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Community Corner

BeltLine, URC in running for $25K grant

Two groups are among finalists in Southwest Airlines' "LUV grants" contest.

The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership and Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers are two of five Georgia-based “Group 2: Medium Charity” division finalists in Southwest Airlines’ “LUV grants” contest, which recognizes organizations who “LUV” their communities.

Each group submitted a promotional video speaking to the theme, “How we show our love for our community.” Voting for the best video began Thursday and runs through March 18 as the groups are competing for a $25,000 grant.

Log in daily here to vote, and each entrant may vote one time per category, per day during the voting phase. All those voting are in the running for the chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas via Southwest Airlines.

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There are three categories featuring five groups as the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta is among “Large Charity’’ finalists.

UCR was named a finalist based on an essay that explained the need to fund its “floating classroom,” the only one of its kind in Georgia, and which takes area youth on a 40-foot catamaran on Lake Lanier to learn about the Chattahoochee watershed in particular.

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The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership was named a finalist based on its Adopt-the-Atlanta BeltLine, which provides an opportunity for community groups to play a direct role in improving and maintaining the Atlanta BeltLine.

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In other news concerning URC and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, URC is reuniting with Georgia River Network and Georgia ForestWatch for the 5th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Sunday, March 11, at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. This is the touring festival of short films for the national Wild & Scenic Film Festival – the largest environment film festival in North America.

Two award winners from the festival will be screened: "The Story of Broke," the Best Short Short award winner at the Wild & Scenic’s national festival, an animated film that calls for a shift in government spending toward investments in clear, green solutions to deliver jobs and a healthier environment; and "Liter of Light," an Honorable Mention winner, an inspiring story about a man who lights up a poor neighborhood using a clever, solar-powered device.

Two films with a local flavor will also be shown: Atlanta resident Rhett Turner, who co-produced "Chattahoochee: From Water War to Water Vision" (screened at last year’s festival), returns with "Bhutan: Land of the Black-necked Crane." Local filmmaker Jamie Higgins will offer a sneak preview from her documentary on the Upper Chattahoochee River Blue Trail. Tickets to the festival, which sold out last year, are available here through the event page.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for students/seniors, and $11 for groups of 8 or more. Complimentary beverages from SweetWater Brewery will be provided for guests age 21-plus with valid ID.

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And the 2012 Atlanta BeltLine's Running Series, presented by Internal Data Resources (IDR), will kick off its second annual Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5K on Saturday, April 28 when the Atlanta Police and Fire Departments will face off in a re-match of last year's friendly competition, which the police swept. Upping the ante this year, Chief Kevin Cochran and Chief George Turner have committed to running in support of the Fire and Police Departments.

Beginning and ending in the scenic Tanyard Creek Park, the Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5K is a run/walk on the Atlanta BeltLine Northside Trail through Tanyard Creek, Howard, and Ardmore Parks and along streets in the beautiful Collier Hills, Collier Hills North, and Ardmore Park neighborhoods. The event will kick off at 8 a.m. and will feature post-race activities to include exciting prizes and more.

"Following last year's successful Atlanta BeltLine Running Series, 2012 is creating even more enthusiasm in the community," said Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Executive Director Valarie Wilson in a news release. "With a beautiful course, creative competitions, new sponsors, activities and prizes, the Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5K will be an event you won't want to miss!"

Registration and additional information is available at Run.BeltLine.org. The race will be capped at 700 participants due to race course constraints, so register early as there will be no race day registration.

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