...a glance at what's making the news...

Atlanta Ranks Fourth in Kiplinger's Smartest Places to Live
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine voted Atlanta fourth on their "50 Smartest Cities" list based on affordability and livability. The magazine loved Atlanta parks, highlighting Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, because of the music, entertainment and family programming throughout the year.


Music at Noon at Centennial Olympic Park
Music at Noon is the perfect summer lunchtime getaway! You can get out of the office for a mid-day break filled with sunny skies and great entertainment. Local talent performs a variety of music, including R&B, jazz and reggae. If you don't have a packed lunch, there's plenty of great food and drinks to choose from in the FountainSide Café. Every Tuesday and Thursday from Noon to 1 p.m. in the Southern Company Amphitheatre of Centennial Olympic Park. www.centennialpark.com


Wednesday's in Woodruff
Starting at Noon every Wednesday from May 3 through Sept 27, performance groups will entertain lunchtime crowds in Downtown Atlanta's Woodruff Park. June artists include Dad's Garage Improv, the Dave Bass Quartet, and Laughing Matters. The programming for June is arranged through the Metro Atlanta Arts & Culture Coalition. www.atlantadowntown.com


Suntrust Concerts in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
With the Fuqua Conservatory and the Atlanta skyline as a backdrop, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens hosts the fourth-annual Suntrust Concert Series on the Great Lawn. June 21 features The Fabulous Thunderbirds. The concerts start at 8 p.m., and are rain or shine. No outside food or beverages permitted. All shows are $33 per ticket or $29 per ticket for Garden members. Tickets are available at the Garden Gift Shop, Ticketmaster centers, ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 404-249-6400. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org


Turner First Thursday
On the first Thursday of every month, art lovers can view the arts, tour the historic districts of Downtown, and enjoy various discounts at Downtown restaurants. Turner First Thursdays is a self-guided tour of galleries, with no beginning or ending point, you are free to move at your own pace. Selected by Atlanta Magazine as the Best Art Crawl, come see what you're missing! www.atlantadowntown.com


Wednesday WindDown at Centennial Olympic Park
The best way to get through the work-week and over hump day is by taking in a free concert! Wednesday WindDown is a popular spring/summer event that features live concerts by some of the best music acts in town. Enjoy everything from jazz to contemporary music performed live on stage. Every first Wednesday of the month, is the very popular Got Jazz edition which brings nationally acclaimed Jazz musicians to the weekly Wednesday WindDown showcase. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the FountainSide Café, located in the Visitor Center, as well as by vendors around the amphitheater. Every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Southern Company Amphitheatre of Centennial Olympic Park. www.centennialpark.com


Turner Classic Movies presents Screen on the Green
Every Thursday in June beginning at Sunset a movie will be screened in the meadow of Piedmont Park courtesy of Turner Classic Movies. There will also be live bands performing, rain or shine. www.tcm.com/2006/screenonthegreen


5th Runway opens at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
The 5th runway of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) officially titled Runway 10-28, had opening ceremonies May 15 and opened for operation on May 27, on-time and under-budget. A new air traffic control tower, the tallest in the North America, accompanied the completion of Runway 10-28. HJAIA launched 13 new direct service international destinations from Atlanta since the beginning of 2006, the new runway and air traffic control tower are designed to increase the staff's ability to effectively manage air traffic and cut flight delays in half. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department also opened a new fire station at the airport. Fire Station 33, the first new station since 1976, will handle all emergency response on the new runway.


Flicks on Fifth
There is no claiming that lack of funds is preventing you from doing anything this summer, here is another opportunity to see FREE movies at Flicks on Fifth every Wednesday night on 5th Street in Technology Square at 9 p.m. The movies are screened rain or shine. Rumor has it, there is even FREE popcorn! www.flickson5th.com


Atlanta Once Again ranks Number 3 for Fortune 500 Headquarters
Atlanta once again ranked No. 3 in the nation for the greatest number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered here. Atlanta has 15 Fortune 500 companies, including household names Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, BellSouth, and newcomer Bluelinx Holdings. The annual Fortune 500 listing was released in the April 2006 edition of Fortune Magazine.


New Teacher-Training Institute Comes to Atlanta
On June 11, more than 500 of our nation's top graduates will converge on Georgia Tech's campus for a summer-long introduction on what it takes to be a Teach for America teacher. This summer, Teach for America is partnering with Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Georgia Institute of Technology to form the first-ever Atlanta Institute - an intensive academic summer program for Atlanta Public Schools students. The Atlanta Institute is a five-week teacher-training experience designed to help corps members understand the pedagogical approach that successful teachers utilize in low-income communities. The program will reach 3,500 summer school students in 10 schools across the city. New corps members will work under the guidance of a team of veteran educators to provide a quality education for their students. One hundred of the 500 exceptional graduates coming to Atlanta for the summer will remain in our city to fulfill their Teach for America commitment and join our alumni movement.


Shomex Career Fair at GWCC
Dress to impress and bring plenty of copies of your resume to the Shomex Career Fair which specializes in diversity placement. The fair is June 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Building A of the Georgia World Congress Center and is free to attend. A four-year college degree is required and you must also be over the age of 21. www.diversitycareerexpos.com/seekers.htm


SunTrust Lunch on Broad
Every Friday starting on May 5th through Sept 29th , from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (weather permitting), downtowners can enjoy lunch and live music in the Historic Fairlie-Poplar District on Broad Street and now Woodruff Park. Performances by local artists include jazz, reggae, blues, and more! www.atlantadowntown.com


Atlanta Film Festival
Experience the South's premier experience for movie lovers, independent film fans and filmmakers at the 30th Annual Atlanta Film Festival June 9 - June 17 which will take place in downtown and midtown Atlanta. The film festival will feature more than 150 films from around the world, nightly parties, awards ceremonies and panel discussions. www.atlantafilmfestival.com.


First Plan for BeltLine Projects Complete
After months of public meetings and community input, the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) recently released the first work plan for the BeltLine developments which outlines spending for the first five years of the 25-year BeltLine initiative. Planned projects include new parks and trails, totaling $180 million, with an emphasis on the new Westside Park; acquiring a transit related right-of-way (ROW); and $42 million for affordable housing, a cornerstone of a $92 million economic development allotment. Targeted economic development areas include Murphy Triangle, Boulevard Crossing, Simpson/Maddox Park, West End/McDaniel Glen, University/Metropolitan and Ponce/Old Fourth Ward. The plan can be viewed at www.beltlinecommunity.com. During the week of June 12 - 16, ADA will host community input meetings on the BeltLine work plan. For more information on community input meetings, visit www.atlantada.com


Art Institute of Atlanta Graduation at GWCC
The graduation ceremony for the Art Institute of Atlanta will be in Building A of the Georgia World Congress Center on June 16. www.artinstitutes.edu/atlanta


Last Chance to see The Quilts of Gee's Bend Exhibition at the High
The final weekend of The Quilts of Gee's Bend Exhibition at the High Museum of Art is June 17 -18. The High will host a number of special performances and family activities during the final weekend of The Quilts of Gee's Bend exhibition. For more information, visit www.high.org


Beerfest at Woodruff Park
Creative Loafing brings Beerfest 2006 to Woodruff Park on June 17. Your Beerfest ticket gets you entry into the festival, a souvenir sampling cup, access to beer sampling, food sampling, interactive games, live music and more. www.creativeloafing.com


Atlanta Ranked 8th Best Mid-Sized City by AmericanStyle readers
Readers of AmericanStyle Magazine ranked Atlanta the eighth best mid-sized city in its 9th annual Top 25 Arts Destinations readers' poll. This is the fourth year in a row that readers have voted for Atlanta. Atlanta was honored for continuing to impress residents and visitors alike with its myriad of cultural venues, festivals and events throughout the city. The Top 25 Arts Destinations issue of AmericanStyle Magazine will be on newsstands in June.


City Pledges Support for Brand Atlanta
Mayor Shirley Franklin recently announced that the City of Atlanta would help sustain the Brand Atlanta campaign's momentum by pledging $14 million in a two-year commitment. The funds will support operations, marketing and advertising while Atlanta's hospitality community identifies permanent funding sources.


4th Saturday Family Fun Day at Centennial Olympic Park
Fourth Saturday Family Fun Day in June is about Our Many Cultures. Activities include street performers, specialty displays, touring shows and plenty of great activities for children. It's a day full of interaction, entertainment and education and the best part about the day is that it is free! June 24 from Noon to 4 p.m. at Centennial Olympic Park. www.centennialpark.com


Top Experts to Discuss Georgia's Water Future
Water is a critical issue affecting the future of Georgia and metro Atlanta. Come hear from the experts on June 22 from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. They'll talk about what we need to do to ensure clean and adequate supplies of Georgia's water, including an update on the state water plan being developed and the status of the tri-state water dispute with Alabama and Florida. Panelists include Brad Currey, Retired Chairman and CEO, Rock-Tenn. Co., Dr. Carol Couch, Director, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Patricia Barmeyer, Counsel to the Atlanta Regional Commission and metro governments in the tri-state water litigation, King & Spalding, and Jim Stokes, President of Georgia Conservancy. The event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP here.


USA Volleyball Girls' Junior Olympic Championships at GWCC
The USA Volleyball Association returns to the Georgia World Congress Center June 28 - July 5 for the Junior Olympic Girls Volleyball Championships in Building B. Admission to the tournaments is by credentials or ticket only. For ticket information, please see website, www.usavolleyball.org


City's First LifeTrail™ for Older Residents Opens at Collier Park
The City of Atlanta's first-ever fitness trail designed to accommodate seniors and residents with physical disabilities opened in May at Collier Park. The LifeTrail ™ system consists of 10 exercise stations along a single walking trail. The stations feature equipment that provide strength, flexibility, and balance activities for a well-rounded fitness program for seniors and residents with certain physical disabilities.


US Fencing Summer National Championships at GWCC
The US Fencing Division 1 Summer National Championships are from June 30 to July 9 in Building B of the Georgia World Congress Center. The event is free and features participants in the men's and women's epee, foil, and saber categories. www.usfencing.org/do/home


The Fantasticks at the Shakespeare Tavern
The Shakespeare Tavern is delighted to bring you the longest running musical in history, The Fantasticks, directed by Heidi Cline, runs from May 12 to June 25. Two neighboring fathers (one the father of a young man, the other of a young girl) dabble in reverse psychology to get their children to fall in love with each other. But will their plans be a success or a giant mess? Audiences will delight in this timeless fable of innocence and love. www.shakespearetavern.com/current.html


4th of July Celebration at Centennial Olympic Park
Atlanta's best fireworks display and Independence Day festival is at downtown Centennial Olympic Park's Fourth of July Celebration. Festivities include music, children's activities, and the famous fireworks display against the beautiful downtown skyline. Onstage entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and the fireworks commence at 9:30 p.m. Centennial Olympic Park's Fourth of July Celebration is family oriented, but pets are best left at home. For safety and the upkeep of the Park, glass bottles are not allowed. www.centennialpark.com


USA Junior Olympic Taekwondo Chamionships at Georgia Dome
The 26th annual USA Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championships are coming to the Georgia Dome July 6 - 9. Winners of the Championships will advance to the 6th Annual World Junior Championships in Vietnam. www.usa-taekwondo.us


Atlanta ranks as one of the lowest road rage cities "In the Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey"
As part of the "In the Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey", more than 2,000 adult drivers who regularly commute in 20 major metropolitan areas were asked to rate road rage and rude driving in telephone surveys between Jan. and March. Drivers surveyed said they believe the most common causes of road rage include being in a hurry to get to a destination or encountering other drivers who drive below the speed limit. Young drivers and people with long commutes were found to be the most likely to react to an aggressive or rude driver. The top reactions included honking the horn, cursing or making an obscene gesture. Atlanta was one of the cities, along with Minneapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, and Seattle, reported as having the most courteous drivers, those who were less likely to change lanes without signaling or swear at other motorists.




News compiled from: City Newsbytes At-A-Glance (Mayor's Office of Communications), Membership Communique (Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau), Downtown Live (Central Atlanta Progress), The Phoenix (Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce), The Pulse of Progress (Atlanta Development Authority), and the Georgia World Congress Center newsletter.