Once again, Georgia’s public libraries are making it easier than ever for patrons to explore and learn about the state’s outdoor attractions.
John Carter War-weary, former military Capt. John Carter is transported to Mars, where he becomes embroiled in a conflict amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris. In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands. Rated PG-13.
Where else in Columbus can you see all nine planets of our solar system, operate a moon rover or fly a (simulated) fighter jet?
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Based on the children’s book by Dr. Seuss, a young boy named Ted (Zac Efron) lives in an artificial city called Thneed-ville. Ted searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl (Taylor Swift) of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax (Danny DeVito), the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. Rated PG.
Have weekends of restaurant spinach and artichoke dip left you lukewarm? Has the price of movie popcorn left your wallet thin? The Schwob School of Music offers classical music concerts that are not only gripping and action-packed (in a refined way, of course), but most concerts, thanks to our generous donors and patrons, are free. Newbies, do not fear. Following are some concert attendance tidbits to get you ready for your night on the town:
Gone Jill Parrish comes home from a night shift to discover her sister Molly has been abducted. Jill, who had escaped from a kidnapper a year before, is convinced that the same serial killer has come back for her sister. Afraid that Molly will be dead by sundown, Jill embarks on a heart-pounding chase to find the killer, expose his secrets and save her sister. Rated PG-13.
The title has more to do with the plot of the play than you might originally think, but I won’t spoil the ending.
Good Deeds A wealthy man named Wesley Deeds does a good deed when he goes out of his way to help a struggling single mother. What he doesn’t expect out of his deed is to fall in love with the woman — and right around the time of his wedding. What choices will he now have to make between the woman he now loves and his current wealthy life? Rated PG-13.
Wednesday WRBL at 8 p.m. for Survivor: One World Eighteen contestants, ranging in age from 21 to 64, attempt to outwit and outlast one another in a remote tropical location in the 24th season of this long-running competition. This time, they’re divided along gender lines and left to live by their own rules as much as possible. Jeff Probst hosts.
PUSS IN BOOTS:
For the last four years, The Skate Shed has hosted an annual Chili Cook-Off and Skateboard contest. This year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, is a family-friendly environment where you can come and watch some amazing skateboarding, eat some tasty chili, check out the vendor booths that offer everything from simple stickers to designing, shaping, and cutting out your very own custom skateboard deck.
Callaway Gardens is offering variety of activities, events and packages to shake off those Winter blues and tell Jack Frost to get lost.
The Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock & Roll Photography exhibition at the Columbus Museum will be on display through April 1. This exciting exhibition is organized by the Columbus Museum, and is guest curated by Christopher Murray of Govinda Gallery in Washington. Admission to the museum and the Sound and Vision exhibition is free and open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am-5pm, Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
Coming Attractions: For this week and Feb. 3
For 35 years, Fort Benning’s bowling center has partnered with Faith Middle School each year to offer bowling as part of the physical education curriculum. Buses transport the students to the Family Entertainment Center on Main Post, where they bowl for nearly an hour each day for 12 sessions.
Red Tails It’s 1944 during World War II. The black pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program are fighting against an overseas enemy but must also fight discrimination and racism at home. The pilots are given inferior planes despite being master pilots. Will the pilots be able to overcome their obstacles and brave the skies? Rated PG-13.
Hiking to the top of the Southeast’s tallest waterfall isn’t just good for your soul — it’s good for your health, too.
Before joining in Outdoor Recreation’s trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn., Spc. Joe Luna had never been snowboarding. In fact, the Texas native hadn’t had too many snow vacations at all. Now, the annual trip is practically a tradition.
Have you ever wondered what the first Christmas was like — the shepherds, the star, the wise men, the manger?
Once upon a time, there were 25 days until Christmas and more than 30 ways to celebrate — and all within roughly an hour's drive or less from Fort Benning. There's plenty to do on post, in Columbus and in Phenix City, but Plains, Ga., Eufaula, Ala., Pine Mountain, Ga., and LaGrange, Ga., also offer yuletide festivities. Here are some of the best.
Step back in time before the invention of the Internet, television or toasters with Westville, the living history museum located in Lumpkin, Ga. This peaceful town symbolizes a time of simpler living — where butter and soap were handmade, food was locally grown and there was only one doctor in town.
I spent a Sunday afternoon dazzled by professional ballerinas pirouetting across a Russian stage. Two days later, I was in the audience for a lavish musical production at the Royal Opera House of London. Cost prohibitive, you ask? Not at all. What about the long flights, customs, international airports, language barriers and the exchange rate? I avoided them altogether. I went to the Ritz 13 in Columbus.
The Rock Ranch offers fun for all ages; take my word for it.
I took my family to one of their Fall Family Fun Days and everyone — from my 2-year-old niece to my 56-year-old parents — had a great time.More than just a day at the races, the Steeplechase at Callaway is a November tradition, which includes thoroughbred horses, pony rides, a hat competition and Jack Russell terrier races. The 27th annual Steeplechase at Callaway is Saturday. A steeplechase is a competitive sporting event that provides spectators an opportunity to watch the thrills, smarts and athletic ability of thoroughbreds jumping over 52-inch-high hurdles at premium speeds.
It’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time — and oh so true to life.
Puss in Boots Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) is back in this animated adventure showcasing the events leading up to his meeting of Shrek and friends in the movie Shrek 2.
It’s not Munich, but it’s the next best thing to being there.
Don your lederhosen, hoist a bierstein and drink a prost to Oktoberfest! Fort Benning’s favorite fall tradition returns to the Uchee Creek Activity Center Friday through Sunday. The annual event captures the flavor of the world-famous “Volksfest” held in Munich each year on a somewhat smaller scale.Kings Pond Recreation Area is open for primitive camping year-round. Even better—it is completely free! The camping area is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, trash cans, vault restrooms and lantern holders. Located near Harmony Church, if you are looking for a peaceful weekend getaway, Kings Pond is just far enough from home.
For over a century, Tuskegee University and Morehouse College have met on the gridiron in the longest-running football rivalry in black college history. At 2 p.m. Saturday, the two teams will renew the rivalry for the 76th time at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in the annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic.
Although I’ve lived in the area for almost 15 years, I made my first pilgrimage to the Cotton Pickin’ Fair in May. And I plan to return this weekend. The fair has been around a while, since 1972, and is one of the top 10 festivals in America, according to its website, www.cpfair.org.
Whether you are interested in history or the paranormal, Southern Odysseys takes you through the history of Columbus where storytelling weaves together fact and fiction. With a little more than a month away from Halloween, treat yourself to the fascinating stories surrounding the ghost that haunts the Springer Opera House or appears on the Riverwalk — real life mysteries and secrets from Columbus’ past.
Hearing someone say, "I caught three fish!" is not an uncommon phrase at Family Fishing Night. When asked how big the fish were, a child holds his hands 5 inches apart and proudly proclaims, "They were huge."
So how do you wind down the last days of summer — when school has started but you’re still looking for one last adventure? Try a short drive to Georgia’s largest state park, where they’re celebrating the last month of summer with hikes, crafts, concerts, picnics and more.
Visitors to Albany, Ga. — a city less than two hours southeast of Fort Benning — have plenty to explore. See the galaxy on a 40-foot dome at the Wetherbee Planetarium. Discover a 175,000 gallon replica of a fresh water “blue hole” at the Flint RiverQuarium. Hear the sounds of the famous Georgia On My Mind singer, born in Albany, at the Ray Charles Plaza.
Fans of comics, science, astronomy, Star Wars, superheroes and other similar pursuits have the opportunity to come together for The Coca-Cola Space Science Center’s biannual Comic Book Show from 11 am. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Make no bones about it. Florida’s “Boneyard Beach” is a real find.
This expansive, scenic stretch of sand sandwiched between Jacksonville, Fla.’s Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean is a beachgoers paradise.Sometimes art can blur time — or so it seems. That’s the case with the Columbus Museum’s newest exhibit: “Soldier Portraits.”
Captain America: The First Avenger
There’s nothing like going to a museum where you can shoot hoops, kick a field goal, drive a (simulated) race car or test your balancing, jumping and reflex skills. Those are some of the things you can do at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, Ga. While you read about the greats, you can see their photos, trophies, jerseys and other memorabilia, enjoy hands-on exhibits and play interactive games. You might be surprised how many sports legends were born right here in the Peach State.
Harry potter and the deathly hollows: Part 2
Wednesday
LIMITLESS
Park it right here. You need travel no farther than Fort Benning to find a variety of parks and ponds perfect for whiling away a few hours on a hot summer day with a fishing pole, a Frisbee or a lawn chair. And there are plenty of places to play if you’re feeling more energetic. Paintball, perhaps?
Zookeeper Animal caretaker, Griffin Keyes loves his animals at the Franklin Park Zoo. But when Griffin decides he wants to meet the woman of his dreams and give up his career taking care of the animals for a different job — the animals aren’t willing to let him go. They teach him out to court women animal-style. But in order to put their plan in motion the animals spill their secret — they can talk. Rated PG.
Crack open the watermelons and get your sparklers ready. It’s time to celebrate our nation the way the founding fathers would truly want. And we all know that means food, family and, of course, fireworks.
MR. Popper’s Penguins In this children’s book adaptation, Mr. Popper has far too many penguins living in his home. It all begins when he writes a letter to Arctic explorers and soon after receives a penguin in the mail. Then Mr. Popper acquires a female penguin. Soon Mr. Popper’s house is overrun by the growing family of penguins. He decides to train them to perform in a traveling show. Rated PG.
You can fit it in a weekend, but it’s worth a week.
Super 8 In 1979, a group of kids film their own movie titled Super 8. In the process, they capture a terrifying train crash and begin to suspect that the crash was not an accident. Soon after, strange things begin to happen in their town. The local deputy begins to investigate into the phenomenon, and as he uncovers the truth, he realizes what may be at fault might not even be human. Rated PG-13.
It’s home to a pick-your-own orchard, a Greek Revival mansion, a historic district and around 14,500 residents. The big city, it’s not, but if you’re looking for a weekend excursion in the heart of nature, Eufaula is the perfect destination.
Kids are out of school, temperatures are regularly hitting the 90s, and people everywhere are pulling out grills, bathing suits and sunscreen. With the start of summer, it’s also the official start of vacation season. And if you’re thinking beaches, you need to know Panama City, Fla., is your closest slice of sand and salt-water paradise.
Get a life of adventure. The Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation office plans events all year long to get families into the great outdoors. As summer approaches, there’s a whole list of activities on tap and no time to waste.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
It’s like half a dozen museums in one. The 33 acres of the Atlanta History Center house two historic homes, six gardens, a research center and several permanent and temporary exhibits.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Do you know those crazy ladies? Maggie Brown, Dora Miller and Lydia Van Horn, by name. They live in the house on the corner, and they’ll remind you of your grandmother, your wife, your friend or you — so much so that the only response is uncontrolled laughter.
Jumping the broom
Issues of class arise when two people from different socioeconomic backgrounds fall in love and get married in Jumping the Broom. Although Sabrina and Jason are in love and ready to say their wedding vows, they must deal with their families who don’t get along. Sabrina comes from a wealthy family with old money and Jason is from a working-class family. Will the pair be able to stay together despite the differences?
Rated PG-13.
Megan Weinburgh knew she had to do something about her weight after her third child was born.
Something Borrowed
Strawberries. They’re ripe for the picking and you’re lucky to live in an area with a lot of “U-pick” farms with varieties of berries to choose from.
Show your body how much you care by joining in the fun with Love Your Body Week at Smith Fitness Center. Does it sound hokey? Well, try this on for size. Extra weight has been linked to Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea, arthritis and certain types of cancer, according to the Weight-control Information Network. And weight aside, improving your overall health — that’s strength, endurance, flexibility and cardio conditioning — improves your quality of life.
Water for Elephants
Want to explore the native wetland wilderness of Georgia? It’s almost in your backyard.
Scream 4
Movies Under the Stars hearkens back to the days of drive-in movies and neighborhood picnics. Now in its fourth year, the outdoor event draws hundreds of families to Wetherby Field in the spring and fall to enjoy free movies, popcorn and prime seating under the stars.
Coming Attractions: For this week and April 15
Whether you're looking for an engaging sports experience, a live show or a replacement for the dinner-and-a-movie evening out, the Lions' Den is the place to be this season. It's great for diehard football fans and equally great for parents with on-the-go kids, from toddlers to teenagers.
When ancient astronomers saw dark spots on the moon, they thought they were seas. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin discovered something different when they landed in a dark spot named the Sea of Tranquility in 1969. Instead of a sea, the pair uncovered a large lava plane, evidence of an asteroid striking the moon, punching through its center and causing magma to flow up to fill the deep crevice.
Vacations don’t have to be expensive to be memorable. Destin Army Recreation Area offers military families the best of both worlds: Bayside views and affordable accommodations.
Battle: Los Angeles
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part I: The IMAX Experience
Wednesday
THE FIGHTER
Was it a sunken log or a clever fish?
Dear Lemon Lima
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part I: The IMAX Experience
MORNING GLORY
Wednesday
Rivers connect us all to the sea, and Georgia Aquarium connects land-lovers to the aquatic life brimming just below the surface. Whales, sharks and penguins each find a home here at the world’s largest aquarium, located in downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park.
Drive Angry
Voldemort's power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. Little hope remains for them, so everything they do must go as planned. Rated PG-13.
Wednesday
127 HOURS
Drama, action, laughter and surprises — the Columbus State University Department of Theatre has it all.
I am number four
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part I: The IMAX Experience
What happens after a villain succeeds in eliminating the hero who’s long been pursuing him? That’s the question faced by the title bad guy (voice of Will Ferrell) in this sly animated fantasy, which was presented in 3-D in theaters. After getting rid of his pursuer (voice of Brad Pitt), Megamind needs a new purpose and has to chart a different course for himself; Tina Fey, Ben Stiller, David Cross and Jonah Hill also are in the vocal cast. Rated PG.
Wednesday
Looking for a great date? How about 10? Right from the Start, a local nonprofit organization, is hosting the series 10 Great Dates to revitalize and re-energize relationships in the Chattahoochee Valley.
Just go with it
I had lunch with an egret.
Are you one of the thousands of people who made a New Year’s resolution? The first month of the year is coming to a close. So have you stuck with that goal to get fit, lower your cholesterol and tone your abs?
As a rule, I don’t enjoy watching sports, but professional hockey is in a league of its own. If baseball’s too slow-paced and football, too complex, hockey is the perfect balance. It’s rapid-fire action combined with fascinating plays — that’s just what the Cottonmouths bring to Columbus.
No Strings Attached
Wednesday
SECRETARIAT
Long before name-brand tennis shoes and clothing became status symbols of who you were as a young school-aged kid, popularity was harnessed into one small practical accessory — a lunch box.
BURIED
Wednesday
Britt Reid, son and heir to Los Angeles’ largest newspaper fortune, is a rich, spoiled playboy who has been happy to maintain a direction-less existence.
Inception
Can you imagine a photograph you took hanging in a museum? It could be more likely than you think.
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Friday
Season of the Witch
Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now, Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back.
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, and you want to stay in (or get in) the holiday spirit, consider a trip to two family-friendly attractions, located only a mile from each other in northeast Atlanta.
Dancing snowflakes, cupcakes, angels, dolls and flowers — if The Nutcracker is anything, it’s beautiful. And the Columbus Ballet’s charming rendition is no different.
Coming attractions: for this week and Dec. 25
THE TOWN
It's here. The Eufaula Heritage Association's fifth annual Christmas Tour of Homes will be held Saturday in Eufaula, Ala.
I waited to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 until last week for two reasons. I wanted to go with my daughter, Jessie, while she was on Thanksgiving break and I didn’t want to see the movie in a packed theater in case I screamed.
The holidays — families visit, guests drop by and everybody eats. Carrots and celery sticks are great choices when getting ready for the swimsuit season, which is from March to November in the South. But come December and wintertime, hearty food is appreciated — something hot — especially at my house because I don’t turn up the heat. Anyway, The Bayonet staff tested some ideas and recipes on each other to make sure family and friends would survive. Oh? That was only me? Luckily, no one called in sick the day after I brought in cookies. The recipe is essentially the Nestle Toll House recipe that I amended — less butter and a different ratio of sugars. And I don’t use as many chocolate chips because my brother Craig doesn’t like them and I add more walnuts because I like them — another thing he hates but no matter, more for me. The recipe is below.
Thursday
OUT ON RENTAL:
Fantasy in Lights, an annual event at Callaway Gardens, flips the switch on more than 8 million lights and 14 holiday scenes today through Dec. 30. But the only night to walk the five miles of winter wonderland is Sunday. It’s a fundraiser for the March of Dimes.
EAT PRAY LOVE
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1
Looking for something to do this weekend? Our neighbors in Stewart County — Richland to be exact — are celebrating their annual barbecue: Pig Fest XIII.
What do you get when you cross an action film, light comedy and actors you haven’t seen on the big screen recently? RED.
Coming Attractions: For this week and Nov. 19
One of my all-time favorite days is always the first Saturday in November — the annual Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens. Tomorrow is the 26th time thoroughbreds, jockeys and residents of the tricommunity gather in Pine Mountain, Ga., for the “Racing for the Arts” fundraiser.
While I try to stay away from sequels, after watching the trailer for Predators I thought “Maybe this sequel will be different from other sequels.”
This undersea adventure offers audiences upclose encounters with some of the most strange and exotic creatures on the planet, from the rainbow nudibranch to the Pacific octopus. Through IMAX and IMAX 3-D technology, moviegoers will swim with some of the planet’s most unique, dangerous and colorful creatures and come to understand this inspiring underworld. Narration by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. Not rated.
Whether it’s clowns, mad scientists, ghosts or monsters, there’s something lurking just for you at one of the many area events celebrating this spooky time of year. It’s a wide array of ghoulish gatherings — from family (and pet) friendly outings to journeys beyond the grave or to the end of time.
OUT ON RENTAL: TOY STORY 3
We may still be waiting on falling temperatures and falling leaves, but fall itself — the pumpkin-carving, corn-maze, candy-corn season — is here.
OUT ON RENTAL:
Today
Step back in time to the year 1944. World War II is raging on two fronts in the Pacific and Europe. The U.S. has been in the fight for nearly three years and there have been several Allied successes, but victory is still not certain.
Ghouls, goblins, witches and zombies — if you haven’t seen any wandering around the tricommunity, it’s because they’re all at Six Flags Over Georgia for the annual Fright Fest.
When Matt Larsen brought me a copy of Sniper: American Single-Shot Warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan, I couldn’t wait to start reading it. Not only because I know the authors, Gina Cavallaro, a journalist who used to write for the Army Times and now writes for the Marine Corps Times, and Mr. Larsen, a retired Soldier and subject matter expert in combatives for The Bayonet, who served as a sniper in the Marines Corps and in the Ranger community and is a good storyteller, but because I would get an insider’s look at nine years of war from the battlefield.
Tuskegee University and Morehouse College are preparing to renew their longtime border war in Columbus. But with festivities lined up all week across the tricommunity, the schools’ annual football classic goes way beyond the gridiron.
Waterfalls, fresh trout, Bavarian-style architecture, mountains and canoeing — Unicoi State Park is your base to discover all this and so much more.
The ark has been found, and it’s in Locust Grove, Ga.
The Romantics
Toy Story 3 in IMAX 3-D
The home of Gone With the Wind, Coca-Cola, the world’s largest drive-in and a dozen or so Peachtree streets — that’s Atlanta. If you haven’t visited the big city recently, it’s time for another look. And if you’ve never been, you need to go.
For those who’ve seen the Grindhouse films from 2007 (a Tarantino and Rodriguez collaboration), there was a trailer included of a fake film called Machete. It was a well-done, B movie-inspired trailer depicting a man who specialized in chopping bad guys into pieces with his … you guessed it — machete.
Less than five hours from the tricommunity sits Savannah, Ga. Whether your fancy is gardens or ghosts, beaches or antebellum history, this coastal city has it.
To say St. Augustine is old is an understatement. As the “Old City” approaches its 445th birthday, history buffs will love the care that’s gone into preserving the nation’s oldest city.
A tour of the Springer Opera House can be anything you want it to be: a jaunt through history, a theatrical look backstage or a visit with ghosts. Whether your interest is art or architecture, local heritage or the big names, you’ll find it all on a docent-led excursion through the three stories of this historic building.
What do Officer John McClane, Ivan Drago and Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer have in common? These characters represent an era of action movies where impressive physiques, catchy one-liners and invincible one-man fighting forces ruled the big screen, not multi-million dollar special effects.
August is here, folks, and it’s hot. Need a new way to stay cool? How about spending the day sliding, falling, rafting, floating and relaxing in all the H2O you can handle.
Have you ever known someone who was socially inept, lacking in common sense or reckless to the point that they can make life miserable? Dinner for Shmucks takes all of the aforementioned qualities and rolls them into one good-natured, yet calamitous shmuck named Barry, played by Steve Carell.
In the next few months, the night sky will light up with colorful fireballs, flaring outbursts and streaking meteors wishfully called “shooting stars.”
As the only real female action star in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie is finally back on the big screen after taking two years off following the birth of twins as Evelyn Salt, a deep undercover CIA operative on the run.
“Fun … it’s in our nature.” That’s an apt slogan for Butts Mill Farm, an 80-acre historic farm featuring a creek, walking trails, shady oak trees, animals and plenty of green space.
DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS
“It’s not a Disney ride,” said Rob Paden, owner of Outdoor Adventure Rafting. “There is that element of danger; things aren’t perfectly controlled.”
Remember Me is supposed to be romantic drama about a young man and woman in their early 20s who find love following an unusual twist of fate that brings them together.
Some childhood bonds last a lifetime — as do the childish pranks and ribbing between friends.
Grown Ups is centered on five childhood buddies who win a junior high basketball championship and reunite following the death of Coach “Buzzer” Ferdinando, the coach who led them to the championship. Following the championship, the team celebrated the win at a lake house in Massachusetts and after the coach’s death, the group gets together for the first time in 30 years to honor him.Joseph Kyles fishes almost every day. July 11, he already caught a crappie and heard the alligator calls from across the lake before 10 a.m.
Grab your swimsuit, camera, sunscreen and a picnic basket. If you don’t have plans for Independence Day weekend, don’t worry. There are plenty of options in the valley area and farther afield, including food, fireworks, concerts and festivals. So plan to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — officially adopted by the 13 original colonies 234 years ago — all weekend long.
Rarely do post-apocalyptic films break the mold for the end of times the way The Book of Eli does. Eli, played by Denzel Washington, has traveled 30 years across a vast wasteland of empty cities, scorched earth and decimated infrastructure to deliver a promise of hope and faith — a book — to the keepers of history somewhere out West. It is the only book of its kind left on the charred Earth.
With an invitation to pick and eat as many blueberries as one wants, COL(R) Jack Story waved early morning guests to hundreds of bushes filled with so many berries their branches bent or broke because of the weight. He attributed the A & J Farms bumper crop to the spring rain.
It is said when you find a penny on the ground the penny is supposed to bring good luck, but what happens when you take a coin from the Fountain of Love? You steal the love someone has wished for and they fall hopelessly in love with you.
Family Theatre’s biggest production of the year is truly a family affair. The 1920s musical, Cheaper by the Dozen, concerns the exploits of the Gilbreths, an exciting, if expansive, family with an efficiency expert at the helm. And it’s running through June 19.
If you expect the new release of Robin Hood to mimic the storylines of the 1938 classic, The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Erol Flynn or the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner, it won’t.
There’s nothing like going to a museum where you can shoot hoops, kick a field goal, drive a (simulated) race car or test your balancing, jumping and reflex skills. Those are some of the things you can do at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, Ga. While you read about the greats, you can see their photos, trophies, jerseys and other memorabilia, enjoy hands-on exhibits and play interactive games. You might be surprised how many sports legends were born right here in the Peach State.
Just released this month, the River City Pass represents some of the best venues Columbus has to offer — all contained in a $20 wallet-sized card. One pass is good for admission to the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and the Rifle Range and IMAX theater at the National Infantry Museum. The pass also features discounts at several places in uptown Columbus, including dining, shopping and entertainment. Here’s a peek at what your pass includes.
It’s sun, fun and mega-excitement on Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30, when the world’s greatest waterskiers converge on beautiful Robin Lake for a weekend of intense competition to discover who is the best male and female water skier. With more than $100,000 in prize money, the skiers are sure to put on quite a show in what has been considered the ultimate “pressure cooker” of all tournaments.
In an old Irish tale, it is said St. Bridget made a deal with St. Patrick to allow women the right to ask men to marry them on one day every four years — but nothing in the deal said anything about the luck of the Irish smiling on Anna Brady.
Shrek Forever After
Eufaula, Ala., is a lot closer than I ever thought. My 18-year-old daughter texted me on her way to Panama City, Fla., for spring break how pretty Eufaula is, and it was where she was going to get married. Naturally, I was curious.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is back as Iron Man in this made-for-the-big-screen Marvel Comic Book sequel. This time Iron Man is pitted against Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), the government and the palladium contained in the arc reactor that keeps his heart beating is slowly killing him.
Robin Hood
An interactive journey through the nation’s stormy past can be found at the National Civil War Naval Museum — but Port Columbus is more than just a static showcase of the bloody, maritime battles waged between Union and Confederate forces. The museum pays homage to the vision, sacrifices and innovation forged by both sides that built the arsenal and might within today’s U.S. Navy.
Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a 57-year-old, overweight, washed-up, alcoholic, country and western singer whose better days have passed.
Straddling the Georgia-Tennessee border, Lookout Mountain isn’t your typical 2,392-foot mountain. This lofty peak is home to three renowned tourist destinations: Ruby Falls, the world’s largest underground commercial waterfall, the Incline Railway, the world’s steepest passenger railway, and Rock City, a wonderland of gardens, rock formations and breathtaking views.
At the IMAX:
Connecting more than 370 students with 100 Soldiers, the partnership between McBride Elementary School and the 192nd Infantry Brigade is an award-winning relationship. The two earned the title Partnership of the Year for the academic year April 20 at the Partners In Education awards banquet.
According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, more than 75 percent of Americans drive to work alone. That’s more than 106 million drivers commuting an average of 25 minutes one way.
More than 2,000 volunteers contributed more than 91,000 hours of work last year to the Fort Benning community. That saved the post about $1.9 million, as illustrated with a ceremonial check presented by Starla Desaussure, the post volunteer coordinator, to MG Michael Ferriter, Fort Benning’s commanding general, during the volunteer recognition ceremony April 29.
Coming Attractions
Download the PDF of the calendar to get ready to make all of your plans for the upcoming month.
The home of MoonPies and miniature golf, claiming both the world’s longest pedestrian bridge and the world’s steepest passenger railway — that’s Chattanooga, Tenn. The city is about four hours away from Fort Benning, and with dozens of unique attractions you can’t find anywhere else, it’s perfect for a weekend getaway.
Hubble 3-D
Don’t wait, or you’ll miss it. The azaleas at Callaway Gardens are reaching their peak color right now, and if you want to see all the different shades — red, pink, purple, orange, lavender, cream and fuchsia — you should grab your camera, a bottle of sunscreen and go. It’s not too late.
Recently I learned about “date night” for married couples, who “date” to keep up the spark in their relationship. But what’s to keep the dates from becoming just another dull routine? Thus the dilemma presented in the movie Date Night.
KICK-ASS
A high school kid who loves comic books asks the question, “Why do you need superpowers? Why can’t a costume, good intentions and intestinal fortitude be enough to be a superhero?” I’m really liking what I’m seeing about this movie. The advance buzz has been first rate. Not for kids. Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use.Hubble 3-D For nearly 20 years, the Hubble Space Telescope has dazzled us with unprecedented views of the cosmos — from the splendor of our celestial neighborhood to galaxies billions of light years away. Audiences will blast off alongside the Atlantis STS-125 crew, witness up-close some of the most challenging spacewalks ever performed, and experience virtual star travel via breathtaking, never-before-seen 3-D flights through Hubble imagery.
If you’ve never heard the name before, you’re not alone. Although not a household name like Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, Carson McCullers is considered one of the major writers of 20th-century Southern fiction.
DATE NIGHT
If you like Southern charm and elegant antebellum homes, consider visiting Eufaula, Ala. This tiny city — the population is fewer than 15,000 — sits about 50 miles south of Fort Benning on the 45,000-acre Walter F. George Lake. It boasts excellent fishing, quaint shopping and everything else you’d expect in your typical small town, and their biggest shindig of the year is April 9 to 11.
Hubble 3-D
For nearly 20 years, the Hubble Space Telescope has dazzled us with unprecedented views of the cosmos — from the splendor of our celestial neighborhood to galaxies billions of light years away. Audiences will blast off alongside the Atlantis STS-125 crew, witness up-close some of the most challenging spacewalks ever performed, and experience virtual star travel via breath-taking, never-before-seen 3D flights through Hubble imagery.
Clash of the Titans
You are invited to “the Pinkest Party on Earth.” It’s going on this weekend in Macon, Ga., — the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World — where more than 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees bloom every March.
Coming Attractions: For the weeks of March 29 and April 5
Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets
“It’s a plant. It can’t hurt you,” said artist Allyson Comstock. “Imagine you boiled a piece of cabbage and rinsed it.”
For the weeks of March 12 and March 19
Alice in Wonderland
Nestled deep in the woods, on a bluff atop Lookout Mountain, sits a row of cabins, and although they look rustic and simple, they include all the comforts of home, and best of all — they’re within a four-hour drive of Fort Benning.
Located along the banks of the Flint River, the Flint RiverQuarium tells the story of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint River basins.
I live in Georgia for many reasons and snow isn’t one of them. Friday’s snow sent me wishing for the tropics. Because I don’t have a jet at my disposal, I visited the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens instead.
It’s a hidden jewel tucked away on northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, designed as a getaway for Soldiers and their families.
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”
In those immortal words, Elizabeth Barrett Browning wasn’t referring to tens and twenties, but the average Valentine’s Day bill seems to suggest the contrary.Every Friday night, Columbus’s newest hotspot attracts dozens of performing artists — from comics, poets and dancers to actors, singers and musicians. Whether your gift is sleight of hand or turn of phrase, you too can take the stage at No Shame Theater, a venue of the Springer Opera House for emerging artists and everyday creative minds. Think open mic night meets underground arts movement.
She’s Out of My League
“No strings attached.”
Benicio Del Toro stars as Lawrence Talbot, The Wolfman, in this remake of the 1941 classic originally starring Lon Chaney Jr.
