Looking to spend time outside while learning more about the ecosystem around us? Check out the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s 24th annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival this weekend. The event will include a live butterfly encounter, educational opportunities with pollinator experts, a Migration Game and, of course, food and live entertainment. Click here for more information about the two-day festival.
On to other local news:
Historic home available as affordable housing in Georgia Trust program
A June 3 open house will highlight the opportunity to buy a century-old house in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh neighborhood for $150,000 as part of a program in affordability and historic preservation.
The house at 785 Coleman St. is the third to be rehabilitated and offered for sale via the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s West Atlanta Preservation Initiative (WAPI). The previous two were in Washington Park and Mozley Park. The program rehabilitates the homes to green standards and sells them to qualified buyers while also placing a preservation easement to ensure the Georgia Trust’s review of any alterations.
The Pittsburgh house is a shotgun-style cottage dating from between 1910 and 1920, according to the Georgia Trust. Qualified buyers will be those earning less than 65 percent of the area median income, which the Georgia Trust calculates at $43,875 a year for one person or $50,180 for two people.
WAPI involves a partnership with the nonprofit Atlanta Land Trust, which obtained the Pittsburgh house as a donation from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Some funding came from a state Georgia Investments in Housing Grant.
Pittsburgh is a historic neighborhood dating to at least 1883. Community leaders are considering the pursuit of formal historic protections amid a redevelopment frenzy.
The open house is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, see the Georgia Trust website.
— John Ruch
Chamblee kicks off three-part Summer Concert Series
This Friday, June 2, the City of Chamblee will start its Summer Concert Series on the City Hall lawn. The city will host three free, outdoor concerts throughout the summer.
The first show will feature Saved by the Band, named after the ‘90s sitcom, and The Breakfast Club, an ‘80s tribute band. Both performances will take listeners through the decades. The show will start at 6:30 p.m. at 3518 Broad Street.
The July 4 concert will include performances from Leah Belle Faser and The Geek Squad, along with fireworks. Playing at the Aug. 4 show are Chuck Mead and Drivin N Cryin.
Click here for more about the 2023 Chamblee Summer Concert Series.
— Hannah E. Jones
Atlanta BeltLine hosts inaugural biking event this weekend
On Sunday, June 4, the Atlanta BeltLine presents the inaugural Big Tigger’s BeltLine BikeFest. Hosted at the Westside Park, V-103 DJ Big Tigger and Big Tigger Foundation have organized the BikeFest to encourage Atlantans to go outside and get active. Some of his celebrity friends will be at the event, including Atlanta Falcons’ Grady Jarrett, Captain America actor Anthony Mackie, Slutty Vegan’s Pinky Cole and custom bike designer DJ Mars.
The day will kick off with a 1.5-mile group ride through the park. The ride is open and free to the public, but registration is required. Following the bike ride, there will be a family-friendly festival with free health checks, food trucks and live music.
In addition to the festivities, 100 Atlanta Public School students will get a free bike and helmet. Free food will also be provided for the first 200 guests.
“I can still remember when I got my first bike as a kid. It changed my life,” Big Tigger wrote about his inspiration for BikeFest. “In fact, during the pandemic, riding my bike along the BeltLine was one of the few things that kept me optimistic. It’s important to me that our community stays physically active. We all need to live longer, healthier, more productive lives, not only for ourselves but for the generations following us. I also want Atlanta to see the BeltLine as a resource towards those goals.”
For more details about the upcoming inaugural BeltLine BikeFest, click here.
— Hannah E. Jones
Alliance Theatre announces return of The Incredible Book Eating Boy
The Alliance Theatre announced the return of the hit musical “The Incredible Book Eating Boy” following its sold-out premiere last summer. It will be showing from July 1 to 23.
The family-friendly production will take place at the Stillwell Theater at Kennesaw University based on the best-selling children’s book featuring the main character, Henry, who eats books instead of reading them to retain their information, making him more intelligent until his tummy doesn’t feel so good.
“We are thrilled to produce it at Kennesaw State University, where we are bound to meet new audiences and deepen our partnership with their growing theatre education program,” said Christopher Moses, Associate Artistic Director for the Alliance Theater.
Click here to purchase tickets.
— Allison Joyner
MARTA to distribute wheel locks for Kia, Hyundai vehicles
Next week, the MARTA Police Department (MPD) will distribute wheel locks for MARTA riders who own Kia and Hyundai cars. Amidst a spike in thefts with these vehicles, manufacturers have provided MPD with 640 wheel locks. This increase is seen nationwide after a post made the rounds online showing how to start these cars without a key.
On Thursday, June 1, MARTA patrons who own a Kia or Hyundai model year 2011 – 2022 can visit the Lindbergh Station to collect a wheel lock. To qualify, bring proof of ownership and a valid Breeze Card. The distribution event will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
— Hannah E. Jones
FBI director to speak at Atlanta Press Club/Commerce Club event
FBI Director Christopher Wray will speak on June 20 at a joint event of the Atlanta Press Club (APC) and the Commerce Club.
Wray has led the FBI since 2017. He has many local ties, having started his career in the 1990s as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, which includes Atlanta, and living in a Buckhead mansion, at least at the time of his FBI appointment.
The FBI is among the agencies involved in the controversial policing of protests against Atlanta’s public safety training center. The agency also has played a role in investigating allegations of election fraud by supporters of former President Trump in 2020, which may also be the subject of high-profile trials in Atlanta later this year as Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis continues her investigation.
The event is scheduled to be held at the Commerce Club, a private membership club atop the 191 Peachtree St. tower in Downtown Atlanta. The club is in the midst of a revival effort after going dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
APC is currently offering pre-sale tickets to the event for members only. It says tickets will be sold to non-members in mid-June “depending on availability.”
— John Ruch
Atlanta BeltLine Partnership welcomes additions to the board
The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP) recently announced new Board leadership and members who are joining the team. ABP is the entity that helps fundraise for the 22-mile BeltLine project and engages residents and visitors through programming.
Joining as Board Chair is Kathy Farrell, executive vice president of Commercial Real Estate for Truist. Beth Chandler, vice president & general counsel for Rollins, Inc., is now serving as vice chair.
The new board members include:
- André Anderson, first vice president and chief operating officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
- Matt Keith, senior vice president of Bank of America
- Amy Phuong, vice president of Government Relations of the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena
- Megan Sirna, vice president of HR of Georgia Pacific
- Lisa J. Smith, senior vice president of Region External Affairs of Georgia Power
“The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is committed to the vision of connecting our neighborhoods and creating a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable city,” Farrell wrote in a recent statement. “Truist’s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, which is reflected in the vital work of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership to ensure residents can live, work, and thrive in BeltLine communities. I look forward to collaborating with this talented group of leaders.”
To see a full list of ABP’s board, click here.
— Hannah E. Jones
Date set for AIDS Walk, launches fundraiser
The AIDS Health Foundation (AHF) Pharmacy announced this year’s AIDS Walk Atlanta Music Festival and 5k Run will take place on Sept. 23 at Piedmont Park.
Registration is now open to apply for the event, which helps raise funds for ten Atlanta-based HIV/AIDS service organizations.
“AHF is proud to present this event as one of the many ways that we educate and empower the local community to join the fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Dawn Averill, AHF Atlanta Regional Director.
The AHF is the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 1.7 million people 45 worldwide.
To register or for more information, click here.
— Allison Joyner
Atlanta public policy leader joins Ohio River South
Ohio River South, a government relations firm centered around the New American South, announced that Atlanta’s Chuck Meadows will join its team of bi-partisan public affairs and communications professionals. His new role is Chief Strategy Officer.
Meadows is currently Executive Director at Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School and has also served as Executive Director of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, Vice President of Public Policy for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Deputy Policy Director in the Office of the Governor of Georgia, and Chief of Budget and Fiscal Policy for the City of Atlanta.
The Atlanta native is also an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, and the Regional Leadership Institute. He currently serves on the board of directors for Warrick Dunn Charities.
“I’m excited to join a firm that empowers me to make an impact at the systems level,” Meadows said. “As Chief Strategy Officer, I’ll use what I’ve learned in a multitude of roles to support leaders across the South as they tackle the biggest challenges facing our country.”
President and CEO Howard Franklin added: “For over a decade, I’ve watched Chuck make meaningful change on behalf of governments, nonprofits and corporations alike. He’s the perfect addition to our C-suite.”
— Hannah E. Jones
Chamblee named City of Civility by Georgia Municipal Association
In April, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) designated the city of Chamblee as a City of Civility.
The DeKalb County city created the Embrace Civility program earlier this year to create more civility in their meetings and among their residents and meeting attendees.
The city council adopted a Civility Resolution and pledged to engage in civil behavior with each other as well.
“We believe that Georgia’s cities have a great platform to model open, free and vigorous debate while maintaining the highest standards of civility, honesty and mutual respect,” said Larry Hanson, CEO and Executive Director for GMA.
— Allison Joyner
Georgia Power Foundation President, CEO to retire
After 43 years, Michael K. Anderson — senior vice president of Charitable Giving and president and CEO of Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. and Southern Company Charitable Foundation — announced his plans to retire. His last day will be Sept. 8.
Since joining Georgia Power in 1979, he has spearheaded the company’s collaboration with thousands of nonprofit and community organizations in Georgia. Last year, Georgia Power invested $42 million into state communities, organizations and programming.
Over the last four decades, Anderson has served as Vice President of Corporate Services, along with leadership positions in Capital Budgeting, System Planning, Customer Operations, Information Technology, Marketing and External Affairs.
Outside of his roles with Georgia Power, Anderson serves on several boards including chair of Emory — Saint Joseph’s Healthcare System, National Urban League, ENGAGE, Atlanta Police Foundation, Georgia Tech Foundation and President’s Advisory Board, Peach Bowl Inc. and the Atlanta Track Club.
“The state of Georgia, its communities and its people truly have a champion and advocate when it comes to Mike,” wrote Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. “He is the epitome of being a citizen wherever we serve – a shining example to all at Georgia Power and beyond. His passion for getting out and leading in the community, finding the real needs in our state and guiding us on how to make a difference in those areas is unmatched. While we will miss him personally and professionally, we are so incredibly grateful for the legacy and standard of giving he has left on Georgia Power.”
— Hannah E. Jones
