WDW: 40 years later, and it’s still evolving

West Center Street.com

From a massive expansion to Fantasyland to construction of a new resort, Walt Disney World is continuing to grow and change – even on the brink of its 40th birthday.

“As an opening day cast member, I’m excited to see Fantasyland further transformed into Walt Disney’s original vision of a place where fairy tales come true,” Phil Holmes, vice president of Magic Kingdom park and a 40-year Disney theme park veteran, said in a news release.

“By showcasing modern-day classics like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ alongside Walt’s first animated feature, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ our cast members will bring these stories to life in a way like never before, creating even more wonderful memories for our guests,” Holmes added.

Holmes’ started his Disney park career as a Haunted Mansion greeter.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the changes:

Fantasyland Expansion

In 2009, Disney officials announced a major overhaul and expansion to Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.

When complete, the expanded Fantasyland will feature a Little Mermaid-themed attraction, similar to what Disney is building in California, and an expanded Dumbo attraction. The new land, originally slated to include a number of princess-themed attractions, will also include a Seven Dwarves Mine Train.

The new and expanded Fantasyland is expected to complete by 2013. As part of the expansion, Mickey's Toontown Fair closed; Snow White's Scary Adventure attraction will also close.

Art of Animation Resort

The newest Walt Disney World resort, a 2,000-room value resort, is expected to be open by 2012.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will feature 1,120 family suites – to be located in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings of the resort – and 864 standard “themed” rooms – to be located in The Little Mermaid wing. The suites will have both a bedroom and a living room.

Avatar comes to the Animal Kingdom

Avatar is coming to the Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World said earlier this month.

The theme park is teaming with filmmaker James Cameron to “create themed lands that will give theme park guests the opportunity to explore the mysterious universe of (Avatar) first hand,” the company said in a news release. The first such themed land is planned for the Animal Kingdom.

"This exciting new venture combines the world of Avatar with the enormous reach of Disney and the incomparable talent of Jim Cameron," Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Jim Gianopulos and Tom Rothman said in a joint statement. "While Jim is bringing audiences further into Pandora with the next two chapters in the Avatar motion picture saga, the theme park attraction will likewise bring a new dimension to the amazing universe he created."

Pleasure Island transformation 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 previously.

“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.

WDW to celebrate 40 years

Walt Disney World is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary Saturday with a host of activities, including a parade and a ceremony to honor cast members who have worked at the resort since it opened.

The Magic Kingdom and three Disney-owned lodging options -- Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground -- opened on Oct. 1, 1971. Since then hundreds of millions of people have visited the Central Florida resort which now boasts four theme parks, two water parks, 33 resorts -- including two dozen resorts owned by Disney -- and other amenities.

"There were all kinds of predictions and expectations about how it might grow, but not very many people I knew had expected that it would grow the way that it did," Charles Ridgway, a veteran Disney publicist, said in a news release. "I knew that there were great expectations, but when we started out, they were relatively limited expectations."

Walt Disney World is in the midst of a massive expansion of the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. In addition, officials recently announced that a new avatar attraction is coming to the Animal Kingdom.

Officials moving forward with Atlanta Legoland

ATLANTA – Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and officials from Merlin Entertainments this week officially kicked off construction of a 32,000-square-foot Legoland Discovery Center (LDC) at Phipps Plaza.

The $12 million center – which is slated to feature a 4D theater and rides – is scheduled to open next spring.

Instead of a traditional groundbreaking ceremony, officials on Tuesday took part in a Lego “brick dump.”

In other Lego news, Merlin officials on Wednesday also broke ground on an LDC in Kansas City, and a Legoland in Central Florida is set to open Oct. 15. Merlin is also building an LDC in Tokyo.

Merlin is building the Orlando-area theme park on a 150-acre tract of land formerly occupied by Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven. The park will feature more than 50 attractions.

The Florida location will be the second Legoland in North America – a California location opened in 1999. There are also Legoland parks in Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Little time to see the Fog City? No worries

Photos by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

SAN FRANCISCO -- Seeing San Francisco can seem like a daunting task. Seeing San Francisco in 48 hours -- is that impossible or insane?

The best advice: stick to the highlights. For starters, here are a few landmarks to see during a weekend whirlwind tour:

-- Lombard Street: Carl Henry is often said to have proposed turning a section of Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth streets in the Russian Hill section of town into the series of switchbacks that it is today. While the street's title of "World's Crookedest Street" may be open to debate (see Vermont Street elsewhere in town), its popularity as a tourist attraction hasn't waned in the roughly eight decades since the street was reconfigured to its current design.

-- The Golden Fire Hydrant: Two days after the massive earthquake of April 18, 1906, ruptured gas lines, much of San Francisco had burned. Firefighters in many instances were unable to extinguish flames as fire hydrants had no water. However, firefighters vowed to make a stand at the intersection of Church and 20th streets. Miraculously, water flowed from a fire hydrant near the intersection and ever April 18, the fire hydrant receives a new coat of gold paint.

-- Boudin Bakery: Today, sourdough bread is synonymous with San Francisco. Isidore Boudin started a bakery in 1849, and today the Boudin Bakery touts itself as the "Original San Francisco Sourdough French Bread." Its bakery location on Fisherman's Wharf offers tours, but if schedules don't permit a tour, at least stop by and take a peek in the window to see what fun shape bakers are making with the bread -- shapes range from alligators to turtles to bears.

Click here for Part I. Click here for Part II. Check back for Part IV.

San Francisco in two days? Focus on the highlights

Photo by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

SAN FRANCISCO -- On the surface, it might seem crazy to try and experience a city such as San Francisco in a matter of days.

But, should you be tight on time, try hitting the high points for a quick look into San Francisco's unique history and culture. For starters:

-- Fisherman's Wharf: The sea has always been vital to San Francisco's growth. Today, the city's wharf is primarily a tourist attraction, it's still a sight worth seeing. Be sure to head over to Pier 39 and visit the sea lions that call the pier home.

-- The Ferry Building: Opened in 1898, the Ferry Building was built as a transportation hub for the city. Restored to its historic grandeur in 2003, the building today is home to a number of shops and eateries. The building not only survived the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes, but it survived the rise of the automobile during the 1950s and for decades was obscured by a two-level freeway that was dismantled following the 1989 quake.

-- F Line: The Fog City is relatively easy to traverse thanks to its public transportation system. But, the fleet of historic streetcars that make up the F line, which connects the Castro section of town with Fisherman's Wharf, is as much an attraction as it is a method of transportation. To learn more about the city's streetcars, stop by the San Francisco Railway Museum across from the Ferry Building.

Click here for Part I. Check back for Part III.

Enjoying San Francisco in a little time with a lot to see

Photos by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

SAN FRANCISCO -- Let's face it: You shouldn't try to experience major cities in a day or two.

And certainly, San Francisco is no exception.

But, if you're tight on time, hit the high points for a quick look into San Francisco's unique history and culture. For starters:

-- Alcatraz: The Rock is perhaps more myth than reality, but the landmark federal penitentiary (now relegated to museum duty) attracts more than 1 million visitors annually. Be sure to pick up an audio tour and hear the prison's history come to life.

-- Cable Cars: San Francisco's steep hills necessitated the development of a transportation that could effectively carry residents across the city's steep terrain. Today, cable cars are not merely a tourist attraction; they're a viable method of transportation. Plan accordingly, however; lines to ride the cars can grow quite lengthy.

-- Fort Point and the Golden Gate Bridge: The Golden Gate Bridge is arguably the city's most recognizable symbol. Fort Point, a Civil War era post worthy of a visit itself, today sits under the bridge and offers some of the most astonishing views of the famed bridge.

Check back for Part II.

Greetings from Fort Point

And the Golden Gate Bridge.

Even on a foggy day, the Golden Gate Bridge is something spectacular to see.

Enjoy a national park for free on Saturday

ATLANTA -- In honor of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees to encourage people to visit a national park.

Fees are being waived at dozens of national parks nationwide that usually charge entry fees, according to the NPS. Park entrance fees generally range from $3 to $25.

"Ranging from the community playground to the world's first national park, about one third of our country's land is public space – set aside for all of us to enjoy," National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in a news release. "Whether you prefer to lend a hand on a volunteer project or just take it easy, Let's Move Outside on National Public Lands Day and experience these wonderful places."

WDW: Avatar coming to Animal Kingdom

Avatar is coming to the Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World said Tuesday.

The theme park is teaming with filmmaker James Cameron to “create themed lands that will give theme park guests the opportunity to explore the mysterious universe of (Avatar) first hand,” the company said in a news release. The first such themed land is planned for the Animal Kingdom.

The 2009 film “is a uniquely powerful franchise that has global appeal with audiences of all ages. Its spectacular settings, intriguing characters, imaginative creatures, and strong themes of family and loyalty make it a perfect fit for Disney,” Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a news release. “We can’t wait to give our guests the ability to journey to Pandora and explore the incredible immersive world of (the movie) in person.”

Construction on the new land at the Animal Kingdom is expected to start by 2013. Walt Disney World is currently in the middle of a massive expansion of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.

“With this agreement, we have the extraordinary opportunity to combine James’ talent and vision with the imagination and expertise of Disney,” Robert A. Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Co., said in a news release.

Added Cameron: “I’m chomping at the bit to start work with Disney’s legendary Imagineers … Our goal is to go beyond current boundaries of technical innovation and experiential storytelling, and give park goers the chance to see, hear, and touch the world of (Avatar) with an unprecedented sense of reality.”

A view from Shete Boka National Park

Taken May 5, 2011, in Curacao.

Queen Juliana Bridge: Beautiful and scary at the same time

Photos by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao -- Standing along the waterfront of either Punda or Otrobanda in downtown Willemstad, an impressive structure rises in the distance.

Not only is the Queen Juliana Bridge, a four-lane bridge that crosses Saint Anna Bay, the highest point on this Caribbean island, at 185 feet high, it's the highest bridge in the Caribbean. It's also said to be one of the highest bridges in the world. While that factoid might be debatable, the bridge nonetheless offers a spectacular view of the city below.

The current structure, named for Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, opened on April 30, 1974. This bridge replaced a structure that collapsed in 1967.

Weighing 3,400 tons, the bridge was built to accommodate the massive freighters that sail in and out of Saint Anna Bay. For tourists, the bridge is one of the best vantage points on the island, albeit a bit hair-raising at that.

IF YOU GO: There are no direct flights to Curacao from Atlanta. However, American Airlines offers direct service from Miami and Insel Air offers direct service from Charlotte, N.C. Both destinations are easily accessible from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Man sentenced to federal prison for 2010 assault

ATLANTA – A federal judge last week sentenced a 61-year-old Alpharetta man to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to inappropriately touching a woman on a Delta Air Lines flight last year, federal authorities said.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard W. Story also sentenced Ranchhodbhai Lakha to a year of supervised release following the six-month prison sentence. Lakha, who pleaded guilty on June 29 to a charge of abusive sexual contact, must also pay a $5,000 fine and register as a sex offender.

According to federal authorities, Lakha inappropriately touched a 20-year-old woman sitting in his row on board a Delta flight from Dallas to Atlanta last September. The woman awoke and told Lakha, a former hotel owner, to stop.

After Lakha touched the woman a second time, she reported the assault to a flight attendant.

“This defendant thought he could get away with taking advantage of a defenseless, sleeping passenger sitting next to him,” U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a news release. “He was wrong. He will now serve time in a federal prison.”

Curacao's floating bridge worth a gander

Photo by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

 By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao -- One could spend hours watching the activity in St. Anna Bay.

Perhaps the most interesting attraction in the harbor isn't the massive oil tankers and cargo ships heading in and out of the bay. Rather, it's the Queen Emma Bridge.

The famous floating pontoon bridge, which first opened in 1888, connects the two sides of Willemstad -- Punda and Otrobanda. Throughout the day, as various boats come and go, the bridge will open to allow traffic to pass -- for just a few minutes for smaller boats or the better part of an hour for larger vessels.

The current bridge dates to 1939 and was overhauled in 2005-06. The bridge -- nicknamed "The Old Swinging Lady" -- is as much a part of the city's landscape as the Punda's colorful buildings that line the waterfront.

When the bridge first opened, it was a toll bridge and was open to vehicle traffic. Anyone not wearing shoes could cross for no charge. Today, though, there is no toll, and while the bridge is vital to the city's foot traffic, the bridge makes for a heck of a tourist attraction.

When the bridge is open for extended periods, pedestrians can cross the bay in a free ferry.

There you have it

Who can argue, really?

Curacao's Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

Photos by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

One might not expect to find a large Jewish population in the middle of a Caribbean paradise.

But Curacao is home to the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, the "oldest synagogue building in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere." The attached Jewish Museum chronicles the congregation's history.

Better known as Snoa -- said to be "short for esnoga, an old Portuguese word for synagogue" -- the congregration traces its origins to the 1650s. The congregation was originally made up of Spanish and Portuguese Jews from the Netherlands and Brazil.

In the 19th century, a Reform community broke away and established a second congregation on the island. However, the two communities merged in 1964, and the former Reform congregation's synagogue is today used as a prosecutors' office.

The congregation is affiliated with Reconstructionist Judaism. The current synagogue building dates to about 1730 (the first synagogue building was purchased in 1674).

9/11 remembrances are everywhere (Part II)

The 9/11 Memorial was officially dedicated today in New York City as part of a day aimed at remembering the events 10 years ago that forever changed the country.

“But for today, we pause and keep close to our hearts the memory of the victims of September 11 and the brave Americans who, in the years since, have given their last full measure of devotion to defend our shores,” U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ga., said in a post to his Facebook page.

In addition to the new 9/11 Memorial, reminders of Sept. 11 are widespread in New York City. Some of the memorials worth experiencing include:

St. Paul’s Chapel

St. Paul’s Chapel was completed in 1766 as a “chapel of ease” for those who could not make it to the Parish of Trinity Church. In 1789, George Washington attended services here on Inauguration Day and continued to attend the church for two more years as the city served as the nation’s capital.

The church, which is the oldest surviving house of worship in the city, is perhaps the most moving of the churches in New York. On Sept. 11, 2001, emergency workers used the church, situated only yards away from the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as a place to rest.

Today, the Chapel is a memorial to that horrible day. Exhibits include the pews emergency workers used when they needed to rest, even if just for a few minutes.

“This tenth anniversary is above all an opportunity for reflection,” Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop, said in a statement. Jefferts Schori was set to preach Sunday at St. Paul’s.

“Have we become more effective reconcilers as a result? Are we more committed to peace-making?” Jefferts Schori added. “The greatest memorial to those who died ten years ago will be a world more inclined toward peace. What are you doing to build a living memorial like that?”

World Trade Center Cross

In the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the welded steel beams shaped like a cross provided solace to many.

As part of the World Trade Center clean up, the cross was relocated to St. Peter’s Church in October 2006, and remained outside the church and has since been moved to the 9/11 Memorial.

9/11 remembrances are everywhere (Part I)

The 9/11 Memorial was officially dedicated today in New York City as part of a day aimed at remembering the events 10 years ago that forever changed the country.

“Today we stand as we did ten years ago, united in our resolve to bring justice to our enemies and defend the freedoms we hold so dear,” U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., said in a statement. “September 11th was a test of our strength as a nation, and in the decade since, we have demonstrated the greatness of the American people and the American spirit.”

In addition to the new 9/11 Memorial, reminders of Sept. 11 are widespread in New York City. Some of the memorials worth experiencing include:

World Trade Center ‘Sphere’

Fritz Koenig’s “The Sphere” stood in front of the World Trade Center since 1971 – a landmark nearly as famous as the towers themselves.

On Sept. 11, 2001, the 45,000-pound bronze and steel sculpture was nearly destroyed. “The Sphere” was eventually relocated to Battery Park’s Eisenhower Mall where it stands today along with an eternal flame.

Staten Island’s ‘Postcards’

Located near the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George, the “Postcards” memorial stands with the forever-changed New York City skyline as its backdrop. The memorial was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2004, and honors the 270 Staten Island residents or former residents who were killed during both the 2001 attack and the 1993 terror attack on the World Trade Center.

“This beautiful memorial represents both the sacrifice and the hopefulness of the people of Staten Island,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a 2004 statement. “It poignantly memorializes individual victims and provides a vivid reminder of their lives while challenging us to look towards and build a brighter future.”

The memorial’s two thin structures resemble postcards. From afar, they appear as wings outstretched toward the sky.

9/11 memorials, big and small, everywhere

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

MARIETTA, Ga. – A gentle breeze blew through Kennesaw Mountain National Park, ruffling the 3,000 flags set out in neatly marked rows.

Families – some with children too young to remember or who weren't yet born a decade ago – stopped to take pictures or just remember on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

There were 3,000 flags – one for each person who died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks 10 years ago.

It was a poignant scene, set on sacred ground, where during some of the fiercest fighting during the Civil War nearly 150 years ago, more 3,000 men were killed or wounded fighting for what they believed was the right cause.

On Sunday, there was time to remember those lost, how our world as changed and ponder what lay ahead.

At 1 p.m. On Sunday, Marietta police and firefighters paused their daily routines and turned on their sirens for one minute.

“On the 10th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, we must remember the brave individuals who lost their lives, and those who fought and continue to fight to prevail against terror and hatred around the world,” U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., said in a statement.

‪“Today, we join together as friends, family, and most importantly, as Americans, to honor the victims of unthinkable cowardice,” Gingrey added. “As Americans, we know that their deaths have not been in vain and we will continue to be resilient in our fight to prevent future acts of violence against this great nation.”

The Marietta Kiwanis Club sponsored the Field of Flags.

We will never forget

Photo Credit: Photo by Denise Gould
The "Tribute in Light" memorial is in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11 in honor of the citizens who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks. The two towers of light are composed of two banks of high wattage spotlights that point straight up from a lot next to ground zero. The "Tribute in Light" memorial was first held in March 2002. This photo was taken from Liberty State Park, N.J., Sept. 11, 2006, on the five-year anniversary of attack.

Remembering Sept. 11: Monuments everywhere pay tribute

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

LUMBER CITY, Ga. -- A mural on the side of a building. A plaque on the side of a city's building.

The events of Sept. 11, 2001, happened in New York, Washington and Shanksville, Pa., but the day affected Americans nationwide.

While there are monuments – or planned monuments – in all three locations, there are also memorials in countless cities nationwide, including in and around Metro Atlanta -- in Kennesaw (near The Andrews Raid monuments), Sandy Springs (at the Sandy Springs Historic Site) and Cartersville (in friendship Plaza) in Metro Atlanta. A mural on the side of the Lumber City Meat Co. in Lumber City also pays tribute to 9/11.

While many Sept. 11 monuments aren’t the grandest touted attractions in town, they are the most important – if only because they serve as a reminder of that horrible day nine years ago today.

"As we recall 9/11, we must remember those lessons so that together we might create a nation worthy of those great Americans who were lost," Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said this week.

"On 9/11, we were unprepared and our weaknesses were exposed, but even there in the rubble, we began to summon the best of America; facing great loss and grave threats we found our strength, we rediscovered bravery anew, we rediscovered the spirit that makes this nation a place that people from every corner of the world dream of coming to in order to begin new lives," Deal said.

For more 9/11 memorials in and around Metro Atlanta, visit: http://www.waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx?f=1&guid=68f820ea-8a56-4cbc-a769-ac79d80581a4&lat=33.7501&lon=-84.38825&t=6.

Delta offers Wi-Fi on regional jets

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines on Wednesday said it was the first airline to provide in-flight Internet service onboard its regional aircraft.

Last November, the airline announced a plan to add onboard Wi-Fi to more than 200 regional jet aircraft operated by Delta Connection carriers.

The addition was to increase by 40 percent the number of Delta aircraft that have Gogo Inflight Internet service. Delta says it is the first domestic airline to offer Wi-Fi service “across its entire mainline and regional aircraft fleets with two classes of service.”

Delta's first Wi-Fi-equipped regional jet -- a Bombardier CRJ700 -- was operated by Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Delta said. The jet departed from departed from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and had planned stops in Omaha, Neb.; Des Moines, Iowa; and White Plains, N.Y.

"With the addition of Gogo in-flight Internet service on Delta Connection two-class regional aircraft, more than 81,000 additional customers daily will be able to stay connected just like they do onboard Delta's mainline fleet," Bob Kupbens, Delta's vice president – eCommerce, said in a news release. "We continue to innovate and lead the industry with customer-centric technology so customers can do things such as track their bags, check the status of their next flight, check email or connect with social networks while in flight."

According to the official Delta news release:

Installations of Wi-Fi on Delta Connection jets will be complete by early next year. Once complete, all customers flying on Delta domestic flights with a First Class cabin will enjoy Wi-Fi access, including service on every Delta Shuttle flight between New York-LaGuardia and Boston, Chicago-O'Hare and Washington, D.C.

Delta began installing Wi-Fi on domestic mainline aircraft in 2008, becoming the first airline to announce plans for in-flight Internet service on all domestic aircraft. With its mainline aircraft and the addition of regional jets to the Wi-Fi program, more than 80 percent of Delta's entire domestic fleet will feature Gogo in-flight Internet access. Customers can stay connected using Gogo in-flight Internet with free access to delta.com or Delta's mobile applications.

Delta Connection aircraft featuring First Class cabins include Embraer 170, Embraer 175, Bombardier CRJ700 and Bombardier CRJ900 models operated by Delta Connection. The aircraft feature between nine and 12 seats in First Class and between 56 and 64 seats in Economy.

In addition to Wi-Fi, Delta has taken a number of steps to fully align service on Delta Connection and mainline flights. Recent improvements have included adding First Class cabins to 82 additional CRJ700 jets; introducing meal service in First Class on regional jets; and adding china, linen and silverware to Delta Connection First Class cabins.

Delta's regional jet Wi-Fi investments are the latest in the airline's previously announced plan to invest more than $2 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to installing Wi-Fi and upgrading its domestic fleet, Delta will offer full flat-bed seats on more than 140 widebody aircraft, feature personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all widebody flights, and complete new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – Atlanta and New York-JFK. 

Capitoline Wolf: 'From old Rome to new Rome'

Photo by Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

By Todd DeFeo / (c) 2011

ROME, Ga. -- When the Chatillon Corporation Silk Mill relocated to Rome from Milan, Italy, in 1929, the Italian dictator presented the city with a gift.

The statue -- a replica of a Etruscan statue standing on Capitoline Hill in Rome, Italy's Palazzo dei Conservatori -- features a Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus. Interesting as the statue may appear today, during the 1930s and 1940s, the wolf wasn't so revered by Romans -- especially since Italian Dictator, Benito Mussolini gave the 1,500-pound statue to the city.

In 1933, one of the twins was stolen; on March 17, 1934, the Rome Rotary Club presented a replacement from Italy. With the onset of World War II and Italy's involvement grew, city residents threatened to destroy the statue. So, in June 1940, the city council decided to remove the statue from public display and put it into protection, where it remained until 1952 when residents wanted to publicly display it once again.

On Sept. 8, 1952, the statue was put back on its pedestal in front of City Hall.

"Regardless of its hectic past, the Capitoline Wolf remains as much a part of Rome, Ga. as it does Rome, Italy," the Rome News-Tribune reported in a Sept. 2, 1963, article.

For its part, the Italian sculpture dates to wither the 5th century, the 13th century AD or the 15th century AD, depending on the source.

Southwest adds Las Vegas, Phoenix flights to Atlanta schedule

Courtesy Southwest Airlines

ATLANTA -- Southwest Airlines isn't yet in the Atlanta market, but already it's expanding its service.

Last month, the low-cost carrier said it will start service to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Feb. 12, flying to 15 cities from Atlanta, including Chicago Midway; Austin, Texas; and Denver. On Monday, the airline said it was adding daily nonstop flights from Atlanta to Phoenix and Las Vegas to the schedule.

"An expansion like this quickly solidifies our commitment to the Atlanta market before we've actually started service there," Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines' executive vice president of strategy and planning and president of AirTran Airways, said in a news release. "We are proud to showcase our robust route map connecting the Atlanta market to more than 50 Southwest cities."

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.

Greetings From Liberty City

U.S. Marshall Wyatt Twerp says hello.

Now, that's a big gavel

Taken Sept. 2, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio.

A new must-have at ball games

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Peanuts, Cracker Jack, hot dogs.

They are all ball game essentials. But, at the Columbus Clippers' Huntington Park, there's a new sheriff in town: Funnel Cake Fries.

Yes, traditional fair fare has met minor league baseball. And, it's an explosion of awesome, covered with powdered sugar.

Views from the Ohio Cup Part I

Taken Sept. 3, 2011, during the Ohio Cup in Columbus, Ohio.

Greetings from the Ohio Cup

Taken Sept. 3, 2011, during the Ohio Cup in Columbus, Ohio.