DWTS

Shannon Elizabeth was booted off "Dancing With the Stars" last night.

No big loss.

I know that this competition is for non-dancers and she really is a non-dancer.

So am I, but I know to point my toes and keep a line. And with her long, long, LONG legs, she really needed to do that.

Instead, she looked mostly gawky and awkward.

At least she won't go home empty-handed. She found herself a new boytoy in dance partner Derek Hough.

But what do his Mormon parents think of that relationship?

And for something completely different, The Federated Garden Club of Phenix City, presents its annual standard flower show this weekend.

The Federated Garden Clubs, which include the Magnolia, Summerville and Tulip garden clubs are members of the District Seven, the Garden Club of Alabama, Deep South Region and the National Garden Clubs.

The show will be 2:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday in the Federated Garden Center, 1100 35th St., in Phenix City.

Besides the usual roses, tulips and irises, there will be some more unusual flowers like larkspur, alyssum and calendula. There are also categories for ornamental plants, herbs, cacti, flowering plants and ferns.

Did you know that there are plants called "ornamental asparagus"? I only thought there was asparagus that you EAT.
Who knew?

For more information, call the publicity chair, Susan Wiggins, at 334-298-8466.

What a crazy, busy day!

It's 9:13 p.m. and I'm still at work. Something is wrong with this picture!

I was up very early this morning so I could get to Austin Scott's culinary arts class at Jordan High School.

Austin had a special guest today, Bozy Davis, the certified baker and trainer at Panera Bread.

Bozy, which is pronounced like Boise as in Idaho, is one of those people who works from 10 a.m.-6 a.m. Yup, just like that donut guy on those TV commercials — "Time to make the donuts."

Anyway, he was teaching the 24 students in Austin's class the correct way to make a French bagette.

The L-E videographer, Joe Paull, was with me, as always, and the two of us got to score the dough. After it baked, we got to take "our" loaves with us. I went home, slathered mine in butter and brought it back to the newsroom to share. It was good!

After that, it was time to work.

I really don't know why it has taken me so long to do everything today.

Probably because I'm not used to being out on the streets as early as I have been this week.

Yesterday was my annual mammogram at 8:15 a.m. followed by some routine blood work for my annual physical. Today was Austin's class.

Tomorrow is another early morning meeting. This time with Geri Davis.

This has got to stop!

I am not an early morning person!

Change for "The 24-Hour Plays" project

The Chattahoochee Shakespeare Co.'s has made a date change for "The 24-Hour Plays."

"Due to a conflict in venue scheduling, 'The 24-Hour Plays' has been moved back 24 hours," said artistic director Troy Heard.

The new start time for writers is 10 p.m. June 7 in the Liberty Theatre, 821 Eighth Ave.

Directors need to be at the theater at 7 a.m. June 8. The curtain will open at 8 p.m. that night.

"I apologize for this shift in time, but it works out in the project's favor," said Heard. "Please let me know if you are still able to commit to a slot (if we've talked about one), or please forward this to interested parties."

Call Heard at 702-423-6366.

"Doubt"

I saw "Doubt," the final show of the Studio II Series at the Springer Opera House last night and am sorry I didn't last week so you'd have time to make plans to see it.

It's an excellent show with four very accomplished actors. Everyone in the cast is incredibly good.

"Doubt" just may be the best show I've seen in Foley Hall.

You can't say one actor was better than the other, though Jens Rasmussen was really,really good. Better than the three women. No. The women were also very, very good.

You have two chances to see it — 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday.

If you're tired of mindless television and remakes of movies, then go see "Doubt." You will not regret it.

For tickets, call 706-327-3688.

If you've already seen it, and don't want to wander around downtown Columbus tonight for Springfest, head to Callaway Gardens.

For the very first time, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs at Callaway Gardens in a free concert at 8-9:30 p.m. on Robin Lake Beach.

Directed by Mei-Ann Chen, the assistant conductor of the ASO, "Musical Evening in the Gardens" includes popular tunes as well as a salute to the Armed Fores.

The Beach Gate opens at 5:30 p.m. for the concert. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic basket for dinner under the stars. Leave your pets at home.

Can't make it tonight?

Saturday, from 10-11 a.m., the ASO Brass Quintet will perform "Music on the Green" in the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center.

This concert is included with admission to the Gardens.

If you're looking for flowering plants, the mountain laurel is still blooming and the rhododendron is just beginning to bloom, said Rachel Crumbley, the corporate relations manager.

Callaway Gardens is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Call 706-663-2281.

2008 Georgia Movie Academy

Don't you hate it when you hear about some fantastic event and then find out that it's invitation-only?

I'm sure if I flashed my media badge, I could get into the 2008 Georgia Movie Academy Friday night at Columbus State University. I'm not going to, but I'm just saying I could.

The Georgia Movie Academy trains teachers through the state-funded Educational Technology Training Center to show students how to make movies.

The best two-minute videos that were made by students this school year, will be shown.

CNN Headline News anchor Robin Meade will be the keynote speaker. My brother would definitely go, just to see her in person, if it was open to the public. Too bad, Fred.

It's a great program. Teams of three-to-eight students create these movies, with the help of the coaches.

This year's theme is "Connecting to a Global Community."

Perhaps next year, it will be open to the public and you and I can go.

For more information, call Larry Moore, director of the ETTC at CSU, at
706-568-5063 or e-mail moore_larry2@colstate.edu

In fact, I think I'll e-mail Larry, asking him to open it up to the rest of us who love movies. Maybe you should, too.

DWTS

I almost forgot about "Dancing With the Stars." I was so excited about the thought of eating strawberry goodies Saturday.

OK, I'll admit it. I've never liked Marlee Matlin. Ever. I never saw "Children of a Lesser God." I don't watch "The L-Word," so I didn't see Matlin. I don't watch whatever ABC show she's on now. So naturally, I didn't watch that movie that was on last Sunday.

And I wasn't surprised she was voted off last night.

Now, I do have to admit what she's done is amazing. The woman can't hear, yet she managed to do all of the dances very well.

I knew that once she had to dance away from her partner, she'd be lost. And the mambo Monday night proved me right. She really needs her partner, Fabian, to guide her.

But she did better than I could have and I can hear!

Kristi Yamaguchi is steam-rolling her way through the competition. But is that really fair? She "dances" on ice and she's used to performing in front of judges. So she was born with club feet. But her feet were fixed and she can point her toes better than I can.

I'm still rooting for Jason Taylor. He's still my favorite.

If you love strawberries, you'll love this festival

Did you know Georgia has a strawberry season? I didn't.

Then one day around this time of year, I got a call from someone who was with the Strawberry Festival in Reynolds, Ga. She asked me to judge the Strawberry Cook-off.

I went to Reynolds and judged the children's division. I had such a good time, but I was a little sick from all the sweet stuff I had to taste. It tasted so good that I couldn't just stop and say, "I can't do this anymore!"

The kids were so great and some of their recipes were to die for.

This weekend, the 10th annual Georgia Strawberry Festival celebrates the season.

The festival is Friday and Saturday in downtown Reynolds, which is about 40 miles west of Columbus at the intersection of Ga. 96 and Ga. 128.

Friday night activities are 5-11 p.m. with food and plenty of strawberries. Gospel Fest will feature New Grace, Trinity and Grafted by Grace. Long-time Reynolds physician, Dr. E.C. Whatley, will be honored for his community service.

Saturday begins with a 5-K Run for Literacy at 8 a.m. The downtown festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the Big Teddy Bear Parade featuring Reynolds S. Berry and children with their teddy bears. The grand parade follows with antique and classic cars, trucks, bands and units. Whatley is the grand marshal.

The booths feature more than 100 artists and craftsmen from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be music, a classic car show from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., plenty of food and strawberries for sale. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the Old Book Sale is in the Flint Maintenance Building, the fine arts show in the foyer of the Flint Energies building and a photography show is in the Depot.

The Flint Energies Strawberry Cook-off in the Flint Energies Auditorium begins at 1 p.m. I'll be there again, judging the kids' division.

Even though the festival ends at 5 p.m., stick around for the Lawn Mower Races. That might be worth watching.

Admission and parking is free.

For more information, call 478-847-5301 or go to www.ga-strawberry.org

This year's Governor's Awards in the Humanities

I can't think of two more deserving people than Alice Budge and Sue Moye. They are among nine Georgian who won the 2008 Governor's Awards in the Humanities.

Budge, a retired English professor and community volunteer, and preservationist and Westville co-founder Moye will receive their awards for their service and dedication to history, literature and heritage in Atlanta on May 8.

Budge helped create the Columbus Public Library as a member of the Columbus and regional library boards and president of Friends of Libraries. She funded a Friends library store and organized many author visits, lectures and book discussions.

Budge is also a member of the Springer Opera House board and chairs its education committee. She is working with a team of scholars to archive a collection of Springer materials that date back to its founding in 1871. She also serves on the steering committee of Friends of Art at Columbus State University and has served on the boards of Historic Columbus Foundation, Girls Inc. and the Metro Columbus Urban League.

Budge has been honored by the Girl Scouts, Columbus Area Library Association and the National League of American Pen Women.

Moye and her family have cared for and shared West Hill, a home that has been in the Moye Family since 1853. She helped restore the Bedingfield Inn, one of the first preservation projects in Lumpkin.

Moye has written "Inventory of Early Stewart County (circa 1850) Furniture, Decorative Styles and Accessories," the most extensive decorate arts survey of any Georgia county.

Moye has served on the board of Westville for more than 40 years. Her efforts have resulted in Westville becoming a heritage tourist destination. The Moye family donated a portion of the Singer-Moye Indian Mounds to the Columbus Museum, which continues to be a resource University of Georgia archaeologists.

Other recipients include James Caldwell, Macon; Lee Ann Caldwell, Augusta and Milledgeville; Dale Couch, Decatur; Rosemary Daniell, Savannah; Sen. George Hooks, Americus; Clifford Huhn, Atlanta; Erick Montgomery, Augusta; the Cook County Historical Society, Adel and the University of Georgia Press, Athens.

Recipients of the Governor's Awards are nominated by the public, reviewed by a committee of the Georgia Humanities Council board and approved by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

The Georgia Humanities Council serves the state through projects and grant programs.

Congratulations to all of you!

Springer Opera House auditions

It seems that when I run into people I haven't seen in a while, they have one question for me: "When are you going to do another play at the Springer?"

My stock answer: "I have such a good time doing shows, but I really don't have the time."

That's true. Besides, I'm old and weak, with very little talent!

But for those of you who do have the talent and the time, mark your calendars: 6-11 p.m. May 19-21 if you want to be considered for any role at the Springer Opera House.

You need to call Sandie Severt at 706-324-5714, ext. 100, to make an appointment for a 10-minute audition. It will help if you take a head shot and resume.

Auditions are for adults only. Anyone 16 and younger will have separate auditions at a later time.

All actors need to have a one-minute memorized monologue, plus a song if you want to be considered for a musical. You will have to sing something that shows off your voice. An accompanist is provided.

Here are the shows and what each show needs:

• "Menopause: The Musical," four women who are full-time actors.
• "Father of the Bride," seven men, five women.
• "Stand by Your Man," one woman, one man, plus an ensemble.
• "Peter Pan," a large cast of adults and teens who sing and dance.
• "Hamlet," 10-12 men, two women.
• "Big River," a large cast of adults and teens who sing and dance.
• "Charm School," three men, three women.
• Tours of "Greater Tuna" and "A Tuna Christmas," two men.

Break a leg!

I love my job

I just finished an eight-hour stint on the copy desk. The people who work at night are the ones who lay out our stories in the most attractive ways. They write the headlines and the photo captions. And they work very, very hard.

I just don't like it. I'm just not any good at it.

So I'm very glad that I'm a features writer. That, I'm good at. At least I think I am.

I appreciate all of our copy editors and I had fun working with the crew tonight.

Please don't ask me to do this on a regular basis!

Snacks and Stanzas

Here's another e-mail I totally forgot about. And it was sent by a very good friend, V.J. Roberts. I'm so sorry, V.J.

Christie Black has written a collection of poetry called "Random Thoughts of a Perplexed ... Relaxed Soul."

She will be signing books at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coffee Beanery Cafe, which is on the corner of 12th Street and First Avenue.

She will also be reading some of her poetry, as well as share her inspirations for her work.

Light refreshments will be served from 1:30-5 p.m.

It's free.

For more information, call 706-442-7693.

"The 24-Hour Plays"

Details for Troy Heard's "The 24-Hour Plays" have been finalized. It will be at 8 p.m. June 7 in the Liberty Theatre, 821 Eighth Ave.

This is how it will work:

10 p.m. June 6: 10 playwrights are randomly paired into five teams.
5 a.m. June 7: Five new 10-minute plays are compiled.
7 a.m. June 7: Five directors arrive. They blind pick a script and cast from a pool of actors.
9 a.m. June 7: 20 actors arrive, bearing props and costumes from their closets and rehearsals begin. Tech occurs throughout the day.
7:30 p.m. June 7: The audience arrives.
8 p.m. June 7: "The 24-Hour Plays" premieres.
10 p.m.: June 7: Collective sigh of relief. Gear up for the next one.

Troy needs 10 writers, who will be working 10 p.m. June 6 until 5 a.m. June 7. Five directors, who will be working from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. June 7. Five stage managers who will be working from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. June 7. Twenty actors who will be working from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. June 7.

Besides these people, Troy needs assorted technicians, go-fers, sound and light operators.

Overnight coffee and donuts, lunch and dinner will be provided.

To apply for any of these positions, contact Troy at chattshakes@gmail.com or call him at 702-423-6366.

Unfortunately, I'll be out of the country when this one is happening. I'll have to wait to turn in my script for "The Second 24-Hour Plays" in Columbus. I hate that because I always want to take part in the first of anything!

But I know this will be great fun and I urge you to go see it. Or participate!

Teen Fashion Show

It's been crazy lately here at the newspaper. It seems everyone has an event going on and I've lost track of things.

Of course, it didn't help that our e-mail server went down a few weeks ago and I lost a lot of stuff.

Thankfully, people are e-mailing me back, reminding me of things.

Like Stephanie Adderley did just now. And I am so glad she did.

Stephanie, who is the mother of the one finest performers to come out of Columbus, Jahmal Adderley, has teamed with the Columbus Family Connection to join in the fight against cancer. Stephanie is the captain for the “Aflac Life Time” Relay for Life team.

She has organized a teen fashion show at 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the Salvation Army, 5201 Warm Springs Road.

Admission is $5 and a non-perishable food item.

All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society and all food items go to the Salvation Army pantry.

For more information, call Stephanie Adderley at 706-596-5977 or 706-464-6027 or Karen Moore at 706-593-5371.

So if you want to see what the kids will be wearing this summer, go to the show.

Besides, it's for a great cause and you'll have fun for two hours.

"Dancing With the Stars"

OK, so Priscilla Presley got the boot last night.

I don't think that was a big loss. Personally, I think she should have been booted off long before.

My nephew, Scott, who was here over the weekend, watched the show with us Monday night.

He couldn't believe that Marlee Matlin was given a pass just because she was deaf. I told him that it really was amazing what she could do, considering she couldn't hear the music.

Scott was quiet until just after he watched Shannon Elizabeth dance.

The judges were pretty brutal.

Scott's response?

"She should be deaf."

Scott's always had a quirky sense of humor.

This photo is me with Elijah, who is 4, and Scott, who is 22, on Monday right after lunch.



On Sunday, he was watching "Because I Said So" with his cousin, Jami, and his mother. You know, the movie with Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore and that woman from "The Gilmore Girls."

All of a sudden, he said, "Diane Keaton is still hot."

After we stopped laughing, I asked him, "Given the choice of Diane Keaton or Mandy Moore, which one would you choose?"

Without missing a beat, he said, "Mandy Moore."

We figured that Diane Keaton statement just came to see what our response would be.

Scott's already gone and I miss him. But he'll be back later this summer when he gets stationed at Valdosta's Moody Air Base.

This is Jessica and Scott with their grandmother. She looks good for someone who had quadruple bypass surgery last July, doesn't she?



I miss Jess, who left Monday morning to go back to school. And my sister Dorothy, who left this morning, with our great-nephew Elijah, to go back home to Charleston.

It's going to be a quiet weekend after a rowdy one last weekend.

OK, I'm officially a dumb procrastinator

I swear I have never waited until the last day to do my taxes.

I did mine last night.

And I waited in line at the post office for an hour to mail the dumb thing.

My buddy Jessie, who works very patiently behind the counter at the downtown branch, was very tired by the time I got to him. But as alwasy, he handled my mail with his sunny smile.

Thank goodness for folks like him, who can manage to get through horrible days like today. And you know it was bad for everyone who worked at the post office. Any branch.

I told him I'll never wait until the last second again.

Wait, I do remember some years ago when I was on vacation in Florida when we made a run to the post office.

OK, I do put things off. It's a bad habit. And I must break it. But you know, I'm 55. It's hard to change.

But I must.

Variety show in Hurtsboro

If you're ever in the Country's location on Broadway, go into the back of the place and look at the mural. It was painted by Hurtsboro artist Cheryl Hardin.


Cheryl just called to let me know about an event in Hurtsboro, which is in rural Russell County.

I'm not sure I've ever been there. Looking at the map, you take U.S. 431 to Seale and then get on Ala. 26 to Hurtsboro. It's probably about 35 southwest of Columbus.

Anyway, Cheryl said the Hurtsboro Council for the Arts has been inactive for a few years and because she was the president when it kind of stopped meeting, she's the president now.

The first fundraiser is going to be the Cowikee-Talking Creek Community Variety Show will begin at 8 p.m. EDT Saturday in the Hurtsboro Volunteer Fire Department, which is on Daniels and Main streets.

But before that, there's the art exhibit at 6-7:45 p.m. EDT in the Hardin Building, 402 Main St. It's on the second floor, and unfortunately, it's not handicapped accessible since it was built in 1890 as a cotton gin.

Cheryl was laughing when she said the Auburn University art students have said they'll carry anyone who wants to see the show up and down the flight of stairs. Of course, they'll only do it for people who actually can't make up up the stairs.

The students are working from a grant from an anonymous donor who used to live in Russell County who wants to see public art in Russell County. The Auburn art students are under the direction of Suzanne Haygood. They planned the exhibit to coincide with the variety show. All of the projects will be documented by photos and on videotape.

The project includes interviews of senior adults living in Russell County, making stained glass for the church that burned last year and making an exterior mosaic wall for the library. There's also a laser tag event that will become a kind of graffiti wall on the fire station.

The exhibit will move from the Hardin Building to the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University, 901 S. College St., for a two-week exhibit.

The show includes vignettes about Hurtsboro and Russell County in between musical acts. Joe Ann Lias will be reading stories from her book, "Wood Rats Dragging Their Long Tails Behind."

The emcee is Tag Williams, with music provided by his band.

Tickets for the show are $10; there is no admission to the art exhibit.

For tickets or more information, call Cheryl Hardin at 334-667-7370.

Wii

My nephew, Scott, is on leave. He's in the Air Force and stationed in England right now. It's been about two years since I've seen him, and he's doing very well.

His official home address is still Florida, so he flew into Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. He got a ride to Orlando, where he once upon a time attended the University of Central Florida. A few of his buddies are still in school there.

Scott's younger sister, Jessica, is a junior at the University of Florida, so she drove to Orlando to pick him up and bring him back to Columbus. It's his first time seeing his new home. At least the house where his parents now live!

Because Cheryl's sister's school is on spring break right now, she and her husband and one of their kids came to Columbus, too.

It was a full house here in the Fred and Cheryl Okamoto home this weekend.

My sister, Dorothy, who lives in Charleston, is here, too. She brought our great-nephew, Elijah, with her. He's 4 and he's the cutest boy alive. We're just a little bit biased there!

Dorothy brought a "family present" with her. A Wii console that will live here at Fred's house. It came with a game where you can bowl and play tennis, baseball and golf.

Scott went out and bought the Rock Band game. It's not in a version for Wii, but Cheryl's twin nephews, Adam and Aaron Wilder, have a 360 game console. So Scott bought it in that version. The boys got their console and brought it over to Fred's.

So last night, the whole family became rock stars. At one point, Jessica was on the guitar, Adam was on the drums and Joey was singing. It was so funny I was crying.

After we left, we heard that Fred was singing, with Jess on drums and Dena (the twins' mother) on guitar.

Today, I bought the "Cooking Mama" game. Elijah was "cooking," competing against Adam.

You know those commercials for Wii? It really does make families get together to play.

It really is a fun time for those playing and the rest of us who are watching!

CSU Cabaret Theatre Revue

Hey, if you want to see six very talented vocal majors from the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music, you'd better reserve tickets now to the CSU Cabaret Theatre Revue.

These six students sing and dance in various Broadway, Hollywood, blues, jazz and standard cabaret styles.

The shows are 7:30 p.m. April 18-19 and 4 p.m. April 20 in the Studio Theatre, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway.

Tickets are $20 for April 18 and April 20, $5 for April 19. The April 18 performance begins with champagne, coffee and desserts; the April 20 performance begins with a formal tea.

The reason I'm saying you need to buy tickets now because the Studio will seat only 100 people in its cabaret theater set-up.

Two years ago, "Ain't Misbehavin'" sold out the entire weekend.

So if you want to see this show, buy your tickets now.

Call 706-256-3612.

A misplaced phone number and Sweet Tea Fried Chicken

Many of you probably noticed that in my column today, I failed to put a contact number for Troy Heard.

Troy is doing the "24 Hour Plays" and needs writers, actors, directors and technical people to pull this off.

The phone number is 702-423-6366.

If you're interested, please call him.

I bet you're wondering about the Sweet Tea Fried Chicken.

Austin Scott, whom I met years ago when he was the executive chef at the old Olive Branch and then later at the Cannon Brewpub, is now in charge of the culinary arts for the Muscogee County School District.

His kitchen is at Jordan High School and it's bigger and better lit than many of the professional kitchens I've been in around town.

We started something called Chef's Corner a couple of months ago, and so far, Austin and John Chapiewski, the executive chef at the Hilton Garden Inn have been the featured chefs.

I wanted to do some segments with Austin's students, but my timing was bad. They're out for spring break this week.

So I asked Austin to show people who to cut a whole chicken into pieces to save a little money.

Then he made his Sweet Tea Fried Chicken.

You've got to try this recipe. It's absolutely yummy.

You take a gallon of brewed tea, and add a cup-and-a-half of sugar and a couple tablespoons of salt. Mix it well, and then drop your chicken in the tea. Let the chicken marinate for about two hours. You can leave the whole thing in your refrigerator overnight, but Austin said the tea will "dye" the chicken brown and when you're frying it, it will seem to brown too much.

So I'd stick to the two hours marinating time.

Heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees.

Take 3 cups of all-purpose flour and about 2-and-a-half tablespoons of your favorite seasoning. He uses Cajun seasoning, but you can use anything you want.

Mix the flour and seasoning together well.

Then dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure to coat all the surfaces.

Drop the bigger pieces of chicken — breasts — into the fryer first. They need to fry for about 13-15 minutes.

Then drop the thighs, drumsticks and the wings for about 8 minutes.

Check the internal temperature of the chicken before taking it out of the oil. Chicken should be 165 degrees to be fully cooked.

If you find that it's browning too much. Take it out and finish it in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

Anyway, it's pretty simple and it's delicious.

if you make it, let me know what you think.

"The 24 Hour Plays"

I never know how people get the news.

Some of you go online to our Web site. Some read our blogs. Others actually read our newspaper!

I guess if I want to cover these three areas, I have to put stories online, in the newspaper and here.

This information is in my column that comes out tomorrow.

Troy Heard is someone I've known since he was about 15 and a student at Pacelli High School. Even back then, he was a theater geek. And I mean that in a good way.

He's a very talented young man with lots of great ideas.

After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a master's degree in directing, he went to Las Vegas where his mother and sister moved. There, he worked for a Cirque du Soleil production for almost two years.

Troy came back to Columbus last summer with the idea of starting the Chattahoochee Shakespeare Co. He did, and he's been trying to raise money to keep the fledgling theater going.

Unfortunately, it's not a great time to start a brand-new theater. He's been trying to get corporate money and grant money.

Fortunately, he's not giving up.

One plan to make some money is going to be great fun.

It's "The 24-Hour Plays."

If you've never heard of this, it's a fast-paced weekend for writers, directors, actors and theater technicians.

You take 10 writers. You pair them randomly into five teams.

You find five directors and 20 actors. You need five stage managers, one production stage manager to oversee the theater operations and light board and sound board operators.

You have to get four "go-fers." These people assist the writers and directors and on the day of the performance, they become the house manager, box office workers and ushers.

Say "The 24 Hour Plays" is this weekend.

From 7-10 p.m. Friday, actors bring their resumes and headshots to the theater.

At 10 p.m. the writers arrive and are paired up. After orientation, they start writing a one-act play.

At 7 a.m. Saturday, the directors arrive. Scripts are randomly selected, actors are cast and called. The actors (five per show) bring all props and costumes from home.

At 9 a.m., the actors arrive and rehearsals begin.

There's a lunch break at noon, followed by technical rehearsals at 1 p.m. Each play gets 45 minutes on stage with 15 minutes to program the sound and light boards.

Dinner is at 6 p.m.

At 8 p.m., the curtain rises for the first play.

At 10 p.m. "The 24 Hour Plays" is done.

Of course, Troy wants me to write a play. I've never written a play before, but it might be fun. I mean, it's just a one-act. But come on! Me stay up all night? I think those days are over. We'll see when the time comes.

I'll let you know when and where this will happen. And if I know Troy, this will happen. It will be outrageous and it will be something people will talk about for a long time.

Charleton Heston

I got a nice phone call from Dal Jenkins, Mr. Heston's cousin.

Dal said he saw my blog and that's why he called.

He said that his famous cousin really loved being in Columbus. He said it was a "swap." Mr. Heston would come here and Dal would go to stay with his aunt and uncle.

I have no idea how long ago this would be.

Dal Jenkins couldn't possibly be that old!

Anyway, it was nice to hear from him.

"Dancing With the Stars"

OK, Adam Carolla finally got the boot last night.

He lasted a lot longer than I thought he would.

But you know what? He was very entertaining.

He came out on a unicycle. A unicycle! That takes some skill, don't you think?

I certainly can't ride a unicycle. I can barely ride a tricycle.

I think he's going to be missed.

"Mamma Mia!"

I have not seen "Mamma Mia!" yet. I keep saying I'm going to Atlanta to see it whenever it has been in the Fox Theatre.

I'm going to miss it again!

The musical that features the songs made famous by Swedish pop band ABBA, will be in the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., June 10-15. Tickets go on sale Sunday.

It's celebrating its sixth season on Broadway, is playing in Las Vegas and on a national tour. The feature film will be released on July 18.

The musical is about a single mother, Donna, who owns a small hotel on a Greek island. Her daughter, Sophie, is about to be married. Among the wedding guests are Donna's two best girlfriends, Rosie and Tanya, her one-time back-up singers.

It turns out Sophie, who wants to find her father, so he can walk her down the aisle, invited three men from her mother's past.

The audience can hear songs like "Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me."

Performances are at 8 p.m. June 10-13, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. June 14 and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. June 15.

Tickets are $25-$64.

Tickets can be purchased at area Publix grocery stores or the Columbus Civic Center box office 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. To charge tickets, call 706-494-8330 or to buy tickets online, go to www.ticketmaster.com

The Lion King

I saw the Saturday matinee of "The Lion King" in Atlanta and it was fabulous.

If you haven't seen it, go. And don't be late. If you're late, you'll miss the parade of the animals coming to see baby Simba.

You'll be amazed at the actors on stilts, with masks and huge contraptions around their bodies.

The acting, dancing and singing is superb, just as you would imagine a Disney production to be.

"The Lion King" can be seen at 8 p.m. April 10-11, April 15-18, April 22-25 and April 29-May 2; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. April 13, April 20, April 27 and May 4 in the Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. N.E.

Tickets are $22.50-$125.

In Columbus, you can buy tickets at the Columbus Civic Center's box office, which is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday or by going to area Publix grocery stores. To buy tickets online, go to go to www.ticketmaster.com To charge tickets by phone, call 706-494-8330.

Charleton Heston

Like many people, I was saddened to hear of Charleton Heston's death. Even though I hardly agreed with his politics, he was a very good actor. And he was a nice man.

I got the chance to do a phone interview with him in 1982. I know, that's a long, long time ago.

He had directed and starred in a movie called "Mother Lode." He was very proud to be working with his son, Fraser Clarke Heston, who co-wrote the script and produced the movie. If you ever watch "The Ten Commandments," Fraser plays the baby Moses, while his father was the adult Moses. He's a writer, director and producer now.

For some reason, I knew that Mr. Heston's uncle, W.F. Jenkins, was a physician here in Columbus. I would imagine it was Clason Kyle who told me that.

It turned out that Mr. Heston used to spend his summers here while he was growing up. He even attended a local school for a year, but he couldn't remember the name of the school.

He was a gracious man.

I sent a copy of the story to his production office.

To my surprise, a few weeks later, I got a very nice thank you note from him.

I've got to find it and have it framed.

Mr. Heston's cousin, Dal Jenkins is a screenwriter who still lives off-and-on in Columbus. I used to see him around, but now that I think about it, it's been a couple of years since I saw him.

My condolences go to his family.

Like I said, he was a gracious, gentle man and a gentleman.

Deli Day and CSU's 50th anniversary party

Hey, I couldn't blog yesterday because our Internet was down.

It made for a very interesting day. It's amazing how dependent I've become on my e-mails. I can't even dial a phone number because my address book is part of my e-mail server.

I'm probably not even saying that right, but I'm sure you understand.

I had a blast yesterday at Deli Day.

After I went to see my doctor (it was time for my annual physical), I went to Temple Israel and started making corned beef sandwiches.

After we ran out of meat, I went and helped fill the bags with pickles, coleslaw and the sandwiches.

I know I smelled like a Kosher dill pickle the rest of the day. Not unpleasant, but...

When I got back to the office, the air conditioning had gone out in the entire building. It was unbearable. And I smelled like a Kosher dill pickle!

I went out to do an interview at 3 p.m. and stayed longer than I planned because it took me that long just to cool off.

And during the time I was gone, the air had come back on and it was slowly becoming cool again.

I was glad it was now and not in August! And that it was relatively cool outside, too.

Speaking of the weather, because thunderstorms are predicted for tonight and Saturday, Columbus State University has adjusted plans to some of the scheduled 50th anniversary and homecoming events.

The concert featuring the Swingin' Medallions will be in the Lumpkin Center at 7 p.m. tonight

The student block party has been moved to the Woodruff Gym from 9-11 p.m. tonight.

The fireworks show scheduled for tonight will be Saturday after the Uptown block party. Fireworks will start around 8:30 p.m. and will originate in Woodruff Park, the green space between the Chattahoochee River and CSU's art and theater complex.

The Staff Council Craft Fair is 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Lumpkin Center.

The Student Tailgating Competition will move to the third floor of the parking deck if it's raining at 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

If it's raining, the Student Hamburger Cook-off will move to a tent in front of the parking deck at 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

The fireworks will begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in downtown Columbus.

You may check for updates by going to www.colstate.edu/50years

Children's auditions for "Mary Poppins" in Atlanta

It's a record for me — three posts in one day!

I just got this e-mail from Ashley Cameron, who does public relations for the Broadway Across American — Atlanta Series.

The producers of "Mary Poppins," which has been a successful Broadway show, is going on tour next season. There's an open casting call for children who can sing, dance and act on April 13.

"Mary Poppins" will be part of the 2009-10 season.

Jennifer Rudin, who is the director of casting and talent development for Disney Theatrical Productions in New York City, is conducting the auditions. She spent five years as head of casting for Walt Disney Animation Studios in Los Angeles and cast the voices for "Chicken Little," "The Incredibles," "Meet the Jeffersons," "The Wild" and "Brother Bear." She is on the board of directors for the Casting Society of America.

Rudin is looking for children ages 8-12 with the maximum height of 58 inches, who can sing, dance and act to play Jane and Michael Banks.

Jane is 11-years-old, pretty and attractive, who is exuberant but willful. She is thoughtless, short-tempered and untidy. She is sometimes included to be snobbish.

Michael is 9, and is cute and cheeky. He's excitable, naughty, noisy, mischievous and troublesome. He adores his father and tries to emulate him.

The audition is 3-7 p.m. April 13. Sign-in begins at 2 p.m.

The auditions will be in Studio Dionne, School of Dance and Music, 524 Plasters Ave. (near Monroe and Armour drives at I-85), in Atlanta.

For a map and directions go to www.studiodionne.com

All children should prepare a song of their choice that shows off their range. Provide sheet music for the accompanist.

Don't forget to bring a current picture and resume.

For more information, go to www.disneyonbroadway.com

If you can't go to this audition, send a picture and resume as soon as possible to:
Tara Rubin Casting, ATTN: Mary Poppins, 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 401, New York, NY 10018.

"Dancing with the Stars" and "Blood Wedding"

I almost forgot!

Steve "Gutt" Guttenberg was eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars" last night. I liked him. He brings that playfulness like George Hamilton did a few seasons ago.

I'm surprised Adam Corolla is still there. I predicted he'd be the first to go. I guess the "Man Show" fans are calling in. Or his buddy Jimmy Kimmel is keeping the phone lines busy.

Columbus State University is presenting "Blood Wedding" this weekend, starting Thursday.

I'd never heard of it, but that's not surprising because I'm not really a theater scholar. I know most of the "known" plays.

This one is by Spanish dramatist and poet Federico García Lorca. It's based on the true story of a bride who leaves her bridegroom on the day of their wedding with her former boyfriend.

"Blood Wedding" (“Bodas de Sangre”) was written in 1932 and first performed in 1933. It's the first play of Lorca's trilogy of rural tragedies.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Theatre on the Park, CSU Corn Center for the Visual Arts, 6 W. 10th St. (the corner of 10th Street and Bay Avenue)

Tickets are $15, $13 for seniors, children, active military and CSU alumni.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, CSU Spanish language professor José Barroco-Castro will discuss "Lorca's Theory of Duende, Flamenco Culture and Poetics" as a companion lecture to the play. Guests bring a picnic basket for conversation between the lecture and the performance. It's free.

Call 706-507-8444.

Deli Day

Last year, I helped make corned beef sandwiches during Temple Israel's Deli Day.

For years, I'd gone to eat and socialize. One of the ladies asked if I'd like to see what went on behind the scenes.

I said, sure. I got there about 8 a.m. and began making sandwich after sandwich. Even though the kitchen was filled with people, both men and women, I really wondered how many I made. It seemed like thousands, but I know it was probably less than 100.

I do tend to exaggerate.

After we were done, I went outside to see if my family had gotten there. And I decided to eat my sandwich after I found them.

So ended up eating and socializing.

I have a doctor's appointment early Thursday morning, and then I'm heading to Temple Israel again to help out making sammies.

I'll see you there.

Here's a tip: Get there early to get your sandwich. Even if you bought a ticket, get there early. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Nico Gracey

Nico Gracey works as the graphics designer at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

In his spare time, he's an artist. And he's quite an artist.

I've been meaning to post this for a while and have been so busy with things that should run that I forgot.

Please forgive me, Nico.

He had a solo art show in the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C.

You can see the paintings that were on display earlier this month at http://www.nico74.com/washington08.htm

Nico is a spectacular artist. I think you'll like what you see.

Congratulations, sweetie!

Log-in and password

I am so confused. We have so many universal passwords here in the newsroom that sometimes I type in all the variations that I'm locked out.

It's no my fault. If I could pick my own password, I'd know them. But going from one to another. It's just too much.

I'm just one of those more mature people. OK, OLD people and I just can't remember all these words.

I guess I should write them down somewhere before I forget them all!