🌱 Grinch Stole (Some) Christmas + Malls Open Today + Adopt A Pet

Atlanta GA

23 December, 2021

5:41 PM

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Hey everyone! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you enjoy this Christmas Eve edition of the Daily. Please know that, like most of you, I will be taking the day off to enjoy the festivities, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We hope you all understand the slight pause in the Atlanta Daily. But don't worry — we will be back to our normal routine Monday morning! First, today's weather: Partly sunny and nice. High: 63 Low: 52. Rent this space! Are you a local business owner or marketer in Atlanta? We'd love to start connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Click here to learn how it works. Here are the top 5 stories in Atlanta today: Thieves allegedly used a sledgehammer to break into the Empty Stocking Fund's southwest Atlanta warehouse filled with Christmas gifts for needy children, and now the nonprofit won't be able to hand out as many gifts as it had hoped. Manda Hunt, the nonprofit's executive director, said workers discovered a gaping hole in the warehouse's cinderblock wall Wednesday and piles of gifts missing that had been intended for hundreds of disadvantaged children in metro Atlanta. "The Grinch attempted to steal Christmas by sledgehammering a giant hole in our warehouse's cinderblock wall and helping himself to bags and bags of items," the organization said on the fundraising page it set up to help replace what was stolen. To assist the Empty Stocking Fund in replacing the stolen items click here. (WSB Atlanta) For anyone who's discovered a last-minute gift or two they absolutely have to buy, never fear: Most metro Atlanta-area malls are open today. While Christmas Day will likely be too late for browsing in shopping centers, there's still plenty of time today for last-minute stops, as illustrated by our list of Christmas Eve mall hours. (Atlanta Patch) Looking for holiday weekend activities in the metro area? Good news - our Atlanta Patch community calendar has you covered. Consult the calendar before making your list and checking it twice. And be sure to post any of your own upcoming events - at no charge - by using this form. To reach more people, you can even promote your event by sharing it nearby for $1 per day per community. In the meantime, here are a few events happening in the Atlanta area this weekend. (Atlanta Patch)If one of your resolutions for the new year is to add a fuzzy ball of love and affection to your family, check out these Atlanta-area animal shelter pets in need of homes. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, over 6 million companion animals end up in animal shelters each year nationwide, but only about half are adopted. In other words, many animals right here in metro Atlanta are still waiting for their forever homes. With help from our friends at Petfinder, Patch has compiled a list of 50-plus animals available for adoption near you, replete with photos. (Atlanta Patch) It won't be a white Christmas in Atlanta this year. But it also won't be gray and dreary. With highs inching toward 70 and lows hovering in the 50s, the local weather forecast promises partly sunny, mild days - ideal for heading outside for the holidays. (Atlanta Patch) Today's Atlanta Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Atlanta! Today in Atlanta: Christmas - Fulton County Meetings & Elections Closed Today Through Dec. 27 (ALL DAY) Fernbank 's Newest Exhibit, "Antarctic Dinosaurs," runs through Jan. 2, 2022 (10:00 AM) Wonderland: Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure at Synchronicity Theatre (11:00 AM) Join C&S + Hugo's for the Feast of the Seven Fishes (3:00 PM) Christmas Eve Candelight Carol Service at Saint Martin Lutheran Church (7:00 PM) From my notebook: Look at this holiday snap of the King + Queen via @droneangel_photography. #atlantasnaps (Instagram) From 1931 to 1964, The Coca-Cola Company's advertising showed Santa delivering toys (and playing with them!), pausing to read a letter, enjoying a Coke, visiting children who stayed up to greet him, and raiding refrigerators. According to the Atlanta History Center, Coca-Cola commissioned Michigan-born illustrator Haddon Sundblom to develop advertising images using Santa Claus — typically featuring the latest toy trend, appearing here in 1962 with a helicopter. (Facebook) The Atlanta Botanical Garden is closed during the day Dec. 25, but opens at 5 p.m. for Garden Lights. Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays! (Facebook) Pets and people belong together, so ensuring that community members have what they need to keep their pet in their home is vitally important. Since 2019, the Atlanta Humane Society has partnered with Meals On Wheels Atlanta to provide pet food to some of our city's most vulnerable citizens — seniors. (Facebook)The Atlanta Falcons congratulates Kyle Pitts and Josh Harris on being selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl! (Instagram) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Events: Save 15 Percent On FTD's Christmas Collection (December 25) Basic Qigong Class: Peaceful Mind, Strong Body! (December 29) 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 featured in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update! — Kathy Cioffi