...a
glance at what's making the news...
"Every Day Is An Opening Day" Hits The
National Media Scene
On November 10th, the Brand Atlanta Campaign team
introduced the final elements of Atlanta's new
marketing campaign to an enthusiastic crowd at
Symphony Hall. In the audience were media from
across the nation. Reports about Atlanta's new
brand have been found in USA Today, Associated
Press, The New York Times, the Orlando Sentinel,
CNN and National Public Radio. Visit www.ATLopen.com
for more information.
Peachtree Corridor Taskforce Announced
Mayor Shirley Franklin recently appointed Tom
Bell, CEO of Cousins Properties, and Egbert Perry,
CEO of Integral Group, to head the newly-created
Peachtree Corridor Taskforce. Under Bell and Perry,
several sub-committees will be created. These
committees will develop a vision for the Peachtree
Corridor that will promote pedestrian-friendly
walk spaces, a street car that connects Atlanta's
business districts and new development that will
increase storefront properties along Atlanta's
most famous street. The Peachtree Corridor connects
Midtown, downtown and Buckhead -- the city's busiest
business districts. For more information on the
Atlanta Streetcar visit www.atlantastreetcar.org
"A Christmas Carol" at the Alliance
Theatre
"A Christmas Carol," an Atlanta holiday
tradition, runs until December 24 at the Alliance
Theatre. For more information please visit www.alliancetheatre.org
Developer's Day
Join the City of Atlanta's Bureau of Buildings
for Developer's Day on January 17th from 7:30am
- 9:30am at the Georgia Power Company Auditorium
at 241 Ralph McGill Blvd, across the street from
the Atlanta Civic Center. To register, www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning/burofbuildings.aspx
Nutcracker at the Rialto
The Rotary International Ballet School presents
The Nutcracker at the Rialto December 18 &
19. This ballet includes performers from the Polish
National Theater and Venezuela's Ballet Classico
de Camara. www.rialtocenter.org
BeltLine TAD
The Atlanta Public School Board of Education voted
to approve the BeltLine Tax Allocation District
(TAD) on December 12. This vote follows an affirmative
vote on the TAD by the Atlanta City Council on
November 7. The Fulton County Commission is the
third and final entity that must approve the BeltLine
TAD. The TAD will serve as the primary source
of funding and will cover the majority of infrastructure
costs. The BeltLine, a 22-mile loop of historic
railroad, will increase greenspace, enhance mobility
and foster economic development. For more information
please visit www.beltlinepartnership.org
Peach Drop at Underground
The 2006 Peach Drop is a day full of family fun
and an evening full of top-notch entertainment!
Beginning at noon on Saturday, December 31, Underground
Atlanta will be bursting with activities for the
entire family. As the clock strikes 12 midnight,
spectacular fireworks will fill the air as Collective
Soul helps to ring in the New Year. www.peachdrop.com
ACVB Annual Meeting
Save the date for the 93rd ACVB Annual Meeting
on Feb. 8, 2006 at the Georgia Aquarium. $75 ticket/$750
table of ten.
RSVP: jclaxton@atlanta.net or call (404) 521-6606.
Atlanta Best Family Vacation Destination
Atlanta has been chosen as one of the 10 Best
Places to Vacation in the U.S. by Family Digest
Magazine.
New Air Cargo Service to Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Cargo recently began the first
direct air cargo flight services from Hong Kong
to Atlanta. Cathay Pacific will fly three flights
per week establishing this critical air link between
Atlanta and China. The Atlanta Logistics Innovation
Council continues to work with Hartsfield-Jackson
Atlanta International Airport to market the region
and attract additional air cargo carriers like
Cathay Pacific with particular emphasis on Latin
America and Asia.
Children's Holiday Festival
The 28th Annual Children's Holiday Festival will
take place on Saturday, December 17 from 11:00
a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the City Hall East Exhibition
Center.
Atlanta Sports Council Turns 20
The Atlanta Sports Council has helped attract
more than 50 multimillion-dollar sporting events
to metro Atlanta, which has become a routine destination
for mega events like the NCAA Men's and Women's
Final Four, MLB and NBA all-star games, and AAU
championships. From the Centennial Olympic Games
in 1996, to the PGA Championship in 2001 to USA
Volleyball's Junior Olympic Championships, Atlanta
has successfully accommodated events of every
sporting type and scale, validating its position
as Sports Capital of the World. For more information
on the Atlanta Sports Council please visit www.atlantasportscouncil.com
Chastain Holiday Art Show
Still looking for that perfect gift? Visit the
City of Atlanta's Chastain Arts Center annual
Holiday Art Show and Sale from now until December
22.
Atlanta Named Fun City
Atlanta was recently named one of seven fun cities
in Weekend magazine.
Inaugural Atlanta Sports Awards
On February 26, 2006 at the Fox Theater, the Atlanta
Sports Awards, created by the Atlanta Sports Council
and presented by Applebee's Neighborhood Grill
& Bar, will honor the most accomplished athletes
and teams at all levels from throughout the metro
Atlanta community. The Atlanta Sports Awards will
honor 11 award recipients who distinguish themselves
from the 5 million people living in the 29 metro
Atlanta counties and surrounding areas. That includes
all six Atlanta professional sports teams, 14
universities, 12 junior colleges and more than
250 public and private high schools. For more
info, visit
www.AtlantaSportsAwards.com
Mayor Franklin in Top 10
Congratulations to Mayor Shirley Franklin for
being selected among the Top 10 mayors in the
world for 2005! The World Mayor competition is
an annual internet-based contest organized by
citymayors.com.
The Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
If Atlanta has a single defining holiday event,
it would arguably be the Atlanta Ballet's production
of the timeless Christmas classic, The Nutcracker,
which has been delighting generations of children
for almost 40 years. Tchaikovsky's masterwork
has graced stages and screens all around the world,
but the fabulous Fox Theatre's historic architecture,
with the shimmering stars on its ceiling, seems
to add a dash of magic. Little ones love the story
of young Marya's exciting holiday adventure. From
the dance of the Sugarplum Fairies to the notorious,
8-foot tall Rat King, this lavish production choreographed
by John McFall is guaranteed to provide holiday
memories. Runs through December 30. For more information
visit www.atlantaballet.com
Mayor's MASKED BALL
The 22nd Annual Mayor's MASKED Ball, which benefits
the United Negro College Fund, is scheduled for
Saturday, December 17 at 8:00 p.m. at the Atlanta
Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Hartsfield-Jackson Becomes A Hotspot
The airport recently launched Wi-Fi, a wireless
network that will allow travelers to connect laptop
computers and other wireless devices to the Internet
from anywhere in the airport.
With this new service, all 5.8 million square
feet of the airport have become one enormous "hot
spot." A one-day Wi-Fi subscription will
cost $7.95 to $9.99 and will allow passengers
to connect laptop computers, personal digital
assistants (PDAs) and other wireless devices to
the Internet. Citywide Wi-Fi access may soon become
a reality for Atlanta residents. Mayor Shirley
Franklin and the City of Atlanta Department of
Information Technology (DIT) are in the process
of selecting a vendor to design, build and manage
a citywide wireless infrastructure. A vendor should
be selected by next year.
VSA Holiday Art Sale
VSA Arts of Georgia invites everyone to shop for
a cause: VSA's annual Holiday Art Sale, runs through
December 23. For more information contact Jay
Tribby, Executive Director: 404.221.1270 x 207
or Jay.Tribby@VSAartsGA.org
See Atlanta From Above
A giant helium balloon has landed at Underground
Atlanta! Atlanta's newest attraction, the AeroBalloon
will allow locals and visitors to soar high above
and admire amazing views within a 20 mile radius
of downtown Atlanta including the city's skyline,
Buckhead, and Stone Mountain. Up to 5 people at
a time can travel upwards for a 10 minute adventure
they will never forget. Offered daily, weather
permitting. Adults $18, Children (under 12) $12.
www.aeroballoon.com
Atlanta's Intellectual Infrastructure Attracts
Real Estate Investment
The nation's largest real estate investment trust,
Equity Office, has committed to a long-term presence
in Metro Atlanta. According to the company there
are several significant characteristics that make
Atlanta an attractive investment market including:
Strong intellectual infrastructure. Educated,
diverse workforce. Diversified economy. Job growth.
Balanced growth. Growth potential. Future Forecast.
With strong market fundamentals in place, Atlanta
is well positioned as an investment worthy city.
While real estate companies across the nation
are consistently entering and exiting markets
across the country, Equity Office has its eyes
on Atlanta.
Franklin Named Best Leader
Mayor Shirley Franklin was recently named among
America's 25 Best Leaders by U.S. News & World
Report.
Retail Opportunity Abounds in Atlanta's Inner
City
Although residents have been flocking to in-town
neighborhoods for the past several years, the
selection of retail establishments has lagged
behind. According to an analysis performed by
the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC),
several factors make this an ideal time for developers
and entrepreneurs looking to enter Atlanta's retail
market. ICIC cites a concentrated consumer base
as the primary competitive advantage for retail
in the inner city. Atlanta's inner city comprises
58% of the City's total population and has 3 times
the income density of the surrounding metro area.
Twice the demand for retail per square mile exists
in the inner city as compared to metro Atlanta.
According to the State of the Inner City Economies
research, in fact, in 2002, Atlanta ranked #2
in the nation for inner city start-ups, following
Detroit.
Atlanta's business climate is also bursting with
opportunities, as Inc. magazine ranked Atlanta
#1 in its "Top 25 Cities for Doing Business
in America" survey in 2004. Big retailers
looking to grow in large underserved markets,
instead of saturated suburban markets, are increasingly
beginning to recognize the benefits of opening
locations in the inner city.
On a smaller scale, entrepreneurs can also profit
by catering to the neighborhood market and offering
lower prices than the local high price stores
that thrive without competition. From the new
Edgewood Marketplace on Moreland Avenue to the
Poly-Plex Pharmacy on Hollowell Parkway, retail
is finally making a return to Atlanta's inner
city, but significant opportunities for growth
remain.
Atlanta Welcomes Pirelli
Atlanta is proud to welcome Pirelli to the neighborhood.
The Milan-based company, best known for its high
quality tires in the U.S., has chosen Atlanta
for its new North American headquarters. "The
key driver in making this decision was our partnership
with Georgia Tech. The work they do is closely
aligned with the work we already do in our R&D
facility in
Italy. It's a great opportunity to combine resources
and exchange ideas," say Peter Tyson, Vice
President of Communications, Pirelli Tire North
Amercia. This partnership will work to develop
new optical components and systems and broadband
access technologies for future high-speed telecommunications
networks. The company will occupy 54,000 square
feet of laboratory space at the Georgia Electronic
Design Center in the Technology Square Research
Building at Georgia Tech. The headquarters office
space will be located next door in the Centergy
One building.
Ice Skating at Centennial Olympic Park
The only place in Atlanta where you can find outdoor
ice skating is in Centennial Olympic Park! The
ice skating rink features a three-inch thick sheet
of real ice, covered observation seating, theatrical
lighting on the ice and decorative lighting in
the trees surrounding the rink. There is also
a kiddie rink separate from the main rink, where
parents can skate with small children for a safer
(and softer) environment. Skate for 90 minutes
for only $6 -- skates are an additional $2. The
rink is open until January 8, 2006. www.centennialpark.com
Sugar Bowl to be Held in Atlanta
The 72nd Nokia Sugar Bowl Football Classic will
be held on January 2, 2006, in Atlanta's Georgia
Dome and will use proceeds generated by that Bowl
Championship Series (BCS) game to support hurricane
relief efforts in its native New Orleans. The
Georgia Dome is pleased to be able to provide
a location for this year. Come see the University
of Georgia
Bulldogs take on the West Virginia University
Mountaineers. www.nokiasugarbowl.com
Georgia Aquarium Opens
The Georgia Aquarium opened November 23 as the
largest aquarium in the world with more than 8
million gallons of water and more than 100, 000
fish. The Georgia Aquarium is located in Downtown
Atlanta, next to the site of the new World of
Coca-Cola Museum which is scheduled to open the
summer of 2007, across the street from CNN Center,
the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial
Olympic Park and Imagine It! Atlanta's Children's
Museum. www.georgiaaquarium.org
Goethe-Institut Anniversary
The Goethe-Institut Atlanta, located in Colony
Square, turns 30 this year.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade headlines a full
day of activities on December 30 including Fan
Fest and the MVP Tailgate Party. The ACC vs. SEC
showdown kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in the Georgia
Dome with the University of Miami Hurricanes and
the Louisiana State University Tigers. www.peachbowl.com
News compiled from: City Newsbytes At-A-Glance
(Mayor’s Office of Communications), Membership
Communique (Atlanta Convention and Visitors
Bureau), Downtown Live (Central
Atlanta Progress), Metro Atlanta Chamber
of Commerce Newsletter, www.downtownATL.com,
The Pulse of Progress (Atlanta
Development Authority) and the Georgia
World Congress Center newsletter.
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