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MARTA increasing security after Boston bombings

ATLANTA -- In response to the explosions in Boston, MARTA says it's "exercising an abundance of caution" and heightening security.

In a press release MARTA officials say, while "there are no credible threats to transit, MARTA is asking employees and customers to be vigilant and remain on high alert."

The MARTA Police Department is working with federal, state and local agencies, including the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and the Transit Security Administration in Washington, D. C. to stay updated on any recommendations related to public transit. 

In addition, MARTA is in contact with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency and its liaison to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

MARTA is taking the following proactive measures: 

Earth Day activities at Fernbank Museum

Earth Day activities at Fernbank Museum

As one of Atlanta’s top resources for environmental programming and education, Fernbank Museum of Natural History is offering a variety of ways to celebrate Earth Day. Programs will be held over several days to accommodate weekend schedules and include:

·        The Joys of Nature Journaling Workshop and Book Signing

Led by Helen Correll, Author, Middlewood Journal: Drawing Inspiration from Nature , Sunday, April 14, 1pm to 3pm – Advanced reservations required by April 12.

Atlanta: America's nerdiest city

Atlanta: America's nerdiest city

ATLANTA -- Meredith Placko's closet isn't about clothes. Instead, it's about an identity. The racks contain many of the essential ingredients for a life she lives proudly as a nerd.

"The whole world is kind of embracing the geek chic concept," said Placko, a blogger and freelance TV producer.

It starts with Dragon*Con, the annual downtown Atlanta sci-fi nerdfest that cinched Placko's decision to move here from south Florida three years ago. Dragon*Con helped vault Atlanta to the top of a list of America's nerdiest cities, according to a real estate site.

PHOTOS | Dragon*Con 2012

Four Metro Atlanta Caribou Coffee stores closing April 14

Four Metro Atlanta Caribou Coffee stores closing April 14

ATLANTA -- Coffee retailer Caribou Coffee said Monday they were closing four locations in metro Atlanta on April 14 as part of a larger set of store closings.

The company said it will close 80 locations nationally, and convert another 88 locations to Peet's Coffee locations, including the company's remaining nine stores in metro Atlanta.

The local stores that will be closing will be the locations on North Druid Hills Road, the Norcross store on Peachtree Parkway, and both Marietta locations -- on Powers Ferry Road and on Johnson Ferry Road.

The chain, America's second largest coffee chain behind Starbucks, was acquired in December 2012 by Joh. A. Benckiser, the German company which also recently acquired the West Coast coffee chain Peet's.

Fernbank offers a wild night of fun at Lost Oasis 2013

Fernbank offers a wild night of fun at Lost Oasis 2013

ATLANTA -- The Artemis Guild of young professionals at Fernbank Museum invites you to eat like a lion, laugh like a hyena, socialize like a butterfly and dance you tail off at Lost Oasis 2013: Wild Safari.

Lost Oasis, Fernbank’s annual fundraising party, will take place at Fernbank Museum on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at 8 p.m. In celebration of the museum’s Extreme Mammals exhibition, the party will feature a “Wild Safari” theme complete with live music by the Atlanta Beat, exotic cocktails, incredible food and more than 400 young patrons in their wildest party animal attire that is sure to include tusks, tails, spots and stripes.

DeKalb music official in running to lead FAMU marching band

DeKalb music official in running to lead FAMU marching band

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A DeKalb County Schools official is in the running to lead the famed marching band at Florida A&M University.

University officials say the search committee will meet Monday with two candidates for director of the Marching 100.

The two candidates are former Ohio University music professor Sylvester Young and Don Roberts, who is the instrumental music coordinator for DeKalb Schools.

In January, FAMU officials said they were starting over in their search for a new band director. They had planned to appoint Jorim Reid of North Carolina Central University, but they said Reid and the university disagreed over the duties of the band director.

The university changed the job following the hazing-related death of drum major Robert Champion.

Weekend street closures and event parking/travel tips

Weekend street closures and event parking/travel tips

ATLANTA -- With hundreds of thousands of people planning to attend events in the City over the next four days, transportation officials have released a list of street closures, as well as parking suggestions and travel tips. The following comprehensive information was collected from the Atlanta Police Department, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and MARTA.

A.P.D. - The Atlanta Police Department reminds the public of heavy traffic volume in Downtown Atlanta from April 4th-8th , centered around the Final Four basketball tournament and related events around the Georgia Dome.  The Department is urging event-goers and others who must travel into Downtown to consider taking MARTA, or other alternative modes of travel to decrease volume.