Frontpage Blogs

It's the first full weekend in November and what are you going to do? Here are some ideas for some great events happening in Georgia:

Big Pig Jig Barbeque Cooking Championship
November 6-7, 2009 in Vienna
Barbeque, arts and crafts, rides and games and numerous competitions- that's the Big Pig Jig! The stew and sauce contest and the Tyson Chicken Q contest are tonight, but tomorrow at 10 AM, the judging of the barbeque begins. For more information, check out their website. To get a glimpse of a past Big Pig Jig, click here and watch Georgia Traveler's Gerald Bryant attend the festivities!


Granite City Fall Festival
November 7 in dowtown Elberton
Organizers tell us this is the 10th annual Granite City Fall Festival in Elberton, the Granite Capital of the World. The festival will feature arts and crafts, food, entertainment, granite demonstrations, quarry tours and a petting zoo. For more information, visit the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce's website. Georgia Traveler's own David Zelski has explored the sites of Elberton- click here to watch that segment.

Mule Day
November 7, 2009 in Calvary
Come on down to Calvary to celebrate one of the hardest workin' animals on the farm- the mule. The local Lions Club sponsors this annual festival that features arts and crafts, mule parade and contest, cane griding and syrup making. For more information, you can visit the website or call 229-377-3663. David Zelski has also explored the Mule Day festivities- click here to watch Georgia Traveler's Mule Day segment.

Of course, one of the best things happening in Georgia this weekend is the premiere of Georgia Traveler's third show of our new season in HD. This week's episode is the "Made in Georgia Tour". You can see that episode Friday, November 6 at 9 PM, Saturday, November 7 at 7 PM and Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 PM. For more information about that episode, check out the Georgia Traveler website.

And those are just a few ideas for things to do in the Peach State this weekend. For more ideas, visit ExploreGeorgia.org, a great website operated by our production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

On this episode of Georgia Traveler…It’s the Made in Georgia Tour. From moonshine and soda to paintings and prayers we’ll show you a few peach state originals…

World of Coca Cola Museum - Atlanta
David Zelski would like to teach the world to sing during his exciting, thirst quenching exploration of the World of Coca-Cola. When you think of a brand that is made in Georgia and recognized around the world...Coke is it! So sit back, have a Coke and a smile and enjoy our tasty tour of the World of Coca-Cola.

Monastery of the Holy Spirit – Conyers
Valarie Edwards visits the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. Established nearly 65 years ago, the monks who live and work at the Monastery have a long tradition of supporting themselves ‘by the sweat of their brow.’ Join Valarie as she samples all the home made goodies the Monastery has to offer. Watch as she rolls up her sleeves for a hands-on demonstration on how to make fruitcake.

Plein Air Watercolor Class with the Glynn Art Association - St. Simons Island
Join Traveler Host Keely Muse as she learns about creating art outdoors with painter Bob Fisher on St. Simon’s Island. The Glynn Art Association offers classes of all kinds, but when it comes to enjoying island beauty while painting, a watercolor “Plein Air” class is definitely the way to go! For more information about classes and everything Glynn Art has to offer, check out their website.

Mountain Moonshine Festival – Dawsonville
The Georgia Traveler crew heads up to Dawsonville for this high octane adventure. Though active moonshine stills no longer exist up in the North Georgia mountains, (right?)… David and Phil find plenty of good food, fun and “moonshine free” drinks called “monkey nuts” to keep them entertained. Meanwhile, Keely hangs out with a few Mountain Moonshine Festival historians who explain how the origins of stock car racing began with moonshine runners feeling the law.

Tune in for Georgia Traveler 302: Made in Georgia this weekend:
Friday, November 6 at 9 PM
Saturday, November 7 at 7 PM
Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 PM

This week we welcome back Philip Lee Williams to Cover to Cover. We’ll be talking about his latest book, The Campfire Boys. It’s a wonderful comedic novel about reluctant rebels during the American Civil War who moonlight as entertainers for their fellow soldiers. The Celebrated Blackshear Brothers are three siblings who honed their musical talents and their knack for comedic sketches by performing for the gentry of their well-to-do Southern town as youngsters. The town is modeled after Williams’ hometown, Madison, Georgia.

What Williams accomplishes in this novel is a seamless meld of sometimes opposing forces—historical fact with contemporary commentary, warm emotion with calloused characters, horrific battlefields with witty quips—all within the lives of Confederate soldiers who abhor the institution of slavery. It all works because Williams never compromises his role as a storyteller in order to make a point.

It was an absolute delight to talk with Philip Lee Williams. Like him, I am also from Madison, and I’ve followed his career for some time now. Not only is he a wonderful writer, he’s also an incredibly insightful man with a passion for the arts. I’ve interviewed Williams twice now and each time I’ve come away thinking I’ve just learned something invaluable about what it means to be a writer in the South.

In addition to the new book, we’ll also talk about Williams’ selection to the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame. That honor was announced earlier this year and in my opinion they couldn’t have picked a more fitting inductee.

So please join us this Sunday. We air at 8 PM in most parts of the state and at 6 PM in the Athens area on WUGA.

11 AM

• Nicolai: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Overture. Bamberg Sym, Rickenbacher. Virgin 91079.
• Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 3 in E-flat minor, Op. 30. Ying Quartet. Telarc 80685.
• Handel: Concerto Grosso in G major, Op. 3/3. Linde Consort, Linde. Virgin 699472.

12 N

• Traditional French (arr. Richards): Songs of the Auvergne: L'eau de source; Le Baylere. The King's Singers, Davis. EMI 47708.
• Bax: November Woods. BBC Phil, Handley. Chandos 10362.
• Ginstera: Estancia: Malambo. Boston Pops, Lockhart. RCA 63717.
• Conversation with Albany (Ga.) Symphony Orchestra music director Claire Fox Hillard about the group's Latin American concert coming up Saturday in Albany
• Bernstein: West Side Story, Symphonic Dances. New York Phil, Bernstein. Sony 47154.

1 PM

• Mussorgsky: Sorochintsy Fair: Overture; Gopak. State Sym Orch of Russian, Svetlanov. BMG 68406.
• Schubert: Piano Sonata in A major, D. 664. Leon Fleisher. Sony 47667.
• 
  

11 AM

• Nicolai: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Overture. Bamberg Sym, Rickenbacher. Virgin 91079.
• Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 3 in E-flat minor, Op. 30. Ying Quartet. Telarc 80685.
• Handel: Concerto Grosso in G major, Op. 3/3. Linde Consort, Linde. Virgin 699472.

12 N

• Traditional French (arr. Richards): Songs of the Auvergne: L'eau de source; Le Baylere. The King's Singers, Davis. EMI 47708.
• Bax: November Woods. BBC Phil, Handley. Chandos 10362.
• Ginstera: Estancia: Malambo. Boston Pops, Lockhart. RCA 63717.
• Albany Symphony music director Claire Fox Hillard describes the orchestra's Latin-flavored concert coming up Saturday
• Bernstein: West Side Story, Symphonic Dances. New York Phil, Bernstein. Sony 47154.

1 PM

• Mussorgsky: Sorochintsy Fair: Overture; Gopak. State Sym Orch of Russian, Svetlanov. BMG 68406.
• Schubert: Piano Sonata in A major, D. 664. Leon Fleisher. Sony 47667.
• Reinecke: Wind Sextet in B-flat, Op. 21. Berlin Wind Quintet, Manfred Klier. BIS 612.

This Sunday night on Cover to Cover: Jesse Freeman sits down with award-winning author Philip Lee Williams to talk about his latest novel, The Campfire Boys. Philip Lee Williams is the author of 14 published books. He lives near Athens, Georgia, and is an assistant dean at the University of Georgia.

Listen to the interview this Sunday night at 8, here on GPB

11 AM

• Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. Academy of Ancient Music, Egarr. Harmonia Mundi 807461.62.
• Schumann: String Quartet No. 3 in A major, Op. 41/3. Eroica Quartet. Harmonia Mundi 907270.
• Dvorak: Bagatelles, Op. 47. Quartetto Gelato. Silva Screen 6033.

12 N

• Holst: The Planets: Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity. Berlin Phil, Rattle. EMI 69690.
• Hoffmeister: Clarinet Quartet in A major. Dieter Kloecker, Vlach Quartet. CPO 999 812.
• Respighi: The Pines of Rome. Berlin Phil, Karajan. DG 449 724.
• Liszt: Staendchen (after Schubert). Evgeny Kissin. RCA 58420.

1 PM

• Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major. Royal Concertgebouw Orch, Chailly. London 430 324.
• Lauridsen: Lux aeterna: O nata lux. Elora Festival Singers, Edison. Naxos 8.559304.

Saturday, October 18th, 2008 dawned a wee bit chilly, but the Georgia Traveler crew couldn't have been more excited to set out at 7 AM for the Northeast Georgia mountains. Our desitination: Dahlonega and the annual Gold Rush Days festival. Now, as excited as we were about the festival, the reason for great anticipation was the arrival of our new Sony HD cameras. Gold Rush days was our first shoot with the new technology and we were really looking forward to getting out there and starting the shooting for our 3rd season and our first in HIGH DEFINITION! Here you can see (L-R) Keely Muse, photographer Dan Hodlick, producer Jennifer Houston Wood, David Zelski and associate producer Sammy Jones. These next two shots are of photographer Mitchell Zastrow and Dan Hodlick showing off the new gear. For those that are interested, the cameras are Sony 335 XD Cams. That's the Dahlonega Courthouse Museum there in the background of the photo of Dan and this group shot. This is where we shot the open for the Gold Rush Days segment with Traveler co-hosts David Zelski, Phil Proctor and Keely Muse. Georgia's State Parks and Historic Sites operates the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site there in the old courthouse- and you can't miss it, it's in the middle of the square downtown. For more info about the museum, visit their website by clicking here. After the open was "on disc", our hosts split up to cover the festival, Keely heading for the arts and crafts vendors, David and Phil headed for activities and competitions. Wherever we went, it seemed that Traveler fans were never far away. We were so pleased and flattered to have folks come and tell us how much they enjoy the show. And we're always happy to take a few fan photos like these. David and Phil competed in the "wheelbarrow" contest- you can see their different approaches to the competition in these two photos!

The crowds for the Gold Rush Days grew as the day went on (and grew warmer). Soon it was time for the parade through the square. The North Georgia College and State University located in Dahlonega has a long military history. One of only six senior military colleges in the United States, the Corps of Cadets from the University were participants in the parade. For more information about North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, visit their website by clicking here. The Traveler crew was lucky enough to be able to view the parade from higher ground- the balcony above the visitor's center afforded an excellent view of the festivities below... and the rocking chairs provided an excellent place to rest for Phil and our associate producer, Sammy Jones. This next shot- also taken on the balcony- is one of my favorites. Segment producer Jennifer Houston Wood holding our first complete HD disc! The thrill of having our first HD footage could only be matched by the delectable goodies at Dahlonega's The Fudge Factory. If you've never had a "Dahlonega nugget" from the factory, you're missing out! Fresh, rich caramel- homemade with REAL butter and REAL cream- with your choice of pecans, almonds, cashews or peanuts and topped with your choice of dark, milk or white chocolate! What's not to love? For more about the Fudge Factory and all it has to offer, click here. And of course, it's more than just the nuggets- there is FUDGE! My personal favorite is the probably the Butter Brickle, but I'm awfully fond of the Maple Walnut too... humm, so hard to decide. There are many flavors to choose from and these folks don't mind helping you out with a sample. Enjoy and tell 'em Georgia Traveler sent you! Our crew certainly enjoyed our time in Dahlonega. Here's a group shot of the GPB staff that went that day. From left to right, that's me, executive producer Ashlie Wilson, photographer Mitch Zastrow, associate producer Sammy Jones, Keely Muse, Phil Proctor, David Zelski, photographer Dan Hodlick and producer Jenny Wood. You can see the fabulous segment, written and produced by Jenny and edited by the amazing Charlene Fisk tomorrow- Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30 PM on GPB. For more about the "Fall Colors Tour of Georgia" episode and to WATCH ONLINE, visit the Georgia Traveler website.

11 AM

• Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2/3. Mari Kodama. PentaTone 067.
• Nielsen: Aladdin: Act 3. Danish National Sym & Chamber Choir, Rozhdestvensky. Chandos 10498X.

12 N

• Radiohead/O'Riley: Like Spinning Plates. Christopher O'Riley. World Village 468034.
• Purcell: Fantasias in Four Parts for Viols: Nos. 7-9. Hesperion XX, Savall. Alia Vox 9859.
• Popper: Three Pieces for cello and piano, Op. 11. Wendy Warner, Eileen Buck. Cedille 111.
• Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2: mvts 3-4. Nashville Sym, Schermerhorn. Naxos 8.557460-62.
• Arensky: Suite No. 4 for two pianos, Op. 62. Stephen Coombs, Ian Munro. Hyperion 66755.

1 PM

• Bach: Magnificat, BWV 243. Yale Schola Cantorum, Yale Voxtet, Yale Collegium Players, Carrington. Naxos 8.572161.
• Popper: Suite for Cello and Piano, Op. 69: mvt 1. Wendy Warner, Eileen Buck. Cedille 111.
• Mendelssohn: Ave Maria. Yale Schola Cantorum, Yale Voxtet, Yale Collegium Players, Carrington. Naxos 8.572161.

The 2009 Georgia High School football regular season draws to a close this week. As the lights dim on the careers of some high school stars, others will continue on the Road to the Dome. This week, finds GPB.org broadcasting live from Frank Fillman Stadium as the Lassiter Trojans face off against the Roswell Hornets.

Its Senior Night for the Trojans and they are attempting to send off their upperclassmen with an undefeated season. The Hornets enter the game undaunted, as they also tout a perfect 9-0 record. This battle of undefeated teams will determine the Class 5A Region 7 Champion.

11 AM

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, "Eroica." Helsingborg Sym Orch, Manze. Harmonia Mundi 807470.
• Debussy: Suite Bergamasque: Prelude (arr. guitars). Sergio & Odair Assad. Nonesuch 278140.

12 N

• Schmelzer: Sonata in D minor. Trio Settecento. Cedille 114.
• Saint-Saens: Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 14 (arr. for sextet with double bass). Wirl WCD 510.
• Tallis: Gaude gloriosa Dei Mater. The Sixteen Choir, Chirstopher. Chandos 0513.

1 PM

• Tchaikovsky: The Maid of Orleands: Dances from Act 2. State Sym Orch of Russia, Svetlanov. Melodiya 10-00411-412.
• Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, "Jupiter." Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski. Archiv 6506.

If you are one of the more than 2,000 listeners who made contributions during GPB's fall membership campaign which ended Friday evening, thank you, thank you, thank you. With your participation we surpassed our goal. For the confirmation that you value the music and news and all the programming on GPB Radio, I thank you.
By the way, it's not too late to get your contribution in. In these times, every penny is needed. Become a new or renewing member right now by donating at gpb.org and you can still choose from our lovely array of thank-you gifts and be figured into the grand total. Once more: Thanks.

Midday Music playlists from the drive follow, in reverse order. In addition to the pieces listed below, each edition of the show included at least three varied selections from The Essential Yo-Yo Ma, the two-CD set that's one of our thank-you gifts at the $100 membership level.

Thursday, October 29
11 AM

• Bach: Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Orchestra. Academy of Ancient Music Berlin. Harmonia Mundi 901876.
• Traditional (Cape Breton): Hector the Hero, Hey Johnny Cope, Tullochgorum, Jean's Reel. Carolin Goulding, Janine Randall. Telarc 80744.
• Ippolitov-Ivanov: Caucasian Sketches: selections. Baltimore Sym, Zinman. Telarc 80378.

12 N

• Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58: mvts 3-4. Nelson Freire. Decca 289 470 288.
• Martinu: Symphony No. 2: outer mvts. Cincinnati Sym, Jarvi. Telarc 80616.

1 PM

• Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op. 11: Intermezzo. Atlanta Sym, Levi. Telarc 80320.
• Schmelzer: Sonata No. 6. Holloway, Assenbaum, Mortensen. ECM 1668.
• Balakirev: Islamey, Oriental Fantasy. Yefim Bronfman. Sony 60689.
• Bruch: Scottish Fantasy: finale. Arthur Grumiaux, New Philharmonia Orch, Wallberg. PentaTone 5186 117.

...Plus selections from the two-CD set The Essential Yo-Yo Ma.

Wednesday, October 28
11 AM

• Brahms: A German Requiem: Selig Sind. Atlanta Sym Orch & Chorus, Spano. Telarc 80701.
• Higdon: Piano Trio (2003): Pale Yellow. Meyers, Weilerstein, Neiman. Naxos 8.559298.

12 N

• Beethoven: Leonore, Overture No. 3. German Chamber Phil Bremen, Harding. Virgin 45364.
• Borodin: Prince Igor, Overture. Russian National Orch, Pletnev. DG 439 892.
• Wagner: Parsifal: Good Friday Music. New York Phil, Mehta. Sony 45749.

1 PM

• Glazunov: Spring. Hong Kong Phil, Schermerhorn.
• Bach: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. William Kuhlman, Empire Brass. Telarc.
• Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker: Act 1, Tableau 2. Cincinnati Pops, Kunzel. Telarc.

...Plus selections from the two-CD set The Essential Yo-Yo Ma.

Tuesday, October 27
11 AM

• Glinka: Kamarinskaya. Detroit Sym, Jarvi. Chandos 9227.
• Milhaud: Scaramouche. Theodore Kerkezos, Philharmonia Orch, Brabbins. Naxos 8.557063.
• Handel: Sonata in C minor, Op. 1/8 for oboe. Academy of Ancient Music (de Bruine, Egarr). Harmonia Mundi 907465.66.

12 N

• Smetana: The Bartered Bride: Three Dances. New York Phil, Bernstein. Sony 61836.
• Zenamon: Sonatina Andina for two guitars. Julian Gray, Ronald Pearl. Dorian 90230.

1 PM

• Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess. Angela Hewitt. Hyperion 67341.
• Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice. St. Petersburg Phil, Temirkanov. EMI 11272.
• Enescu: Cantabile and Presto. Irena Grafenauer, Michael Grandt. Philips 426 248.

...Plus selections from the two-CD set The Essential Yo-Yo Ma.

Monday, October 26
11 AM

• Mussorgsky/Rimsky-Korsakov: Night on Bald Mountain. Oslo Phil, Jansons. EMI 50824.
• Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G minor: Allegro con brio. Concentus Musicus Vienna, Harnoncourt. DHM 75736.
• Rodrigo: Concierto Serenata for harp and orchestra: mvt 1. Nancy Allen, Royal Phil, Batiz. EMI 37681.

12 N

• Vivaldi: Concerto in G major for two mandolins. Rolf Lislevand (twice!) and ensemble. Naive 30429.
• Saint-Saens: Clarinet Sonata, Op. 167. Sabine Meyer, Oleg Maisenberg. EMI 79787.
• Singlee: First Quartet for saxophones: mvts 3-4. New Century Saxophone Quartet. Channel 17998.

1 PM

• Sheng: Never Far Away: Moonlight Shadows. Yolanda Kondonassis, San Diego Sym, Ling. Telarc 80719.
• Fontana: Sonata 2. Maurice Steger and ensemble. Harmonia Mundi 902024.
• Ravel: Tzigane. Arthur Grumiaux, National Orch of the Monte Carlo Opera, Remoortel. Philips 422 274.

...Plus selections from the two-CD set The Essential Yo-Yo Ma.

Thursday, October 22
11 AM

• Koechlin: Bassoon Sonata, Op. 71. Dag Jensen, Midori Kitagawa. MDG 603 0585.
• Vivaldi: Concerto in B-flat for oboe and violin, RV 548. Zefiro Baroque Orch. Naive 30409.
• Schubert: Impromptu in G-flat, Op. 80/3. Nikolai Demidenko. Hyperion 67091/2.

12 N

• Bolcom: The Serpent's Kiss. Elizabeth & Marcel Bergmann. Naxos 8.559244.
• Korngold: Violin Concerto in D major: mvts 2-3. James Ehnes, Vancouver Sym, Tovey. CBC 5241.
• Chavez: Xochipilli, An Imaginary Aztec Music. Southwest Chamber Music. Cambria 8852.

1 PM

• Bruch: Kol Nidrei. Lynn Harrell, Philharmonia Orch, Ashkenazy. London 410 144.
• Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 62 in E-flat: finale. Malcolm Bilson. Bridge 9263.
• Godard: Scenes Poetiques: On the Mountain; In the Village. Slovak State Phil, Trevor. Naxos 8.570554.

...Plus selections from the two-CD set The Essential Yo-Yo Ma.

Wednesday, October 21
11 AM

• Strauss: Thus Spake Zarathustra: Introduction. Berlin Phil, Karajan. DG 289 457 496.
• Alkan: Concerto for Solo Piano, Op. 39/10: Allegretto alla barbaresca. Marc-Andre Hamelin. Hyperion 67569.
• Dvorak: Violin Concerto in A minor: finale. James Ehnes, BBC Phil, Noseda. Chandos 10309.
• Lhoyer: Duo Concertante in A major for two guitars, Op. 31/1. Josiane Rabemananjara & Philippe Spinosi. Naive 30396.

12 N

• Bizet: Pearl Fishers: Au fond du temple saint (arr. euphoniums and band). David Thornton, John French, Black Dyke Band, Childs. Naxos 8.570726.
• Bermel: Dust Dances. Boston Modern Orch, Rose. BMOP 1008.
• Golijov: Ainadamar: From My Window (arr. violin and piano). Livia Sohn, Benjamin Loeb. Naxos 8.570202.
• Smetana: Ma Vlast (My Homeland): Vysehrad (The High Castle). Milwaukee Sym, Macal. Telarc 80265.

1 PM

• Mendelssohn: The Fair Melusina, Overture. London Sym, Abbado. DG 423 104.
• Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12. Thomas Pandolfi. (Independent.)

...Plus selections from the two-CD set The Essential Yo-Yo Ma.

Tuesday, October 20
11 AM

• Weber: Oberon, Overture. Vienna Phil, Thielemann. DG 289 474 5022.
• Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat, Op. 11, "Gassenhauer": mvts 2-3. Ashkenazy, Perlman, Harrell. EMI 47455.
• Friedman: Variations on the Rag. Louisville Brass. Centaur 2821.

12 N

• Schoenfield: Cafe Music. Ehnes, Arron, Russo. Black Box 1109.
• Sinding: Piano Concerto in D-flat, Op. 6: finale. Piers Lane, Bergen Phil, Litton. Hyperion 67555.

1 PM

• Bach: Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3. Sarah Chang, Berlin Phil, Domingo. EMI 57220.
• Marcello: Flute Sonata in B minor. Masahiro Arita et al. Denon 18013.

...Plus selections from the two-CD set The Essential Yo-Yo Ma.

Now, we know you'll be in front of your TV this weekend to see Georgia Traveler's "Ghost Tour of Georgia", this Friday at 9 PM and Saturday at 7 PM, but what are you going to do with the rest of your weekend? Well, here are a few ideas:

Oktoberfest!
October29th @ 6:00 PM - Nov. 1
It's the German word for fun! Well, that may not be the actual translation, but to the folks attending Helen's Oktoberfest every year it may as well be. Oktoberfest in Helen may have started out small in the 70's, but over the years, and through word of mouth, it has grown into the biggest party in the Southeast. Deep azure skies and color splashed mountains surround a picturesque "alpine" village, making the days as inviting as the nights. During the day, you may decide to browse the shops, relax in a Biergarten, or simply enjoy Helen's crisp weather and beautiful scenery. Georgia Traveler had a chance to experience Oktoberfest in season one.
Georgia - Florida Golf ClassicOctober 29 - 30: 6:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Isn't it funny how gators are welcome to roam on golf courses but dogs are prohibited? That's not right! The largest golf tournament in Bulldawg Nation is happening right now, but the festivities continue through Saturday. The Georgia-Florida tradition attracts fans from across the country to defend the reputation of thier favorite team. Golf is played the Thursday and Friday before the Georgia-Florida Football Game. Other activities include cocktail parties, oyster roasts, putting contests and more. Georgia Traveler is coming out with a Golf Tour of Georgia later this season, so be on the lookout.

Red Top Mountain Halloween HayridesEvery Friday & Saturday, October 16 - 31 / 7 PM - 9 PM

Take a "spooktacular" hayride and then listen closely as storytellers bring ghosts and goblins to life around a campfire. Suitable for all ages. Reservations required. $5 parking. 770-975-4226. (http://www.friendsofredtop.org) David enjoyed the Red Top Mountain iron pour and hayrides not long ago. Take a peek and see what you are missing.

And those are just a few of the ideas you can find at the Explore Georgia website operated by our production partners at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. And speaking of production, don't forget that the 3rd Season of Georgia Traveler premieres this weekend- in HIGH DEFINITION! Tune in Friday, October 30 at 9 PM and Saturday, October 31 at 7 PM.

Dekalb County's Tucker High School and Southwest Dekalb High School enter this week with identical records of 7-1. This match-up, presented by GPB.org's Football Friday series will decide which team can claim the title of best in the county. Its Senior Night for the Tucker Tigers, so they will look to send of their upperclassmen with a resounding victory in the final high school game of their careers.

The game kicks off at 7:30PM this Friday and will be webcast live on GPB.org.

I first met Amanda Gable many years ago as a customer in my book store. She was, in the heyday of the used and out-of-print book business, the kind of customer that embodied the spirit of the whole enterprise. She couldn't ever satisfy her desire for more books. She bought a lot of books, sold a lot of books, traded a lot of books, and often came in to simply browse at books. She was, in the sense that I learned the phrase, a true "book person."

What I didn't know was that she was also a person who could create a fantastic book. All those books she'd been reading, much of them about the Civil War, helped her create one of the most precocious young fictional characters I've read in years, the heroine of Gable's debut novel, The Confederate General Rides North: 11-year-old Katherine "Kat" McConnell.

Growing up in Marietta, with a loving but very dysfunctional family, young Kat becomes a walking encyclopedia of Civil War history, like many kids her age are about baseball statistics or dinosaurs. When Kat's sensitive, artistic and unhappy mother decides to drive back to her native north for a fresh start, the two of them make an unforgettable duo on an emotionally moving road trip.

With her mother at the wheel, buying up antiques the whole way in hopes of opening her own business, Kat becomes the journey's navigator and ensures that they hit every Civil War battlefield and memorial along the route, and in Kat's mind, she is the commanding general at every stop.

The girl's imaginings combined with the mother's adult concerns combine for a bittersweet psychological family portrait that is completely convincing.

Gable's quiet, unassuming manner--the personality that allowed me to know her for years without imagining what a creative imagination she has--comes through in her Cover to Cover interview. But so does her seriousness of purpose and dedication as a writer and her desire to present her characters in the most realistic and sympathetic light possible.

In a year when so many debuts by Atlanta authors have been published, none that I have read is a more satisfying piece of fiction than Amanda Gable's The Confederate General Rides North.

Listen to this episode

This week Georgia Traveler embarks on a Ghost Tour of Georgia. From Civil War apparitions to paranormal peach state pirates, it’s our scariest episode yet!



Georgia Traveler 303, Ghost Tour of Georgia, premieres Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30 PM, and repeats Friday, October 30 at 9:00 PM and Saturday, October 31 at 7:00 PM on GPB.

For more information check out our website at http://www.gpb.org/georgiatraveler/

Georgia Traveler is produced in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Check out the new Georgia Tourism website at http://www.exploregeorgia.org/

(Photo Credit: Patrick Q.)

We are looking for a man and a woman interested in a full career make-over. The chosen candidate will work with our career experts and will be "made-over" from top to bottom. This make-over will include video and resume coaching, and a career consultation.

The following services will also be donated:

Wardrobe Consulting by Opulant Elegance
A professional ensemble/outfit by Career Fashion Consignment
Hair Cut and Make-Over by Sweet Pea Spa

If you are interested or know someone that needs a professional make-over, please send us an email to atwork@gpb.org. Please include a resume, the reason you would like a career make-over for yourself or someone else, and please include a full body shot.

Disaster survivors can still receive one-on-one help at Disaster Loan Outreach Centers. The Disaster Recovery Center has been transitioned into an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in DeKalb (see address and hours below). SBA Customer Service Representatives can 1) Answer your questions 2) Issue and receive applications 3) Assist with completing applications and 4) Provide other SBA disaster loan related services.

DeKalb County
Browns Mill Recreation Center
5101 Browns Mill Road
Lithonia, GA 30058
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday

Commissioner Thurmond announces Oct. 28 application deadline for DUA

ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that workers in nine Georgia counties – Bartow, Catoosa, Coweta, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, and Rockdale -- have until Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, to file initial claims for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to compensate for loss of income directly resulting from the severe storms and flooding beginning on Sept. 18, 2009, and continuing.

DUA is a federal program established to help workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President. Federal DUA differs from the state’s regular unemployment insurance program in that it provides benefits to self-employed business people, farmers, diversified farming operations, loggers, commission paid employees and others who are not eligible for Georgia’s regular unemployment insurance benefits. The maximum weekly benefits amount is $330.

In applying for benefits, applicants will need to provide their social security number. Self-employed applicants should be prepared to provide information related to their previous year's earnings, such as income tax forms or quarterly estimated income tax records.

Under certain circumstances, DUA benefits also may be available to family members who become the primary breadwinners of households where the head of that household died as a direct result of the disaster. Proof of the death of the head of household, such as a death certificate or affidavit, should be presented at the time the claim is filed.

Potentially eligible workers should contact the nearest Georgia Department of Labor office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Workers may call the Georgia Department of Labor’s toll-free customer service line at (877) 709-8185 to obtain career center information.

The temperature may be dropping right along with the leaves, but the competition heats up this week on GPB's Football Friday. The Trojans of Lassiter High School [7-0] look to extend their undefeated season, while the Walton Raiders [6-1] attempt to bounce back from their first loss of the season last week. Tune in to our coverage of this week's game here. Check the Football Friday's website throughout the week for photos and highlights from the games throughout the season.