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As the coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten the health of millions around the world, the U.S. and here, in Georgia, social distancing is now the new norm. In response to the COVID-19 recommendations, the Alzheimer’s Association is now offering a monthly virtual art program through their collaboration with the High Museum. 

This program is available statewide and to all those living with MCI or early stages of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia and their care partners. The community of Georgians living with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Early Stage Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, and those who love and support them, have found a way to stay close with a little bit of creativity and technology.

Before COVID-19 hit, the program called “Musing Together” was a monthly tour program conducted at the High Museum. The tours serve groups of visitors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, along with their care partners. A teaching artist leads participants through the galleries and encourages them to discover themselves and one another through conversations about artworks and their life stories. Groups explore the galleries and discuss everything from contemporary art to folk art. Participants talk to each other, talk to their caregivers, and build a sense of community.

“We are very happy to continue Musing Together online. This new virtual format has given us the opportunity to discuss artworks that aren’t currently on view at the High, and to connect the collection to works outside our walls,” shared Laurel Humble, Head of Creative Aging and Lifelong Learning at the High Museum of Art. “Last month we had a very rich conversation about Street Art, and in our next session we’ll switch gears and focus on Henri Matisse. Talking about art can prompt new and meaningful conversations with friends and loved ones, and helps us stay connected to the world more broadly, which is increasingly essential in our current moment.” 

“Early-Stage” refers to people, irrespective of age, who are diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders in the beginning stages of the disease. Carpe Diem Club is the name of the evidence-based Early Stage Program of the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Members meet to learn, share, support and have fun. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Dementia Care Practice Recommendations, it is important to adopt a positive, hopeful approach to care in all stages of dementia in order to encourage the person who has received a diagnosis and their care partners. 

“Art is a universal language”, added Mary Caldwell, Alzheimer’s Association Early Stage Program manager. “Our group which includes people with early stage dementia diagnosis are able to listen, learn and be heard. All the participants were excited and loved the program. Social engagement with people living with the disease and their care partners is critical, particularly during this challenging time”, she added. 

In addition to the virtual art classes, Alzheimer’s Association offers other virtual education, programs and support groups throughout the state. To learn more, visit alz.org/Georgia. 

More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States. To help family caregivers navigate the current complex and quickly changing environment, the Alzheimer’s Association has also offered additional guidance to families at alz.org/COVID19 

For more information, call 1-800-272-3900. 

Additional Facts and Figures: (http://www.alz.org/facts/)

• Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth-leading cause of death in Georgia.

• More than five million Americans are living with the disease, including 150,000 Georgia residents — a number estimated to grow to as many as 190,000 by year 2025.

• More than 16 million family and friends, including 540,000 in Georgia, provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the United States.

• In 2019, friends and family of those with Alzheimer’s in Georgia provided an estimated 615 million hours of unpaid care, a contribution valued more than $8 billion.

A webinar regarding return to work guidelines and recommendations was hosted on Thursday, May 28^th by companies Sterling Seacrest Partners, HunterMaclean, and Employment Development Strategies, Inc. An audience of over 160 statewide business and community leaders heard from a panel of industry experts via a live Zoom meeting with suggestions about return to work protocol. 

The panel discussion was led by Sterling Seacrest Partners Chief Operating Officer Brett Godwin and included HunterMaclean Partner Christopher “Smitty” Smith, HunterMaclean Partner Sarah Lamar, and Employment Development Strategies President Suzanne Kirk.  

A variety of topics were discussed during the webinar referencing business insurance coverage, employment law, company culture and communication, and business litigation. Attendees were allowed to submit questions prior to the event and at the end during a Q&A format. 

To access the webinar in its entirety, please go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/1_5fHrPu8SRITKfmuGftZqg9M6jlaaa80HAarKEEn0bk1ZMMw9SdIoBCwhsDHAWb. 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is currently mailing Economic Impact Payments (EIP) in the form of prepaid debit cards. Most Americans already received their EIP either by direct deposit to their bank account or in the form of a mailed check. However, the debit cards are being sent to some consumers for whom the IRS did not have bank account information on file. The Treasury announced that this method allows them to provide the money “efficiently and securely” to eligible recipients.

Consumers have contacted the Better Business Bureau (BBB), thinking these cards may be a scam. One consumer reported their concern on BBB Scam Tracker saying, “The letter states this is our Economic Impact Payment card and has a Department of the Treasury seal on the letter. Included is a prepaid debit card… it is being sent to us on behalf of the US Department of the Treasury in place of a paper check. This has to be a scam! We would appreciate it if you would check into this for us and others.”

Rest assured, the IRS is, indeed, sending out prepaid debit cards. The IRS website states, “Some payments may be sent on a prepaid debit card known as The Economic Impact Payment Card. The Economic Impact Payment Card is sponsored by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, managed by Money Network Financial, LLC and issued by Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank^®, N.A.”

Consumers do, however, need to be vigilant to ensure that the card they receive is legitimate, and to be on the lookout for scams.

Tips on how to recognize a legitimate EIP card:

• It will arrive in a plain envelope with the return address of “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

• The Visa^® name will appear on the front of the card; the back of the card has the name of the issuing bank, MetaBank^®, N.A.

• The welcome kit explains more about the EIP card. Please go to EIPcard.com for more information and to see a sample image of the card.

Once the card has been verified:

• Activate the card by calling the number provided, setting a 4-digit PIN.

• Sign the card.

• Keep the card in a safe place.

• Do not share the information on the card with anyone.

• Use the card anywhere Visa cards are accepted and/or get cash back at a retailer or ATM. Note that most transactions are free, but certain uses could incur fees. For more questions, visit EIPcard.com/FAQ.

BBB warns that scammers may try to text, call or email you, trying to get you to give up your card number or your personal information. Report any phishing or scam attempts to the IRS and file a report with BBB Scam Tracker to warn others not to fall for the scam.

If you have not received your Economic Impact Payment, you can track your funds using the Get My Payment tracking tool (https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment).

For more information, read BBB’s Tips on Economic Impact Payments.

See the latest coronavirus information at BBB.org/Coronavirus.

Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker.

Cook & James, the Atlanta-area based real estate law firm known for pioneering at-home closings, has added Sarah Stitgen to its attorney staff and promoted several other deserving team members. Today’s announcements mark the firm’s ongoing, measured yet aggressive growth trajectory begun in 2017 and intensified as the firm served real estate closing transaction needs in the recent weeks of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Stitgen will take the lead on closings in the firm’s satellite Woodstock, Ga. office but will also be a key closing attorney as the firm continues to handle real estate transactions via at-home, mobile, curbside and more across the Atlanta metro area.

Cook & James also today announced a series of promotions. Chuck Biskobing becomes a senior attorney immediately, recognized for his steadiness, optimism and flexibility historically and during the global pandemic; he played a key role as the firm developed its response to the COVID-19 crisis. Mary Jackson has been promoted to senior operations manager; she layers on additional oversight immediately while continuing her prior responsibility for leading all marketing outreach at the firm known for its creative and uplifting take on the work/life balance. Taylor Winne has been promoted to paralegal from her previous position as an office administrator and assumes her new responsibilities immediately.

“Bringing Sarah on board has relieved a huge pressure on the rest of our legal team,” said Kara Cook, co-founding partner of Cook & James. “These last few months have been incredibly busy for us and we refuse to sacrifice customer service and our signature convenient at-home closings no matter the situation. Being able to add head count and rely on our capable team members has been critical to us all doing an excellent job for our clients.”

Stitgen comes to Cook & James after having handled $10 to $100 million commercial contracts for a large environmental engineering firm as well as doing legal work in consumer bankruptcy, mortgage default and real estate closings. She graduated from John Marshall Law School in 2008 after earning her undergraduate degree and a master’s in public administration from Kennesaw State University. Originally from Detroit, she was raised in Georgia with brothers so says she plays every sport under the sun, although basketball and softball are her favorites. She is often called in as a ringer on company coed softball teams, enjoys yoga and wishes her 20-something son lived closer than Arizona, where he works. She and her husband live in Acworth, Ga. where, together with their own dogs, they cheer for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

“Sarah fits so well into our Cook & James culture of hard work, candor and fun and we are thrilled to have her on board,” said Heather James, co-founding partner at Cook & James. “We also deeply appreciate the collective efforts of Chuck, Mary and Taylor and it is our honor to properly recognize them with their respective and well-deserved promotions. The success at Cook & James is thanks to the hard work of people like them and, in fact, our entire team.”

 

The Morehouse and Spelman students brutally tased and removed from a car in Downtown during the May 30 protests spoke out Monday evening surrounded by family and legal counsel.

The incident was caught on video widely circulated on social media that showed five officers using excessive force to arrest Morehouse student Messiah Young, 22, and Spelman student Taniyah Pilgrim, 20, on International Boulevard near Centennial Olympic Park. Footage from one of the body cameras worn by an officer is available at this link, but be warned it is graphic.

Two of the five officers – APD Fugitive Unit Investigators Mark Gardner and Ivory Streeter  – were fired on May 31, while the other three have been assigned desk duty pending further disciplinary action. City District Attorney Paul Howard announced he is reviewing the case for criminal charges against the officers.

The students said they were not part of the George Floyd protests nor did they know about the curfew hastily called by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Saturday night. Their attorneys said the students were on a date getting food and got caught up in traffic.

Pilgrim thanked supporters and described the incident as the most traumatic thing that had ever happened in her life. “If the cameras weren’t there we don’t know what might happened,” Pilgrim said then apologized to the public who had to witness the “disgusting” video images of her arrest.

Young, who was driving the car, spent the night in jail despite having the taser prongs embedded in his back, a fractured arm, and in need of 20 stitches. He appeared at the press conference wearing a cast.

Young thanked his “support system” of AUC students and family. “At the end of the day, it’s a blessing that I’m alive and can talk with you and express what is occurring at this moment. This is a long fight. I’s not just about me or us, it’s about an entire generation dealing with brutality and injustice because of the color of their skin, preferences or originality. We will get through this together.”

Young’s attorney, Mawuli Davis, said his client and Pilgrim had never been arrested and refuted reports that there was a gun or drugs in the car. Davis said he believed the couple was targeted because they filming the protests happening around them.

Mayor Bottoms said when she announced the firing of the officers that charges against Young and Pilgrim would be dropped. Davis said he had yet to see the paperwork but would work to make sure his client’s arrest record was expunged.

Pilgrim said another officer, which she identified as Officer A. Jones, also deserved to be fired or charged. “Officer Jones was disgusting and did the worst thing imaginable. He said he was going to shoot us. We felt like we were going to die in that car.

Pilgrim, who was not charged, said she sat for hours in a jail bus and was refused a protective mask to prevent spread of COVID-19 even when she told officers she had asthma.

The post Students attacked by APD officers speak out: ‘We felt like we were going to die in that car’ appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and local health officials are concerned that the ongoing protests over the killing of George Floyd could cause a spike in COVID-19 cases. Thousands of people have converged on the city for the past four days, making social distancing impossible. “If you’re out there protesting, then you need to go get a COVID-19 test this week,” Mayor Bottoms said during a weekend press conference. “There’s still a pandemic in America killing black and brown people at a higher rate.” As of 1 p.m. on June 1, there were 47,618 confirmed cases in the state and the death toll stands at 2,074.

The state’s bars and nightclubs are officially allowed to open today, June 1, after Gov. Brian Kemp eased restrictions last week. Nightspots are allowed to reopen if they follow mandatory measures to “ensure patron well-being,” including limiting the number of customers to 25 people at a time or 35 percent of their total occupancy space. Many bars and restaurants – including popular spots like Dark Horse Tavern, MJQ, Mary’s, Euclid Avenue Yacht Club, and Trader Vic’s – are waiting a little longer until they can increase occupancy. Be sure to check your favorite watering hole’s website or social media before going out for drinks.

The Georgia Department of Education and Department of Public Health has released guidance for public schools to reopen this fall. The 10-page report, Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools, are not rules – since each school system operates independently under the state constitution – but offer recommendations for superintendents on how to interpret advice from local state health officials.

The post Coronavirus Update: Mayor urges testing after protests; bars and nightclubs reopen; school reopening report appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

Are you struggling with marketing your real estate business during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic the traditional way? With the slowdown in buying and selling activities and the shelter in place…

While both real estate investors and agents are facing new challenges as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, this doesn’t mean buying your first investment property is…

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has extended the curfew for a third night, June 1, ahead of planned protests in Downtown this evening. The curfew will go into effect at 9 p.m. and continue until sunrise on Tuesday, June 2.

Protesters rallied at Atlanta City Hall this afternoon before marching to to the jail and other parts of Downtown. A larger protest is planned for this evening, starting at 5 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Site and marching to Centennial Park.

Atlanta Police made 292 arrests over the weekend as protests over the killing of a George Floyd by Minnesota police rocked the city and nation.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

 

The post BREAKING NEWS: Curfew extended for a third night ahead of protests appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

While the state has loosened restrictions and many dining rooms have reopened, Intown restaurants are still navigating the decidedly abnormal “new normal” as the COVID-19 outbreak continues.

Experts believe that the “stay at home” mandate and fear of catching the virus has forever changed dining at restaurants. The ease of delivery, takeout and curbside pickup has become ingrained over the last few months, and many diners may only occasional return to actually eat in the dining rooms of their favorite restaurants.

Agave managing partner Tim Pinkham said the Cabbagetown restaurant, famed for its Southwestern fare, didn’t even offer delivery before the pandemic.

“We had to change our business model,” Pinkham said. “We thought our food didn’t travel well for delivery, but we quickly secured partnerships with DoorDash and Grubhub and our customer base made the transition.”

Agave has built a loyal fanbase over its 20 years and kept in contact with regulars through Facebook and Instagram, who were happy to pick up their cayenne fried chicken and margarita kits curbside or delivered straight to their door.

To keep its staff employed and keep up revenue flow, Agave also opened a weekend “fresh market” in its parking lot where customers can order online, drive up, and get fresh meats and vegetables.

Agave reopened its dining room with limited seating on June 1, so reservations are a must. Visit agaverestaurant.com to make a reservation and see safety guidelines for the restaurant.

“Dining out habits are going to change, and I think people will be enjoying food from their favorite restaurants at home more often, so we have to adapt for that,” Pinkham said.

Joseph Hsiao, who co-owns breakfast/brunch mainstay Flying Biscuit in Candler Park and Midtown, said both locations shifted immediately to takeout, curbside and delivery.
“We already had partnerships with UberEats, Grubhub, DoorDash and Postmates, and we saw a surge in delivery orders.”

Hsiao had to layoff 80 percent of his staff but brought them all back in mid-May as it geared up to reopen its dining rooms. He said diners would likely be surprised when they return not only to Flying Biscuit but any restaurant due to social distancing rules. Both locations of Flying Biscuit and Hsaio’s Flip Burger Boutique on the Westside have all reopened for dine-in service.

“It’s a different experience with the spacing of tables. We won’t be packing them in,” Hsiao said. “I think we’re going to continue to see more takeout and delivery for now, and those who do come out will be more cautious.”

In Buckhead, Café Posh owner Simona Edery echoed Hsiao’s thoughts on how customers are likely to react to changes restaurants must make. She said ambience is a main draw to Café Posh and it is decidedly different for now.

“I think people will be shocked to see some of the restrictions,” Edery said. “My main concern is keeping the food consistent and making our regular customers feel happy and safe.”

Edery said she believed many of her customers would continue to opt for takeout, delivery or curbside, which helped the Middle Eastern/Mediterranean fusion spot keep its staff during the weeks of shelter-in-place.

Sean Yeremyan, who owns Lazy Llama in Midtown and Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern in Brookhaven and Dunwoody, said all restaurants are operating at a loss now. “Anyone who tells you they are making money isn’t being truthful,” he said.

Like others, Yeremyan switched over to takeout and delivery, but he said that’s not a sustainable business model for a dine-in restaurant. However, he believes takeout and delivery will continue to grow in popularity and all restaurants will have to adapt.

Yeremyan, who plans to open additional Hobnob locations this year at Atlantic Station and in Alpharetta, said he’s taking extra social distancing steps in his dining rooms by letting customers pay from their cell phones or using at-table credit card readers.

The post Learning to Adapt: Restaurants navigate the new normal of operating during a pandemic appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.