Good Day Atlanta viewer information: November 18, 2022

Illuminights returns to light up Zoo Atlanta

Illuminights is back at Zoo Atlanta for the second year, displaying more than 80 stunning hand-made Chinese lanterns spread throughout the 40-acre property.

ATLANTA - Chinese lantern festival returns to Zoo Atlanta: 

When Zoo Atlanta unveiled Illuminights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival last year, staffers told us they hoped it would become a new holiday tradition for local families.

And now that Illuminights is back for a second year, it looks like the team is well on its way toward making that dream a reality.

This morning, we made a return visit to Zoo Atlanta to check out the stunning Chinese lantern display, which features more than 80 hand-made lanterns spread throughout the 40-acre property. When we chatted with Jennifer Smith — the zoo’s VP of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives — last year, she told us more about the gorgeous glowing lanterns. 

"We partnered with a company called Hanart Culture. They’re a Chinese company who actually hand makes all of these lanterns," said Smith. "They are all steel frame, covered in silk, and then hand-painted and airbrushed and brought to us from there."

Smith says the lanterns are all lit using LED lights, which aligns with the zoo’s message of conservation and mission to be environmentally friendly.

This year’s Illuminights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival opens to the public Monday, Nov. 21 and runs through Jan. 15; hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. General admission tickets start at $20.99 for adults and $17.99 for children ages 3 to 11. For more information tickets and times, click here.

And for a look at some of this year’s stunning lanterns, click the video player in this article!

Slutty Vegan CEO Pinky Cole on her new book and US tour

Atlanta knows Pinky Cole as the restauranteur behind Slutty Vegan, the extremely popular food chain with the provocative name. She just opened another spot in New York City, but she's not done yet. Cole sits down with Good Day's Alex Whittler to talk about her new book, what she's cooking up next, and more.

Pinky Cole talks new plant based cookbook and her tour: The "Pinky Cole Experience Tour" is promoted by Live Nation Urban and will feature celebrities, executive chefs, Slutty Vegan food trucks serving mouthwatering dishes from her now-released recipe book "Eat Plants, B*tch," an exclusive book signing with Pinky Cole, DJ's, special surprise guests in each city, and much more. The U.S. tour will take Pinky and friends to venues in five cities, with stops in New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Baltimore. Keep up with Pinky on social media @Pinky907. For more information on her tour and book click here.

Topgolf Live Stadium Tour Tees Off at Truist Park: Topgolf Live Stadium Tour, an immersive Topgolf experience, will come to Truist Park, November 17-20. The four-day engagement, which is produced by REVELXP in collaboration with the Atlanta Braves, will provide the opportunity to take part in Topgolf’s signature gaming experience with the iconic Truist Park serving as the backdrop.  Players will hit golf balls at on-field targets placed between 60 and 140 yards from the tee box. Utilizing Toptracer technology, each shot is traced and instantly scored. Players will tee off from hitting bays along the first base line and take aim at targets staged throughout the field. The in-stadium game is family-friendly and designed to be enjoyed by all skill levels. Tee times are reserved in one-hour increments. Prices start at $70 per person for a bay of six people. For ticket information click here. 

T.I. and Blanco Brown team up for 'Trap Still Bumpin'

Country singer Blanco Brown is teaming up with his friend and Atlanta rap icon T.I. for a new song in the trailer trap genre. The musical duo sits down with Sharon Lawson to talk about the new music, growing up together in Bankhead, and a whole lot more.

T.I. and Blanco Brown talk releasing their single "Trap Still Bumpin": Blanco is an established country musician who has been nominated for multiple CMT Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and iHeart Radio Awards. He was also featured in the recent Amazon documentary "For Love & Country" which highlighted a ton of amazing African-American talent in country music.  His breakout single "Git Up" was released in 2019 and is nearing a billion streams across all streaming platforms. You can download the song on all streaming platforms now. 

How to create Thanksgiving tablescapes from the garden

There's no better way to make your Thanksgiving dinner pop than a beautiful tablescape, and you can make your own eye-popping display from your garden.

Pike Nurseries talks Thanksgiving tablescapes from the garden: To find a Pike Nursery near you click here.

Radio personality Veda Howard shares a 'Wisdom Nugget' for the weekend

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, gratitude and thankfulness may be on your mind. That's the topic of today's 'Wisdom Nugget' from Praise 102.5's Veda Howard.

Veda Howard gives her latest Wisdom Nuggets: A Wisdom Nugget is an inspiring or encouraging quote from Howard, business moguls, bumper stickers and everywhere in between; accompanied by a scripture. This week's is "The only thing you should feel entitled to is gratitude." by J.S. Mason.