I have gone off the deep end! I’ve taken a nosedive right into the funny papers. “Go Speed Racer, Go!” driving down an avenue of art & commerce and picking up a few hitchhiking superheroes along the way.

Famed comic illustrator Craig Hamilton & I have created Macon Man Comics, a syndicated comic strip set in the real city of Macon, Georgia.

Craig is a veteran of the comic world with a flair for the superhero. I’m, well, “The Fabulous Bastard” who’s banking on the fact that I still have a little Pied Piper left in me. What we both share is a love of Macon, Georgia and and a cocktail named after us @ Lemongrass Thai Bistro! Together we want to promote Macon in a comically-delicious way “to Macon & Beyond!” Details on the comic are forthcoming …

To build a little hype we started “comicizing” people … it’s taken off and folks have begun clamoring to be “Comicized!” Requests have come from as far away as Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Paris, France. The comicization movement can be witnessed by going to the Macon Man Comics page.

Thank you to Congressman Jim Marshall for inviting me to be a judge for the Congressional Art Competition @ Warner Robins Air Force Base last Saturday. Congrats to the top 3 winning artists: Aaron Cole, Kyle Hensel & Sarah Hollifield.

Betty White became a Legend on Saturday Night Live! The Census and the NPR skits will make her & her muffin unforgettable! Thanks to the Facebook movement to have her host. Now, can Facebook start a movement to have her become a permanent cast member?

Getting screwed over by “SOMEBODY” you thought you knew really “CUTS LIKE A KNIFE.” I will get over it “THIS TIME.” Join me Friday night at The Grand Opera House as singer Bryan Adams takes the stage. $35, $50 & $75.

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Maconite Nancy Grace will begin shooting her new TV show in Midtown Atlanta. “Swift Justice with Nancy Grace” is looking for audience members. For Free Tickets go to: www.swiftjustice.com/tickets

Queue for the “Q.” The Muppets meet Southpark Broadway smash AVENUE Q @ The Grand Opera House. Sunday, May 16th & 17th. $43-$47. For Tickets, call 478-301-5470.

If you are at home on Sunday night, tune in to Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC. Former Maconite Dwayne Bass designed & created the furniture & artwork for the made-over home. Sunday, May 16th @ 8pm.

Celebrate the 1st Anniversary of Lemongrass Thai Bistro. Monday, May 17th. Chef Tom will be preparing a special menu for the celebration. Thai Curry Puffs & Cocktails @ 6:30 pm. Dinner begins @ 7pm. $47/person. “Fabulous Bastard” not included. For reservations call: 478-257-6464

Ty Herndon in Concert. Accompanied by Maconite Deborah Hightower. Saturday, May 22nd. 7p @ the Cox Capitol Theatre. Tickets: $15 in advance, $18 @ the door.

Burning the Candle at both ends? Stressful times call for innerpeaceful measures. Work on your bliss @ Yoga Moga. Downtown’s newest yoga studio is located at 505 Second Street.

Batter Up! Get your Season Tickets to Macon’s Pinetoppers Baseball.

Macon-filmed “STUCK!”will have it’s New York premiere on Friday, June 26th @ VisionFest Tickets go on sale May 17th.

COMMENTS ARE AMUSING & WELCOME!

A complete stranger approached me on the street this week and asked me to sign his car with a permanent marker. So, I did. Bumpers really are good real estate.

What a difference a blog post makes! Last week’s “SoChilite” post landed me on Atlanta TV. Thank you to Jan Hickel, producer of FOX 5’s “Good Day Atlanta” for reading! The Kentucky Derby Party @ the Cox Capitol Theatre caught the attention of the producer and Short story, Way Short: the next morning at 7am I was @ Chastain Horse Park doing a little Derby Talk with the Road Warrior host Stacey Elgin. I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship because Macon, GA has a lot of great things to promote to their Atlanta audience!

Did you Derby? The Cox Capitol Theatre’s Kentucky Derby Party was a “Topper!” The Hats, the Horse, the Jockey, the Roses, the Grass, the Race, the DJ. I have to give a HUGE thank yous to Petals Flowers & More for the amazing hats, flowers & rose blanket that adorned the million dollar steed, Laddie, who was graciously donated for the event by Nancy Sealy & Sid Perryman of Red Oak Stables. Thank you to Ruthie Sullivan who adorned the jockey silks. It was a sight to behold….a horse & jockey on Second Street in Downtown Macon! Love it! Congratulations to Super Saver, the winner of the 136th Kentucky Derby. The race was followed by the derby-licious tunes spun by Mark Andrews of A-Team Productions.

Macon songstress Molly Stevens is a goin’ to Nashville at the end of May and Macon will be the lesser for it….but, she’ll be representing us well! She’s blazin’ out a town soon but you can catch her Thursday, May 6th at The Hummingbird. 9pm.

Happy Mother’s Day on Sunday! Hey Mom, I want to take you to the College Hill Corridor’s Second Sunday @ Washington Park. Please talk Dad into coming with us!

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Macon Arts’ First Friday Opening. Friday, May 7th @ 5p. Opening Reception: “Landscapes and Living Rooms.” The exhibit features landscape-inspired paintings by Carol King Pope, Gene Kelly and Daly Smith; as well as outdoor art works by Zoe Alexandra and Jim Bodell. Meet the artists and be the first to see the show!

Casting Call. The Florida State University Film School, in conjunction with the Theatre Macon Youth Actors’ Company, is seeking children, teens and young adults to fill a variety of available roles in short films to be produced this summer.

Casting Call: Saturday, May 8th @ Theatre Macon 10am – 2pm. Arrive early. Roles are available for males, ages 6 – 13, and females, ages 6 – 20. All films will be shot in and around Tallahassee, Florida. Synopses of the films seeking actors are available by emailing Rebecca Drummond at red09@fsu.edu.

Stage Play “When A Man Loves a Woman.” Sunday, May 9th @ 7:30pm. Macon City Auditorium. For Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com

Alzheimer’s “Celebration of Champions” Tuesday, May 11th. Doors Open @ 6pm. Event @ 7pm. This year’s honoree is Neva Fickling. Tickets: $40

Celebrate the 1st Anniversary of Lemongrass Thai Bistro. Monday, May 17th. Chef Tom will be preparing a special menu for the celebration. Thai Curry Puffs & Cocktails @ 6:30 pm. Dinner begins @ 7pm. $47/person. “Fabulous Bastard” not included. For reservations call: 478-257-6464

Get your Season Tickets to Macon’s Pinetoppers Baseball.

Pig in a Pit BBQ fan, Jane Wiedlin of the GO-GO’s & star of the Macon-filmed “STUCK!”, is starring in a new comic “Lady Robotika” that lands in book stores on July 14th. Find it in Macon @ Comics Plus & Avalon Comics & Games.

COMMENTS ARE AMUSING & WELCOME!

I checked the Macon Telegraph Obituaries this morning and mercifully my name wasn’t listed. Michael Jackson’s “Working Day and Night” is on replay in my head. Too many irons in the fire does not even to begin to explain the situation.  That illuminated moth that flutters through the Lunesta commercial is a personal hero of mine.

Kudos to Stephanie Folsom who packed the house for the Grand Opening of Fab’rik on Forsyth Rd. “Real Housewife of Atlanta” Lisa Wu Hartwell & NFL’r Ed Hartwell made an appearance to promote the opening.  Lisa’s fashion line CLOSET FREAK will be available at the new boutique.  Hartwell’s Atlanta publicist asked Priscilla Esser & I to show them SoChi following the opening. We took the  ‘Real’ couple for a late night dinner @ Lemongrass Thai Bistro where the streets were buzzing about the celebs in town.  Post dinner we popped into The Hummingbird where songstress Molly Stevens serenaded them with “Dock of the Bay” & “Midnight Train to Georgia.”  The Hartwells were feelin’ Macon!

Macon Arts’ FIRED WORKS once again proved that nobody can throw a pot party like they do.  This event has become the preeminent ceramics show in the state.

“Easy like a Sunday morning” just about sums up the Ocmulgee Expeditions canoe trip down the river.  We spent “family day” floating down the Ocmulgee … and I will say, it was the first of many.  I can’t recommend this highly enough.  It not only washed off the pollen but it really helped drain some stress all while upping my “cool factor” in the eyes of  my 11-yr old twins.

The underground supper club, SoChilicious, has been launched.  Mysterious clues led diners to the L. Alexander Shelko Gallery on Vineville Avenue where guests enjoyed a multi-course dinner prepared by mystery chefs Lee Clack of Kudzu Catering & pin up princess Ashley Croft of Allie May Bakery.  Guests got a sneak peak of Macon’s newest comic MACON MAN created by famed comic illustrator Craig Hamilton & The SoChi Companies.

Macon Me Crazy!  Cesare Mammarella’s latest & greatest club, Asylum, opened this weekend.  I’ll just say, he picked the right name – the place is INSANE.  Very reminiscent the NYC club scene of the 90’s with a very modern twist.

If you need a little ambient music for a cocktail party check out this new internet station CHILLTRAX http://www.chilltrax.com

Happy 13th Anniversary Kim! Thanks for putting up with me & my insanity…and a Happy Birthday to Groovy Girl Onie Sanders!

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Macon Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight. April 30^th – May 2^nd. Combination Tour Ticket (includes Secret Garden Tour, Historic Homes Tour and Moonlight Tour): $40 in advance, Secret Garden Tour: $15 in advance, Historic Homes Tour: $15 in advance, Moonlight Homes Tour: $15. Tickets: go to the Hay House or online http://www.georgiatrust.org/historic_sites/hayhouse/macon_gardens.php

Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 1st.  Do you have your derby hat?  If not, Petals Flowers & Gifts & SoChi Services are coming to your emotional rescue with mint juleps in-hand! Friday, April 30 from 4p-7p. Petals Flowers & Gifts, 2380 Ingleside Avenue. Hats, Flowers & Mint Juleps included!

Cost: $25 to register, click here: http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1424900509542&sk=messages#!/event.php?eid=110859362287029&ref=mf

Saturday, May 1^st:  A Trio of Fitness Events will take place in Tattnall Square Park beginning with a Community Workout @ 9am. The Macon Cycling Classic begins @ 10am and races throughout the day. The day at the park ends with the Bragg Jam Moonlight Miles 5k race. 

Kentucky Derby Party @ the Cox Capitol Theatre.  May 1^st.  5-10p.  $10 admission.  Cash Bar, Mint Juleps, Fried Chicken baskets. Throw on a big ‘ole hat and come stomp the grass.

COMMENTS ARE AMUSING & WELCOME!

I got nailed by a roofer.  It was a sloppy screw. Yes, it’s true. Aside from a new roof, he gave me a gift that keeps on giving – NAILS. Nails fall from the roof every time the wind blows, every time it rains.  5 lbs of nails have fallen so far – into the shrubs, the grass, the driveway.  Nails are like Kryptonite to my Mini Cooper – taking it down fast. After 2 new tires, 2 patched tires and a bag of retrieved rusting nails we are afraid to walk barefoot, the yard has become toxic.  If you’re re-roofing, don’t use “my guy.”

I had the pleasure of spending Saturday night @ home with my kids. No Parties, No Work, No Facebooking and it totally Sucked – in a good way.  We sunk our teeth into a Vampire Diaries marathon.  Thanks to the magic of DVR, we have every episode nailed down. This CW series is filmed in Georgia so I’m real high on that.  If you’ve not seen the show, it airs every Thursdays @ 8pm.

April 15th may be taxing, but Starbuck’s will give you a Free Cup of Coffee. Bring a reusable travel mug and get Free brewed coffee.  And you’ll save a tree from being screwed.

I have tried to institute a day that my wife, kids & I do something as a family.  We call it “Family Day.”  This is typically on Sunday.  This coming Family Day will be spent on the Ocmulgee River.  We are doing our first Ocmulgee Expeditions trip. My daughter has a nail-biting fear of small boats, so this trip should make for good fodder for next week’s blog.

Spring is Here. The community is blooming with events.  Get your schedules nailed down!

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Fired Works kicks off with the Preview Party on Friday, April 16, 6 – 9 p.m. @ the Round Building, Central City Park.
Meet the artists and get the first chance to buy and browse thousands of pieces of original pottery and sculpture. Live music, burgers grilled on-site by Market City Cafe. Complimentary wine and beer. $25 per person.  Fired Works Show & Sale is Saturday, April 17th – Sunday, April 25th. Events include FREE  Saturday workshops for Kids, FREE workshops for Teens, Pottery Roadshow, Ceramic Artists Roundtable, Cocktails & Clay and more.

The 74th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place this weekend. Friday, April 16 – Sunday, April 18th @ Piedmont Park. FREE Admission. Artists Market, Kids Village.

Nail down your season tickets to Macon’s newest baseball team: the Macon Pinetoppers.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, April 17th. Tickets may be purchased @ Luther Williams Field ticket office or online: http://www.pinetoppers.com.  The Season begins June 19th.

FREE CLOTHES!  Treasure Vintage will be giving away clothes & other items on Saturday, April 17th.  12-7 pm. 352 Cotton Avenue.  Tell your thrifty friends!

SweetWater 420 Fest. The 2 Day outdoor party takes place this weekend: April 17-18 @ Candler Park, Atlanta.  Click to win 2 VIP Tix, Hotel Room, Prize Pack & a $50 Gas Card. Winner chosen on April 9th.

SoChi Services is cooking up a mystery! On Thursday, April 22^nd we will be launching an underground dinner event called the SoChilicious Supper Club. The location will be kept secret until the night of the event.  Remember the Raves of the 80’s? well, SoChi Services are bringing them back…only this time, the ecstasy will be the cuisine. Purchase your tix @ http://www.showclix.com/event/8713

Kentucky Derby Party @ the Cox Capitol Theatre. May 1^st.  5-10p.  $10 admission.  Cash Bar, Mint Juleps, Fried Chicken baskets. Throw on a big ‘ole hat and come stomp the grass.

Brian Adams in concert @ the Grand Opera House.  Friday, May 14^th. 8pm.  Tix: $35-$75. 478-301-5470.

Pull out the big (water) guns and head to Tybee Island for the 2010 Beach Bum Parade . Friday, May 21^st.

Dave Matthews Band. Tuesday, July 27^th. Lakewood Amphitheatre.

COMMENTS ARE AMUSING & WELCOME!

I’m all hopped up on Saline Nasal Spray! Is that even possible? Pollen has turned the city Yellow. We are all Yellow too. These allergies are killing me! I can’t sleep no matter how many sheep I count on Farmville.

I was having coffee with an L.A. casting director yesterday at Market City Café.  He is telling me about a film project he wants to do involving death… out the window there was a yellow pollinated corpse shuffling down Cherry Street. Macon is blooming with extras right now. I wish it would rain.

Paddle off the pollen with a dip in the Ocmulgee River…Ocmulgee Expeditions. 

“I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh what a thing to do
Cause you were all yellow.”  — Coldplay

I would be remiss if I didn’t do a little FROCK TALK. I, along with my SoChilites: Saxy Butler & Gracen Strong, produced the 2010 Cherry Blossom Fashion Show which turned into a media circus.  One thing is for sure, a SoChi event is never a Drag!

Our intention was to celebrate locally owned & operated boutiques: Treasure Vintage, Jack & Coat Clothiers, Ginger Michelle, Bella’s Classy Rags, Sorella, LDW Mens Wear & Taka’s Bridal Boutique while including all factors of our community. Every Fashionista knows that a fashion show is theatre and that’s what we provided. From the flame thrower to the motorcycle to the drag queen to the dramatic fashions and a Mad Tea Party theme.

I must give a shout out to two of the Bravest People in Macon: Drag Queen Deonna Sage & Karen Lambert whose cherry blossoms are made of Steel. They believed in me enough to not cave under intense public pressure spurred on by a bigot with a microphone & a door-to-door cosmetics queen. Drag Queens wear more makeup than most women.  Wonder what Mary Kay would say?

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Moon Dance @ the Ocmulgee River Park. Friday, April 9th @ 7pm.  $10/person.

Regatta & Riverwalk Festival. Saturday, April 10th. 1pm – 6pm. Live Music. Regatta: $20/person. Riverwalk Festival: FREE.

David Gray in concert. Atlanta Civic Center. April 10^th @ 7:30pm.  Tix $38 – $53.

Second Sunday Trifecta: Sunday, April 11^th. Noon – 5pm. Washington Park  @ Magnolia Street. 1. Second Sunday Brunch. 11:30am- 2pm  2. Magnolia Street Soapbox Derby. 2:30pm  3. Magnolia Street Block Party. 3pm – 5pm

Macon Arts’ Fired Works kicks off with the Preview Party on Friday, April 16^th and the show & sale from April 17^th through the 25^th.  A fun addition this year is the Cocktails & Clay event.

SoChi Services is cooking up a mystery! On April 22^nd we will be launching an underground dinner event called the SoChilicious Supper Club. The location will be kept secret until the night of the event.  Remember the Raves of the ’80s? well, SoChi Services are bringing them back…only this time, the ecstasy will be the cuisine. Click HERE for tickets.

RUN FOR THE ROSES. Kentucky Derby Party @ the Cox Capitol Theatre. May 1^st.  5-10p.  $10 admission.  Cash Bar, Mint Juleps, Fried Chicken baskets. Throw on a big ‘ole hat and come stomp the grass.

RUN TO YOU. Bryan Adams in concert @ Grand Opera House. May 14^th. 8pm.  Tix: $35-$75.  478-301-5470.

Pass the stress ball, I need a squeeze. I’m finding that the candle has more than “both ends” because I’m burning from several different directions. I need to mouth breathe….deep inhales.

An escape to the island of Tybee is just what I needed….thank you to Stacye & Lannie Jarrell for the over the top “cottage.” Actually, I’m down here for a meeting with uber publicist Toren Anderson & author Bernie Schein about creating some upcoming events in Macon. More on that as it unfolds.

Reflection over the past few weeks is enough to put me into a fetal position…let me pull out my SoChi Popcorn & quickly recap.

The 2010 Macon Film Festival has proven that to be the REAL Reel Thing! A-list talent, amazing independent films, national press and filmmakers from all over the country resulted in sell-out crowds proving that this little fest is a force that is only going to continue to grow in the years to come. Once again retaining our title of the “Friendliest Little Film Festival” in the country, “Hollywood” has taken note and tasted the MAGAtini. This is just another example of what diligent networking reaps.

A huge thank you to my fellow festival board members who work their asses off to turn this event into the major success it has become: Tony Long, Tabitha Walker, Elliott Dunwody, Stephanie Shadden, Cindy Hill, Priscilla Esser, Craig Coleman, Julie Wilkerson, Sylvia Boykin, Blaine Whittle, Tony Long, Jr. and the maven of the MAGAtini: BJ Dunwody! Thanks also to actors Jack McBrayer & Illeana Douglas for attending this years fest. Upping the cool factor was the first ever MAGA iChat with actress Carrie Preston following the screening of her film That Evening Sun.

Following the fest was a serious case of the zombieidous, but no time for dying. The 11^th Hour’s Reader’s Choice Awards had me presenting and the SoChi Boutique Warehouse Sale had me trying to avoid a stampede of over 600 people.

All this makes a boy hungry…and no better place to quench those hunger pains than by attending C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar‘s launch of their Spring Menu. If you’ve not tried it…go. No question this is one of Atlanta’s best.

Planning & keeping in the zone. SoChi Services is going fashion crazy, cooking up a mystery and on the prowl of a howl in NYC. Stay Tuned.

SEE: THE CRAZIES filmed in Middle Georgia.

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Cox Capitol Theatre‘s annual Lawnmower Race @ Amerson Water Works Park. March 20^th & 21^st.

Cherry Blossom Fashion Show @ the City Auditorium. March 25^th. $35/person

A Taste of Bert’s Bistro @ Lemongrass Thai Bistro. March 30^th @ 7pm. A Five course wine-paired dinner by Alan Bass.

SoChi Services is cooking up a mystery! On April 22^nd we will be launching an underground dinner event called the SoChilicious Supper Club. The location will be kept secret until the night of the event. Remember the Raves of the 80′s? well, SoChi Services are bringing them back…only this time, the ecstasy will be the cuisine.

Pull out the big (water) guns and head to Tybee Island for the 2010 Beach Bum Parade . Friday, May 21^st.

2009 was my PACINO year. And by that I mean fast-paced with a lot of HIGH highs and a few drained Corpses (including Grey Goose bottles & Starbucks cups) left in my wake. The cash crunch made for a bitter atmosphere that was palpable. But for me the silver lining was streamlining: Machine Gun Style!

I exfoliated the dead cells including club memberships, faux friends and the suckerfish. I learned a new meaning of “Power of Attorney” and that my Nana’s old saying, “You are who you associate with” never rang truer!

It was also the Year of the Cat. You know, the one who jumps out of the high-rise window, Reinventing himself during the slow-motion free fall, landing on his feet as a new & improved version of himself, ready to kick ass and change my world – or at least, make a difference. Call me a pussy, it was after all, the Year of the SoChi Cat!

2009 is the year that the SoChilite was born – like the Phoenix from the Ashes, Baby! I coined the term “SoChi” (South of ChiChesters Pharmacy on Vineville Ave) in an effort to recharge some batteries and refocus our view of Downtown Macon and it ended up changing my life. I became the Pied Piper of SoChi, luring people into Downtown and to their amazement, they dug it! SoChi is about pouncing out of the box and grabbing life by the tail: opening yourself up to new experiences, opportunities and people. I would even dare say Growing as Human Beings. Maconites are blessed with an epicenter of amazing historic structures and an emerging arts & cultural center. SoChi is inclusive, not exclusive, so you are all invited and encouraged to come to SoChi and SoChilize with the SoChilites.

2009 was a year of The SoChi Gallery Theme Party. Themes included The White Trash Party, Pretty in Pink, The Studio 54 Party and The Night of the Living SoChilites. These events became defined by the Grand Entrance & the Elegantly Wasted Exits post a few Signature Cocktails.

What’s so fabulous about the bastard? Everything! The Fabulous Bastard was created in my honor at the hip little SoChi eatery: Lemongrass Thai Bistro. It was described as “very complex” by B-52’s front man Fred Schneider. I describe it as “SoChilicious!”

2009 was the year that the 4th Annual Macon Film Festival put this town on the film world’s radar! Governor Sonny Perdue & Coach Vince Dooley kicked off the ’09 festival with movie stars Karen Black & Carrie Preston in tow. The festival resulted in the motion picture “STUCK!” being filmed in Macon bringing with it indie film queen Mink Stole, Karen Black and rock-n-roller Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s.

SoChi was the backdrop to some other sensational events including Bragg Jam, Second Sunday Brunch, First Friday, Cherry Blossom Festival, Fired Works & Fly South Fest.

SoChilicious new restaurants including Dolce Vita Café & Bar, Lemongrass Thai Bistro, Greek Corner Deli and Macon Pizza opened and The Rookery reinvented itself. Now we need to support them with our patronage.

It is my hope that one of your New Years Resolutions will be to join The SoChi Tribe and get involved in some of the many offerings going on in this amazing town we call Home. And to make sure you know what’s going on, “Say Hello to my Little Friend”: the eBlast!

Wishing you all PEACE, LOVE & THE SoCHI LIFE in 2010!

BALLS ARE ABOUT TO DROP

New Year’s Eve in Downtown Macon Cherry Blossom Ball Drop intersection of Cherry & Third Streets. Dec. 31st. 9pm until 2010.

NYE BIG DANCE @ The Terminal Station. Dec. 31st. $40 per person/$75 per couple/Table of 8 – $300. 478-477-7764. Music by The Grapevine

Rock & Roll High Class Reunion School NYE Party @ Cox Capitol Theatre. Come as Your Future Self. Dec. 31st. Doors open @ 9pm. $15. $30 with a yearbook.

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Sundance Film Festival. January 21-31. Park City, Utah.

The FOODIE AWARDS @ The Grand Opera House on Jan. 24th

URBAN COWBOY theme party @ The SoChi Gallery. Friday, January 29th. Cowboy Attire. Choreographer Pilar Wilder will be conducting Boot Scooting Boogie Line Dance classes @ the gallery every Wednesday night in January prior to the event. For more info: 478-238-6630.

Macon Civic Club Annual Musical Revue. This year’s theme: “After Midnight.” Feb 3rd – 6th. Grand Opera House. Click for Tix.

Macon Film Festival. Feb. 18-21, 2010. Downtown Macon. Sponsors needed. Levels are $500, $1,000, $2,500 $5,000 & $8,000. Contact me (Terrell Sandefur) if you’d like to be a sponsor.

“On a morning from a Bogart movie
In a country where they turn back time
You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre
Contemplating a crime

She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running
Like a watercolor in the rain
Don’t bother asking for explanations
She’ll just tell you that she came

In the year of the cat” – Al Stewart, 1976

Sometimes BIGGER is BETTER! Especially when it’s not hard. Well hung = an unforgettable experience. I know what you’re thinking … “HO.” Give it to me 3 times. “HO HO HO!”

Unforgettable Flowers & Gifts pulled out their big guns and did me just right. They decked my halls with boughs of holly without a bunch of foreplay. Pure Ecstasy! My pad is now XMAS’d out for the holidays. If your boughs need a little decking, give them a call. 478-405-8132 They’ll rent you a decorated tree and hang all the holiday trimmings for you. Check out their handiwork at the Stanislaus Christmas Tour of Homes Dec 3rd – 5th.

You are surely haggard from hanging that tinsel, right? I’m going to refresh you just in time for all those holiday parties. Meet me at SPA MEDICAL’s Holiday Open House on Nov. 30th. They’ll be spreading the holiday cheer and six lucky folks will be pricked, puffed & lashed. The first 100 people will get free gift bags + big door prizes each hour. 10a-8p. Get REFRESHED for the Holidays!

Admit it, you like handcuffs. “Buster Bluth” (Tony Hale) of TV’s Arrested Development will be in Macon @ the Cox Capitol Theatre on Dec. 18th. He’ll be showing his 3 favorite episodes on the big screen and will be hang afterwards for Questions & Answers.

QUICKIES

All about the Spice! If you like Indian, you’ll LOVE this new little foodie find: Moksha – a quaint little Tree House overlooking a creek in Roswell, GA with upscale Indian cuisine.

Bacon is the new Black! Who doesn’t love bacon? Add it to the Pimento Cheese sandwich @ JoeD’s on Ingleside Avenue ….SUUEET!

Are you are socially networked out? You’re Twittering & Facebooking while trying to stay LinkedIn without loosing your (My)Space….there is now one more to add. PING.FM will update all your social networking sites at once. Meaning you can appear to be All Over the Place with one Ping.

Dec. 5th Clean Up Our Town Day Volunteers needed in this effort to create a safe & inviting downtown. 478-722-9909 or email Jessica@newtownmacon.com Lunch provided for all volunteers.

Calloway Gardens’ Holiday Fantasy in Lights show.

CW’s The Vampire Diaries are looking for extras. Interested in getting bitten?

FourSquare – an iPhone App for Foodies. You can be a restaurant critic & let your friends know where you are dining.

HOLIDAY WHORING

Let The SoChi Companies take all the stress away by planning your Holiday Party. We bring it to you or you can host it at The SoChi Gallery located in the heart of Macon’s emerging arts & cultural center. 478-238-6630.

Stanislaus Christmas Tour. A strolling candlelight tour of historic homes. Dec. 3rd, 4th & 5th. 6-9pm. $20. 478-258-9303 or email: HistoricStanislaus@gmail.com

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

The Jazz Association of Macon’s HOLIDAY JAM. Dec. 4th @ 8pm. Library Ballroom. $25 Advance Tix. $30 at the door. 478-501-8100.

Fly South Fest. Dec. 5th @ Luther Williams Field, Macon. Music + BBQ. $20.

The 15th Annual X-MAS PARTY: Rock the Earth. Friday, Dec. 11th @ The Tabernacle, Atlanta. Attire: Glam Rock or Cocktail. $500 VIP. $150 General Admission.

I’ve begun to think that my life just might be a Fellini movie! While honing the Art of SoChilizing this past First Friday @ the Macon Arts’ opening, my life took a nose dive! One of my worst fears became a reality. My cell phone went for swim … and it was no Anita Ekberg frolicking in the Trevi Fountain kind of deal … it was a straight out Toilet Plunger! The recovery mission wasn’t all that sweet either.

You aren’t supposed to Text & Drive…well now I know there are a few other things you shouldn’t do while texting. I’ve learned my lesson! Both hands on the wheel while standing at a urinal!

With a soaked cell and all my contacts washed away, my wife & I headed to the island of Tybee for a media weekend getaway. Our spirits were soon lifted as we arrived – I mean it was like arriving in the promised land!
“There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a Stairway to Heaven.”

Well, she not only gave us the stairway but the whole heavenly place! If you aren’t of fan of staircases….the place has an elevator! If you’re battery needs charge, an Oceanfront “Cottage” will do the trick. Tell owner Stacye Jarrell you want the SoChi Discount! Trust me…She Sells Sanctuary!

Macon’s Marriott City Center had its Grand Opening this past week…it was Grand indeed! If you see Kathy Hoskins of Bright Ideas Group, pat her on the back for a job well done!

Wednesday night we were “Jumpin’ with Johnny” @ The Douglass Theatre was just that! The Kim Polote Trio brought their Savannah talent and paid tribute to the music of the great Johnny Mercer. Check out the Johnny Mercer “Too Marvelous for Words” exhibit at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

How do you spell SUCCESS? Can you use it in a sentence? Yes, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee @ Theatre Macon was a huge success!” Kudos to Katy Thompson who directed this hilarious play. I was one of four people plucked out of the audience and thrown in with the cast and put to the test. Lots of fun! Thankfully they finally found a word I couldn’t nail so I was able to enjoy the remaining minutes with my family in the audience.

I want my MTV! …. I mean LOGO-TV! Maconite Carrie Preston’s “Ready? OK!” is making its television premiere. Sunday November 15th, 10pm on LOGO.

A Shout Out to the folks at the Apple iPhone help desk! They successfully helped me retrieve ALL of my contacts, phone numbers & email addresses that were flushed down the toilet last week! And thanks also to film director Frederico Fellini for inspiring a word I can really identify with: “Felliniesque!”

La Dolce Vita !

* “Felliniesque” – adj. Used to describe a certain circus-like representation of modern life

HOLIDAY WHORING

Let The SoChi Companies plan your holiday event. 478-238-6630.

Great Gift idea for the vain people in your life: BOCHOX from Spa Medical . These $5 chocolates are sure to make you forget about those wrinkles … for at least a few minutes!

Check out “Macon on the Cheap.”
Your Ticket to the Best Deals on Restaurants, Shopping and Events in Macon.

Too busy or not talented enough to decorate for the holidays? Call Unforgettable Flowers & Gifts. They’ll do it all for you. They also rent fully decorated Christmas trees for the month of December. 478-405-8132

FUTURE LOVE PARADISE

Poster The Goodwill Gala “A Night in Atlantis” Friday, Nov. 20th @ 7pm. The Anderson Conference Center. Black Tie. $100 per person.

Christmas in Historic Stanislaus. A strolling candlelight Holiday Tour of historic Stanislaus homes. Dec 3rd, 4th & 5th. $20. For Tickets, call 478-258-9303 or email historicstanislaus@gmail.com

Fly South Fest. On Dec. 5th, Pigs Will Fly! The first annual regional Music & BBQ festival @ Luther Williams Field, Macon.

Vineville Christmas Tour. Dec. 5th & 6th. Historic Houses that span over 100 years of architecture. $20 per person, $15 for groups of 10+. 478-745-9383.

The 15th Annual X-MAS Party . Friday, Dec. 11th @ The Tabernacle, Atlanta. Benefits the Captain Planet Foundation. Attire: Glam Rock or Cocktail. $500 VIP. $150 General Admission.

If you’re going for that Zombie look for Halloween this year, I have a tip: go on a Boy Scout campout! Last weekend my son & I did just that. I learned just like real estate, “LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION” is the key to a successful tent placement. Unfortunately, I pitched the tent in a major Snore Zone. Without the proper weapons (Lunesta nor Grey Goose) to fight this evil onslaught, I spent a very restless night. Mercifully daybreak came and with my back in full spasm I hobbled away much like the living dead.

The good thing is that Halloween is lurking right around the corner and there are many Tricks & Treats available to us all.

Talk about Fear Factor, check out the Netherworld Haunted House in Norcross, GA. Rated one of the Top 10 Best haunted houses in America. 6624 Dawson Blvd, Norcross, GA 30093. For more info call the Haunted Hotline: (404) 608-2484

Underworld 2009 Haunted House presented by Cox Capitol Theatre & Grave Intentions. Rated PG-13. 450 3rd St between Cherry & Poplar Streets. $13. Tickets may be purchased online at Cox Capitol Theatre 8p – Midnight. Oct. 29,30 & 31. 478-257-6391

Haunted Montrose, the Old Slaughter House 2nd Street, Montrose, GA 31065
Oct. 29th, 30th, 31st & Nov. 1st beginning @ 7pm

“Spirits in October” Saturday Trolley Tours of Historic Downtown Macon and the Riverside Cemetery. $15 adults / $10 students. Each tour departs from the Cox Capitol Theatre. Saturday, October 31 @ 1 pm.

Dammit Janet, I love the Time Warp! Pull on your fishnets and check out the
Rocky Horror Picture Show @ Cox Capitol Theatre on Friday, Oct. 30th @ 8pm.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Halloween Costume Ball, Friday, Oct. 30th. Live performances by Kandi and Kim. Red Carpet Event begins at 9pm. $30.00 tickets / $500 Costume Contest. Tickets on sale @ Gateway Event Center
165 Mill Rd, McDonough, GA 30253. 770-279-9853

Don’t miss The 11th Hour THRILLER PARADE – Friday October 30 @ 9:00 P.M. the intersection of Cherry & Third Streets. See over 100 zombies take over the streets of downtown Macon as they recreate the famous Michael Jackson MTV video “Thriller.”

Get a Bloody Piece in the Alley. Macon Pizza will be serving some haunting delish Eyeball Calzones and Bloody Pizzas at a discounted price on Oct. 30th. Mention the SoChi Halloween Party and get 10% off full price items including beer and wine. Be sure and try the Eyeball Sangria! (white sangria with grapes)

“Night of the Living SoChilites”
Halloween Costume Party @ The SoChi Gallery
Friday, Oct.30th @ 9:30pm – following The Thriller Parade
Attire: Haunt Couture
Signature Cocktail: The Bloody SoChilite

Feeling a little too zombified to go out on Halloween? Are your PJ’s your idea of a Halloween costume? Let the television Feed Your Fear in the comfort of your own home with the George A. Romero’s classic film NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD & HALLOWEEN on AMC.

Chuck & Rose Lane Leavell’s Cocktail Party. Friday October 30th. 6-8 pm @ Charlane Plantation in Bullard, Georgia.
$250 per person. Proceeds go to benefit Historic Macon’s P.I.C. (Preservation IS Conservation) Green Field Day. For tickets & more info contact Historic Macon.

Haunted Woods @ the Museum of Arts & Sciences
Friday, October 30 & Saturday,October 31 @ 7:30pm

It’s Raining Men … and Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves! The 39th Annual Atlanta Gay Pride Festival in Piedmont Park Oct. 31-Nov.1.
Pride Begins With You!

Stock up on the treats for the visiting goblins? They’ll be scratching at your door shortly. “I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly.” –Friday the 13th

HAPPY TRICK-or-TREATING !!!