Loving the Lindahls: Theater Couple Takes Final Bow at Brookwood High

Educators Ken and Patty Lindahl are retiring after 30 years at the Snellville high school. The community thanks them for their service to students and dedication to the arts.

Applause erupts, and it seems unending.  The audience leaps to its feet. There are cheers, and there are tears -- all for two people: Ken and Patty Lindahl. This day has been three decades in the making. Drawn together by their mutual love of the arts, the husband and wife are now taking their final bow at Brookwood High. It's hard to imagine that this day would ever come. But, it has. It's time for the Lindahls to retire. For all the love, and all the memories, and all the hard work of so many people year after year, "we are so fortunate," Ken Lindahl said at the end of their final performance. Growing Up Artsy As teenagers, the two met in St. Joseph, Mich., at a street dance not far from a lake. "It was like "West Side Story," except for…

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Luhrmann's 'Great Gatsby' is Quite the Spectacle

Critics describe the adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel as "frenzied," "audacious" and "relentlessly entertaining." Find when and where it's showing in and around Snellville.

The premise, courtesy of the film's official website: “The Great Gatsby” follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible…

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Brookwood High’s Lindahl Inducted into Arts Hall of Fame

The Georgia Thespians honored Patty Lindahl for her long-time dedication to the arts.

A Brookwood High teacher has earned a spot in the Georgia Thespian Hall of Fame. Patty Lindahl, a veteran theater arts teacher, was recognized by the Georgia Thespians at the group’s state conference in Columbus earlier this year. Gwinnett County school officials congratulated Lindahl at its recent board meeting, and then announced the news on May 8.  "Patty Lindahl embodies all the qualities that define a successful and effective teacher,” said Brookwood High Principal Debbie Dees. "She is caring, empathetic, non-judgmental, and open-minded. "She also is enthusiastic, creative, and innovative. Her passion for teaching is infectious." Lindahl will be retiring with her husband, Ken, after more than 30 years at Brookwood High.  Look for a …

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Movie Review: Iron Man 3 is a 'Fun Ride' but 'Remote'

Robert Downey returns as a PTSD-ridden Tony Stark.

Having bested the aliens who invaded in "The Avengers," Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), aka Iron Man, finds himself unable to sleep and feeling anxious. His girlfriend, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), is miffed because he spends so much time building his Iron Man suits. Tensions around the world are rising because of terrorist bombing by an Osama bin Laden-ish villain, the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). When an official with Stark Industries is killed in an attack, Tony vows revenge. As the plot unfolds, he battles a geekish techno genius, Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), and encounters a woman he knew years before, Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall).  "Iron Man 3" is rated PG-13 and runs 129 minutes. Check moviefone.com for show times near you. Here's …

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News Nearby: Florida Georgia Line Get Key to the City of Monroe

It was music and mayhem in Monroe, Ga. on May 2, 2013 as hometown boy Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, of county music duo Florida Georgia Line, were in town shooting the video for their new single, "Round Here."

After spending about five hours shooting their new video, "Round Here," Tyler Hubbard, of Monroe, and Brian Kelley, the other half of county-music duo Florida Georgia Line, were given the key to the city by Monroe Mayor Greg Thompson. The award-winning country duo then dined with the mayor before heading to a farm off Pannell Road to finish up the shoot. Passing traffic was treated to the musicians performing in the middle of Broad Street as crowds gathered on the side of the road to take photographs. Buckles store also became part of the set. Hubbard, Kelley and a crowd of local Monroe residents then took the party to Pannell Road for some down home southern fun. Potential extras, those over 18 anyway, lined up and signed releases for …

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Congratulations to the Winner of Patch's "Lark Eden" Ticket Contest!

The winner will receive a pair of tickets to see the play on opening weekend at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Thanks to everyone who entered our Lark Eden ticket giveaway contest! We asked you to tell us about your best friend. We then randomly selected a winner from all of the submissions. Our winner is Beth Farr! Here's what Beth said about her best friend: "My daughter is my best friend as we have fought some tremendous battles together theses past few years. She has always loved live theater as does her mom, her grandpa and his mom before her. She blesses my life both on stage and off." Congratulations Beth! Check your email for instructions on how to claim your prize, two tickets for the Saturday, May 8th performance of Lark Eden at 8pm at Aurora Theatre in downtown Lawrenceville, Ga. Enjoy the show! If you didn't win, you can still buy …

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Win Tickets to Opening Weekend of 'Lark Eden' at Aurora Theatre

This is the last day to win tickets to the last show of the downtown Lawrenceville theatre's season.

Win Tickets to Opening Weekend of 'Lark Eden' at Aurora Theatre

Patch is giving away a pair of prime tickets to the last show of the downtown Lawrenceville theatre's season.

Enter to win a pair of fifth row tickets to an opening weekend performance of Lark Eden at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville on Saturday, May 4, at 8 p.m. from Patch.  Aurora's final play of its 17th season, Lark Eden is a southern comedy about chosen family and best friends. The play by Natalie Symons follows three lifelong friends over 75 years. The play runs from May 2 through May 26. Full-price tickets start at $20. Visit www.auroratheatre.com for discount and matinee prices. To enter Patch's ticket giveaway, simply tell us about your best friend in the comment section below by Thursday, May 2, at 12 p.m. We will randomly choose the winner from the comments. The winner will be announced by Thursday, May 2, at 6 p.m. See our rules for…

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News Nearby: Production Company Films "A Friggin' Christmas Miracle" in Norcross

Actors Joel McHale ("Community," "The Soup") and Lauren Graham ("Gilmore Girls," "Parenthood)" were on set Wednesday filming the holiday movie downtown.

Nearby historic downtown Norcross had a taste of Hollywood on Wednesday with the filming of the holiday movie "A Friggin' Christmas Miracle." Two of the film's stars, Joel McHale, who's known for his lead roles in NBC's "Community" and E!'s "The Soup," and Lauren Graham ("Gilmore Girls," "Parenthood") were seen on set in Norcross shooting the film. The movie also stars Robin Williams, Candice Bergen, Oliver Platt and Ryan Lee. Crews were inside, outside and around the Norcross Station Cafe on Jones Street and South Peachtree Street since the early morning hours and are expected to be there throughout the early evening. Check out the photos above for a peek at McHale and Graham, other cast members and crew, and what the set looked like at …

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