►Out & about

The Arts

A Page from the Book Festival: Bud Selig albums and played some of the best venues in the country. Tickets are $16. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075. For tickets and info, visit chattnaturecenter.org or call 770-992-2055.

Wednesday, July 10, 7:30 p.m. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) welcomes Bud Selig, former Commissioner of Baseball, as he talks about his newest book, “For the Good of the Game: The Inside Story of the Surprising and Dramatic Transformation of Major League Baseball.” Part baseball story, part business saga and part memoir, “For the Good of the Game” chronicles Selig’s career, takes fans inside locker rooms and board rooms and offers an intimate, fascinating account of the process involved in transforming an American institution. Selig will also be available to sign copies of the book. Tickets are $35 and include one hardcover copy of the book. MJCCA, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338. More info at atlantajccorg/bookfestival, or by calling 678-812-4002.

Summer Author Program at Atlanta History Center: Sam Jones, “Whole Hog BBQ”

Wednesday, August 7, 6 p.m. In the world of barbecue, Carolinastyle pork is among the most delicious and obsessed-over slow-cooked meats. Yet no one has told the definitive story of North Carolina barbecue until now. In “Whole Hog BBQ,” Sam Jones (owner of Sam Jones BBQ and grandson of Pete Jones, founder of the Skylight Inn in Ayden, N.C.) share step-by-step instructions for cooking a whole hog at home, along with two dozen classic family recipes including cornbread, coleslaw, spare ribs, smoked turkey, country-style steak, the signature burger and pudding. Tickets are $10 for non-members. Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta 30305. Go to atlantahistorycenter.com (click on Programs, then Author Programs) for tickets and additional info.

Learn Something

Family Bird Walk at Morgan Falls Overlook Park

Friday, July 19, 9-10:30 a.m. Learn to use binoculars and see some of the many birds at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. Make a bird-feeding classic — bird seed on a pinecone — to take home. The group meets in the pavilion past the playground. This is a free, family-friendly program; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is requested. Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 200 Morgan Falls Road, Sandy Springs 30350. Go to registration.sandyspringsga.gov to register. For details, as well as many more activities and events, visit friendsoflostcorner.org.

Sundays on the River Concert: Joe Alterman ▲

Sunday, July 14, 7 p.m. Only 29 years old, jazz pianist and Atlanta native Joe Alterman has already released four critically-acclaimed

Summer MusicFest 2019: Grains of Sand and Riverstreet

Friday, July 19 (The Grains of Sand) and Saturday, August 3 (Riverstreet). The Arts Council’s Summer MusicFest 2019 finishes the season with two top acts. The Grains of Sand has deep roots in soul, Motown and beach music. On the band’s Farewell Tour, they take you on a musical journey performing classic hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Founded in 1969, Riverstreet has shared the stage with many notable acts, including Greg Allman, Rare Earth, Steppenwolf and Guess Who. “We were only a cover band, but we became…popular,” said drummer Mike Terrell, who joined the band in 1974. Tickets are $25 per person for each concert. Smithgall Arts Center, 311 Spring Street, Gainesville 30501. Call 770-534-8727 or visit TheArtsCouncil.net for tickets and details.

Social Security Pre-Retirement Program

Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m. Join us for tips from a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist and receive information about benefits and tools for you and your family. This is a great opportunity to get answers to your questions. Gwinnett County Public Library

Five Forks Branch, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville 30044. Find out more at gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.

Helping Writers Become Authors: A Free Writer’s Workshop

Saturday, July 27, 1-2:30 p.m. When it comes to writing, every writer is unique — but mistakes made by first-time authors are not unique. Author and publisher Nury Crawford will discuss the most common mistakes new writers make, how to find a competent and affordable editor, three ways to get your work published and explain your writer’s “rights.” Gwinnett County Public Library, Suwanee Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee 30024. Go to gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154 for more info.

Community

Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival

Saturday, August 10, 1-9 p.m. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of classic southern BBQ, along with more than seven hours of live blues and bluegrass music from aspiring and accomplished local, regional and national performers. A familyfriendly event for all ages. New location: 500 South Columbia Drive, Decatur 30030. More at decaturbbqfestival.com.

Aloha to Aging Annual Gala

Friday, Aug. 16, 5 p.m. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Aloha to Aging’s annual gala will focus on “Building Our Legacy” with special guest speaker Sarah Stanley Fallaw, Ph.D., east Cobb resident and co-author of “The Next Millionaire Next Door.” Reception and silent auction begin at 5 p.m.; banquet dining, live auction and program start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person; sponsorships are available. Proceeds from the event will fund programs and services to ensure enhanced quality of life for seniors, their care partners and the community in Cobb County. Olde Towne Athletic Club, 4950 Olde Towne Parkway NE, Marietta 30068. For tickets and more information, call 770-722-7641 or email info@alohatoaging.org.