spelman Choir

opened the free evening remembrance ceremony as people gathered in

Hurt Park on Edgewood Avenue. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and other dignitaries

joined faith leaders and organization representatives to pause and pay tribute to those

who lost their lives in the attacks. During the memorial

service, a bronze statue with the inscription, "There

glowed a warmth of human nature...," was dedicated to

the people of metro Atlanta for the unity they demon-

strated. Following the service, people were invited to embark on a Unity Walk from Hurt Park to Centennial

Thousands showed their patriotic spirit on the one-year anniversary of the attacks.

Olympic Park via Peachtree St.

The tone of the evening transitioned to one of patriotism, community and hope for

the future as the Army Ground Forces Band welcomed the procession into Centennial

People gather to remember and reflect on the events of Sept. 11 at United InDeed, a community-wide tribute to the heroes lost and gained in the attacks.

Olympic Park. Music filled the Park, including performances by Tony Rooney, the Chattahoochee Celtic Pipe and Drum band, the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde and the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus. Speakers from local television and radio stations took the stage, as well as professional boxer Evander Holyfield. A dramatic reading of the "Gettysburg

Address" by Tom Key, producing artistic director of Theatrical Outfit, was also part of the

evening tribute to the heroes of Sept. 11.

"Centennial Olympic Park continues to serve as a gathering place," said Brian Hill, assistant general manager of

Centennial Olympic Park. "Just days after the attacks, the Park hosted Atlanta Unites, allowing people to come together

and feel the overwhelming sense of community in the wake of tragedy. One year later, at United InDeed, people were

able to meet again, reflect, unite in patriotism and pay tribute to the heroes who emerged from the rubble."

Growing continued from page one
nightlife and other venues to the area. "The Georgia World Congress
Center and CNN pioneered the revitalization effort in this area of downtown Atlanta, while Centennial Olympic Park has proven to serve as an anchor for new growth," said Dan

Graveline, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. "I think these two new attractions, combined with Atlanta's reputation for Southern hospitality, are going to bring smiles to many faces."
When World of Coca-Cola makes

the move across town, its old home will not be abandoned. The state has already expressed interest in the Underground location, across the street from the State Capitol, for a possible site for the Georgia History
Museum.

4

Summer Programming
Packs Park!

Free, fun-filled, family entertainment almost

every day of the summer brought thousands of

Gerald Albright

people to Centennial Olympic Park. Free

concerts, chart-topping performers, a holiday bash

The final Wednesday Wind Down concert of the season was a hit! Hundreds of people packed the Southern Company Amphitheater to hear everything from gospel to jazz performed live. If you missed the show, it was recorded live that night and the CD is on sale in Atlanta Borders locations.

unlike any other, and family-oriented events made the Park one of Atlanta's hottest attractions for summer fun.

Wednesday Wind Down was the first program to kick off

the season. The mid-week evening concerts, showcasing

everything from jazz to reggae, ran April 3 through Oct. 2.

The summer line-up of performers included Jonathan Butler

and Gerald Albright. The grand finale Wednesday Wind

Down concert was so big it was recorded live in the Park. If

you missed the show,

the CD is on sale in

Atlanta Borders loca-

tions. All the pro-

ceeds benefit Clark

Atlanta University.

Less than two

weeks after

Wednesday Wind

Down was underway,

Children spend hours playing chess on boards with pieces almost as big as them at the "Hobbies" Fourth Saturday Family Fun Day.

the Park's Music at Noon concert series, held every Tuesday

and Thursday, was launched. The midday concert provided

outdoor entertainment to those looking to leave the office

behind during lunch.

The month of May brought headline entertainment to

the Park's lush lawns. Vanilla Coke's On the Bricks started off

the free, Friday night concert series with a star-studded show

with performances by John Mayer and India.Arie.

Throughout the season, Blues Traveler, Concrete Blonde,

They Might Be Giants,

Michelle Branch and Alanis

Morissette, among many

others, graced the stage and

wowed fans every Friday

night through Aug. 16.

The Park was filled to

capacity as thousands gath-

ered to celebrate Independ-

ence Day. The Fourth of July Celebration included a concert by The Charlie Daniels Band and the Salt Lake City

Dozens of people gather around one of the dancers from the Atlanta Danse Orientale Society. The organization performed a number of Middle Eastern dances, including this belly dance, for all to enjoy.

Granite Youth Symphony

Orchestra. A spectacular fireworks and special effects

display against the downtown skyline rounded out the day

of entertainment.

People looking for family-oriented activities on the week-

ends found the perfect match at Centennial Olympic Park's

Fourth Saturday Family Fun Days. Every Family Fun Day,

based on a unique monthly theme, had something new and

exciting to see and do. Interactive crafts, street performers,

musicians, demonstrations and educational programming

piqued children's knowledge of the world around them and

provided families a fresh way to spend quality time together.

Even though the summer has come and gone, the Park

still has plenty for you to do. Grab your sweater and a friend

and enjoy hours of fun skating at the Park's ice skating rink,

drinking some hot cocoa in the Fountainside Caf, or taking

a walk through the Park's Holiday in Lights festival.

5

Stomping Ground
continued from page three
ing her along. "I would've rather been sitting here and reading my book," she said. "But once I got into it, I realized I had so much more energy. I could play with my kids, run on the baseball field with them and walk up the stairs without huffing and puffing."
Now, one year later, both women can see that their hard work and commitment have paid off. Veillette has lost 30 pounds as a result of walking and a healthy diet and would like to lose 30 more. Bullard is 26 pounds lighter. Her goal is to lose another 34 pounds. Both say they are more energized, sleep better and have more confidence.
To stay motivated and on target, the walking buddies take pictures of themselves every three months to document their weight loss. "Losing weight goes faster than you think when you add the walking," said Veillette. Their progress is also evident in that they are able to cover even more ground in the same amount of time than just one year ago.
The walking buddies agree they could not have accomplished their weight loss without one another. "When she said I really inspired her, that just inspired me," Bullard said. "She's my accountability partner and my inspiration. I've seen her become happier and lighter."
The women celebrate their anniversary like they have every day over the last year, making their way through the Park. What makes this walk different from the first is that they are new people and they're not alone another woman
from the office has joined them.

Nov. 22 thru Dec. 14
Dec. 15 thru Jan. 5

Skating Rink Hours

Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. 4:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday - Thursday Friday - Saturday

10 a.m. - 10 p.m. 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Closed on Christmas Day

Holiday Spirit
continued from page one
rent them for just $2 dollars! Groups of 10 or more enjoy a special discounted rate of $5 per person, which includes skates and 90 minutes of skating.
Music and theatrical lighting, combined with a park covered in sparkling lights and displays, provide the perfect
backdrop for hours of fun!

If you would like to receive e-mail updates on Centennial Olympic Park's upcoming events,
we would be happy to include you on our list.
Simply call 404.223.4203 or e-mail kbarnes@gwcc.com

If you would no longer like to receive the Fountain Pen, please let us know by phone at 404-223-4203 or e-mail kbarnes@gwcc.com.

FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 596 ATLANTA, GA

Activities and Information Hotline 404.222.PARK www.centennialpark.com
For more information, contact: Kellie Barnes 404.223.4203
kbarnes@gwcc.com
285 Andrew Young International Blvd., N.W. Atlanta, GA 30313-1591