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.
-
The metropolitan development project de jour is mass transit, especially light rail. Atlanta’s neighbor to the north, Charlotte, North Carolina, wants to continue its self-branding as a Southeastern destination city. To do that, a developer wants to cement its relationship with Atlanta via rail.
Business magnate Johnny Harris spoke to the Charlotte Chamber’s annual meeting this week, touting an “express rail” to ATL, which would bring “massive” economic gains to the region, the Charlotte Observer reported.
Harris’ comments come as the Georgia Department of Transportation has been studying transit between the two cities. G-DOT has been looking into the plan as part of an extension of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR), which is under development from Charlotte to Washington, D.C.
“It is an unbelievable opportunity,” Harris was quoted as saying. “No other geographic area of this country meets the same criteria as Charlotte to Atlanta does.”
The high-speed link is seen as a necessary means to relieve congestion on all the major thoroughfares between ATL and Charlotte.
To learn more about the plan, click here.
-
CBS 46 news anchor Sharon Reed has been in Atlanta about two years now, and she’s learning that the South is, well, the South. Reed, who spent time at a Cleveland news station before coming to Georgia, was understandably riled up Tuesday night during election coverage.
She doesn’t have a dog in the fight over whether the ATL will be led by conservative Mary Norwood or Democrat Keisha Lance-Bottoms, but a viewer’s email to her, calling her out of her name, set her off.
The viewer, Kathy Rae, who Reed insisted by identified, wrote: “You need to be fired for the race baiting comment you made tonight … it’s O.K. for blacks to discuss certain subjects but not white.”
Then things really went off the rails, when Rae wrote: “Really?? You are what I call a N***r not a black person. You are a racist N***r. You are what’s wrong with the world.”
Understandably taken aback, Reed replied “Number 1, you mischaracterized what I said … I didn’t say that white people couldn’t talk about race, but contrary, we think that race is an authentic discussion to have. It’s one we’re having tonight because it’s one that you are having at home and it’s one that has clearly entered the Atlanta mayor’s race.”
News anchor Sharon Reed responds on air to a viewer who calls her the N-word. This Atlanta Mayoral race has people fiesty tonight. pic.twitter.com/Vgri3oXnGN
— Billy Michael Honor (@BillyMHonor) December 6, 2017
The incident quickly livened up a rainy Tuesday night around the city and was posted on Reddit within hours of the exchange.
Reed said that the TV station wanted to “keep it real,” but she ended by saying that, “I get it: On December 5, 2017, you think it’s OK to call this journalist a nigger. I don’t, but I could clap back and say a few things to you, but I won’t. I’ll let your words spread for themselves — and that’ll be the last word.”
Reed kept her word and didn’t bring the matter up for the remainder of the newscast, but she clearly wasn’t over it. On Facebook page, she put the comment up as her header, showing the world that hey, she’s over it, but don’t come for her. Ever. Again.
-
One of the hottest pastime around Atlanta is the variation of the sip and paint event. An artist gives a crowd of would-be artists a painting prompt or better yet, a live model, and lets them brush away on a canvas while indulging in a libation.
“Painting With A Twist” is one of the best that do it. The BYOB paint and sip art studio is located just behind Houston’s Resaurant in the Brookwood Square shopping center in Buckhead.
To turn into the next Van Gogh, all you have to do is bring your favorite adult beverage and get ready to show your artistic side.
As far as an alcohol policy, PWAT says, “21+ unless otherwise noted as “All Ages”. Guests must be at least 21 years old with proper photo ID to consume alcohol. Due to local laws we are required to carry a liquor license as a “bar” for BYOB. Guests under 21 are welcome for “All Ages” classes.”
-
Atlanta’s westside is getting a new Henri’s Bakery & Cafe and that means fresh cakes, muffins and pastries for all.
The eatery, which opened Tuesday, Dec 5 2017, is located at 2310 Coronet Way.
This will be the third Henri’s in metro Atlanta, after locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs.
To introduce itself to the neighborhood, the new 5,000-square-foot structure will host a holiday party on Saturday, December 9.
-
Athens-based Your Pie is set to open its newest location Dec. 8 at 275 Memorial Drive SE in the George community in Grant Park. The fast-casual concept offers a menu of customizable brick-oven pizza, salads and other dishes, as well as craft beer, wine and cocktails and gelato.
This will be the second Your Pie location for franchisees and Grant Park residents Morgan and Lisa Maclellan, who have owned Your Pie Perimeter for three years.
Grant Park is getting one of the most popular gourmet pizzerias in town with the debut of Your Pie this week. The eatery is set to open Dec. 8, 2017 at 275 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta.
The eatery is holding a “Dine and Donate” event on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. The event will raise funds for three area elementary schools, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School, Parkside Elementary School, Wesley International Academy.
Up to 200 registered guests will get free pizzas during the event. For more on this event, click here.
The chain was created nearly a decade ago by Chef Drew French, who drew inspiration from the fresh food and cuisine of Ischia, an island near Naples, Italy. The first location was opened in Athens, Georgia in 2008.
-
How many times do you get an opportunity to learn the wonders of the kitchen and chow down with some expert chefs? That’s the deal Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 when three culinary pioneers share their wisdom, knowledge and expertise at a culinary event in Atlanta.
Chefs Deborah VanTrece, Jennifer Hill Booker and mixologist Tiffanie Barriere will prepare delicious small plates and talk about what it’s like as African-American women in the culinary business as part of a “Cocktails, Cuisine & Conversation” event.
This event is the last for the trio before they go to the James Beard House in New York.
What: Cocktails, Cuisine & Conversation
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 4
Where: Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, 1133 Huff Road NW, Atlanta
Cost: $125 per person
-
The Atlanta Falcons jumped out of the gate in the 2017 football season by winning their first three games. It seemed as though they were ready to avenge the loss of the Super Bowl and take it out on everybody else.
But after that hot start, the Falcons turned in a horrible October, the second month of the season.
Meanwhile, NFC South rivals, the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints got red-hot.
Come November and a listless loss against the New England Patriots, and people were ready to write off Matt Ryan and the rest of the Dirty Birds.
But the falcons strung together some must-win games, sacking Dallas into submission and surviving the Jets and lambasting the Bucs.
Now, Atlanta is one of the hottest teams in the league.
After losing a low-scoring affair against the Minnesota Vikings, the Birds have four games left — winnable games — that will tell the tale.
This is the Falcons schedule, including two games against NFC South-leading New Orleans.
“Do the Falcons have a tough schedule ahead of them? Sure, but everything is still on the table for them and that’s all you can hope for. It doesn’t matter how you make it into the postseason, just get there,” Matthew Tabeek of AtlantaFalcons.com says.” Would a top seed and home-field advantage be better? Maybe, but as Falcons fans witnessed last year, it isn’t necessary.”
Elliott Harrison of NFL.com says this: “Yet another reason this is a fantastic matchup: The Falcons own the top-ranked third-down offense (48.1 percent conversions), while the Vikings field the league’s best third-down defense, yielding a lowly 28.5 percent conversion rate.”
Week 13 DEC 03 1:00 PM ET VIKINGS
-
14 DEC 07 8:25 PM ET SAINTS
-
Week 15 DEC 18 8:30 PM ET AT BUCCANEERS
-
Week 16 DEC 24 1:00 PM ET AT SAINTS
-
Week 17 DEC 31 1:00 PM ET PANTHERS
-
-
Gypsy Kitchen in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is throwing a special food event throughout the week called ” Gypsy Hour,” which will run every Monday through Friday. The event will highlight different vino, all of which will be premium and a delight to the palate.
The rotating selection, along with a sparkling optio, will be offered at $5 a glass. Small plates will go for $4-$5 each as well.
Gypsy Kitchen is a Spanish eatery that offers “some of the best culinary gems and flavors that this region has to offer,” its website says.
The restaurant, brought to us by Chris Hadermann and JP Piemonte (Big Ketch, Tin Lizzy’s Smokebelly BBQ), opened in 2014 and has been rocking ever since.
Selected drinks from the bar include:
The Seville Rose: Tito’s vodka, ginger, lemon and rose-spice syrup
Spice Trader: Old Forester bourbon, ginger beer, lime, honey and apricot.
The Corleone: Redemption Rye, Triple Sec, ameretto and black walnut bitters.
-
Atlantans looking to capture the flavor of Fat Tuesday in the Big Easy will get the chance with the Mardi Gras Party Gras Party Bus from Atlanta to New Orleans.
The bus leaves February 10, 2018 and travels to New Orleans for all the Mardi Gras festivities on Feb. 11. For $95 each, passengers will be feted to a rockin’ good time to Nola complete with all the krewe love they can stand. Did we mention there’s gumbo?
For Carnival lovers, “Mardi Gras” is the last Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, a Catholic tradition that stipulates 40 days of sinless living.
There will be plenty of food, live entertainment, balls, beads and parades. For more deets click here.
-
What are the holidays for if they don’t foster goodwill among men and women, including good food, conversation and strong spirits in the chill air. One of metro Atlanta’s top eateries is curating that experience for six consecutive weeks.
The Farmhouse Restaurant is serving an intimate private dining experience created for the holidays by Executive Chef Brian Moll. The Private Dining Room will be where the good stuff goes down: a 4-course, family-style meal with your loved ones.
Times: Wednesday – Saturday from Nov 24 – Dec 30.
Cost: $90, which includes gratuity
And: Wine, beer or liquor will be available but is not included in ticket price.
Private dining is available for a minimum of six and up to 10 guests. Book through Eventbrite, after which a Farmhouse employee will contact you with more details about your Private Dining evening and get information about any dietary restrictions or other needs you may have.
Until then, eat, my friends … and be merry.