Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Continues

Staff Reports

The 12th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) kicked off its 22-day cinematic exploration of Jewish life, culture and history this past week as Atlanta’s largest film festival and the nation’s second-largest Jewish film festival continues through Feb. 22.

See here for a complete listing of screenings.

On Friday, several local food truck vendors, including Yumbii, Streatery, Rolling Reubens, and Honeysuckle Gelato, will be at Atlantic Station Friday offering food truck discounts to those who attend the screening of “The Apple Pushers” today.

The film, which screens Friday at 12:15 p.m. at and along with it will feature guest speakers including CNN Medical Producer Caitlin Hagan, Georgia Organics Executive Director Alice Rolls, and urban farmer K. Rashid Nuri, is the uplifting story of immigrant street cart vendors and an urban initiative to bring nutritional food to those who need it most.

Attempting to address a lack of access to fresh and affordable produce, New York City launched an experiment in which “Green Carts” bearing fruits and vegetables would be deployed to “food deserts,” low-income neighborhoods where obesity rates are skyrocketing. In the face of entrenched political opposition, immigrant small business owners (including a Russian Jew who fled anti-Semitism) align with health advocates to take on this tough task with dignity and sacrifice, overcoming extraordinary challenges to carve out an economic niche. Narrated by Oscar nominee Edward Norton, “The Apple Pushers” chronicles public-private efforts to mitigate a national health crisis through the intersection of entrepreneurship and the American Dream.

Atlantic Station is teaming up with the local food trucks to bring movie-goers delicious eats after the screening today as a limited quantity of $2 discount vouchers will be given to ticket holders.

"We were happy to participate in "The Apple Pushers" discount at Atlantic Station,” said Mickey Moran, owner of Rolling Reubens. “It is an easy way for new customers to try several trucks for a low price."

The food trucks will be located on East District Street, adjacent to Central Park.

A record 26,000 people attended the 2011 AJFF, which is a production of the Atlanta Chapter of American Jewish Committee, an international advocacy organization that works to build bridges of understanding between ethnic, religious and national groups.

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Fulton County Department of Purchasing and Contract Compliance will host the 2nd annual Vendor Opportunity Day Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Fulton County Government Center.

This Vendor Opportunity Day will provide a forum for businesses and government purchasing officers to share ideas and develop business partnerships. Organizations interested in learning how to do business with Fulton County Government are encouraged to participate. 
Vendor Opportunity Day organizers will present contract opportunities, introduce business leaders to agency procurement personnel, and provide networking opportunities during the day-long event.

The Vendor Opportunity Day also will include a marketplace comprised of various County departments and other government agencies looking for specialized products and services for government business.

“As one of the region’s largest government agencies, Fulton County is well-suited to helping businesses compete for and obtain agency contracts,” said Cecil Moore, Director Fulton County Purchasing and Compliance Department. “We have special programs and services that can assist companies through every step of the process, from registering to do business with us to competing for, receiving and fulfilling government contracts.”

To register for Vendor Opportunity Day or for more information, please visit www.fultoncountyga.gov or contact Fulton County Department of Purchasing and Contract Compliance at 404-612-5800.

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Finally, if you need help purchasing a home, the Georgia World Congress Center is the place to be Friday and Saturday.

A program called "Neighborhood Lift" is being tested in Atlanta and Los Angeles, as both cities have been slammed by the foreclosure crisis. The program is sponsored by Wells Fargo in collaboration with local non-profit organizations. The City of Atlanta has also teamed together to help qualified buyers receive $15,000 toward a down payment on a home.

Individuals who make less than $60,000 a year can qualify as can families that make up to $83,000. Home must be purchased and closed within 60 days and recipients would be expected to live in it for five years. An inventory list of about 100 homes has been put together and bus tours will given to those interested and who qualify.

The event runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and walk-ins are welcomed. Parking is free and you are encouraged to bring all your financial documentation if you plan to meet with a home mortgage specialist to discuss qualification for down payment assistance. See here for more information, including a list of documents needed to determine down payment assistance qualification.