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If you want to party, this weekend has a slew of events on tap. To get things started, let’s go down the list, shall we?
Day Javu Day Party: Sat, December 16, 2017 4 to 6 pm. “The #daytimedrinking champions are back to defend our title as the best #Dayparty every Saturday Afternoon at @atlantisatlrestaurant_ 3115 Piedmont Circle NE. Join DJ PNUT (V-103 FM) + DJ KASH (Hot 107.9 FM) as they keep you partying until 9pm!RSVP here for free admission.
Spoken Word,Paint and Shop Jazz Night: Fri, December 29, 2017, 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM ET. Looking to unwind? The key is to hold a paintbrush in one hand and a wine glass in the other, with jazz and soul playing in the background. It sounds like a tall order, but that (and more) is exactly what Spoken Word, Paint and Shop Jazz Night has on tap at Manuel’s Tavern in Atlanta.
WOMEN EXPO: Artists, Speakers, Vendors, Dancers, Comedians And More: WOMEN EXPO SATURDAYS Starting Saturday, MAY 13… over 300 Women will invade @TheVooll 8P-12A to sip, shop, and network at Atlanta’s weekly social for BOSS CHICKS! RSVP $10 entry in advance and receive FREE VENDOR TABLE for your products! Our goal is to promote women-owned businesses, open connections for women, and increase overall sisterhood in the city through arts & entertainment.
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Atlanta’s vibrant, diverse metropolitan community has been called the New York of the South and for good reason. Not only is the city’s population booming, but much like NYC, the area’s food options continue to expand as new cultures make their footprint in the region.
Adding to the New York flavor, The Halal Guys, a sandwich shop that began as a cart, will get a brick-and-mortar spot in Midtown. The shop, the eatery’s second in the city, will be located at the base of the high-rise building of Mill Creek’s Atlanta residences.
“Much like New York City, Midtown Atlanta is a vibrant, fast paced, diverse metropolitan community very rich in culture,” Joe Hafez, the eatery’s director of operations, said in a press release.
“The addition of The Halal Guys to the retail landscape at Modera Midtown is a huge win for the community,” Vice President of Development Harvey Wadsworth said in a statement. “We’re excited to partner with the team there and are looking forward to seeing the concept further energize Midtown’s evolving culinary scene.”
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A new documentary “Maynard,” recently debuted at the DOC NYC Festival in New York, offering a fresh look at the racially charged political and economic climate of the early 1970s, which parallel strangely enough to modern times.
The film’s director, Sam Pollard, who previously worked as editor for Spike Lee, is bringing the movie to today’s masses to “give this new generation of young people – black, white, Latin, Asian – an introduction to one of the most important politicians of the last half of the 20th century,” he was quoted as saying to NBC News.
An Atlanta lawyer and Morehouse man, Jackson forged relationships with the city’s power players early on, failing in a bid for the U.S. Senate in 1968 and earning the position of vice-mayor in Atlanta the following year.
In 1973, Jackson’s victory in a runoff election against his white incumbent firmly established him as the leader not only of a new Atlanta but of the “New South.” He immediately got to work by shaking up the white-dominated field of municipal contracts, making sure at least a quarter of them went to minorities.
He also rode shotgun over the expansion of the Atlanta airport, which now bears his name.
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“Real Housewives of Atlanta” castmember Kim Zolciak recently appeared on the Sunday night show and acted the fool, getting into it with Kenya Moore. The two had to be pulled apart during a spat.
Speaking to E!, Zolciak says she regretted the exchange. “I hate watching the drama unfold with Kenya, just allowing somebody to push by buttons,” she told the TV show.
Zolciak rose to prominence on the show but broke away when she married NFL player Kroy Biermann after meeting her at a charity event in 2010. The couple are raising six kids in a suburban Atlanta mansion.
Biermann is currently a free agent after the Atlanta Falcons didn’t re-sign him in 2016. Meanwhile, Zolciak says she has soured on reality TV — or has she?
“I have not watched Housewives, I have not watched every episode since I left, so I didn’t know that Kenya was the type—I didn’t even know Kenya. I didn’t know she was the type to just push people and push people until they just lose it until Porsha [Williams] explained to me what she’s been through with her. So I didn’t feel as bad that somebody was able to trigger me and get me that pissed off. But that’s behind me. You’ll see through the season that that doesn’t happen again. No matter what I have to do when she’s around me, I do many things to just not even deal with her.”
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Atlanta just opened another outdoor gathering place, this time the $500,000 Broad Street Pedestrian Plaza. Mayor Kasim Reed and other officials were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the space.
The Broad Street Pedestrian Plaza will be an outdoor social space with adequate seating for nearby eateries and other businesses.
“The Broad Street Pedestrian Plaza is truly something special. If you look around Atlanta there is nothing else like it,” Mayor Reed said in a statement. “This new plaza is designed to be a thriving center of social interaction. Its proximity to Woodruff Park, Centennial Park, Georgia State University, MARTA and the Atlanta Streetcar guarantees that it will always have the kind of bustling foot traffic that attracts new business and supports the restaurants and companies already located here. I want to thank all the partners who have made this project a reality.”
In addition to Mayor Reed, at the event was joined by William Johnson, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Commissioner of Public Works, Terri Lee, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Planning and Jennifer Ball, VP of Planning and Economic Development, Central Atlanta Progress/Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.
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It’s Atlanta. Or at least it looks like it is. The is the frontrunner for Amazon’s second headquarters, according to news reports.
The city of Stonecrest iis probably the most creative in its bid to lure Amazon’s proposed second headquarters to Georgia. The Stonecrest City Council voted 4-2 in late September to de-annex nearly 350 acres of real estate if the company chooses the site over other cities. The land will be called Amazon, Ga., the mayor of Stonecrest said, according to local media.
The Seattle-based tech giant announced Sept. 7 that it would build a new North America headquarters in a metropolitan city with an international airport, touching off a frenzied national competition. The project is expected to ring tens of thousands of jobs and raise the profile of the region — wherever it’s located — immeasurably.
“Let’s be honest with ourselves: This is the largest economic development deal in the history of America,” Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle told the AJC. “It would require action by the Legislature if we are successful. And I’m very optimistic that we can land Amazon in the state, and we’re in great position to do that.”
The Inc. quoted Jeremy Bodenhamer, who runs a $13 million shipping and logistics firm,: “We believe they will select Atlanta,”he was quoted as saying. He cited the area’s deep well of tech talent as well as the region’s reputation as harboring people with top logistical knowledge (UPS as well as Lockheed is based here) a top reason.
Stonecrest’s mayor said he still believes his small city can lure the tech titan: “There are several major U.S. cities that want Amazon, but none has the branding opportunity we are now offering this visionary company,” Lary was quoted as saying. “How could you not want your 21st century headquarters to be located in a city named Amazon?”
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Atlanta’s biggest company, Delta Airlines, once again got major props for its in-air cuisine, according to rankings by nutritionist Charles Platkin, aka the Diet Detective.
Platkin runs a blog, DietDetective.com, which gauges the healthiness of food served by multiple entities. The blog noted that although Delta has upped the calories in 2016, “calories are not everything; we are looking at the nutrients.”
He also lauded the Atlanta institution for its dedication to serving responsible meals to travelers.
“Delta is doing an incredible job focusing on improving its food, transparency and communication,” Platkin said. “It is the clear leader among the big carriers by a long shot. While calories are surely not everything, it’s always nice to see a decrease; the overall calories are down from 527 to 480.”
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The Best. That’s a food you can find in Atlanta is in various places around the city. There are pork chops on the south side that are hard to beat. Steak in Buckhead is impeccable. Barbecue on the east side is No. 1.
But without a doubt, if you want to find an establishment that pretty much has it all: top-notch service, awesome food, great atmosphere and more, there are some staples that are hard to ignore.
Here are the top eateries in ATL, according to Trip Advisor.
#2 of 3,293 Restaurants in Atlanta. A reviewer says: “A wonderful place for fine dining in Atlanta. Having been several times it never disappoints with exceptional service and superior quality steaks. An ample wine list and classy atmosphere make it a perfect location to enjoy fine dining at its best.
Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
#3 of 3,293 Restaurants in Atlanta. A reviewer says: “This place is a lot better that other places with recognized names in town. The service is awesome! I’ve been here a few times and all the time has been great. Even the valet parking guys are very nice! This restaurant can be compared to Fogo di Ciao, but with more options. An unforgettable experience.”
#4 of 3,293 Restaurants in Atlanta. A reviewer says “Hands down the best Ethopian food we’ve ever had! Couldn’t decide what we wanted to order, so we went with the Vegetarian Platter and the Original Meat Lovers (we picked salmon, lamb, and filet mignon). Amaaaaazing! Every single bite was delicious!!! Highly recommended.”
#5 of 3,293 Restaurants in Atlanta. A reviewer says “Some businesses and companies achieve true greatness: Lexus with cars, Apple with computers. Jaeger LeCoultre with watches. This is one of those places. Truly exceptional. The bone-in filet and porcini-rubbed ribeye were simply first rate – better even than local specialists like Rathbun’s and Bone’s, or out-of-state legends like Peter Luger’s. These folks know what they’re doing. The ambiance and service are first rate as well. Come here when you want the best.”
#6 of 3,293 Restaurants in Atlanta. A reviewer says “I had heard so many good things about this place and was finally able to try it out with a friend on a Friday evening. It did not disappoint. I called on Thursday evening and was able to get a reservation for two on a Friday evening at 6:45 pm. We had on jeans and a nice shirt, but I would probably recommend at least khakis and a nice shirt as a minimum. Make sure you turn on your GPS, because it is a bit strange to find. But, we arrived on time and were promptly seated. The place is very rustic chic, but gorgeous and inviting. We were seated right by a window, but unfortunately, it was dark out, so we could not take in the spectacular views. We started with some Pino Noir and the fried oysters (special) and kangaroo as appetizers. Both were simply amazing. I had never tried kangaroo and I absolutely loved it. Also, they bring several bread options to the table and you have as much as you want. The sourdough was my favorite. For dinner, I had the swordfish, which was delicious. My friend had the monk fish, which was a special. His was delicious, as well. For dessert, I had the popcorn ice cream sundae with cracker jacks. It was beyond amazing and quite a sizable portion. My friend had the chocolate grotto, which was great, as well. The service was spot on the prices were reasonable. I would recommend this place for an intimate dinner or small group. Additionally, they have a small party room that would be great for a higher end work or personal function. This is now truly one of my favorite places in Atlanta and I plan on coming back, soon.”
Got any other top eats? Let us know in the comments
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This weekend, Grambling State and North Carolina AT&T get first dibs in Atlanta’s shiny new Mercedes Benz Stadium. Called the Celebration Bowl, the game will feature two of the best HBCUs in all the land: The Tigers (11-1) and Aggies (11-0).
The winner of Saturday’s game will be the undisputed champion of black college football, a notable accomplishment that will be immortalized on T-shirts, banners and national TV: ABC is covering this year’s game.
Kickoff is set for noon on Saturday, Dec. 16. The weather will get up to 56 degrees and down to 36.
As in previous years, the Celebration Bowl pits the winner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion.
The game will be one of three at the venue over a three-week period. On Jan. 1, No. 12 UCF (12-0) will face off against No. 7 Auburn (10-3). Then on Jan. 8, for all the marbles, CFP National Championship Semifinal winners will play.
While many people will be looking forward to what’s going on between the hash marks, the $1.5 billion stadium will share top billing. The luxury seats, jumbo screens and retractable roof promise to play spoiler before, during and after the game.
Nearly four months ago, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game made history, becoming the first college football matchup to not only play at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but to sell out.
Celebration Bowl 2017
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16
Time (ET): 12 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TV: ABC
Live stream: WatchESPN
Tickets: Ticket Master
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The Atlanta Dream women’s basketball team has a new coach courtside: Nicki Collen, who hopes to reverse the recent fortunes of the city’s WNBA franchise.
Colleen most recently was an assistant coach with the Connecticut Sun, where the team posted a 21-13 record under head coach Curt Miller.
After she was hired in October, Collen said ““I am humbled at the opportunity to become the next Head Coach of the Atlanta Dream and incredibly proud to be associated with a league that empowers women in such a positive way,” according to a WNBA press release. “I want to thank owners Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler, as well as team President Theresa Wenzel for believing in me and what we can accomplish together. I was blown away by their passion and commitment to the Dream and to the city of Atlanta.”
The Dream went 12-22 last season, culminating in the firing of head coach Michael Cooper. Colleen said that she was actually surprised she got the call. “I was shocked at first,” Collen told Atlanta Magazine, “but I was also incredibly humbled. [I was] just living the dream.”
Colleen will get an Atlanta squad stocked with eager talent: Tiffany Hayes, Layshia Clarendon Damiris Dantas, Bria Holmes and Elizabeth Williams all shined at one point or another last season.
Let’s hope they can string together some victories and give Atlanta another winner.