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Community Corner

🌱 GA Olympian Top Bobsledder + Ukraine Fears in ATL + Air Travel

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

Kathy Cioffi, Community Contributor
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Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Kathy Cioffi, your host of the Atlanta Daily.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and nice. High: 62 Low: 44.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Atlanta:

  1. One day before the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing closed, Georgia bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor won bronze in Saturday's two-woman event. It was her fifth medal overall, making her the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian. The 37-year-old pilot from Douglasville, who paired with brakewoman Sylvia Hoffman, also is the first U.S. Winter Olympian to enter five events and win a medal in all of them, according to the Los Angeles Times. Meyers Taylor took two-woman silver in Pyeongchang and Sochi and bronze in Vancouver. Additionally, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced that Meyers Taylor will carry the American flag into tonight's closing ceremony of the Beijing Games. (Atlanta Patch)
  2. As Russia stokes Ukraine tensions, Atlantans from Ukraine are worried for their family members who remain in the country. They include Decatur's Olga Westfall, who moved to the U.S. in 1998, became a U.S. citizen, served in the U.S. Army, then in the U.S. Air Force and is now an Air Force Reservist. Westfall is among Atlantans with family members still in Ukraine, in her case uncles, aunts and cousins. "You know, they wake up, every morning, preparing to go to work, send kids to school, to kindergarten, wondering, 'are we going to return home, is there going to be a war, are we going to be alive,' and that is scary," she said. (11Alive.com WXIA)
  3. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport released its 2021 traffic report Friday, which showed a huge increase in travelers heading in and out of the "World's Busiest Airport." According to the report, over 75 million people made their way through the massive air facility in 2021, nearly double the 42.9 million passengers in 2020. Airport General Manager Balram Bheodari said the numbers indicate the airport is rebounding from the pandemic and leisure travelers are returning. Hartsfield-Jackson continues to operate as the world's busiest airport with nonstop air service to 150 locations in the U.S. and 70 international locations in more than 50 countries. (WSB Radio)
  4. The Atlanta launch of "A Gathering of Men: A WWII Novel," the newest release by author and historian Rona Simmons, will be today from 4-5:30 p.m. at Bookmiser, 3822 Roswell Road, Marietta. A work of historical fiction, "A Gathering of Men" is based on the true story of one B-17 bomber pilot from the legendary 100th Bomb Group in England during World War II. Simmons, an Atlanta-area author of nonfiction, historical fiction and short stories, will be speaking and signing books. (Atlanta Patch)
  5. Not only are chicken wings twice as expensive now, other scary numbers from Atlanta restaurant kitchens add up to challenging operating costs across the board. "This is the most disruptive chain of events that has affected our industry that I've ever experienced," said Georgia Restaurant Association president and CEO Karen Bremer, who's been in the business for three decades. For a look at prices affecting one local restaurant - Lean Draft House in West End - owner Leo Inestroza detailed a variety of drastic prices changes since 2020. (Atlanta Magazine)

Today in Atlanta:

  • Horizon Theatre Performance of "Every Brilliant Thing" at Little Five Points Center for Arts and Community. (1:00 PM)
  • Tutoring with Mind Bubble at DeKalb County Public Library. Mind Bubble connects students with community volunteers for educational games and one-on-one tutoring for students in grades 4-10. (4:00 PM)
  • Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds," featuring music and lyrics by the reggae legend himself, and based on the story by his eldest daughter, Cedella Marley, is a jammin' musical that's perfect for the whole family, at Synchronicity Theatre. (5:00 PM)
  • Mad Hatter's (Gin &) Tea Party at Underground Atlanta is an immersive experience in a wonderland installation. Take a trip down the rabbit hole and delight the senses in a whimsical (gin &) tea party that has already won rave reviews in LA, NYC, Miami, Chicago and London! (8:00 PM)
  • Interstellar Echoes, the Southeast's premier Pink Floyd Tribute band, pride themselves on accurately reproducing the legendary catalog of Pink Floyd. At 37 Main Avondale Estates. (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • What's that? McKenna heard you were thinking about adopting an animal! Come to the Atlanta Humane Society and find the newest member of your family this weekend. Visit atlantahumane.org/adopt to learn how! ❤️ (Facebook)
  • The Atlanta Botanical Garden is open for Presidents' Day, special hours on Monday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.) Orchid Daze featuring Rich Soil: Sculptures by Kristine Mays is blooming beautifully, and if you haven't seen the new Radiant Yellow Icicle Tower by Dale Chihuly in Storza Woods, now's a great time for your first look! Purchase timed tix http://atlantabg.org/tickets (Facebook)
  • Officer Johnny Carroll, Clayton County Police Department: "Mattie's Call. On Feb. 18, 2022, Clayton County Police officers responded to the 9200 Block of Floyd Road, Jonesboro, GA, in reference to a missing person. Upon arrival, officers learned Deashaun Lewis climbed out the back window of his residence. According to his mother, he is known for running away. Deashaun Lewis is a 17-year-old black male with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5-feet-6 and weighs 130 pounds. Deashaun was last seen wearing a black shirt, orange shorts and no shoes. He has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Clayton County Police Department at (770) 477-3550." (Nextdoor)
  • Nextdoor Neighbor, Pleasant Hill-Castlegate: "POP UP SHOP - Come Support some AHHMAZING vendors‼️ It's BLACK HISTORY MONTH…💚❤️💛🖤 Come BUY BLACK." (Nextdoor)
  • Communications Manager Mia L. McDonald, Clayton County Board of Commissioners Office of Communications: "Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) and its Department of Counseling, Enrollment & Postsecondary Readiness is excited to announce a Virtual College Fair 2022 event happening on Saturday, Feb. 26, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Representatives from across Georgia and beyond are expected to be part of this virtual college fair. Please see the flyer for the Zoom platform access link and code. For more information, contact Dr. Alicia Dunn at alicia.dunn@clayton.k12.ga.us." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Meet & Greet the Artists - Garry & Lois Colby (February 20)
  • Mindful Movement For Flexibility and Peace (February 22)
  • Pregnant? Participate in a Maternal Health Research Study (February 23)
  • Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
  • Get A 'Taste Of Paradise' During This Exclusive Event At Atlantis (February 28)
  • GO Kickball League Registration (March 9)
  • GO Volleyball League Registration - Brookhaven (March 9)
  • GO Softball League Registration - Piedmont Park (March 9)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Sunday! I'll see you soon.

— Kathy Cioffi

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

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