39th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park

"The Bassist"
Photography by Bonnie M. Morét
Assaf Kehati Trio performed on the International Stage
Sunday, May 29th

Scenes from Atlanta Polo Club Vinings

Atlanta Polo Club Vinings
Photography by Bonnie M. Morét

The 2016 Atlanta Polo Season has begun! Today's match at Atlanta Polo Club Vinings consisted of seven chukkars between Atlanta Regional Polo Center and Team Nalley.

Results below:

Atlanta Polo Club Vinings
Wednesday, May 25th @ 6pm
 

Atlanta Regional Polo Club

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
JPaul Meyer	x	x	x	x
Stephanie Riemann	x		x		x		x
Anders Carlton		x			x	x	x
Ry Koopman						x	x
Frankie Questel	x	x	x	x
Cacho Acevedo	x	x	x	x	x	x
Nathaniel St John				x	x	x	x

 

Team Nalley

 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Larry Olsen	x	x		x		x	x
Jessica Riemann					x	x	x
Shawn Loud	x		x		x		x
Jay DuSauzay				x	x	x	x
Jolie Liston	x	x	x	x
Dolph Orthwein	x	x	x	x	x	x
Ry Koopman		x	x

Sunday with President Jimmy Carter

President Jimmy Carter and me.

There's something to be said about small southern towns. The people are friendly, gracious and helpful.  After arriving in Plains, Georgia at 6:00a.m.on May 15th, I pulled off to the side of the road to Google directions to Maranatha Baptist Church.  Out of nowhere, a car pulled up next to me, a lady rolled down her window and said, "If you are looking for the church, just follow me."  So I did.  

I pulled into the church parking lot and was assigned number 22.There I sat until it was time to lineup for the Secret Service check at 7:00 a.m.  While waiting in line, the lady who helped me find my way introduced herself as Miss Jan and gave everyone a pre-entry set of rules to follow. 

Once inside, we sat and waited. At 9:00 a.m., Miss Jan walked to the front of the church and held court. She explained how everything (and I mean everything) would work when President Carter came in to teach Sunday School. She advised how to address him, how to respond to questions, when you can and when you absolutely CANNOT  take pictures and how to answer the seemingly simple question of “where are you from?” -which turned out to be surprisingly difficult for some people.  

Miss Jan is a force to be reckoned with ... smart, warm, firm and engaging. She’s a retired teacher—she taught Amy Carter when she was little—and it shows. She had everyone enthralled and a rather intimidated. The Secret Service probably learned a few things from her.   Oh, she is hysterical, too!  She needs her own reality TV show! 

After we were given "the rules," she asked us to bow our heads for a prayer.  When she finished speaking and we raised our heads, Jimmy Carter was standing in the front of the church. 

To suddenly see the man in the flesh right before my eyes gave me a jolt. He radiated warmth and kindness. His smile lit the room, brightly.  

One of the first things he said was, “We are all equal here." He spoke about the work he does with a group he calls The Elders. This is a group of former heads of state, Presidents and Prime Ministers from around the world that no longer hold any official political office. They meet twice a year to discuss global issues and see where help is needed and where official government assistance is not being given. If the U.S. isn’t addressing a problem, for example, then they choose to go in and address it themselves, offering leadership, negotiations, aid, ideas and the power of attention that their involvement brings.  

After discussing politics, President Carter began his Sunday School teaching. His message was as loving as you’d expect ... we all hung on his every word.  When it was time for church to start, President Carter sat in the pews with the rest of the congregation.  After the service, he stayed for pictures with attendees.  

Highlights below:

A Walk in a Bog in Georgia's Coastal Plains Region

Yellow Trumpet Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia flava
Photography by Bonnie M. Morét

 

Of eight pitcher plant species found in the United States, seven are native to Georgia.  All seven species are on Georgia’s protected plants list.  One species, the white-topped pitcher plant, once occurred in five Georgia counties but no longer can be found in the state. Another species, the green pitcher plant, is on the federal endangered species list. 

Three species of these fascinating plants grow in profusion at the 650-acre Doerun Pitcher Plant Bog. The preserve also harbors one of the last vestiges of the great longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem that once covered the southern half of Georgia.

My three-hour drive to Georgia's Costal Plains region was an insightful experience.  In addition, the elusive Bachman's sparrow filled the day with song. 

Special thanks to Kathryn Kolb and Jessica Muhammad of EcoAddendum and former Georgia Native Plant Society President Kathryn Gable for sharing your bevy of knowledge.  Thank you for doing what you do. 

Highlights below:

2016 Possible Woman® Conference

 

The Possible Woman® 2016 Leadership Conference was held in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 10 at the Georgia World Congress Center.   Keynote Speakers were Hala Moddelmog and Celeste Jonson.

Hala Moddelmog has successfully served in president and CEO roles for more than 20 years. She became the first female president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) in January 2014 following a long and successful career in the corporate and non-profit sectors.   

Celeste Jonson is a Transformation Coach & Strategist at Celeste Jonson International. She is an expert at energizing and inspiring people, particularly leaders, to fully utilize their greatest potential to facilitate transformation in themselves and others. The goal is optimal and intentional living and leading. 

The conference featured the Women of Power and Vision Panel. The panel was moderated by Malenka Warner, Managing Director and Owner of Atlanta Daybook. Participants included Patricia M. Falotico, CEO of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership; Stacy Kilcoyne, Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer at the Southern Company; and Lee Pressley, Vice President of Sales at IBM Cloud for the Southeast Region; and Tracy L. Garner, Vice President at AT&T Service Delivery and Assurance, SE Mountain Shores.

Leading sponsors for DARE TO WIN! Possible Woman® Leadership Conference 2016 to date were e Southern Company,  AT&T,  BlackBox Technologies,  BLUE Med Center, WE USA, and IBM, Kroger, Marriott Marquis,  Maggiano’s Buckhead, ProWIN, Aloette and Atlanta Daybook. 

A portion of the profits from the conference benefits the Possible Woman Foundation International, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides scholarships, education, mentoring and other opportunities to the women leaders of tomorrow pursuing non-traditional occupations.

Highlights below:

 

Formula DRIFT Round 2 at Road Atlanta

A picture-perfect day at Road Atlanta.
Photography by Bonnie M. Morét

I had the privilege of photographing Formula DRIFT's Round 2 at Road Atlanta this past weekend.  The skill and artistry of the sport fascinate me, not to mention the sleek & sexy cars. 

For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels or all tires, while maintaining control for the entirety of a corner. A car is drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle, to such an extent that often the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction to the turn (e.g. car is turning left, wheels are pointed right or vice versa, also known as opposite lock or counter-steering).

 

Formula DRIFT at Road Atlanta is something special ... the fans are loyal and the drivers love them.  Speaking of drivers, congratulations to the winner of Round 2, Vaughn Gitten, Jr.

Disturbed at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood on May 6th

David Draiman
Photography by Bonnie M. Morét

It is most refreshing when a band's live performance sounds EXACTLY like the studio recording.  Disturbed's performance exceeded expectations and then some.  I have been a fan since the 90s and I must admit, this was their best concert.  The pyrotechnics were stellar, the sound was tight and I believe Paul Simon wrote "Sound of Silence" knowing that David Draiman's vocals  would take it to the next level. Mike Wengren and Dan Donegan were at  their best. And then there is John Moyer, who not only plays the low notes, his energy is high and his stage presence makes you want more.

Highlights below:

SΔINT ΔSONIΔ at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, May 6

Photography by Bonnie M. Morét

SΔINT ΔSONIΔ is a Canadian rock band consisting of former Three Days Grace frontman Adam Gontier (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mike Mushok from Staind (lead guitar), Corey Lowery (bass) and Rich Beddoe (drums). Formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2014 after Gontier's departure from Three Days Grace, they released their debut studio album Saint Asonia on July 31, 2015. 
 

SΔINT ΔSONIΔ is currently on tour with Rob Zombie and Disturbed.  Below are highlights from their May 6th show at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta, Ga.

Concours International Combiné (CIC) at Chattahoochee Hills Eventing, April 22 - 24

Up-and-coming equestrian Lynnsay Sexton
 with Fernhill Triple Crown and Fernhill Riptide
Photography by Bonnie M. Morét

With elegance, excitement and thrills, Chattahoochee Hills Eventing proudly hosted the Concours International Combiné (CIC) April 22 - 24, the week prior to Rolex. Andrew Bennie (NZ) presided as president of the CIC 3* and judged the Advanced combined test. Andrew will also judge at Rolex and in Rio.

For those who are unfamiliar with the sport, cross-country equestrian jumping is an endurance test that forms one of the three phases of the sport of eventing. The object of the endurance test is to prove the speed, endurance and jumping ability of the true cross-country horse.  At the same time, it demonstrates the rider's knowledge of pace and the use of this horse across country.

The cross-country course is approximately two and three quarter to four miles long, comprising twenty-four to thirty-six fixed and solid obstacles. Obstacles usually are built to look "natural" (out of logs, for instance), however; odd materials and decorations may be added to test the horse's bravery. Obstacles can include all that might be found if riding across the countryside -- water, trees, logs, ditches and banks.

All obstacles or compulsory passage ways are flagged with a red flag on the right and a white flag on the left.  All obstacles are numbered and the color of the numbering indicate which level the fence is for when multiple levels are competing at the event.

Highlights below: