Atlanta
It Appears Sweet Auburn Seafood Is Closing at the End of August
According to WSB-TV, the Southern-style seafood restaurant on Auburn Avenue is closing due to financial strain caused by the pandemic and a recent uptick in crime
It appears Sweet Auburn Seafood is closing at the end of August. According to WSB-TV, the Southern-style seafood restaurant and lounge on Auburn Avenue officially closes August 31 due to financial strain caused by the ongoing health crisis and recent “violence in the area.”
White paper now lines the windows along the front of the restaurant, and a “Sorry, We’re Closed” sign hangs on the front door.
Owner Patrick Williams told WSB over the weekend that the downturn in the restaurant’s dine-in business over the last few months, coupled with illegal street parties and an uptick in crime in the area, have made it difficult to continue running Sweet Auburn Seafood.
Williams called the closure and the circumstances behind it “very demoralizing.” However, he isn’t against the idea of reopening the popular Southern seafood restaurant and bar at another location in the historic neighborhood next year. “We’re not going to give up on Sweet Auburn,” Williams said.
It’s already been a difficult summer for Williams and his family. His father and Sweet Auburn Seafood co-owner, Paul Williams, died in July. He was 67. The elder Williams opened Sweet Auburn Seafood in 2014.
“This was the commercial hub for black businesses in Atlanta,” he told Invest Atlanta in 2018 of why he was opening the restaurant in Sweet Auburn. “I really wanted my name, my family name, to be part of the resurgence of this area.”
The Sweet Auburn district is home to several historically significant sites, including Ebenezer Baptist and Big Bethel A.M.E. churches, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Atlanta Daily World building (first Black newspaper in the country,) and the Atlanta Life Insurance building, founded in 1905 by African-American businessman and former slave Alonzo Herndon.
Sweet Auburn Curb Market is also located on the edge of the historic district inside the old municipal market, just east of downtown Atlanta and Georgia State University. The market includes food stalls, a juice bar, produce and meat stands, and other small retail shops.
Eater Atlanta reached out to Sweet Auburn Seafood Monday morning for more details and comment on the closure.
A third location of vegan burger joint Slutty Vegan should open later this month on Edgewood Avenue in the neighborhood, next door to Edgewood Pizza and its forthcoming bar Handlebar.
- The Atlanta Restaurants Now Permanently Closed Due to the COVID-19 Crisis [EATL]
- 18 Atlanta-Area Restaurants to Grab a Seafood Meal To-Go [EATL]
- Popular Sweet Auburn restaurant to close due to COVID-19, violence [WSB-TV]
- Small Business Spotlight: Sweet Auburn Seafood Approaching 4th Anniversary [InvestATL]
Serenity is Natural in Southeastern Georgia
Welcome to a new adventure: Along the backroads of the Magnolia Midlands is a vast, fertile plain of uncrowded highways, taking travelers to small Southern towns at a slow pace. Rich in agricultural heritage, beautiful rivers and lakes, wildlife, shopping, and small town festivals, you will want to spend a day (or longer) in this Georgia region where life is back to basics and iconic Southern foods abound. It all seems a world away, but adventures throughout Magnolia Midlands are surprisingly close to Atlanta.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Little Ocmulgee State Park
Discover Little Ocmulgee Lodge where visitors can enjoy a white, sandy beach on a peaceful lake, modern conference facilities, and comfortable accommodations. To top off the experience, play a round or two of championship golf at one of the best public courses in the South. It is the ideal destination for families as well as corporate retreats.
Little Ocmulgee Lodge is surrounded by Little Ocmulgee Park, a charming haven for a relaxing South Georgia getaways where sand hills and peaceful pine trees can be found in abundance. Visitors are welcome to swim, boat, or fish the day away.
Appreciate How Nature and History Meet in Telfair County
Boating, canoeing, and kayaking river adventures are endless on the Ocmulgee River in Telfair County. Each of these activities provides beautiful, historic scenery as you enjoy the great outdoors of Southern Georgia.
Float under the historic train trestle, previously a rotating bridge that allowed passage of steamboats, and experience the Ocmulgee’s gentle arc formation. Once called the “River of Bubbling Water,” it’s known today as the “Big Bend.”
When you’re done floating on the river, head over to Montgomery Lake to catch a big one. The World Record Largemouth Bass was caught here in 1932.
Bring History Back to Life at the WWII Flight Training Museum and Air Base in Douglas
Step back in time to a pivotal moment in our nation’s history with a visit to the WWII Flight Training Museum on the historic air base in Douglas, home to the 63rd Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment.
Originally part of South Georgia State College, the flight training school was created in response to a need for WWII pilots. Today, local engineers spend their days reconstructing WWII warbirds, similar to those the young pilots trained in long ago. While visiting, don’t forget to look up—you may see a warbird taking flight once again.
Relax on the River at the Ohoopee River Campground
Spend the day with your toes in the sand or take a canoe trip down the Ohoopee River in Lyons. Enjoy warm summer nights under the stars when you RV or camp with family and friends—fishing and playing in the river are recommended.
For a more “grounded” adventure, visit Partin Park and choose from multiple playgrounds, including one built specially for those with special needs. Practice your batting at the cage, show your tricks at the skate park, and take a walk on the track or nature trail. Bring lunch and enjoy your meal under one of the park’s many picnic shelters.
Get Back to Nature Along the Altamaha River
On your way to the Altamaha River, stop in Vidalia at Pittman Family Farms & Country Market for supplies to make a picnic lunch. They are open seasonally, so call for hours.
To plan a day on the river, contact Three Rivers Outdoors, Inc. for canoe or kayak rentals, guided tours, and a history lesson of the area.
Stop by Benton Lee’s Steakhouse at Gray’s Landing for dinner on the way home and let the kids enjoy their playground. Lunch is served Friday-Saturday and you can join for dinner Wednesday-Saturday.
Make Your Stay Along the Altamaha River
On the beautiful Altamaha River, in the Bullard Creek Wildlife Management area of scenic Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County, lies the Towns Bluff Park and Heritage Center. Spacious RV and camp sites are available for rent along with several yurts for an adventuresome glamping experience.
Kayak along the serene river and enjoy the ecosystem filled with wildlife, birds, flora, and fauna not found anywhere else in Georgia. After a day of activity, grab an award-winning burger or sandwich at Manna Café and Eatery.
Come Home To Hawkinsville
Calling all Southern foodies: The love of food was born in the South at your mama’s table with dishes like fried chicken, fresh veggies, cornbread, peach cobbler, and sweet tea. Hawkinsville’s quintessential American small town has everything to tantalize your tastebuds thanks to the city’s great Southern restaurateurs who use farm-fresh ingredients and family recipes to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
For those who want to take home some homegrown goodness, Hawkinsville’s local country grocers and meat markets will keep your pantry well-stocked until your next visit.
“Fruitcake Capital of the World”
The famous Claxton Bakery and Georgia Fruitcake Company is only the beginning of all the Southern hospitality, good food, beauty, and adventure visitors will find in Evans County, GA.
Enjoy a relaxing canoe or kayak trip down the Canoochee River, or visit the Evans County Public Fishing Area which spans 372-acres across three beautiful lakes.
For those interested in wildlife conservation, the 54-year-old Claxton Rattlesnake & Wildlife Festival is still going strong every year the second weekend in March. And if cycling is more your style, “Cruisin’ in the Country,” a family-friendly bike ride with five route options, occurs the second weekend in November.
Explore Fitzgerald
Art, architecture, history, food, and entertainment―it’s all in Fitzgerald. Right now is the perfect time to experience the city’s small town way of life which welcomes you to shop and sightsee without the crowds.
Pose in front of the iconic murals; see an art exhibit or create your own art at the Carnegie Center; watch a great movie at the Grand Theatre; discover the heartwarming story of one of Georgia’s few planned cities at the Blue and Gray Museum; find out why Burmese chickens roam throughout the downtown area; and see the progress of the World’s Largest Topiary Chicken.
The post Serenity is Natural in Southeastern Georgia appeared first on Atlanta Magazine.
August is FREE Comic Book Month — where to get free comics!
Everything is different this year. Free Comic Book Day is no exception — in 2020, it has become Free Comic Book Summer.
This annual giveaway event usually takes place on the first Saturday in May. This year, it was canceled (thanks to you-know-what!) But now there’s a new plan in place, and we approve! The giveaways will take place from July 15th to September 9th in 2020.
Extending the free comic book giveaways over several weeks allows for social distancing and decreased capacity guidelines to be observed.
Here’s how it works:
Between July 15th and September 9th, comic shops will receive five to six titles meant for the giveaway in their weekly shipment. Release of the titles will vary by shop, as retailers are encouraged to release the FREE comic books as necessary for their particular circumstances.
So, for example, one shop might release one title a day, while another may make all of that week’s titles available at once. The change is designed to be flexible and customizable, so retailers and fans can get the most out the event while staying safe.
But as a result of all this customization, you’ll want to double-check the event details of the participating shop nearest you (see our list, below!)
About the event
FREE Comic Book Summer will feature 45 titles from a variety of publishers, including:
- Marvel Comics
- Image Comics
- BOOM! Studios
- Dark Horse Comics
- IDW Publishing
- Dynamite Entertainment
- DC
- and more!
The titles are designed to appeal to a broad range of tastes. They run the gamut from superhero stories to TV and movie tie-ins, to sci-fi adventures, all-ages tales, and beyond.
Plus, there will be two educational support titles from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Gemstone Publishing.
Where to get free comic books in metro Atlanta
To search participating shops by ZIP code, click here.
- INFINITE REALITIES
5007 LAVISTA ROAD
TUCKER, GA, 30084
(470) 359-5988
- BOOK NOOK
3073 NORTH DRUID HILLS RD.
DECATUR, GA, 30033
(404) 633-1328
- CHALLENGES GAMES & COMICS
2050 LAWRENCEVILLE HWY
A-18
DECATUR, GA, 30033
(678) 973-0410
- LEVEL-UP GAMES AND COMICS
2131 PLEASANT HILL RD
STE 129
DULUTH, GA, 30096
(770) 497-0202
- OXFORD COMICS AND GAMES
2855 PIEDMONT ROAD
ATLANTA, GA, 30305
(404) 233-8682
- CRIMINAL RECORDS
1154-A EUCLID AVENUE NE
ATLANTA, GA, 30307
(404) 215-9511
- MY PARENTS’ BASEMENT
22 N AVONDALE RD
AVONDALE ESTATE, GA, 30002
(404) 292-4607
- ORIGIN STORY COMICS
569 JONESBORO ROAD
MCDONOUGH, GA, 30253
(678) 565-4886
- 1ST EDITION COMICS
2826 HIGHWAY 54
PEACHTREE CITY, GA, 30269
(770) 282-6561
- BUNJEE’S COMICS
120A EAST TAYLOR STREET
GRIFFIN, GA, 30223
- DAVES COMICS & COLLECTIBLES
107 RAINBOW WAY
FAYETTEVILLE, GA, 30214
(770) 716-9171
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Special exhibit “Alice’s Wonderland Re-imagined” at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Updated on 6/17/2020
The Atlanta Botanical Garden reopened to the public on May 23, 2020. There will be safety measures in place, and a new system of ticketing with specific entry times.
All members who joined or renewed before May 2020 will automatically receive two additional months of membership, to compensate for the weeks ABG was closed.
The Gainesville garden location has also re-opened.
You may also be interested in:
- Zoo Atlanta is open once again
- Stone Mountain Park: Get $5 off a parking pass
- Scenic drives: Explore the South Fulton Scenic Byway
- Many spring festivals are rescheduled — here are the new dates
- Guide to Metro Atlanta farmers markets
Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden
See the section below: 3 ways to save money at ABG
As always, just because something is open doesn’t mean you have to go. We advise you to weigh your personal risks and make decisions based on what’s best for you and your family. For some of you, it may be better to delay excursions to places like the zoo.
Not sure if a trip to ABG is right for you? Here’s a New York Times report on the relative risks of outdoor activities.
Please stay home if you have symptoms of illness, or have had an exposure to a person who became ill.
If you go to the Garden this spring and summer:
The CDC advises wearing cloth or paper face coverings in public whenever possible. The Atlanta Botanical Garden strongly recommends wearing masks on the grounds and REQUIRES masks in restrooms.
Atlanta Botanical Garden advises maintaining a reasonable distance from others, and steering clear of congested areas.
Here are the main safety measures now in place:
- Timed tickets will limit capacity (see below for ticket info)
- Indoor spaces are still closed (see the list below for what’s open and closed)
- The splash pad and children’s garden is still closed
- Masks are REQUIRED in restrooms and for entry to the Longleaf Quick Cafe
- Picnic-style food is being sold (credit/debit card only) and you can eat it outdoors in designated areas
- One-way flow through many Garden pathways will promote social distancing
- ABG staff and volunteers will wear masks
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available in public areas
New hours at Atlanta Botanical Garden
Because of the new limits on capacity, the Garden is offering extended hours through the summer months.
Hours are Tuesday thru Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the last entry at 8 p.m.
Members only can visit on Mondays. So a garden membership just became more valuable — because if you buy a membership, you can now reserve an entry time slot on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Previously, ABG was closed to the public on Mondays.
See below for info on how you can save money with a garden membership.
What’s open at the Garden
Most of the outdoor spaces are open now — including the canopy walk, Storza Woods, rose garden, parterre garden, Japanese garden, edible garden, skyline garden, and the Great Lawn.
Note that a few of the narrower paths are now marked as one-way.
The children’s garden with its play area and splash pad will remain CLOSED for now.
Some indoor spaces have re-opened in June. This includes the conservatory and orchid center, the gift shop, and the Longleaf restaurant.
Special exhibit: Alice’s Wonderland Re-imagined
This special exhibit is open through through November 1, 2020.
It features enormous topiary-like sculptures, including Alice, the Red Queen, White Rabbit, and Cheshire Cat.
The sculptures are lit dramatically after dark.
This open-air exhibit does not require an additional fee — it is included in your garden entrance fee.
Admission prices & timed ticket system
With a timed ticket, the garden will allow a limited number of guests in every 15 minutes.
You won’t be limited in how long you can stay, but the ABG website advises that the average visit lasts between 90 minutes and two hours.
You are encouraged to arrive on time, and may be denied admission if you are more than 15 minutes late, depending on capacity.
The ticket office is open and will sell you a walk-up ticket if there is availability — but it’s a much safer bet to plan ahead.
You can buy tickets online — choose a mobile or print-at-home option.
You can also purchase by phone.
Tickets are not refundable. However, if the weather is bad, you may be able to reschedule your day and time slot by emailing [email protected]
Current prices:
- Adult (age 13+) — $21.95
- Children age 3 to 12 — $18.95
- Under age 3 — FREE
3 ways to save money at Atlanta Botanical Garden
1. Membership Mondays
A garden membership just became more valuable — because members can now reserve an entry time slot on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Previously, ABG was closed to the public on Mondays.
Garden memberships come at multiple levels:
- $78 for an individual,
- $105 for a couple
- $115 for a family
- more expensive VIP memberships with added perks
2. Military discount
The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers $2 off daily admission for up to four tickets purchased by military.
The Gainesville Garden offers 10% off of a daily admission ticket.
3. Triple-A discount
The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers $2 off daily admission for up to four tickets purchased by AAA members.
The Gainesville Garden offers 10% off of a daily admission ticket.
Parking information
There is an onsite parking deck at the Garden. It has generally been slow, crowded, and inconvenient, so the timed ticket system may make parking easier too.
Enter from Piedmont Avenue and park on levels 4, 5, or 6 for garden access. (The Monroe Dr. entrance gives you access to Piedmont Park, but not the ABG.)
You can expect to pay about $5 to $7 for parking during an average garden visit.
Parking prices:
- Drop-off period (0 – 30 minutes) — Free
- 31-60 minutes — $2
- Each additional 30 minutes — $1
- Maximum Daily Rate — $15
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