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The first thing you'll see on the Republic of Georgia's presidential Web site is a heartbreaking listing of medals awarded for courage in "defending the motherland." Little Georgia has far too few troops to defend itself from Russia's forces. Equally upsetting is the video of Russian planes dropping bombs within full view of international news crews' cameras. Nonetheless, we need to see it. It's important to know what's going on there. Visit http://www.president.gov.ge and click on "Video Material" in the lower left corner.
And here, in case you have not read it, is Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's address to his people and the world: ( Full article and comments) Organizers for the third annual Decatur Book Festival—and hormonal home-improvement enthusiasts across Atlanta—were bummed to learn last week that “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” heartthrob and Atlanta native Ty Pennington had to bow out of the Labor Day Weekend book-athon due to a scheduling conflict, said to involve a segment for Oprah Winfrey’s television show. With big literary names like keynote speaker Billy Collins, Kathy Reich, Eric Jerome Dickey and many more to fall back on, you might be asking, what’s the big deal? “This is an inconvenience because promotional materials such as the festival programs have already been printed, and this may create some confusion for attendees,” said BDF Executive Director Daren Wang in a press release. Festival folks say they’re working with the publishers of Pennington’s upcoming book “Good Design Can Change Your Life” to score an even bigger replacement. Meanwhile, we’re still grappling with the idea that the hammer-wielding hunk knows how to write. (Just kidding, Ty.)
Photo: Courtesy of Porter Novelli ( Full article and comments) Robert De Niro (pictured) is 65 on Aug. 17. You got a problem with that? Actor Edward Norton is 39 on Aug. 18. You know, the guy from “Fight Club.” No, not Brad Pitt—the other one. Yeah, him. Despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, Patrick Swayze is looking good as he turns 56 on Aug. 18. Rock on, Bodhi. The enchanting Amy Adams is 34 on Aug. 20. You’ve come a long way from “Cruel Intentions 2,” baby. The brilliant Kim Cattrall—who portrayed a sexy female in “Sex and the City”—is 52 on Aug. 21. Country legend Kenny Rogers is 70 on Aug. 21. Talk about knowing when to hold ’em … B-baller Kobe Bryant, who turns 30 on Aug. 21, might follow Josh Childress’ lead and head for Europe. Not to worry: His ego is big enough for two continents. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) 1. FREEDOM PARK: Lots of attractive Atlantans and their four-legged friends play Frisbee, do a little jogging and soak up some sun at this pretty Piedmont alternative. 2. DOWNTOWN DECATUR: Shoppers with loads of bags roam the streets, and there’s plenty of patio real estate to relax and have a drink while you take in the scene. 3. FLAT SHOALS ROAD: Tatted-up biker types, local hipsters, longtime East Atlanta residents and the occasional freaked-out suburbanite make for a great mix. 4. TURNER FIELD (pictured): Sports fans can look pretty funny when they get all worked up. And this is one of the places you’re actually encouraged to scream at the top of your lungs.
Photo: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images ( Full article and comments)
The Republic of Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the Development and Reform Foundation's "Unite as We Stand" program to raise funds to help Georgia recover from being attacked by its much larger and very aggressive neighbor, Russia. While aid is coming in from the United States, the European Union, Canada and Turkey, more help is needed. To learn about how you can help, visit the ministry's Web site at http://embassy.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=461&info_id=7399 ( Full article and comments) Before there was Will Ferrell or Sarah Jessica Parker, there were real movie stars like Cary Grant and Julie Christie. Hearken back to the days of yore with the ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES NIGHT Saturday, Aug. 16 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The program, hosted by TCM’s Robert Osborne (pictured), features the ASO will performing musical selections accompanying scenes from classics like “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Dr. Zhivago,” “Citizen Kane” and more. The show begins at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $21-$64. 404-733-5000. www.vzwamp.com.
Photo: Katy Winn/Getty Images ( Full article and comments)
Food from around here just tastes better. It's riper, sweeter, juicier, perkier and more flavorful. It's time for a farm-to-table meal in all its glory, yes? On Tuesday, August 12, at 7 p.m., Inman Park's Parish presents a four-course meal comprised of entirely local ingredients perfectly paired with local wines and served family style at the Communal Table. Join farmer Bill Yoder for a special grower’s dinner. Check out the menu lineup: First course: Broadbean and crispy pancetta salad, tomato, pecorino, mint vinaigrette. Broadbeans are from Stillwater Farms. Tomatoes from Bill Yoder. Mint is from Parish’s garden. Second course: Apple-walnut risotto, gorgonzola cheese. Apples are from Ellijay, GA. Cheese is from Sweet Grass Dairy in Thomasville, GA. Third course: Roasted Springer Mountain chicken, sweet sausage, Yukon gold potato, pearl onion, balsamic butter. Chicken from Springer Mountain Farms in Mt. Airy, GA. Sausages are handcrafted at Parish from Riverview Pork. Potatoes are from Waverly Bros in Forest Park, GA Fourth course: Peach crostata, ginger ice cream. Peaches are from Neil Taylor and Split Cedar Farms in Ellenwood, GA Tickets cost $60 per person, not including tax and gratuity. Space is limited. Call Parish at 404.681.4434 to make a reservation. Parish is at 240 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, 30307
( Full article and comments) 1. Dahlonega: Believe it or not, Georgia has its own wine country: Taking off to this northeastern corner of the state promises barrel tastings and the absence of traffic—not a bad combination. 2. Sweetwater Creek: Nothing like a little green space OTP: Take along your mountain bike and your Nikon for an afternoon of awesome trails and breathtaking scenery. 3. Stone Mountain (pictured): A newly revamped set of activities and attractions offers families a chance to experience some fun before summer ends. Sky hike, anyone? 4. Lake Hartwell: Camping, fishing, boating—all just close enough to the South Carolina border to not seem like you’re vacationing two hours from home.
Photo courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development ( Full article and comments) Wrestler and Augusta native Hulk Hogan (pictured) is 55 on Aug. 11. Hey, thanks for springing Brooke and Nick on us, dude. Ever-radiant new mom Halle Berry takes her second step over the hill, turning 42 on Aug. 14. Basketball legend and business tycoon Earvin “Magic” Johnson is 49 on Aug. 14. Enjoy a nice, juicy Whopper in his honor, won’t you? Onetime funnyman and movie star Steve Martin is 63 on Aug. 14. Was anyone really dying for a sequel to his “Pink Panther” movie? Well, you’ve got your wish. Actor and “Gone Baby Gone” director Ben Affleck, who turns 36 on Aug. 15, is doing pretty well these days. But it’s still hard to forgive him for “Paycheck.” Funny man Steve Carell is 46 on Aug. 16. Hey, Steve—you wanna explain that whole “Evan Almighty” thing? A marriage on the rocks, an unflattering tell-all penned by her brother—even bad publicity is a good birthday present for Madonna, who turns 50 on Aug. 16.
Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images ( Full article and comments) Less than two weeks after our cover story on Sugarland (pictured), the Atlanta-based country duo’s third album, “Love on the Inside,” claimed the top spot on the latest Billboard 200 album chart—the band’s first No. 1. (Another first for an Atlanta act: Christian rock band Third Day enjoyed its highest sales week ever—its new album, “Revelation,” debuted at No. 6 on this week’s chart. That’s right: A Christian rock band from Atlanta scored the sixth highest-selling album in the country.) The chart, from the Billboard issue dated Aug. 16, reflects the first week of release of the regular edition of “Love on the Inside,” which was released on July 29; a “special edition” with extra songs, released July 22, captured the No. 2 spot the week of its release. It’s worth noting (at least to us) that the album only went to No. 1 after our July 27 cover story. We’re not claiming all the credit for this exciting milestone, exactly—we’re just sayin’.
But it's not all good news for Sugarland this week: Founding member Kristen Hall has filed suit against remaining members Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles, claiming she's been excluded from her share of profits. The lawsuit says that the three musicians entered into an agreement in 2002 in which they would equally share in all profits and losses, and that since Hall's exit in 2005 the duo has "acted in bad faith." Hall is reportedly seeking $1.5 million in profits, plus interest, attorney's fees and an accounting of all partnership affairs and businesses.
Photo: Kate Powers ( Full article and comments) |