JOURNALISM
Lewis George Van Gorder: April 26, 1920~July 13, 2016
- My Uncle Louie opened his home to me as I looked in Atlanta for my first job after college. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution hired me in 1982 and, over the intervening years, Aunt Helen and Uncle Louie shared the warmth of their home and their depth of knowledge about metro Atlanta, where they had moved in 1956. This is the family's obituary. Lewis Van Gorder was born in Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, son of Lewis Leonard Van Gorder, and his wife, Cecelia ...more
Rainbow sidewalks art installation approved on temporary basis, artist protested
- The artist protested, but the Atlanta City Council voted unanimously Monday to allow the rainbow flag to be painted on the road as crosswalks near Piedmont Park on a temporary basis, not a permanent one. Robert Sepulveda Jr. Atlanta artist Robert Sepulveda Jr. spoke at the meeting. He told the council that the original plan was for his artwork, The Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks, to be a permanent installation at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue. “The original legislation said, ‘in ...more
Civic elders ask millennials to engage with community; How will they respond?
- This may be a breakout year for millennials in metro Atlanta because the region’s current leaders are actively encouraging young folks to step into the public realm. One question is the form the relationship will take. Metro Atlanta civic leaders are seeking to ways to engage millennials such as Sarah Ayres in the public arena. Ayres was in a Midtown cafe while Pony was served on the sidewalk. Credit: David Pendered Bill Bolling didn’t mince any words in his comments to ...more
Atlanta City Council votes Monday on proposed rainbow crosswalks near Piedmont Park
- The Atlanta City Council is slated to vote Monday on a proposal to allow the rainbow flag to be painted on the road as four crosswalks at the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street. The artwork is to be removed a few days after the Atlanta Pride Festival. This rendering shows the Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks looking east toward Piedmont Park. Credit: Facebook.com Atlanta Councilmember Kwanza Hall sponsored the resolution to allow the crosswalks to be painted. Hall also sponsored a ...more
Georgia women paid an average of 82 cents for every $1 paid to men, report shows
- Women in Georgia are paid an average of 82 cents for every dollar paid to men, according to a report released Friday. Norman Rockwell’s famous painting of Rosie the Riveter, inspired by Mary Doyle Keefe, was viewed as an inspiration to women. Credit: usmagazine.com The National Partnership for Women and Families conducted a nationwide study that determined the national average is that women are paid 79 cents for every dollar paid to men. The figures represent workers in fulltime jobs. “This study ...more
Watchdog organizations launched by former ED of Common Cause of Georgia
- William Perry, the former executive director of Common Cause of Georgia, announced Wednesday that he’s launching two new watchdog organizations – Georgia Ethics Watchdogs and the Georgia Ethics Watchdogs Education Fund. William Perry Perry said he’s already received a number of suggestions of where he should begin his work. “I’ve had no shortage of suggestions on Facebook and email,” Perry said. “Everyone in Georgia feels they live in the most corrupt county in the state.” Here’s how Perry described the organizations in a ...more
Millennials offer a smorgasbord of solutions to the region’s big challenges
- Editor’s note: Visit our page Sept. 22 to read more on this subject and the broader issue of millennials in metro Atlanta. The Atlanta Regional Commission recruited some of the sharpest millennial minds in metro Atlanta to come up with their best solutions to the region’s thorniest problems. The overarching response is that no challenge is too great if folks are willing to try new things and work together. ARC Executive Director Doug Hooker recorded the slides and videos presented during ...more
Atlanta BeltLine hires COO from public private research facility in N.C.
- The Atlanta BeltLine has retained Clyde Higgs as the agency’s new vice president and chief operating officer. Higgs most recently worked in North Carolina as an officer with a public private research facility endowed by California billionaire David Murdock, of Dole Food Co. Clyde Higgs “Clyde was the best strategic choice to serve as our next Vice President & Chief Operating Officer,” Paul Morris, the BeltLine’s president and CEO said in a statement released Monday afternoon. “His extensive experience leading day-to-day operations ...more
Atlanta Climate Action Plan to set sustainability agenda for region’s urban core
- Atlanta is poised to adopt a comprehensive plan intended to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and forestall climate change, much like sustainability initiatives at Emory University and Spelman College that have resulted in their ranking among the greenest campuses in the country. Atlanta is home to at least 85 community and school gardens, and at least 10 urban farms, according to the proposed Atlanta Climate Action Plan, which proposes to expand the city’s food programs. Credit: westsidecommunities.org Lofty goals outlined ...more
Atlanta to observe LGBT Equality Day annually on June 26
- Atlanta will observe June 26 as LGBT Equality Day in recognition of that date being significant on the LGBT calendar because that is the date on which the Supreme Court issued rulings on human rights, and it was the date of Atlanta’s first observance of Atlanta Gay Pride Day. Every member of the Atlanta City Council signed a resolution that proclaims every June 26 to be LGBT Equality Day in the city. Atlanta Councilmember Kwanza Hall sponsored the legislation. Credit: ...more