Dental assisting school in Atlanta, GA

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) - Helping guide your student in a better direction can be challenging, but now the Georgia Aquarium and the City of Refuge nonprofit are unveiling a new learning facility, providing a pathway to career opportunities and skills for students’ future.

The ribbon cutting took place at the City of Refuge Warehouse off Joseph E Boone Boulevard in West Atlanta Wednesday afternoon.

“We want to give students in this community a chance to see something beyond their neighborhood. Growing up, that’s something I didn’t get as a kid and I want to give those opportunities to others,” Georgia Aquarium spokesperson Bailey Dawson Jr. said.

The Georgia Aquarium and the City of Refuge nonprofit teamed up with their partners to create a brand new ecosystem for student learning. The facility is centered around marine biology, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, and other STEAM programs led by professional educators and mentors after school.

“At the City of Refuge, we want to provide a pathway of opportunity to help our students reach their full potential, especially in a world that is constantly moving forward and growing,” said Jonathan Inman with the City of Refuge.

When it’s time to come up for air, after long hours of schoolwork, students can find an escape at the City of Refuge STEAM center too.

Along with classroom and study areas, there is also a pool table, air hockey, and a foosball table in the lounge area.

“It’s so important that these kids have people pouring into their lives but also guarding them from the many different temptations that are out there in the world,” Inman said.

Students will have a place where they can stay on top of their schoolwork in a structured environment while still having fun and learning at the same time, according to organizers.

“Being able to not only have the Georgia Aquarium down the street but to bring the Georgia Aquarium to them. Give them access to marine life and learn about the ecosystem,” Dawson Jr. said.

It’s open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and it’s free.

For more information, click here.

Copyright 2022 WGCL. All rights reserved.

When the new national mental health crisis line, 988, launched in mid-July, Georgia saw an expected increase in calls for help. Now, the state needs to allocate more money to support the surge in demand.

Driving the news: Georgia is one of the first states to report preliminary data from 988's first days online. And state officials saw a 14% increase in call, text and chat volume during that time from the year prior, or a total of more than 37,500 calls in 45 days.

Why it matters: The new three-digit national suicide prevention and mental health hotline was designed to make it easier for Americans dealing with a crisis to call or text for help.

Of note: Georgia's existing, 16-year-old crisis number, the Georgia Crisis and Access Line remains operational, but its staff is now answering both 988 and GCAL.

What's happening: According to Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Judy Fitzgerald, they expected an uptick in call volume with the rollout. And they expect the increase to continue.

The big picture: 988 nationally, which is being led by the Substance Use and Mental Health Administration, has seen a 45% increase in call volume, even without a large-scale marketing campaign.

What she's saying: "I've been in the field for over 25 years. I truly believe that this is the biggest point of transformation in my career," Fitzgerald told Axios of 988.

Zoom in: The highest prevalence of calls per capita during the first 45 days was in Webster County, in southwest Georgia — more than double the rate in Fulton County.

Yes, but: The increase in call volume means the state will also need to increase its services for all levels of crisis, including increasing mobile response team bandwidth and the beds and nurses needed to treat some patients.

What we're watching: To meet the projected demand, the department expects Georgia needs to double its community crisis bed capacity.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) - The weekend is upon us and there’s plenty of things to do in metro Atlanta. Lady Gaga is at Truist Park. the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival is happening, and an Australian country singer is performing at the Red Light Cafe. More things to do below.

The BronzeLens Film Festival continues this weekend at various locations. The festival features short films by local filmmakers of color. The festival also includes film industry panels, a Sunday brunch, and an awards show.

Head to Cultivation Brewery in Norcross for Pho Cue (Vietnamese pho and central Texas-stye BBQ), live music with Juicebox Band, Aubrey’s Place woodworking pop-up shop and more.

Eventide Brewing is celebrating National Dog Day. There will be pet gear for sale, dog caricatures, a dog-owner look-a-like contest and beer.

The three-day Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival features 300 vendors, live music, food trucks and fun.

Eight O’ Eight is bringing their high-energy rock tribute show to Dixie Tavern on Windy Hill Road.

Second Self Beer Company on Logan Circle NW is hosting Comedy on the Lawn. It’s a free show for adults. Hosted by Vas Sanchez.

Lady Gaga is bringing her Chromatica Ball tour to Truist Park.

WATCH ATLANTA CONCERT FORECAST WITH ETHAN COLE BELOW

The Beverly Atlanta on Glenwood Avenue is hosting a 90s Brunch with cocktail specials, DJ G-Que and 90s vibes.

The two-day Grant Park Summer Shade Festival will feature multiple artists and music. There will also be an artist market and kid zone. Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe will be there both days.

The SheATL Summer Theater Festival continues through Sunday at the Schwartz Performing Arts Center on North Decatur Road. The festival features four full-length plays by gender-marginalized artists.

The Cobb International Festival at Cobb County Fair Grounds will feature local and international music and art, eclectic dancing, delicious culinary options, crafts, jewelry and a kids corner.

Georgia Jam 2022 at Gas South Arena in Duluth will feature 11 bands in one venue. Lineup includes Jefferson Starship, Mother’s Finest, Drivin N Cryin, Michelle Malone, Pat Travers Band, ARS, Yacht Rock Schooner, Love Tractor, Shyanne, Boyce Coleman Band, Michael Allman Band.

Three Dog Night is performing at the Atlanta Symphony Hall on Peachtree Street NE.

The Black Keys with special guest, band of Hourses, is bringing their Dropout Boogie Tour to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta.

Lucky’s in Roswell is celebrating its 12th anniversary with an End of Summer Bash. There will be live music, a kids bouncy house and face painter, 2nd cutest dog contest benefitting the Golden Retriever Rescue Atanta, vendors, giveaways, burgers and a special $5 cocktail.

The Southern Devil Harley-Davidson in Cartersville is hosting Bikes, Babes & BBQ featuring the 2nd annual Georgia BBQ Association-sanctioned BBQ competition. There will also be food trucks, live music and beverages from Sixes Tavern.

Steady Hand Beer Co. on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard is hosting a vintage and handmade market. There will be a DJ and food trucks.

Southern Star Tattoo is hosting the 736 Ponce Fest with free music, free food and free booze.

Australian country singer Catherine Britt is performing at Red Light Cafe on Amsterdam Avenue NE.

The Decemberists are bringing their Summer 2022 Tour to Tabernacle Atlanta.

The Goo Goo Dolls are bringing their Summer Tour 2022 to the Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park.

Country legend Vince Gill is performing at the Fox Theatre.

If you would like to submit information for a future list, send an email with details to [email protected]

Copyright 2022 WGCL. All rights reserved.

Howard spoke with 11Alive anchor Jeff Hullinger about the impact of his new online platform, which is set to have its first public launch right here in Atlanta.

ATLANTA — From his start on television series such as "The Andy Griffith Show," and "Happy Days" to directing Oscar-winning films such as "Apollo 13" and "A Beautiful Mind," Ron Howard is no stranger to the work it takes to put together a great piece of entertainment.

It takes a dedicated crew of sometimes hundreds of individuals, coordinating in sync to put something magical on screen.

That's why Howard helped found "Impact," an app focused on making life easier for those who work behind the scenes on movies and TV shows, most notably crew and production.

Howard spoke with 11Alive anchor Jeff Hullinger about the impact of this new online platform, which is set to have its first public launch right here in Atlanta.

"It's to engage the production community and heighten their ability to communicate," Howard said of the project, a LinkedIn-like tool focused on those who work in the entertainment industry.

In his eyes, the app is a way to interact and expedite the process of getting a production crew together, noting the challenge that often arises in terms of simply knowing who is available and what their work experience is.

He added some 18,000 people are now on the app, which is completely free.

But for Howard, the project is just as much about creating opportunity as it is about ease. As he explained to 11Alive, the goal is to help democratize who gets selected for these kinds of roles as well.

"Technology has effected a lot of aspects of the business but not the hiring process," he noted. "It's still this very word of mouth kind of thing, which leads to a lot of hiring patterns that have always been there before, when in fact, there are so many talented people - who are really ready to do the work, do the job, and do it really well - beyond the contact sheet of any one production manager or line producer."

Howard said in the app's initial beta run, a significant amount of activity came out of Atlanta, unsurprising considering the city - and the state of Georgia at large has become such a booming Mecca for film and TV production.

For him, it makes perfect sense, factoring in infrastructure, tax advantages and of course, agreeable weather.

"It's certainly emerged as one of the hubs in the world," Howard added, hinting at the expanse of projects that are emerging outside the confines of Hollywood. "What's interesting is that there's so much demand that productions are being mounted elsewhere."

But he also sees that expanse as an opportunity to broaden talent, which in his words, benefits both audiences as well as the business at large.

Simultaneously, Howard also the wide range of outlets that now exist for audiences, allowing the opportunity for most anyone to find what something they love, even if it does take a little bit of searching.

For a veteran of the industry, Howard remains incredibly optimistic and as exhilarated by the creative process as ever.

"I truly love it," he said, thinking on what's kept him in the business for so long. "I really loved the process, I loved the people who were attracted to the process, I like the wide variety of sensibilities, and backgrounds that are attracted to the process."

That love, as it turns out, along with the dedication and work it takes to put a show or picture together, is something that was apparent to him, even in his early role on the "Andy Griffith Show."

"What I learned back on that show is, you put your best foot forward, you give it everything you got and the audience is going to speak to you, you may like what you hear, you may not - but, it's kind of a way of life," he explained.

Even with the advent of new technology, Howard also takes to heart that some things will always still stay the same.

"It's always shifting, and yet some things - even silent movie comedy styles - they don't vanish all together, they show up in unusual ways," he explained. "There was a movie that was very kind of cool and cutting edge, "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once"...I saw it the other day and said 'wow, there's some great Buster Keaton stuff in there, I'm seeing a little Jackie Chan in there...one thing just builds upon another."

In the end, it's all just tools for telling a great story, "what does a story demand, what's possible, what are the tools available to tell that story for an audience today."

And as for how much time he spends back, taking stock of the incredible opportunities he's had along the way, "I try not to focus on it too much, because then it becomes a pinch me moment...I'm trying to stay busy and forward thinking."

ATHENS — Georgia sixth-year senior William Poole is no longer a part of the Bulldogs team, per UGA coach Kirby Smart.

“William Poole is not going to be with us for the remainder of the season,” Smart said at his Monday press conference.

“He’s dealing with a personal matter, and he’s going to focus on that and his health and well-being, so he will not be with us for the rest of the year, unfortunately.”

Smart did not share the details of the “personal matter” that had put Poole’s standing in question last week and ultimately led to his parting from the program.

Poole, a sixth-year senior from Hapeville, was a starter last season in the SEC Championship Game and CFP Championship Game and played 33 games over the course of his career.

Poole most recently appeared in the Bulldogs’ 49-3 season-opening win over Oregon before being held out of the 33-0 win against Samford.

The Georgia graduate made a post on Instagram following Smart’s statement.

“Dawg Nation, I am thankful for the opportunity I was presented as a young kid out of Atlanta to have the honor of dawning the Red and Black for my home state for the past 6 years,” Poole said in the post. “Due to personal reasons, I have decided to forego my last season at the University of Georgia. Looking back, my time at the university has been the best transitional period of my life thus far from a standpoint of developing the intangibles and characters that I can further carry on throughout life as I depart from the University. As I exit, I am able to carry along with me my first priority academically which was obtaining a Bachelors Degree in my pursued major of Communication Studies. Furthermore, athletically, I carry along the honor of being apart of an SEC, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Peach Bowl, Orange Bowl and ultimately I am a 2021 CFP National Champion.”

Smart indicated Georgia will not need to juggle its defensive backfield.

“We’ve been chugging along, we’ve had (Javon) Bullard at the star and Tykee (Smith) at star the entire fall camp,” Smart said. “Poole played some there in the third down situations against Oregon, but he was working more at corner.

“We’ve got the guys we’ve got, and we’ve got to get the guys we’ve got better to be where we want to be.”

Kirby Smart says William Poole is no longer with Georgia football