Georgia Magazine - April 2011 - (Page 8)

Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett Georgia glimpses • Sing it! Atlantan Kenny Rogers released his new Gospel music CD “The Love of God” in March. The 12-song album features accompanying talent such as The Whites, Point of Grace and Winfield’s Locket, and is available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations nationwide. For more information, see www.cracker barrel.com. • Big impact. The “Super Bowl” of wrestling hits Georgia this month, as WWE’s Wrestlemania XXVII event, set for April 3 in Atlanta, draws fans from across the globe—and along with that, a big economic impact for the city. In addition to the main event, weeklong activities, including an art show, interactive fan fest, Hall of Fame induction ceremony and celebrity appearances, are set for March 31-April 4. Officials report that last year’s Wrestlemania event in Phoenix, Ariz., had a $45 million economic impact on their city. • Congrats! Decatur teen Kailyn LaPorte, a sophomore at Chamblee Charter School in Chamblee, won second place in the finals of “Jeopardy! Teen Tournament” in March. In the same tournament, Brandon Welch, of Grayson, a senior at Grayson High School in Loganville, made it to the semifinals round. • Exploring Georgia’s beauty. The GPB television series “Georgia Outdoors” kicks off its 19th season on April 22 with an Earth Day episode featuring videos from viewers about what Earth Day means to them. This award-winning series uses spectacular photography and narrative storytelling to showcase the best of Georgia’s wildlife, plants and other aspects of the state’s natural beauty. 8 WWE Wood wins ‘Favorite Reader’ award Paul Wood, president/CEO of Tucker-based Georgia Electric Membership Corp., won the 2011 “Favorite Reader” award in February. He competed with six other Georgia CEOs to benefit the Madison-based Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy. The Foundation posted videos online of each CEO reading to a group of children and invited viewers to vote online. Wood received the most votes on the Ferst Foundation’s website, www.ferst foundation.org, and voters could also pledge donations. The foundation’s goal is to promote reading skills, which it accomplishes by mailing all children registered with the program a free book each month, through their fifth birthday. “It’s a great opportunity to support reading among young children Paul Wood speaks about the importance of reading to children at the “Favorite Reader” awards ceremony, as Robin Ferst, of the Ferst Foundation, looks on. and have an impact on the rest of their lives,” says Wood. “The challenge brought out the competitive spirit in me, and I called upon the vast network of cooperatives across the country. It shows our grassroots network does work.” —Jim Jess men’s pro soccer returns to the South After a two-year hiatus, the Atlanta Silverbacks bring the excitement of men’s professional soccer back to Georgia. One of eight teams in the newly sanctioned North American Soccer League, the U.S. Soccer Federation second-tier Atlanta Silverbacks, Georgia’s only professional men’s soccer team, kicks off its 2011 season April 9 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. In addition to the professional team, the Silverbacks have partnered with the Atlanta Football Club to create the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves; the reserve squad will give less experienced players the opportunity to develop skills while offering a direct link to advance to the professional level, potentially joining the ranks of Major League Soccer stars and hometown favorites Josh Wolff, of Stone Mountain, and Clint Mathis, of Conyers, or rising stars Sean Johnson and Jack McInerney, both under 25 and both with roots in Cobb County. More online at www.georgiamagazine.org With the help of talented coaches who know how to win, the Silverbacks ensure soccer enthusiasts an exciting season. The team recently named Mexican soccer star José Manuel Abundis as head coach; he joins experienced coaches Alex Pineda Chacon and Jose “Gaucho” Pinho. During Abundis’ 17-year career in professional leagues and on the Mexican national team, he competed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and in several FIFA Confederations Cup tournaments, including Mexico’s 1999 win. Abundis’ energy and passion promise to launch the Silverbacks into a successful first season. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch Georgia’s rising stars in action as they show the professional soccer world the real meaning of Southern grit. For more information or for tickets, call (404) 969-4900, or log on to atlantasilverbacks.com. —Amy Saxon R GEORGIA MAGAZINE JuLIuS LEE http://www.crackerbarrel.com http://www.crackerbarrel.com http://www.ferstfoundation.org http://www.ferstfoundation.org http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - April 2011

Georgia Magazine - April 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Georgia’s Energy Outlook
Currents
Standing for the Fallen
Green Power EMC: First and 10
LEEDing the Way
Special Travel Guide
My Georgia
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - April 2011