I write about the Atlanta Botanical Garden all the time, but it’s usually when I’m tracking down filming news or celebrity sightings.
The recently released "Endless Love" remake, starring Gabriella Wilde and Alex Pettyfer, filmed there, as did last year's "A.C.O.D.," starring Adam Scott, Jane Lynch and Jessica Alba.
Locally shot televisions shows, including Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" and VH1's "Single Ladies," have sought out its verdant grounds as a filming location, and visiting celebrities have included Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, who were in town when she filmed the 2012 family feature "The Odd Life of Timothy Green," and Billy Bob Thornton, who filmed scenes for 2012's "Jayne Mansfield's Car" here.
Pfftt. Enough with the famous folk. It's time I stopped and actually smelled the roses.
The 30th annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour, benefiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden, is planned for May 10 and 11. The tour, highlighting 11 private gardens in metro Atlanta, will feature a range of styles and sizes from "tranquil woodland settings to intimate urban oases" and from professionally designed gardens to "gardener's gardens," according to tour chairs Sandy Kellam and Sue Hebda.
Longtime garden supporters Mary Wayne Dixon, Tom Woodham and Ryan Gainey founded the annual event.
"We're extremely excited about this year's event because it's our 30th," said ABG President and CEO Mary Pat Matheson. "What started as a small garden tour organized by a handful of staunch supporters has evolved into one of the largest, longest-running and most revered events of its kind in the Southeast."
Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Tickets good for both days are $25 in advance ($20 for ABG members) and $30 on days of the tour. They go on sale starting April 1. For information, see atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
‘Fast & Furious’ filming returns
The septequel (if that's even a word) "Fast & Furious 7" had been filming in Atlanta for months last fall when things abruptly halted due to the death of actor Paul Walker, but we're told work is resuming.
We're guessing rapper-actor Ludacris, who reprises his role as a wisecracking computer whiz in the next "F&F" movie, is relieved. The entertainer, known as Chris Bridges in legal circles, was in court this week haggling over child support payments with the mother of his infant. He said his income took a big hit when the movie suspended filming. Looks like brighter days for Luda and his offspring are ahead.
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