ATLANTA STREETS ALIVE

A new route from West End to Grant Park launched on April 17 with perfect weather for biking and walking

The Great Atlanta Fire of 1917 destroyed most of the buildings in the Old Fourth Ward, fanned by heat, wind and a lack of personnel to fight the blazes that broke out around the city the morning of May 21, 1917.

The City of Atlanta’s Fire Department was already taxed with a rash of fires that broke out on the morning of May 21, 1917 – pulling its resources thin. When the call came about a stack of burning mattresses at a warehouse on Decatur Street, no one knew it would become “The Great Atlanta Fire” that would level most of the Old Fourth Ward.

Without enough equipment to fight the mattress fire, flames were spreading to other buildings and beginning to race north, fueled by hot temperatures and a steady breeze. By the end of the day, the fire would leave 10,000 homeless, wiping out nearly 2,000 homes and apartments along with assorted businesses.

Although one woman died of a heart attack, remarkably no one perished in the flames. The annual “Fire in the Fourth Festival” will commemorate the event on May 21. Turn to page 37 for more details.

Pet Pick

Elvis loves everyone he meets—kids especially! We often take him out to meet the Girl Scout Troops when they stop by for a visit, and he cannot get enough of their attention. He is a very gentle-natured guy, but he is also playful. Elvis will be a very fun pet for some lucky family. He seems to do well with other dogs, so if you have a pup at home be sure to bring them by for a meet and greet. To adopt Elvis, visit PAWSAtlanta.org or drop by the shelter at 5287 in Decatur.

The Petco Foundation awarded LifeLine Animal Project, the leading Atlanta nonprofit saving the lives of cats and dogs in the local community, with a $1.5 million Lifesaving Impact Grant to recognize the organization’s work in helping to transform Atlanta into a lifesaving community. Pictured below right, LifeLine Animal Project DeKalb Shelter Director Kerry Moyers-Horton, left, and DeKalb Operations Manager Tracy Thompson, saying thank you to Petco.

The Ellis Hotel in Downton has upgraded its Pet Friendly Floor experience with new amenities for furry, four-legged jet setters. Fluffy and Fido can now dine with their own luxurious travel food bowls while dressed in their stylish “Ellis” bandanas. Pet parents can order fresh, organic farm-to-table cuisine from The Ellis’ Terrace Bistro for their dogs and cats. Pets will enjoy a walk around Downtown with their courtesy bags (attaches to the leash) and visiting nearby parks, pet-friendly restaurants and boutiques.

Texas-based FarmHouse Fresh, an award-winning manufacturer of natural and organic bath, body and face products, made a charitable donation of 75 dog beds of various sizes valued at more than $5,000 to PAWS Atlanta in Decatur.

Pet Briefs