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Community Corner

🌱 ATL Gas Prices At Record Highs + Coke Suspends Russia Business

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)

Hello, neighbors! It's me again, Kathy Cioffi, your host of the Atlanta Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy with rain tapering off. High: 63 Low: 47.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today:

  1. Gas prices in metro Atlanta hit record highs Tuesday, driven by the continuing war in Ukraine and the U.S. government's move to ban imports of Russian oil. Tuesday afternoon, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in metro Atlanta was $4.15 a gallon, four cents higher than the peak reached in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to GasBuddy. Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted Tuesday that he was working with the Georgia legislature to temporarily suspend the state's motor fuel tax, which would help lower costs for consumers. (Free: Fox5 Atlanta; Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
  2. The Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in Atlanta, has announced that it is suspending its business in Russia. Joining a growing list of businesses that have announced they will no longer operate in Russia, including McDonald's, the company issued the following statement Tuesday: "Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve." (CBS 46 News)
  3. For the first time since 2019, Atlanta's St. Patrick's Day parade is returning to the streets of midtown on March 12. Days before it was scheduled, the 2020 parade was called off due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the city's oldest traditions, the parade was established in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society. This year's event will begin at noon at the intersection of Peachtree and 15th streets and continue down Peachtree to 5th Street. More than 2,000 dancers, musicians, Irish and local dignitaries are expected to march in the parade, which will honor metro Atlanta's first responders. The parade is being presented by Irish Network Atlanta, a local chapter of Irish Network USA created to integrate the Southeast with the community of Irish, Irish Americans and friends of Ireland. (CBS 46 News)
  4. Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has been named a partner in a global law firm, Squire Patton Boggs. The firm, which operates in Germany, Africa, Latin America and India, opened its Atlanta offices in 2018. Reed, a two-term Atlanta mayor from 2003-09, attempted a return to office last year but was edged out of second place in the general election by Andre Dickens, who went on to defeat Felicia Moore in the subsequent runoff. (Atlanta Patch)
  5. Lady Gaga's Chromatic Ball tour is making a stop in Atlanta. The Grammy-award winner will perform at Truist Park on Friday, Aug. 26, as part of a 14-city worldwide performance kicking off in Düsseldorf, Germany, and including Paris, London, Toronto, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles, among other locations. Tickets are on sale now for some shows via Ticketmaster, with VIP packages available here. (11Alive.com WXIA)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Atlanta:

  • Workforce Wednesdays: Mobile Career Center in the City of South Fulton, offering job search assistance, resume writing, job training and digital literacy training. (9:00 AM)
  • COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots at DeKalb County Public Library. Help keep you and your family safe and healthy. Vaccines are administered by trained medical professionals. (10:00 AM)
  • 2022 Digital Day at Atlanta Decorative Arts Center: Join ADAC for a day of presentations on the hottest innovations currently impacting the world of design. Explore the current digital landscape and learn about new opportunities to grow your business in ways you never imagined. (10:00 AM)
  • Phoenix Flies Walking Tour Meet-Up (In Cafe) at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (4:00 PM)
  • Join Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar today for a Mardi Gras-themed party to celebrate its 6th anniversary. Enjoy live music, crab and cocktail features and a specialty menu featuring duck jambalaya, po'-boy sliders, beignets, and more. (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Atlanta Humane Society says, "Now that's what we call a happy dog!" Ace recently spent some time exploring West Midtown with an AHS team member and it's safe to say he had a great time! Ace is an active and energetic boy that enjoys learning new tricks, enrichment activities like puzzle feeders, and going out for adventures. He also loves other outgoing pups and may do well with a playmate in his forever home! To learn how you can meet Ace, head to atlantahumane.org/ace (Facebook)
  • City of Atlanta Police Department congratulates Chief Bryant on completing the FBI's National Executive Institute Training. Last month, Chief Bryant was invited to participate in the NEI, the FBI's premier executive training initiative. This specific training consists of three one-week sessions throughout the year for the chief executives of the largest law enforcement organizations in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia, who lead departments of more than 500 sworn officers and serve a population of at least 250,000. (Facebook)
  • The Atlanta Botanical Garden's Educator Appreciation Evening will be Saturday, March 19, from 3 - 7 p.m. It is an opportunity for us to thank metro Atlanta teachers, school administrators and community educators by offering FREE admission and a drink ticket to pre-registered guests who show educator ID upon entry. The evening includes performances by The Atlanta Opera and The Atlanta Shakespeare Company. Tickets are limited, so snag yours today https://bit.ly/ABGEduEvening (Facebook)
  • Atlanta History Center recognizes the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. In 1965, 600 people began marching from Selma to Montgomery, AL, demanding an end to discrimination in voter registration. The demonstration turned violent when state and local lawmen attacked the marchers with clubs and tear gas, driving them back to Selma. Millions of Americans were horrified by images of the peaceful marchers, led by the Rev. Hosea Williams and John Lewis, being beaten by police while white onlookers cheered. Volunteers from across the nation joined the march while others sent letters and telegrams to Washington demanding reform. The Voting Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson four months later. (Facebook)
  • City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department notes that, in observance of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, Atlanta Fire Rescue is honored to continue highlighting our sworn women personnel. #AFRD (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • GO Kickball League Registration (March 9)
  • GO Volleyball League Registration - Brookhaven (March 9)
  • GO Softball League Registration - Piedmont Park (March 9)
  • Feeling Overwhelmed? Anxieties? Re-center yourself with Holistic Fitness for all levels! (March 10)
  • GA Pinners Conference (March 11)
  • Arm of Casso and The Art of Sharpism: Artist reception (March 12)
  • Inner Peace Begins Through Reconnecting Inside (March 15)
  • JOIN PICKLEBALL FLEX LEAGUES - Spring Registration Deadline (March 16)
  • Black Wounds: A Dialogue, Reading and Book Signing (March 17)
  • "Carol on Cumberland: A Natural History" (March 19)
  • Barranco Enterprises - 1st Annual Career Fair (March 21)
  • PRIDE Kickball Atlanta Spring Leagues (March 21)
  • Add your event

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Kathy Cioffi

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

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