AAA: Dead batteries expected this Labor Day

SMYRNA, Ga. – To AAA, Labor Day is a busy time for service calls – and an especially busy time for dead batteries.

“We want motorists to be prepared if their battery fails this Labor Day weekend. It’s a busy holiday for motorists and extremely hot—the heat alone can have a negative impact on battery life,” Jay Bolster, senior manager of AAA Battery Service Operations, said in a news release. “Traditionally, car batteries last an average of 37 to 40 months in a hot climate, but now the average life of a battery can be as little as two years because of the massive amount of power required by the average ‘modern’ car and driver.”

Between 2008 and 2009, AAA saw a 40 percent increase in the number of dead battery calls during the Labor Day weekend – from 640 in Georgia in 2008 to 893 in 2009. Nationwide, AAA technicians responded to more than 7,800 calls from motorists reporting battery issues during Labor Day 2010, down from 6,900 the previous holiday weekend.

“The basic car battery has not changed in more than 30 years, but cars have,” said Bolster. “Make sure you know how to change the battery in your own vehicle and take your time with it because it isn’t always as easy to get at your car battery in today’s modern cars.”

Columbus hotel occupancy rates on the rise

Occupancy rates at Columbus, Ohio, area hotels are up 6.4 percent during the first six months of 2011 compared to a year earlier, a positive sign that tourism to the city is rebounding, officials said.

At the same time, revenues from hotel/motel tax collections are up about 6.7 percent (to nearly $13.7 million). Still, officials say the numbers, while positive, have yet to return to levels last seen in 2007.

“This information points to the beginning of a rebound in the visitor industry in Central Ohio and that affects the economic health of the entire region, since the visitor industry represents 10% of the local economy,” Paul Astleford, president and CEO of Experience Columbus, said in a news release. “Columbus offers attractive, top-notch attractions, shopping, restaurants, arts and lodging options for visitors. We are working hard to build the profile of Columbus nationally and entice meeting professionals and leisure travelers from around the country to our great city.”

Five Columbus attractions worth visiting:

• Camp Chase
• Shrum Mound
• Santa Maria replica ship
• The Ohio State University
• German Village

IF YOU GO: Columbus, Ohio, is an easy getaway from Atlanta as both Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways offer direct flights daily.

Atlanta airport traffic up so far in 2011

Traffic at Atlanta's airport increased during the first half of 2011

ATLANTA -- Passenger traffic at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport increased by 3.7 percent during the first six months of 2011 compared to 2010 even as the number of landings and takeoffs decreased, the airport said.

The number of passengers increased from 43.4 million more than 45 million. The number of international passengers increased by slightly more than 11 percent -- from 4,505,697 to 5,002,368, according to the airport.

“Our passenger numbers reflect the strong growth we have been experiencing at Hartsfield-Jackson over the past year or more,” Aviation General Manager Louis Miller said in a news release. “Passenger counts are currently higher than the levels seen in 2008, which was a record year for the Airport.”

Meanwhile, the number of landings and takeoffs declined 2.8 percent from 470,739 to 457,724, the airport said, citing smaller regional aircraft. However, international landings and takeoffs increased by 11.9 percent.

In addition, air cargo at the airport was up nearly 3.2 percent.

Is there any good pizza in Cobb County, Ga.?

Photo by Todd DeFeo

SMYRNA, Ga. -- Cobb County may not be Brooklyn, but there are a number of local pizza joints in Cobb County worth checking out.

What follows is merely a basic -- albeit satisfying -- primer to locally owned establishments:

-- DaVinci’s Pizzeria, Smyrna: A food guy, a money man and a marketing guru open a pizza joint. It's not a joke. DaVinci’s also operates a Midtown Atlanta location. Don't let the location fool you, these guys make a mean pie. For more information, visit http://smyrnapizza.com/.

-- Big Pie in the Sky, Kennesaw: As seen on the Travel Channel, this pizzeria is home to the Carnivore Challenge. Even their smaller portions are massive. For more information, visit http://www.bigpieinthesky.com/.

-- Marietta Pizza Company, Marietta: A fixture of the Marietta Square is perfectly located for shoppers and theater goers. For more information, visit http://www.mariettapizza.com/.

-- Zucca Pizza, Smyrna/Kennesaw: Three friends who met while in high school in New York and opened a restaurant. When a story starts like that, you know the pizza must be good, and they have the awards to prove it. For more information, visit http://www.zuccapizza.com/our-story.html.

-- New York Pizza Exchange, Vinings: First opened in 1983, this restaurant has grown ever since. It's current location, along the tracks of the former Western & Atlantic Railroad, is a ferroequinologist's delight. For more information, visit http://www.nypizzaexchange.com/.

Now, that's a pink elephant

Taken Aug. 28, 2011, in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Pigs, peaches and a delicious plate of food

All photos by Todd DeFeo

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

KENNESAW, Ga. -- Pulling up to a red light at the intersection of North Cobb Parkway and Watts Drive, a delicious smell wafted through the air.

With the car properly parked, the smell grew stronger with each step. The hot sun shining, music playing and the smell of good 'cue, foodie heaven.

Sure, there were the customary games of corn hole, potato chip giveaways, arts and crafts and a pirate ship-themed bouncy house to round out the ancillary attractions. But, barbecue -- pork, chicken and beef -- ruled the day.

The City of Kennesaw's 2011 Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival, held yesterday and today, started out as a "friendly backyard barbeque." Now in its 11th year, the festival has evolved into a must-visit event for anyone craving a taste of the most delicious barbeque restaurants from around the region have to offer.

The festival is Georgia's largest State Championship Competition BBQ Festival sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Seventy-five teams competed for more than $14,000 in prizes.

Kingston cemetery final resting place for 250 unknown soldiers

All photos by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

KINGSTON, Ga. – A quiet hill on the edge of town provides the final resting place for 250 Confederate and two Union soldiers “known but to God,” as a nearby historical marker reads.

These soldiers were transported to hospitals in Kingston following battles at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Perryville.

The cemetery is home to the oldest running Confederate Memorial Day celebration, also known as “Decoration Day.” The celebration started in 1865.

According to legend, women in town wanted to honor the war dead and asked the Union troops occupying the town for permission. The commander gave permission, as long as the graves of all soldiers – Union and Confederate – were decorated.

They agreed.

In 1874, the Ladies Memorial Association erected an obelisk in honor of the soldiers, which stands tall to this day. A few years later (circa 1899), marble headstones engraved with “C.S.A.” were added to each grave; the two Union soldiers’ headstones have “U.S.A.” engraved on them.

“For more than forty years the women of Kingston have cared for these graves,” Lucian Lamar Knight wrote in Georgia’s Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends, published in 1913. “Consequently when it was proposed some time ago to remove the bodies to Marietta they protested. The very thought was a nightmare to them.”

Ohio Cup relives ‘base ball’ as it was originally played

Huzzah! Leg it, leg it!

Action during last year's festival
(Photo by Todd DeFeo)

More than 30 vintage “base ball” teams are expected to converge on the Ohio Village in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3-4 for the 20th Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival.

The game – yes, it’s “base ball” not baseball – is a somewhat different incarnation than the one played by today’s major leaguers. Regardless, the players – and spectators – are expected to display their love of the game.

“The idea is to educate people about how baseball started and its early days,” Jim Tootle, a baseball historian, said during last year’s festival. “Then they can watch, and from that window of baseball – which everybody likes to watch a baseball game – then they can become interested in the time period, learn more about the Civil War era, the 1840s, 50s and 60s, when baseball was just getting started. So, we hope this will stimulate and encourage and inspire people to read and learn.”

Base ball played during the Ohio Cup follows rules from the 1860s. So, batters can choose where they want their pitches, balls caught on the first bounce are still an out and sliding is prohibited. Of course, sportsmanship and decorum rules the field as players routinely congratulate the opposition on worthy plays.

Hit the road this Labor Day: Southeast road trips

ATLANTA – With Labor Day fast approaching, there is a great opportunity to hit the road and check about any number of Southeastern destinations. Here are five worthy destinations to check out this holiday weekend:

Athens, Ga.

-- Amelia Island: On first glance, it might seem possible to dismiss Amelia Island as another beachfront town. But dig a little deeper and you'll find plenty of history and culture. Located near Jacksonville in northeastern Florida, Amelia Island is a roughly six-hour drive from Atlanta.

-- Chattanooga: What's so intriguing about Chattanooga – nicknamed "The Scenic City" for a good reason – is the sheer number of attractions. A weekend is not enough time to take in all the sights. Still, a couple of days here will no doubt make for an exceptional getaway, no matter how many attractions you end up seeing.

-- Asheville: With its unique architecture and quirky downtown vibe, Asheville offers plenty to see or do inside or out, but the city is probably best known as the home of the Biltmore. And, it's as good of a place as any to start.

-- Athens: Athens is home to a lot more than the University of Georgia. "The Classic City" is a wealth of attractions, culture and history. What's more, Athens is the perfect one-tank trip from Atlanta, if the mood calls for a weekend getaway rather than a full-fledged vacation.

-- Walt Disney World: Walt Disney World is itself a classic and an old standby when it comes to vacations. Generation after generation has grown up walking right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A., roamin' the Wild West and waltzing with storybook characters in Fantasyland.

IF YOU GO: To Amelia Island: Take I-75 south to I-16 east. Take Georgia Highway 19 south, and continue on U.S. Highway 1 south through Folkston. In Callahan, Fla., take Florida Highway 200 east to Amelia Island. To Chattanooga: From Atlanta, take Interstate 75 north to the Georgia-Tennessee line. Then, follow the signs into downtown. To Asheville: From Atlanta, take I-85 north to I-985. Continue north on U.S. Highway 23 to I-40 east. To Athens: Take I-85 north to Georgia Highway 316. To Walt Disney World: Take I-75 south to Florida's Turnpike. Then, take Western Expressway south to Western Way. In addition, a number of airlines – including Delta and AirTran – offer direct flights between Atlanta and Orlando.

Washington Monument remains closed following quake

Courtesy NPS

The Washington Monument remains closed following Tuesday's earthquake as officials continue to assess damage to the famed monument, the National Park Service (NPS) said.

Cracks in the monument were discovered in the wake of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake. No timetable has been announced for when the landmark might reopen.

"We are bringing in WJE because of their experience not only with seismic issues, but with historic structures," Robert A. Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, said in a news release. "The Washington Monument is one of America's most important landmarks and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that it is restored completely and correctly."

According to the NPS statement:

The National Park Service (NPS) has engaged an engineering firm with extensive experience in earthquake damage assessment and repair to further assess the Monument after an inspection today uncovered additional cracks in the pyramidion, or uppermost section of the structure.

NPS structural engineers, historical architects, and engineers with expertise in earthquake engineering from Wiss, Janney, Elstner (WJE) Associates, Inc. of Northbook, IL, and Tipping Mar Associates of Berkeley, CA will conduct detailed assessments on the Washington Monument. Both firms specialize in investigating earthquake-damaged structures after major earthquakes.

WJE is world-renowned, investigating damaged buildings from more than 30 earthquakes around the world. They also have experience working on NPS historical structures, including the stabilization and seismic update for the Alcatraz Cellhouse at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and repair of the 352-foot tall Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial in Ohio. A team from WJE will be arriving in Washington tomorrow to begin to completely assess the damage and to determine what repairs will need to be made before the Monument can be reopened to the public.

Delta buying 100 Next-Generation 737-900ER airplanes

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines is purchasing 100 Next-Generation 737-900ER (extended range) airplanes, with a list price of more than $8.5 billion, the airline said Thursday.

The Atlanta-based airline said the purchase is part of "Delta's fleet renewal effort to replace its less efficient domestic airplanes." The planes will be delivered between 2013 and 2018, The Associated Press reported.

"The 737-900ER is the perfect airplane to replace the older, less efficient airplanes in our single-aisle fleet," Delta President Ed Bastian said in a news release. "Reliability and fuel efficiency are direct contributors to our financial performance. The 737-900ER will provide us a reliable airplane with the lowest fuel burn in our domestic fleet."

Said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in a news release: "As an industry-leading airline, Delta's investment validates the continuous improvements we are making to the Next-Generation 737's efficiency, economics, reliability and passenger comfort."

According to the official news release:

The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It also is the highest capacity, longest-range airplane in Boeing's single-aisle fleet. New aerodynamic and structural design changes allow the airplane to carry up to 180 passengers in a typical two-class layout. The advanced-technology wing design that helps increase fuel capacity and efficiency provides substantial economic advantages over competing models.

[...]

All of the airplanes will feature the new Boeing Sky Interior. This new interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new lighting and curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers will enjoy a more open cabin feel and an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new interior also features sculpted sidewalls and newly improved and expanded pivot bins.

Louisville: Market holds key to city's past

All photos by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ga. -- The small town of Louisville today might seem like little more than a blip on the map. But, by the end of the 18th century, Louisville was an important city in Georgia.

The town was laid out in 1786 as a prospective location for the state's capital and served in that capacity from 1794 or 1796 until about 1806 -- it was the state's third capital, but first permanent location. The city was named in honor of French King Louis XVI as a show of gratitude for his support during the Revolutionary War.

In the center of town stands the Old Market, which was the hub of the city's commerce and stood at the convergence of roads to Augusta, Savannah and Georgetown, according to a marker near the structure. Merchants would sell household goods, food and (sadly) slaves. Today, it's a poignant reminder of antebellum Georgia and a remarkably preserved historic structure.

"It's the focal point of our town," the city manager told The Associated Press in 1996.

"On market days, when the crowds gather from the surrounding plantations of Jefferson to shop in the village stores, when the circus comes to town or when the campaign orator improves the opportunity of court week to stir the echoes of the stump, it seems to wear something of the old time look and to be dreamily reminiscent of an interest which it once attracted," Lucian Lamar Knight wrote in Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends (1913).

The building, according to most estimates, was probably built during the 1790s (likely 1795-1798). For years, many historians thought the structure was built as early as 1758.

"During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration, created as part of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, performed valuable service by revitalizing a dilapidated portion of the town's Market House, which allegedly was the site of a slave market during the antebellum period," according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

The bell hanging inside the Market House was cast in France in 1772. The bell was en route to New Orleans when the ship on which it was traveling was captured by pirates. The bell was later sold in Savannah before making its way to the state capitol in Louisville, where it served as a warning signal for the community.

United going paperless, giving pilots iPads

United Airlines said Tuesday that its pilots will start carrying iPads with navigational information, replacing bulkier paper versions currently in use.

The airline said it has already started deploying 11,000 iPads to United and Continental pilots; the two airlines are currently merging. The electronic flight bags (EFB) include paperless aeronautical navigational charts through Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck, an iPad app.

"The paperless flight deck represents the next generation of flying," Capt. Fred Abbott, United's senior vice president of flight operations, said in a news release. "The introduction of iPads ensures our pilots have essential and real-time information at their fingertips at all times throughout the flight."

According to the official news release:

Saving 16 Million Sheets of Paper and 326,000 Gallons of Jet Fuel a Year

Each iPad, which weighs less than 1.5 pounds, will replace approximately 38 pounds of paper operating manuals, navigation charts, reference handbooks, flight checklists, logbooks and weather information in a pilot's flight bag. A conventional flight bag full of paper materials contains an average of 12,000 sheets of paper per pilot. The green benefits of moving to EFBs are two-fold—it significantly reduces paper use and printing, and, in turn, reduces fuel consumption. The airline projects EFBs will save nearly 16 million sheets of paper a year which is equivalent to more than 1,900 trees not cut down. Saving 326,000 gallons of jet fuel a year reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 3,208 metric tons.

iPad Improves Efficiency and Safety

With iPad, pilots are able to quickly and efficiently access reference material without having to thumb through thousands of sheets of paper and reduce clutter on the flight deck. United and Continental pilots' work will be streamlined as they can immediately download updates on iPad to their electronic flight materials, rather than waiting for paper updates to be printed and distributed. In addition, by eliminating bulky flight bags loaded with paper, pilots will have less to lift and carry through airports and onboard the aircraft, reducing the risk of injury while on duty.

CAPTION: UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. PILOT HOLDING IPAD United announced that it is converting to paperless flight decks and deploying 11,000 iPads to all United and Continental pilots. (PRNewsFoto/United Continental Holdings, Inc.) CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 

Southwest: Atlanta service starts Feb. 12

ATLANTA -- Southwest Airlines will start service to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Feb. 12, the airline announced Monday.

"We're bringing especially great value to those of you who travel last-minute," Southwest President, Chairman, and CEO Gary Kelly told the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, according to a news release. "Here in Atlanta, our fully refundable, walk-up fares will be, on average, more than 30 percent lower than anything currently in these markets. And we are bringing the flexibility Southwest Customers already enjoy in other cities because we don't charge a $150 fee simply to change your plans."

Southwest said it will fly to 15 cities from Atlanta, including Chicago Midway; Austin, Texas; and Denver.

Last September, Southwest, which does not currently serve Atlanta, announced it was buying AirTran Airways for $1.4 billion. The combined airline’s operations are expected to be fully merged by 2012, officials previously said.

Dallas-based Southwest currently serves more than 70 cities, all in the United States. AirTran, based in Orlando, Fla., currently serves more than 65 cities in the United States, the Caribbean and Mexico.

"We've said all along that this deal to bring AirTran's People, planes and places into the Southwest family is about offering more—more destinations and spreading more low fares farther, through the strength of our network," Kelly said.

Oakland Cemetery offers chance to visit with famous Atlantans

ATLANTA -- Oakland Cemetery dates to 1850, making it one of the oldest tracts of land in Atlanta.

Originally a six-acre tract of land, the cemetery grew to 48 acres over the years; more than 70,000 people are believed to be buried in the cemetery. Today, it includes several "sections," including the original section, the Jewish section, the Black Section and the Confederate section.

Experts are quick to note that the cemetery shows how the city's culture has changed over the years. Among the famous Atlantans buried in Oakland Cemetery are:

-- Martha Lumpkin Compton: The namesake of the city when it was known as Marthasville

-- Maynard Jackson: The first black mayor of Atlanta

-- Margaret Mitchell: Author of "Gone with the Wind."

-- Bobby Jones: World famous golfer; visitors usually leave behind golfing paraphernalia -- mainly golf balls -- after visiting his grave

-- Joseph E. Brown: Governor of Georgia during the Civil War

-- William A. Fuller: The conductor on the General the morning of April 12, 1862. He successfully chased union spies who stole a locomotive and planned to destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., as part of what is today known as The Great Locomotive Chase.

-- Jeff Cain: The engineer of the General the morning of April 12, 1862. He joined Fuller for a portion of the raid.

Also noteworthy, Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood on July 22, 1864, watched the Battle of Atlanta from the grounds. A marker denotes the location.

A long way to the top

Taken May 9, 2011, in Curacao.

Looking back

Taken Aug. 19, 2011, on Amelia Island.

Lumber City Meat Co. patriotic mural

Taken Aug. 18, 2011, in Lumber City, Ga.

Sundown on Amelia Island

Taken Aug. 18, 2011, on Amelia Island, Fla.

Sundown on Amelia Island

Taken Aug. 18, 2011, on Amelia Island, Fla.

First 787 for United Continental Holdings in assembly phase

The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner for United Continental Holdings has entered the assembly phase at Boeing's facility in Everett, Wash., today.

From the official news release:

In early 2012, United will be the first North American carrier to take delivery of the aircraft, marking the first of 50 Dreamliners for the airline.

During assembly, Boeing will join the forward, center and aft fuselage sections, the wings, the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical fin.

The first United 787 will be configured with 36 flat-bed seats in BusinessFirst, 63 extra-legroom seats in Economy Plus and 120 seats in Economy. The aircraft's revolutionary cabin environment and aerodynamic design allow it to fly farther, faster and more efficiently. Customers will experience improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, increased cabin humidity, reduced cabin pressure and enhanced ventilation systems, among other passenger-friendly features.

"We are proud to be the first North American airline to receive the 787, which will be a game changer for the new United and the industry," United Airlines President and CEO Jeff Smisek said in a news release. "The 787 will be a very comfortable, customer pleasing aircraft, and with its range, fuel efficiency and superb operating economics, the 787 will allow us to enter new long-haul markets and also replace older, less-efficient widebody aircraft."

US Airways CEO tells newspaper baggage fees are sticking around

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For fliers hoping for a respite from airline baggage fees, there is apparently no rest for the weary on one domestic airline.

US Airways CEO Doug Parker told The Charlotte Observer newspaper, the fees likely aren't going to be erased any time soon.

The article noted:

Parker said he understands that fliers hate the new fees, but with fuel prices rising and the economy tottering, they are necessary for airlines to survive.

One especially odious fee for fliers is the now-common strategy of charging for all checked bags.

"Our customers have let us know they prefer not to have those, but the reality is it allows us to charge the customers that are using that service what we think is a very fair fee," said Parker.

Carolina sunrise

Taken Aug. 17, 2011, in Charlotte, N.C.

Delta, Aeromexico announce new partnership

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico this week announced a new partnership, which the airlines say will increase benefits for fliers.

"Aeromexico has been a strong partner for Delta in Mexico and Latin America, and this reinforces our relationship," Delta Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson said in a statement. "By forming an exclusive long-term commercial partnership, we will leverage the strengths of our two networks to provide expanded customer benefits and build the foundation for a joint venture to better serve the U.S. and Mexico marketplace."

According to the official news release:

Along with the current agreement that offers customers reciprocal access to airport lounges as well as the ability to accrue and redeem flight awards, customers will enjoy soon-to-be-available benefits from the deepened alliance between Delta and Aeromexico, including:

• Network-wide codesharing to include all Delta and Aeromexico flights between the U.S. and Mexico as well as flights within the carriers' domestic networks and to other key international destinations;
• A coordinated sales team that offers joint contracting to corporate customers allowing enhanced access to the combined networks;
• Expedited call handling for Elite customers through a new, integrated process; and
• The ability for Elite customers to reserve preferred seating via the carriers' reservations centers.

Future benefits of the enhanced alliance will include:

• Co-located airport facilities for easier connections and check-in; and
• The ability to select preferred seat assignments, process upgrades and redeem Award Tickets online.

The carriers will leverage the extended, long-term commercial agreement to exchange, within legal limits, best practices across operations, marketing and sales.

"The expanded agreement with Delta will undoubtedly allow us to solidify the commercial alliance we have been building together for several years now," Aeromexico Chief Executive Officer Andres Conesa said in a news release. "We will work with Delta to offer more options for our customers, including greater access to Delta's global network."

Delta said it would invest $65 million in the partnership.

Bobby Cox throws out first pitch

Cox inducted into Braves Hall of Fame

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves on Friday honored former manager Bobby
Cox, inducting him into the team's Hall of Fame and retiring his
number (6).

Sheraton Atlanta: We're the first to install charging stations for EVs

ATLANTA -- The Sheraton Atlanta says it is the city's first hotel to install charging stations for electric vehicles.

From the hotel's official news release:

These four charging stations are located at the front of the hotel and provide electricity to power EVs for guests of the Sheraton Atlanta. The installation process began in January of this year.

[...]

There are no extra costs associated with using the stations, as standard parking rates apply. Use of the stations is allocated on a first come, first served basis. The spots are available for the duration of the charge, at which point the guest will yield the space for the next EV to charge. Having four stations available is an excellent benefit to EV guests.

The idea was originally proposed by Mo Babalola, Director of Parking Operations for the Sheraton Atlanta, as a way to communicate to guests that the Sheraton Atlanta is a responsible advocate of green initiatives, and to provide a practical option for guests that drive electric vehicles. In the past, a number of hotel guests have inquired about the existence of such spots to power their EVs.

"It is our hope that these stations will attract energy-conscious patrons and showcase our progressive efforts towards sustainability," Niles Harris, general manager of the Sheraton Atlanta, said in the news release.

Added Leonard McCoy, the hotel's director of engineering, in the release: "On average, eclectic vehicles produce five times less CO2 per mile than gasoline powered vehicles. We wanted to do our part in helping both out guests and our hotel achieve their green initiatives and contributions."

Public art worth seeing

If public art floats your boat, here are three destinations worth scoping out on your next trip:

Atlanta: 54 Columns

The concrete columns at the intersection of Glen Iris Drive and Highland Avenue aren't another partially finished community. No, "54 Columns" – a collection of 54 columns ranging from 10 to 20 feet tall – is art, and it's supposed to resemble Atlanta's skyline.

The art project – created in 1999 by Sol LeWitt – was commissioned by the Fulton County Arts Council. In 2007, the Atlanta City Council designated the 210-acre Freedom Park, which is home to "54 Columns," as an Atlanta Public Art Project.

Dublin, Ohio: Concrete Corn

Dublin is a charming suburb of Ohio's capital city. Celebrating its bicentennial this year, the town of 40,874 is perhaps best known for the annual Dublin Irish Festival or as the home of Wendy's.

But one of the city's true gems resides near the intersection of Frantz and Rings roads. On a small plot of land tucked in between office complexes, "Field of Corn (with Osage Orange)," better known as Cornhenge, features 109 six-foot-tall concrete ears of corn.

The eerily symmetric rows of corn were erected as a public art exhibit and tribute to the corn that once grew here. Sam Frantz, a pioneer of hybrid corn and his wife, Eulalia, previously owned the land and grew corn here.

Malcolm Cochran sculpted the concrete corn statues as part of the project commissioned by the Dublin Arts Council. The field was completed in 1994, and the project wasn't without its share of controversy. Still, it draws visitors from across the country.

Carmel, Ind.: Sidewalk statues

The city's streets are buzzing with activity: A father helps his daughter take her first ride on a bicycle; an artist paints the archway welcoming visitors to the city's Arts & Design District; a couple embraces in a kiss to celebrate the end of World War II.

If that last one seems a little out of place, that's because none of these people out and about are real. They're life size statues depicting everyday scenes.

The statues, sculpted by J. Seward Johnson, are part of the city's plan to turn the Old Town area into an arts district and make a "walkable outdoor museum."

IF YOU GO: Columbus and Indianapolis are easily accessible from Atlanta as both Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways offer direct flights.

Delta opens renovated Sky Club at Hartsfield

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines on Wednesday opened a renovated Delta Sky Club in Concourse A of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

"Our customers will now be able to enjoy the award-winning Delta Sky Club experience on every concourse, with nine clubs at our hometown airport," Wayne Aaron, Delta's vice president – marketing programs and distribution strategy, said in a news release. "We continue to innovate and invest in the Delta Sky Clubs in order to provide the best experience for our members."

From the official Delta news release:

The renovated club on Concourse A, near gate A17, is the busiest club in the Delta system, with more than 55,000 visits monthly, and measures nearly 16,000 square feet. In response to customer feedback, conference rooms were removed and additional seating as well as additional power sources were added.

The new 5,700-foot club on Concourse D, near gate D27, is Delta's first on Concourse D.  It will feature a full service bar and updated contemporary atmosphere.

The refurbished clubs offer full-service bars with complimentary beverages and snacks throughout the day; new art featuring aerial photography of the region; personalized flight assistance; updated restrooms; satellite television; and a work zone complete with complementary Wi-Fi, cyber counters with power outlets, desktop computers, wireless printers and additional charging stations.

Also this month, Delta is planning to open its first Sky Club in Concourse D of the airport. Located near gate D27, the club "will feature a full service bar and updated contemporary atmosphere," the airline said.

Ga. Squirrel hunting season starts next week

ATLANTA -- Get ready, Inspector Carlton Lassiter. Georgia's squirrel hunting season kicks off next week.

During the season, hunters can hunt gray and fox squirrels, both of which are found throughout Georgia. There is a maximum daily bag limit of 12 squirrels per hunter. 

"Prior to the successful restoration of white-tailed deer, pursuing squirrels in the fall became a significant cultural hunting tradition in Georgia," John Bowers, Wildlife Resources Division's Game Management assistant chief, said in a news release. "Squirrel hunting provides one of our best opportunities to introduce youth to hunting, instill in them our responsibilities to wildlife conservation and provide exposure to the outdoors. Additionally, it's fun, inexpensive and provides constant action." 

The season runs from Aug. 15 through Feb. 28.

State officials say squirrels are the second most hunted small game species in Georgia. Doves are the most hunted small game.

Vision Airlines cutting service

ATLANTA -- A Georgia-based airline is cutting service to a number of destinations as part of an update to its schedule.

Vision Airlines said it is discontinuing service to Lafayette, La.; Shreveport, La.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Asheville, N.C.; and Knoxville, Tenn.

"Based upon travel trends, we have decided to make these changes sooner than anticipated and focus on markets where demand for travel will be stronger," David Meers, Vision Airlines' senior vice president and COO, said in a statement.

WDW: Original Tiki Room returning in August

The new management is now the old management.

Walt Disney World said the original Enchanted Tiki Room show, which was replaced in 1998, will be returning later this month.

The show, which first appeared in Disneyland in 1963, was an original attraction when Walt Disney World opened on Oct. 1, 1971. The updated attraction -- known as The Enchanted Tiki Room — Under New Management -- featured a number of characters from recent Disney movies, including Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from The Lion King.

According to the official news release:

Prior to 1963, Walt Disney’s creative team had produced movable figures, but none had the sophistication of the bird-brained cast of the Tiki Room. José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre produce movements when solenoid coils hidden inside receive signals recorded onto magnetic tape and are regarded as the first “true” Audio-Animatronics figures.

They introduce a musical presentation by more than 200 birds, flowers and tikis. Even the audience gets into the act, joining in during the musical ditty “Let’s All Sing Like the Birdies Sing.”

While the show is steeped in tradition and maintains the original intent created by Walt Disney and his original team of Imagineers, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will feature the latest in technology – a state of the art show-control system, remastered audio, and a new versatile and energy efficient lighting system.

The show's re-premiere is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Ga. museum looking to open D.B. Cooper exhibit

As the legendary D.B. Cooper found his way back into the headlines,
one Georgia museum is looking for to play off the legendary skyjacker.

The National Museum of Commercial Aviation in Clayton County is
looking for any artifacts connected to Cooper, the Clayton News-Daily
newspaper reported.

"We're going to be doing an exhibit on D.B. Cooper, and we're on the
lookout for artifacts related to what he did to include in the
exhibit," the newspaper quoted Grant Wainscott, the museum's executive
director, as saying. "...He was a crook, but he kinda became a
legend."

The museum is looking to move into a new, permanent facility in 2012 or 2013.

On Nov. 24, 1971, a man who identified himself as Dan Cooper -- later
mistakenly named as D.B. Cooper -- boarded Northwest Orient Airlines
flight No. 305 from Portland, Ore., to Seattle, Wash. Once in the air,
the man handed a flight attendant a note that read: "I have a bomb in
my briefcase. I will use it if necessary. I want you to sit next to
me. You are being hijacked." He demanded $200,000 and two parachutes.

The plane landed at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, and the plane's passengers
were allowed to disembark after the airline cooperated and paid Cooper
his ransom. The plane then took off and headed toward Mexico; en
route, Cooper jumped from the plane's aft staircase.

A number of people over the years have claimed to be Cooper. Recently,
an Oklahoma woman told ABC News she believes her uncle L.D. Cooper, a
veteran of the Korean War, was D.B. Cooper. The FBI is investigating
the claim, according to published reports.

Lewis relieved FAA shut down is over

The partial FAA shut down is over, and one Georgia Congressman is relieved.

"I am glad to hear that cooler heads have finally prevailed and decisions have been made that allow the Federal Aviation Administration to re-open," U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., said in a statement. "Almost 74,000 workers nationwide have been waiting to be paid since the middle of July, and 334 of those people live in my congressional district. Also $67 million in business contracts hung in the balance in the Atlanta region, held hostage to the politics of resistance and indifference on the part of the Republican House leadership. 

"Members of Congress should not play games with the lives of the people they serve," Lewis added. "The livelihood and well-being of the people should never be held hostage to the ideology of their leaders. I am looking forward to a solution in this debate which authorizes the FAA for the long-term, but I am pleased that a temporary fix that will send people back to work and allow business people to breathe a little easier."

When Congress didn't re-authorize the FAA last month, officials say a number of construction projects were at risk as funding was cut off, including one at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport, which didn't receive $8 million in federal funds, Georgia Public Broadcasting previously reported.

However, the deal that Congress passed to end the shutdown eliminates subsidiaries to a number of airports, including Athens, Ga.

Hiroshima marks anniversary of bombing

Sixty-six years ago today, the world ushered in the Nuclear age when the Enola Gay dropped Little Boy over Hiroshima.

It was 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 6, 1945. The blast from the atomic bomb produced a mushroom cloud and killed 140,000 people and left thousands more homeless. Three days later, the U.S. dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki, which killed an estimated 80,000 people, closing the chapter on the second World War.

Once known more for its role in ending World War II, Hiroshima today is a major tourist attraction, and each year thousands of visitors from Japan and around the world flock to this western Japanese city.

While atomic weapons no doubt remain a controversial subject, it is possible to take in Hiroshima and understand the historical significance of the city without spending too much time discussing the pros and cons of nuclear warfare. For history buffs and travelers looking to see and understand what happened here, to Japan and to the whole world on that day, there are several memorials to the bombing, all located in Peace Memorial Park in the center of the city and near the bomb's hypocenter.

This year’s remembrance ceremony had a new meaning in light of this year’s earthquake and the ensuring nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant, various media outlets reported.

“Japan will reduce its level of reliance on nuclear power generation with the aim of becoming a society that is not dependent on nuclear power,” Kyodo news agency quoted Prime Minister Naoto Kan as saying.

IF YOU GO: From Atlanta, both Delta Air Lines and Korean Air offer flights to Hiroshima, both with stops in Seoul.

An artsy train track (no longer in use)

Taken June 25, 2011, in Athens, Ga.

Nashville Speedway: 'Thanks for all the memories'

Nashville Speedway won't seek any NASCAR races in 2012, the track said Wednesday.

"Nashville is a tremendous market filled with passionate race fans," Cliff Hawks, the track's vice president and general manager, said in a statement. "We have some extremely dedicated and talented employees who have made this track a great destination, but the reality is after 10 years of effort we have to face the fact that without a Sprint Cup race and/or a significant change in the operating model for other events, we simply cannot continue."

Airlines offering refunds during FAA shutdown

ATLANTA -- To charge or not to charge?

Since the FAA partially shut down on July 23, passengers travelling shouldn't pay certain federal taxes. However, according to published reports, many airlines simply upped their fares. But Delta Air Lines this week said "it will process tax refunds for customers traveling during the suspension of non-essential services of the Federal Aviation Administration."

U.S. Airways has since followed Delta's lead, USA Today reported.

"Funding for the FAA expired on July 23. At that time, Delta stopped collecting several taxes imposed on ticket sales, including a 7.5 percent tax on the base ticket price, a $3.70 segment tax and facilities taxes on international travel and travel to and from Alaska and Hawaii," the airline said in a statement. "The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has advised that travelers who paid for tickets on or before July 22, 2011, for travel beginning on or after July 23 and prior to the reinstatement of FAA funding, may be entitled to a refund of those taxes."

The airline also said it is "awaiting guidelines from the IRS on the process of providing refunds. However, in order to streamline the process, the airline will process refunds directly for customers once an agreement is reached with the IRS on the procedure for doing so."

Concurrently, Spirit Airlines is among the airlines which passed along the tax as a "savings" to its customers.

"Congress could reverse this tax holiday at any time, so Spirit encourages customers to take advantage of these tax savings while they are available now," Spirit said in a statement.

Obama to Congress: End FAA shutdown

President Obama on Tuesday said Congress to needs to work to end the partial FAA shutdown.

"And there is another stalemate in Congress right now involving our aviation industry which has stalled airport construction projects all around the country – and put the jobs of tens of thousands of construction workers and others at risk – because of politics," Obama said. "It's another Washington-inflicted wound on America, and Congress needs to break that impasse now so these folks can get back to work."

Since Congress did not reauthorize the FAA last month, and the federal agency has furloughed 4,000 employees nationwide as a result. Federal officials, however, contend passenger safety is not at risk.

At the same time, officials have stopped work on a number of construction projects are at risk, including one at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport, which did not receive $8 million in federal funds, Georgia Public Broadcasting previously reported.

Report: WDW's Hyperion Wharf project on hold

Walt Disney World's "Hyperion Wharf" project, floated as a replacement for Pleasure Island, has been put on indefinite hold, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

"As with any project of this size and scope, our plans have continued to grow and evolve over time as part of our creative process, and it has simply taken longer than we anticipated," the newspaper quoted Walt Disney World spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez as saying. "We are committed to creating absolutely the best experience possible at Downtown Disney and are taking the time to look holistically at the entire property."

"Hyperion Wharf" was touted as a "nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city." The wharf would have been named for Hyperion, the Greek god of light, and the street where Walt Disney's first "major" animation studio was located.

The port was to feature "stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants" for guests during the day and would have changed into "an electric wonderland" at night, Disney previously said.

United flight diverted to Cuba

A United Airlines flight traveling between Washington's Dulles International Airport and Cancun, Mexico was diverted to Havana, Cuba after a strange odor was detected on board.

The Airbus 320, carrying 135 passengers and five crew members, landed in Havana Sunday after the crew noticed a burning smell in the cockpit.

A United Airlines spokesman said that in order to be safe the pilots decided to land the aircraft at the nearest available airport".

Gloria Berbena,a spokeswoman for the U.S. Interests section in Cuba, said a second plane arrived from the United States later Sunday and flew the passengers out.

U.S. law restricts the travel of American citizens to Cuba, although there are frequent charter flights between the two countries.

The United States and Cuba do not maintain full diplomatic relations.

-- Voice of America