Just a week (yes, a week!) after having a discussion at the BSP about Atlanta’s need for a new venue for writing classes, Decatur Book Festival founders Daren Wang and Tom Bell, along with author David Fulmer, have announced the creation of “Agnes Writes”, “a new series of writing classes taught by several of Atlanta’s most accomplished authors.”

The winter series will feature Shamus Award winning author David Fulmer, longtime syndicated humor columnis Hollis Gillespie, recipient of a 2009 NEA Fellowship in Poetry Chelsea Rathburn, and young adult author and manager of Little Shop of StoriesTerry Elan McVoy. Classes will be held adjacent to the Agnes Scott campus at 176 S. Candler Street and will meet weekly, from 6-8p, for 8 weeks, according to a recent press release.

More details can be found at AgnesWrites.com

Sounds like another great addition to Decatur’s literary scene!  Thanks to Daren for forwarding the info.

“A warm up for the real thing.” Darren at The Grange provides us with all the details…

St Practice Day Specials – Saturday January 17:

Food

* The Grange G.F.C. – $10 – (Pint of Guinness and an order of Fish and Chips)
* The Grange I.S.P. – $8 – (Irish Stew and a Pint)
* Bailey’s Irish Cream, crème brûlée Dessert – $5

Drinks

* “A perfect pint of Guinness along with a shot of Jameson” – $9 – A match made by the Irish to toast St. Patrick himself.
* “Redbreast Pure Pot Stilled Irish Whiskey” – $6.50 – Sample one of the finest examples of the “water of life”.
* “Dancing Goats Irish Coffee with Jameson” – $6.50 – Fresh roasted coffee, Jameson, topped with whipped cream.
* “Bailey’s Chocolate Martini” – $8
* “Jameson Lime Drop Martini” – $8
* “Shankill Road Car Bomb” – $7 – Guinness, Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey and Baileys.
* “Baby Guinness” – $6 – Tia Maria with Baileys floated on top.

(Substitute pint of Smithwicks or Harp instead of Guinness with drink specials if you prefer)

Lead by DHS teacher Chris Billingsley, the Close Up Club has held countless fundraisers and community service projects over the past year or so in order to raise enough money to travel to Washington D.C. for the President’s Inauguration.

And it looks like they were successful!  33 members of the club will head to D.C. this weekend to witness an historic inauguration.

11Alive has the full story (and a video).