Monday Essentials: Learn About Cornbread, Atlanta History

History of cornbread. Millie Huff Coleman will share family recipes and talk about Atlanta's culinary history at 7 p.m. Thursday at the DeKalb History Center. Free.

A Celebration of James Dickey. Poets such as David Bottoms will gather to  celebrate the publication of The Complete Poems of James Dickey. 7:15 p.m. Monday at the Decatur Library. Free.

Author events. Mark Kurlansky will appear at the 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Decatur Library to discuss his new book, Ready For A Brand New Beat: How “Dancing In The Street” Became An Anthem For A Changing America. Susan Crandall talks about her new novel, Whistling Past the Graveyard, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Eagle Eye Book Shop. Free.

Lunch and learn. The 25-year history of the Decatur Arts Festival will be discussed at noon Tuesday at the DeKalb History Center. Free.

Public meetings. Avondale Estates Planning and Zoning Board at 6 p.m. Monday. Decatur City Commission at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Avondale Estates Board of Appeals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Lake Avondale Advisory Board at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Avondale Estates City Commission work session at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Decatur Environmental Sustainability Board at 8 a.m. Friday