Tag Archives: Atlanta

College Students Try to End Slavery

College football is on a lot of minds tonight.  I myself am sitting here watching the BCS Championship out of the corner of my eye (my other eye is crying for the plight of the Fighting Irish) while writing this blog. But, some college students have something other than the national championship football game on their minds. Last Friday, the Passion 2014 conference wrapped up at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  Attending were about 60,000 young Christians from 56 different countries and 2,300 universities.  The four day conference consisted of community group learning sessions. What was on their mind?  Primarily, … Continue reading →

GreenHouse Foundation

The latest season of “The Voice” just wrapped and Cassadee Pope from Team Blake was named the winner.  Cee Lo Green’s team didn’t produce the winner, but Green, who was a former member of Gnarls Barkley, is still a winner.  He apparently takes is last name very seriously because he and sister Shedonna Alexander have founded the GreenHouse Foundation. The GreenHouse Foundation was founded to promote “green” education for disadvantaged children in school districts.  The groundbreaking ceremony was held at Green’s alma mater – Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.  The students there received a donated greenhouse in which they can grow … Continue reading →

The Salwen Family Downsizes Their Lifestyle

Yesterday, I was flipping through my latest PEOPLE magazine, when I saw a book review that caught my attention. “The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back” tells the story of the Salwen family. This family of four was living the good life. Their 6,500 square foot in Atlanta had three Viking stoves, an elegant dining room, Portuguese inlaid tile, an elevator, and a $2 million price tag. Then one day, something happened. No, dad Kevin didn’t lose his job as a writer and entrepreneur, there was no major family catastrophe for mom Joan, … Continue reading →

T.I. Sentenced to a Year and a Day in Jail

T.I. may soon join the ranks of rappers such as DMX, Lil’ Kim, 50 Cent, Biggie Smalls, and many others who have served time in jail. T.I., who calls himself the King of the South, was sentenced to one year and one day (366 days) in a Georgia prison. The sentencing is a result of T.I.’s plea bargaining a deal for his 2007 felony weapons charge. (This file is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.) Just four hours before the BET Hip-Hop Awards show on October 13, 2007, T.I. was arrested in an Atlanta parking lot after he allegedly … Continue reading →

End of the Summer Hotel Deals

Have you taken time off to take your family on vacation this summer? As the new school year creeps closer the hotel industry is trying to entice families to get in that last hurrah by offering spectacular money saving deals on accommodations. Take a look: SOUTH CAROLINA The historic Mills House Hotel, located in downtown Charleston, is offering a “One Tank to Charleston” package deal starting at $420. It includes 3-night’s accommodations; free daily parking; in-room high-speed Internet; and four tickets to one of four museum homes within walking distance of the hotel. As an added bonus you can add … Continue reading →

Summer Travel—What’s New in D.C., Las Vegas and Atlanta

WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Mall is sporting a new look these days. A real temple has been constructed at the popular tourist site as part of the 42nd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which this year includes a celebration of the culture of the little-known Kingdom of Bhutan. Event organizers say carpenters from the Himalayan kingdom traveled to Washington to help build the authentic Bhutanese lhakhang, or temple, along with other examples of Bhutanese architecture. Once it is complete the temple will be one of the largest traditional buildings ever erected on the Mall. The exhibit, “Bhutan: Land of the Thunder … Continue reading →

Belgium’s Bling and Tut’s Tour

It might be a long way to travel to see some bling, but it’s not every day that the “most astonishing building in the world” turns 50. Belgium’s Atomium celebrates the half century mark this summer and to commemorate the occasion the shiny towering structure made of nine giant aluminum-clad spheres linked with steel tubes (its design represents an iron atom magnified 165 billion times) is hosting a party for visitors. The massive model was built for the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels and was originally planned as a temporary attraction. However, when the oddity was embraced by the 42 … Continue reading →

Where to Spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Other Vacation Options

In three days the United States will honor Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been the civil rights leader’s 79th birthday. Festivities marking the occasion are planned throughout the country with larger celebrations taking place at major civil rights landmarks. Organizers of this weekend’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations expect an attendance boost because of the presidential primaries and the way his legacy has played a role in the campaign. In addition, this year marks the 40th anniversary of King’s death. “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not a Day Off,” is this year’s theme for various … Continue reading →

How Water Woes In Georgia May Affect Your Travel Plans

If you are planning to visit the Southeast region of the United States be warned—-much of the area is experiencing severe drought conditions, especially the state of Georgia. Which means your travel plans could be affected by the state’s efforts to conserve water. Visitors to the area will notice water conservation efforts at a variety of popular tourist attractions including the Georgia Aquarium, home of the world’s largest fish tank. Because of the drought, staff members at the always-crowded Atlanta attraction have been forced to empty some of its water displays. For example, a lake in the atrium is now … Continue reading →

Cracking Down On Baggy Pants

In previous blogs I’ve made fun of the baggy pants trend. Not that I find humor in seeing a stranger’s underwear, but in some cases baggy pants offenders learn their lessons the hard way and it’s hard not to crack smile. Okay, puns aside. The issue of baggy pants is serious business in places like Atlanta, Georgia where lawmakers want to put an end to the fashion trend made popular by teens. If city leaders get their way, baggy pants that reveal boxer shorts or thongs would be illegal under a proposed amendment to Atlanta’s indecency laws. The amendment states … Continue reading →