This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱 ATL Corruption Verdict + AT&T Hiring + Asian Chefs Aid Ukraine

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

Kathy Cioffi, Community Contributor
|
(Patch)

Happy Thursday, people of Atlanta! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Sun and some clouds. High: 67 Low: 44.

Attention, top law firms! We're now offering sponsorship opportunities for local firms interested in building lasting connections with clients in Atlanta. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today:

  1. In the first trial in the Atlanta City Hall corruption investigation, a federal jury has found Mitzi Bickers guilty in nine of 12 counts in the indictment, including money laundering, wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. The indictment alleged Bickers orchestrated a multimillion-dollar cash-for-contracts scheme that benefited contractors Elvin "E.R." Mitchell Jr. and Charles P. Richards Jr., who previously pleaded guilty and testified against her. This is the first trial in the sprawling public corruption investigation that upended Atlanta city government during the final year of then-Mayor Kasim Reed's administration, and the verdict is a significant victory for federal prosecutors. Bickers will be free on bond until her sentencing hearing set for July 12 . (Free: WABE 90.1 FM; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. Attention job hunters: AT&T is looking to fill over 600 open positions in Georgia. In a statement Wednesday, an AT&T spokesperson said the telecommunications giant is hiring for positions including retail management, retail sales consultant, field sales representative, network expert and technician. Over 260 of those 600 Peach State openings are in Atlanta, while Alpharetta has more than 34 positions open. Full- or part-time jobs are available. To apply, head to AT&T's job board website. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  3. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, local Asian women chefs and entrepreneurs joined together to raise money to support World Central Kitchen, an organization serving fresh meals to Ukrainians fleeing the country as well as those who remain. Recently, a collection of Asian pop-up chefs as well as restaurants helped create a fundraiser focused on 100 Stand with Ukraine "goodie boxes" filled with both sweet and savory items. By Monday, the boxes had sold out and the chefs had raised over $10,000. Anyone interested in helping the groups' Ukraine effort has till noon March 26 to donate and be entered into a raffle to win prizes and meals from the best Asian restaurants in the city. (Reporter Newspapers)
  4. American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott recently donated $436 million in unrestricted giving to Habitat for Humanity International and 83 U.S. Habitat affiliate organizations, including Atlanta Habitat. Atlanta Habitat received $13.5 million, which will be used to expand access to affordable, quality homeownership to families in Atlanta. "Since 1983, Atlanta Habitat has served more than 6,000 family members in over 100 neighborhoods across our various programs and initiatives," said Rosalyn Merrick, interim president and CEO, Atlanta Habitat. "We hope this gift will inspire others to contribute to Atlanta Habitat's mission. The affordable housing shortage is affecting families throughout our communities, and we are grateful to Ms. Scott and other like-minded champions who are helping us make Atlanta a place where all people have access to quality affordable housing in safe, vibrant neighborhoods with opportunities to thrive." (Metro Atlanta CEO)
  5. Atlanta is the fourth-worst city for minimum wage earners in the United States, according to a study by Move.org, a website that reviews moving companies and reports on the moving industry. Move.org's research showed that individuals earning the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour in Atlanta would need to work more than 178 hours a month - or over 22 8-hour days - to afford a one-bedroom apartment. The worst city for minimum-wage earners was Honolulu, HI, followed by Austin and Plano, TX, and Raleigh, NC. The United States hasn't raised its minimum wage since 2009, and researchers say the study shows the federal minimum wage is no longer livable in most places. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

From our sponsor:

Today's newsletter is brought to you in part by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. We all know that Ring is the leader in video doorbells for home security. But did you know that Ring now makes a home security system that is getting raves from consumer electronic experts?

To learn more about Ring Alarm Pro, the system CNET called "the future of home security," or to build your own custom system, visit Ring here.

Today in Atlanta:

  • Revival: Lost Southern Voices, a festival for readers, celebrates historically excluded, erased or marginalized Southern voices, at the DeKalb County Public Library. (1:00 PM)
  • Emory Community Health Night at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (3:00 PM)
  • Wild Heaven, Georgia's fourth-oldest production craft brewery, is pleased to introduce Sunburst IPA, its newest year-round beer, and flagship India Pale Ale. To celebrate, Wild Heaven is hosting a tasting at Lady Bird Grove & Mess Hall in historic Old Fourth Ward from 5 to 8 p.m. (5:00 PM)
  • High Revelry for the High Museum Wine Auction. If you haven't attended the wine auction before, High Revelry is a great way to get your taste buds wet when a dozen (or more) wineries pour their juice, and you sample treats from some of Atlanta's best restaurants. It's a mini-vintners reception in the tents with music from DJ Yvonne Monet. (6:30 PM)
  • Dance Canvas introduces our first season of filmmaking at Ferst Center For The Arts. (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • You see dirt. The Atlanta BeltLine sees future affordable housing around the Atlanta BeltLine. 🚜 🚧 This week, Skyline Apartments broke ground on what will soon be 250 new affordable apartment rentals in Peoplestown, just a short walk from the Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail. (Facebook)
  • March to the beat of the Xclusive Percussion drumline at the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Garden Party! Get your tickets today for countless blooms, live music, a complimentary cocktail and more. VIP is already sold out! ➡️ https://bit.ly/GardenPartyABG" (Facebook)
  • Midnight Basketball is almost here! 🏀 Grab your team and head to the court to showcase your skills. Register at your nearest PAL site or City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation today! (Facebook)
  • Help shape the future of transportation options in the Atlanta region. Please take a few minutes to complete this MARTA survey for Mobility Connections: A Plan for Expanding Opportunity, a planning initiative led by Atlanta Regional Commission. Learn more: www.ARCTDMPlan.org. (Facebook)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Collier Heights: "My office is looking for people to work from home anywhere in the U.S. All online and full training provided! Must be able to pass a background check. DM me your name, number and email." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Feeling Overwhelmed? Anxieties? Re-center yourself with Holistic Fitness for all levels! (March 24)
  • High Revelry for the High Museum Wine Auction (March 24)
  • John Stango Artist Show (March 26)
  • Rare & Unusual Garden Plant Sale! This Saturday from 9am- 2pm! (March 26)
  • Food and Art Walk on the Atlanta BeltLine (March 26)
  • Independent Distilling 8 year Anniversary & Crawfish Boil with Mothers Best!! (March 26)
  • Women's History Month Tasting (March 26)
  • Frank Hyder: Poet of a Threatened Eden (March 26)
  • Add your event

Loving the Atlanta Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Kathy Cioffi

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Atlanta