Monster Mansion, Six Flags Over Georgia’s new incarnation of Monster Plantation, will open Saturday morning, but its first real test came Thursday, when dozens of third graders from Mount Paran Christian School journeyed through the monster picnic and marsh.

Waiting just outside the exit to eavesdrop on their reactions was Gary Goddard, the ex-Disney Imagineer whose company built the old monster ride in 1981, and remade the new one for a 2009 kind of audience.

“Did you hear that?!” he whispered. ” ‘Best ride ever. Awesome.’ Rar! See that? They’re making monster faces!”

Other audiences were impressed, too. Phil Mendez, another former Disney guy who worked on the old and new Monster rides, said it turned out better than he expected:”These guys did a heck of a job re-furring those characters,” he said.

Robert and Peggy Ulrich, local members of American Coaster Enthusiasts, were impressed, too.

“It feels familiar, but it’s all new. It feels like all your old friends, and they’ve all got new dresses, they got facelifts,” Peggy said.

“The attraction feels like today, not 20 years ago,” Robert added.

And then there were testers, like 4-going-on-5 Grey Walker of Dawsonville. He spent much of the ride with his head buried in his mother’s shoulder, especially once his boat carried them into the marsh.

Does he want to ride it again? Yes. Ride it again.

CNN anchor Errol Barnett was selected as one of The Apex Society's 2009 30 Under 30 Award recipients Thursday night. Photo: Ben Rose

30 Under 30 Winners

As usual, the Atlanta chapter of The Apex Society, the invitation-only international young professionals club had quite the eclectic list of recipients as it feted its 2009 30 Under 30 honorees Thursday night at 191 Club downtown.

Among the thrilled recipients: Dan Lack, president of the Atlanta Jr. Chamber of Commerce; Tania Narula, vice president of strategic sourcing SunTrust Banks; Bridget Cody, director of advertising, PINK Magazine; Errol Barnett, CNN International anchor/correspondent; Tangie Larkin, V-103 FM radio personality; Nina Brown, V-103 Fm’s Frank & Wanda morning show producer; Monica Ponder, health communications specialist, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta Falcon Jonathan Babineaux; Rosalyn Merrick, vice-president of major gifts, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta; Catherine Bass, director of the Johnetta B. Cole Society United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and Haley Kilpatrick, the founder & executive director of Girl Talk Inc.

Overscene

“Grey’s Anatomy” actress Katherine Heigl, who memorably flat-lined on the ABC drama’s shocking season finale, looking quite alive and well and dining at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead with her mother Nancy and another gentleman. We hear mom treated them all to dinner, and Heigl, who’s in town shooting “Five Killers,” ordered the single-cut filet mignon.

NBA legend Julius “Dr. J.” Erving and family enjoying a quiet dinner in Pricci’s main dining room in Buckhead. We’re told the low-key Erving made quite an impression when the 6′ 7″ Hall of Famer walked into the restaurant. The still luminous former “Charle’s Angels” actress Jaclyn Smith dining separately this week at Pricci.

Late-Night Tut Trek?

History buffs have one final late-night opportunity to take in “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” Saturday night at the Atlanta Civic Center. To accommodate the anticipated crowds, the popular exhibition will remain open tonight until midnight. It closes Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at (1-877-888-8587) or www.ticketmaster.com.

High Five

Top-Selling Releases This Week At Decatur CD:

1. Steve Earle, “Townes” (deluxe edition)

2. Bob Dylan, “Together Through Life” (deluxe edition)

3. Wilco, Ashes Of American Flags DVD

4. Green Day, “21st Century Breakdown” pre-sells (the album comes out May 15)

5. St. Vincent, “Actor”

Courtesy: Decatur CD

Celebrity Birthdays

Jazz drummer Billy Cobham is 65. Actor Pierce Brosnan is 56. Actress Debra Winger is 54. Actress Mare Winningham is 50. Violinist Boyd Tinsley of The Dave Matthews Band is 45. Singer Janet Jackson is 43. Actor David Boreanaz (”Bones”) is 40. Political correspondent Tucker Carlson is 40. Actress Tori Spelling is 36. Actress Melanie Lynskey (”Two and a Half Men”) is 32. Actress Megan Fox (”Transformers”) is 23.

Contributing: Jamie Gumbrecht and news services.

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