Council Approves Smoking Ban in City Parks

A ban on smoking in Atlanta’s parks took one more step in becoming reality Monday as the city council voted almost unanimously to make it illegal to puff on cigarettes, cigars or pipes in “city parks, athletic fields, aquatic areas, golf courses, tennis courses, hiking/walking/biking trails, playgrounds, off-leash areas, and spectator and concession areas.” 

District 6 City Councilman Alex Wan represents the area and told Patch recently, “We keep investing in our parks and more and more people – kids and families – are starting to use them,” Wan said. “Certainly I respect the decision of those who choose to smoke … but more people are using our parks and we want to promote healthy living there.”

Mayor Kasim Reed supports the ban, which will take effect as soon as he signs off on its approval. Exceptions for the ban were made for Midtown’s Park Tavern, Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Chastain Park Amphitheatre and the parts of Oakland Cemetery that are privately owned.

Fines could range up to $1,000, six months in jail or community service and penalties would be up to judge in each case.

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“The Internship,” continues filming just south of Midtown in the Brookwood area Tuesday as part of 25th Street will be closed. The movie stars Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn and has recently been shooting off of 9th St. near Argonne Avenue. According to a notice sent to area residents:

“20th Century Fox will be filming scenes for the motion picture currently titled ‘The Internship’ at the Studios at 25th (located at 47 25th St., Atlanta). Our tentative filming date is Tuesday July 17 between the hours of 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“You will notice our prep crews beginning work as early as July 11, as we will be preparing one of our units for filming. While filming on July 17, we will temporarily close 25th Street between Peachtree Street and Alden Avenue. Officers from the Atlanta Police Department will maintain this road closure. Additionally, once we reopen the road after our filming in the street, we may perform intermittent traffic control within this area. The police will not hold traffic for more than 2-3 minutes at a time.

“Please note – all homeowners, residents and business tenants will be able to access their homes or buildings and park in their driveways – APD may ask you to wait briefly until our cameras stop rolling. But you will not be denied access to your home or workplace. However, off-street parking will not be available within our permitted closure.”

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A public forum to discuss the City of Atlanta’s sidewalk maintenance takes place Tuesday night at City hall. The meeting will feature panelists including Council President Ceasar Mitchell, Councilmembers Michael Bond and Kwanza Hall, and Public Works Commissioner Richard Mendoza

It will be moderated by PEDS President and CEO, Sally Flocks, who for years has been critical of poorly maintained sidewalks in the city. Based in Midtown at 1389 Peachtree Street, PEDS is a results-oriented, advocacy organization dedicated to making metro Atlanta safe and accessible for all pedestrians.

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The BB&T Atlanta Open, an ATP World Tour 250 event and the first men’s event in the Emirates Airline US Open Series, continues at Atlantic Station Tuesday. The playing scheduling for today is attached to this article and see here for a recap of Monday’s action.

While there, check out the Publix Family Zone where families can show off their tennis skills on four 36-foot courts staffed by local teaching pros. The Publix Family Zone will run through Sunday and BB&T Atlanta Open players will make appearances at Publix Family Zone through Thursday

Tonight is ALTA Night during which the top five boys and girls from their respective ALTA Junior Challenge ladders will be recognized and the on-court coin toss will be performed by ALTA President Diane Barker.

USTA Southern will also present a Run/Roll exhibition on Tuesday night, showing off the teamwork on doubles teams consisting of a wheelchair and an able-bodied player. Ticket information can be found here.

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On Monday outside the Fox Theatre, about 30 protesters gathered to rally against a pair of nuclear reactors being constructed by Georgia Power about 175 miles from downtown Atlanta. The power company’s parent company, Southern Company, rented the Fox Monday to screen a commissioned documentary on the utility’s history to executives and shareholders.

According to Creative Loafing, the protesters handed out that flyers touting that Southern Company used “its notorious lobbying machine to push a $2 billion hike” onto the state’s ratepayers. Read moer from CL’s coverage here.