🌱 Atlanta's Top Bottlenecks + Business Grants Back + Book Advice

Atlanta GA

10 February, 2022

5:26 PM

Description

Rise and shine, Atlanta! Let's get you all caught up to start this Friday, February 11 off on an informed note. Here's everything worth knowing in town today. First, today's weather: Mild with plenty of sunshine. High: 67 Low: 45. The best ads drive real business results, but they also delight people. Let us tell your brand's story and connect you with customers in Atlanta. Learn more here. Here are the top 5 stories today in Atlanta: This isn't exactly a newsflash, but Atlanta's traffic has once again landed the city on a worst-roads list. This time it's the 2022 Top 100 Truck Bottlenecks List, on which Atlanta's aptly named "Spaghetti Junction" at I-85 North and I-285 holds the No. 4 spot. And, coming in at No. 5, is I-285 at I-20 West, which can jam up the west side of the perimeter for miles every weekday. The list, compiled each year by the American Transportation Research Institute, measures the level of truck-involved congestion at more than 300 locations across the national highway system. New Jersey's I-95 at State Route 4 in Fort Lee tops the list for the fourth year in a row, followed by interstates in Cincinnati and Houston. For a list of all 100 bottlenecks ranked and a full list of the report, go to ATRI's website. (Atlanta Patch)Atlanta small businesses have another chance to apply for some additional financial help. Thursday, Mayor Andre Dickens announced the city is relaunching the Resurgence Grant Fund, originally formed in 2020 to help small businesses recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The relaunch of the program, which has expanded eligibility, is being handled by Invest Atlanta. This time, nonprofits with a 2022 letter of good standing and payroll can make a claim for reimbursement. The city said Atlanta businesses and nonprofits can apply for up to $40,000 to help cover pandemic-related business changes and costs. To apply for grant funding, or to learn more about the program, visit www.investatlanta.com/resurgence.(11Alive.com WXIA)If you're writing a book - or just thinking about beginning one - don't miss Saturday's workshop, "Your First Book: Start It, Finish It, Sell It, " at the Gwinnett County Public Library's Norcross branch. George Weinstein, Atlanta Writers Club Executive Director and author of six novels, will be leading the workshop and offering strategies to find time to write, motivate yourself to keep going, and finish your book. Whether you want to write a book but don't know how to get started or you have completed your final draft but aren't sure how to get it published, this free workshop will provide answers and inspiration. Space is limited and registration is recommended. (Gwinnettpl.org)From fake parking tickets to fake parking attendants, drivers in Atlanta need to beware. Attendants in reflective vests are stopping cars along the strip near Escobar and collecting $20 to park or $40 to valet. However, instead of paid-for parking after dinner, unsuspecting drivers are finding $25 parking tickets on their windshields. CBS46 reporter Jamie Kennedy spoke to employees at Escobar who said they've seen the men working the street before, though they're not affiliated with the restaurant. Other business owners along the strip also said the guys in Hi-Vis vests and jackets are regularly out on the street getting people to pay them for parking. According to experts, Atlanta drivers should try to park in front of parking meters and trust parking signs over anyone directing you where to park. (WRDW-TV)If you're looking for something to do this weekend, your Atlanta Patch community calendar is a great way to keep tabs on what's happening near you and discover local events that cater to your interests. As you'll see from this list, love is definitely in the air the weekend before Valentine's Day. And, for anyone in the market for pure entertainment minus the romance, there's plenty of that, too. (Atlanta Patch) From our sponsor: Tackling a big to-do list around the house to start the new year? Our partners at Thumbtack, the home services app, have made hiring trusted local pros for pretty much any job extremely easy and intuitive. In minutes, you can find a painter, plumber, roofer or someone to help with small jobs such as trash hauling or appliance repair. And Thumbtack's rating system can give you confidence that you're hiring a quality pro you can count on. Click here to get started. Today in Atlanta: For Valentine's plans in Midtown Atlanta, join Reverence tonight for a romantic multi-course, chef-driven dinner. Each couple will receive a complimentary champagne split and a rose with purchase of a Valentine's special. (5:00 PM) Love is in the air at Stem Wine Bar! Celebrate Valentine's Day tonight at Stem as it offers a pre-fixed four-course tapas for two for $80 and also a wine dinner. (5:00 PM) Celebrate Valentine's Day at Seed Kitchen & Bar tonight as it offers a specialty menu featuring favorites such as chargrilled venison, braise lamb shoulder and chocolate bread pudding. (5:00 PM) Celebrate Valentine's Day at Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar tonight as it offers a specialty menu featuring favorites such as seared Muscovy duck breast, lobster bisque, and chocolate espresso mousse. (5:00 PM) There's no better excuse to celebrate an inner circle of besties than Galentine's Day, and Wild Heaven Beer is hosting a special party in honor of the occasion. Tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wild Heaven Beer West End Brewery & Gardens will have its first Galentine's Day Party featuring a flower crown-making class led by Tabatha Terpstra of Fauna & Fig. (7:00 PM) From my notebook: Crime Prevention Inspector Keisha Hebert, Atlanta Police Department: "Hello Next-door neighbors. The Atlanta Police Department invites the community to join the Connect Atlanta program to help us fight crime by integrating your cameras to our existing network. https://www.connectatlanta.org/ Register your security cameras with APD to help identify nearby cameras in case of an incident. An APD investigator will contact you via email if they need your assistance solving a crime near you. Businesses can register their cameras and take it a step further by giving APD direct access to your camera feed(s) in case of a nearby emergency. Your participation will greatly enhance emergency preparedness by enabling police, fire and public safety professionals to better assess and rapidly respond to criminal activity and emergency situations. It will also enable investigators to easily gather evidence in case of an incident." (Nextdoor) Nextdoor Neighbor, Gresham Hills: "Best Blues Bar? Please give recommendations." (Nextdoor) Nextdoor Neighbor, English Avenue: "😋💯👉Atlanta's best after-hour snack pop up spot. Outside Chef located at 890 Joseph E. Boone Blvd, NW 30314, serving you the best nachos, chili slaw dogs, Phllly cheese steaks, hamburgers, and beef hot dogs grilled just the way you like. Open Thurs-Sun nights from 9 p.m. until. Come see us👌" (Nextdoor) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Events: Black History Month Program (February 10) FREE COVID-19 VACCINES & BOOSTERS at BEN HILL UMC (February 12) Feeling Overwhelmed? Anxieties? Re-center yourself with Holistic Fitness for all levels! (February 14) Atlanta Gathering of Angels (February 16) Anna Razumovskaya Artist Show (February 18) GO Volleyball League Registration - Brookhaven (March 9) GO Softball League Registration - Piedmont Park (March 9) Add your event For sale: Valentines gifts for everyone (Details) Women's Self Care Boxes (Details) Add your item 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] Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you tomorrow morning for your next update. — Kathy Cioffi