🌱 Emory-Developed COVID-19 Pill + Elf On The Shelf's Atlanta HQ

Atlanta GA

14 December, 2021

5:39 PM

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Happy Wednesday, Atlanta! Let's get this day started. Here's everything happening today in town. First, today's weather: Mostly sunny and nice. High: 60 Low: 46. Rent this space: Are you a local business owner or marketer in Atlanta? We'd love to start showcasing trusted businesses who can solve problems for our amazing local readers. Click here to learn more. Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could soon authorize the first antiviral pill, an at-home COVID-19 treatment designed to keep high-risk adults out of the hospital. Of the two pills being reviewed by the FDA – developed by Pfizer and Merck – the latter was designed at Emory University. Dr. Richard Plemper, Ph.D., professor in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University, and his team worked with Emory University researchers to develop molnupiravir, which Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics says lowered the risk of hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk study volunteers if given within five days of the first signs of infection. Merck and Pfizer are awaiting FDA approval that could come by the end of the year. (Atlanta Patch) The Elf on the Shelf tradition all began in the 1970s with the Aebersold family and an elf named Fisbee. According to family lore, Carol Aebersold would place her childhood toy Fisbee in a new spot each day so Fisbee could report to Santa if her three children were naughty or nice. In 2004, the family drained their savings to self-publish "The Elf on the Shelf," packaged with a toy elf. More than 19 million copies have since been sold worldwide and, at the Atlanta headquarters of the family's privately held Lumistella Co., Christmas music is always playing and Christmas trees abound. "Everyone in our company works for Santa Claus," said one of Aebersold's three children, Christa Pitts, Lumistella's founder and co-CEO. "It's a higher purpose here. It's the magic of Christmas and everything that it represents." (WABE 90.1 FM) Some Piedmont Atlanta Hospital employees recently walked to their cars after the end of their shifts to find windows smashed and items strewn about their vehicles. Telexis Nelson said she heard more than 30 cars had been burglarized in a Piedmont Atlanta Hospital parking garage. "I just worked 12 hours to help care for patients and my car was broken into in the middle of the holiday season," Nelson said. According to the Atlanta Police Department, officials are aware of the burglaries and plan to release information about the investigation soon. (FOX 5 Atlanta)For more than 10 years, Georgia State University Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions students have provided health care to individuals in need throughout Atlanta and the state, including SafeHouse Outreach, serving Atlanta's homeless population. Their work is just part of 35,000 unpaid hours of service Lewis College students provide to health care annually, working with developmentally disabled adults, seniors living in retirement communities or women battling addiction and homelessness. Dr. Cheru Atraga, a Georgia State clinical assistant nursing professor and a family nurse practitioner who coordinates the students in the community health rotation, said, "The nursing students provide an important service, and a clinic is a good way for Georgia State to aid the community." (Georgia State University News) What does the future hold for downtown Atlanta's streetcar? Although hundreds of millions in public funds have been invested, only 4,000 patrons ride the streetcar each week. "It is a tourist route," said Lawrence Graham, the MARTA superintendent for rail. After Atlanta utilized federal dollars to get the streetcar started, there is an additional $225 million that has been committed through a sales tax paid when anyone makes purchases inside the city limits. And good news for streetcar enthusiasts: The plan for most of those funds is to expand the streetcar to the east side – the BeltLine out to the Ponce City Market. (FOX 5 Atlanta) Today's Atlanta Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com. Today in Atlanta: Atlanta, Save with Sam's Club AND donate to Action Against Hunger! (9:00 AM) Fernbank 's Newest Exhibit, "Antarctic Dinosaurs," runs through Jan. 2, 2022 (10:00 AM) Learn How To Tell, Sell Your Story Online with Real-time Analytics, Real-time Journalism (3:00 PM) Sip and Shop Holiday Market at Bellyard (5:30 PM) Christmukkah Bingo at Elsewhere Brewing Co! (7:30 PM) From my notebook: Did you know there were once natural springs where Ponce City Market sits today? According to the Atlanta History Center, in 1871, an ailing rail worker who had been laying rail near John Armistead's property drank from the springs and claimed he was cured. Soon, a physician dubbed the waters "Ponce de Leon Springs" for their alleged curative properties in honor of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. Atlantans began traveling to and from Armistead's estate daily via Ponce de Leon Avenue to drink and buy the water. (Instagram) That smile is like a ray of sunshine! ☀️ Sunny is a super sweet boy and the biggest snuggle bug you'll ever meet. He loves everybody, and everybody loves him! Because he still has lots of puppy energy, Sunny is looking for a family with an active lifestyle. He's very open to learning and is currently working with the Atlanta Humane Society's Behavior Team to learn leash manners and how to stay a bit calmer during playtime. But this smart boy is already housebroken and crate trained, and he's very quiet at home. Sunny's ready to start a happy and fun-filled life with his forever family, so visit atlantahumane.org/sunny if you're ready for some fun! (Facebook) Need a break from winter? The Atlanta Botanical Garden's Tropical Rotunda offers rainforest warmth all year. Come explore a stunning collection of plants from around the world. (Facebook) 🎶 On the first day of Christmas, APD sent to me … 🎶 Advice about my Christmas lights and not to feed my extension leads through partially open windows as thieves know to look for this vulnerability. Burglaries are one of the most common crimes and, in many cases, are a result of opportunistic thieves gaining access through open or unlocked doors and windows. Good home security measures are simple: install and use key-operated locks on doors and windows, and don't place keys under doormats or in obvious places. (Facebook) Attention job seekers: The Metro Atlanta Chamber's Brand Communications team is looking for candidates who love telling metro Atlanta's story! MAC has two positions open: Social Media & Digital Channel Manager and Content & Design Manager. (Facebook) From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Events: Experience Powerful and Healing art with Body & Brain Tai Chi Class (December 18) Pine Lake Artists' Pop-up (December 18) Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD's Sunniest Blooms (December 21) Atlanta New Year's Eve Dinner & Dance Party (Latin dance & Top 40s room) (December 31) Add your event Loving the Atlanta Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business showcased in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update! — Kathy Cioffi