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August: 10 things to do for $10 or less

Take a walk to view Emory's outdoor art. "Emory Bench Sculpture" is located on Fishburne Drive at the Baker Woodland, near the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Emory Photo/Video.

Summer is almost over, with most students set to move in on campus Aug. 19-20. Before the bustle of the new academic year begins, check out these 10 things to do, all for $10 or less.

1. Learn about exercise and aging from Emory experts.

On Aug. 1 at 10 a.m., join a free online "Ask the Expert" session on exercise and aging.  Joe Nocera, assistant professor of neurology in the School of Medicine, will share how older individuals are affected both physically and mentally by exercise during the aging process. The webinar will be facilitated by Jill Welkley, an associate professor with Emory College's Center for the Study of Human Health.

2. Take a walking tour of Emory's outdoor art.

Take a summer walk to experience the many examples of outdoor art featured on Emory's campus. Get out of the office or work area and view familiar landmarks from a different perspective or discover ones you haven't seen.

Hot summer afternoons are a great time to appreciate the cool tranquility of "Source Route," installed in the ravine across from the Carlos Museum as two pathways to the streambed of the Baker Woodland. Sculptor George Trakas visited Emory in 2011 to conserve his piece of land art, installed in 1979, and to lecture. See his Creativity Conversation. He also received an honorary doctor of humane letters at Emory's 166th Commencement in 2011.

3. Make sure you are ready for the new semester with Canvas 101.

The new academic year brings the launch of Canvas, Emory's new learning management system, replacing Blackboard, which will be unavailable after Aug. 31. For faculty and staff who don't feel prepared for the transition, there is still time to join one of the free Canvas 101 sessions offered by Emory's Libraries & Information Technology. Classes are currently scheduled in Room 314 of Woodruff Library on Aug. 1, 3, 8 and 9 (times vary).

4. Go for a swim as the summer winds down. 

The pool at Emory's Student Activity and Academic Center has been a popular destination all summer. Fulltime students have annual memberships to the SAAC, while faculty and staff may purchase discounted membership packages, as well as 14-visit guest passes that average to less than $9 per visit. The daily walk-up rate is $10.

Standard summer memberships end with Labor Day, so don't miss your last month of swimming. For those with annual and "summer extended" memberships, the pool stays open (and heated when necessary) until November.

5. Cheer on the home team with discounted tickets to an Atlanta Braves game.

Emory employees can purchase inexpensive tickets to Atlanta Braves baseball games through Sparkfly, which offers a variety of discounts on shopping, events and more. Sign in with your Emory login ID and password, then search for "Atlanta Braves" to view your options. Several vendors within Sparkfly offer ticket discounts of up to 15 percent, bringing seats in some areas of the stadium to $10 or less. Students can access special Braves ticket discounts here, also with several options that fall close to $10.

6. Hear author Anna Schachner discuss "You and I and Someone Else."

A frequent guest lecturer in Emory's Creative Writing Program, Anna Schachner visits Emory on Monday, Aug. 14, to discuss her debut novel, "You and I and Someone Else." Hosted by Alumnae and Women of Emory (AWE), the AWE book club author event is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Miller Ward Alumni House. Registration is $5; food and drinks will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to also bring donations of school supplies or non-perishable food items for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

7. Catch campus exhibits before they close.

Before the hustle and bustle of the new semester, make time to visit these exhibits around campus that are slated to close soon:

  • "Yun Ch'i-Ho: Christian, Korean, Early Emory Alumnus" showcases the papers of Emory's first international student, who transferred to the college in 1891. It's on display in the Rose Library, located on level 10 of Woodruff Library, through Aug. 18.
  • "The Spirit Lives on: Art, Music and the Mind," a three-part project sponsored by Emory's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Atlanta Master Chorale, is on view through Sept. 4 in the Chace Gallery of Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.
  • Billy Howard’s "Epitaphs for the Living," featuring riveting images of people living with HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, continues through Sept. 10 in the Corridor Gallery on level three of Woodruff Library.

8. Explore the "Threads of Time" at the Carlos Museum.

Beginning Aug. 19, the Michael C. Carlos Museum showcases its remarkable textile collection in "Threads of Time: Tradition and Change in Indigenous American Textiles." The exhibit explores the staggering breadth and depth of indigenous American fiber arts ranging from weavings to feather work and items made from plants. The museum’s permanent collection contains over 700 examples, of which 149 will be on display, many for the first time. Be on the lookout for related events throughout the semester, starting with the "Threads of Time" lecture on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the museum's Ackerman Hall. Admission is free for Emory students, faculty and staff.

9. Celebrate tomatoes at the Emory Farmers Market.

The Tomato Festival on Aug. 22 marks the return of the weekly Emory Farmers Market, which was held less often during the summer. Weather permitting, the market will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesdays in front of Cox Hall. Spend as much as you like, but there is plenty to purchase for $10 or less.

10. Enjoy the shade at Hahn Woods.

When you think about green space at Emory, Lullwater Preserve is often the first place that comes to mind. But if you're looking for another place to walk, run or just enjoy nature, don't forget about Hahn Woods, officially the T. Marshall Hahn Jr. Commemorative Forest, with its lovely views of the South Fork of Peachtree Creek. Access this peaceful, nearly five-acre preserve through the entrance on Houston Mill Road, which includes a small, free parking area; follow the creek to connect with Lullwater and expand your route.


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