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On the heels of a report that said Atlanta’s traffic congestion was the 8th-worst on the planet, a group of state leaders have devised a radical plan to solve much of the traffic woes in the city and suburban areas.
Georgia transportation officials are floating a plan to build a nearly 40-mile truck-only highway from Macon to Atlanta. The proposal would cost $1.8 billion and meet a number of the region’s development linchpins such as easing commuter traffic and improving safety.
The plan, reported by NPR, is not a new idea: Several states have dedicated highways and lanes to trucks, but the Georgia one would be the largest.
Georgia and metro Atlanta officials are also in talks to bring a light-rail system to the region. The success of light rail in some international cities has piqued the interest of transportation officials, especially those in Atlanta.
The truck-only highway is not without its scrutiny though. There are those that oppose any such plans on its face.
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The future is bright for Janelle Monae, the Kansas City-born part cyborg, part human siren of a woman.
After three studio albums and a handful of EPs, some big screen praise and newfound Hollywood clout at her command, the 31-year-old is on the cusp of being a megastar. It comes just in time too. Monae’s new musical project, Dirty Computer. Is about to change the game.
The album’s first two singles, “Django Jane” and “Make Me Feel,” have fans in a frenzy for the full project, which is set to be released on April 27, 2018. For those of us who’ve been checking for Monae for minute, her first EP, “Metropolis: A Suite (The Chase),” showed that she has long been married to afrofuturism.
But the record-buying public, especially her audience, was not ready. Even with 2010’s “The ArchAndroid,” there was the sense that the imagination of music lovers hadn’t quite evolved for what Monae was doing.
But with “Electric Lady” in 2015, her vision — along with the audience’s resistance — began to meld. So here we are in 2018, about to enjoy some legendary joints.
She recently hosted a fierce power brunch for her grassroots organization Fem the Future, which featured a who’s who from the entertainment industry. Stars like “Black Panther’s” Danai Gurira and Tessa Thompson served looks and drank mimosas.
https://twitter.com/tessthompsonorg/status/969716507973488640
For those not invited to the VIP soiree, Monae streamed part of it on Instagram Live, giving her fans a dose of hopeful wokeness in these troubling times.
Monae’s unique brand of afrofuturism, R&B and pop interwoven with social commentary puts her on the vanguard not only in music, but in entertainment as a whole.
Afrofuturism has come a long way since being popularized by author Octavia E. Butler. widely regarded as the fairy godmother of sci-fi literature. But in music, acts like Sun Ra and George Clinton infused funk and Africa’s tribal beats to pop culture.
Still, none of them had the technology to see their visions come to fruition — but Monae is living it.
After starturns in Oscar-winning films like “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures,” the sky seems like the limit for Monae. She is, by every definition, winning.
As for the music, Monae is now more confident in her sonic space than ever before, in large part to her fallen mentor, Prince.
“It’s difficult for me to even speak about this because Prince was helping me with the album, before he passed on to another frequency,” she told The Guardian in February.
She said that the Purple One helped her to shed any inhibitions that crimped her creativity — and for that, she is forever grateful. “I wouldn’t be as comfortable with who I am if it had not been for Prince. I mean, my label Wondaland would not exist without Paisley Park coming before us.”
The city of Atlanta figures prominently in Monae’s life, especially in developing her into the woman she is.
“Atlanta is home to me,” she told Atlanta Magazine last year. “I’m originally from Kansas, and I like to say that Kansas raised me but Atlanta turned me into a young woman. This is where I started my career. This is where my roots are as an artist.”
And this is also where her future — an afrofuture — is as well.
Listen to #DjangoJane & #MakeMeFeel on @applemusic! #WondalandRecordshttps://JanelleMonae.lnk.to/dirtycomputer/applemusic
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Brunch has always been one of the most satisfying meals of the week. For some reason that we have not been able to demystify, brunch is nearly always associated with Sundays. Why?
Surely you should be able to enjoy poached eggs and coffee at 2 p.m. on any day of the week. Anyhoo, speaking of Sundays, Atlanta has some pretty righteous brunch spots.
Here are five of the best brunch joints in the ATL.
The Southern Gentleman: The Shops Buckhead Atlanta 3035 Peachtree Rd NE
Ste A 208 Atlanta, GA 30305
This Buckhead gem is fashionably decorated and located, making it a tourist favorite. Featuring such hits as the shrimp and grits and Monte Cristo brunch joint, you don’t want to sleep on this restaurant. In three short years, it has become one of Buckhead’s best. A Yelper says this: ““It’s owned by the same group that recently opened Gypsy Kitchen in the new Buckhead Atlanta shopping district.”
Sun In My Belly 2161 College Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30317
A Yelper says: ““We’re ready to go back for dinner asap–if you love this place for brunch/lunch, give dinner a whirl.”
Buttermilk Kitchen 4225 Roswell Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30342 Buckhead
A Yelper says: ““We had French toast, an omelettes, eggs ried hard, the pimento cheese grits and their exclusive Tennessee smoked bacon…yum!”
Whiskey Bird 1409 N Highland Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306 Morningside / Lenox Park
A Yelper says: “Whiskey Bird is super cool inside, imagine concrete floors, light wood tables, and almost-Scandinavian-meets-Japanese decor. We were a little early for our reservation on a Saturday night, but the place wasn’t crowded at all, so they seated us right away. Immediately, I looked over the drink list (lots of whiskey options, naturally) and the rose sake sangria caught my eye! It was really tasty, light in alcohol but still high in flavor, and a really unusual sangria, in the best way. My dude had the Whiskey Bird sour to start, which was tasty.”
West Egg Cafe 1100 Howell Mill Rd NW Atlanta, GA 30318 Westside / Home Park
A Yelper says: ““When I want breakfast/brunch it’s most likely a West Egg craving.The Georgia Benedictis my thing but everything I’ve had here is great.”
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If you live in metro Atlanta, you probably know someone with their own business. Or you may have a business of your own. In fact, most Atlantans feel that the city is a hub of entrepreneurship, according to a new study by Squarespace.
Eighty-five percent of those polled by the website-hosting company say that Atlanta is an entrepreneur city.
“Our survey shows that Atlantans are truly inspired by the city’s deep musical roots, diverse population, the people themselves, and the burgeoning art scene,” Squarespace CMO, Kinjil Mathur told Patch. “It’s that rich blend of culture and history that inspires residents to go out, start a business, and be a part of shaping the next era of their city.”
Mathur said that young movers and shakers are part of the city’s business renaissance as well.
“We even see some of our own Atlanta-based Squarespace customers like Young Moguls Brand, a company started by two teenagers, paving this path of entrepreneurialism across all generations in Atlanta. We couldn’t be more proud to be a part of that movement.”
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King Barbecue in Alpharetta has closed down after being open for a number of months. The North Fulton eatery is reportedly set to reopen in March 2019.
King Barbecue offered generous portions of beef and pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other sides to make your belly happy.
King Barbecue temporarily closed at Avalon
.The latest restaurant from Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere, King Barbecue is serving its signature take on Georgia-style barbecue.
The menu features a ton of good Southern love, with sides to match.
Catering is also available for off-site picnics and other events.
Atlanta has turned into quite a restaurant town, with new spots popping up by the week it seems. Follow AtlantaFi’s Restaurants tag to stay up on all the latest.
Read more: Grant Park Summer Shade Festival: Everything you need to know
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The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta are celebrating 106 years of changing the lives of young women by throwing their Founders Weekend brunch soiree in Atlanta.
The Deltas’ Founders Weekend Brunch will take place Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Suite Lounge on Lucky Street in downtown Atlanta.
The Deltas were founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University in Washington D.C.
SATURDAY 1/12 @SuiteLoungeATL
10a – 5p | 375 Luckie St. Atlanta, GA
Reservations » www.getbrunchatl.com
or Call 404-577-2500
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
See other things to do this week in Atlanta
Read more: The best soul food restaurants in AtlantaRead more: The essential bars in Little 5 Points
Food & drink specials: How to eat for cheap in Atlanta EVERY DAY
5 metro Atlanta places to ride horses
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Source: AtlantaFi
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The rolled ice cream rage is rolling into Atlanta’s Toco Hills, according to Tomorrow’s News Today.
PaoPao Rolled Ice Cream has plans to open in the Toco HIlls shopping center, which already enjoys an eclectic offering of dining options. There are no details yet on when the establishment will open to the public.
Coming To Toco Hills: Ramen And Rolled Ice Cream
As Tomorrow’s News Today reports, the business has just been added to the shopping center’s site map, a clear indications that plans are afoot.
There is also a PaoPao Ramen Factory and Rolled Ice Cream location in in Buford. The menu includes such delights as Cristal Shrimp Dumpling, Seaweed Salad, Sesame Chicken Wings and Yum-Yum Shrimp.
The Toco Hills shopping center, a longtime magnet for area shoppers, has seen many changes of late. Last spring, The Junior League of Atlanta’s Nearly New Shop closed its consignment shop. More recently, Bagel Palace announced its closure among others. But there has been new life as well. Local pizza newcomer The Local Pizzaiolo, from entrepreneurs Allison Satter Hill, Fiorenzo Bresolin and Giulio Adriani, recently signed up to move into the shopping center.
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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?”
