MAY 22, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE


Kick Off Memorial Day Weekend at the Atlanta Jazz Festival

Beginning Saturday May 26 through Monday May 28, the City of Atlanta will host internationally-acclaimed jazz musicians at Piedmont Park for the 30th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the nation.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is the culmination of “31 Days of Jazz,” held annually each May and presented by the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA). The month-long series of events includes concerts, competitions and introductions to the city’s best jazz musicians at venues and locations throughout the metro area.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is renowned for bringing world-class musical talent to Atlanta. A “30 Year Retrospective” – currently on display at City Gallery East – captures in photographs festival highlights from the past 30 years. City Gallery East is located on the first floor of the City Hall East building and open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Highlights of the 2007 Festival Main Stage will include:

  • Saturday May 26: The Herbie Hancock Quintet at 9 P.M.
  • Sunday May 27: The Pete Escovedo Orchestra featuring Sheila E., Steve Turre, Ray Vega and Juan Escovedo at 9 P.M.
  • Monday May 28: The Laws Family with Ronnie Laws, Eloise Laws, Debra Laws and Jaman Laws and Special Guest Kevin Tone at 9 P.M.

All Atlanta Jazz Festival events at Piedmont Park are FREE and open to the public. For a full calendar of events, visit here.


For a list of musicians performing in the 2007 Atlanta Jazz Festival, visit www.atlantafestivals.com

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Public-Private Partnerships Key to Creating a World-Class Atlanta

During her keynote address at the Downtown Connector Forum last week, Mayor Shirley Franklin charged the 175 business, faith and community leaders in attendance to consider ways they can partner with the City to create a best-in-class Atlanta by 2009.

“Public-private partnerships have been the foundation of this city for the past 50 years,” said Mayor Franklin. “Cities without an active and vibrant civic community are also the same cities without a good quality of life. To make the ideal, lively, healthy Atlanta of the future come to fruition, we must continue to work together.”

The City of Atlanta’s aggressive Economic Development Plan (EDP) is the roadmap City leaders use to chart progress toward becoming a best-in-class city. The EDP outlines clear goals for business and job development, parks and greenspace planning, environmental sustainability, crime reduction and education that are critical for a world-class Atlanta. To view the EDP, visit here.

Mayor Franklin encouraged the City’s public-private partners to continue or increase their support of the EDP and other City initiatives to create a vibrant, sustainable Atlanta. For more information, please visit Key Topics and Initiatives at www.atlantaga.gov.

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‘Make A Splash’ in a City of Atlanta Pool

Yesterday’s re-dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Natatorium, located at 70 Boulevard Street in the heart of the historic King District, officially launched the 2007 City of Atlanta summer pool season.  

The $1.8 million re-dedication project was completed as part of the City’s Opportunity Bond program to improve the quality of parks, greenspace and recreation in Atlanta. Natatorium improvements included repairs and upgrades to the interior and exterior of the building, renovations to existing vacant space for a fitness center, and a new entrance from the King Visitor Center Plaza area.

The natatorium will remain open year-round. Fees for City residents under age 50 are $90 per year, non- residents are $180 per year; children and seniors fees are $45 for City residents and $65 for non-residents. Daily swim fees are $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children over 5 years old and seniors. Children 5 and under swim for free.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend (May 26 – 28) through August, City of Atlanta pools will be open in 22 indoor and outdoor locations. To confirm pool openings and times of operation, contact the aquatics main office at 404.817.6778 or visit here.


Former MLK Natatorium lifeguard Kwanza Hall (current Atlanta City Councilman, District 2) takes a dive in the renovated pool.

Renovations to vacant space in the MLK Natatorium made room for a new fitness center.

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Atlanta Businesses Support Mayor’s Youth Program

More than $30,000 raised at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) “Million Dollar Shootout Golf Tournament” will be used to support training, transportation, career workshops and stipends for participants in the Mayor’s Youth Program.

The Mayor’s Youth Program provides career readiness workshops, certification training, college scholarships, SAT and GED preparation, internships and access to weekly job fairs to hundreds of Atlanta youth. On June 4, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) seniors will begin internships provided through a partnership with the Mayor’s Youth Program and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (MACOC).

The third annual Million Dollar Shootout Golf Tournament was held May 10 at the Browns Mill Golf Course. Proceeds were made possible through the support of the City’s public-private partners. Gold and Silver sponsors included ADP; AHA; Bank of America; CVS; DPY LLC; Georgia Power; Grainger; HJDP; HMS-Host; ING; International Aviation Consultants; Jackson Securities; M.C. Dean; MWH/Khafra; TDC and Southern Pan Services.

For more information about the Mayor’s Youth Program, visit www.nextstepatlanta.org.


Company TDC Systems Integrations receives first place tournament plaques during AWDA Million Dollar Shootout Golf Tournament. Pictured (l-r): Tony Killingworth, Antonio Dozier, David Gay, and Paul Wolfe.

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Video On Demand:
Answer the Call. Join the Atlanta Police Department!

 

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) is hiring. For those considering careers with the APD, Chief Richard Pennington and APD officers talk about working for the department and what makes Atlanta a great city.  Click here to view this video.

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Rave Reviews!

  • The Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department memorialized fallen Firefighter Steven Solomon by dedicating a fire engine in his honor. An engraved plaque with Firefighter Solomon’s name will remain on a fire engine truck at Fire Station 16, where he was based. Firefighter Solomon succumbed to injuries sustained while battling a blaze on November 29, 2006.

Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department Interim Chief Harold D. Miller and Catpain Jack Harris dedicate Fire Engine No.16 to fallen Firefighter Steven Solomon.


  • Catherine Woodling, Media Relations Officer for the City of Atlanta, was recently honored at the annual Power 30 Under 30™ Awards in the “Politics” category during the organization’s Atlanta awards ceremony. Woodling shared the honor with Melanee Farrah, chief of staff for Atlanta City Councilman H. Lamar Willis. The Power 30 Under 30™ Awards honors thirty outstanding individuals under the age of thirty in each major U.S. city that have achieved extraordinary success over the past year. Young leaders are recognized in the categories of arts; entertainment and media; business; community service; politics; science and technology and sports. In her role with the City, Woodling develops and maintains relationships with the local and national press, prepares speeches for Mayor Shirley Franklin, and provides media support to the Mayor at public appearances, meetings and media interviews. Also active civically, Woodling participates in Habitat for Humanity and the First Tee Atlanta Program, is involved in projects for the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and is a member of the Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League. In 2006, Woodling received the Pace Academy Outstanding Young Alumni Award.


Catherine Woodling (pictured left) and Melanee Farrah (right) receive the Power 30 Under 30™ Award in the “Politics” category at the Atlanta ceremony.

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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

  • On Wednesday May 23 at 10:30 a.m. Mayor Shirley Franklin will join the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department and SCANA Energy at a news conference to announce the kickoff of the Sixth Annual Atlanta Fan Giveaway Week. SCANA Energy has donated 1,000 fans for the City to distribute to low-income, elderly residents. The kickoff will be held at Fire Station No. 4, located at 309 Edgewood Avenue at the corner of Edgewood and Fort Streets. Fans will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Seniors should call 404.330.6026 or visit their closest Atlanta fire station.

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Job Announcements

With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.

After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.

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Weekly Features

Email us at citynewsbytes@atlantaga.gov to provide your feedback about this newsletter or to nominate someone you know for Stakeholder Spotlight.

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Important Numbers

Mayor's Office
404-330-6100

Mayor's Office of Constituent Services
404-330-6023

Mayor's Office of Communications
404-330-6004

Mayor's Office of Weed and Seed
404-330-6086

City Council
404-330-6030


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For more information about the services and programs of the City of Atlanta, watch City Channel 26 or visit us online at www.atlantaga.gov.