ATLANTA – Mae’s Birthday Celebration:  

Future service dog Mae is celebrating her first birthday, and a few days ago she celebrated with her siblings. Paul shows us how much fun the had.

14th Annual Lantern Parade Preview:  

Creativity always shines here in metro Atlanta — but it never shines brighter than during the annual Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade!

The Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade returns this Saturday, May 11, continuing a magical tradition that began back in 2010 when parade artists Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons decided Atlanta needed another reason to celebrate! Rytter founded the Krewe in 1999 in New Orleans, and the group has since established several popular lantern parades — all with the common mission of inviting everyone in the community to make a lantern and join in on the festivities. Rytter calls the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade “the mothership” of their lantern parades; since its creation 14 years ago, it’s grown into a major production that draws more than 10,000 participants and spectators and some truly awe-inspiring lanterns. 

Speaking of those lanterns, Rytter has already hosted several lantern-making workshops here in the community — but don’t panic if you missed one! There will be a lantern-making station at Westside BeltLine MarketPlace from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and a kid’s lantern-making workshop starting at noon at Pittsburgh Yards. Kids are then invited to take part in a special kids’ lantern parade at 6 p.m. at Pittsburgh Yards.

Meanwhile, the lineup for the main event begins at 7:45 p.m. at Adair Park, and the parade steps off onto the Westside Trail an hour later. There will also be a parade finale “jam session” from 9:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lee + White mixed-use development. 

For more information about this year’s Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade, click here. And click the video player in this article to check out our morning getting some hands-on lessons in crafting a colorful lantern for this year’s big event!

Casting Call with Tess Hammock: Tess has the latest information on casting calls around the area, but there are also venues hiring as well. Keep up with her on Instagram @CastingCallwithTessHammock

Budget-friendly home decor imagery with Alice Park: Park highlights budget-friendly decor ideas, such as using printable art, thrifted frames or repurposing everyday items as decor accents. Check out the details below:

• Provide tips on maximizing space and adding personality to small living areas with photos and artwork.
• Showcase versatile decor pieces that can easily transition from dorm room to first apartment.
• Offer guidance on where to find affordable artwork and photography, both online and offline.

It’s Mae’s birthday, and we’re celebrating: You saw Four-Legged Foodie, the first dog food truck, supplying some of the sweet treats at her first birthday party. So we wanted to bring them into the Good Day studio today! Co-founder Deborah Pena is here to show us how to make dog treats at home! Click here for more information. Learn more about City Dog Market here.

Niecey Shaw has the latest in entertainment news: There was an apparent shooting that happened near Drake’s home that left one person hospitalized. Niecey Shaw has the latest information. 

Ousseni Bouda’s 76th-minute golazo was the difference for San Jose against in a 1-0 win over USL Championship rivals Oakland Roots SC.

The Burkina Faso international, selected eighth overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft, whipped a right-footed shot from distance into the far post. The Quakes await a Round-of-16 showdown vs. USL Championship side Sacramento Republic FC.

BUFORD, Ga. (Atlanta News First)—If you can’t get enough sports, listen up: Major League Pickleball will play its 2024 season this weekend in metro Atlanta.

You might have heard of the local MLP team, the Atlanta Bouncers, but the players are brand new.

“My name is Angie Walker. I am a professional pickleball player and play for the Atlanta Bouncers,” Walker announced.

Unlike your grandma, the Bouncers, made up of Walker, Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought, and Genie Erokhina, don’t do this for kicks.

“Pickleball allows me not to have another job,” Martinez Vich said.

Most players come from tennis backgrounds. Martinez Vich was a three-time all-American tennis player in college at Hawaii Pacific, Walker played at Idaho State, and Fought at Weber State.

The four Bouncers were drafted by Atlanta in April’s MLP Draft.

Walker

“Every day, I wake up and get to do something I genuinely love and call it my job,” Walker said.

But the time for excitement is over, and Chris Wolfe, who runs pickleball operations for Competitive Sports Ventures and acts as the Bouncer’s coach when they’re in town, has one goal in mind.

“I think we have one of the top teams, and we’re ready to move on to Premier [Level],” Wolfe said.

Major League Pickleball works a bit like European soccer. There are 22 teams spread into two leagues: Premier and Challenger. At season’s end, the top four Challenger teams move into Premier.

“They need waters, they want me to sing to them, I’ll do whatever,” Wolfe said.

The team practices at one of CSV’s businesses, the popular Pickle & Social in Buford.

The Bouncers are the Deep South’s only team, partly owned by Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young.

And a nearly 30-match season begins Friday, May 10, at the Peachtree Corners Lifetime Fitness.

It’s the start of Walker and Martinez Vich hope are long careers in a successful league.

“I hope so,” Walker said. “Definitely the next five. Hopefully forever.”

“We’re going in the right direction, and that’s what matters,” Martinez Vich said.

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