ATLANTA – Atlanta’s plan to build a civil rights museum is stirring debate about which venue would best tell the story of that turbulent and inspiring time: downtown, among sleek corporate buildings and cultural institutions, or Martin Luther King Jr.’s old stomping grounds on Auburn Avenue, known as “black Main Street,” with its housing projects and fried fish joints.

A decision about where to put a civil rights museum is likely to inform how the story about the civil rights movement is told – and is as important as the papers and artifacts that the building will house, say experts.  Read On

The City of Atlanta has announced the following street closures this weekend due to the BET Hip Hop Awards at The Fox Theater on Sunday:

• Ponce De Leon, from Peacthree Street to West Peachtree, east and westbound lanes (midnight Friday to Sunday);

• Ponce De Leon, from Juniper Street to Peachtree Street, east and westbound (6 a.m. to midnight Sunday);

• The South curb lane of Ponce de Leon between West Peachtree Street and Spring Street (6 a.m. to midnight Sunday);

• Peachtree Street (from Third Ave. to North Ave, north and southbound lanes (4 a.m. to midnight Sunday);

• Peachtree Street (from 5th Street to North Ave., north and southbound lanes (noon to midnight Sunday);

• Peachtree Street (from 4th Street to North Ave., north and southbound lanes, noon to midnight Sunday);

• Third Street (from West Peachtree Street to Juniper Street, east and westbound lanes, 8 a.m. to midnight);

• West Peachtree Street (northbound lanes from North Ave. to 3rd Street, noon to midnight Sunday).  Source

Downtown Atlanta is going to be busy this weekend.

Atlanta is off the chain this weekend with the star-studded convergence of BET Hip-hop Awards, Veterans Day observances, and sporting events.

Shopping, dining and getting around will be more of a challenge as BET awards participants, goers and star watchers pile into popular shopping, dining and party haunts around town.

Add to them sports fans converging on Phillips Arena for tonight’s 7 p.m. game between the Hawks and Seattle Sonics, featuring a post-game concert by Atlanta hip-hop star T.I. Sunday, fans will throng the Georgia Dome for the Falcons’ 1 p.m. game with the Cleveland Browns.

Expect major traffic headaches downtown around those major venues as well as Underground, South DeKalb Mall, Atlantic Station, Lenox Mall and Phillips Plaza, and Buckhead Village, the scenes of high-profile appearances and parties given by music celebs such as Jermaine Dupri, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Nelly, and Bobby Valentino.

Planned BET festivities aren’t limited to the city. Other locations include Decatur’s Chocolate nightclub and Club Nocturnal on Lawrenceville Highway, so watch out for possible traffic congestion.

Don’t forget the Fox Theatre, where the inaugural BET Hip-Hop Awards Show will be taped on Sunday to air Wednesday on the cable network.

Peachtree Street and other major arteries also could be the scene of traffic hassles as partiers and cruisers make their way around town.

The BET Awards will result in some street closings today and Sunday.

As if that isn’t enough, there’s also major road work to navigate during what could prove to be one of hottest party weekends of the year.  Source