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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2009 > March > 09 > Entry
Rally raises $10,000-plus
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Duluth attorney Gary Martin Hays and his three teammates were recovering Sunday after a grueling 60-mile bike ride.
On big-wheel tricycles.
The third annual Big Wheel Rally, a wacky stunt held at the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth, benefits Keep Georgia Safe, a nonprofit crime prevention and safety organization.
For 48 hours, Hays (pictured in a 2005 race) and his co-workers, lawyers Derek Hays, Philip Milam and Eric Ripper, rode the over-sized trikes continuously around the Gwinnett Arena before, during and after Gwinnett Gladiators games.
The minor league hockey team’s players even helped rack up some miles for the charity and were cheered on by fans, starting Thursday night and ending on Saturday.
“I think it’s just fun for folks to watch overweight, middle-aged lawyers out there,” Hays told Buzz Sunday.
“It’s a lot of fun, but we also raise some money and help raise awareness about the important work Keep Georgia Safe is doing as well.”
This year, the lawyers also did special fund-raising stints labeled Lauren’s Laps and Meredith’s Miles in memory of crime victims Lauren Burk and Meredith Emerson.
“One of us was always out there pedaling the entire time,” Hays explained. “They put down blue tape for us to follow, and believe me, we need that at about 2 a.m.”
On Sunday, Hays was going on a picnic with his family and cursing the inconvenient time change.
“Losing that hour was the good lord’s cruel joke on us,” Hays said laughing. “I’m popping a lot of Aleve today. The kids are going to go picnic and play after they prop daddy up against a tree!”
The marathon raised more than $10,000.
For more info: keepgeorgiasafe.org
FENTY SEEKS ATTACK INFO
Rihanna’s father is reportedly waiting for her to tell him about the alleged attack by R&B singer Chris Brown.
Ronald Fenty is the father of the Barbados native. The Barbados Nation News says Fenty is disturbed by reports of last month’s altercation.
The Sunday newspaper quotes Fenty as saying, “all I have been seeing is the Internet reports. I am waiting on her to call me.”
A Los Angeles police affidavit alleges that on Feb. 8, Brown punched, bit and choked Rihanna until she nearly lost consciousness.
Brown’s arrest prompted a retreat into secrecy for the singers. He has been charged with two felonies.
Rihanna, 21, is known for “Umbrella” and other hits.
KENNEDY TO BE HONORED
The stars are coming out in Washington for a musical birthday salute to ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy.
The Massachusetts Democrat will be honored Sunday night at the Kennedy Center at an event hosted by comedian Bill Cosby. Actresses Lauren Bacall and Bernadette Peters and conductor John Williams are among those expected to appear. The 77-year-old Kennedy is battling brain cancer. He returned to Washington for a White House health care summit last week from Florida where he has been continuing his treatment and physical rehabilitation. Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor after he had a seizure last May.
PLAINS FIGHTS FOR CENTER
On the outskirts of Jimmy Carter’s hometown, miles from the nearest interstate, sits a state shrine to Georgia’s native president.
The Plains Visitor Information Center not only pays tribute to the peanut farmer-turned-president but also stands as a reminder that even one of the most sacred names in Georgia politics can fall victim to a budget crisis.
Only a ferocious battle led by leaders of Carter’s hometown — and the Democrats who represent his district — apparently has spared the center from the budget ax, for now.
“It’s shortsighted to even contemplate closing the welcome center,” said state Rep. Mike Cheokas (D-Americus), who counts Carter as one of his constituents.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer-actress Keely Smith is 77. “ABC World News” anchor Charles Gibson is 66. Bassist Robert Sledge (Ben Folds Five) is 41. Actor Emmanuel Lewis (“Webster”) is 38. Rapper Chingy is 27. Actress Brittany Snow (“American Dreams”) is 23. Rapper Bow Wow is 22. Actor Luis Armand Garcia (“George Lopez”) is 17.
OVERSCENE
Actor Bill Murray hanging out and playing the
Connect Four at the Cypress Street Pint & Plate in Midtown over the weekend. He’s in town shooting “Get Low” with Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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