🌱 Structure Fire On 12th St NE + Masquerade Soirée At The Spaceman

Hello all! Today, we thank Seinfeld for inventing Festivus! Sylvia here with your fresh copy of the Buckhead Daily, filled with everything you need to know that's happening locally. Today we'll cover...

• 🍃 The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s expansion plans
• 🧑‍⚖️ Another plea deal in a RICO case
• 💰 An update on the HUB404 Conservancy’s “Gimme Four” fundraiser

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

⚠️ But first, today's weather:

Windy and very cold. High: 22 Low: 11.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Buckhead

• Chevron at 1970 Moores Mill Rd NW, $2.79
• QuikTrip at 761 Sidney Marcus Blvd NE, $2.85
• ARCO at 3861 Roswell Rd NE, $3.15

⏰ New Year’s Resolutions Poll! 🎶
According to Forbes, only 8% of people making New Year’s resolutions actually achieve them. Even so, the experts suggest making resolutions because they encourage intentionality, optimism, and a positive effect on others. So, what are your resolutions for 2023? So far, 20% intend to meet new people or interact more with current friends. Letting go of negativity is the goal for 15%, and 10% want to travel or experience something new. Another 30% want to live healthier, and the final 25% plan to embrace change.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Buckhead:

1. The Atlanta Fire Department (AFRD) was called to the 66 block of 12th Street Northeast on Wednesday evening at around 10:19 p.m. There, firefighters encountered a structure fire, with “heavy smoke and fire on the top floor of a three-story vacant structure.” Officials declared it a second-alarm fire as the blaze continued through the roof. “There are no confirmed injuries to civilians or sworn personnel.” (Atlanta Police Department)
2. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is planning its expansion “along Piedmont Avenue.” However, a possible hitch is the “construction of a 5-story self-storage building close to the neighborhood’s busy 10th Street and Monroe Drive intersection.” Wednesday’s report shows that the garden could continue with its plans if Public Storage at 268 Westminster Drive will move to the new location and lets the planners have their property. Residents are not uniformly on board, but some have expressed they’re willing “to make the best of a bad situation.” (Reporter Newspapers)
3. Is Jeffery "Young Thug" Williams' label, Young Slime Life, a street gang? The prosecution brought a RICO case against the rapper and another 27 co-defendants. On Thursday, the sixth defendant in the case accepted a plea bargain in return for a sentence of 15 years of probation. He pleaded “guilty to conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and participation in criminal street gang activity.” (Patch)
4. How is the HUB404 Conservancy’s “Gimme Four” fundraiser going? Initially launched on December 1, the group noted last week that it's already raised $10,000! You can now also buy HUB404 swag! (HUB404 Atlanta)
5. Do you want to attend a Masquerade Soirée on New Year’s Eve? The Spaceman atop the Hyatt Centric is ready to party! The party runs from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. and all “table reservations include (1) complimentary bottle of bubbles, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, served all night.” (Hyatt Centric)

📆 Today in Buckhead:

• Brunch and Photos with Santa at the Hyatt Centric (10 AM)
• Candlelight Service at the Peachtree Presbyterian Church (3 PM)
• Tubajohn performs at the Christkindl Market (5 PM)
• Like Glue celebrates a 6-Year Anniversary (10 PM)
• Love Fridays at the Rose Bar (10 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Two emergency warming centers will open Thursday, Dec. 22 at 8:00 p.m., and remain open through Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 6:30 a.m.: 📍Old Adamsville Recreation Center (3404 Delmar Ln NW, Atlanta, GA 30331) 📍Central Park (400 Merritts Ave. NE)." (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "🎁‘Tis the season of giving! We teamed up with entrepreneur Jesseca Dupart and the nonprofit CELEBS GIVE BACK to bring holiday cheer to Atlanta children and families. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. 📸 " (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "⚠️ Atlanta, now is the time to prepare for the incoming winter weather: - Stay informed. Monitor weather reports and tune in to local news - Check your emergency supplies. Stock up on supplies for home, work and your vehicle." (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• "The Atlanta Police Department calls on parents, other caregivers, and all gun owners to do better at securing their weapons and protecting children." (City of Atlanta Police Department via Facebook)
• "Please note our branch holiday hours. We will be monitoring weather conditions closely in the coming days to determine if branch hours need to be adjusted or if your local Y needs to close. Before you visit the Y, please contact the branch." (Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead via Facebook)

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Events:

• Aura Reading & Chakra Balancing before the new year! (December 27)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Buckhead Daily? Contact me at Buckhead@Patch.com