Celebrate the Start of Summer at Callaway Gardens' Memorial Day Weekend Festival

It’s time celebrate the arrival of Summer at Callaway Gardens’ Memorial Day Weekend Festival, May 27-30, 2011. Catch a few rays, kick up a little sand, enjoy a variety of music and watch world champions compete at the 52nd Annual Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament®.

Memorial Day Weekend opens Robin Lake Beach for the Summer – with lots of new, exciting activities for 2011, including Light Striker Laser Tag*, Blaster Boats* and Aqua Island*, an expansive floating playground. Robin Lake Beach also will continue to offer its traditional activities of swimming, shuffleboard, table tennis, miniature golf and performances by The FSU Flying High Circus.

Inside the Gardens, guests can add some adrenaline to their day on Callaway Gardens’ newest year-round attraction, TreeTop Adventure*, which features 24 aerial challenges and zip lines. Reservations are suggested.

As is tradition at Callaway Gardens, Memorial Day Weekend is full of championship waterskiing and wakeboarding on Robin Lake, as well as the brand new sport of wakeskating. Watch dozens of the world’s finest water sports athletes representing more than 14 countries compete for more than $110,000 in cash and prizes in the Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament. Competition events include tricks, slalom, jump, wakeboard and wakeskating. The Junior Masters elimination rounds and finals will be Friday, May 27, at 8 a.m. The Masters elimination rounds will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Sunday will start with Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m. and finals at 11 a.m. with participants competing for the coveted title of Masters Champion.

Special tournament activities on Robin Lake Beach will include water sports exhibitors, concessions and other festivities for spectators to enjoy throughout the event.

Growing the festivities for Memorial Day Weekend in 2011, Callaway Gardens has planned tons of fun following the competition each day. Friday will feature live music by pop/rock artist Kurt Scobie, a beach cookout* and the new Callaway Gardens Farmers Market, an opportunity to purchase locally grown produce and products. Saturday evening will take on a Cajun theme with a Low Country Boil*, live music by The Charlie Wooton Project and Zydefunk, and Beach Olympics for some friendly competition. To celebrate the end of the tournament, Sunday evening will feature the introduction of the newly crowned Masters Champions, a Barbecue* and live music by Running Down Romance. Since it is a long holiday weekend, the fun continues on Monday with two ski stunt shows by the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, and a demonstration of Nautique boats.

Guests can enjoy the many attractions unique to Callaway Gardens that are available year-round including the Birds of Prey show featuring free-flight hawks, owls and falcons; butterflies flying about in the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center; beautiful horticultural displays in the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center; and a bounty of growing vegetables and flowers in Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden. The 10-mile Discovery Bicycle Trail takes guests on a leisurely ride by all of these great attractions. A tennis match, round of golf, or time spent fishing by boat are enjoyable ways to begin or end a great day at Callaway.

Admission to this special event Memorial Day Weekend is $25/adult and $12.50/child (age 6 to 12). Children 5 and younger are admitted for free. Callaway Gardens Annual Passholders receive half-price admission. For this special holiday event, military personnel receive free admission for themselves and up to five guests in the same vehicle with presentation of active or retired military identification. Preferred Pavilion Passes are limited and are available on a first-come basis.

Make this experience a weekend getaway. Stay for the weekend and enjoy the new TreeTop Adventure and Callaway Gardens’ array of facilities, attractions and special events.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

Make this Memorial Day Weekend one to remember for a lifetime!

*Fee charged

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"An Island Getaway That's Murder"

/PRNewswire/ -- The Jekyll Island Club Hotel announces its annual Murder Mystery Weekend, "An Island Getaway That's Murder" August 19-21, 2011. Book this Jekyll Island vacation package and get away with murder! Murder Mystery Weekend, Inc. presents a weekend to kill for…Expect the unexpected, search for clues, and solve the crime, all while enjoying luxury accommodations at the famed Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

If there's a detective lurking inside you just waiting to solve a "whodunit," this is your chance to become a super sleuth and even win prizes. After being introduced to your master of ceremonies for the weekend, you'll notice that strange things start to happen. Be careful! You may just find yourself sitting next to the villain! In time, the local detective will answer all your questions. Until then, meet other guests, become entrenched in the plot, and, most of all, have fun.

Our Murder Mystery Weekend Includes:

* Welcome Gift
* Traditional accommodations with Queen, King, or two Double Beds for two nights
* Welcome reception with open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres on Friday evening (two hours)
* Group breakfast buffet on Saturday morning
* Group lunch
* Reception (cash bar) and dinner Saturday evening
* Closing breakfast on Sunday


Please note: All taxes and gratuities on package features are included. Resort fee extra. Upgrades available at additional fee per night. Weekend requires a minimum of 12 packages to be sold 30 days prior to event or hotel reserves the right to cancel said event. Cancellations within 14 days of event forfeits 50% of package . Subject to availability . Certain restrictions apply.

For more information or reservations, contact the Jekyll Island Club Hotel at 912-635-2600 or 800-535-9547, or visit our website at www.jekyllclub.com.

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Enjoy "Nature Naturally" Weekend November 12-14

Looking to do something more than walk through the woods when enjoying nature? Join us November 12-14, 2010, for a family-friendly weekend of outdoor activities and learn how to enjoy Nature Naturally at Callaway Gardens!

Here’s your chance to try something new and different – or just give you time to enjoy some outdoor activities that are on your list of favorites. Experts will be on hand to give tips on how get the most of being outdoors and even give you some new reasons to get out and explore nature. What better place than Callaway Gardens to practice your nature photography; learn how to geocache, a high-tech scavenger hunt; kayak; canoe; and stargaze.

Friday, November 12, 2010

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Welcome Cookout

Saturday, November 13, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Photography for Nature Lovers*

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch (on your own)

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Geocaching: A High-tech Scavenger Hunt*

2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Kayaking/Canoeing on Mountain Creek Lake*

6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Astronomy Program with the Columbus State University Coca-Cola Space Science Center

Sunday, November 14, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Mountain Creek Lake Hike

10:30 a.m. and Beyond Enjoy Callaway Gardens


*Program times will vary. Confirmation will give participant’s specific program times.

The entire weekend is only $150* per person and includes accommodations at the Mountain Creek Inn, the complete list of activities, a Friday evening cookout and a Saturday evening dinner.

Reserve the Nature Naturally Outdoor Weekend package at www.callawaygardens.com or call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292). Based on availability, some restrictions apply.

Callaway Gardens is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. To experience nature at its finest, call 1-800-CALLAWAY or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

*Rate is based on double occupancy and availability. Some restrictions may apply. Tax is additional.

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Leaf Watch 2010

Park Rangers Anticipate a Vibrant Autumn:
Website Highlights Best Leaf Color in Georgia’s State Parks

For many people, the perfect autumn weekend includes cozy campfires, gooey s’mores and fiery-hued forests. To help leaf peepers plan their fall escapes, Georgia’s state parks will soon launch “Leaf Watch 2010” in partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission to track fall color as it moves across the Peach State and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Whether heading north for hiking and waterfalls or south for canoeing and camping, “Leaf Watch 2010” offers advice on where to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org throughout October and November, travelers can get updates on fall color, learn safe hiking tips, and make reservations for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks. New this year is a partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission and a webcam at Black Rock Mountain State Park near Clayton, Ga. Expert foresters will advise travelers about overall color, specific tree species and even the weather’s effect on leaf watching. The webcam will provide a glimpse of color progressing across the Blue Ridge Mountains.

"Fortunately, there are no 'bad' years for fall foliage in Georgia," said Ken Masten, Gainesville District Manager for the Georgia Forestry Commission. "With moderating temperatures and sufficient rainfall in the next weeks, sunny and cool fall days should set the stage for the best showing of autumn color." Typically, Georgia’s mountain parks peak in late October; however, color can be seen as early as September and throughout much of November. Some of the most popular parks for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain, Moccasin Creek, Smithgall Woods, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi and Vogel.

Since some of these parks are crowded on the prettiest weekends, visitors may want to explore lesser-known parks, which can be vibrant. Providence Canyon State Park, also called Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, has hiking trails that highlight sweetgums and sassafras. Hardwoods and mossy rock gardens can be found on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in near Columbus. “We are excited to partner with Georgia Forestry Commission this year,” said Georgia State Parks Director Becky Kelley. “They can offer expertise on the most colorful trees in Georgia, and we can provide easy ways for visitors to get out and enjoy this beautiful season.”

Park officials advise visitors to make overnight reservations as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for mountain cottages and yurts to be reserved nearly a year in advance, and many campgrounds fill up on pretty weekends. Amicalola Falls and Unicoi state parks offer hotel-style lodges with restaurants. To make a reservation, call 1-800-864-7275 or log onto www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.



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Last Minute Labor Day Weekend Deals From BookIt.com®

(BUSINESS WIRE)--BookIt.com®, a leading online travel provider, is offering travelers the Top 10 Labor Day destinations for last minute getaways. Travelers can save up to 60-percent on luxurious, late summer vacation packages.

“Even though current occupancy rates are higher than average nearing Labor Day, travelers are savvier and continue to search for the best deals”

Travelers can book through September 5th on most deals to catch the last-minute savings – but the earlier the better. Prices and availability will fluctuate as Labor Day weekend draws near. The Last Minute Labor Day Sale features the lowest rates of the season at destinations including Jamaica, Cancun, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Aruba, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans and Myrtle Beach. Guests may also save on free bonuses such as golf, room upgrades, breakfast, instant rebates, resort credits, extra nights and kids stay/eat free.

“Even though current occupancy rates are higher than average nearing Labor Day, travelers are savvier and continue to search for the best deals,” said Bud Finlaw, CEO and president of BookIt.com. “BookIt.com’s Last Minute Labor Day Sale offers travelers the opportunity to enjoy a luxurious retreat on a budget.”

BookIt.com’s Last Minute Labor Day Sale includes but is not limited to the following featured packaged deals:

* Secrets St James Montego Bay, $164 per person/per night: Plus $15 Instant Rebate - Reg. $388 pp/pn - Now $164 ($149 with Rebate) and $200 in Spa/Resort Credits.
* Ocean Coral and Turquesa by H10 All Inclusive Resort, Puerto Morelos Riviera Maya, $66 per person/per night: Reg. $198 pp/pn – Plus Kids Stay Free.
* Majestic Elegance Punta Cana All-Inclusive, $87 per person/per night: Reg. $189 pp/pn. Spa and Casino Onsite and Free Golf with a Five Night Stay.
* Royal Plaza Hotel in The Walt Disney World Resort - $59 per night: Reg. $139 pn. Kids Eat Free Program and Coupon Book valued at $275 and Free Upgrade.
* Sole On The Ocean Resort in South Beach Miami - $109 per night with nightly instant rebate - Free $50 American Express® Card - Infinity Pool Plus Poolside Bar and Grille.

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Plan a weekend of culture and fun: Get cheap flights to Washington D.C.

It's our nation's capital, home to myriad federal agencies, embassies and historic monuments. But Washington, D.C., is a lot more than just a city of government; it has a thriving arts scene that can compete with that of any other big city in the country.

So if you're looking for a great place to spend a long weekend, consider checking out Washington, D.C. Frequently cheap flights are available into one of the metro area's three major airports - just keep an eye on the prices online to score the best deal.

When Washingtonians decide what to do on a weekend, they've got a lot of choices. From music to theater to museums, here's a look at some of the best the city has to offer:

The National Symphony Orchestra, which is based at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during the winter, moves outside in the summer for a series of concerts at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia. They also play some special concerts on the West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol on several holiday weekends. With a program of both pop and classical concerts throughout the summer, there are plenty of opportunities to hear this internationally renowned orchestra.

How about planning your weekend around some of the great theater in Washington? If you save money on cheap airline tickets, you'll have something left over for theater tickets. Check out the schedules at a few of the local stages, many of which have national reputations:

The Shakespeare Theater Company is one of the leading venues for classic theater in the U.S. with a mission to present classical theater in an imaginative and accessible way. For the big shows, the National Theater is the place to go. One of America's oldest continually operating theaters, it features touring productions of Broadway hits. For something more offbeat, try the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Known for its productions of innovative new plays, it has been called Washington's "most daring theatre company."

And not to be overlooked is the Kennedy Center, which is not only home to the National Symphony Orchestra, but also hosts popular and classic theater, as well as ballet and opera productions throughout the year.

Everyone knows about the big museums on the National Mall, but how about some of Washington's lesser-known gems? Visit the Philips Collection, America's first museum of modern art, for the opportunity to view modern masterpieces by such artists as Renoir, Rothko and O'Keefe in an intimate setting. To see an extensive collection of American art, as well as a fine collection of European masterworks, visit the Corcoran Gallery, located just down the street from the White House.

Jump online and snap up some cheap flights now so you can start planning your adventure in the capital city.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Number of Memorial Day Holiday Travelers Expected to Increase 5.4 Percent, AAA Forecast Says

/PRNewswire/ -- AAA today projected the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Memorial Day holiday weekend will increase 5.4 percent from 2009 with approximately 32.1 million travelers taking a trip away from home. Last year, 30.5 million Americans traveled during the same period.

"While the economy continues to be rocked by waves of occasional uncertainty, improved economic performance from one year ago should cause more Americans to take vacations this Memorial Day holiday weekend," said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services. "AAA travel agents are reporting double-digit increases in the percentage of travelers making advanced bookings for tours and cruises, hotel bookings via AAA.com are increasing and AAA's many travel industry partners have reported improved business conditions this spring."

MacDonell cautioned, "Increased travel can also mean reduced availability, especially in markets like central Florida where the opening of exciting new attractions are expected to make the area one the summer's most popular destinations." MacDonell's best advice is to "talk to a travel agent to find the best package deals and be sure to jump on a bargain if you find one."

AAA's projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight 2010 Memorial Day holiday forecast can be found at AAA.com/news.

Air and car trips to increase

Trips by auto are expected to increase in popularity with 87 percent or 28.0 million people reaching their destination by driving. This is an increase of 5.8 percent from last Memorial Day when 26.4 million travelers went by motor vehicle. This Memorial Day weekend AAA does not expect the price of gasoline to average more than $3.00 per gallon. Leisure air travel also is expected to grow slightly with 2.15 million holiday flyers expected. This would be an increase of 2.4 percent from one year ago when 2.1 million flew. Trips by other modes, including rail, buses and watercraft, will be the dominant means of travel used by 6 percent of all travelers.

Average spending will top $800 and average distance traveled will be 626 miles

The average distance traveled by Americans this Memorial Day holiday weekend is forecast to be approximately the same as one year ago, 626 miles vs. 620 in 2009, AAA reported. Median spending is estimated to be $809 this Memorial Day*. This is a sizeable reduction from one year ago, when Americans reported average spending plans of $1,052. Sixty-one percent of Americans will spend time with friends and relatives over the holiday.

Airfares will be unchanged, hotel rates remain a deal, and rental car rates will be lower

According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, air fares over the Memorial Day holiday weekend are expected to remain unchanged from last year as air passengers will pay a lowest average round-trip fare of $176 per ticket. Weekend daily car rental rates will drop 15 percent from an average of $43.30 in 2009 to $36.65. Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to remain a bargain, but will decline only one percent from a year ago with travelers spending an average of $141.60 per night compared to $142.45 last year. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels will pay four percent less at an average cost of $99 per night.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

*IHS Global Insight reported average spending last year rather than median spending. Average spending in 2009 was $1,052.

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Fall Color Predictions For 'America's Best Idea'

T2F Note: The nights are cooling off while the days are just plain beautiful. Now is the time that we folks in Georgia start thinking about weekend trips to the mountains in search of the elusive best fall color and the best apples. Asheville is a great place to visit and is just a short weekend trip away from Georgia. This week's coveted Fayette Front Page Weekender Award goes to Asheville and the Smoky Mountains National Park. See you there!

/PRNewswire/ -- Longtime natives of the Asheville area in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its extended fall foliage season, will tell you that the best color displays come later -- toward the end of October. Celebrating the 75th anniversaries of Smoky Mountains National Park in 2009 and Blue Ridge Parkway in 2010, mountain families like Steve Woody's were moved from their homesteads in the 1930s for the creation of the park and are proud of the natural legacy they have left to us all.

Mountain Heritage Remembered

"If you talk to families from the area, there's a peace about the creation of Smoky Mountains National Park," says Woody, whose family was moved from their land in Cataloochee in Western North Carolina. "There was great sacrifice. They had to move from their forbearers' homesteads and livelihoods. But, today they wonder, had the Park not come, what would have happened to the land? You just have to look at other places to get an idea. Now, it is a pristine and wooded place that everyone can enjoy."

PBS Presents "America's Best Idea"

Stories like those of the Woody family are the kind that famed filmmaker Ken Burns had in mind when he began his latest documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea, a six-part series coming to PBS this fall, beginning September 27. The documentary, regional anniversary celebrations and predictions of a healthy leaf season round-out an opportune time to appreciate and experience our natural history in full autumn glory.

Fall Color Predictions

"Every year is a good year for autumn color, depending on where you are in Western North Carolina. We finally had a normal rainfall year. As of September 1, the Asheville airport reports only one inch above 'normal' precipitation. With good growth on the trees, we have all the foliage we need for great fall color. As long as autumn develops normally with cool nights and dry days -- and October is typically one of our driest months -- it should be a colorful season." -- Biltmore Director of Horticulture, Parker Andes

"Drought-stressed trees show more color and turn, more or less, simultaneously. So, our wetter year could make the colors appear more gradually. We don't know what the weather will bring, but fronts that give us cold nights and bright sunny days will start the process in a couple weeks at high elevations, which will be vibrant very soon, and continue down to the low elevations. The later color from oaks and hickories will be nice at the end of October and early November." -- University of North Carolina Asheville Associate Professor of Biology, David Clarke

"Compared to when I was growing up, I think it tends to stay warmer and we see the color later in the season. This was a more typical summer, like the kind I remember as a kid... cooler and wetter." --Steve Woody, Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gateway City Getaway

Located just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Asheville area is steeped in natural history and full of fall adventures. Extreme elevation variations and hundreds of deciduous tree species (the largest number in North America) combine to give Western North Carolina one of most extended and colorful leaf seasons in the country.

Online Resources

-- Weekly Fall Color Reports: Visit FallintheMountains.com
(http://www.fallinthemountains.com/) for expert fall color reports for
Western North Carolina, budget travel info, scenic drives, events,
value packages and insider tips
-- Twitter: Area insiders "tweet" color updates and up-to-the-minute
travel deals @FallColorHunter (http://www.twitter.com/FallColorHunter)
and @AshevilleDeals (http://www.twitter.com/AshevilleDeals)
-- GreatSmokies75th.org
(http://greatsmokies75th.org/welcome-to-the-great-smokies-75th/)
-- BlueRidgeParkway75.org (http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org/)

Fall Value Packages

-- Fall is for Waterfalls Package
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/seasonal-packages/fall-is-for-w
aterfalls/index.aspx)
-- Extreme Fall Color Whitewater Package
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/the-great-outdoors-packages/fre
nch-broad-river-12-day-rafting-package/index.aspx)
-- Wheee! Fall Canopy Tours Zip Line Package
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/the-great-outdoors-packages/can
opy-tours-package/index.aspx)

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Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Offer Affordable Star-Spangled Celebrations

Grilling burgers in the shade, watching fireworks over a lake and camping under the stars are just some of the July 4th activities offered by Georgia’s 63 State Parks and Historic Sites. Want to learn about colonial Georgia and our nation’s beginnings? Visit Fort King George in Darien for “Cannons Across the Marsh.” Looking to challenge your sister to an old-timey sack race? Meet up at Unicoi State Park’s “Mountain Style Games.” Or see how far you can spit a watermelon seed at Vogel State Park’s “Independence Day Celebration.”

July 4th weekend is always one of the busiest holidays in Georgia’s state parks, so visitors are encouraged to reserve accommodations early. In late June, several state parks still had campsites available, a few had cottages for rent, and Amicalola Falls had lodge rooms left for the three-day weekend. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-864-7275 or online at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Can’t get away for the whole weekend? State parks welcome visitors to come for just the day as well. For a $5 parking fee, guests can cool off at lakeside beaches, boat across lakes, explore hiking and biking trails, and even fish for their dinner – all for free. Some of the state’s historic forts will showcase America’s history with musket firings, military drills and displays. Historic site admission ranges from $3.50 to $5 per person.

Park rangers encourage visitors to bring picnics, but to leave fireworks at home. Sparklers and explosives are not allowed in Georgia’s state parks. For those who want to see fireworks, Georgia Veterans, Reed Bingham and Elijah Clark state parks will offer professional displays this year. Panola Mountain State Park is offering a rare chance to visit at night, offering views of fireworks from across the Atlanta area.

Want more ideas on affordable July 4th activities? The State Park System has these suggestions:

· Dozens of Independence Day events are posted at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.

· Lakeside swimming beaches are free once visitors pay a $5 parking fee. The largest is at John Tanner State Park in Carrolton, but Hard Labor Creek, Reed Bingham, Indian Springs, Red Top Mountain, Tugaloo, Unicoi and many others have sandy beaches as well.

· Covered picnic shelters and enclosed group shelters can be reserved for family reunions, parties and other gatherings. All offer pretty views, and grills and restrooms are nearby. Reservations should be made in advance for these shelters. Individuals can use picnic tables scattered throughout all of Georgia’s state parks – and many state historic sites – for free.

· Too pooped to pack a picnic? The lodges at Amicalola Falls, Red Top Mountain, Unicoi, Little Ocmulgee and George T. Bagby state parks all feature restaurants.

· Sliding down the rocky shoals at Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Comer is a popular activity for children. Be sure to wear shorts that can resist wear-and-tear.

· Amicalola Falls, Magnolia Springs, Unicoi, Black Rock Mountain, Skidaway Island, Florence Marina and a few other parks have planned old-fashioned “field day” games such as egg toss and relay races.

· Swimming pools at High Falls, Magnolia Springs and Victoria Bryant state parks are open this summer and charge a small fee for the day.


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Little People® LIVE arrives at Zoo Atlanta for Mother's Day Weekend

Saturday, May 9 at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 10 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

A fun-filled musical extravaganza celebrating one of the world’s best-known
toy brands lands at Zoo Atlanta Mother’s Day weekend, with six free
performances of Fisher-Price’s Little People® LIVE. Loaded with entertaining
characters, songs, dancing and surprises for younger children, the interactive
traveling show commemorates the 50th birthday of the classic Little People®
toys.

Shows are free for Zoo Members and children under 3; free with general
admission. Guests may pick up show tickets in the Zoo’s Flamingo Plaza
or outside the Conservation Resource Center (ARC). Tickets are first-come,
first-served.

Coca-Cola World Studio
Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC)
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30315

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Romance on a Budget: Plan a Quickie

T2F Note: Asheville makes a great weekend excursion from north Georgia. Offering great tips for a budget trip makes this destination worthy of highly coveted Fayette Front Page Day Tripper award.

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As holiday gifts loom on the credit card and the country's economic woes persist, consumers are seeking inexpensive options for romance on Valentine's Day. Good news: The calendar and recent trends of discount travel have aligned to make Valentine's Day 2009 especially auspicious for a romantic weekend getaway.

This year, Valentine's Day falls on the same three-day weekend as President's Day. By choosing a nearby destination, travelers can plan a long-weekend escape without using additional vacation days. Low gas prices and travel bargains sweeten the deal to help couples stretch their vacation dollars and keep romance in the budget.

Valentine's Day Getaway Packages

Winter Romance in Asheville (http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/seasonal-fun/asheville-in-winter/w inter-romance/index.aspx): Centrally located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is ranked as one the world's top must-see cities. That means U.S. residents in the east have a romantic, world-class destination that's affordable and only a few hours away. See romance packages (http://www.exploreasheville.com/deals/romance-packages/index.aspx) from classic romance to culinary to spa indulgence.

Other Destinations: Unique Valentine's Day Packages
-- Candles & Rose Petals in D.C.
(http://www.luxehotels.com/hotels/Monticello/specials)
-- Hugs & Kisses at Niagara Falls
(http://www.niagarafallsmarriott.com/index.php/screen/romance_packages
)
-- Live Passionately at a Virginia B&B
(http://www.virginia.org/site/content.asp?MGrp=2&MCat=59&MItm=255)

Asheville's Top 10 Romantic Things to Do On a Budget

1) Try a Hot Chocolate Tasting Tour - From organic sippable truffles to a winter warm-up on a bright red double-decker bus, cozy up at Asheville's many cocoa and coffee houses for primo people-watching and affordable amore.

2) Find a Scenic Makeout Spot - Gaze into starry eyes and starry skies while soaking in the famous and free vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a drive up Town Mountain or watch the sunset from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

3) Request a Mountain Serenade - Most of Asheville's restaurants and pubs transition to live music venues at night. Score free romance points by having a local musician dedicate a song to your sweetheart.

4) Be Free Spirited - Tour with your taste buds as you explore Asheville's many micro breweries (http://exploreasheville.com/foodtopia/food-adventures/local-breweries/index.a spx) and wine shops. Watch for free tastings and events at FoodtopianSociety.com (http://exploreasheville.com/foodtopia/index.aspx?source=foodtopiansociety.org ).

5) Go Gallery Gazing - Looking is free. Stroll hand-in-hand through Asheville's eclectic art galleries and boutiques (http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/the-arts/index.aspx), from sophisticated showrooms to funky artist studios.

6) Share a Decadent Dessert - Split the cost by sharing an unforgettable dessert lovingly prepared by one of Asheville's independent chefs (Goat-cheese chocolate brownie with cream-cheese ice cream anyone?) .

7) Have a National Park Adventure - This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a nearby national and natural wonder that's always free to explore.

8) Find a Second-hand Rose - Known for vintage clothing boutiques and antique shops, Asheville is full of low-cost treasures with history.

9) Couples Geocaching - Use that GPS Santa got you and take your sweetheart on a high-tech treasure hunt (http://www.exploreasheville.com/geocaching/index.aspx). Within 100 miles of downtown Asheville are more than 7,600 hidden geocaches waiting to be found, free of charge.

10) Make Your Own Souvenir - The local arts and crafts culture often rubs off on visitors. Save money by making your own unique memorabilia, like piece of pottery or a souvenir charm bracelet at one of the many bead and gem shops.

Multi-media Resources
-- ExploreAsheville.com (http://www.exploreasheville.com/index.aspx)
-- High-res images for download
(http://www.exploreasheville.com/press-room/photo-gallery/index.aspx)

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28th Annual New Year's Renaissance Weekend Convenes in Charleston

/PRNewswire/ -- Renaissance Weekend, the non-partisan retreat founded in 1981 to build bridges among innovative leaders from diverse fields, began December 28, 2008, and will bring 1,200 participants to Charleston, South Carolina, for 450 lectures, seminars, discussions, and performances concluding with their singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Bless America" at the stroke of the new year.

The tradition was founded and is hosted by the former US Ambassador to the Court of St. James's, Philip Lader, who is chairman of WPP plc, the world's largest advertising/media services company, and his wife, Linda Lader, a Fellow at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture and a director of various education and religious organizations.

"For 28 years," Ambassador Lader said, "Renaissance Weekend has continued to be a cross-generational conversation among accomplished individuals with widely divergent perspectives. Civility prevails; partisanship is frowned upon; and commercialism is banned."

"Though strikingly different views of religion, politics, and every other field are represented, there is more light than heat," Lader added.

The meetings are likened to the reunion of "an extended family" of prominent leaders in business and finance, education, religion, law and medicine, government, the media, science and technology, sports, non-profits and the arts. This year's gathering includes CEOs, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, artists and scientists, astronauts, athletes and university presidents, judges, journalists and diplomats, as well as government, non-profit, and religious leaders.

Among the New Year's participants are:

-- Director of US National Intelligence Michael McConnell,
-- Nobel laureates Robert Richardson, Bill Phillips, and Robert Curl,
-- Space Shuttle Discover Commander Mark Kelly,
-- former Under Secretary of State and Ogilvy & Mather chair Charlotte
Beers,
-- Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Daniel Howe,
-- former CIA officer Valerie Plame,
-- American Conservative Union chairman David Keene,
-- Columbia University Medical Center dean Lee Goldman,
-- National Cathedral dean Sam Lloyd,
-- former Chief of Staff to Barbara Bush Susan Porter Rose,
-- former Federal Reserve Board vice chairman Alan Blinder,
-- evangelists Leighton Ford and Tony Campolo,
-- JFK adviser Ted Sorensen,
-- conservative direct mail guru Richard Viguerie,
-- Rabbi Harold Kushner,
-- financial writer Andrew Tobias,
-- former Nuclear Regulatory Commission chair Shirley Jackson,
-- CIA counter-terrorism authority Hank Crumpton,
-- software designer Peter Norton,
-- MacArthur Prize-winning education professor Howard Gardner,
-- CBS News correspondent Rita Braver,
-- media venture capitalist Kay Koplovitz,
-- Society of Neuroscientists president Mickey Goldberg,
-- Yale and Princeton theologians Lamin Sanneh and Elaine Pagels,
-- SAS Institute co-founder John Sall,
-- Newsweek contributing editor Eleanor Clift,
-- Ohio State University president Gordon Gee,
-- NPR anchor Scott Simon,
-- former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Gillian Sorensen,
-- former US ambassador Joe Wilson,
-- award-winning nature photographer Frans Lanting,
-- linguistics author Deborah Tannen,
-- former US Senator and ambassador to China Jim Sasser,
-- Kanye West Entertainment president Miki Woodard,
-- open-source software pioneer Michael Tiemann,
-- former CNN Business anchor Myron Kandel, and
-- Washington lawyers Bob Barnett and Thurgood Marshall.


Programs cover a broad spectrum of public policy and personal issues, such as:

-- Is It Still "A Wonderful Life"?,
-- The Making of 44 -- How the Presidential Race Was Won,
-- "Oh, Oh" - The Spacecraft's on Fire & the Urinal's Backed Up,
-- What Christians Don't Understand about Islam,
-- Prescriptions for Healthcare Reform,
-- Could I Have Been Taken In by Bernie Madoff?,
-- The History of Freedom,
-- Why the New Gold Rush Is Green,
-- Net Prophets & the Web They Weave,
-- How Young People's Brains Differ from Past Generations',
-- Is the American Way of Life Indestructible?,
-- What Governor Palin's Appeal Tells Us about America,
-- The Screening of America,
-- Books that Change Lives,
-- How Seriously Stretched Is America's Military?,
-- What deTocqueville & Dante Would Tell Barack about Governing,
-- Consequences of Mumbai
-- How President Obama Can Reverse America's Estrangement from the World,
-- Spirituality Amidst Turbulence,
-- Why More Education Spending Brings Only Mixed Results,
-- Miracles of Microfinance,
-- Can We Fix Government's Capacity to Avoid & Respond to Crises?,
-- What Will the Next Century Treasure from Contemporary Culture?
-- What Bush Got Right,
-- Will Shrinking Newspapers Still Be Strong Enough to Combat
Corruption?,
-- Where Should Your Money Be Now?,
-- What's the GOP's Road Back?,
-- Even Saints Have Dark Nights, and
-- Redwhiteandbluenecks - Will the Capulets & Montagues Now Lay Down
Their Swords to Get Us Through the Nation's Perilous Times.

The New Year's gathering, designed to be the largest, is traditionally held in the Laders' hometown. Additional Renaissance Weekends in 2009 are scheduled in Tucson on President's Day, Jackson Hole on July 4th, and Monterey Bay on Labor Day.

"Each Renaissance Weekend, with equally distinguished participants, seeks to build bridges across traditional divides of religion and politics, geography and generations, religions and philosophies," Mrs. Lader explained.

Renaissance Weekend celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005 with past participants Gerald R. Ford and Bill Clinton as co-chairmen. More than a dozen past candidates for US president have attended Renaissance Weekends, and six nominees for President-elect Obama's Cabinet are Renaissance veterans.

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The Rock Ranch Kicks Off ‘Fall Family Fun Days’ with Themed Weekend and Special Entertainment on Sept. 20

T2F Note: Fall is almost here and the Rock Ranch is ready to celebrate family and fall with their super weekend events. It's worth the short trip as you discover another one of the Fayette Front Page Day Trippers.
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Weekly Fall Festivals Feature Attractions, Crafts, Music, Food and Contests

Admission includes all activities and attractions. Discount coupons are available at participating Chick-fil-A locations through November, 8. The Rock Ranch is open each Saturday from Sept. 20 to Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

The Rock Ranch is located off State Highway 36 west of Barnesville, GA and east of Thomaston, GA. It is 58 miles south of downtown Atlanta, 38 miles northwest of Macon, and 61 miles northeast of Columbus.

The Rock Ranch LLC, a 1,250-acre cattle ranch owned by Chick-fil-A® Founder, S. Truett Cathy, will kick off “Fall Family Fun Days” on Sept. 20, 2008. The Rock Ranch provides a unique blend of “agritourism” (wholesome family entertainment in an agricultural setting). Fall Family Fun Days at The Rock Ranch feature a wide variety of interactive, educational and family-based events, activities and programs for its guests.

Each of the Fall Family Fun Days will feature special themed events that include:

• September 20 –The Rock Ranch Rural Round Up features the grand opening of the “Explore
Georgia” corn maze, live music, hillbilly karaoke, arm wrestling and lawnmower racing among
other fun rural activities. There will also be a tug of war competition where ranch hands
Henry and Max will take on everyone else in attendance at the same time. This date is also
teach appreciation day (all school teachers with a school ID card enter for free with their
immediate family).

• September 27 – The Rock Ranch Bluegrass Festival provides a full day of bluegrass that will
feature Cedar Hill, The Honey Creek Boys, Due South and more. This date also serves as
home school day (all homeschoolers and their parents receive ½-off the price of admission)

• October 4 – Growing Up Green, featuring Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales will allow guests to
enjoy having their photos made with the Veggie Tales characters. There will be fun games
and activities that involve having fun with vegetables and thinking green. Various booths,
presentations and demonstrations will provide information about “green” topics such as
alternative energy, recycling, composting and more.

• October 11 – Wagon Wheel Market Day offers fun for the whole family with a premier
shopping experience among exhibitors of hand-made crafts (for mom), excellent concessions
and great guy gadgets like the pumpkin cannon (for dad), and a full days worth of fun
attractions (for the children).

• October 18 – The Rock Ranch Hot Air Balloon Rally, sponsored by Ferrell Gas, features many
beautiful hot air balloons that will participate in an early morning competition flight, an
evening competition flight, and a “balloon glow” after dark. Tethered rides will be available in
the evening if weather permits. Also The Moo Cow Bikers/ Victory Junction Gang charity
motorcycle ride will originate at Great South Harley Davidson in Newnan and arrive at The
Rock Ranch in parade fashion at 4pm. One lucky biker will be chosen to ride off into the
sunset in the Harley Davidson Hot Air Balloon.

• October 25 – “The Rock” of Salvation Christian Music Concert, in partnership with Atlanta’s
J93, features popular Christian artists. A full line-up of artists will be released September 22.

• November1 – Pumpkin Destruction Day allows guests to assist in the destruction of any
unsold pumpkins or bring their own to recycle through fun methods such as: the pumpkin
cannon, pumpkin bowling, the hammer smash and the lift crane pumpkin drop, among others.

• November 8 – The Rock Ranch Great Outdoor Adventure features exciting outdoor activities
and educational demonstrations. Guests will enjoy a falconry demonstration, birds of prey
exhibition, archery, fishing rodeo, insect education lab, wildlife station, and a reptile show by
Jason Clark of Animal Planet.

In addition to the themed weekends, guests will find a variety of family fun attractions that are
included with admission each weekend. Admission includes unlimited use of:

o Locomotive Train Rides
o Hay Rides
o Pony Rides
o Carousel
o Corn Cannons
o The Cow Train
o Pedal Carts
o Paddle Boats
o Cane Pole Fishing
o The Farmland Petting Zoo
o Conestoga Wagon Inflatable
o Children’s “Jolly Jump”
o Children’s John Deere Gators
o The Giant Sling Shot
o The Relaxation Station and Creek
o The Corn Box Play Area
o Little Town
o Horse Shoes
o Musical Entertainment
o Giant Inflatable Jumping Pillow
o The “Explore Georgia” Corn Field

Maze

“The goal at The Rock Ranch is to create an opportunity for families to spend quality time
together and provide educational and entertaining programs that create positive life memories,”
said Jeff Manley, general manager of The Rock Ranch, LLC. “Throughout the years, we’ve
learned to blend our love of agriculture with entertainment to keep people interested and
involved in a way of life that our grandparents knew well, but now is in danger of being
forgotten.”

The theme this year for the popular corn maze at The Rock Ranch is “Explore Georgia.” As fuel
prices continue to discourage long distance travel, The Rock Ranch seeks to highlight some of the wonderful elements found locally, in Georgia. The maze includes information about Georgia’s history, famous people and exciting destinations. Maze-goers can attempt a scavenger hunt/word search to find and match Georgia key words hidden in the maze. The Rock Ranch is
partnered with The Georgia Department of Economic Development and Tourism on this year’s
maze and its purpose is to educate guests about this state and all that it has to offer – right
outside their backdoors. It also is designed to help make Georgians aware of exploregeorgia.org,
a new state tourism website designed to assist citizens in fully enjoying this great state.
General admission is $13 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under (children under 3 are free).

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The Return Of The Long Weekend

T2F Note: We've always enjoyed getting away-- if only for the long weekend. There are plenty of destinations within driving distance, and we're more than happy to try them all. Go unwind, and enjoy yourself-- if only for a night or two.

(NAPSI)-Americans looking to hit the beach with the kids, the links with their friends or the town with their significant other now say a long weekend getaway is just the ticket.

In fact, leisure travelers take more than twice as many long weekend trips as they do weeklong vacations in a year, according to PhoCusWright, a travel market research company.

So what's the allure of the quick trip? It can be an easy-to plan break from the every day. Plus, new types of promotions and travel packages let weekend travelers make their escape without breaking the bank.

For instance, travelers can find "get-one-free" accommodation and attraction offers throughout Orlando as part Orlando's Endless Summer promotion created by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB). Stay two nights or stay three nights.

"Get-one-free" offers are available at a wide range of accommodations from value to luxury including Orlando World Center Marriott, The Point Orlando Resort, Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal, Quality Inn Plaza and Radisson World- Gate, to name a few.

The program, which runs from August 15 through November 15, offers attractions and golf deals under the "get-one-free" theme.

In addition, visitors can peg their travel dates to blockbuster special events that include more than 15 culinary, cultural and sporting events, as well as one of the world's largest destination- wide Halloween celebrations.

For instance, during Orlando's Magical Dining Month, which runs the entire month of September, participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe dinners for $19 or $29, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy exceptional values at some of Orlando's most popular restaurants, including Emeril's Tchoup Chop.

Orlando's thriving arts community will also roll out a new season of cultural entertainment during the promotion including Broadway-series shows at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, professional-ensemble plays at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and family-audience plays at the Orlando Repertory Theatre.

For more information on Orlando's Endless Summer-as well as "get-one-free" offers, participating establishments and special events-visit orlandoinfo.com/endlesssummer or call (888) ORL4-FUN.

Some destinations offer a free third-night stay to long-weekend travelers.