🌱 Atlanta 'Selfie Experience' Bar + $5 Million Mental Health Grants

Hello, Atlanta! I'm here in your inbox this winter morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news on:

• A new "selfie experience" bar and restaurant will join Atlanta's food scene.
• The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation donated over $5 million toward mental health services.
• Mayor Andre Dickens addressed Buckhead civic leaders on the battle against violent crimes.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 55 Low: 39.

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Here are the top five stories in Atlanta today:

1. A new “selfie experience” bar, restaurant, and live entertainment venue is coming to the city this spring. According to a recently filed liquor license, Flick ATL will occupy a 1,250-square-foot space at 363 Edgewood Ave. SE. Owners have remained quiet on the details of the establishment, but one co-owner said, “We are excited to offer this new business concept of a selfie studio to Edgewood within the historic area of Martin Luther King Jr and Sweet Auburn.” (What Now Atlanta)
2. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation donated over $5 million from its new Mental Health & Well-Being giving area. The 15 grants will help the foundation decide what mental health services and organizations will be most impactful for the future of the Mental Health & Well-Being strategy. The grants specifically address various mental health resource needs, from crisis to stability to flourishing. (Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation)
3. Mayor Andre Dickens addressed Buckhead civic leaders Thursday afternoon regarding law enforcement's battle against violent crime. Dickens announced crime is down 14 percent in Zone 2 and asked Buckhead constituents to hire younger people for open positions. Atlanta leaders recently approved a more significant pay package to help close the revolving door of officers leaving. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
4. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration lab has been planned to take the place of the former Army Forces Command building since 2018. However, Tyler Perry is voicing his concerns about emissions from the facility. Perry's film production studio "Tyler Perry Studios" sits near the future FDA lab at the former Fort McPherson in southwest Atlanta. Perry said the lab could hinder future development in the area. ( The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
5. Mambo Zombi, a cocktail bar, recently opened in Atlanta and has a fun-themed afterlife aesthetic. Owners of the Joystick Game Bar, Johnny Martinez, and Brandon Ley partnered with Kysha Cyrus to create the spooky space in September that draws from afterlife cues and holidays like Dia de los Muertos. The bar is located above the Georgia Beer Garden off Edgewood Avenue. (WABE 90.1 FM)

Today in Atlanta:

• Winter Scavenger Hunt At Flat Shoals Library (All Day)
• Family Movie: The Bad Guys At Scott Candler Library (11:00 AM)
• Free Paper Shredding Event At 7100 Turner Dr. (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The New Year brings in new goals and aspirations, and creating a vision board and tracking the projects on your goals can help keep you motivated for the rest of the year. (The Atlanta 100)
• Eater Atlanta has you covered if you're looking for a delicious meal in the metro Atlanta area. Check out the list of best dishes staff enjoyed in January 2023. (Eater Atlanta)
• A month ago, gas averaged $2.70 in Georgia. Now, drivers are expressing frustrations with higher prices, with a recent average of $3.39 per gallon. (11Alive.com WXIA)
• Trainer and model Kai Bell will lead an hour-long '90s-themed cardio fitness class at The Starling Hotel on Jan. 30. Grab your tickets at the link! (EventBrite)

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Events:

• Grand Opening!!! (January 28)
• Pianist Min Kwon in Concert (January 28)
• Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza (January 29)
• Repack the Backpack (January 31)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Emory Continuing Education (January 31)
• Online discussion with professional roofers in Atlanta (February 1)
• Home Buyer’s Seminar (February 11)
• Ladies Night: A Salute to Women in Music (February 11)
• The Creativity Experience:Love Changes (February 11)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 23)
• Add your event

Housing:

• Do You Qualify To Buy A Home 2023? CHAT NOW! (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you around!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.