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Travel thru Tuesday
July 23 — Delta Air Lines is facing scrutiny from U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as it struggles to recover from Friday’s big IT outage. Buttigieg reminded Delta that it is obligated to give refunds and reimburse food and lodging for stranded travelers. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline’s crew tracking software was “unable to effectively process the unprecedented number of changes” on “the busiest travel weekend of the summer.”
⛈️ Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 85° today.
🎢 Six Flags Over Georgia is implementing a new chaperone policy. Starting Friday, guests 15 or younger must be accompanied by someone 21 or older to enter and stay in the park after 4 p.m.
⚽ Atlanta United has transferred 19-year-old Homegrown Caleb Wiley to Chelsea Football Club of the English Premier League.
😋 Buckhead Restaurant Week has begun and continues through July 27.
🦐 Viet-Cajun barbecue restaurant Gene’s is opening in East Lake today. Our colleague Beth McKibben says it’s “pure fun with damn good food.”
🛑 Sage Woodfire Tavern has closed its fifth metro location in Dunwoody’s Park Place shopping center.
🎾 John Isner and Andy Roddick lost a doubles exhibition match to Bob and Mike Bryan in the last-ever Atlanta Open Champions Challenge last night. After replacing Venus Williams at the last minute, Taylor Townsend beat Sloane Stephens in the Sunday Showdown.
ELSEWHERE
🗳️ Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the chorus of Democratic leaders endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Harris’ campaign announced it raised a record $81 million in donations in the 24 hours after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday.
⚖️ A week after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced bipartisan criticism during her testimony before the House Oversight Committee yesterday. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina filed a motion to force an impeachment vote after berating Cheatle in the hearing.
📺 Ernie Johnson will not host TNT’s baseball programming for the balance of the season. Johnson said he needed “time away to take care of a family matter…I look forward to returning to the studio for the start of the NBA season.”
🕖 Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter:
• City of Refuge breaks ground
• Centennial Yards fun zone
• Around the State: GPB
AND
• Volunteer Opportunities
Have a good day,
Collin & Sammie
🍅 Tomato lovers and food enthusiasts! Join us for the 13th year of Georgia Organics’ Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on Sun., July 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Westside Motor Lounge! Celebrate the tomato in a carnival of flavor and a feast of the senses in a fun-filled day you won’t forget. Learn more here.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
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1. City of Refuge breaks ground on Westside center to include market, medical clinic, and housing
🏗️ The local nonprofit City of Refuge has broken ground on its Transformation Center, a 38,000-square-foot facility offering economic, health, and wellness services on the Westside.
The project is the most significant initiative of the organization’s “Breaking Barriers, Building Momentum” capital campaign and is expected to open in fall 2025.
Situated on the former American Legion lot at 1343 Joseph E. Boone Blvd., just a two-minute walk from the City of Refuge’s campus, the $15,200,000 Transformation Center will be a three-story structure.
➡️ Check out the full story here.
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Good Times Get to Be Savored in Perimeter.
SPONSORED BY PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
Perimeter offers a haven for savoring life’s moments, with room to hop from one delightful experience to the next.
😎 Catching up with friends or colleagues? Savor your time as you hop between 85 diverse restaurants and delightful local spots for a memorable meal.
🎉 Celebrating a successful meeting? Relish the moment at one of our charming local venues for a well-deserved treat. Yum!
🚆 Accessible by MARTA, you can leave your car —and worries— behind.
Come see why Perimeter is metro Atlanta’s top destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
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2. Centennial Yards unveils sports and entertainment district plan
⚽️ Centennial Yards announced it has signed a long-term lease with Cosm – an immersive technology, media, and entertainment company – to create a 70,000-square-foot, three-level immersive sports and entertainment venue.
The district will feature an 87-foot diameter, 12K+ LED dome to deliver live, immersive events like soccer matches and Cirque du Soleil shows in a technology format called “Shared Reality.” The venue will also offer food and beverages.
Cosm has partnerships with ESPN, the NBA, NBC Sports, TNT Sports, FOX Sports, the UFC, and more for immersive events at the venue.
➡️ Find out more about the district here.
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3. Hiding indoors from the heat? Here’s what to know about air quality
🥵 Higher temperatures, humidity, and indoor air pollutants are rising, putting people at risk as they choose air conditioning instead of outdoor activities.
Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the American Lung Association, and poor indoor air quality can lead to medical conditions including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.
Smoke, dust, mold, and household cleaners contribute to poor air quality — especially without proper ventilation.
🌡️ Learn more about what you can do to combat air quality issues here.
🍅 Tomato lovers and food enthusiasts! Join us for the 13th year of Georgia Organics’ Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on Sun., July 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Westside Motor Lounge! Celebrate the tomato in a carnival of flavor and a feast of the senses in a fun-filled day you won’t forget. Learn more here.
SPONSOR MESSAGE
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4. Volunteer Opportunities
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HANDS ON ATLANTA
🏕️ Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. is looking for volunteers on Friday afternoon to help return campers to their parents after a week at camp. Duties include passing out lunch, assisting in the luggage pick-up area, and offering bottled water to parents and campers.
🚗 Reflections of Trinity (pictured) needs volunteers for its weekly grocery distribution on Saturday morning. Expect to help with setup and breakdown, assembling food boxes, and distributing groceries into client vehicles.
🐌 Food Well Alliance in Atlanta is looking for help during harvest days at its Tapestry Donation Garden on Monday morning. Food Well staff and gardeners will lead the workday; no gardening experience is required.
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📧 Today’s newsletter was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.