Two-day paddle trip through Black history planned on Ebenezer-Abercorn Creeks
History buffs and paddlers will float side-by-side during Georgia Rivers’ canoe/kayak adventure on Ebenezer and Abercorn creeks in Effingham County set for March 21 to 23.
The two-day paddle trip with indoor and camping accommodations at New Ebenezer Retreat Center will explore some 14 miles of Ebenezer and Abercorn creeks during the weekend. Along the way participants will experience the beauty of these waterways and hear from local historians who will detail the momentous events that took place on and near them and shaped Georgia and the nation’s history.
Registration fees for adults are $350 and include camping facilities with showers and flush toilets, six catered meals, guide services and maps, shuttle services and educational programs. Rental boats and special indoor accommodations at New Ebenezer Retreat Center may be purchased for additional fees during registration. Click here to learn more.
— Derek Prall
Agnes Scott’s Dalton Gallery Presents: Building on Dana / Patterns in Space
Agnes Scott College recently announced the opening of Building on Dana / Patterns in Space, the spring exhibition in the Dalton Gallery, on display from Feb. 7 through May 19.
Building on Dana / Patterns in Space explores the building’s past, present, and future through the voices of artists, activists, students, and scholars examining its built environment. It establishes the significance of the Dana Fine Arts Building in architect John Portman’s early career and in shifts in the college’s curriculum in the 1960s; it also highlights the challenge of access and inclusion in historical design and an evolving cultural context. The exhibition features works from contemporary artists and designers who have reinterpreted visual and programmatic aspects of Dana Fine Arts to create a visual conversation between past and present.
“What started as a vision of showcasing our building as an early example of Portman’s contributions to Atlanta architecture has led to bold pedagogical experiments and environmental activism that are facilitating communication and transformation with a growing community of collaborators on campus and beyond in ways, I think, the architect would have appreciated” said Katherine Smith, co-curator of Building on Dana and Professor of Visual Practices. “It has already been inspiring and expansive beyond our wildest dreams.”
Click here to learn more about the exhibition.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta Kiwanis and the passing of a torch (or two)
Kathy Colbenson, the 2024/2025 president of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta, welcomed a new member at the Jan. 21 meeting — Cati Diamond Stone.
Stone is the relatively new president and CEO of CHRIS 180, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mental health services for children, youth and families. Colbenson served as president and CEO of CHRIS 180 for 37 years until she retired in September.
“I’m really proud to introduce Kati Stone to Kiwanis,” Colbenson said during the new member induction.
That meeting also was significant for other reasons. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was the keynote speaker, and he thanked both Kiwanis and Colbenson for focusing on the health and welfare of children emphasizing his desire for Atlanta to be the best place to raise a child in the United States.
Another leadership transition also is underway. Karen Losin, who has been executive director of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta since 2010, has announced her intention to retire later this year. The Club is grooming her successor, Kimberly Soltero, who has joined the organization as the new executive assistant.
— Maria Saporta
The Atlanta Science Festival returns
The Atlanta Science Festival, the city’s celebration of all things science and one of the largest of its kind in the country, returns March 8 to 22. All ages have the opportunity to experience more than 100 interactive and educational events. The event culminates with the Exploration Expo, a giant science bash in Piedmont Park.
“Not only does the 12th annual Atlanta Science Festival spotlight the wonder of science in its various forms, we strive to do so by curating a two-week experience that’s as exciting and intriguing as possible,” said Meisa Salaita, executive co-director of Science ATL–the engineers of the Atlanta Science Festival. “We want to open minds, educate, inspire, entertain, and spark the interest of the scientists of tomorrow.”
The 2025 Atlanta Science Festival allows both children and adults the opportunity to explore a variety of topics such as cyborgs and brain imaging, snakes and salamanders, coffee and chemistry, the art of math and the love of Lego, tree treks and forest walks, and storytelling shows.
Click here to learn more.
— Derek Prall
AJC opens new headquarters in Midtown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) recently celebrated its new headquarters in Midtown Atlanta with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. More than a hundred local officials, business leaders, newsroom staff and other community members attended the event.
“This move represents more than just a change of address. It’s a significant step in our ongoing transformation as we strive to embody our new slogan, ‘the Substance and soul of the South,’” said Andrew Morse, president and publisher of the AJC. “The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a rich history, and our return to Atlanta marks the next chapter in our story.”
The new offices are located at Promenade Central at 1200 Peachtree Street, in the Midtown arts district near the Woodruff Arts Center, the High Museum of Art and Colony Square. Large windows overlook the busy street and a new marquee sign above signals the AJC’s return to intown Atlanta after nearly a decade at the Central Perimeter.
— Derek Prall
Laverne Cox, others honored at SCAD TVFest
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) announced that next week’s TVFest will feature several television actors, casting directors, and producers Feb. 5-7.
Now in its 13th year, SCAD TVFest celebrates the best in TV and streaming at the SCADshow theater in Midtown.
The festival will honor stars including Hiroyuki Sanada from “Shōgun” with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Lavern Cox from “Clean Slate” with the Impact Award, Noah Cetineo from “The Recruit” with the Distinguished Performance Award, Uzo Aduba from “The Residence” with the Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award and many others.
“Whether you want to see the latest new series before all of your friends or you’re an industry insider scouting for new talent, SCAD TVFest, the largest TV festival at any university on the planet, delivers,” said Paula Wallace, Founder and President of SCAD.
Click here to get more information.
— Allison Joyner
Five APS students honored as Rough Draft Atlanta’s ’20 Under 20′ winners in community service
Atlanta Public Schools announced that five of their high school students were honored in this year’s Rough Draft Atlanta “20 Under 20” list for their ability to handle effectively their schoolwork while being major contributors to the betterment of their communities.
The honorees are:
Karis Stewart and Margaret Tsianti, Midtown High School. The duo co-founded the school’s chapter of Impact Teen Drivers, an organization designed to end distracted driving by encouraging ways for drivers and passengers to stay focused on the road.
Olivia Massar, North Atlanta High School. The senior is part of a coalition of students called CIPS Family Connections, which has been involved in several community service projects, including after-school chess and soccer tutoring sessions for elementary-aged students, helping a homeless family find shelter, supporting a teenager aging out of the foster care system with job training, and helping individuals and families in crisis with food and clothing drives.
Miguel Abrams, Maynard Jackson High School. The junior has been a volunteer with the John R. Lewis Legacy Institute, supporting initiatives like Camp Promise for young men, voter registration drives, and fundraisers for pancreatic cancer research, all while being captain of the lacrosse team, a member of the award-winning mock trial team, and a National Beta Club scholar.
Miriam Darb, Midtown High School (Honorable Mention). Darb organized a School-wide walkout and phone banking events to encourage people to vote for candidates who would support gun control in the wake of the Walton High School shooting.
— Allison Joyner
Chamblee selects Ashley Youmans as new Economic Development Director
On Tuesday, the city of Chamblee selected Ashley Youmans as their new Economic Development Director.
A seasoned government leader, Youmans has served in several key roles focused on project management, economic development, and community engagement. “Ashley understands what it takes for businesses to succeed and how to support their needs,” said Kristen Gorham, City Manager for Chamblee.
Youmans will market the city as a prime destination to do business and will lead and facilitate inclusive and strategic economic development initiatives to grow and maintain jobs and increase the business tax base for the city, including commercial and industrial recruitment and support services for existing businesses.
— Allison Joyner
APS shows progress, outpaces urban district peers on nation’s report card
Yesterday, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) announced that they are making progress and, in some instances, outpacing their peers in other large urban districts, according to the results of the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “the nation’s report card.”
With an almost seven-point increase from 2022 to 2024, APS is the only large city school district to progress significantly in fourth-grade reading, and its high performing students are in the 75th percentile or above.
Fourth-grade students also improved their performance in math than any school nationally.
Reading significantly improved in the district compared to Georgia and other urban school districts, which has significantly declined.
“This is evidence that the hard work of our principals, teachers, and students is paying off,” said Bryan Johnson, APS Superintendent. “While we are certainly proud of these results, we also realize that we still have a significant journey ahead of us. Our goal is to become consistently the top-performing urban school district in the country. With the resources and talent we have in APS, I am confident that we will achieve that goal.”
The assessment offers a window into the state of the nation’s K-12 education system and what our children are learning.
— Allison Joyner
