Memorial Day Festivities and More

Like or dislike, most people have an opinion about comedian Bill Maher. If you belong to the former category, this is your lucky chance to see the funny guy do his irreverent stuff at the . Beginning as a stand-up comic way back in 1979, Maher’s career has followed an impressive ever-upward trajectory. Always pushing the envelope, Maher sharpened his TV chops on the un-P.C. Comedy Central show "Politically Incorrect." Later, Maher had a successful run on HBO’s "Real Time," for which he earned 21 Emmy nominations. In 2007, his documentary “Religulous” poked serious fun at organized religion and became the seventh highest grossing documentary of all time. Maher may not be as well-known as an author, but he has four bestsellers on his impressive resume as well: "True Story," "Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect’s Greatest Hits," “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden" and most recently, "New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer." The ever-irreverent Maher brings his talent to our Patch on Thursday at 8 p.m. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster for $73.50, $66.50, $50.50 and $40.50 plus fees.

By the way, don’t forget that Randy Travis is slated to appear at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on July 15. Tickets went on sale last week, so if you’re a fan, jump on that Ticketmaster train.

“As you wish.” Join Wesley, Buttercup, Inigo Montoya and Andre the Giant as they ramble around the countryside on their quixotic adventures in the classic film “The Princess Bride.” We’ve all seen it, but this favorite of all ages kicks off the free Movies in the Park series Thursday at the Gardens at . School’s out for summer, so c’mon and gather friends, neighbors, and children for this fun alfresco evening in the gardens. Just bring your own blankets for seating and cool beverages, because the movie viewing and the popcorn are free. Yep, free popcorn. Who can turn that down? The adventurous romance of Wesley and Buttercup begins around the dusky time of 8:30 p.m.

Before you head off to the lake, the pool, or a Memorial Day cookout, the City of Smyrna invites the public to start their day off right. Help commemorate and celebrate our veterans on Monday at 10 a.m. at the beautiful 20th Century Veterans Memorial in the Market Village area near the Community Center. Sponsored and coordinated by the Smyrna Veterans Committee, the Veterans Memorial Association of Smyrna, and American Legion Post 160, the ceremony consists of notable veteran speakers. At 11 a.m, it will be followed by patriotic music performed by the 116th Army Band, Georgia Army National Guard. Military hardware will be displayed around the traffic circle and a concert by the Tara Winds Adult Community Band will play selections from Sousa, Gershwin and Glen Miller. Show your patriotism and appreciation for all the fine men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

So you’ve been told you have a “Poker Face?” Or maybe you know for sure when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. Either way, invites all interested parties to Free Poker Nights this Thursday and Friday. Brought to you by the In-House Poker League, Texas Hold ‘Em will commence at 7:30 p.m. both nights in McCray’s top-secret back room. The three top dog winners will score $25, $15, and $10 bar cash to be spent at the fabulous host venue. In addition, the top 10 players earn points to be entered into the In-House Poker League’s Quarterly Tournament where the grand prize is a whopping 500 big ones. Psst….if you show up early and/or order food, you earn extra poker chips, effortlessly. Website: http://www.In-HousePokerLeague.com

Looking for a different venue, where you can chill on the patio with frosty bevs? Give a whirl on Sunday afternoons. Happy Hour lasts all day on Sunday, where the jewels in the crown are $5 Bellinis and Mimosas. Select wines are also only a five-spot per glass. And if you’re hungry, you’ve come to the right spot. Although the steaks are incredible, it’s not all about the red meat here at Stoney River. Swordfish, salmon and tuna are menu stars, as well as the freshly creative salads and delectable appetizers. Don’t forget to finish your feast with the decadent chocolate-on-chocolate ganache cake, which is truly a taste of heaven.