Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
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Spring is in the air in Georgia, and that means it’s an ideal time to cultivate a garden in Atlanta and others parts of the Peach State.
Not only is it a very sustainable decision, but it’s a great idea when it comes to feeding your family.
In this article, we’ll tell you the best fruits and vegetables you can grow in Atlanta as well as the best times to grow them and other things about planting.
What Vegetables Grow In Spring In Georgia?
In the springtime is the best season for planting and growing crops in northwest Georgia. The weather is mild enough to support substantial growth and the wet season of May makes for ample blossoming to occur.
Around March is a good time to plant your beans, no matter if they’re of the lima, pole or snap variety. It’s also a great time to plant corn, but be cognizant of where you put it because it could shade over plants as it grows taller and taller.
You can also plant your peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, okra and squash. Your melons such as canteloupe and watermelon will benefit by an early spring planting as well.
After the first planting, you should lay out a second round of seeds two to three weeks later.
What Vegetables Grow In Winter In Georgia?
In the winter, Georgia farmers can really continue their harvests if they plant turnips, which thrive in the colder months.
Leafy greens like collards, kale and mustards all take around a month to six weeks to mature, which could take you into March in most cases.
Also, vegetables with long growth periods under the earth include carrots, broccoli, lettuce, radishes spinach and arugula.
Here Are All The Fruits & Vegetables You Can Grow In Atlanta
Growing your own food has long been a Southern tradition, but it has taken on special significance with the coronavirus pandemic.
A lot of people think Georgia is just known for its peaches (Peach State, I get it), but the fact is that apples, watermelons, peanuts and many other fruits and vegetables are major crops here.
Let’s look at some of the many fruits and vegetables you can grow in Georgia.
View this post on InstagramGeorgia-Grown Fruits And Vegetables
- Apples
- Basil
- Beets
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupes
- Carrots
- Collards
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Field Peas
- Greens
- Irish Potatoes
- Lettuce
- Lima Beans
- Muscadine Grapes
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Peaches
- Peanuts
- Pears
- Pecans
- Peppers
- Persimmons
- Pumpkins
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Vidalia Onions
- Watermelons
- Wheat
What Fruits Are Native To Georgia?
View this post on Instagram
When it comes to fruit, Atlanta is an inhospitable place to grow citrus such as oranges, plums and mangoes. Bananas are possible, but they’ll typically grow on the small side.Some fruits have been imported from elsewhere and have literally taken root in Georgia. But there are also some fruits that have always been here.
Here are some fruits that grow well in Atlanta and other parts of Georgia:
Georgia’s Grapes (Muscadines)
Georgia’s grape industry is focused on the muscadine, which is a South America-native fruit with a think purplish skin and musky flavor.
Muscadines are high in antioxidants and fiber. These grapes are easy to grow in Georgia as well.
Crab Apples
Georgia is well known for its crab apples, which grow well in Atlanta. Crab apple trees can be planted in spring, summer and fall as long as they get plenty of sunlight.
You should water them generously in the first month or so, allowing the roots to spread in the Georgia clay.
Pears
The most popular pears to grow in Georgia are the Bartlett and Anjou, which are European varieties. Although you can grow pears in metro Atlanta, a prevalent bacterial fungus makes it difficult to do so commercially, although there are exceptions.
Pears
The peach is Georgia’s state fruit, but it hasn’t always been. Georgia experienced a bad cotton crop sometime after 1920 and switched its focus to producing peaches, even adopting the moniker “The Peach State” for marketing purposes.
It’s true, that peaches grow well in Georgia, but they are only typically available here from mid-May to early August. After that, peaches are imported from other parts of the world.
Final Words
Atlanta and other parts of northwest Georgia has some very fertile soil for growing fruits and vegetables. All it takes is some time and effort on your part.
If you prefer to buy your own fruits and vegetables, here’s where the local farmer’s markets are in Atlanta.
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest information from the Peach State’s capital city.
If you’re in the market for a nice plot of land, you’re making a wise decision. Real estate prices in rural areas are going up, but are still affordable. Here’s how to buy land in Georgia.
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Answering the interview questions correctly can be a difficult job. One bad answer can be the difference between a long and fruitful career and the unemployment line.
Because let’s face it: You’re going to earn that job and get hired because of your preparation you put into the interview phase.
Download this free resume template to kick off your job search successfully.
Best Job Interview Questions And Answers To Them
Here are the best job interview questions and answers to them:
1. Tell Us About Yourself
Use this question to expand on your resume, but tie it back into why you’re qualified for the job.
Say something like: I have made it my life’s work to help people ever since I was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. When I majored at Georgia Tech and finished first in my class, I knew what I wanted to do with my career. My five years at Coca-Cola really prepared me for making a transition to a company like this.”
2. Where Do You See Yourself In 5 Years?
Interviewers often use this question to gauge whether you’re a long-term fit for the company. They will also see if you’re complacent where you are now.
Say Something like: “I see myself as a productive member of the management team in a role that specifically helps customers.”
3. Why Should We Hire You?
Employers often use the “why should we hire you” question to weed out narcissistic personalities. They also use it to see how confident you are. Strive for a balance rooted in demonstrable facts.
Say Something Like: “I certainly think that if you’re hiring for potential — someone that can increase your company’s bottom line immediately — I am the person for this job. Also, if you look at my history, as noted on my resume, I already have a strong background in what the department specializes in.”
4. Describe Your Worst Mistake?
The job candidate needs to be careful with “describe your flaws” type questions. Employers want you to be truthful, but they’re not interested in deep, dark secrets. Simply describe a time you were challenged at work.
Say Something Like: “We had a sales expectation of $520,000 and we finished well short of that. Looking back on it, I wish I had worked even harder to accomplish our goal. Since then, we have doubled our profit in each of the last two years.”
5. Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
The “why are you leaving your job” question is a classic setup question to see if you will complain much about your employer. Don’t fall for it.
Say Something Like: “While I enjoyed the last three years at this company, I feel that it’s in my best interest to move on to greater challenges. I feel that this job would fulfill me in that way.”
Up next: How to write a resume that wows Atlanta employers
How To Write A Resume That Will Attract Atlanta’s Top Companies
Metro Atlanta’s hot economy has slowed of late due to the COVID-19, but that’s OK. Check out our Coronavirus Resource Guide and find out how to make and save money.We currently have job articles that show you high-paying jobs, those close to downtown and even side hustles you might like.If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job. -
David Weekley Homes is set to open its first home community in 2024 with Cherokee County’s Havencroft.
Situated within five miles of downtown Woodstock, the 69 homes offer homebuyers a chance at suburban life and all of its amenities.
So prospective residents can take a look at the new single-family home community, David Weekley Homes will play host to a drive-in tour on March 9 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Only open to homebuyers who sign up as VIPs, the event will include a chance to meet with the designers, builders, and other team members from David Weekley Homes’ Atlanta Division, preview several available floor plans, learn about the area and community amenities, and more.
Those interested in attending the event and receiving weekly updates about Havencroft can sign up online on the community page at DavidWeekleyHomes.com or call 404-789-3033 to be added to the VIP list.
“We’ve had great success with our VIP drive-in events over the last few years,” said Adam
Cornett, Atlanta Division President for David Weekley Homes. “Being a VIP is an excellent way for homebuyers to get a leg up on the competition amid a highly competitive market.”When Are The New David Weekley Homes Opening In Woodstock?
The community will open to the public in mid-April. Starting prices for homes in Havencroft will be in the High $600s.
Final Word
Atlanta has one of the best real estate markets in the country, with affordable housing in every quadrant of the city. Large backyards, manicured parcels and strong neighborhoods with ample dining amenities make it one of the top places for transplants.
Not to mention that the city’s dining scene is the best in the Southeast. Looking for a home? Check out our Real Estate Resource Page.
Keep up with what’s going on in Atlanta’s real estate scene here with our Apartment Guide.
See The Latest Atlanta Real Estate News At AtlantaFi.com.
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So you’ve secured the long-sought-after interview and the hiring manager is set to fire one question after another to you to see if you’re the best one for the job.
You’re well rehearsed on the typical questions. Finally, one of them comes at you with some intrigue: Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Before you wrap and follow up on your job interview, you need to nail your answer. How will you answer that question? What is the hiring manager or recruiter getting at by asking it?
How To Answer ‘Why Are You The Best Candidate For The Job?’
The best way to achieve an answer that moves you further along in the hiring process is to lean upon your experience as well as the needs of the company as specifically mentioned in the job posting.
Don’t Get Too Comfortable
First of all, don’t let the question go to your head. It’s not a time to go off the rails or drop your respective guard.
Technically speaking, you may not even be a job candidate yet. For the recruiter’s standpoint, you’re an “applicant,” or someone who simply applied for the job. If you want to take the next step to reach the status of “job candidate,” how you answer interview questions is vitally important.
Your Reply Should Show Research
Answering the question of why you are the best job candidate is a chance to show that you have researched the company’s values and are aligned with them.
You should sound like you know what you’re talking about when it comes to company culture, even down to the small details. Make sure you mention only the personal things about yourself that fit well with what you know about the firm.
Download a free resume template to get your job search kicked off right.
Use Key Words
Nothing says “I don’t know what I’m talking about” like not honing in on the verbiage in a job description. You should regard the company’s job posting as a script that you should stick to. The way to do that is by saying the same words you read.
Use key words that show that you grasp the mission of the business as well as the particular position you’re applying for.
What To Say
To answer the question, remember to lean on your resume and marry it with what you know about the position. Here are some sample sentences that you can start with and tweak as you see fit:
I do feel that I am qualified for the role, as my resume brings out, my (X) years of experience in my previous position has given me a unique depth of understanding for the intricacies associated with this particular job.
As you look at my resume more closely, you’ll see that I am uniquely qualified based on my education, number of years in the industry and collaborative skills I’ve acquired along the way.
I am confident that with my training/skills, I can learn your system in a relatively short period and begin contributing immediately to your bottom line.
Final Word
Finally, answering a question of how qualified you are has to be rooted in truth. If you are not qualified for the specific role, you should not have applied for it. Questions asked by an interviewer are a way to find this out.
Check out more of our interview tips to find employment right now.
If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job. -
Atlanta-based advertising executive Crystal Foote recently released a new children’s book aimed at promoting inclusivity and self-esteem among the youth.
Titled The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity, the book focuses on diversity and unity, something that children need to grasp at an early age.
When tasked with figuring out what the next steps in her career would be, Crystal Foote was driven by the desire to create meaningful change. Recognizing the importance of speaking to younger generations, Foote brought her vision to life through storytelling.
“When you instill these concepts early in a child’s life, they are more embracing of diversity,” said Foote. The advertising executive strategically chose to market to children to help instill these values, using the relatable theme of superheroes.
The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity
Collaborating with the talented illustrator Olivier Chen, the book came to life with its stunning visuals. The duo made sure to visually depict superheroes of all diverse backgrounds so all children could look at the book and see themselves in the characters Aisha, Emma, and Carlos.
In a world where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) are at the forefront of discussions, Foote uses real-world examples to convey to readers the impact diversity has and encourage children that they can make a difference regardless of age.
The book received praise from Grammy-winning artist and star of Disney Junior’s Choo Choo Soul, Genevieve Goings-Gums as well as award-winning librarian and social media influencer, Mychal Threets.
The message doesn’t just end with the last page, but readers are invited to visit the website, where they can dive deeper into the characters’ stories, discover cultural food recipes, and even take an inclusivity quiz for a personalized certificate.
“The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity” is not just a book, but a call to action for children, parents, and all to engage in conversations about the importance of unity. Crystal Foote’s commitment to making the world a more inclusive place for all starts with touching the hearts of readers and making every child feel seen through her pages.
Final Read
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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Hot off the heels of its grand opening, Signia by Hilton Atlanta hotel’s spa just opened its doors as well.
Signia by Hilton Atlanta, downtown Atlanta’s largest ground-up hotel development project in 40 years, recently opened Spa Signia.
What Is Spa Signia?
Spa Signia, led by spa and beauty veteran, Spa and Wellness Director Jaimie O. Allums, is 2,200 square foot spa focused on wellness and beauty. The attached beauty bar serves as an oasis of pampering and rejuvenation.
The spa offers several elegant treatments and amenities from renowned wellness brands including Babor, Botanika Life, Essence One, Higher Dose and Hyperice.
Featuring six treatment rooms, guests of Spa Signia can expect recharging experiences from detox massages with manual massage cupping therapy, recovery treatments featuring air compression massage technology and CBD pain cream to a cryo facial lift, combining cold therapy and gua sha, along with percussion therapy.
With the entire 23,500 square foot floor dedicated to wellness, Spa Signia joins a beauty bar, state-of-the-art fitness center, seasonal pool overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and premium wellness rooms. The new 976-room hotel offers a thoughtfully curated mix of premium wellness and luxurious leisure amenities designed to help visitors and hotel guests alike be at their best – whether maintaining their self-care routine while traveling or pampering themselves for a special occasion.
At the beauty bar, the full-service salon team will help guests look and feel their best for a gala, meeting, wedding, or even a date night. Services range from Dazzle Dry manicures and CBD pedicures to HydraFacials™.
“The debut of Spa Signia is a significant moment for Signia by Hilton Atlanta, providing our guests and locals alike with a new destination in the city for luxurious relaxation, self-care and renewal,” said Teri Agosta, general manager, Signia by Hilton Atlanta. “With Jaimie’s extensive background, passion for health and beauty, and attention to detail, she plays a crucial leadership role in crafting exceptional experiences that are a testament to Hilton’s commitment to holistic and results-driven wellness.”
“As Signia by Hilton Atlanta embarks on this journey to redefine wellness in downtown Atlanta, our team is thrilled to unveil Spa Signia,” said Jaimie O. Allums, director of spa and wellness, Signia by Hilton Atlanta. “On our dedicated wellness floor, our mission is to create a serene sanctuary where our hotel guests and locals alike can relax, rejuvenate, indulge and escape. Whether our guests are looking to level up their wellness game, or simply spend time winding down and recharging in between meetings, Spa Signia offers something for everyone.”
Also on location is the hotel’s esteemed Italian eatery, Capolinea:
Capolinea
159 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Photo credit: Capolinea Using high-quality ingredients in Georgia, Capolinea offers diners an inspired taste of Italy in downtown Atlanta. Check out the menu.
Where Is Signia by Hilton Atlanta Located?
The Signia by Hilton Atlanta is located at 159 Northside Drive NW Atlanta, Georgia 30313 adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center. Here’s how to get there.
Final Word
No doubt the Signia brand will soon be one of the best hotels in Atlanta. With its many amenities, it’s just the place to enjoy a day or two or perhaps this weekend,.
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It’s a bird. It’s a plane. In downtown Atlanta, it’s Superhero Science Night! At least that’s what it will be on March 9 in downtown Atlanta. It’s a great thing to do with kids in Atlanta.
Kids are invited to soar to Children’s Museum of Atlanta and discover the magical powers behind learning at Superhero Science Night on Saturday, March 9 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Kids and parents are encouraged to embrace the opportunity to don their favorite superhero attire and embark on a mission to save the world through the applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The event-filled evening promises exciting activities, including constructing a Batmobile, triggering Volcanic Eruptions, unraveling the mysteries of the Disappearing Face and much more. Attendees can also look forward to hearing how special guest, Decatur Makers Space, designs and creates superhero cosplay props. Visitors can see their incredible props and learn more about 3D printing, LEDs and circuits.
WHAT: Superhero Science Night at Children’s Museum of Atlanta Families are invited to blast off into the wonderful world of science
WHEN: Saturday, March 9 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Children’s Museum of Atlanta 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30313Final Word
We love the kids! That’s why we’re showing you all the good things happening in the city this weekend. But there’s more: Check out what’s going on in downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. Downtown Atlanta or Midtown often has something cool going on! While it’s warm, take advantage of the outdoors. Don’t miss these awesome festivals.
The fun is just starting. Are you a beer drinker? You also may want to visit a craft brewery in the city.
Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:
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With the making of a new Hulu documentary about Freaknik, the roving street party is getting more attention than it has in 30 years.
Freaknik — Freaknik (/ˈfriːknɪk/; originally Freaknic) is a 1980s-90s era annual spring break party for black college students that grew into one of the largest rolling street parties in America.
The documentary is set to be released in the coming weeks, but there’s a lot to unpack.
Freaknik: How It Began
This article will provide an unofficial history of Freaknik, the famous and infamous rolling party that snared Atlanta traffic and turned highways into parking lots and dance floors.
The origins of what would become Freaknik can be traced to 1983, when dance clubs made up of students from the Atlanta University Center began throwing parties. This was the height of the pop-locking craze and a few years after aspiring filmmaker Spike Lee had left the AU Center’s Morehouse College.
One group in particular, the D.C. Metro Club, conceived of a party coinciding with spring break in April. It’s name was “Freaknic,” a play on the words “freak” and “picnic.”
Party flyer from the early 1980s.
The president of the D.C. Metro Club, Schuyla Goodson, is credited with coming up with the term “Freaknik” on the grounds of Spelman College.
There is some debate over where the inaugural Freaknic was held, but many say it was at John A. White Park near the AU Center.
The first “Freaknic” party was attended by around 150 people and became an annual event, but the D.C. Metro Club got in trouble with Spelman College. Then-President Johnetta B. Cole banned the group for the legal risk that Freaknic posed as the parties grew larger and larger.
Through the late 1980s, AU Center officials tried to sanitize the event, renaming it “Black College Spring Break,” with an obvious appeal to HBCUs in the MEAC, SWAC and various small black colleges and universities scattered around the South.
As the number of visitors to Atlanta began to swell each year, the behavior of the attendees began to worsen. As does everything in the South, the discussion began to take on racial undertones and then overtones.
“Most of the white establishment wanted Freaknik to end pronto,” said Fred Richard, a Grambling State University alumni, who now lives in suburban Atlanta after going to grad school at Clark. “We partied so hard in Atlanta because we didn’t want to go to Daytona Beach; we wanted to have fun here like they were doing in Florida.”
Race Becomes A Factor
Atlanta’s African-American lawmakers, all the way from council-men and -women to others in high positions around the city’s mayor, tried to balance their obligations to keep law and order by extending a welcome mat to the party-goers, which were overwhelmingly black.
But news broadcasts would often lead with the arrests and images of rowdy behavior from the crowds of students in town for the raucous weekend. Resentment from residents in Atlanta’s top neighborhoods slowly began to boil as negative news reports about Freaknik began to circulate.
The issue was illustrated best by then-Councilwoman Carolyn Long Banks, who told the Times, “There is a fear of the congregating of more than one or two black people in any given area. It has become a racial issue for some of the neighborhoods. These kids are the black cream of the crop, and if they are not treated well, there is little hope for the rest of us.”
In the early 1990s, the AU Center dance clubs, fraternities and sororities all tried to milquetoast the “Freaknik” name — downplay it and rebrand it “Freedom Fest was one attempt) — but it was too late. College officials, engaged in feeble attempts to refocus the then-highly sexualized party weekend, tried bonding it to a job fair, step shows and other collegiate events, but to no avail.
Music And More Began To Change
In 1990 and 1991, Freaknik was still just another black spring break function, the likes of which students at Winston-Salem and Norfolk, Virginia, were used to.But by the end of 1991, a wave of misogyny would sweep through rap and hip-hop music. Instead of the conscious, pro-black vibes that came to characterize much of the popular music, the tunes turned to darker themes, often fueled by weed smoke.“The music definitely played a role in how people started acting,” Wilson said. “Instead of bumping Public Enemy or listening to some words by Sistah Soulja, gangsta rap exploded. Everybody was on that NWA, West Coast, all that stuff.”But it wasn’t just gangsta rap. Florida’s Miami bass, New York’s lyrical hip-hop and the South’s own SouthernPlayalistic vibes were all contributing. You can’t have a party without the music.Another culprit was the mob mentality: A common scene for Freaknik was to see a jam -packed street with people on the hoods of the cars and loud music. Women would be dancing on the cars or next to one and they would be surrounded by ogling and touchy-feely men with video cameras.“In a lot of ways, what set Freaknik off in the early 1990s was the videotape footage. Like the videotape beating of Rodney King that set off riots, when people from all these different cities came back home and showed their friends the video footage of Freaknik, it exploded.”
According to media estimates, about 100,000 people attended Freaknik in 1993. The next year, that numbered had doubled to 200,000 although arrests were cut in half.As Olympics Neared, Atlanta Wrestled With Its Image
At the crux of many civic debates, was this question: What kind of city was Atlanta trying to be? A party city or one that was brand-safe for big business?
“You have to understand,” said Tony Robinson, a barber from Atlanta, who went to Clark Atlanta in the late 1980s. “In the early 1990s, Atlanta was in the midst of remaking itself for the Olympics.”
In 1994 and 1995, the city was being flooded with new money and was trying to put on its best face. But this rolling black street party would churn through every year and make national headlines for all the wrong reasons.
A New York Times article from that time says, “Young people showing off their late-model luxury cars in caravans tied up major arteries for about five miles north of downtown. But the police managed to channel most of the impromptu motorcades out of residential areas. Mayor Campbell acknowledged that “there were no streets which could contain the cars and the young people’s determination to stay in their cars and to see and be seen.”When visitors began to pour into Lenox Square, the mall of Atlanta’s wealthy, the affluent residents began to complain about the traffic outside the structure. Instead of a place to shop, the weekend brought thousands of people-watchers and rowdy behavior.Atlanta’s City Council and Mayor Bill Campbell, who was elected in 1994, began to get criticized for allowing the city to be overrun with “hoodlums” and party-goers who would go inside stores to gaze but wouldn’t shop.
Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell in 1996.
Tug Of War: Atlanta Politics Meets Freaknik
The city’s white business leaders began to push for an all-out ban on Freaknik, putting tremendous pressure on Atlanta’s black leadership, which was starting to feel the heat.In front of the microphones, Atlanta’s black leaders were politically correct when asked questions about Freaknik and public safety.“We welcome anybody coming to this event who is law-abiding,” said Atlanta Police Chief Beverly Harvard. “We will not tolerate the violation of this city.”
Privately many of them wondered how long they could last as political piñatas.
“If our event goes poorly as a result of the Freaknik crowd, it would seriously jeopardize my ability to come back,” Campbell said in March 1995, one month before the event. “So Atlanta does have a lot riding on the success of this.”
Freaknik: Business and Residential Resistance
One neighborhood, Inman Park, even sued the city to keep it off-limits from visitors. Spurred by Atlanta’s business elite, the City of Atlanta began to turn against Freaknik at least to some degree. Some Atlanta students said race was a major factor.Quoted by the Washington Post at the time, Samuel Bell Jr., who was student body president at Clark Atlanta University, said, “These students are, supposedly, the future leaders of our nation, and what are they saying, that we’re going to loot and pillage the village? It’s an atrocity.”The city responded by denying permits to party organizers and offering underwhelming support to the few activities that happened to be sponsored. Police officers blocked entry into whole neighborhoods and made some streets one ways around the AU Center.“Remember, this wasn’t Miami. This wasn’t Jacksonville or even Galveston, where there’s a beach. Atlanta is all asphault,” said Robinson. “Half of the city — and you know which half — just couldn’t understand what all these black people were doing down here.”Inside City Hall, leaders tried to soften the mayor’s stance, saying that the students should be welcomed by the city, but that their energy should be channeled into a more positive direction.C.T. Martin, an elder statesman on the city council, said then, “I understand the mayor’s predicament, but this is the home of Martin Luther King and six black institutions of higher learning, and we owe it to the parents of these young people to cradle their children while they are here.”Atlanta Turns On Freaknik
“There is nothing for people to do,” Lori Dodson, a Spelman student at the time, told the Times. “We had events scheduled but we had to cancel them because of the city.”While there was sporadic violence connected to the event each year, Atlanta officials touted the success of letting students flock to the city, but kept them driving in circles by routing them to the highways and away from prestigious areas. Faced with no where to go, many revelers congregated in parking lots and just partied in their cars and on the streets.To save face, Atlanta officials stopped providing the press with crowd estimates, which would only fuel the naysayers. Still, the police would shut down around 200 blocks of city streets to curtail cruisers during the three-day weekend.“They tried to stop it before it got started,” Corey Griffin, a reveler from Dalton, Georgia, told the Times at the time. “I think it’s nice to come down here and spend some money. But I felt I was unwanted.”Soon Campbell and city officials made it ther mission to deny any permit associated with the words “Freaknik” or “Freaknic.”As the 1990s closed, Freaknik became a shadow of itself and all but died out except for the occasional brash party promoter.“Few issues in the city of Atlanta have been as divisive in the last 10 years,″ Campbell told the Associated Press in 1998. “It is a very difficult weekend even under the best of circumstances.″“In Atlanta, Freaknik became a curse word,” said Monica Wilson, who traveled to the annual party each year from 1993 to 1996 as a student at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.With no public safety support, sponsors or organizers, Freaknik, seen as a headless monster, began to unravel and die out.Final Word
What began as a party for collegians quickly morphed into a weekend of unabashed street partying. Among the city’s business leaders, the sentiment was that Atlanta was built for a lot of things, but it wasn’t built for that.Crowds particularly gathered around city landmarks like Underground Atlanta, Piedmont Park, Old National Highway, the AU Center and Peachtree Street, the city’s main vein.All but dead, now the name “Freaknik” still pops up every now and then, but it’s in reference to its heyday, circa 1994 and ’95. It is the party that time forgot. -
Do you enjoy springtime vibes, a good meal and live music outdoors? The Atlanta R&B Wine Food & Music Festival is happening once again.The fest is designed to take guest on an epic journey through the ATL. Showcasing Great People, Local Wines, Amazing Bands and a variety of Vendors.When Is The Atlanta R&B Wine, Food & Music Festival?
The Atlanta R&B Wine, Food and Music Festival takes place on Saturday, May 25, 2024. The event will feature live bands, wines and vendors.
All you have to do is bring an appetite for great music, wines and food, enjoy the fresh air, and the amazing sounds of R&B/Neo Soul Music. This is a 21+ event, Chairs & Blankets welcomed.PAID Admission Include:
*LIVE BANDS
* Wine Tasting
*Souvenir Glass
*Wine Education
Where is The Atlanta R&B Wine, Food & Music Festival Taking Place?
The event is taking place at The Center at 3951 Snapfinger Decatur, GA 30035. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Word
Want to know about more events? Check out AtlantaFi’s Atlanta Festival Guide, which features all you need to know about local festivals including the Dogwood Festival, Fried Chicken Fest, Shaky Knees, Music Midtown and more.
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The Atlanta Jewish Life Festival is returning for a fifth year to the world-famous Georgia Aquarium. Tickets are on sale now for the March 3 event scheduled from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. entering through the Ocean’s Ballroom entrance at 246 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313.
When Is the Atlanta Jewish Life Festival?
The Atlanta Jewish Life Festival is March 3, 2024. It takes place this year at Georgia Aquarium™ the Ocean’s Ballroom located on the first level of the Aquarium parking deck at 246 Ivan Allen Jr.
Here’s a map to help you find it.
The event, founded by the Atlanta Jewish Times, is Atlanta’s largest single-day festival promoting and celebrating Jewish and Israeli arts, food, music, and culture while connecting the community to local synagogues, nonprofits, and social action groups with the hope to further strengthen the bonds and understanding of Jewish beliefs, traditions, and family.
This year, they are adding a splash of March Mitzvah Madness. This timely event calls for a “Hoop Contest.” Got game? Prove it and compete in the Hoops Contest. They’ll be giving away cash prizes to the Star Players in each of their four age groups.
To cheer on the March Mitzvah Madness event is the Atlanta Hawks’ dancers and “Harry the Hawk” himself. Even the Atlanta Braves will be sponsoring and providing signed baseballs and four pack tickets to be awarded to hoops and raffle winners.
“We are excited to be back a fifth year, and I want the community to know that safety measures are in place,” said Michael Morris, owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times. “We are always excited for this unique opportunity to bring thousands of Jewish families together for kosher food, entertainment and a chance to meet informally with Jewish community service organizations.”
Festivalgoers can expect a variety of kosher foods, music, entertainment for the kids, a Purim costume contest, and the opportunity to meet the organizations and institutions that make up the Jewish community here in Atlanta.
Tickets for the event are $22 each, and $11 for children ages 3-12 (tickets for children under 3 are free). A Family Pass for two adults and four children is also available for $75. All tickets include entry to the Georgia Aquarium for the day.
Tickets can be purchased at atlantajewishlifefestival.com. The website is also being updated regularly with information on the schedule, vendors and partners who will be participating in the 2024 event.