Happy 288th Birthday in Georgia!
On February 12, 1733, James Oglethorpe and 114 colonists came up Yamacraw Bluff on the Savannah River to establish a British colony in Georgia.
Oglethorpe, a social reformer, helped set up a colony to provide refuge for the “worthy poor” of Britain.
Although enslaved South Carolina people did much of the work to clear land in the early savannah, slavery and large land holdings were initially prohibited in the experimental, somewhat utopian colony. But less than 20 years later, leaders began relaxing the bans.
On to what’s new from Metro Atlanta this week:
Nearly 70 companies are applying for six medical cannabis licenses in Georgia
It’s indoor only and will only be legal a maximum of 600,000 square feet nationwide, and it will only be a low-THC liquid for registered patients – but nearly 70 companies are looking for a slice of the future legal cannabis market in Georgia.
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission announced these application numbers this week.
Now the Commission has two next steps: One is to evaluate the proposals from these 70 companies. Commission executive director Andrew Turnage said in a press release that the public can look for exciting announcements in late spring or summer.
In parallel, the Commission must also work on how the cannabis can be distributed once it is made by the producers. State law sets some guidelines – for example, independent pharmacies may be able to act as pharmacies. However, the establishment of rules, regulations and the licensing process for distribution is still at an early stage.
Until the commission establishes legal channels, it is still illegal for the roughly 14,000 Georgians on the state’s medical cannabis registry to buy or possess low-THC oil – or anything else that contains cannabis.
– From Maggie Lee
Arthur Blank only Georgians on the list of the 50 best philanthropists
The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked Arthur Blank and his family foundation number 23 among the 50 best philanthropists in 2020.
Blank was the only Georgian on the list to look at how much philanthropists donated in 2020. According to Chronicle, Blank gave away $ 65.7 million in 2020. The last time it made the list was in 2003 and 2002 when it was ranked 26th and 23rd, respectively.
Not surprisingly, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, was high on the list, donating $ 10 billion to launch the Bezos Earth Fund. He also contributed $ 100 million to Feeding America.
Come second? It was Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott who donated $ 5.7 billion in 2020 and donated 512 organizations including food banks, human service organizations, and racial justice charities.
– From Maria Saporta
Danielle Cheung is the new chairman of Atlanta Habitat
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity has a new CEO – Danielle Cheung, Senior Vice President and Market Executive at Bank of America.
Cheung joined the Atlanta Habitat board of directors in 2017 and served as vice chairman of the organization for two years.
John Goff, executive director of the DaVinci Development Collaborative, becomes the new vice chairman.
“Habitat is fortunate to attract top executives from local and national companies who are committed to our mission,” said Lisa Y. Gordon, president and CEO of Atlanta Habitat. “As the affordable housing crisis reaches a climax, Atlanta Habitat is honored to have a powerhouse of leaders to help us advocate access to affordable housing.”
Atlanta Habitat and its Board of Directors and Advisory Board will begin construction of Browns Mill Village, a $ 25 million shared apartment, and a second Atlanta Habitat ReStore and Service Center, which will open in South Fulton County in 2021.
– From Maria Saporta
Kyesha “Ky” Linberg is the new director of the maternal health non-profit organization
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies The Georgia Coalition has appointed Kyesha “Ky” Lindberg as Managing Director, succeeding Elise Blasingame, who served in this role from 2016-2020.
Lindberg brings more than 15 years of experience in leading programs in the transformation community as well as many years of experience in the legal profession for young children and families.
Prior to joining the HMHBGA team, Lindberg was the regional director of Early Childhood Partnerships for LENA, where she managed state-level systems and partnerships in 13 states in the Midwest and Southeast. Lindberg also served as the senior community liaison for Rep. Sander Levin, Michigan, and focused on removing systematic barriers in education and health care.
“HMHBGA is very pleased to welcome Ms. Lindberg to the team.” said Johnecia Mason, chairman of the board of the nonprofit. “We look forward to her continuing the organization’s longstanding mission and developing a new approach to mother and child health in these very different times.”
“As I’ve worked to advance the education, health and wellbeing of families across the Southeast, I’ve learned the importance of supporting mothers and children not just for families, but for the economy and the community at large.” said Lindberg, adding, looks forward to expanding “the services and dismantling systemic barriers for mothers and their little ones in communities across Georgia”.
– From Maria Saporta
Georgian lawmakers argue over portraits of the Stone Mountain Confederate
The 90-foot high Confederation tribute at the front of Stone Mountain serves as a point of contention in Georgia.
Last week, Rep. Billy Mitchell, a Democrat from Stone Mountain, unveiled House Bill 277, which was used to remove the carvings. “It’s not about whether they come down. It’s a matter of when, ”Mitchell said during a press conference.
Rep. Shelly Hutchinson, D-Snellville, suggested HB 237 and HB 238, which intend to remove all references to the Confederation from the park, with the exception of museums and civil war battlefields.
“When I look up and see Confederate monuments everywhere, I don’t need a reminder of my family’s trauma,” Hutchinson said at a press conference.
On the other hand, Rep. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, introduced HB 220, for whom two board members of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association, an agency that governs the park, would also be required to be members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
– From Hannah Jones
Krispy Kreme on Ponce “a total loss” by fire
The historic Krispy Kreme on Ponce de Leon Ave. caught fire at around 1am on Wednesday morning.
According to the Atlanta Fire Rescue, two personnel were present when the fire started but were left unharmed.
Firefighters arrived on site to a large number of flames and found online that the store “appears to be a total loss”.
Owner Shaq posted a video of the wreck and added that “we will be back stronger than ever”.
The Ponce Store has been in the heart of downtown for over 60 years and occupies a special place in the heart of the Atlanteans.
Many residents have paid tribute to the business on social media and expressed their sadness that they lost a staple food in the city.
– From Hannah Jones
Freedom Park encourages public participation in the master plan
The Freedom Park Conservancy is seeking public contributions to a new master plan that will run the park for the next 25 years.
Residents are invited to give their opinion through an online survey listing proposed projects for the park.
The 207 hectare park has been divided into six zones and citizens can evaluate which projects should be prioritized by the city.
A view of Jackson Street, an urban food garden, and Lake Lewis, named after the late John Lewis, are among the suggestions for the space.
The Freedom Park Masterplan survey is open until February 22nd.
– From Hannah Jones
New Atlanta residents: Three feet tall, six feet wide, leggy
Atlanta Zoo welcomes Betty and Vanna, the white storks’ four-year-old sister.
In the wild, these opportunistic carnivores usually split their time between Africa, Europe, and Asia. Their wingspan can reach six feet.
Storks are not endangered, but they have the same problems as other animals, such as wetland degradation, land drainage, and dam construction.
The Atlanta Zoo is open via timed tickets. Masks are required.
– From Maggie Lee
re: Imagine / ATL starts a training program for creative media
The first cohort of 14 creative media trainees is starting work on re: imag / ATL’s EMERGE: Apprenticeship Program.
Partners include the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, Arts2Work, Atlanta CareerRise, and Reel Works. They provide technical vocational training and soft skills development for students who are not enrolled in school and who are unemployed or underemployed.
Visit the EMERGE website for more information and information on application requirements.
– From Maggie Lee