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Community Corner

🌱 Absentee Ballot Deadline + FBI Scam Alert + Discounts for Pets

Welcome to the Atlanta Daily! Here's your source for the most important things going on in Atlanta.

Kathy Cioffi, Community Contributor
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(Patch)

Up and at 'em, Atlanta! Let's get this Friday started. These are the most important things happening today in Atlanta.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 63 Low: 37.

Here are the top stories today in Atlanta:

  1. Although early voting has started for Atlanta's runoff elections and will continue through Nov. 24, today is the deadline to request runoff absentee ballots. Fulton County voters can cast ballots in person at early voting locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Wednesday. But anyone who submitted absentee ballots in the general election on Nov. 2 must do so again for the Nov. 30 runoff, according to Atlanta officials. In addition to choosing Atlanta's next mayor and city council president, there are runoff elections for eight other city council and school board positions. (Atlanta Patch)
  2. FBI Atlanta is warning the public about phone scammers posing as local law enforcement officials demanding payment for outstanding warrants or fines. Officials say the new scam – using spoofed phone numbers as well as names, positions and addresses of officers – is primarily targeting high-income women who are active online. Individuals who believe they have been victims of this scam or other fraud activity are encouraged to contact FBI Atlanta at 770-216-3000.(CBS46 News Atlanta)
  3. The Atlanta Humane Society has opened a new program designed to put more pets in permanent homes by offering discounted adoptions for military members and first responders. Through the American Heroes Adoption Program, discounts of 50 percent are being offered on animals 1 year old or older, as well as 10 percent off puppies and kittens. Veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders qualify for the shelter's discount, as do healthcare workers and members of the National Association of Independent Truckers. Proof of employment is required. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  4. Vanessa Ibarra, Atlanta's international affairs director, has received the French National Order of Merit – knighthood, in other words. Ibarra, who has worked in the mayor's office for seven years, has French connections dating to childhood, when her father's job took the family to France till she was 6. During college, Ibarra studied abroad in France before receiving her master's degree in international business and going on to work in French trade and investment. Since joining the mayor's office in 2015, she has helped foster the city's startup exchange program with Toulouse, France, and assisted in having Atlanta named a "French Tech Hub" for startups looking to expand in North America. Ibarra received her knighthood, bestowed on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron and Ambassador Philippe Etienne, during a recent celebration at the French Consul General Vincent Hommeril's residence. (Reporter Newspapers)
  5. There is no shortage of holiday happenings in and around Atlanta this season, as a variety of festive family activities have already begun and many more will be following in the coming days and weeks. While crowds are already flocking to the always popular Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, today is when the outdoor skating rink opens at Colony Square and tomorrow kicks off Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History's holiday season. In short, merrymaking opportunities will be bountiful through the new year for families and adults in town and around metro Atlanta. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

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Today in Atlanta:

  • Fernbank "Antarctic Dinosaurs" Exhibit (10:00 AM)
  • Downtown Development Authority Meeting (11:00 AM)
  • The Scream Foundation presents First Annual Hannah's Hope Thanksgiving Food Drive (Noon)
  • The Fabric of Being (5:00 PM)
  • Death and Dying Weekend Course (6:30 PM)

Atlanta Patch Notebook

  • Atlanta Humane Society: "URGENT: These 9 puppies just arrived in our care after their mother died. At only 9 days old and with their tiny eyes still closed, they need around-the-clock care. Can you help us provide for these puppies? Your donation will be triple matched - up to $50,000!" (Facebook)
  • City of Atlanta Police Department: "JOIN US: The Atlanta Police Department is teaming up with Life Shine Ministries for their Thanksgiving Food Drive! Stop by Zone 3's Precinct at 2353 Metropolitan Pkwy. Saturday, November 20th, and drop off donations from 1 pm to 4 pm. We're accepting turkeys & other non-perishable food items." (Facebook)
  • Atlanta History Center: "As Atlanta gears up for a runoff election between two mayoral candidates, let's travel back to 1946 and 1947, when Georgia had three governors. What followed is the stuff of political legend." (Instagram)
  • Atlanta BeltLine: "We are thrilled to announce that the Atlanta BeltLine has been awarded a $16.46 million RAISE Grant from the USDOT. This funding will be used to help construct 1.9 miles of the Southside Trail, from I-75/85 to Boulevard, and piggybacks off an EPA grant to conduct brownfield clean-up of the southside corridor ahead of construction. Thanks to the efforts of many, we are one step closer to connecting the Westside and Eastside Trails for 10 miles of continuous paved trail!" (Facebook)
  • Discover Atlanta: "Today's a big day for The A! We're celebrating being named one of National Geographic Travel's Best of the World destinations for 2022 because of our cultural and historic achievements. See more reasons for you to discover and explore the city we love." (Facebook)

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Events:

  • Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival at Lanier Tech - Free Admission (November 20)
  • Experience Powerful and Healing art with Body & Brain Tai Chi Class (November 20)
  • GIVE BACK AND WIN WITH SNEAKER WEEK, Carrollton! (November 20)
  • Live: Award Winning Saxophonist Reggie Hines (November 20)
  • IllumiNights At The Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival Has Arrived (December 1)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you soon. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kathy Cioffi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Atlanta Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at atlanta@patch.com.

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