Episode includes segments filmed at Stone Mountain Park AIR DATE:  Sunday, March 28, 9 p.m. EST / 8 p.m. CST on CBS Stone Mountain, Ga – Joel Manby, president and CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE), which operates Stone Mountain Park, is featured this Sunday, March 28 on the CBS hit show UNDERCOVER BOSS.   Each week, UNDERCOVER BOSS follows a different executive as they leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies.  While working alongside their employees, they see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their companies run. “UNDERCOVER BOSS gave us the chance to see if we were delivering on what we feel makes HFE different – our people, our ‘Servant Leadership’ philosophy, and ‘Core Values.’  Additionally, we knew that our employees’ dedication and passion to our company’s mission to ‘Create Memories Worth Repeating’ would be evident,” said Manby.  “We’re proud nearly 50 percent of our full-time employees have worked for HFE for more than a decade.  We were eager to discover what we could or should do differently to continue to make HFE a great place to work for great people.’”HFE develops and operates entertainment, tourism and hospitality properties that currently span 24 locations in nine states and is widely recognized as the premier privately held theme park operator in the U.S.  The 50-year-old company is committed to creating wholesome, immersive family entertainment experiences.  Of the jobs Manby worked, these properties are featured on the show: Silver Dollar City and Showboat Branson Belle in Branson, Missouri; Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey; and Ride The Ducks at Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia. HFE’s Servant Leadership philosophy drives the company leadership to always put the welfare and well-being of its guests and employees first.  Part of its Core Values is to serve others by empowering employees, working as a team and by being patient, kind, humble, respectful, selfless, forgiving, honest and committed.  The company is also committed to being a family-friendly corporation that is a great place to work.  HFE was founded and is still privately owned by the Herschend family.  Brothers Jack and Pete Herschend are co-founders of the company. In 2004, the brothers were inducted into the Hall of Fame of the amusement industry’s largest organization worldwide, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), for their strategic vision and leadership in the theme park industry.  Over the years, HFE's many properties have been internationally lauded numerous times for excellence in theme, presentation and operations.

HFE owns, operates or partners in 24 properties in nine states.  HFE's original park is Branson, Missouri’s Silver Dollar City theme park.  In Branson, the company also owns and operates Showboat Branson Belle lake attraction, White Water water park and The Wilderness at Silver Dollar City campground. HFE is an operating partner with Dolly Parton in the Dollywood Company, which owns the Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, both in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Dollywood Company is also the largest shareholder in the Dixie Stampede dinner attractions located in Branson, Pigeon Forge and Myrtle Beach. In Georgia, HFE operates Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park in conjunction with the State of Georgia, and owns Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta. HFE also owns Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey and the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky, as well as Ride The Ducks amphibious tours in Branson, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Ride The Ducks also operates at Newport Aquarium and Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta.

This year, 53 percent of adults in the U.S. are planning to take at least one overnight trip, primarily for leisure. These travelers are more inclined to spend less overall, drive rather than fly and look for deals on the Internet*. Once again, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is making it easy to plan and personalize a memorable summer vacation that’s affordable and close to home. From May to July, Atlanta.net will host exclusive offerings geared toward Metro-Atlanta residents including hotel packages, discounts to area attractions and a new Family Fun Dining card.   Beginning May 1, families can customize their summer vacation by exploring the offerings of eight attractions and six hotels showcased on Atlanta.net/backyard. Metro-Atlanta residents who purchase three or more tickets to one of the participating attractions are eligible to receive a $25 Family Fun Dining card that can be redeemed at more than 15 Atlanta restaurants. To receive the dining card, a Family Fun Dining voucher should be downloaded and printed through Atlanta.net/backyard and presented at the participating attraction’s ticket counter.

AAA Auto Club South handed out its five- and four-diamond awards for the state's best hotels and restaurants on Thursday, February 11, at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. The annual AAA honors and those from Forbes Travel Guide, which rates businesses with a star system, are coveted in the industry because they can boost sales among travelers who make decisions based on the groups' assessments.

The Four Seasons Atlanta was named a five-star hotel by Forbes, which acquired the star ratings from Mobil Travel Guide last year. The Four Seasons is the only lodger in the city to receive the honor and the only hotel to get the top award from both AAA and Forbes.

The Lodge and the Cloister at Sea Island also received five stars from Forbes.

AAA awarded four diamonds to the 1842 Inn in Macon, Château Élan Winery and Resort and 11 metro Atlanta hotels: the Grand Hyatt, JW Marriott Buckhead, the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Renaissance Concourse, Renaissance Waverly, Westin Buckhead, W Midtown, Hilton Atlanta Airport, Marriott Evergreen Conference Resort, W Buckhead and the Westin Atlanta Airport.

Fourteen restaurants received AAA four diamonds. They are D Morgan's in Cartersville, Georgia's Bistro at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation at Lake Oconee, and metro Atlanta restaurants Nan Thai Fine Dining, Aria, Canoe, Bluepointe, JOEL Brasserie, La Grotta Ravinia Ristorante Italiano, La Grotta Ristorante Italiano, Atlanta Grill at the Ritz Carlton downtown, Nikolai’s Roof at the Hilton downtown, Park 75 at the Four Seasons and Bacchanalia.

The Linger Longer Bar & Grill at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation was also given four diamonds by AAA, though it was destroyed in a fire about eight months ago.

Four-star hotels on the Forbes list include the InterContinental, the St. Regis, the Rosewood at the Mansion on Peachtree and Ritz-Carlton Buckhead.

Restaurants receiving four stars from Forbes were Bacchanalia, Park 75 and Quinones at Bacchanalia.

U.S Armed Forces Celebration at Pemberton Place Park
In partnership with World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium will host their annual U.S. Armed Forces Celebration Day on November 7. For the occasion, Pemberton Place Park will feature demonstrations with military personnel and equipment. The fun will continue as the Georgia Aquarium is proud to recognize all active, retired and reserve military personal with special discounts during the week of November 7 to November 15. For more information visit www.georgiaaquarium.org for more information.

Aqua Vino 2009 at the Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium’s annual wine tasting event Aqua Vino will be held on October 29, 2009 from 7-10 p.m. This year’s event invites guests to “Sip, Savor and Sea” the wonders of the ocean. Exclusively for one night, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy more than 200 wines and 30 of Atlanta’s best restaurants. All proceeds from the event support the Aquarium’s state-of-the-art veterinary services facility through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. Please visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/aquavino for more information.

Georgia A-Scary-Um
On Oct. 30 and 31, 2009, the Georgia Aquarium will transform into the Georgia A-Scary-Um to celebrate Halloween. Guests are invited to participate in all-day trick-or-treating and costume contests at the world’s largest aquarium which will be decked out with Halloween decorations, music and Halloween arts and craft tables. Kids age 12 and under in shark-themed costumes will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult (offer valid for up to two children in costume per one paid adult or Member on Oct. 30-31). So join the spider crabs, batfish, "ghost jellies" and toothy sand tiger sharks for a screaming good time! For more information please visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/visitUs/georgia-a-scary-um.aspx 

Planet Shark: Predator or Prey Debuts at the Georgia Aquarium
The most innovative “out of water” exhibition to tour the world, Planet Shark: Predator or Prey, made its world debut at the Georgia Aquarium on October 3, 2009. For a limited time in Atlanta, guests can explore the unique relationships between humans and the most feared predator on earth – the shark. Presented by Australian based producer Grande Exhibitions, it entertains and educates guests with full scale shark models, fossils, artifacts from the movie “Jaws”,  shark encounters told by survivors, amazing “frozen in time” displays, information about conservation efforts and more. The exhibit complements the existing population of 70 live sharks representing 14 different species at the Aquarium. To learn more about this incredible exhibit visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/exploretheaquarium/planetshark.aspx .

8 Million Gallons of Photo Possibilities
Join us for an exceptional visual experience of seeing the underwater world through the lens of your camera! This photography workshop will begin with a short seminar on the basics of shooting in this special environment, shooting time at the Aquarium with hands-on instruction from a professional photographer and includes a catered lunch. Please bring your camera! This workshop is geared toward photographers at any level with any camera that has manual focus capabilities. For more information visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.

Science on Tap
Science on Tap is a NEW lecture series at the Georgia Aquarium where you can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages in our stunning Ocean’s Ballroom while receiving a first-hand educational accounts from our Aquarium experts. For the upcoming schedule of speakers, dates and times please visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.

The Second City is back at the Alliance by popular demand after a sold-out 2008 run!  Just in time for the holiday season, the hit comedy team from Chicago will skewer Atlanta’s favorite sacred cows and pink pigs.  The Second City:  Peach Drop, Stop and Roll is a World Premiere sketch comedy revue—the Alliance’s newest gift to Atlanta—complete with giant belly laughs. 

The Second City:  Peach Drop, Stop and Roll is written and created by Matt Hovde and Seth Weitberg with additional material by the casts of The Second City.  These masters of sketch and improv comedy take a Southern-fried stab at Atlanta, creating a show that reflects the city in all its diversity, complexity and hilarity while lovingly mocking all things ATL.

The Second City is the birthplace of many legendary comic geniuses including Steve Carell, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers, John Candy and Tina Fey.  Besides being a proven training ground for high profile comedians, it has a solid national reputation for irreverent, homegrown sketch comedy.

Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Nov. 6 – Dec. 13, 2009 on the Hertz Stage.   There will not be a 2:30 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, Nov. 7.  The Sunday, Dec. 6 show at 2:30 p.m. will be Audio Described for the visually impaired.

Tickets are $30 and $40 and are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office by calling 404.733.5000 or online at www.alliancetheatre.org.   Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404.733.4690.  Discount rates are also available for members of the military, seniors and students.  The Alliance Theatre is located at the Woodruff Arts Center, corner of Peachtree and 15th Street, in Midtown Atlanta.

Atlanta business leaders recently gathered to recognize their best at the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council's (GMSDC) Spirit of Alliance Awards and the Atlanta Business League's (ABL) 25th Annual Super Tuesday Awards.  Mary Parker, president & CEO of Atlanta-based ALL(n)1 Security Services, was honored at both events---receiving the GMSDC Class II Supplier of the Year Award and the ABL Outstanding Achievement Woman of the Year Award.
 
Widely recognized for her success in industries that are historically challenging for women, Parker is the only nationally-certified African-American female owner of a full-service security firm in the country.  These awards highlight Parker's commitment to supporting other minority- and women-owned enterprises, and they come at a time of significant growth for her firm.
 
Her firm's growth includes a new contract win with Standard Parking Corporation at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport parking facilities---with ALL(n)1 Security sub-contracting to manage all courtesy officers.  Through this recently awarded contract, the firm will staff courtesy officers and provide monitoring at the airport's more than 30,000 on-site parking spaces that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week---including in the hourly, economy, daily, Gold and Park-Ride Reserve lots, and the more than 8,000 on-site Park-Ride spots.

"These awards mean a great deal because, after proving myself in extremely challenging industries, I am passionate about planting seeds of success in other minority- and women-owned businesses," said Mary Parker, president and CEO, ALL(n)1 Security.  "Last year, ALL(n)1 Security invested more than $1 million dollars in contracts with minority- and women-owned business enterprises, so it is indeed an honor to have that commitment recognized by such prestigious organizations." 

The Spirit of Alliance Awards ceremony is GMSDC's premiere annual event for honoring individuals and businesses for their demonstrated contributions to supplier diversity and for advancing minority business development throughout the state of Georgia.  And, ABL's signature Super Tuesday event features a day of exhibits, workshops and forums, and an award's recognition luncheon to encourage African-American female entrepreneurs toward success in business ownership.
 
Parker's ALL(n)1 Security is a multi-million dollar security enterprise with a workforce of more than 200 employees.  Parker has been honored with the Women Flying High Phoenix Trailblazer Award for a woman business enterprise, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Atlanta Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Atlanta Business League Non-Traditional Business of the Year Award, to name a few.

Two weeks ago, c21 had a great start to its weekend. On September 25, 2009, c21 was awarded the ninth "Best Places to Work" spot in the small business category at the Atlanta Business Chronicle's annual event. Almost 500 companies were nominated this year – and only 60 winners - 25 winners each in the small and medium-sized company category, and 10 large company winners. Across all three award sectors, c21 was the highest ranking marketing public relations firm.

The award was based upon a quantitative employee survey of human resource values, including team effectiveness, goal alignment, trust of management and coworkers and more. This is the second time c21 has been recognized by the Chronicle as a Best Place to Work, having received the award in 2007.

"It's about the team. Without great people, we can't provide clients with innovative ideas, great service and real results. I'm so grateful to have such an amazing team of smart, passionate and fun individuals to work with each day," said Sharon Goldmacher – president, c21.

Atlanta Business Chronicle partnered with national employee satisfaction survey firm Quantum Workplace to survey and select the Best Places to Work. For more information on the survey process, please visit www.atlantabusinesschronicle.com.

Atlanta, GA:  Atlanta-based Q&A Entertainment Inc. is pleased to acknowledge their 10th anniversary.  In celebration of this occasion, they are also pleased to announce a name change.  Q&A Entertainment will now do business as, “Q&A Events.”
 
Q&A Events President, Suzanne Baugh, said of the change, “When we opened our doors 10 years ago, our business was based in the history of what the team we put together had experience in – entertainment marketing initiatives.  In the last 10 years, however, as our business has grown we have expanded our reach into other areas of the industry, including: product launches, corporate and private events, and more.  This is in addition to maintaining a presence producing those large-scale consumer-marketing platforms that we are so well known for.” Baugh added, “Utilizing the term, “Events” much better encompasses all that we are about in the present tense and as we move forward through the next decade and beyond.  Whether it is a small private party, a sales conference, trade-show, fundraising gala, or sponsorship activation, a concert, tour or festival- if you have an event-related question, we have the answer.  Hence- Q&A Events.”
 
Colleen Wogan, Q&A Events General Manager noted of the anniversary milestone, “It is more than a marker of our success in business, it is really a celebration of the relationships that we have with our clients.”  She added of the name change, “it is still us, we just chose to give ourselves a bit of an update to reflect our growth over the last decade.” Wogan continued, “Sometimes, when people hear ‘entertainment’ they think, “talent buying.”  While that is certainly part of what we do- the depth and breadth of our expertise is well beyond that.  The name, “Q&A Events,” more directly speaks of our unparalleled capabilities.”
 
Q&A Events is a privately held company that has grown organically without the assistance of outside capital.  The Q&A Events office is located in East Point, GA.
 
About Q&A Events: Q&A Events is a women-owned and certified, Atlanta, GA-based Company that was established in 1999.  As a full-service event management and production company, Q&AE specializes in the development, execution and marketing of programs and events, offering four areas of expertise: event production & management; marketing & promotion; ideation & creation; and sponsorship execution. 
 
For more information about Q&A Events Inc., please visit: www.QandAEvents.com. 
 
Contact: For Q&A Events: Sheila Merritt, 404.762.5665 smerritt@QandAEvents.com

 

In recognition of their outstanding operational achievement, Mark and Nancy Oswald, co-owners/franchisees of Ruth’s Chris Steak House(Centennial Park, Buckhead, Sandy Springs) recently received the Ruth U. Fertel Award. The highest honor given by Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc., the Ruth U. Fertel Award is given to individuals who best exemplify Ruth’s legacy of service, hospitality and commitment to the brand. Congrats Mark and Nancy!

 

It's official! Staycation is actually in the Merriam Webster dictionary. We can't think of a better way to celebrate than to book a staycation and find out what all the fuss is about. Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering Backyard Adventure vacation packages with reduced rates and discounted admission to the city's top attractions.

Also, now through Aug. 5, residents of Atlanta's 28 metro counties are encouraged to submit photos or videos that depict their favorite Atlanta pastimes. The week of Aug. 5, a panel of judges will select three semi-finalists from different metro Atlanta counties. The semi-finalist's video or photograph entry will be displayed online at 11Alive.com and on Atlanta & Company Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. to Noon. The week of Aug. 6, the public will be invited to vote on the winning entry at 11Alive.com.

The semi-finalist with the most online votes will have the unique opportunity to appear as a guest on WXIATV's Atlanta & Company to share how he/she ATL'd. The grand prize winner will also receive a Backyard Vacation trip package to Atlanta which includes a two-night stay at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta, four CityPass booklets for front-of-the-line access to six of the city's top attractions, and a $100 gift certificate to New York Prime in Buckhead.

For more information about the contest, visit Atlanta.net and click the How do You ATL? icon in the center.

The Atlanta Link, the exclusive shuttle serving Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, advanced its corporate social responsibility in supporting the environment by offsetting its annual carbon footprint through Verus Carbon Neutral.

"We wanted to give back to the environment," said The Atlanta Link General Manager, Lily Santander. "We strive to run our operations as efficiently and environmentally friendly as possible. We do a lot of the little things to help achieve this goal.  We require our drivers to turn off their vehicles when they don't have passengers on board, and we also have a daily maintenance check list that improves our fuel mileage and operational efficiency."

"All of the little things add up," said Verus Carbon Neutral's Eric Taub. "It takes a big fleet to service an airport as large as Hartsfield-Jackson. Saving a few gallons of fuel each day because your tires are properly inflated really adds up. We also discovered that The Atlanta Link is recycling, reusing printing paper and switching to T8 Alto II fluorescent lights."

The Atlanta Link offset the annual emissions of their fleet of 19 vehicles and their administrative office with a Georgia forestry project, managed by Valley Wood Timber. Certified and registered with the Chicago Climate Exchange, the project protects over 60,000 acres of forest and proceeds support the Humane Society.

Verus Carbon Neutral is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), the world's first and North America's only active, voluntary and legally binding offset trading system. Verus Carbon Neutral provides high-quality offset projects that are third-party verified by the CCX. The Environmental Defense Fund recently recommended 12 offset projects, of which, seven were registered on the Chicago Climate Exchange.

To assure more funding goes to offset projects, Verus Carbon Neutral has the most transparent offset pricing in North America.

Take Dad to a fun-filled afternoon of Father's Day in the Garden Sunday, June 21, when the whole family can enjoy live music, fun activities and carnival food.

The seventh annual event, held from 1 to 5 p.m., will feature bluegrass music, educational activities, the Ride-On-Train ($2) and a show of "dream cars" for Dad to drool over. Kids can enjoy a puppet show and old-fashioned games on the Great Lawn. Carnival food will be available for purchase, and the Garden Café will serve its regular menu of sandwiches, salads and snacks.

Dads will be treated to half-price admission, and members will be admitted free. The Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave NE. For information, call 404-876-5859 or go to http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/.

 

Young Braves fans can celebrate the start of summer on Ultimate Kids Day at Turner Field, featuring $5 kids tickets, on Sunday, June 7^th when the Braves take on the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:30 p.m.  Upper Level seats normally priced from $12-$6, are available now for $5 at www.braves.com/summer or the Turner Field Ticket Office for all children 14 and under.

Following up Ultimate Kids Day, Braves fans of all ages can take advantage of great savings on Dave Ramsey Dollar Night, presented by 640 WGST on Monday, June 8^th when the Braves will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:00 p.m. All Upper Reserved Tickets, normally priced at $8, are available for only $1 at www.braves.com/daveramsey or at the Turner Field Ticket Office.

Ultimate Kids Day Activities:

• Participate in a pre-game parade around the field
• Visit the Braves Museum for free
• Play the interactive games in Scouts Alley for free
• Braves alumni will sign autographs before the game
• Bat Day presented by The Home Depot - First 15,000 fans receive replica Brian McCann Braves Bat
• Kids Run the Bases after the game

Additionally, parents who purchase $5 kids tickets online at Braves.com/Summer will have their children entered to win an unforgettable experience including:

• Announcing the Braves starting line-up as the Guest P.A. Announcer
• Saying "Play Ball!" to start the game

The Atlanta Braves is Major League Baseball's winningest franchise since 1991.  During that time, Braves teams have earned 14 division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title.  Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves franchise is the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball.  Atlanta Braves games are telecast on FS South, SportSouth, and Peachtree TV with radio broadcasts heard in Atlanta on 640 WGST, Project 9-6-1 (96.1 FM) and VIVA 105.7 and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.

www.atlantabraves.com

 

Visitors will soon get a life-size prehistoric welcome when they arrive at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The Museum is nearing completion on its iconic new Entrance Plaza, which features a family of bronze dinosaurs poised to greet visitors-many of them families as well-as they arrive.

The pedestrian-friendly outdoor plaza also surrounds the museum entrance with elements of the natural world by converting part of the original driveway into expanded green space that includes lush plants, trees and flowers. The entrance plaza will provide an open atmosphere for outdoor enjoyment while instantly connecting visitors to nature and the prehistoric world, a journey that continues inside the museum as exhibitions, IMAX films and programs explore archaeology, paleontology, ecology, world cultures, and more.

The plaza, which will officially open on May 30, is the culmination of a major initiative to add more opportunities for visitors to engage with nature and further expand exhibition space beyond the walls of the museum. The forthcoming addition of an amphitheatre and a stage will help Fernbank meet the growing demand for outdoor programming, including performances and presentations. 

"Fernbank Museum is the cornerstone of an environmental legacy that began over 100 years ago. The entrance plaza connects visitors with the beauty of the natural world as soon as they arrive," said Fernbank Museum's President & CEO, Susan Neugent. "The scenery of the plaza also provides a natural setting for our new dinosaur family, which will welcome the families of visitors to Fernbank as they embark on a captivating exploration of nature, prehistory and culture."

Fernbank Museum is the first to reconstruct Lophorhothon atopus using the most current science to bring the fossils to life through a family of three bronze dinosaurs pausing for a drink in a streambed.

"This plaza is an exciting addition to the Museum, both for its beauty and for its ability to expand Fernbank's exhibitions and learning outdoors," said Fernbank's Vice President of Education, Christine Bean. "Fernbank's exhibition design team did a remarkable job highlighting two of our key areas of focus-the environment and paleontology-which maintains Fernbank's commitment to the newest research. We can already tell what a hit the plaza will be by the number of visitors who take photographs in front of the fountain, even though the dinosaurs have yet to arrive."

On May 30, Fernbank Museum will celebrate the grand opening of the Entrance Plaza with a "Dinosaur Block Party" welcoming the family of dinosaurs back to Georgia, where they roamed 72-86 million years ago. The dinosaurs are a species of hadrosaur and are part of an outdoor exhibition, which includes details about the dinosaurs, their prehistoric environment, and their deduced behaviors, including that they may have cared for their young.

All "Dinosaur Block Party" activities, which include puppet making, games and more, are included with Museum admission, which is $15 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, $13 for children ages 3-12, and free for members and children ages 2 and younger.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta.  For tickets and more information, visit fernbankmuseum.org or call 404.929.6400.

Fernbank's "Dinosaur Block Party," held on May 30 in conjunction with Fernbank's summer-long series 90 Days of Dinosaurs, will include:

• Dinosaur Egg Balancing Game 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Front Plaza
• Balloon Animals 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Front Plaza
• Café Concession Stand 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Front Plaza
• Puppet Factory, courtesy of the Center for Puppetry Arts 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Great Hall. Make your very own dinosaur puppet using a variety of recycled materials.
• Dinosaur Face Painting 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Hall
• Dinosaur Lab 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Naturalist Center (Upper Level) Learn more about dinosaurs during a special session of Weekend Wonders.

Press Contact: Brandi Berry-404.929.6339 or brandi.berry@fernbankmuseum.org

ATLANTA (April 22, 2009) - Hot-air balloon rides, bronze pourings, sheep pettings, scavenger hunts. It's all part of the fun and excitement May 2-3 during the Atlanta Botanical Garden's grand opening of its green expansion and special exhibition of Henry Moore's monumental sculptures.

The ongoing project treats visitors to more gardens, more parking and more access to green space than ever before. And to celebrate, the Garden will at the same time unveil Moore in America, the largest outdoor exhibition of world renowned British artist Henry Moore's massive bronzes ever presented in the United States.  Ranked last year by TIME magazine as one of the top 10 museum exhibitions in the country when it appeared at The New York Botanical Garden, the 20 sculptures, all on loan from The Henry Moore Foundation in England, can be viewed through October.

The sculptures, most so tall, wide and heavy they require cranes for placement, will appear even larger when set amongst the dense plantings of the expanded Garden. The project includes the first phase of the new Southern Seasons Garden as well as the new Hardin Visitor Center and SAGE parking facility, both designed and built to the strictest LEED-certification standards.

"We've got quite a lot to celebrate this spring because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to experience Henry Moore before the sculptures return to England, all while touring brand new gardens and facilities," said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden's executive director.

Most grand opening events will be held between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3. rain or shine, including:

• Hot-air balloon rides for a bird's eye view of breathtaking new gardens.
• Bronze-pouring demonstrations for a taste of how Moore created his sculpture.
• The Big Draw, including contour drawings and chalk drawings on pavement where artist wannabes can show their talents.
• A sheep petting for a little flavor of Moore's beloved English countryside.
• Children's sculpting using home-made play dough.
• Puppet shows and storytelling in the children's amphitheatre.
• "Ask the Expert" stations and Discovery Carts for answering visitor questions.
• Cash bars and live music for setting the right springtime mood.

All events are free with garden admission except for balloon rides ($10 per person).

The Garden is collaborating with The New York Botanical Garden and The Henry Moore Foundation to bring Moore in America to Atlanta. The exhibition is sponsored nationally by MetLife Foundation and supported locally by UPS.

The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. The Garden, located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from April through October (until 10 p.m. on Thursdays) and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday from November through March. For information, call 404-876-5859 or go to http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/ or http://www.henry-moore.org/.