The Bulletin - Columbus Ga

Vacation Reading Program for Kids and Teens

John Harlan — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:10:22 +0000

What parent wouldn’t want to see their son or daughter curled up on the couch, lost in a book? Like outdoor play enhances physical fitness, reading sharpens minds and broadens creative horizons. The 2013 Aflac Vacation Reading Programs, hosted by the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries and supported by local sponsors, are filled with activities, prizes and, best of all, the opportunity for kids, tweens and teens alike to discover the endless pleasures of the written word.
“Dig Into Reading” is tailored for kids through age 11. Get started by picking up a reading log at any branch location or registering on the library’s website. Follow the specific requirements for completed books or reading hours. When each log is filled, return it to the library or submit online, then let your child choose a reward from the program’s “treasure chest” (limit one prize per week, per child and eight prize maximum). Completed logs also qualify for grand prize drawings that include Kindle Fires and Leapster LeapPads. Special events are also part of the program, including performances by magician Arthur Atsma, percussionist Dave Holland and a “Movie on the Lawn” party to wrap things up.
Teen readers appear to be on the rise. The huge success of the “Twilight” and “Hunger Games” trilogies, along with the Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and “Wimpy Kid” series, indicate that teenagers peruse more than smartphone texts or Facebook posts. “Beneath the Surface,” the program for ages 12-18, provides social activities and other incentives to keep this positive trend moving forward. Online registration gets the ball rolling. Participants who complete five books during the program will qualify to win prizes like an iPad Mini, Wii U Deluxe, Beats Headphones and more. Events include the Fandom Film Festival and Harry Potter Film Festival at the Columbus Public Library on Macon Road, along with additional activities at the main and branch locations.
Whether it’s the pure fun of a Dr. Seuss rhyme, a study in friendship between a spider and a pig, or a teen’s high adventures in the realm of mythology, those first good reads can launch a healthy habit…and a lifetime of enjoyment. To find out more about the Vacation Reading Programs, call the Columbus Public Library at 706-243-2669, visit http://www.cvlga.org, or drop by the branch location nearest you.

Summer Concerts at the Phenix City Amphitheater

John Harlan — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:46:06 +0000

For years, the Phenix City Amphitheater’s Summer Concert Series has presented a wide range of musical acts in a festive, intimate setting. The 2013 lineup promises to be one of the best yet. Make plans now to grab a lawn chair or blanket and get together with friends to catch these great shows:
Mark Farner (Saturday, May 25)
Cap off a day of celebrating Memorial weekend and whitewater rafting with a strong shot of rock and roll. Mark Farner, founding member of Grand Funk Railroad, delivered lead vocals and guitar riffs for classics like “Footstompin’ Music,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and “We’re an American Band.” His post-Funk career has included solo recordings and collaborations with Ringo Starr. Expect a mix of GFR’s greatest hits and newer material, with a fireworks display after the show ($10 admission: free for ages 12 and under).
Natalie Stovall and Brandon Giles (Saturday, June 8)
Two of Nashville’s young guns, Natalie Stovall and Brandon Giles, take the amphitheater stage. At age 10, Ms. Stovall was playing fiddle and singing at Opryland. Today, she tours extensively, attracting fans with her blend of traditional country and rock. Nashville-based Brandon Giles gets back to rockabilly basics with vocals and piano playing heavily influenced by early Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis records. Giles has performed in the Fifties-themed musical, “Million Dollar Quartet” ($10 admission: free for ages 12 and under).
“Legends Tour” Starring Ambrosia, Firefall, Poco and Pure Prairie League (Saturday, June 29)
A mini-festival featuring four classic rock outfits. Ambrosia formed in Los Angeles, turning their blend of progressive rock and blue-eyed soul into big hits like “How Much I Feel” and “Biggest Part of Me.” Firefall’s soft-rock style graced Top 40 charts with songs like “You Are the Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You” and others. Poco pioneered the country-rock sound starting in the late Sixties, releasing several acclaimed albums before scoring hit singles with “Crazy Love” and “Heart of the Night.” Pure Prairie League’s vocal harmonies and tight musicianship have entertained fans for four decades with memorable songs like “Amie” and “Let Me Love You Tonight” ($20 advance, $25 day of show).
Food and drinks will be available for purchase during amphitheater shows: no coolers are allowed. Also, please leave your pets at home and keep in mind that the amphitheater is a smoke-free facility. For more information, visit Phenix City’s website or call 334-291-4711

Columbus Lions Military Appreciation Event

Danielle Rovnyak — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:03:13 +0000

Are you ready to roar?! The Columbus Lions are facing off against The Alabama Hammers in an indoor football game at the Columbus Civic Center on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 P.M. This game is including many special events such as military appreciation, a tailgate party, pet adoptions and donations, Camp Joy donation collections, a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad-Cab give-away, and Halftime Lotto Ball Mania.

In order to honor military members, active duty military will enjoy special priced seating, $10 for lower level seats and $5 for upper level seating. Also, the first 150 military members will get in for free.

Due to the rain forecast, the tailgate party has been moved inside the civic center. The gates will open at 6 P.M. Admission is free with the purchase of a game ticket for that night. The Damn Skippy Band will be playing on the field to welcome home the Third Brigade Infantry Division. Try your chance at a game of corn-hole toss in the lobby to win 2014 season tickets. In addition to all of that, concessions will only be $1 and drafts will be $2; those prices will only last during the tailgate party so don’t miss out!

Do you like adorable animals that have undying love for you? If so, don’t miss out on pet adoptions at this game. Members of the East Alabama Humane Society and Harris County Humane Society will have some animals in attendance that are available for adoption and they will also be accepting donations. Don’t pass on the chance to change an animal’s life!

The Lions are also teaming up with The Valley Rescue Mission by taking collections for this summer’s upcoming “Camp Joy.” Large bins will be placed in front of the Civic Center and fans are urged to donate the following items to underprivileged children: socks, shoes, girl’s one-piece swimsuits, t-shirts, towels, pillows, pillow cases, wash clothes, sheets, sleeping bags, toiletries, etc.

Active duty military members do you want a free 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad-Cab?! Well good news you can enter for a chance to win one! In association with Carl Gregory, during halftime the Lions will be giving away a 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad-Cab to an active military member. Sign-up registration forms will be placed in the front of the Civic Center and a drawing will take place during halftime.

In addition to the truck give-away, one lucky fan will receive $300 in Georgia Lottery tickets and a $100 Georgia Lottery prize package.

The ticket prices for this wonderful event are as followed: $15 for lower level seating and $10 for upper level seating. Active duty military members can purchase lower level seating for $10 and upper level seating for $5. Also, the first 150 active duty military members will get in for free. With the purchase of an adult ticket, children 12 and younger get a free ticket.

For more information go to http://www.columbuslions.net/index.php

Don’t miss out on a great game and all of the special events going on! Also, don’t forget to roar and cheer on our Columbus Lions!

Fort Benning Carnival

Danielle Rovnyak — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:35:48 +0000

Rides, funnel cakes, games, and laughter all bring the conclusion that there’s a carnival in town. In order to honor our heroes in the military, there is a carnival at Fort Benning open to the public. The carnival opened on Thursday, May 16 and will remain open until Sunday, May 19. It is located at Stewart-Watson Field and the Family Entertainment Center on Eckel Avenue. There will be more than 30 rides ranging from the adult thriller rides to the easy going kiddy rides. Typical carnival food and games will also be available.

The admission is free but ticket prices for rides are $1 per ticket or an unlimited rides wristband is $20. Adult rides will not exceed 5 tickets per ride and children rides will not exceed 3 tickets per ride. Don’t forget to bring cash because this is a cash only event. Tickets, food, and games all require cash. There is free parking around the Stewart-Watson Field.

Thursday, May 16 was active duty soldiers and family members appreciation day. By showing valid military ID cards, they were able to receive free wristbands for rides. It also included fireworks at 9 P.M and closed at 10 P.M. The carnival was open from 5 P.M through 11 P.M on Friday, May 17. On Saturday, May 18 the carnival is open from 1 P.M through midnight. On Sunday, May 19 the carnival is open from noon through 4 P.M.

For more information you can go to this website: http://www.benningmwr.com/SFAD.php

Go enjoy the fun of the carnival while supporting our military heroes!

The Columbus Ga Music Scene Welcomes CutBait Music Festival

William — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:14:16 +0000

Music lovers throughout the greater Columbus area are looking forward to the CutBait Music festival being held this weekend May 17 and 18th downtown in Columbus, Georgia along the banks of the beautiful Chattahoochee river.
The music festival is expected to host 40 musicians and bands of various genres such as rock, pop, country and more. Popular acts featured at the festival include: 90’s alternative rock group Sister Hazel (known for their hit single “All for you”), southern rocker Shooter Jennings, and the popular country musician Jeffrey Steele.
The event will begin Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Tickets will cost $35 for a weekend pass, $15 for a Friday only ticket and $25 for Saturday only. Children 10 years old or younger will be admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased online at cutbaitmusicfestival.com.
Concert goers will be able to listen and live the music in a variety of locations. The music acts will perform both outdoors and inside many notable downtown establishments. Venues hosting the festival include: The RiverCenter, The Springer Opera House, The Loft, and the Iron Bank Coffee Company. Indoor venues have limited space, so plan to arrive early for certain acts.
Music Festivals are a great experience. No other place on earth can match the atmosphere created by hundreds of music fans gathering for a weekend of fun. Those who attend the CutBait Music festival will be surrounded by music, art galleries, unique stores, and great restaurants.
This event is also a great value, as attendees get days worth of music for the price of one concert. A music festival also provides a lot of variety in music, which provides entertainment for everyone.
For more information about the CutBait Music Festival please visit cutbaitmusicfestival.com or call 706-317-9922.

The Return of the Twinkies

John Harlan — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:42:06 +0000

Since last November, a part of Victory Drive just hasn’t been the same. No cars in the parking lot. No activity in the plant. And the most notable missing piece? No trace of that trademark aroma, the sweet scent that conjured instant images of a sponge-like cake with a creme-filled center.
But it is estimated that by the end of July, the Dolly Madison Bakery will be back in operation. And the Great Twinkie Drought will be a thing of the past.
Michael J. Cramer, Chief Executive Officer of Hostess Brands, LLC, made the official announcement in April at a press conference hosted by the Greater Columbus, Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The region’s labor force, pro-business attitude and overall high quality of life factored into the decision to reboot the Columbus facility. Cramer noted that choosing four Hostess plants from the 11 under consideration was “a difficult process,” but added that “Columbus was well placed.” At first, around 200 workers will be employed at the Columbus site, with roughly 100 additional jobs projected for the future. Hostess is utilizing local and state resources for the hiring process, including the hugely successful Quick Start program.
The facility, known by locals as the Dolly Madison Bakery, opened in 1971 at 1969 Victory Drive. During peak years, as many as 1,200 workers manned the shifts that produced landmark snacks like Twinkies, Zingers and Ding-Dongs. But rising operational costs, shifting snack food trends and testy relationships with labor unions were eating away at the parent company, Hostess Brands, Inc. The Columbus location survived several bakery shutdowns, along with a 2004 bankruptcy reorganization. But 2012 proved to be a bridge too far for the company. In November, Hostess ceased all operations and 420 local employees received their walking papers.
Ironically, the Twinkie refused to die. The Hostess story made national news, and the remaining stock disappeared from store shelves across the country as consumers stockpiled the iconic snack cakes, first introduced in1930. Potential buyers took notice. In April, private investment firms Apollo Global Management and Metropolous & Company procured the Twinkies, Zingers and other Hostess brands for $410 million.
Now, let’s go back down Victory Drive…
If all goes according to plan, commuters will see (and smell) a bakery in action some time after the Fourth of July. When the school year starts, there should be an ample supply of sweet treats for those brown bags and lunch boxes. Columbus gets a well-timed economic bump and America’s favorite snack cakes remain in the picture. According to a widespread urban legend, Twinkies have a shelf life of up to a hundred years. Not true, of course. But a revival of Hostess Brands and new life for its Columbus plant speaks volumes about the little goodie’s staying power.

Museum’s “Garden Spot” takes Center Stage

John Harlan — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:10:21 +0000

One of the Columbus Museum’s most fascinating finds isn’t surrounded by a frame or resting in a display case. In fact, you might miss it altogether if you don’t know where to look. But a new exhibition spotlights the museum’s “secret garden” and the businessman/philanthropist who brought it to the city.

“Center for Culture: The Bradley Property and the Olmsted Garden” is a special exhibition on display through August 11 in the museum’s History Gallery. Photos, documents, artifacts and videos trace the history of the expansive Wynnton tract that W.C. Bradley once called home. Mr. Bradley commissioned the Olmsted brothers, sons of landscape architecture pioneer Frederick Law Olmsted, to create a garden that was completed in 1928. After his death in 1947, W.C. Bradley’s family donated the house, known as Sunset Terrace, along with the garden and adjacent land to the city of Columbus for cultural and educational use. Six years later, Sunset Terrace became the nucleus for today’s Columbus Museum. In 1991, museum supporters and volunteers teamed up to fully renovate the Olmsted Garden.

A trip to the Louvre wouldn’t be complete without paying a call on the Mona Lisa. After visiting the exhibition, walk behind the museum and experience the garden’s aesthetic charm for yourself. The distinctive mix of plants and foliage, accentuated by vistas, ravines, waterfalls and fountains create a serene atmosphere that turns brisk walks into slow, relaxing strolls. You may find that one tour just isn’t enough, and that’s okay too. Museum and garden admission are free (donations are accepted). The site’s convenient Midtown location makes it perfect for a family excursion or taking an unscheduled break from the rush-hour hustle.

Most of the main attractions in Columbus, like the Riverwalk or the Civic Center, are easy to spot. The Columbus Museum, second-largest of its type in Georgia, also occupies a prominent perch along one of the city’s busiest roads. But the impressive exterior only tells part of the story. Step inside for the rest, then go around back and take in the view. It’s close. It’s free. And it’s quality time well spent. To learn more, visit the Columbus Museum website or call 706-748-2562.

Market Days in Downtown Columbus

maintain — Sun, 12 May 2013 16:32:24 +0000

The first time I went to Market Days on Broadway there were only about 3 or 4 vendors and I thought there is not much to this.. Well that has changed dramatically!! Now there are 3 blocks of vendors on Broadway every Saturday Morning.

Everything from organic foods like the table pictured to flowers to backed goods to jewelry and crafts. Wow! Impressive display of food and crafts.

Additionally, there is an impressive amount of people downtown with their dogs and children just milling about and buying food and crafts and just generally enjoying the outdoors. Live music was playing and just a great energy. The Downtown area or as it is commonly called the uptown area is becoming the place to be.

The other thing I noticed is that the uptown area is becoming dog friendly and outdoor friendly. The Big Dog Running store has runs in the downtown area and in a couple of weeks the whitewater rafting opening day is May 25th. So we are becoming a city for people who enjoy the outdoors! Fun! I have never really thought of Columbus Ga that way before. Really exciting!

Memorial Day Concert Celebration with The Columbus Community Orchestra and DNR

Danielle Rovnyak — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:57:50 +0000

Military members sacrifice their lives every day for our country so why not honor them with a concert thanking them for their services? That’s exactly what The Columbus Community Orchestra and the band DNR plan to do. On Monday, May 13 at 7:30 PM The Columbus Community Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. William E. Fry, and DNR will honor military members with a free concert. The concert will be held in the Conference Center of Columbus Regional Medical, 710 Center Street and will benefit the Columbus Regional Medical Foundation in their efforts to support a new Pediatric Emergency Room.

The band DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) is an all doctors band that plays a wide range of music from oldies, to rock and roll, country and contemporary pieces.DNR has been together since early the 2000’s. The band members consist of Dr. Ed Bayne (baritone), Dr. Keith Blanks (vocals), Dr. Sterling Cannon (percussion), Dr. Bill Fry (saxophone), Dr. Kendall Handy (Percussion), Dr. Jeff Jones (lead guitar), Dr. Anthony Miller (Saxophone), Dr. Mac Molnar Jr. (bass), Dr. Vince Naman (keyboard) , Dr. Vince Nicolais (harmonica, trumpet, valve trombone, guitar), Dr. Frank Saucier (drums), and Dr. Joe Surber (trumpet, guitar).

Enjoy a free admission concert played by The Columbus Community Orchestra and DNR honoring our great military members May 13 at 7:30 PM in the Conference Center of Columbus Regional Medical, 710 Center Street. For more information call 706-322-3714.

Cirque du Soleil: Quidam

Danielle Rovnyak — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:53:28 +0000

Have you ever felt lost in a sea of anonymity? Are you consumed with boredom and unable to break out of your everyday routine? If so, Cirque du Soleil: Quidam is the show for you. The world of Quidam is a place of dreaming and imagination that allows people emerge from anonymity through the use of their individualism. Quidam centers around a character named Zoé who slides into an imaginary world – the world of Quidam – where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Quidam had its world premiere in 1996 and is described as a classic Cirque du Soleil production. It is a two hour family friendly show recommended for ages 5 and older. The acts in this show include: Aerial Contortion in Silk, Banquine, Cloud Swing, Diabolos, German Wheel, Hand Balancing, Skipping Ropes, Spanish Webs, Statue, Aerial Hoops, and Juggling. The cast is culturally diverse, representing 20 different countries. There are approximtely 250 costumes, 500 costume accessories and 200 to 300 pairs of shoes for a52-member cast of acrobats, musicians, singers and characters. Each artist has between 2-7 costumes. So prepare yourself for bright and colorful characters and allow your imagination go wild.

Cirque du Soleil: Quidam premieres at the Columbus Civic Center on May 11. There will only be four performances so don’t miss out on this eye-opening show. The performance times are Saturday, May 11 at 3:30pm and 7:30pm or Sunday, May 12 at 1pm and 5pm. The ticket prices range for adults from $35 to $80, for children (12 and under) from $28 to $65 and for military, seniors and students from $31.50 to $67.50. You can get more information about the show and buy tickets at: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/quidam/default.aspx or http://www.ticketmaster.com/Columbus-Civic-Center-tickets-Columbus/venue/114927?brand=columbuscivic.