The video below shows a turn by turn comparison of an actual hot lap on the Road Atlanta track –  picture in picture – with the video game graphics from Forza – not bad…not bad at all.

Of course, we’d love for you to come out to the track in person – so put down that video controller and visit us during the 2010 Petit Le Mans – click here for details.

Managers Patty Phillips and Diane Hanes have brought a little bit of the Big Easy to the Branch with the New Orleans theme of their bakery/bistro. Enjoy the atmosphere and “laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll!)

At Calliope Sweets, you’ll get the old-fashioned tastes of your youth with every mouthful of their delightful baked goodies.  The goal is to help you remember the way your Mother and Grandmother took such love and care to prepare special treats just for you.

Stop by to pick up something special for dessert at home, to take to a party or as a Hostess gift.  Or join us in the store for a snack or dessert. You can even savor their fresh brewed coffee as you enjoy the aroma of just baked goods that fills the store.

Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 8pm
Call ahead to pick up an order fresh from the oven 770-965-3333.

CLICK HERE to visit their website!

Let the Good Times Roll!

Calliope's charm is sweet too.

Yummo! All treats are baked on site.

Need a gift? Wrap up something sweet.

The price is right for these homebaked treats.

Placecards wait to name delish fare

For a true “ladies who lunch” experience, take a break from browsing the inventory to enjoy a fresh sandwich from their in-house deli – a favorite is the toasted pimento cheese with homemade jam – delicious!

Nest Feathers
3621 Mundy Mill Road
Oakwood, GA 30566-3419
(678) 943-2577

Check them out on Facebook!

There’s even a head (potty) on board.

Watch the sunset or take in a Wednesday night sailboat race.
Cruise out to the islands and hang out on one of the deserted white sand beaches or sail to Flowery Branch bay and watch the windsurfers zipping by.

Best for one or two persons.
Only $75 for two – Includes your choice of beverages and a snack.

Scheduling subject to weather forecast.
It’s a three hour tour (or more if it’s still fun).
Cruises depart from Chattahoochee Bay in Flowery Branch.

Call Gilligan 404-386-8505

Photos and story by Bill Vanderford

Many anglers look at some recent conditions and cringe! High blue skies, bright sunlight, and hot days are not considered “text book” times to catch more than 40 bass per day. Add to that the fact that most spotted bass seem to be scattered along “nothing-looking” banks in less than 15 feet of water and are attacking a very small lure as though it had magical qualities.

All of these conditions go against the standard thinking of most bass fishermen, but that’s exactly what is happening. The best part, however, is that these feisty bass will continue being aggressive in the same general areas until the morning surface temperature exceeds 80 degrees. A little more understanding of this prolific bass can help all anglers be more productive.

The spotted bass was first accurately identified in Kentucky in 1927, and for many years, it was believed to be the only state they inhabited. Because of that mistake, they were called Kentucky spotted bass. Since they have been found in certain areas from coast to coast, however, the Kentucky has been dropped and they are referred to simply as spotted bass.

The coloration of the spotted bass is similar to that of the largemouth bass, but contains a little more brown. The section between the dark upper back and the lateral spotted line appears to have diamond-shaped markings, and the lower side of most spotted bass has several lateral lines that appear gold in color, while the largemouth is usually white. Additionally, with the mouth closed, a spotted bass’s lower jaw only comes even with its eye, while the largemouth’s extends all the way behind the eye. The spotted bass’s tongue contains a small patch of teeth that looks like a black spot in the middle of the tongue, while the largemouth bass has a slick tongue.

Spotted bass lived in the river systems until major reservoirs were impounded. They are a much hardier and faster spreading fish than the largemouth bass, and are more active than any of the black bass
Despite heavy fishing pressure and boat traffic, spotted bass grow quickly and in great numbers. Even when big weather changes such as major fronts occur, the spotted bass continue feeding, especially during spring and early summer.

The spawning ritual of the spotted bass is very similar to that of the largemouth. They tend, however, to do it later and at greater depths. In fact, spots prefer 5 to 20 feet, but can often be seen spawning with the largemouth bass in the 2 to 5 feet of water. Also, spotted bass usually seek out clay banks rather than the sand chosen by largemouth.

The most fun way to catch spotted bass during April and May is by casting 1/8th ounce Pro Series Swirleybirds from the shoreline or from a boat near shallow stumps, rocks, and other debris along red clay or rocky banks. These practically invisible structures can be seen by using polarized sunglasses and looking for darker shadows. After one is spotted, throw the Swirleybird several feet past the target and swim it slowly near the object. If a male spotted bass is nearby, he’ll nail it!

From now until all of the spawning activity is over can be the most productive time of year for spotted bass or smallmouth. A bad day for me during this period is less than 40 bass each day. All that is needed is a little knowledge of a lake, and a few Swirleybirds. These lures are deadly both during the spawn and in the tougher post-spawn period. Anyone who can cast will become an expert with this lure immediately. Since the tiny blade turns from the time it hits the water until it reaches the rod tip at the end of the retrieve, the action is extremely tantalizing to spotted, smallmouth, or largemouth bass and many other fish.

These lures can often be as effective from the shoreline as they are from a boat. From the bank, look for deeper rock or rip rap formations, blown down trees, docks, or over brushy areas.

Fly fishing enthusiasts may also capitalize on this prime time of year for spotted bass by using the new, much smaller, flyrod-sized Swirleybird. Regardless of how one goes about it, by thinking small and slow and making plenty of casts, a day of fishing is guaranteed to leave every angler with wonderful memories!

Collectors will be lining up along County Line Road in Lula early Saturday morning for a chance to pick through the latest offerings from the kiln of local folk pottery artist Michael Crocker. His wares are legendary in the folk art community and have even found their way into the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of American Art.

If you’ve never been to Crocker’s chicken house turned potter’s workshop in North Hall County, this weekend is the perfect opportunity. Listen as he spins a yarn about his time as a folk potter’s apprentice and watch in awe as he molds yellow and blue Georgia clay into fine pieces of utility and decorative pottery.

His kiln openings draw collectors from as far away as Australia and the Far East. With pieces ranging in price from a few dollars to thousands, the local artists has made a good living and an excellent reputation for himself as Georgia’s most prominent and prolific potter who still uses the most authentic methods of folk potters passed down through generations since the Colonial era.

Michael Crocker’s Kiln Opening

Lula. 1-3 p.m. Saturday

Crocker Pottery

6361 W. County Line Road, Lula, Georgia.

Michael’s work is on display through the exhibits at the Northeast Georgia Folk Pottery Museum in Sautee, Georgia. Check out this video about the museum:

Try these great links to related articles and websites:

Mud, Sweat & Tears Southern Antique Folk Pottery

Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia in Sautee

Detour Art’s Story on the Crocker Brothers

Courtesy of Gainesville Times “Get Out”

Life in Gainesville-Hall County is far removed from the hustle and bustle of a major city, but don’t think for a minute that its culture is small town, too. Few exurban communities feature the vast range of high quality cultural and lifestyle opportunities found here.

The quality-of-life stories are numerous, and the biggest of all is Lake Lanier. In fact, two of the largest marinas in the world find plenty of elbow room among its 38,000 acres of water. But the lake made its biggest splash back in 1996 as the U.S. Olympic site for the rowing, canoeing and kayaking competition – and the legacy continues today with numerous international events and a training facility for potential young Olympians.

Visit this website to read more about the area’s great stories. Click here to learn more.

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A two-month sailing series that allows participants to keep honing their skills is set to kick off Sunday at the Lake Lanier Sailing Club in West Hall.

The 2011 Laser Frostbite begins at 1 p.m., with the public welcome to participate or simply watch, said Martine Zurinskas, the club’s Laser fleet captain.

“It’s actually quite common all over the country to do (winter) racing,” she said.

“It’s just a nice way to use the lake when it’s not as crowded. Not that we don’t like motorboats, but it’s a lot easier to sail when they’re not plowing through your course.”

For many participants, the Laser is a “secondary boat,” Zurinskas said. “They may have a big boat that they race during the summer and this is a way … they stay sharp.

“Sailing is very tactical – there’s a lot of strategy involved – so this is a good way of perfecting that, I would say.”

Only one person at a time can captain each sleek 14-foot Laser.

“The boats are very strictly one design,” Zurinskas said. “I’m not going to lose because of boat speed. I’m going to lose because of my errors.”

The club’s Laser Frostbite began in the early 1980s, “with a bunch of guys who wanted to sail and practice during the winter,” said the club’s commodore, Lee Estes.

“Over the years, it has evolved and we get a fair amount of boats out,” he said. “… It’s a fun little series to do.”

Estes said he participated a lot during the early years, “then I kind of got away from it for a while. And now my son’s doing it and he’s got me doing it again. I’m back in the middle of it.”

The event can live up to its name, as it did last year, with subfreezing temperatures made worse by a biting wind.

Sunday’s forecast calls for partly sunny skies and a high temperature of 45, the National Weather Service reported Monday.

“Everybody kind of takes it at their own speed,” Estes said. “On days when the wind is not blowing, it’s real mellow. And when it is blowing and if you get wet, you need to come in and get warm.”

The event is competitive, however.

“We take all the races and we do a series cumulative,” Zurinskas said. “We’ll have somewhere between 30 and 40 races over the course of eight weeks. You have to participate in (half) of the total number of races to qualify.”

Typically, about 40 to 45 people participate in the event at some point during the series, but only 20 or so will sail enough races to be competitive, Zurinskas said.

Winners will be announced the first weekend in March, when the club sponsors its first regatta of the season.

People drive from out of state to participate in the Frostbite, Zurinskas said.

“It’s a real testament to our quality of sailors, which is extremely high,” she added.

2011 Laser Frostbite

What: An eight-week annual sailing series sponsored by the Lake Lanier Sailing Club
When: Kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday; other dates are Jan. 12, 23 and 30 and Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27
Where: Lake Lanier Sailing Club, 6206 Commodore Drive, off Old Federal Road in West Hall
How much: $30 for the series or $5 per day
More info: 770-674-3992