Annual Beltline Lantern Parade returns for 15th year
The Atlanta Beltline will light up on Saturday, May 3 with the 15th annual Lantern Parade on the southwest trail.
The one-mile parade will kick off in Adair Park with creator Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons in the lead. Her krewe makes most of the larger-than-life light up lantern puppets.
Five marching bands will accompany the krewe: Atlanta Drum Academy, Atlanta Freedom Band, Black Sheep Ensemble, Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective, Seed & Feed Marching Abominables and Grammy-award winning artist Kebbi Wiliams and the Wolfpack. The rest of the parade is open to the public. Participants can join the crowd with their own handmade lanterns.
In 2024, the parade drew thousands of participants and supporters along the trail. The parade will step off around 8:35 p.m. and end around 9:15 p.m. at Lee + White. The adaptive re-use project is a presenting sponsor alongside Ackermann & Co. and MDH Partners.
After the parade, Rytter, the krewe and the band will head to the Lee + White Food Hall parking lot for an official after-party open to the public. Parade attendees will be able to take pictures and interact with the giant puppets.
The annual event is artist Rytter’s “gift to the city” that has grown from a few hundred people to thousands of participants.
“To see the people we share a community with as playful volumes of light, and to be witnessed as such, does a body good,” Rytter said. “It is restorative, it is collective joy, and we need it.”
— Delaney Tarr
Two longest serving Atlanta Rotarians Honored
Sixty plus years. Two members of the Rotary Club of Atlanta — both former presidents — were recognized at the March 9 luncheon meeting by current President Adrian Cronje.
Harry Thompson, retired from Conklin Metal Industries, has been a member for 61 years.
And Doug Ellis, retired CEO of Southern Mills Inc., has been a Rotarian for 60 years.
As a tribute for their service, Cronje laughingly gave both men a pair of special Rotary socks.
— Maria Saporta
SCAD SERV honors Arbor Day with tree portraits for Georgia governors
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) SERVE program, in partnership with the Georgia Forestry Commission, honors state governors with commissioned tree portraits painted by SCAD students.
Six governors were paired with a tree planted in the Georgia Forestry Commission’s “Governors’ Grove” in Macon.
“Each painting celebrates the spirit of our shared endeavors and is a visual testament to the vibrancy, artistry, and growth of our great state,” said Kent Knowles, Associate Chair of Fine Arts at SCAD.
Represented with the Cherrybark Oak, Gov. Brian Kemp’s portrait was created by SCAD student Parker Schovanec, who presented the painting to him in person.
“Georgia is blessed with bountiful forest resources, which are uniquely preserved and presented through this project,” said Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia.
— Allison Joyner
Fulton County Homeowners: Apply for your Homestead Exemption by April 1
If you’re a homeowner in Fulton County, the deadline to apply for a homestead exemption is fast approaching. April 1 is the last day to secure valuable property tax relief.
Before the first, you should verify your current homestead exemptions, especially if you purchased a home in the last year or made changes to your deed, such as through a divorce or other life event.
Homeowners should also take this opportunity to apply for special exemptions, particularly if at least one homeowner on the deed is 65 or older and may qualify for additional tax savings.
Fulton County homeowners can apply online, in person, or by mail. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity to reduce your property taxes.
Click here for more information or to file.
— Derek Prall
Georgia-produced films represented in Academy of Motion Pictures’ 50 must-see films for Women’s History Month
With Women’s History Month halfway through March, the Academy of Motion Pictures released its list of 50 films that contain women’s contributions throughout history.
“Respect” and “Hidden Figures” are two of the movies listed that were filmed in Georgia.
Click here to see the complete list.
— Allison Joyner
Volunteers needed for South Fulton’s community clean-up days
South Fulton District 1’s Councilmember Catherine Foster Roswell and the Cascade Business Merchants Association are teaming up for a community clean-up and looking for volunteers.
On March 22, participants will meet at Cascade Driving Range at 10 a.m. to help with clean-up and continue to make South Fulton a great place to live, work and do business.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
Hartsfield-Jackson named “Best Airport in North America”
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has been recognized with the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for Best Airport in North America (Over 40 Million Passengers).
The award, presented by the Airports Council International (ACI) World, highlights airports with the top 20 percent overall satisfaction score from passengers by size and region at departure.
“This award is a reflection of the dedication of our incredible Airport team, whose passion and commitment make ATL a world-class gateway for millions of travelers,” said Interim General Manager Jan Lennon. “Every journey that begins or ends at ATL is shaped by the hard work and hospitality of our employees. This recognition fuels our mission to set new standards of excellence, ensuring that every passenger who walks through our doors experiences exemplary customer service.”
ATL is the first airport in history to serve more than 100 million passengers in one year and continues to top passenger totals worldwide.
— Allison Joyner
Atlanta Streets Alive returns to Peachtree Street in April
Atlanta Streets Alive will kick off its “open streets” season starting Sunday, April 27 on Peachtree Street. From 2 to 6 p.m. a lengthy stretch of road from Midtown to Downtown will be closed to cars.
The city of Atlanta program is a popular free pedestrian-forward event. Attendees can walk, scooter, bike or roll their way along the road while local businesses set up tables and musicians perform along the path. Past events have featured vintage markets, live poetry writings, marching band performances and “passport” books that participants can fill by visiting different vendors.
Other Streets Alive dates include Grant Park to West End on Sunday, May 18 and a return to Peachtree Street on Sunday, June 22. All Streets Alive event will run from 2 to 6 p.m. It marks a return to Peachtree Street after the summer series ended in August.
The monthly event started in 2010 as part of a partnership between the Atlanta Department of Transportation and bike and pedestrian advocacy coalition Propel ATL. It’s part of an international open streets movement — in Atlanta, the event aims to help to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries across the region.
The city and Propel ATL said additional 2025 dates will be announced soon.
— Delaney Tarr
H. J. Russell & Company Honored With the “Engineering Impact Award”
H. J. Russell & Company, a provider of commercial construction, program management, and engineering solutions, received the prestigious Engineering Impact Award at the 2025 Georgia Engineering Awards for being a leader of economic development and engineering in Georgia.
“On behalf of the Russell Family, we are thrilled to receive the Engineering Impact Award from ACEC Georgia for our involvement in complex construction and engineering projects across the country, but in particular, Atlanta,” said Michael. Russell, CEO. “It is an honor to receive an award alongside other firms with bright minds while recognizing achievements in engineering that are shaping Georgia’s future.”
— Derek Prall
Goodwill of North Georgia launches Mobile Career Center to connect 45 counties with jobs, digital access, and free career training
Goodwill of North Georgia recently announced the official launch of its Mobile Career Center, a career services center on wheels that will serve communities across 45 counties.
The Mobile Career Center is designed to connect people with employment opportunities, provide digital access, and offer free job training resources —- extending workforce development directly into local communities.
“At Goodwill, our mission is to put people to work, and that means meeting job seekers where they are,” said Keith Parker, President and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia. “By launching the Mobile Career Center, we’re bridging gaps in access and bringing critical career services directly to communities. From helping someone navigate an online application to connecting them with a hiring employer, this initiative allows us to support more Georgians in building sustainable careers while strengthening our communities.”
In the coming weeks, the Mobile Career Center will be on-site at various Goodwill events and community locations across North Georgia.
The March 2025 schedule of Mobile Career Center stops includes:
- March 14: Decatur — Goodwill Decatur Support Center Ribbon Cutting (2201 Lawrenceville Hwy) 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- March 17: Dawsonville — Mobile Career Center at Goodwill Dawsonville Career Center 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- March 18: Rome — Harvesting Scholars event at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (1 Maurice Culberson Dr. SW) 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- March 19: Atlanta — Vine City/English Avenue Community Visit 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- March 20: College Park — Old National Hiring Event (6175 Old National Hwy, Ste. 110) 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- March 25: Cartersville — Goodwill Cartersville Career Center Hiring Event & Business Advisory Council (929 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy) 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- March 26: Atlanta — Vine City/English Avenue Community Visit 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- March 29: Atlanta — CareSource Health & Wellness Fair at Greenbriar Mall (2841 Greenbriar Pkwy SW) 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
— Derek Prall
Outdoor recreation groups to host ‘Boaters Day’ at Georgia capitol
A coalition of outdoor recreation groups representing thousands of boaters across Georgia will rally March 18 at the Georgia State Capitol to urge legislators to protect Georgia’s outdoor recreation heritage and record-setting tourism economy by supporting policies that keep the state’s rivers and streams accessible to the public.
The Freedom to Float Coalition, consisting of Georgia Rivers, Georgia Canoeing Association (GCA), Tennessee Valley Canoe Club (TVCC), American Whitewater (AW) and American Canoe Association (ACA), encourages boaters to attend the free event and speak with their legislators.
Boaters Day begins at 8 a.m. in the Capitol with a briefing by coalition leaders. Attendees will then meet with their state senators and representatives between 9 a.m. and Noon to educate them about Georgia’s outdoor recreation industry and the importance of protecting public access to the state’s rivers and streams.
Interested parties can register for the event here or call 706-409-0128 for more information.
— Derek Prall
Georgia State University’s investments in research clear nearly $237.5M
Georgia State University’s investments in research have reached the highest levels in university history, according to the latest National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey.
“These numbers show our university’s commitment to advancing knowledge and producing real-world impact by investing in our research community,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake. “We see research both as a gateway to understanding and as an important way for our students to learn the critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their life.”
The annual HERD survey is the primary source of information on research and development expenditures at U.S. colleges and universities. The latest data, which reflect research expenditures for fiscal year 2023, show that Georgia State University invested $237.49 million, a jump of more than $21 million from the previous year.
— Derek Prall
Maria: Congrats to the two Rotarians for 60 years service. Myself, I’m at 62 years now, and have perfect attendance all those years.