GEORGIA News Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett Macon's International Cherry Blossom Festival is set for March 17-26. Macon lands on 2023 Best Places to Go list T ravel brand and destination guidebook publisher Frommer's named Macon to its 2023 Best Places to Go list. The central Georgia town was one of 15 destinations across six continents to land on the list and one of only three U.S. destinations named. " Macon [is] celebrating its bicentennial with tributes to a rich indigenous culture (evidenced by ancient earthworks that could soon become a national park) and music history spanning hit-makers from soul legend Otis Redding to country star Jason Aldean, " Frommer's staff wrote. Macon's revitalized downtown and the impact of Georgia's booming film industry in the area also impressed the judges. The New York-based travel company lauded the 15 destinations on the list as places that are " marking milestones and heading in new directions, adding fresh attractions and gussying up old standbys, recovering from past challenges and emerging as formidable competitors for more-established tourism epicenters. " To see the complete list, visit frommers.com/ bestplaces2023. Great Backyard Bird Count P Brown thrasher 8 Georgia Magazine February 2023 eople around the world will observe and count birds where they live Feb. 17-20 as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual citizen-science program sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society and Birds Canada. To participate, spend as little as 15 minutes counting and identifying birds, then report your findings. Visit birdcount.org for more information and step-by-step instructions. To read more about the Great Backyard Bird Count, see our February 2018 feature story at bit.ly/gbbc0218. ISTOCK.COM / IRIN717 ISTOCK.COM / SEANPAVONEPHOTOhttp://www.ISTOCK.COM http://www.frommers.com/bestplaces2023 http://www.frommers.com/bestplaces2023 http://www.birdcount.org http://www.bit.ly/gbbc0218