?? More MARTA stations
Tuesday talk
March 26?—?Centennial Yards, the $5 billion mixed-use development rising across from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, has announced its next phase: “a world-class sports and entertainment district.”
??? Rain with a chance of thunderstorms and a high of 61° today.
?? Dunwoody Police have arrested a man for shooting his 62-year-old grandmother.?
?? Chick-fil-A said it will allow certain antibiotics in its chicken, reversing a 2014 commitment.
??? The Atlanta Veterans Affairs Regional Office was formally renamed in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson Monday during a ceremony at the Decatur building.
????Atlanta Public Schools is partnering with the Trust for Public Land to open new parks to students and the public.
?? The film "Carol Doda Topless at the Condor," following the life of the legendary topless dancer, is opening in Atlanta this weekend exclusively at Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema.
?? "The Idea of You" and "Sing Sing" are two of the films headlining this year's Atlanta Film Festival, running from April 25 to May 5.
ELSEWHERE
?? Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a container ship early this morning.?Rescue workers are searching for about 20 people and multiple vehicles that fell into the Patapsco River. Get live updates here.?????The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the unconditional release of the more than 130 hostages being held by Hamas. The U.S. abstained from the vote.
? A New York appeals court lowered former President Donald Trump's bond?while appealing a civil fraud judgment. Separately, a New York judge said Trump's criminal trial related to hush money payments will start on?April 15.?
?????Federal agents searched properties belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex trafficking investigation.
?? Here's what's in today's newsletter:
? State of the City
? 'The Regulars': Andre Blanchard
? State spelling bee winner
? Around the State: GPB
AND?
? Volunteer Opportunities
Have a good day and get a lottery ticket for tomorrow if you're feeling lucky,
Collin & Sammie
???Betsy Akers, an agent with?Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, recently attained the No. 3 volume spot at the Atlanta REALTORS? Association Top Producers gala.
In 2023, Betsy unveiled her most impressive listing: a $35 million Tuxedo Park mansion. The architectural marvel is still on the market. "Every client I have, whether for a $600,000 property or a $35 million property receives the same level of attention."
SPONSOR MESSAGE
1. State of the City: Dickens announces new MARTA stations
??? In his annualState of the City Business Address, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced Monday plans to build four new MARTA stations, including the first station to connect rail to the Atlanta BeltLine.
Dickens announced the MARTA expansion during his State of the City address at the Woodruff Arts Center. The annual invitation-only event is presented to hundreds of the city’s top business and civic leaders and sponsored by the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company.
One station is planned to be built at Murphy Crossing. The 20-acre site in Oakland City is adjacent to the BeltLine’s Westside Trail. The station in southwest Atlanta would be the first to link MARTA rail to the BeltLine.
'Star Wars and More' with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra?
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA?
???It’s back! The beloved film score program,?“Star Wars and More: The Music of John Williams,” with the?Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,?returns to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta on Sun., May 19. ?
This family-friendly symphonic concert will feature pieces from iconic film scores including many of John Williams' works such as “Star Wars,”?“Harry Potter,”?“Jurassic Park,”?“Indiana Jones,”?and much more. ?
Just as in years past, there will be costumed characters and cosplayers out and about before the concert kicks off.
?????Get your tickets now?for this family-favorite event!
领英推荐
2. "I go back to the same restaurants...because of relationships"
?? For restaurant regular Andre Blanchard, dining out is about more than the food.“
I go back to the same restaurants over and over again because of relationships I have with the people who work there,” he says while sipping a glass of champagne at the corner barstool he always occupies at Lucian. The Buckhead wine bar, owned by friends and neighbors Katie Barringer and Jordan Smelt, also features a small bookshop.
Blanchard visits the restaurant several times a month, sometimes for a meal or a glass of cabernet franc or chenin blanc. He peruses Barringer’s curated selection of books by some of his favorite authors, like chef and food activist Bryant Terry. Lunch might include briny oysters, whipped ricotta with chestnuts and bright citrus fruits, and a confit-style duck leg with borlotti beans and sugarloaf endive.
3. Dunwoody fourth grader takes state spelling bee crown
?? Austin Elementary School fourth-grade student Sarv Dharavane was perfect – from “mischievous” to “dashiki” – as he won the Georgia State Spelling Bee on March 15, beating out second-place finisher Matthew Baber after?six?head-to-head rounds.??
Over the course of 400 words and 18 rounds, the 10-year-old beat 19 other students and was crowned the winner of the 63rd Annual Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) State Spelling Bee.?
He and Baber, an eighth grader at Rising Star Middle School in Fayette County who was last year’s champion, will represent Georgia in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Championships in National Harbor, MD, May 26-June 1.?
???Bayne Battleson Group, agents with?Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, ranked No. 6 for volume sold at the recent Atlanta REALTORS? Association Top Producers gala.?
In 2023, they recall a standout moment handling a double transaction for a distressed seller. The group analyzed the market, advised on price, listed the property, secured an all-cash offer, and guided the seller to buy another property at a lower price.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
4. Georgia State University pulls the plug on prison education
??? Georgia State University is blaming federal rules for the return of Pell Grants as a primary reason for its decision to close its prison education program this summer.
The program won’t admit any new students but the university said it has a plan to help currently enrolled students at two state prisons finish their programs, which could take up to two years.?
Officials cited the administrative challenges of securing federal financial aid, as well as a $24 million budget shortfall, as factors leading to the university’s decision to halt classes at three correctional facilities, according to a statement sent to Open Campus. The program has been operating since 2016.?
5. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
???Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia is looking for assistance in their Chamblee food pantry on?Wednesday morning. Volunteers will restock inventory, replenish refrigerators and freezers, and prepare emergency bags for families and unhoused neighbors. Roles may include checking clients in, data entry, shopping assistance, shelf stocking, or delivery processing.
???Food Well Alliance (pictured) needs volunteers for a Community Garden Workday near Collier Heights on?Thursday morning. No previous gardening experience is required; participants will work with Food Well staff.
???New Life Community Alliance is looking for volunteers for?Saturday morning?at Praise Salon in Decatur. They need stylists, washing assistants, braiders, front desk reception help, and assistance with data entry.?
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???Today's newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.