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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Eddie Murphy returned to host Saturday Night Live for the first time in 35 years and he killed it. Eddie Murphy brought a certain riskiness and edge we’ve come to know about SNL back to the show.
One of those particular moments happened during his Mr. Rogers skit, which he brought back along with some timely updates.
Watch Eddie Murphy On SNL
This time Mr. Rogers does an explainer on gentrification and even racism, all tongue in cheek of course. The biggest laugh, though, came when it mentioned Atlanta.
Check out this clip… specially, 1:00 the mark.
Atlanta has become a movie mecca in recent years and Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in 2018-19 and the foreseeable future.
With more than 700 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls
Read more: How to become a screenwriter in Atlanta -
A new restaurant concept between Big Citizen and King of Pops is joining Atlanta’s redevelopment wave along the Memorial Drive corridor. Wonderkid opened its doors on Saturday, December 21.
Wonderkid combines the styles of a traditional diner with that of a modern ice cream parlor. Read our Wonderkid review HERE.
Wonderkid: Concept between Big Citizen and King of Pops coming to Atlanta
The principals, including Darren Carr and Eric Simpkins, both co-founders of Big Citizen, spoke to AtlantaFi.com about Wonderkid and how it came about.
Carr said that Big Citizen had been eyeing the surrounding properties for some time after previously working nearby. “Eric and I came over here two years ago and we loved the building and wanted to be back in the neighborhood.”
We already had a dining concept in the back of our minds that we always wanted to do and this felt like the time and place to do it,” Carr said.
The building’s proprietor first offered them 2,500 square feet, but that wasn’t enough space for what they wanted to do.
“We said, ‘That’s not enough room, there’s not a lot we could do in that space,” Carr said.
“They then said, ‘Well, you’ve got these neighbors, it’s top secret, we’re not allowed to tell you who they are, but they might want to partner with you,” Carr said.
It turned out to be Steven Carse and Nick Carse of King of Pops, who they’ve worked with in the past.
“So it turned out to be a very easy and natural relationship — these were guys who were our friends already — so we said why don’t we blend the two concepts into a bigger space and have some fun with it,” Carr said.
Simpkins said that the early talks between Big Citizen and Kign of Pops centered on how they could blend the two concepts nto something they both liked.
“When we actually saw their mood board that they had and their pitch document, we both had the same picture of this really great coffee house or ice cream shop and some place that just really had this beautiful bar and diner-esque feel,” Simpkins said.
“We knew that there was obviously some natural overlap with classic soda fountains,” he said. “And we all knew that we didn’t want to do the same greasy spoon diner.”
Simpkins also said they didn’t want to do something that didn’t feel original.
“There’s enough small local independent diners up the street who are run by friends of ours and they are doing some amazing things and are neighborhood staples,” he said. “We didn’t want to do the same thing, but we wanted to be there alongside them and not necessarily directly compete.”
And so that’s how Wonderkid was born. The eatery is also a passion project of sorts.
The new Atlanta restaurant will be an inclusive place for the nieghborhoods nearby from Reynoldstown, Cabbagetown and East Atlanta Village, Simpkins said. “We want this place to be a center where those communities can come for breakfast, lunch and dinner and late night.”
What’s On Wonderkid’s Menu?
Patrons can expect traditional diner food, but with a funky twist.
There will be a frozen drink machine that will use the ice cream process that King of Pops uses. Customers can also expect delicious specialties like frozen chocolate bourbon.
The executive chef is Justin Dixon, who is from Atlanta.
“We wanted to do something different, we knew we had to elevate things a little bit and our goal was to really find a chef that could match that spirit of elevation where it’s still very much a diner, approachable and broad, but understands the roll n’ roll feel we bring to it and have a bit more fun and shake things up a bit,” Simpkins said.
Other key players are:
Don Hart, the general manager, who previously worked at Barcelona Wine Bar.
Taylor Blackgrave, beverage director, who comes from The Lawrence in Midtown Atlanta.
Sarah Hagamaker, pastry chef, who previously worked at Proof Bakery, Bon Ton and the Lawrence.
Where is Wonderkid located in Atlanta?
Wonderkid is located at 777 Memorial Dr. SE, Suite 101A, Atlanta, GA. 30312. Here is a map to help you find it.
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If you frequently ride a Lime scooter in parts of Atlanta, a new subscription may make it cheaper for you. The electric scooter company recently debuted LimePass, a weekly subscription service.
The way LimePass works is that it waives the unlock fee on the company’s scooters. The same goes for its bikes.
LimePass Subscription Now Available in Atlanta
The subscription services is available in select markets, including Atlanta, but is expected to be rolled out across a wider area in 2020.
“We know that more than 50% of our riders worldwide trust Lime for their commutes and personal daily trips around the city,” Kevin Shi, Product Manager at Lime was quoted as saying. “With our new LimePass service, we’re proud to offer them a more cost-efficient way to get around town and manage their busy schedules.”
Prices for LimePass will vary depending on the city, but in Atlanta, it’s $4.99.
To be clear, users will still have to pay for their rides, but the unlock fee will be done away with. If you ride LimePass every day for a week, it should be worth your money.
Up Next: How To Operate A Lime Scooter
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:
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Ready for another restaurant along the Beltline? Rina, the newest concept from Oliva Restaurants, is set to open its doors Monday, January 13, 2020.
The new Atlanta restaurant is located on the Eastside BeltLine in the Ford Factory Lofts.
Everything You Need to Know Rina, The New Atlanta Restaurant
Rina is an Israeli diner-inspired eatery that will serve classic Middle Eastern dishes, creative cocktails, and boozy milkshakes in a vibrant, casual setting. Think beach-side Tel Aviv.
The people behind Rina are the same ones that has brought Atlanta some culinary staples, including Bellina Alimentari, Aziza, and Falafel Nation).
The eatery is named for restauranteur Tal Baum’s grandmother, who instilled a passion for cooking in Baum.
“I wanted to expose Atlanta to the fun, lively, delicious part of my culture that is not always the focal point,” Baum says. “I want everybody to know what a magical and beautiful place Israel is and share the recipes that were first served at my family’s falafel stand in Israel in the 1950’s.”What’s On The Menu At Rina?
Rina will serve classic Middle Eastern dishes such as pita sandwiches, skewers, seasonal mezze, hummus, salads, Israeli-inspired milkshakes, and more.
The kitchen will be helmed by Executive Chef Brandon Hughes, who oversees all of Oliva Restaurants’ ventures (Bellina Alimentari, Aziza, Falafel Nation).
“This concept takes more traditional Israeli food offerings, and brings things up a notch, adding in an element of fun and color,” Hughes says.
As for beverages, you’ll get to try any number of frozen drinks, draft cocktails, boozy milkshakes, and house-made sodas. The beverage program will be run by Demario Wallace, who oversees the same at Aziza.
He says to look out for the best of Middle Eastern flavors and authentic ingredients such as harissa, tahini, turmeric and tamarind.
Where Is Rina Located?
The eatery will be tucked into the Ford Factory Lofts, directly across the BeltLine from Ponce City Market. The address is 699 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA. 30308. Here is a map to help you find it.
As for the decor, famed Atlanta designer, Smith Hanes designed the relaxed and family-friendly 2,700 square-foot space which includes an inviting outdoor patio with BeltLine access.
For the latest in metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, stay with Atlantafi.com.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has revealed its film selections for Opening Night, Closing Night and Young Professionals Night in 2020.
The 20th annual festival returns to Atlanta from February 10 through February 27.
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2020: And The Opening & Closing Night Films Are…
Opening Night Film:
Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance. Revisiting and reviving the legacy of Black-Jewish cooperation during the Civil Rights era, this powerful documentary focuses on a proud chapter of American social justice, in which two communities joined forces in the name of racial equality.
Young Professionals Night Film:
On Saturday, February 15 at the Woodruff Arts Center, AJFF will feature the buddy comedy Standing Up, Falling Down at Young Professionals Night, presented by ACCESS, the young leadership division of American Jewish Committee.
The film stars Emmy-winner Ben Schwartz and comedy legend Billy Crystal and follows an aspiring stand-up comic after he is forced to move back to his hometown.
Closing Night Film:
The 20th festival closes out with a touching screening of Saul & Ruby, To Life! on Thursday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the Byers Theater of the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.The film follows Holocaust survivors, Saul and Ruby, who find a new purpose in life. They use the power of music to share their stories and promote peace in a world that is as tumultuous as ever.
Audiences can expect diverse films from this showcase of international cinema. A first look at what to expect in this year’s lineup was recently announced, and is available here.How To Get Tickets To The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Tickets go on sale via AJFF.org beginning Monday, January 27. Tickets for the festival are $16 for General Admission and $14 for Seniors/Students/Children.
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Everyone knows about the Atlanta Beltline, which connects the city’s neighborhoods in a 22-mile loop, but less is known about another important project: The Fairlie Poplar Path.
Named after two popular streets in downtown Atlanta, the Fairlie Poplar Path is a proposed trail that would link Centennial Olympic Park to Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta.
Fairlie Poplar Path Would Link Centennial, Woodruff Parks In Atlanta
The path would cement the Fairlie Poplar neighborhood as an urban village with more to offer than just small and large businesses and old buildings occupied by Georgia State University.
The Fairlie Poplar Path was created by Clay and Sarah Hess, both of whom live in the neighborhood.
The couple say it would also spur investment in an important part of downtown Atlanta. They also say some of the work is already done.
Much of the existing path is already built with woonerf-style features. Here is what more improvement proposals include, according to fairliepoplarpath.com:
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Bollard installation
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Extension of end-to-end and side-to-side brickwork
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Missing tree and plantar box additions
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Space-activating asphalt art
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History-preserving wall mural street art
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Historic lampost additions
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(Future) Parking garage/lot conversions along the path
Proponents have created a petition to get the Fairlie Poplar Path moving.
View this post on InstagramExplore Atlanta at your own pace
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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Atlantans are some of the most chilling-nest people in America. There’s no need to take our word for it. You can just look at Instagram and see it for yourself.
You can tell someone that is chilling by looking at their eyes, demeanor and the way they’re positioned. Take a look at these Instagram pics and tell us otherwise.
These people are just chilling in Atlanta
View this post on InstagramThis woman in Midtown Atlanta is just chilling
View this post on InstagramIs she chilling or what?
View this post on InstagramChilling at Tongue & Groove
View this post on InstagramChilling at Ponce City Market
View this post on InstagramHe’s chilling EXPEDITIOUSLY!
View this post on Instagramxxx
Just chilling in front of the bagel shop in Atlanta
View this post on InstagramChilling on MARTA
View this post on InstagramChilling on a motorbike in Atlanta
View this post on InstagramChilling in downtown Atlanta
View this post on InstagramChilling at the zoo
View this post on InstagramFirst, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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The year 2020 figures to see plenty of homes up for auction on the courthouse steps in Atlanta, according to new findings.
Atlanta has been identified as one of the top cities with home inventories due to foreclosures, according to the ATTOM Data Solutions U.S. Foreclosure Market Report,
Foreclosure filings in the city went up 37% from 2018 to 2019, and there’s no sign it will slow down in the new year.
Atlanta To Be Near Top In Foreclosures In 2020
More than 143,000 U.S. properties had foreclosure filings in the third quarter of 2019, according to the report.
The ATTOM Data Solutions U.S. Foreclosure Market Report says more than 34,000 U.S. properties were foreclosured on (REO) in the third quarter of 2019.
That number constitutes a 6%-increase from the second quarter, but a 33% decrease from the same time a year ago.
Investors looking to find homes will not only have old inventory, but a fair amount of new ones that will flood the market, the numbers show.
Here are some of the other major cities with year-over-year foreclosure increases in 2019:
- Columbus, Ohio — 27%
- San Antonio, Texas — 4%
- Portland, Oregon — 22%
- Tucson, Arizona — 21%
According to Simon Campbell of BankForeclosuresSale.com – an online foreclosure finder – many cities throughout the United States will provide foreclosure investors with sound opportunities in the new year such as Dallas, TX or Atlanta, GA.
“At first glance, it appears that many of the same cities and states that have always struggled with foreclosures will once again be in this position in 2020.” Campbell notes.
“What we’re seeing is that some cities offer great investment opportunities, not just because of the volume of properties but also the value,” Campbell added. “As the first quarter of 2020 comes to an end, we’ll get a better idea of which cities have the most potential for foreclosure investing through the rest of the year.”
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.
Keep up with what’s going on in Atlanta’s real estate scene here.More Articles From AtlantaFi:
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A new Atlanta restaurant is coming to fruition thanks to a nearly decade-long friendship that has turned into a culinary partnership. Renown chef Craig Richards and restaurateur Billy Streck are opening Lyla Lila in Midtown Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 6.
Lyla Lila will offer patrons a taste of elegance with a menu that focuses on southern European cuisine.
New Atlanta restaurant Lyla Lila opening in Midtown Dec. 6
Lyla Lila will initially open for dinner service seven nights a week. Here is the schedule:
- Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m.
- Friday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.
There are also plans to extend meal services to lunch and brunch in 2020. Reservations can be made via Resy. In addition to valet parking, guests are encouraged to use rideshare car services.
Richards and Streck have ties interwoven with Atlanta’s dining scene: Streck owns Inman Park’s Hampton & Hudson, where Richards oversees the menu.
Richards also helms the kitchens at La Tavola, Ecco, and St. Cecilia, among other culinary adventures.
But nothing solidified the concept that would become Lyla Lila greater than when Richards and Streck found out that their daughters shared the same name.
“My daughter’s name is Lyla and Billy’s daughter’s middle name is Lila. It’s an interesting connection that we share, and by using both names it felt like a personal expression of ourselves and our families to the restaurant,” Richards says in a written statement.
Thus, Lyla Lila was born.
Here’s a rendering of the new Atlanta restaurant Lyla Lila.
What will be on the menu at Lyla Lila?
Given the strong reputations of Richards and Streck, customers can expect outstanding selections on the menu.
The dishes will be inspired by southern Italy and Spain. You can also expect Richards’ signature style of pastas.
Entrees will have their share of wood-fired meat and seafood along with as well as seasonally driven vegetables and salads.
As for the beverage program, Lyla Lila will concentrate on cocktails with seasonal ingredients and Old World wine selections that emphasize sparkling varietals.
Where is Lyla Lila located?
Lyla Lila is located at 693 Peachtree St. NE on the ground level of the 24-story lilli Midtown boutique apartment residence on the corner of 3rd Street and Peachtree. Here is a map to help you find it.
Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.
Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
Read more: 10+ essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories
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It’s no secret that affordable housing is increasingly rare in Atlanta. But if you’ve got a home here, you should know that you can make extra money in Atlanta on Airbnb.
We’re going to walk you through some steps on how to earn extra money in Atlanta by renting your home on Airbnb.
You may not have thought about listing your home on Airbnb, but Atlanta is a prime market for the service. Here’s why:
- Atlanta has larger homes and properties compared with much of the nation
- The weather makes it a top travel destination for millions of visitors
- Atlanta has Hartsfield, the world’s busiest airport
- The city’s transit options — bus, rail, car, rideshare — make it highly accessible
With that said, people can make some real money renting their homes on Airbnb.
The average Airbnb host makes $924 a month off their home, according to Priceonomics.
Own A Home In Atlanta? Here’s How To Make Money On Airbnb
During the Super Bowl, some Atlanta homeowners reportedly renting their homes for as much as $7,000 a night — but that’s no longer the case.
Here is how you can make sure your home is rented:
- Price it in the middle: Don’t mark the rent up so high that you get no takers. If you’re just starting out, rent your home for half of the average in the area. Once you see how it goes, you can always raise the rent.
- Estimate operational costs: Like any business, renting your home on Airbnb costs money. Calculate things like the cleaning fee against the occupancy rate to see what makes sense.
- Add value: To rise above the competition, throw in some perks and extras that other guests can’t get, like fresh fruit on the kitchen island, or a bottle of wine or champagne in the fridge.
Before you list your home, please make sure that you reside in an area / neighborhood where new faces are welcome, guests feel safe and you are fairly certain your neighbors are OK.
There’s nothing worse than you renting out your home only to get a call from the cops hours later, saying that your neighbor reported a suspicious person on your property.
How To List Your Home On Airbnb:
When you log onto Airbnb.com, click on “Add a listing.”
Once you go through the prompts, you’ll choose whether this is a guest house or one where you “keep your personal belongings.”
You’ll also need to disclose whether you’re listing on behalf of a company or just yourself.
Under “Sleeping Arrangements,” add how many beds are in the bedroom(s) as well as if you have a sofa bed.
Once you add your address, you’ll need to confirm in on a Google Map embedded in the page. Next, list any amenities like Wi-Fi, heat, AC (yes, those are all amenities) so that guests know what to expect.
Next list all the “Spaces” that guests can use (pool, washing machine, dryer, etc.).
Upload pictures of your home then describe your place, neighborhood and surrounding features to really sell it to would-be guests.
Once you do that, you’re ready to press the button to list your home.
3 Things To Know About Renting Your Home On Airbnb
- Remember, all transactions should be handled by Airbnb. Do not accept cash payment outside of the online system, that’s how trouble and discrepancies can arise.
- Always draft some house rules: Let your guests know that this is not an anything-goes residence and that big parties are a no-no.
- Before you accept a guest, make sure they have great reviews. If you read their ratings on Airbnb, that will give you the greatest indication of what type of guest they are.