Diana: A Celebration

Girls Getaway

Diana: A Celebration

By Linda Holloway

Photography by http://www.hollowayproductions.com/

Now is the perfect time to take a break from every day life to nurture your friendships or mother-daughter relationship with a “Girls Getaway” to Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Civic Center is hosting the award-wining exhibition, Diana: A Celebration, featuring the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales. The exhibit features nine galleries containing more than 150 objects—ranging from Diana’s royal wedding gown and 28 of her designer dresses, to family heirlooms, personal mementos, paintings, rare home movies and photos. The exhibit is on loan from the Althorp Estate, the Spencer Family’s 500-year-old ancestral home in England, through June 13, 2010.

When I learned about the exhibit, I began planning a 35^th birthday trip for my daughter, Ashley, and her friend, Chasidy, to relive childhood “princess” memories. Chasidy’s mom and I wanted our daughters (both school teachers) to enjoy a trip fit for royalty. They have been friends since age two, and have dressed up like princesses countless times. Fantasy became reality when they watched (along with over one billion television viewers) as Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles of England on July 29, 1981.

Upon entering the exhibit, we were in awe by the encased diamond Spencer Tiara (circa 1840) with a huge poster of a smiling Princess Diana in the background. Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, narrates the audio tour. Another gallery is dedicated to the Spencer women family tree and includes a portrait of Diana’s paternal grandmother—the resemblance is amazing. Here, the family jewels are the highlight. The next gallery depicts Diana’s childhood and youth, including toys and personal diary. We entered the Royal Wedding Gallery that magically transformed Ashley and Chasidy back to 6 years old again. The centerpiece was…the “Dress of the Century.”

The Dress

Designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel of London designed the ultimate fairytale royal wedding gown made of ivory silk taffeta and lace. The entire gown is hand-embroidered with more than 10,000 tiny mother-of-pearl sequins and pearls, and the 25-foot silk train is the longest in royal history. The diamond tiara, veil, train, shoes, parasol, diamond earrings and bridesmaid’s dress is encased with the royal gown. We were in a sea of nostalgia as the stirring music that was played at the Royal Wedding filled the room. Film clips from the event flashed on the screen complete with Diana arriving in…what else, but a glass coach complete with footmen. I watched as my grown daughter and friend encircled the exhibit several times—taking in the smallest details while my focus was on them.

Visitors will enjoy other galleries featuring Princess Diana’s humanitarian work that includes a prayer book signed by Mother Teresa, and the musical score and lyrics of the Elton John/Ernie Taupin composition, adapted from “Candle in the Wind.” On display in the Style and Fashion Gallery are 28 dresses, suits and evening gowns designed by Chanel, Versace, Valentino and Azagury that were worn by the Princess during her public life, accompanied by photos and designer details from the event at which the outfits were worn. We exited by display shelves filled with books of condolences opened to reveal comments by those who loved the “People’s Princess.” http://www.dianaexhibition.com/, tickets, http://www.ticketmaster.com/, 800-745-3000

The Ritz-Carlton Offers Exhibit Package

You can afford the best! We checked into the elegant AAA Five Diamond Ritz-Carlton located in the famed shopping mecca of Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. Both downtown and Buckhead Ritz-Carlton locations are offering overnight packages to Diana: A Celebration. The package includes a deluxe guestroom for one evening, two VIP tickets with audio tour, American breakfast for two in The Café, overnight valet parking and roundtrip transportation to the Atlanta Civic Center. Exhibit packages start at a bargain $259 at the Buckhead location.

The hotel is flanked by some of the best shopping in the U.S. (think N.Y. City.) No wonder the luxury hotel is frequented by celebrities with its friendly staff, and guestrooms with 37” high-definition flat panel television and mahogany hardwood floors in entry. You may need to set two alarm clocks—feather beds with fine linens are a deterrent to getting out of bed. Start your day in The Café with a fresh made-to-order omelet. The concierge will help you with dinner reservations and call ahead for a hotel vehicle with driver that will whisk you away to nearby restaurants and attractions. The hotel made the prestigious Conde’ Nast Traveler’s Gold list for 2010. www.ritzcarlton.com/buckhead, 800-241-3333.

Shopping & Girls Night Out

We walked from The Ritz-Carlton to Lenox Square and shopped at Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Louis Vuitton. Phipps Plaza showcases Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Company and Giorgio Armani. Filene’s Basement is where we found designer clothes and products at discounted prices. http://www.buckhead.net/

For fine dining, we took the advice of the locals and tried Kyma, a Greek restaurant formerly featured in Gourmet magazine. The décor was opulent, but there are two reasons why I will remember this restaurant: it was the best meal that I have ever eaten (Slow Braised Lamb Shank) and Andre, our waiter, was the best in the business. The girls enjoyed Executive Chef Pano I. Karatassos’ Slow Cooked Eggplant Stew, Pan Roasted Grouper and Prime Filet Mignon. http://www.buckheadrestaurants.com/, 404-262-0702

After dinner, I suggested we sit in the lobby and celebrity watch…a ruse. I had planned one last surprise for the girls. Debra, a driver from Greene Classic Limousine arrived and said, “Princess Ashley and Princess Chasidy, your car is waiting.” We boarded the limo for a tour of Buckhead and downtown Atlanta. Debra pointed out the mansions of Buckhead, music venues, Centennial Olympic Park, and other famous sights of Atlanta while the girls kept a watch for stars from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” television show. http://www.greeneclassiclimousine.com/, 888-425-5466

Ashley and Chasidy had a trip to remember, but for me; I was able to time travel to the days of bright-eyed children in long swirling “princess” dresses and tiaras. Who says you can’t go back again? Enjoy other Atlanta attractions including World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Inside CNN, and High Museum of Art. For the ultimate planning resource for your trip, visit http://www.atlanta.net/ or call 1-800-atlanta.

Come blog with us on http://www.hollowayproductions.com/ about the Atlanta trip.

Buddy Needs A Home!

I'm Buddy, and I need a home, but I at least need a foster home soon or I'll have to go back to Metro. Please help me find someone to take care of me.

Buddy was found about 3 weeks ago. He was outside of Hillcrest High School at night in the freezing cold. The next day he was still there, so a concerned dog-lover rescued him and took him to Metro because she thought that was the right thing to do. But when she learned there was even the slightest possiblilty that this beautiful dog might be put down, all she wanted to do was take him out, although there was no way she could adopt him. She waited the required 8 days and went to check on him and to take him out of Metro only to find that he was very sick with kennel cough. The people at Metro finally agreed to let her take him to foster him, but they didn't give her any help with vet care, food or even a crate. A friend of hers has been fostering Buddy until he was well. He is now well enough to be neutered on Friday. Sadly, the friend can no longer foster him, so unless we find him a foster home soon, he will have to go back to Metro where there's a lot of kennel cough and other diseases. Will you please help us to spread the word about Buddy?
Call 205-759-3108 if you can help!

Girl Scouts - Cookies for Troops

Cookies for Troops Campaign
The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama needs your help to send Girl Scout Cookies to soldiers stationed overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan! Anyone can purchase Cookies for Troops from a Girl Scout during booth sales at your local retailers. GSNCA will coordinate the effort send to different units overseas.

“Our goal is to send 10,000 boxes to troops overseas,” Hilary Perry, Director of Communications and Advocacy, states. “Soldiers write back often and tell us how Girl Scout Cookies are a ‘little taste of home.’”

People can still purchase Girl Scout Cookies from a booth sale (February 12-March 6) or go to their local service center. To find booth sales, people may visit www.girlscoutsnca.org starting February 1st and click on a link to find cookies.

About Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is a United Way community partner and serves more than 14,000 girls, ages 5-17, and an additional 5,000 in special programs across 36 counties, who are developing crucial life skills that help them grow courageous and strong so they can make wise choices in today’s world and beyond. For more information, call 800-734-4541 or log on to www.girlscoutsnca.org.

Win FREE Tickets to Theatre Tuscaloosa's "Love Letters"

Kids Life is giving away a FREE pair of tickets to see Theatre Tuscaloosa's performance of "Love Letters" at Shelton State's Bean Brown Theatre. The tickets are for Saturday, February 13th at 7:30 pm. All you have to do is comment on this post and check back on February 8th to see if you won! A winner be randomly selected from the comments made to this post. Good Luck!

Sprayberry Art Show & Silent Auction

The Sprayberry Education Center will host its 6th Annual Art Show and Silent Auction on Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Sprayberry Cafeteria.
This event will showcase the artistic talent of Sprayberry students in all programs – multiple disabilities, TARGET(gifted), autism, preschool and the alternative program in the categories of Exceptional Art, Enlightened Art and Little Hands Art. First, second and third place awards will be presented in each category as well as Most Colorful, Most Creative, People’s Choice Award and Best of Show. All artwork will be available for purchase through a silent auction. Refreshments will be served. Entrance to the art show is free. Proceeds from the art show will benefit Sprayberrry students through the PTO. For more information, contact Carla Allen, PTO President, 394-2154 or the Sprayberry Office at 342-2660.

Beads of Hope

Local Non-Profit to Provide Necklaces as a Symbol of Accomplishment
to Families of Children in Pediatric Units and NICU of
DCH Tuscaloosa and Northport Medical Center

Gabe’s Hope, Inc., a local non-profit addressing the needs of families with children in the NICU at area hospitals, is proud to announce the kickoff of its “Beads of Hope” program. The program began at the DCH PEDS unit on October 28, 2009 and at the Northport Medical Center NICU on October 23, 2009.

The “Beads of Hope” program is designed to provide encouragement and be a physical marker of each child’s unique and personal journey through treatment.

Families who wish to participate are given a necklace with their child’s name, as well as an “admission” bead, representing their admission into the unit. An additional bead is presented to the family marking each procedure or accomplishment. Each procedure or milestone corresponds to a certain color bead. The collection of beads becomes a personal keepsake or reminder of the child’s story while hospitalized.

Haley Tyner, of Tuscaloosa, became the first patient to receive the necklace. Her father, Mark Tyner, believes the necklace provided comfort during her stay. “The beads of the necklace represent a procedure, milestone, or accomplishment she has experienced while in the hospital. This program, as well as the promise of additional beads, seemed to lessen her anxiety about undergoing additional procedures, as well as the hospital stay in general,” said Tyner.

“Any assistance, no matter the degree, which makes your child more comfortable means the world to concerned parents and siblings," said Tyner.

Gabe’s Hope was founded to address the immediate overwhelming needs of the families of children with congenital heart defects and other conditions in Alabama. In addition to providing care bags to the families of children in the UAB RNICU, it is their mission to implement programs to encourage and aid babies and their families in various locations throughout the central Alabama area.

"Gabe was born at Northport Medical center. I knew as we began to dream about what Gabe's Hope would be, that we would like to do something in the NICU where he spent his first few weeks. I know how stressful life can be when your child is sick, but I also know that providing support through the challenges and celebrating the milestones goes a long way in keeping hopes high and each day optimistic. The Beads of Hope program does just that, by marking the significance of each test, scan, procedure or milestone, and giving a visible symbol of the progress made. ,” said Amy Sims, Founder of Gabe’s Hope.

For more information visit www.gabeshopeinc.org.

The ACT presents a DINNER THEATRE!

Tickets on sale NOW for "Couples Therapy" Dinner Theatre February 19th and 20th. A great night of eating and entertainment for the whole family! Get your tickets today by contacting Lin Haraway at 205-394-1699, 205-758-8124 or email to: lharaway@charter.net.