Tag: Atlanta

New giant pandas from China arrive in Atlanta zoo

Posted on by Leave a comment

Two giant pandas from China have arrived in the U.S. as part of an agreement between the Chinese and American governments, the Atlanta zoo confirmed on Sunday. The zoo said giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Sunday morning “via a dedicated ‘FedEx Panda Express’ Boeing 777 aircraft.” “This is a thrilling day for Zoo Atlanta and a historic moment for the City of Atlanta, the state of Georgia and beyond,” said Raymond B. King, the zoo’s president and CEO, in a statement on social media.

“We are elated to welcome Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and could not be more excited about sharing that joy with our members, guests, city and community in the coming weeks.” visitors will have to wait a while to see Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, officials said. They will be quarantined for about a month in a biosecure area of the wildlife park’s new giant panda complex. Park officials haven’t confirmed a specific opening date. While in Washington for a three-day summit with President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the pandas would be loaned to Zoo Atlanta and that they would arrive in the coming days.

They were one of the few concrete outcomes to come out of the state visit. Zoo Atlanta has been part of a giant panda agreement with China for more than 25 years. The zoo said farewell to its last pandas in 2024, leaving the zoo without pandas. The new agreement was announced back in April but without any dates. Ping Ping and Fu Shuang are the two adult pandas who will be on loan to Zoo Atlanta for 10 years as part of the agreement. Both pandas were born in 2020 and were kept at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Ping Ping, the male, has dark black circles around his eyes, while Fu Shuang, the female, has a forehead that protrudes a bit, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

China has long used the pandas as part of its diplomacy globally, deploying the bears in loan programs as expressions of goodwill and letting loan agreements lapse when tensions arise. Xi had said the loan program was an example of “friendship between the Chinese and Americans.” Currently, two other zoos in the United States have pandas. The National Zoo and the San Diego Zoo both received pandas from China in 2024.

Source: New giant pandas from China arrive in Atlanta zoo – CBS Atlanta

For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”
1 Peter 3:10-11

Plague in Russia?

Russian authorities have sought to allay global worries over the death of a young woman who worked at a Siberian anti-plague laboratory. But moves to isolate…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Overturned fuel tanker carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel closes DeKalb County road as crews work to contain runoff

Posted on by Leave a comment

Cleanup crews found no diesel runoff after a tanker carrying about 7,500 gallons of fuel overturned in DeKalb County, fire officials said in an update late Friday morning. A spokesperson with DeKalb County Fire Rescue said most of the diesel remained inside the tanker or soaked into the soil immediately surrounding the truck near White Circle and Browns Mill Road. Testing confirmed the affected area was limited to the crash site. Officials initially raised concerns that fuel could reach a storm drain and nearby pond. However, testing completed by cleanup crews found no runoff from the incident.

All remaining fuel was removed from the overturned tanker by 10:30 a.m. Crews are now removing contaminated soil before S&W Towing returns the truck to an upright position. Browns Mill Road remains closed in both directions. Officials have not provided an estimated reopening time, and drivers are urged to avoid the area. The EPA, Chemtrac, Georgia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Georgia State Patrol and Valero Gas Corp. were notified about the incident.

Source: Overturned fuel tanker carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel closes DeKalb County road as crews work to contain runoff – CBS Atlanta

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

2 Timothy 3:12 

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted Paul was reminding Timothy that following Christ does not guarantee an easy life. When…

Keep reading

John 15:18–20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its…

Keep reading

Galatians 1:6-10

“When truth becomes negotiable, faith becomes vulnerable so know the Gospel, stand on God’s Word, and seek His approval above the world’s applause.” “I am astonished that…

Keep reading

Isaiah 45:2

“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, This…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

New mosquito trap tests positive for West Nile virus in DeKalb County, health officials say

Posted on by Leave a comment

DeKalb County health officials have confirmed another mosquito trap in the county has tested positive for West Nile virus. The latest confirmed positive test came from a trap in the 30316 ZIP code, which consists of East Atlanta and unincorporated DeKalb, officials announced on Monday morning. The number of mosquito traps that have captured insects infected with the West Nile virus in the county this summer is now eight, with neighboring Fulton County reporting one positive trap. Officials say there have been no human cases of West Nile virus infection in DeKalb County this year.

Residents are advised to remove standing water from gutters, planters, toys, wheelbarrows, and old tires at least once a week. The agency also recommends trimming tall grass and weeds, checking window and door screens and limiting outdoor activity around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus are most active. People who go outside should use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 and follow the product’s instructions. Wearing long sleeves, pants and socks can also help prevent mosquito bites. Any DeKalb County residents who have more questions about West Nile virus or want to request a mosquito assessment can do so on the county Department of Public Health’s website.

Source: New mosquito trap tests positive for West Nile virus in DeKalb County, health officials say – CBS Atlanta

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17

Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect…

Keep reading

Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. In the verse David is praying in the…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Zoo Atlanta’s newest baby red-tailed monkey appearing with mom in African Rain Forest habitat

Posted on by Leave a comment

Visitors to Zoo Atlanta’s Ford African Rain Forest in the next few weeks may be able to see the zoo’s newest little arrival. The zoo announced that Bam, one of Zoo Atlanta’s Schmidt’s guenons, gave birth to an infant on Aug. 6. Schmidt’s guenons, also known as red-tailed monkeys, are found in the forests, woodlands, and swamplands of middle Africa. They’re known for their heart-shaped noses, large cheek pouches used during foraging, and long, chestnut-colored tails. While the species’ population is stable, they do face habitat loss from deforestation and have been illegally hunted.

The baby Schmidt’s guenon was born on Aug. 6 at Zoo Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta

“We’re excited to welcome Bam’s infant to the Schmidt’s guenon family and are looking forward to our Members and guests being able to experience the joy of watching this little one grow,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, the zoo’s vice president of Collections and Conservation. “While this species is fortunate not to be classified as threatened in the wild, Schmidt’s guenons face many of the same threats faced by other African rainforest animals, and this infant will help us tell that story.” This isn’t Bam’s first baby, but the newborn is the first offspring for Bam and Nafis, who was brought to the zoo last year. Bam and Nafis were recommended to pair by a program from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Visitors should look out for Bam and her new baby in the habitat, which they share with her other children, Jack and Flynn, as well as Nafis and the zoo’s Angolan colobus monkeys. 

Source: Zoo Atlanta’s newest baby red-tailed monkey appearing with mom in African Rain Forest habitat – CBS Atlanta

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Metro Atlanta nonprofit delivers 250,000 pounds of food to people facing food insecurity monthly

Posted on by Leave a comment

The cost of groceries remains high, and a metro Atlanta nonprofit says the demographic of those relying on food pantries is changing. Reflections of Trinity in Hiram said in 2025 they served just under 3 million pounds of food to people across 77 Georgia counties and some outside of Georgia. Carol Reed has spent the past four months volunteering for Reflections of Trinity. “I come in at 8:30, and I leave at noon,” Reed said. “You know that’s a good workout for me.” CBS Atlanta spoke to Reed while she was volunteering on a Tuesday. She loves Tuesdays because the food she and other volunteers pack up goes to senior citizens.

“Since I’m one myself, and I have plenty of food. There’s so many. Look at the people that don’t from the amount of boxes we have,” Reed said. “A lot of people don’t have food. They just don’t.” The number of people in Georgia facing food insecurity has been rising since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Feeding America, more than 1.2 million people in Georgia experienced food insecurity in 2019. The numbers improved in 2020 and 2021, but by 2023 more than 1.6 million people in Georgia were facing food insecurity. Reflections of Trinity Founder Laurie Ann Wong-Burns said around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were serving 1,000 families a week, but that number has gone up. “We’re up to 1,300 families a week, so it’s just steadily increased since 2022,” Wong-Burns said. She said rising costs are adding to additional financial strains.

“Housing has gone up, so has fuel, so it’s like a trifecta, and a lot of times people’s wages haven’t gone up, so that’s where food pantries come in,” Wong-Burns said. She said partnerships with metro Atlanta businesses help them get the job done. “We can’t do it without them,” Wong-Burns said. “Not for the volume of food we move every week.” One of those partners is Wellstar Health System. “If you don’t have nutritious food, that can lead to chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes,” said Wellstar’s Assistant Vice President of Community Health Elise Lockamy-Kassim. “And so, although we’re a health system that serves those needs, we want to prevent people from coming through our doors with those needs.” Wellstar donated a van to the nonprofit in 2025 to help Reflections of Trinity further its mission.

“To know that we are a part of this large vision that Reflections of Trinity has to serve even more people, oh, that makes it all worthwhile,” Lockamy-Kassim said. Linda Riddle is one of the seniors who receives a box of food every Tuesday. “It helps me a lot because, you know, I only get a minimum of food stamps, so I run out of a lot of things like milk and fruits and whatever else that’s in the box,” Riddle said. Her grocery budget is tight. “I have to have them to keep a tab of what I’m spending, and just a little bit of groceries it gets so, so much,” Riddle said.

Mildren Williams is another senior who receives food from Reflections of Trinity. Her grocery budget is tight too. “Heart trouble, diabetes, it all costs money, and this insurance I have is… I got in more debt this year with sickness and medication, and it’s a blessing for me to get this extra, and I appreciate it very much,” Williams said. Wong-Burns said they also rely heavily on volunteers and have about 200 to 250 volunteers each week. 

Source: Metro Atlanta nonprofit delivers 250,000 pounds of food to people facing food insecurity monthly – CBS Atlanta

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

A study of the Mesha Stele

The Mesha Stele, also famously known as the Moabite Stone, is a 3-foot-tall black basalt monument dating back to circa 840 BCE. It is one of the most vital archaeological discoveries…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Maryland Zoo helping rebuild population of critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs

Posted on by Leave a comment
Golden glowing frog sitting on mossy branch with sparkling light in rainforest

After facing extinction, the critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs are one step closer to being released back into the wild. The species has not been seen in the wild in more than 20 years. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is taking steps to help the species rebuild its population. The golden frogs are being moved from indoors to a carefully monitored open-air enclosure. If this is successful, the ultimate goal is to eventually reintroduce them into the wild.

The study is led by local conservation teams at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center Foundation (EVACC) with support from the Maryland Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, Seneca Park Zoo, and Project Golden Frog – the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan© (SSP) for the Panamanian Golden Frog. “It is incredibly exciting to see the efforts we have made over the past two decades to keep this species healthy in both North America and Panama now moving closer to a day when they are back in the wild in the El Valle de Anton region,” said Ellen Bronson, the senior director of Animal Health, Conservation, and Research at the Maryland Zoo.

Zoo officials say that the new outdoor study, conducted in shaded, screened enclosures, is the cautious next step in understanding how to safely return the Panamanian golden frogs to their native habitat. According to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the Panamanian golden frogs have toxic skin that produces tetrodotoxin and a unique compound called zetekitoxin, which contains enough toxins to kill 1,200 mice. 

Source: Maryland Zoo helping rebuild population of critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs – CBS Baltimore

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.
Ephesians 5:25-26

Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around you…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Johnson & Johnson offers $5.5 billion to settle talc lawsuits

Posted on by Leave a comment
woman in black sports bra with talc on hands

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has offered $5.5 billion to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits claiming its baby powder and other talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer, the company said Monday. The proposed landmark settlement aims to end a long-standing legal battle that has weighed on the New Jersey-based company for years. J&J said the settlement covers some 76,000 claims, representing nearly all remaining talc claims including those consolidated in a federal court in New Jersey and related cases in state courts.

It said in a statement that the settlement is “conditioned on, among other things, the express participation of at least 95% of the remaining claims.” The company denies that its talc-based products caused cancer but stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada in 2020. Its vice president of litigation, Erik Haas said the claims “lack scientific merit” but J&J is willing to settle so it can get closure. “While we are confident the Company would have ultimately prevailed with further litigation, as it has in the vast majority of cases tried to date, this resolution allows the Company to put this matter behind it and remain focused on its mission to develop medicines and devices that save lives,” he said in the company statement. The plaintiffs’ lead counsel, Chris Seeger, said in a statement that the settlement “ensures … (that the) plaintiffs receive fair and meaningful compensation for their injures.

More than a decade of protracted litigation and three failed bankruptcies has left tens of thousands of women and their families waiting far too long for relief.” J&J has previously settled most of the cases alleging that its talcum powder contained traces of asbestos, which is blamed for causing mesothelioma. It also faces a lawsuit in the United Kingdom over similar claims filed in 2025. According to the law firm representing around 3,000 complainants, the compensation claim “is estimated to be more than £1 billion” ($1.3 billion). Claimants allege that either they or a family member developed forms of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using J&J’s baby powder. 

Source: Johnson & Johnson offers $5.5 billion to settle talc lawsuits – CBS Atlanta

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Revelation 22:21

Baby Bear Nibbles on Photographer’s Boot

A baby bear took a nibble at a photographer after becoming curious about his boot. Wildlife photographer Bruce Robert Danz was in the Katmai Preserve in Alaska on August 2 with another shooter while capturing…

Keep reading

Reclaiming Attention From Distractions

Pip: Drink of Jesus has been asking a question your phone’s algorithm would really prefer you not think about: what if the thing eating your attention is the distraction? Mara: That’s the thread running through…

Keep reading

Hope in the dark

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening right now, and this…

Keep reading

God as Your Ever-Present Help

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Isolated storms could impact metro Atlanta counties, forecasters say

Posted on by Leave a comment
water splash on ground

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the Atlanta metro area this evening.  At 6:48 p.m., meteorologists reported a severe thunderstorm over Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, approximately eight miles northwest of Jonesboro, moving south at 10 miles per hour Communities expected to be impacted include Atlanta, Jonesboro, City of South Fulton, East Point, Union City, Forest Park, Riverdale, College Park, Morrow, Hapeville, Lake City, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Fort Gillem, and Conley. The warning officially expired at 7:15 p.m., but forecasters say expect some isolated showers throughout the evening.

Source: Isolated storms could impact metro Atlanta counties, forecasters say – CBS Atlanta

Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
Luke 6:30

Overcoming Distractions: Look to Jesus

Whatever you constantly look at will eventually influence how you live. When the world gets loud and life gets overwhelming, don’t stare harder at the distraction, look up and fix your eyes on Jesus.…

Keep reading

The Distraction of Fear

Fear has a way of making tomorrow feel more real than today. But you were never meant to live inside a future that hasn’t happened yet, you were called to trust the God who…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Georgia Secretary of State opens investigation into voter registration mailers sent to deceased residents

Posted on by Leave a comment

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Thursday that his office has opened an investigation into Ready to Register and other third-party organizations after reports that voter registration mailers were sent to deceased Georgians and other ineligible recipients. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, election officials have received numerous complaints about voter registration solicitations being mailed to people who have died. In one unusual case cited by the office, a deceased family dog reportedly received one of the mailers. State officials said they are reviewing whether the mailings violate Georgia law or otherwise undermine confidence in the state’s election system.

The Secretary of State’s Office said third-party voter registration groups frequently conduct mass mail campaigns ahead of major elections but often rely on commercial databases that can contain outdated or inaccurate information, unlike Georgia’s official voter registration system. “Groups like this highlight the unreliability of commercial data,” Raffensperger said in a statement. “Georgia maintains one of the cleanest voter rolls in the nation through continuous list maintenance and citizenship verification. These outside organizations don’t use those standards. Instead, they flood mailboxes with inaccurate solicitations that confuse voters and waste election officials’ time.” Raffensperger also thanked voters who alerted his office to the mailings. “I want to thank the voters who have flagged the inaccurate mailings and sent them to our office,” he said. “Whether checking their ballots for accuracy or keeping their own registration information up to date, voters are a crucial line of defense in election security.” Georgia officials said the issue mirrors problems recently identified in North Carolina, where election officials warned residents about similar mailings from Ready to Register. According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, North Carolina officials said the organization mailed registration forms to deceased individuals, used outdated forms, listed incorrect election office addresses and included QR codes that raised privacy concerns.

Raffensperger criticized the mass mailing campaigns, saying they create confusion while increasing the workload for local election offices. “Whether intentional or simply reckless, these mail campaigns operate like a grift — raising money and generating activity while shifting the costs onto taxpayers, election officials, and voters,” Raffensperger said. “Georgia taxpayers should not have to clean up the mess created by organizations that prioritize volume over accuracy.” The Secretary of State’s Office is encouraging Georgians to verify their voter registration through the state’s My Voter Page and says voters who are already registered at their current address should disregard unsolicited voter registration mailers.

Source: Georgia Secretary of State opens investigation into voter registration mailers sent to deceased residents – CBS Atlanta

Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
Proverbs 15:22

Too Busy to Hear God

You can be so busy doing things for God that you never stop long enough to hear from God. Sometimes the biggest distraction in your life isn’t rebellion, it’s simply being too…

Keep reading

Who Has Your Attention?

Your attention is one of the most valuable things you own, and everyone wants a piece of it. The question isn’t whether something is getting your attention—the question is whether Jesus is…

Keep reading

Finding Strength in God

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation],…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Spot them and stomp them: Georgians asked to help stop spread of invasive spotted lanternfly

Posted on by Leave a comment

A bright and colorful insect wants to make Georgia its new home, and officials want you to kill it as quickly as you possibly can. A native of Asia, the spotted lanternfly was first identified in the United States in 2014, northwest of Philadelphia. It’s likely that insect eggs came over with a load of landscaping stones. Twelve years later, there are reported infestations in 21 states, from the Midwest to the East Coast. Georgia’s first live population was found in 2024. Since then, the Peach State has had 79 reports of the species, all in Fulton County. The insect has been able to spread so far, so fast because it is a sneaky hitchhiker.

Drivers in the summer unwittingly give lifts to adults, which look like moths, perched inside trunks, on wheel wells, or on bumpers. Cars can also carry the insect’s eggs, which can hatch miles away from where they were laid. What makes the lanternfly such a threat is its appetite. The insect feeds on a variety of plants, including grapes, hops, and hardwood trees. As it eats, it emits a sticky fluid that can lead to the growth of sooty mold, which also damages the plants. “We urge all Georgians to remain vigilant. While spotted lanternflies do not directly threaten human health, they can severely impact our number one industry—agriculture,” the Georgia Department of Agriculture wrote. What do spotted lanternflies look like? Spotted lanternfly egg masses hold 30 to 50 eggs and look like wet gray putty before turning a brown that’s similar to cracked mud. The insect lays its eggs in the fall, winter, and spring. From March to June, juvenile nymphs start growing. These tiny insects are black with white spots that turn red as they grow older.

The adult spotted lanternflies are around 1.5 inches long and have a yellow, black-barred abdomen. Their wings are highly recognizable, with brown forewings speckled with black spots and bright scarlet hind wings that turn into black and white at the ends. The insects frequently gather together while feeding and are easiest to spot at dusk or at night, officials say. What to do if you spot a spotted lanternfly in Georgia If you see a spotted lanternfly, Georgia officials say you should follow three simple steps. First, take a clear picture of the insect. Second, squish it. Third, send in a report to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, giving as many details as possible about where you found the insect.

Source: Spot them and stomp them: Georgians asked to help stop spread of invasive spotted lanternfly – CBS Atlanta

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24

Faith Under Pressure

Pip: Drink of Jesus is a site that treats ancient Scripture the way a good contractor treats load-bearing walls — you don’t move them just because the…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Metro Atlanta Urban Farm helps veterans, students and families grow food and stronger communities

Posted on by Leave a comment
Two people harvesting vegetables in a rooftop urban farm with city skyline and sunset

As grocery prices continue to strain household budgets, a five-acre farm in College Park is helping people save money by teaching them how to grow their own food while cultivating something just as valuable: community. For 19 years, Metro Atlanta Urban Farm has used agriculture to improve lives, serving as a gathering place for neighbors, students, volunteers and, more recently, military veterans. Founder Bobby Wilson says the mission has always extended far beyond planting vegetables. “When we started out, we never intended for this just to be a place where you plant a seed and watch it grow,” Wilson said.

“We understood the therapeutic value of agriculture, of growing food.” Located at 3271 Main St. in College Park, the nonprofit teaches participants how to grow food using heirloom seeds, compost and natural growing methods without synthetic chemicals. Wilson said those skills help families become more self-sufficient while improving access to fresh, healthy food. “We use agriculture as a tool to help improve the quality of life of those who have been primarily left out of the mainstream of society,” Wilson said.

Metro Atlanta Urban Farm founder Bobby Wilson explains sustainable farming techniques to community members at the College Park nonprofit, which uses agriculture to promote food access, education and community wellness. CBS News Atlanta

The farm recently expanded its reach through a partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project. Veterans gather at the farm every other week to plant crops, harvest produce and learn skills they can use at home. Combat veteran and Wounded Warrior Project Peer Leader Teak Wilson said the experience has given veterans more than gardening knowledge. “It’s allowed me to make an impact in the community, not feel like I’m alone in the city,” Wilson said. “It’s lessened my stress. It’s given me a place to just get grounded, be in nature, and not be too far away from the house.” She said the practical lessons are becoming increasingly valuable as food costs continue to climb.

“I went in the store recently and spent $80 and only left with three things,” she said. “So just being able to come here and know that I could have at least a cucumber tomato salad that I didn’t have to pay for, that’s a blessing.” The partnership began in early June, with veterans from multiple branches of the military learning how to plant heirloom seeds that can be harvested and replanted for years to come. Participants leave with planter bags, seeds and vegetables to continue growing food at home. The farm is also investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders. Joshua Good, 20, traveled from Ridgeland, Mississippi, to spend eight weeks interning at the farm while studying agricultural business at Alcorn State University. Good said the internship is teaching him skills that can’t be learned in a classroom. “How to plant with my hand, how to operate a tractor, how to make a grow bed, and how to use different types of soil,” he said.

Wilson believes those lessons are the true harvest. For nearly two decades, he has watched volunteers return year after year, mentoring new gardeners and sharing what they’ve learned with others. “Some of those same people that have been gardening with me for almost 20 years are still here,” Wilson said. “They’re still helping new gardeners, they’re still building communities, and they’re still trying to make a difference by growing some of their own food and taking it back and sharing it with other people in their community.” The nonprofit also partners with schools, churches and community organizations, including groups from Coca-Cola and Tuskegee University, to provide hands-on agricultural education throughout the year. Wilson hopes the farm continues expanding those partnerships while encouraging more people to discover the benefits of growing their own food. “We’re trying to make a positive difference in the lives of marginalized and underserved communities,” Wilson said. “

Gain those skill sets to help improve the quality of life of everybody in your community and expand it into other communities.” For participants, every harvest offers more than fresh produce. It provides knowledge, confidence, and the opportunity to strengthen communities one seed, one lesson, and one neighbor at a time.

Source: Metro Atlanta Urban Farm helps veterans, students and families grow food and stronger communities – CBS Atlanta

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

The Weight of Leadership

“A church can survive criticism, but it cannot thrive without integrity. When spiritual leaders forget they answer first to God, the flock always bears the wounds.” “Not many…

Keep reading

Heaven is for Real Movie

“Heaven is for Real” is a faith-based family drama inspired by a Nebraska Pastor Tood Burpo’s best-selling book about his 4 years old son (Colton Burpo) who had…

Keep reading

God’s Here

After losing his wife and son in a tragic accident, a firefighter wrestles with grief and forgiveness. Starring Kevin Sorbo (God’s Not Dead), Sarah Elizabeth Reeves Director: Bill…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Raccoon tests positive for rabies after attacking dog in metro Atlanta

Posted on by Leave a comment
scared bristling raccoon

Gwinnett County officials are warning residents to use caution after a raccoon tested positive for rabies over the weekend. Officials say the raccoon attacked a dog near Biltmore Oaks Drive in the Bethlehem area on May 26. Testing revealed that the animal was infected with the potentially deadly virus. The disease, which can be transmitted through bites and scratches from infected animals, is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms occur. Those symptoms include muscle aches, fever, vomiting, and general weakness and discomfort. The National Association of State Health Veterinarians says all unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal need to be quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month before being released.

Georgia is a rabies-endemic state, which means the virus can be found in wildlife year-round. Officials say that means it’s important for residents to make sure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations and avoid animals that may be behaving in unusual ways. Earlier in May, a DeKalb County raccoon tested positive for rabies. If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected to have rabies, seek medial care immediately and let your provider know about the possible exposure. After that, contact GNR Public Health at (770) 339-4260 and ask for the on-call epidemiologist.

Source: Raccoon tests positive for rabies after attacking dog in metro Atlanta – CBS Atlanta

Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
James 1:3

Feeling Alone? God Sees You

Even when you feel invisible in your struggle, God sees every tear, every burden, and every silent prayer. Your exhaustion has not escaped His attention. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and…

Keep reading

Jesus Revolution

In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor…

Keep reading

Letters to God

Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy armed with strong faith and courage as he faces his daily battle against cancer. Surrounded by a loving family and community, Tyler’s prayers take the form…

Keep reading

War Room

Pharmaceutical salesman Tony Jordan and his wife, realtor Elizabeth Jordan, appear outwardly successful; they have a large house, plenty of money, and a beautiful daughter named Danielle. Behind the façade, however, Tony and…

Keep reading

Climbing Your Mountain

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening right now,…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Extremely rare Guatemalan bearded lizards hatch at Zoo Atlanta

Posted on by Leave a comment
Guatemalan bearded lizard

Zoo Atlanta has two new additions, and they are members of one of the rarest reptile species on Earth. The zoo announced that two Guatemalan beaded lizards hatched on May 14 and 17 and are reportedly “healthy and feisty.” The Guatemalan beaded lizard is only found in the wild in the country’s Motagua Valley. It’s estimated that there may be only 500 to 600 members of the critically endangered venomous lizard species in the wild, and the zoo says they have faced habitat loss and illegal trade. Zoo Atlanta is one of seven zoos in the U.S. to house the species. In over 25 years, 46 of the lizards have hatched at the zoo, which has worked with the Heloderma Natural Reserve of Guatemala to protect the species.

Source: Extremely rare Guatemalan bearded lizards hatch at Zoo Atlanta – CBS Atlanta

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Boundary Waters wilderness burning at U.S

Wildfires flared earlier this week and destroyed thousands of acres in Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota, with many of the fires straddling the U.S.-Canadian border. The Western Fire Chiefs’ map on Thursday…

Keep reading

Peace in the Storm

God does not always remove the storm immediately, but He promises peace in the middle of it. His presence calms fearful hearts.  Bible Verse: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.