Many of us have been waiting with anticipation for the Candler Park Pool to open, which was tenatively scheduled to happen on June 1 (today). This morning I called the Parks Department and was told that it will open pending an inspection that is scheduled to happen today. We'll post an update here as soon as we know more, but fingers crossed...sounds like it may be open soon!

What's black and white and read all over? The Messenger, of course! And the June Messenger is now available. Read it here.

We moved to Candler Park in 2006, just before having our first child. Since then, that baby has become a tyrannical toddler, we had a second kid, sold the first Candler Park house and bought another, and decided that we'll stick around a while. Candler Park has been good to us, and we feel right at home. Here are a few of our favorite things in Candler Park:

1) Candler Park Market: It's summertime, and to a three year old that means POPSICLES. We've been taking our son, Alex, to Candler Park Market several times a week for a Push-Up. You know, that wonderful / terrible neon orange-green-pink sherbertish tasty treat. We rarely go a day without Alex demanding a piligramge to Candler Park Market. Oh, and they've got a great beer selection too. ;)

2) Our Neighbors: Is it wrong to think of your neighbors after thinking of popsicles?!? This list is not in order of importance! Anyway, we live on Hooper, one of the three dead-end streets off of Oakdale, and we looooove our neighbors. Fun, smart, interesting, reliable, helpful...they're everything you could want in neighbors. We really hit the jackpot.

3) The Dog Party: If you haven't been to Freedom Park, right off of Druid Place, on a weekday early evening, you're missing out. Lots and lots of dogs, not to mention good human camraderie. Check it out.

4) Patios: One of my favorite things about Atlanta is patios, and Candler Park has lots of 'em. Fellini's probably wins the prize for best "lounging outside in Candler Park." And odds of running into someone you know -- a neighbor, co-worker, whomever -- are pritty pritty pritty good, as Larry David would say.

5) Secret Destinations: If I publicized them, they wouldn't really be secret, now would they? But let's just say that Candler Park has the absolute best semi-hidden cooperative garden complete with wonderful goats and chickens and sneaky entrances and just general fantasticness (is that a word?).

6) The Park! Whether it's golf or basketball or swimming or playgrounding or, well, just wandering around, the park in Candler Park is a winner. What's not to like?

7) Little 5 Points: This thirty-something mom ain't nearly cool enough for piercings and head shops, but L5P still has a lot to offer. Lots of shops and restaurants -- including our new favorite, The Porter Beer Bar, and just a generally fun and awesome vibe.

8) Bee, Butterfly and Bird Island: Our neighbor Michelle Hughes spearheaded a wonderful nature-y oasis in Freedom Park, just adjacent to Mary Lin Elementary. I love having this plantalicious area near in our neighborhood, and also love having neighbors who would think to create something like this.

9) Walks Around The 'Hood: Sure, the sidewalks mostly suck. But you can't beat walking around Candler Park. So many impromptu convos with neighbors; just today a neighbor we'd never met, someone who lives a few blocks from us, offered us a raspberry bush from his yard. You never know who you'll meet on a walk, or what you'll discover. Fun.

10) Green: Parks, parks, and more parks. Gardens. Big ole trees. As my grandfather used to say, a city without trees isn't fit for a dog! And our little corner of this city certainly is.

Those are just a few of our favorite things about Candler Park. What are your favorite things?

Check out the new web site for Epworth Day School, the childcare program formerly known as Epworth Parents Morning Out. Our very own Michelle Hughes, my across-the-street neighbor on Hooper, is the director of the program and she created the site herself!

Hi all, just some web site housekeeping here. We've created a new page where you can find board meeting notes, and it lives here. You can also find this page in the site navigation, under the "CPNO Meetings & Membership" menu item.

From Mark Clement:

The first of our movie series was a hit! Over 200 children of all ages attended and enjoyed the Movie “UP."

Pre show music was provided by Kingsized. Okay, it was a recording, but it was the Kingsized performance recorded from the Fall Fest eight months earlier in the same exact spot. I thought that was kind of cool.

The remaining movies in our series:

• July 17 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• August 21 Princesses and the Frog,
• September 18 High School Musical (?)
• October 30. Monster vs. Aliens

We have a great line up of movies this year. However the response to High School Musical has been less than enthusiastic. We have a poll set up on www.cprunningclub. Go there, then click Candler Park Movie night to cast your vote and to get more information.

So check our schedule, mark your calendar, grab your lawn chairs, blankets, cooler and head to the front of the pool house for the Free Candler Park Screen on the Green.     

Thanks to Park Pride for providing the equipment, and thanks to Epworth Methodist for refreshments and help. Thanks to Boyd Baker for solving our lighting problems. Thanks to Candler Park Neighborhood Organization for funding.      

From Chantelle Rytter:

We got a grant from Art on the BeltLine for a Lantern Parade! We're making lanterns and we're going to carry them up the eastside of the BeltLine on the full moon of June 26 from The Krog & Irwin to Piedmont Park.

We're doing 4 free public lantern-making workshops at the Piedmont Park Conservancy 6/12 and at the L5P Community Center, 6/20. All the info and registration is here: www.gratefulgluttons.comI FUN!

-Chantelle Rytter, Captain, Krewe of the GratefulGluttons (www.gratefulgluttons.com, 678-612-2570)

From Cheryl Kortemeier:

Trees Atlanta is celebrating its 25th Anniversary throughout 2010. We are really excited about this milestone and are hosting an official celebration on Friday, June 25th.  We hope you will join us!

Posting on behalf of the L5P Business Association:

The next meeting of the Little 5 Points Business Association is next Wednesday May 26th at 10:00am in the basement of Sevanada.

We will have updates on the following

1. Halloween
2. Our website, phone number and social media outlets
3. The parking situation
4. So much more.....

If you have not paid your annual dues (Only $100!), this would be a good time to bring your check.

We will have forms at the meeting if you have misplaced yours.

Do you want some time on this month's agenda? If so, email Matt.

See you next Wednesday!