The annual Battle of Atlanta Gala, held last Saturday at East Lake Golf Club and organized by Marti Hagan, Henry Bryant and Sylvia and Charlie Harrison along with its honorary chairwoman, Atlanta City Council member Natalyn Mosby Archibong, was a fun and informative night that brought together a diverse group of Atlantans.
“A piece of American history happened here,” Bryant said during welcoming remarks. “We had two armies fighting over our city 150 years ago. Welcome to our neighborhood. Welcome to our piece of American history.”
Events surrounding the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta continue this weekend. Saturday morning's Doublequick 5K steps off at 8:30 a.m. from Gilliam Park in Kirkwood. Other events include storytelling, a flag exhibit, musical performance, bike, van and walking tours and cemetery tours and a rendition of the Gettysburg Address by presidential performance artist Dennis Boggs.
Sunday events include a talk and book signing with Wendy Venet, author of "A Changing Wind: Commerce and Conflict in Civil War Atlanta."
For a complete calendar of events with full details, see www.batlevent.org/main.html.
The Rock ponders end of ‘Fast and Furious’ stint
Will "Fast and Furious 7" be Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's finale? "I don't know," he told the Toronto Sun during a tour to promote the upcoming movie, which was largely shot in Atlanta.
In the nearer term, Johnson stars in the title role in “Hercules,” coming out July 25.
Work on "Fast and Furious 7" halted last fall after the death of star Paul Walker. It resumed filming this spring and completed several major, multiday shoots in downtown Atlanta. Other locations included Historic Oakland Cemetery, a rock quarry in Stockbridge, the OFS site north of Atlanta and the Fort Gillem site south of Atlanta. Filmmakers were able to complete the movie with the help of Walker's brothers, Caleb and Cody Walker, and star Vin Diesel was especially gracious in welcoming them to the production.
“After spending time with his biological brothers, I must say to the parents, you raised some great kids,” Diesel posted after the two Walker brothers signed on.
Actor Kurt Russell, who plays the father of Diesel's character in the movie coming out in April 2015, recently completed scenes with the two Walker brothers. He told The Associated Press that while Walker's death left the filmmakers in a tough spot, the brothers had a great relationship with the production team and that Diesel in particular had been "really working it hard."
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