Macon makes it's debut tomorrow...in a new baseball-themed film from Clint Eastwood.
"Trouble With The Curve" premieres in theaters nationwide.
Let's go to Austin Lewis for a first look.
Leah, Frank...this film had several scenes filmed right here in Macon...at Luther Williams Field and at Cheers, a local bar.
Today, I stopped by Cheers to talk to the owner Jim Pierson.
On Friday...you will see Clint Eastwood play an ailing baseball scout, who takes his estranged daughter, Amy Adams on a recruiting trip..but if you look closely....you'll see some familiar spots.
That's because just in March...Dirty Harry himself was right here in Macon...and one of those spots is the bar, Cheers.
<Jim Pierson, Cheers: Clint was sitting at the bar and he was talking to the bartender and then a couple of patrons got up talked to him you know it was really neat.>
Seven months later...that seat, where Eastwood enjoyed a burger and fries is open.
And you can see signs that the Hollywood legend hung out here.
Owner, Jim Pierson, says all you movie fans keep your eyes peeled, because his bar made the final cut.
<we are definitely in the movie we had to sign a release so we know we're in it
it may be a three minute scene at most but still having Clint Eastwood in your bar and grill is about the biggest thing that I can imagine.
He says in the movie his bar is called Jimmy's...and it looks a little different for its Hollywood debut.
<Jim Pierson, Cheers: they changed everything and put their stuff in so it's not going to look like Cheers when you walk through the door .>
But some Cheers customers say they'll know the bar when they see it...
<Mike Jamison, Atlanta: it's a pretty recognizable place I am sure they didn't change everything.>
and may give it a little cheer.
<Pam Davis, Forsyth:I hope I don't yell out because everybody in the theater will probably go crazy but I am just excited to see it, >
Pierson says this may not be the last time...you see Cheers on the silver screen.
<Jim Pierson, Cheers: It's already opened the door the two guys from Warner Brothers flew back in about three weeks ago on a Tuesday, they came in and we talked and they are doing another movie in Macon and Clayton and uh, they wouldn't tell me what it was about because they say I got too much publicity on this one>
Austin Lewis 13WMAZ Eyewitness News.
Now, Pierson told me that those loyal Cheers customers will recognize the bar when it's on the silver screen.
Pierson says he wants to see the film this weekend.
Eastwood's most recent on-screen splash wasn't in a movie at all...but at the Republican National Convention...where he made headlines by addressing an empty chair...as though the President were in it.
Some loved his atttention-getting address...others weren't so keen on it...
And reviews of "trouble with the Curve' are pretty much the same.
Brittiny Barber has what the critics are saying.
<Brittiny Barber: Reviews are mixed from the entertainment industry for "Trouble with the Curve".. with some critics calling it predictable, yet enjoyable.
Roger Ebert said QUOTE "Trouble with the Curve isn't a great sports film, like Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," but it's superior entertainment."
The San Francisco Chronicle agreed, saying "He doesn't talk to any furniture, but he does kick a coffee table across the room... "Trouble" is second-rate Eastwood.
<movie clip:"Gus Lobel! What are you fellas staring at? I'm not a pole dancer.. (laughs)>
Brittiny Barber:
Entertainment Weekly went even further giving the movie a C minus - writing "Even those who don't know a foul tip from a chicken wing will be able to spot the desperate plays."
<Hey, you wanna dance? Not really. Come on dance, it won't hurt anything. Alright you two! Get out of here before I have a heart attack trying to kill you. >
Brittiny Barber: But some critics have a soft spot for the hard-edged Eastwood..
The Hollywood Reporter called him "vastly entertaining" in this role.. And said of the film: "The old pro scores with another hit right up the middle."
<movie clip: .... As far away from me as you can>
"Trouble with the Curve" is in theaters Friday..
Natsound: ... .... ... You don't know anything about the game...>
Today...at 13WMAZ-dot-com...we asked if a screening of "trouble with the Curve" is part of your plans.
Six percent of you are going to the movies this weekend.
Twenty-nine percent... will get around to seeing it in the theater..but you're not in any hurry.
Thirty one percent are waiting for that DVD release.
And thirty-four percent...aren't planning to see it.
To vote now... Visit 13WMAZ.com.
Look for the question on the right side of the homepage.
This afternoon.. Bibb County's school board got a rundown on the costs and benefits of the Macon Miracle.
That's Superintendent Romain Dallemand's plan for improving the district's schools.
School C-F-O Ron Collier put the price tag at around 2 point 7 million dollars.
But that came almost entirely out of the regular budget....not as add-on costs.
He said alternative education is costing the district around 1 point 8 million dollars.
That includes the cost of three alternative schools.
What about the cost of teaching Mandarin Chinese in every elementary school? So far...that's at about 350 thousand dollars
Board members heard from educators and parents who said that Mandarin Chinese program is off to a successful start.
And they talked about a need for a reporting system for teachers...to ensure all new standards are being integrated from day to day.
Some also requested a structured plan...for classroom management and discipline.
{***SOT FULL***}
<over the twelve years I've been on the board, we've heard these glowing plans, but there's a real disconnect as far as implementation. The one thing in the discussion I didn't hear was classroom management. And I'm hoping that in the teaching of this delivery of instruction, as you talk about it, you're also talkng about how you manage the class. >
Also at tonight's meeting...An outside audit is calling for changes in the district's financial policies.
The board is scheduled to hear details of that audit...from the McGladrey firm.
A district news release says they found problems in bidding...record keeping....internal oversight...and purchasing....and said the district needs to improve its policies.
In the release...Superintendent Romain Dallemand said he was deeply concerned by some of the findings...and said he will act.
We'll have more on this story on Eyewitness News at 11.
Moving even once can be daunting ... But some military kids move up to four times before they've even reached middle school.
It's why school officials in Houston County are partnering with military leaders at Robins Air Force base for a conference next week to discuss ways they can continue to help children of military families adjust well to school. Kennedy Stone is only in 6th grade, but has already moved four times. She says she's glad officials are doing this.
<it's kind of nice because if they wouldn't be helping then it would be kind of sad because I wouldn't be getting as much help with my emotions as I would need, so yeah.
>
In Houston County.... 1 in 10 public school students is a dependent of active military.
Another event in Central Georgia focused on others who have served...but never came home.
The Museum of Aviation held a ceremony to honor Prisoners of War, and those who were declared missing in action in times of war.
Over 150 military members and civilians attended the ceremony, to learn of the sacrifices made by past soldiers.
The event featured a guest of honor, J. D. Lankford, who was a World War two prisoner of war, and a Korean War Veteran.
Lankford says his experience as a veteran gives us freedom to live as we wish...
and events like this one make him proud to know that he made a difference in so many lives.
< The only person you got to answer to is to God first, and then yourself. But you sure don't have to have a pass to go anywhere or do anything and it does me real good to know that I was part of making it possible for you to be here. >
Lankford is the author of a book that tells of his military experience.
He says the book, Walk with Me, is available on Amazon.
Proceeds go toward building a museum for the U.S. Army.
Georgia's governor wants to make sure the state's archives remain open to scholars, students, historians, and geneology lovers...but his office hasn't said how he plans to pay for it.
Governor Nathan Deal made the promise after declaring this month "archives Month in Georgia".
That raises questions though...with Secretary of State Brian Kemp already planning to lay off state workers...and give limited, appointed-only access to the archives, which are located off I-75 in Morrow just south of Atlanta.
It houses state records dating back to 1733...the year Georgia was founded as a colony.
The Governor's spokesman says it'll be up to state leaders to hash out the monetary needs in budget meetings.
Meanwhile....one of Georgia's former Governors....Sonny Perdue...is entering a partnership of sorts...with political colleagues from both parties.,
Perdue...a Republican from Bonaire...was governor from 2003 through 2011 after serving 11 years as a state senator. Once a Democrat who switched parties, he currently works as a founding partner of an Atlanta-based global trading company.
He's joining five other Governor's Council members in the BiPartisan Policy Center. The Center announced this week that Perdue will work to, quote, "bring pragmatic state-based perspectives to national issues."
How would you like to enjoy a homemade italian dinner and not have to worry about slaving over a hot stove. Well, You can... Thanks to a group of Central Georgians who are cooking for a cause.
We met up with one cook who's donating her time to serve up awareness about a charity that works to help cancer survivors
in tonight's Hero Central report.
It takes me about, I make three at a time. It takes me about four hours.
Linda Cannon is all set to feed what she says hopefully will be a couple hundred people.
<My passion is cooking, so what better way to do something I enjoy and pay it forward.>
She, along with other members of the Georgia Cancer Friends Foundation are making homemade lasagnas for a fundraiser Friday night.
<A lot of people go out to eat on Friday nights and you have to wait in long lines and you may be on your way to a local football game but instead you can come out and support a great cause.>
Cannon has made 9 lasagnas so far and is looking forward to serving them at Trinity United Methodist church in Warner Robins.
<This is actually the Georgia Friends Cancer Foundation's inaugural fundraiser. This is the first time that we've done this and we're hoping for a big turnout.>
Friday From 5-7:30, homemade lasagna dinners with all the trimmings will be served up right here for $10.
She says the event will help introduce the community to their organization which works to help cancer survivors in need.
<We've had several family members that have had cancer and through this foundation, if a cancer survivor needs help with their utility bill or mortgage payment or grocery bill, they'll go through a strict screening process and if we are able to help them, we can.>
The non-profit she says not only provides financial assistance but emotional and spiritual support. Cannon says she feels thankful that she's able to do her part... With the help of One lasagna dinner at a time.
You can buy tickets at the door or get them in advance by calling 478-953-1377.
The event is tomorrow at Trinity United Methodist Church at 129 South Houston Road in Warner Robins.
All lasagna dinners come with a salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverage for ten dollars...and you can dine in...or grab one to go.
With the great weather today, hundreds were out hitting the links at Robins Air Force Base ... For charity.
The base hosted a golf tournament to raise money for the Museum of Aviation, which they say is always in need of extra cash and volunteers.
Organizers say the event is one of their biggest sources of income for the museum.
The foundation director told us, without help, the exhibits aren't the only things that would be affected.
<we'd have no education program. We would have no weekends, we wouldn't be open on weekends. We wouldn't have a security system. There's just a lot of things that this pays for. Bue education is the biggest expense we have. >
Bartness says the museum is still looking for volunteers, especially those with a background in working on airplanes.
But, you don't have to have special skills...he says the Museum can find a way for you to help.
You can find out more on our website at 13wmaz.com