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Community Corner

🌱 Ammonia Leak Contained + Micron in Midtown + Fires Displace 50

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Atlanta.

Kathy Cioffi, Community Contributor
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(Patch)

Up and at 'em, Atlanta! Let's get you started this Tuesday with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 55 Low: 47.

Here are the top stories in Atlanta today:

  1. Atlanta fire crews contained a "major ammonia leak" at a frozen food facility Monday afternoon that resulted in a shelter-in-place order issued for multiple northeast Atlanta neighborhoods. The leak was contained just before 4:30 p.m., according to Atlanta Fire Rescue, which announced the chemical leak at Mayson Avenue and LaFrance Street at 2:30 p.m. According to officials, the building — a facility for frozen food home delivery company Schwan's — was evacuated and no one was injured. The shelter-in-place order was lifted for residents in parts of Edgewood, Kirkwood, Candler Park and Lake Claire. Workers at the now-closed facility had been removing large quantities of ammonia, a toxic substance that can be fatal if too much is inhaled, according to the CDC. (Free: 11Alive.com; Subscription: Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. Micron Technology Inc., one of the world's largest semiconductor producers, announced it will open a new design facility in Midtown that could bring up to 500 jobs. Micron, the nation's only semiconductor manufacturer, cited the city's diverse pool of tech-savvy professionals and budding STEM graduates as a reason for expanding in Atlanta, following the lead of such companies as Microsoft, Airbnb, FanDuel, and Nike. Micron officials said they plan to open the Midtown center in January and, in the process, build partnerships with Georgia Tech, Emory University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, the University of Georgia and other higher learning institutions in and around Atlanta. (Atlanta Patch)
  3. Fires tore through three separate apartment buildings in metro Atlanta Sunday, displacing nearly 50 people. The first fire was at Dunwoody Crossing Apartments in Sandy Springs early Sunday morning, displacing nine people who lived in the eight-unit building. A second fire, in the Austin Oak apartments on Glenwood Road, broke out around 8:20 a.m. Sunday, damaging just one unit but displacing 14 individuals. The third fire, at the Wood Terrace Apartments in Doraville, occurred around 6:15 p.m., destroying two units with another four sustaining water damage, displacing 22 residents. The Red Cross met victims' emergency needs for lodging, food, clothing, personal care and other essentials. The cause of each fire is still being investigated. (WSB Atlanta)
  4. Passengers flying from Syracuse, N.Y., to Atlanta were surprised recently when a woman aboard Delta Flight 1360 began breastfeeding her hairless cat mid-flight, according to a report by Newsweek. An image of an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System report posted on social media read, "Passenger in 13A is breastfeeding a cat and will not put cat back in its carrier when flight attendant requested." A request for the airline's "Red Coat" team to address the situation upon landing was also posted. Delta's pet policy states small cats are allowed on board under certain conditions as long as they remain inside a ventilated pet carrier that can fit under the seat. (WRDW-TV)
  5. Fernbank Museum's new "Dinosaurs of Antarctica" exhibit explores the continent's surprising prehistoric world of two hundred million years ago, replete with a lush, temperate rainforest that was home to crocodile-sized amphibians and rhinoceros-sized dinosaurs. The exhibition spotlights the ancient lifeforms of Earth's most mysterious continent with preserved skeletons, interactive elements and educational film content. "Dinosaurs of Antarctica" is on view at Fernbank Museum through Jan. 2, 2022. (WABE 90.1 FM)

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Today in Atlanta:

  • POP (Power of Partnering) Marketplace: Virtual Edition (Q4) (8:30 AM)
  • Fernbank "Antarctic Dinosaurs" Exhibit (10:00 AM)
  • Setting Intent For The New Year (1:00 PM)
  • Pop-up Christmas Cocktail Bar Sippin' Santa (5:00 PM)
  • The Kabbalah of the Matrix (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Atlanta: "G O O D M O R N I N G A T L . These skies lately! Snap via @kristiana.hope. #atlantasnaps" (Instagram)
  • Atlanta History Center: "Robert W. Woodruff was president of The Coca-Cola Company from 1923 until 1954, remaining on the Board of Directors until 1984. Over several decades, the success of Coca-Cola (and the resulting net worth of its president) meant Woodruff held great influence in Atlanta. Atlanta mayors called him "Boss," and considered his support crucial. In 1968, Woodruff assisted the city in covering the costs of Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral.
    Woodruff's philanthropic gifts include The Woodruff Arts Center and Woodruff Park (both named in his honor following his death in 1985), and donations to several educational institutions. His largest philanthropic legacy was Emory University. In 1979, Woodruff gave $105 million to Emory, which at the time was the largest gift ever to a university. Explore more of Atlanta's prominent figures in our online exhibition, Atlanta in 50 Objects." (Facebook)
  • City of Atlanta Police Department: "The @AtlantaPoliceAthleticLeauge (PAL) is holding its annual toy drive now until Monday, December 20, 2021. All gifts donated will benefit our PAL youth and their families along with the surrounding community. Donations of new and unwrapped toys are being accepted at multiple locations." (Facebook)
  • Atlanta Habitat for Humanity & ReStore: "We are excited to announce that the 10th annual Holiday Hootenanny will benefit Atlanta Habitat. Artists like Randall Bramblett, a Southern Rock Legend, along with other amazing artists will be performing. We invite you to attend and support Atlanta Habitat and Georgia music. #GiftofHome #HolidayHootenanny" (Facebook)
  • MARTA: "MARTA & Artbound are providing a holiday experience for customers through the month of December. There will be events at 8 rail stations and the Clayton County Transit Hub featuring carolers, live performances, prizes, and a visit from Santa. https://itsmarta.com/happyholidays.aspx" (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

  • Boost your Energy, Reduce Stress, Help your Immunity and Improve Sleep (December 7)
  • Taxes In Retirement Seminar (December 8)
  • Whitefield Academy Lower School Tour for PreK - 4th Grade (December 9)
  • Free Aura Readings in Buckhead (December 10)
  • Stepp Stewart's A Soulful Christmas 10th Anniversary Shows Dec 2-5 & 10-24 (December 10)
  • Are Looking For Venue To Host Holiday Event/ Party? (December 11)
  • French Wine Tasting with Food Pairing (December 11)
  • Drive Thru Christmas Pageant (December 12)
  • Atlanta New Year's Eve Dinner & Dance Party (Latin dance & Top 40s room) (December 31)
  • Add your event

Job listings:

Alrighty, you're all good for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Kathy Cioffi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Atlanta Daily? You can reach me at atlanta@patch.com.

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